Beautifully Awake(12)

I took a closer look at her photo. “Oh my goodness, they’re twins. I can’t believe it. One’s so blonde and one’s so dark … hmmm, just like Mommy and Daddy. They’re precious, Kelly. You must really have your hands full, huh?” She perked up a bit and sighed. “I know you must miss them so much. Don’t worry … we’re going to do everything in our power to get you recovered and home quickly.” I glanced up, making eye contact with two very mesmerizing grey ones. Chase was just outside the door, hidden from Kelly’s view, eavesdropping. My nervous stomach was back.

“Am I interrupting?” His eyes bounced back and forth from mine to Kelly.

Shit. Starting morning number two off on the wrong foot, too.

“How are you feeling this morning, Mrs. Peterson?” Chase strolled into the room with Guy and Sam on his heels.

“Headache’s still there and didn’t sleep much. My nerves in the middle of the night were relentless. But,” Kelly motioned to me and smiled softly, “Lili knows exactly what to say to make you feel better. I’d keep her around if I were you.”

“Oh, I definitely plan on it, thank you. I appreciate hearing kind words about my team.”

What the hell did that mean?

“Now let’s get you better, you have a family to get home to. We discussed the logistics last night. Do you have any more questions?” He sat at the edge of her bed.

“How long will the surgery be? I want to give my husband a call so he knows when to expect me to be finished. Unfortunately, he can’t be here when I go in. He has to pick the twins up from nursery school.”

“You have twins?” He bowed his head and kicked at something on the floor.

“Oh, she certainly does and they’re absolutely adorable.” I handed Chase the photo that was still in my hand.

He stared at the children, and after several long seconds he finally commented. “They’re gorgeous. You’re lucky to have them, Kelly.”

“Thank you.”

Chase handed back her picture and turned his attention to the residents lingering at the end of the bed. “Dr. Hunter, take Mrs. Peterson through the logistics of what to expect again.” Then he abruptly rose from the bed.



The whole time, his eyes remained glazed and distant and aimed directly for the door. I hadn’t known the man long, but his expression was one I’d never seen.

“Dr. Colton, before you leave?” Kelly snapped him out of his hollow stare. She seemed to notice his change in demeanor as well.

“Yes?”

“I need to wake up for my babies.” One of her pooled tears strayed and her voice wavered.

“You’re at an amazing hospital, Kelly. I have a stellar team. You’re in the best hands possible. I’ll find your husband when I’m through. See you in there.” He gave her a small smile, turned and walked out the door. The mood in the room definitely shifted.

“So, let’s see…” Guy quickly averted the attention off Dr. Colton’s odd behavior and began to finish Kelly’s questions. “It usually takes about five-six hours and you should be resting comfortably in the recovery room right around seven.”

I waited for Guy to finish rambling then retreated to the hallway. Dr. Colton’s eyes immediately found mine as he stood, back against the wall, and his hands snaked in his pockets, waiting.

I shifted my gaze to my tablet and started screwing around. Anything to avoid the awkward tension mounting.

“I want you there,” he snapped.

“What, where?” I glanced up from my tablet, hoping he wasn’t really talking to me. I was never around someone who fluctuated moods as fast as a puck traveled across the ice.

“In the OR.” His eyes reconnected with mine, leaving me to question what he was asking.

“The OR?”

“Yes, Ms. Porter, the OR.” His tone was short. I was silent. His request completely baffled me. Why would he want me in the OR? “You with me?” He pulled his hands from his pockets and crossed them over his chest.

Did I have a choice? “Um … um ... do I have a choice?” Yep, I said it out loud. Shit.



“You don’t,” he growled. “Kelly needs you there, I need you, so I want you in the OR, period. You with me?” He never blinked, not once. His intensity was insane.

He needed me? “Um ... um ... okay.” I muttered before I heard Guy at my back whispering, “What’s going on?”

“Good.” Chase turned to Sam who was tapping away on his tablet, completely oblivious to our conversation. “Dr. Petit, get her scrubs, show her where she needs to go, don’t leave her alone anywhere until I get there. You hear me?”