We All Sleep Alone (Finley Creek #11) - Calle J. Brookes Page 0,11

do you live?” He didn’t know much about her at all. For the first time, he wondered why.

How had he missed knowing who she was? Their paths had crossed before. He even vaguely recalled discussing her with Logan once or twice. Allen wondered about who she was and what she saw the world as.

Usually when he saw her, she was working at a breakneck speed, mostly on shifts opposite his. Or with Nikkie Jean, doing things together. Maybe that was it—their paths hadn’t crossed that often during the course of a day. They rarely even worked the same shift. That was the only explanation.

Otherwise, Allen would have noticed her long before.

“I share an apartment with my uncle near here. I called a neighbor. We had some broken glass, but the building is fine. No injuries to my neighbors, either.”

“Good.” He stepped up to her and took the hand that was holding Annie’s in his own. He checked her pulse quickly, clipped the pulse oximeter onto her finger, and waited. Her knuckles were scraped. “You’re up to 91 percent, at least. That’s two points since last time. Your body’s good at compensating.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve always been an overachiever. I’m a straight 95 percent kind of girl.”

“You’re very snarky, Nurse Izzie. Doesn’t that ever annoy people?” He’d always appreciated a snarky sense of humor. This woman had it in spades. Apparently, his initial impressions of her being a bit quiet had been wrong. She was strong, kind, compassionate, and fierce—and dependable in a crisis.

“It does. Why do you think I do it?” She ruined the effect with a yawn. She’d changed into a hospital gown. Pale, skinny legs peeked out from the bottom of it. Thick socks covered her small feet. He wondered where they’d come from. There were matching socks on Annie and Nikkie Jean as well. One of the shift supervisors’ doing. FCGH people did have a habit of taking care of their own. “Thanks for the free bed for the night, though. Really appreciate it.”

The bed she wasn’t using. He resisted shooting a glare at it. He motioned for her to lean forward. He listened to her lungs for a moment. “You are still not where I want you to be. Who knows what was in that plaster you breathed in tonight.”

“Hey, I’m doing good for me, Doc. All things considered. I have an appointment with Dr. Kassower in two weeks, anyway. I go every six months like clockwork and get the same results.”

He frowned. That allergist had a reputation for being a bit outdated, and was affiliated with County. Allen didn’t know much more than that. “So this is normal?”

“The dust and debris didn’t help. I’ve had better days, I’ll admit. I’ve also had worse.” She shot him a look from large dark eyes. A look full of secrets. Memories. A look that had him wanting to know so much more. “This is the first time a colleague has held me captive at the hospital because of it after an F4—or 5—tornado, though.”

“Hey, anytime. I always aim for originality. Breathe in for me, one more time.” He pressed the stethoscope against her back and listened. When that was finished, he ran a few more quick tests before he was satisfied. She was a professional; she’d know when to seek help, if needed. “Do what you’re told tonight, and I’ll let you out of here in the morning. After you rest. In the actual bed. You aren’t helping either of them sitting there.”

“Can I work? I’m needed here, Jacobson. You can’t miss that. Cherise needs every hand on deck, especially until Wanda makes it back from Arizona.”

“I know. Modified duty, or I send you out on medical leave until after that appointment with your allergist. Understood?”

She stared at him. He pointed at the bed. The staring continued. As did the pointing.

“Fine. I’m not stupid. I don’t see the point in all of this. I could have gone home and taken my meds myself. I do appreciate being put in here with Annie and Nik, though. So thanks for that.” She climbed in the bed and grabbed the blankets. Glaring at him the entire time. Despite everything that had happened, Allen had to fight a smile.

It was the socks that did it. Ruined the entire effect she was after.

“Don’t thank me. I’d say Cherise had a hand in that.”

“No doubt.” She yawned again. He straightened the blankets over her. After one last look at Annie’s and Nikkie Jean’s stats, he