Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“I’m so sorry. I’ll stop by your room periodically to make sure you’re okay.” She looked over the empty room without any supplies and shook her head. “This isn’t right. It’s not how we treat patients here, and it’s definitely not how I take care of people in my rooms. Have you gotten lunch?” she asked.
“No. They didn’t bring me anything,” CC answered.
“Did you find the menu to order your meal?” Dr. Warren asked.
“No,” CC answered. “I’m sorry. I’ve never been in the hospital. I didn’t know I had to give someone an order.”
CC watched the nurse and Dr. Warren exchange a glance. She could tell both were not happy. “I could just ask a friend to bring me lunch. He’s coming with some things for me.”
“If there’s a treat you would like, you can do that, but the hospital’s food is pretty good. They have killer cheesecake,” the nurse suggested as she opened the drawer of the bedside table and handed the menu to CC.
“I’ll help her order while you get CC set up,” Dr. Warren suggested.
“Thank you. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” The nurse quickly exited the room.
“I’m glad I brought you a smoothie.” Dr. Warren reached for the bright pink mixture in the transparent cup and handed it to CC. “Try this.”
She took a deep sip. “Mmm! I was so thirsty. This is delicious. It’s strawberry and something else?”
“Strawberry and other yummy stuff,” he agreed without telling her the other ingredients. CC had a sneaky feeling it was stuff that was good for her.
He quickly reviewed the menu with her and called in an order, explaining the process as he completed it. When they promised to have a meal delivered quickly, he hung up the phone.
“That’s all organized. They say fifteen minutes. Let’s get you cozied back into bed so you’ll be ready to eat when they get here with your tray.”
Before she could protest, his supporting arm released her waist, and he stood up. Lifting her into his arms, he repositioned her to lie comfortably on the supportive mattress. Dr. Warren reached for the covers as the nurse bustled back in with an armful of goodies.
“Let’s put some slipper socks on her feet so she doesn’t fall,” the nurse suggested as she set everything down.
“I’ll take care of that,” Dr. Warren promised, plucking the package from the pile.
As he tore it open, the nurse apologized to CC. “I don’t know how this happened, but I’ll make sure it doesn’t again. Here’s some ice water and a few snacks. I’ve got an ice pack for your hand. That may help as well.”
CC tried to ignore the feel of Dr. Warren’s hands on her feet and calves as he pulled on the comfy socks. She hadn’t realized how cold her toes were. Doctors weren’t supposed to help with silly things like this, were they? Relaxing against the pillows, CC allowed the two wonderful people to help. Her panic at being trapped there ebbed a bit.
When he tucked the covers up around her shoulders, CC looked gratefully up at him. “Thank you so much for coming. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Yell. Make noise if the person on the phone doesn’t help. I’m going to go take care of that now. Did you come up with a name for your stuffie?” he asked.
“Hunter?” she whispered, nodding at his first name embroidered on his white doctor’s coat.
“I’ve never had a stuffie named after me. That’s exciting. Let’s see if my head will fit through the door,” Dr. Warren joked as he walked out into the hallway.
Sticking his head back inside, he reassured her with mock seriousness, “Whew! I’m safe. Let them help you with your food when they bring it. I have to dash away, but I’ll be back later to check on you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that…” CC’s voice faded as she realized he’d already left. She knew doctors were busy and hoped she hadn’t screwed up his schedule by monopolizing his time. Clutching the stuffie to her heart with her good hand, she looked at the swollen one now elevated on a pillow with an icepack that felt so good. He’d made everything better.
Chapter Four
Three days later, CC drove herself to her Purrfect Coffee shop. The parking lot was packed with a ton of people in the drive-thru lane. Sure everything was falling apart without her there to oversee the routine, CC turned her car off and ran inside.
Stopping at the front counter, she gazed around in wonder. Everything sparkled. There were fresh flowers scattered in vases around the dining room. One happy kitten entertained the people at his table as he batted at a bloom.
All the customers smiled and waved, welcoming her back. The number of employees she’d scheduled had tripled to include a bunch of off-duty police officers.