Read Doc Featherstone's Return for Free Online Page B

dragged it toward him. He assessed the patient, wincing at the numerous gunshot wounds that marred the shifter’s body.
    Damn, how could somebody take so many bullets and still be alive?
    Ash opened the drawers and got out gauze pads, plus specialized strips that would stop some of the bleeding until they were able to get the soldier into surgery. He also grabbed the supplies to start an IV and set them on the cot.
    After that, he got so caught up in his work, he shut everything else out. Once that patient was stabilized, they brought another one for him to work on and then another one. Ash could feel himself getting weak and shaky, but he didn’t dare stop, not when there were so many who needed his help.
    Finally, after what seemed like hours, they were able to treat the less wounded. Those who required only basic stitches and such. Since Ash could do those in his sleep, the work was a lot less taxing on him. He was just finishing up his third patient when Featherstone came over, and, judging from the expression on his face, he wasn’t too happy.
    “Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing?” the doc demanded.
    Ash gave him a sideways glance. “I know you were away for a while, but surely you remember
what it looks like to give somebody stitches.”
    “You should be in bed, not up treating patients.”
    “You guys needed the help, and I was here. It made sense that I help. Besides, aren’t you the one who is always saying that I shouldn’t be coddled too much?”
    God, how Ash loved being able to throw the doc’s own words back into his face. If he could have, he would have gotten up and done a happy dance. He would have even added in a butt wiggle at the end for good measure.
    “I didn’t mean that you should start treating patients,” Doc said, his face red with anger.
    Ah, it was just like old times. All that was missing was the doc telling him what a sucky medic Ash was. Then things would be perfect.
    “You needed the help, and I was here. So stop complaining and say thank you already,” Ash snapped.
    Featherstone ran a hand through his hair and let out an aggravated grunt. Another thing he used to do back in the day. “Just go get cleaned up and back into bed. You must be exhausted.”
    Actually, Ash was beyond exhausted, but he’d die before he’d admit it. “Actually, I feel just ducky. But if you insist, I’ll get changed and take a nap to make you happy.”
    Ash grabbed a fresh set of clothes, since his old
ones had blood on them, and changed. At least he didn’t need help with that task anymore. He then washed up as best he could and lifted himself into bed.
    He was practically asleep before his head hit the pillow. His last thought was of the doc. How dare that arrogant jerk get mad at him for helping?
    Ash was a medic. Just because he was in a wheelchair didn’t change that fact. Featherstone was an ass for thinking anything less.

    Joshua took a deep breath as he tried to calm down. When he’d seen Ash wheeling around, helping the injured, Joshua had almost had a heart attack.
    Didn’t Ash realize that he still had a long way to go in his recovery? That he was nowhere near ready to be on active duty again? Just one look at him now proved that. Ash was asleep, but his pallor had increased, and the circles were back under his eyes. It was obvious he’d overworked himself.
    “Well, you handled that well,” Jacyn said in a clearly disapproving voice.
    “What is that supposed to mean?” Joshua asked.
    “He was just helping out. If any of us had been
in his position, we would have done the same thing.”
    “He doesn’t need to be up and treating patients, not when he’s a patient himself.”
    Jacyn gave Joshua a knowing look. “Didn’t you tell us not to coddle him?”
    “Yes.”
    “Yet you kind of just did the same thing yourself. It seems a bit hypocritical to me, Doc.”
    Joshua could feel his anger rising. “No, I’m just a doctor looking after the best interests