gurney upon which lay an immobile man dressed in an expensive designer suit, whose face was obscured by an oxygen mask.
“What’s the story?” Angela studied the papers handed to her while the other team members transferred the man to the treatment table.
“Motor vehicle collision,” one of the EMS workers answered. “Restrained driver. Airbag deployed.”
“Vitals?”
“Stable.”
“How long has he been unconscious?”
“A few minutes maybe—since we arrived at the scene. Looks like he hit the steering wheel or the dashboard pretty hard.”
“So you couldn’t get a history from him.”
“Nope.”
Angela nodded before turning her attention to her staff. “Is Dr. Donnelly on the way?” At the nod from one of the nurses, she said, “Let’s get started on routine labs and exam, Sheila. I’m sure Dr. Donnelly will order a CT head, spine series, chest X-ray and abdominal series.”
“Will do.”
Angela helped Sheila remove the patient’s designer suit jacket before she pulled his oxygen mask off and let out a shocked gasp. Cam Stewart! It couldn’t be, but it was. She’d know that handsome face anywhere—especially since it had only been a couple of days since she had last seen him.
“Angela?” Sheila touched her arm. “Are you all right?”
“What?” She tore her eyes away from Cam’s unusually impassive face to stare into her friend’s questioning gaze. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Do you know him?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe you should let someone else—”
“No!” The single word was spoken more forcefully than she intended. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, she said, “I’m fine, Sheila.”
“If you two are involved—”
“We’re not. He’s the best friend of Alesha’s husband,” Angela further explained, referencing their former coworker.
“Oh, I see.” Sheila nodded, satisfied with her explanation. “Well, let’s take good care of him, then.”
“Absolutely,” Angela agreed. She needed to call Alesha and Derrick, but first things first. She snapped back into emergency mode and did her job, saying a silent prayer hoping Cam would be all right.
* * *
“Let me take him and put him down, babe.” Alesha’s hand gravitated toward the sleeping two-month-old son nestled in Derrick’s arms.
“In a minute.” Derrick gazed lovingly at the little boy. “I haven’t seen him all day.”
Alesha smiled tolerantly. “You are spoiling him.”
Derrick glanced up and grinned. “Like you’re not.”
“It doesn’t matter what I do because you’re bad enough for both of us,” Alesha reasoned. “When you’re gone, D.J. just wants to be held and held all day long.”
“And you’re only too happy to oblige, aren’t you?” He chuckled as she softly touched D.J.’s cheek.
Before she could answer, the phone rang. She reached over to pick it up. “Hello.”
“Alesha, it’s Angela.”
“Hi, Angie.” Alesha tucked her legs underneath her. “What’s up?”
“I want you to remain calm.” At Angela’s words, the hair on the back of Alesha’s neck stood up.
“I was calm until you said that.” Alesha sat up a little straighter. “What’s going on?”
“What’s wrong?” Derrick glanced at her, and she shrugged.
“I don’t want you and Derrick to worry,” Angela began. “He’s stable, and I’m sure he’s going to be fine.”
“Who’s going to be fine, Angie?”
“Cam, he was in a car accident.”
“Cam?” Alesha’s worried eyes found Derrick, who immediately tensed at the mention of his best friend. “How bad?”
“What’s happened to Cam?” Derrick asked. Alesha could feel the apprehension rolling off her husband.
“Just a minute, babe.” Alesha touched his cheek reassuringly and continued talking to Angela. “How long has he been there?”
“Not long. He was brought into the E.R. by EMS about an hour and a half ago. I was part of the team working on him. He’s unconscious.” Angela seemed reluctant to admit this, and then hurriedly added, “But his vitals are strong and stable.”
“We’ll be right down, Angie. Thanks for calling.” Alesha hung up the phone without waiting for a response. “Cam was in a car accident. Angie says he’s stable...but unconscious.”
“Damn,” Derrick swore softly and stood.
“Let me take D.J. upstairs, and then we can head out.” She took their still-sleeping son from his arms.
“You don’t have to come with me.”
“Of course I do. Cam is family.” She kissed him softly. “He’ll be all right, babe,” she promised before heading for the stairs. “If you leave without me, I’ll have your head.”
“I won’t.” He managed a slight smile. “Hurry.”
“I’ll just tell Emma we’re going and be right back,” she said, referring to their housekeeper as she hurried up the stairs.
* * *
“Jeez,” Cam groaned, eyes closed. “Why does my head hurt so much?”
“You have a concussion.” Angela’s fingers touched his badly bruised temple gently. His eyes sprang open at the sound of her voice, and his frowning eyes focused on her.
“Angela?”
“In the flesh.” She smiled, relieved he recognized her.
“Where am I?” He glanced around the stark white room before returning his confused eyes to her.
“In the hospital.” She took out a penlight and shone it into each of his eyes.
“What happened?” He shooed the annoying light away from his eyes. “How did I get a concussion?”
She studied him closely. “Don’t you remember?”
Cam seemed to think
