said.”
“It pays to be a good patient,” he responded, grinning.
Stacey enjoyed the moment. Dr. Brennan had a nice rapport with his patient. She hadn’t seen much of that in her work in medical facilities in developing countries. There the patients came and left the same day. None of the doctors, and certainly none of the temporary nurses, had an opportunity to really get to know the patients. It was lovely to see that personal interaction in this clinic but at the same time it made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t looking to become involved with anyone on any level.
Over the next few hours Stacey found out that Dr. Brennan’s bedside manner didn’t just extend to the Fitzpatricks. He treated all his patients with the same respect and concern. Each time they saw someone new he took the time to introduce Stacey, making her feel she was part of his team, significant. That was an odd thought.
They were passing through the activity room where the afternoon sun beamed in through the windows when a weathered man sitting at a table lifted a hand in acknowledgment.
“Hey, Salty. Good to see you,” Dr. Brennan greeted him.
“Who’s that with you?” Salty wanted to know.
“This is my new nurse. Stacey Ryder. Stacey, this is Salty, our local hero.”
Stacey couldn’t miss the pink spreading across the older man’s cheeks, the wrinkles that gathered beside his eyes and the straightening of his shoulders. “Aw, ’twas nothing. Anyone would have done it.” His gruff voice was filled with pride.
“Done what?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“We had a ferry accident a few months back. Salty went out in his boat and helped save people.”
“That sounds impressive.” And she was impressed.
Salty shrugged his shoulders. “Glad I could help.”
“We’ve got to be going. See you around.” Dr. Brennan strolled on through the area.
“Nice to meet you.” Stacey hurried to catch up with the long-legged doctor.
They hadn’t made it into the hall when Salty called, “Hey, Doc, find a good woman and you’ve found a jewel.”
Dr. Brennan raised a hand and kept walking. “Thanks. I’ll remember that.”
Stacey had seen the slight flinch of his shoulders before he’d waved off Salty’s unsolicited advice. “What was that about?”
“Nothing. Salty is always dishing out his idea of wisdom.”
Dr. Brennan didn’t appear to think that particular piece of advice was very impressive. Were he and his wife having trouble? Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with her and so was none of her concern.
A few minutes later as they walked out of a patient’s room a tall, sandy-blond man wearing a lab coat came toward them. “Hey, Cody. How’s it going?”
“Well. Your staff has done wonders with Mrs. Fitzpatrick.” Dr. Brennan passed her his hand computer on which he was making notes. “As uncooperative as she was before surgery, I’m impressed by how far she’s come in such a short time.”
“What can I say? We’re good!” The man chuckled, then gave her a questioning look. “Hi, I’m Alex Kirkland, your medical director.”
“I’m Stacey Ryder, Dr. Brennan’s temporary nurse.”
“That’s right, Marsha’s out taking care of her mother. Welcome. We’re glad to have you,” Dr. Kirkland said. “Feel free to call me Alex.”
She liked him. He wasn’t quite as stuffy as Dr. Brennan. “Alex. I’m glad to be here. Didn’t I read somewhere that it was you and Dr. Brennan who started this clinic?”
“Yeah, that was us.” Pride filled his voice.
An attractive woman with a riot of red hair headed their way with a bounce in her step. She called, “Hey, Alex, you have a minute?”
Alex’s eyes lit up before he turned. “I always do for you.”
“Aw, you do care.” She joined them.
Stacey suspected there was a deeper meaning to their greeting by the way Alex lightly touched her elbow to direct her attention to Stacey.
“Maggie, this is Stacey Ryder, Cody’s clinical nurse for the next few weeks.”
Maggie extended her hand. “Maggie Green, one of the physiotherapists around here. I specialize in hydro and equine therapy. Glad to have you. I hope you enjoy your stay.” She turned to Alex. “I hate to drag you away but I need to talk to you about one of the twins for a sec.”
Alex shrugged. “Duty calls. Good to have you, Stacey. Don’t let Cody overwork you while you’re here.” He followed Maggie down the hall toward the hydro area.
Stacey looked at Cody “She seems like fun.”
“That’s not what Alex thought for a while. Now he’d agree with you.”
They continued down the hall.
Uncharacteristic curiosity had gotten the better of her and Stacey had researched the founding of the clinic. After meeting a few people, she’d already figured out the internet didn’t tell the entire story of Maple Island Clinic. Doing the research in person with one of the founders, especially a particularly handsome one, was an invitation to get personal. Taking a breath for courage, Stacey asked, “So how did you and Alex decide you wanted to start this facility? By your accents you don’t come from the same part of the country.”
He looked at her for a moment as if he was deciding whether or not to answer. “We don’t. We met at a conference. Single guys with childcare issues in common. Next thing I knew we were coming up with this clinic idea.” He turned the corner and started down another hall. “I’m originally from California.”
“That makes sense. One coast for another.” That seemed a pretty dramatic move for a specialty surgeon of Brennan’s caliber. Was there more to it than a chance meeting at a conference? Had something else pushed him into the move? She shouldn’t pry further yet she couldn’t stop herself. “Was that a hard sell to your family?”
“No. The girls were so small they were good with it.”
“Your wife?” Stacey winced silently. She had already asked too many questions.
“She was already out of the picture.” His words were flat and final.
Stacey let go a private sigh of relief. He’d closed the door on that subject, slammed it shut.
They walked back to his office in silence. There he said, “I’ll see you in surgery at six in the morning.” Then he literally closed the door in her face.
So much for Mr. Charming.
