Read Nurse Lovette for Free Online Page A

Milburn was right, Avery thought as she left. She had a lot of things to mull over but first, she felt the need to apologize to Darby.
    * * * * *
     
    Darby’s heart skipped a beat as she heard Avery’s footsteps on the front stairs. When Avery had called and asked for just a few minutes of her time, Darby had considered refusing. Instead, she’d invited her to come back over—and to come in the front door.
    Now she regretted it. After what had happened between them this morning, the last thing she should be doing was inviting Avery into her living room—and into her private life.
    The doorbell chimed and Darby smoothed back her hair, steeling herself before opening the door.
    Avery’s perfume filled Darby’s senses immediately, derailing her already slipping control. “Come in,” Darby said, horrified by the nervous tension evident in her voice.
    She watched Avery’s gaze move around the room, taking in her comfortable floral-printed sofa and the pale-green, overstuffed armchair. It bothered Darby how much she wanted Avery’s approval of this space.
    “Have a seat,” Darby told her as she sat in the armchair. Normally the sofa was her favorite sitting spot, but she needed to maintain physical and emotional distance. Truthfully, all she really wanted to do was take Avery by the hand and show her the bedroom.
    “Thanks,” Avery said, the tone of her voice indicating she was every bit as uncomfortable outside their usual clinical setting. She sank onto the sofa, perching on the edge of the cushion. “I had to do this in person,” she began. “I owe you an apology.”
    No! It’s all right. But Avery didn’t give Darby the opportunity to say what she was thinking.
    “I never should have crossed the line. You told me what your rules were at the beginning. I agreed to them. I’m sorry. I want you to know I respect you more than that and I won’t do it again,” Avery divulged.
    Darby stared. And then, horrified, she heard herself uttering words that were in direct opposition to what she really wanted to say.
    “It’s okay. I’m glad you came here. I really want to keep our relationship as professional as possible. For both our sakes. I’m glad you understand.”
    Avery’s bottom lip trembled for a split second. “Yes. Of course. Professional.” She stood. “So, I’ll see you for our appointment next week.”
    Darby stood too. Would you like to stay for a cup of coffee? She bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from issuing the invitation. “I’ll see you Tuesday at ten.”
    * * * * *
     
    Darby checked her patient’s vitals. Mr. Schneider would probably be gone by sundown, but he seemed resigned to that fact. “I’ll check back in a few minutes,” Darby said to his wife.
    “Could you…could you stay for just a little while?” Mrs. Schneider asked.
    There were charts to mark and other patients to see, but the imploring look in the soon-to-be widow’s eyes made Darby’s decision for her. “Sure.”
    Mrs. Schneider gazed at her husband. “When I married him forty years ago, I never gave this moment much thought.”
    Darby shifted her weight from one foot to the other. This moment was foremost in her mind when she met someone. The pain in the eyes of the family members haunted her. It was a day that would come for everyone. How could Mrs. Schneider not have been terrified every day that she would lose a piece of her heart when she lost the man she loved?
    Mrs. Schneider’s gaze lifted to Darby’s. “Are you married?”
    Darby shook her head. Suddenly, she couldn’t speak. Her throat constricted and she felt as there was a huge knot in her chest. While she’d never been able to harden herself to the act of dying as some of her colleagues had, she’d also tried desperately not to let the patients in as individuals. They were names on charts. Room numbers. Nothing more.
    So why now?
    “A pretty girl like you?” Mrs. Schneider asked with a wistful smile. She stood and crossed her arms