Dr. Gordon Jennings was going to help Paul figure out that connection.
***
Hospitals were too bright. The overhead lights often made her head ache. The scent of antiseptic burned her nose, and the clean floors squeaked too much beneath her feet. The temperature was always too cold for her, and the constant pages that sounded over the intercom distracted her.
She couldn’t afford more distractions. She’d already screwed up once that day.
Chloe had gotten the blood off her hands, but each time she looked down at her fingers, she swore she could still feel the stickiness on her skin.
She hated that stickiness.
“Chloe?”
She looked up. She’d been sitting in a very uncomfortable chair—one with a long tear along the seat that exposed the cushion and rubbed against the back of her thigh.
“Chloe?” The man in the white lab coat took a few quick steps toward her. “What’s happened? Is everything okay?” A stethoscope dangled around his neck.
“Dane.” She stood. Her knees felt a little shaky. Unacceptable. “I didn’t realize you were still here. I-I was told that you’d transferred down to Florida.”
“Yes, well, that’s because I was offered a job down there after I finished my residency.” He closed in on her. “The position was in Miami. Seemed perfect. I even tried things out for a few weeks, but it just wasn’t home. Came back here a few days ago when the hospital director called me. There was an opening for an ER doc. I took it.” His gaze assessed her. “Do you know that you have blood on your shirt?”
“Better than having blood on my hands.”
He backed up a step. “Uh…yes? It is?”
“You’re working the ER here.” He’d been a resident before, but he’d finished up that work. Then gone to Miami. Now Dane is back…
“Yes, yes, that’s what I just said. My shift started a few minutes—”
“I need you to check on a patient for me. The lady at the front desk was extremely unhelpful."
Surprise flashed across his handsome features. “Sally? Everyone loves her. She’s—”
“I would love to hear a list of Sally’s many virtues, but could you tell me about them after you check on the patient? Her name is Judith Key. She’s a stabbing victim. She was brought in a little while ago and—”
“She’s in recovery. I just heard about her, actually. Seems some doctor was on scene and he was able to keep her alive. Guy’s being called a hero.”
As if on cue, Joel pushed open the ER’s swinging doors. He paused to talk with some man in a suit. A man with glasses and an attitude of authority. The fellow slapped his hand on Joel’s shoulder.
Joel’s head turned. He looked around the waiting area as if he was searching for—
Me.
His stare locked on her.
She could almost feel him exhale. Or maybe she was the one doing that because relief burst through her.
“Chloe?” Dane put his hands on her shoulders. “Are you all right? Do I need to check you out? You’re very pale. I know you have that blood issue and judging by your shirt, you are not having a good day.”
“Could be a much worse day. You could have told me that Judith was dead.”
Joel stalked toward them. Someone had given him a pair of green scrubs to wear. His hands were clean—no blood on him—and his eyes seemed to shine with flecks of gold. “She made it,” Joel announced.
Was he aware of how he sounded? Excited? Happy?
Chloe smiled at him. “That’s just what Dane was telling me.”
Dane let go of her shoulders and turned toward Joel.
Time for fast introductions. “Dr. Dane Ambrose, this is Joel Landry. Dr. Joel Landry. He’s the hero you were telling me about.”
Dane flashed a warm smile at Joel and offered his hand. “You’re already a legend.” He laughed. “Got to ask, did you really keep your fingers in her chest during the entire ambulance ride?”
“I’m not a legend. I’m just someone who is very glad that Judith is okay.” He shook Dane’s hand. His gaze assessed Chloe. “You’re too pale.”
“People keep telling me that. It is starting to become insulting.”
“Oh, Chloe, you’re still gorgeous,” Dane assured her. “But you look as if you might faint at any moment. Want me to check you out?”
“No. I’m good.” The last thing she wanted was to be checked out by Dane. “How is Judith?” Chloe asked Joel. “Did she say anything about her attacker?”
“The lady isn’t exactly talking.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “And she’s also sporting a concussion on the