The Doctor's Redemption. Susan Carlisle

the letter. Finally they managed to stabilize the patient enough to send him to surgery.

      Laura Jo had to talk to the family. They must be scared. When she asked the admission clerk where they were she was told exam room five.

      “Why are they in an exam room?”

      “The man’s granddaughter is being evaluated.”

      Laura Jo headed for the exam room. It shouldn’t have surprised her that Mark was there, too. He came out as she was preparing to go in.

      “Well, fancy meeting you here,” he drawled in a deep voice that made her think of a dark velvet night.

      “It’s not that amazing really. I work here.”

      “I figured that out. So how’s your daughter? Healing nicely?”

      “She’s fine. A little tender but fine.”

      “Good. By the way, I’m Dr. Mark Clayborn.”

      “Yes, I know who you are. As in the Clayborn Building, Clayborn Bank, Clayborn Shipping.

      He gave her a studying look. “Do I know you?”

      “I’m Laura Jo Akins. Used to be Laura Jo Herron.”

      “Herron? My parents used to talk about the Herrons. Robert Herron. Real estate.”

      She looked away. “Yes, that’s my father.”

      He had pursed his lips. “Well, that’s a surprise. Isn’t it a small world?”

      Too small for Laura Jo’s comfort. It was time to change the subject. “Thanks for helping out. Now I need to talk to the family.” She gave the door to the exam room a quick knock and pushed it open.

      It turned out that she was wasting her time. “The nice Dr. Clayborn” had updated them and also seen to Lucy, their little girl, but they appreciated Laura Jo coming in. By the time she’d returned to the nursing station things seemed to be under control in the ER. All the exam and trauma rooms were full. The critical cases were being cared for. Those waiting were not serious.

      “Why don’t you take your supper break while you can?” the lead nurse said.

      “Are you sure?”

      “It’s now or never. You know the closer we get to Fat Tuesday the merrier it gets around here.”

      Laura Jo laughed. “If merry is what you want to call it. Okay, I’ll go.”

      “I’d rather call it merry otherwise I think I might cry,” the lead nurse said with a grin.

      Laura Jo grabbed her lunch box. It had become a habit to pack a lunch when money had been so tight even before Phil had left. Reaching the cafeteria, she scanned the room for an empty table. The busy ER translated to a full room. As soon as a table opened up she headed for it. Before she could get to it Mark slid into one of the two seats available. Disappointed, she stopped and looked around for another spot.

      He waved her toward him. “You can join me, if you like.”

      Laura Jo looked at him. Did she really have a choice? She was expected back in the ER soon. “Thank you.”

      He grinned at her. “You don’t sound too excited about it.”

      What was he expecting her to say? You’re right, I’m not? “I have to eat. The ER won’t stay calm for long.”

      “It did look a little wild in there. I’ve certainly had more than my share this evening. I haven’t done this much emergency work since I was on my med school rotation. Don’t see many head trauma and heart attacks in family practice.”

      Laura Jo pulled her sandwich out of the plastic bag. “I understand that the girl was sitting on top of her father’s shoulders and toppled off. When the grandfather saw what had happened he had a heart attack.”

      “Yeah. Thank goodness it all happened within running distance of the med tent. For a few minutes there wasn’t enough of us medical personal around to handle all that was going on. I’m just glad the girl has regained consciousness and the grandfather is stable.”

      “The girl will be here for observation for at least one night and the grandfather for much longer, I’m afraid.”

      He took a large bite of his hamburger and they ate in silence for a while before he asked, “So you knew who I was the other day. Why didn’t you say something?”

      “There just didn’t seem a right moment.”

      “So you’ve seen a lot of Mardi Gras.”

      She straightened her back and looked directly at him. “I’m not that old.”

      He grinned. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that.”

      Laura Jo had to admit he had a nice smile. She grinned. “That’s not what it sounded like to me.”

      “I was just trying to make pleasant conversation and didn’t mean—”

      “I know you didn’t.” Still, it would have been nice if he’d at least thought she looked familiar. She’d been invisible to her parents, unimportant to her husband and just this once it would have been nice to have been memorable. But, then, it had been a long time ago.

      “So do you attend any of the krewe festivities?” He chewed slowly, as if waiting patiently for her answer.

      “No. I don’t travel in that social circle anymore.” She took a bite of her sandwich.

      “Why not? As I remember, the Herrons were a member of the same krewe as my family.”

      “I’m an Akins now.”

      “So Mr. Akins isn’t a member either, I gather.”

      “No, and Mr. Akins, as you put it, isn’t around to be a member.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      “I’m not. He left years ago.”

      “Oh, I thought …”

      “I know. For all I know, he’s alive and well somewhere.”

      Having finished his meal, Mark leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, it has been a pleasure running into you, Ms. Atkins.”

      Laura Jo stood to leave. “You, too, Dr. Clayborn. We do seem to keep running into each other.”

      “Why, Ms. Akins, you don’t believe in serendipity?”

      “If I ever did believe in serendipity, that would’ve been a long time ago. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”