Orchard Valley Brides Read Free Page B

captured his full attention earlier, she did now.
    â€œSo Valerie decided to go through with it, after all, did she?”
    â€œYes.”
    Silence filled the room.
    â€œDamn fool woman,” he muttered after a moment. Heturned his head away from her and as he did, Norah noticed that his mouth had tightened with pain. His dark eyes were dulled by it.
    Norah was left to speculate as to its source, physical or emotional.

Two
    â€œI n twenty years I’ve never worked with a more disagreeable patient,” Karen Johnson was saying when Norah walked into the nurses’ lounge early Monday morning. “First, he refuses the painkiller even though the doctor ordered it, then he throws a temper tantrum—and his breakfast tray ends up on the other side of the room!”
    â€œI hope you’re talking about a patient in pediatrics,” Norah said, sitting down next to her friend.
    â€œNope. Rowdy Cassidy, the guy they brought in from that plane crash. One thing about him—he’s certainly earned his name. By the way, he asked for you. At least I think it was you. He said he wanted to talk to the Bloomfield sister who wore fancy dresses. Since we both know Steffie’s more likely to wear jeans and Valerie’s on her honeymoon, he must mean you.”
    Norah smiled to herself, recalling her brief visit with Rowdy the afternoon of Valerie’s wedding. So he remembered.
    â€œDon’t feel any obligation to go see him,” Karenadvised. “In my opinion, the man’s been catered to once too often. It’d do him a world of good to acquire a little self-restraint.”
    From the beginning, Norah had suspected that Rowdy would be a difficult patient. He was an energetic, decisive man, accustomed to quick action. And he was probably furious about missing Valerie’s wedding. He’d been thwarted at every turn, which no doubt added to his frustration.
    Although Norah didn’t really know Valerie’s former boss, she had the distinct impression that he wasn’t often foiled. Try as she might, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. He’d gambled for Valerie’s affections and lost. He’d seemed to honestly believe that her sister would have a change of heart and cancel her wedding plans if he came to Orchard Valley.
    Norah waited until eleven-thirty to visit Rowdy, since that was when she took her lunch break.
    He was lying in bed. His right leg, encased in plaster, was held at an angle. The blinds were drawn, casting the room into shadow. When he saw her, he levered himself into a sitting position, using a small triangular bar to pull himself upright.
    â€œI heard you wanted to talk to me,” she said, standing just inside the private room.
    He didn’t say anything for a moment. “So you were real.”
    Norah hid a grin and nodded.
    â€œYou are a nurse, or is this another costume?”
    â€œI’m a nurse.”
    â€œValerie went through with the wedding, didn’t she?”
    Norah raised her eyebrows. “Of course.”
    His frown darkened.
    â€œWhat’s this I hear about you throwing your breakfast tray?” she asked, stepping farther into the room.
    â€œWho are you, my mother?” he demanded sarcastically.
    â€œNo, but when you behave like a child, you can expect to be treated like one.” She walked to the window and twisted open the blinds. Sunlight spilled into the room.
    Rowdy shielded his eyes. “The thing with the tray was an accident. Now kindly close those blinds,” he barked.
    â€œYou’re certainly in a black mood. My advice to you is to lighten up. Literally.”
    â€œI didn’t ask for your advice.”
    â€œThen I’ll give it to you without charge. It wouldn’t be a bad idea if you took those pain shots, either. You’re not afraid of a needle, are you?”
    He scowled fiercely. “Close those blinds! I need my sleep.”
    â€œYou aren’t