Free Heart Failure by Richard L. Mabry Page B

Her EKG showed a massive MI. Did she make it?”
    “So far. And you were right—she had a myocardial infarction. Dr. Rushton is doing a CABG right now.”
    “Well, she’s in good hands,” Rob said. He ducked his head, and Carrie thought he looked about fourteen years old when he did. “Um, I know that you’re a doctor and I’m only an EMT, but I was wondering if you’d like to have a cup of coffee together sometime.”
    Carrie put her hand on his arm. “Rob, I’m flattered, but I’m involved with someone else. Thank you, though.”
    Rob was a good-looking young man who’d just asked her out. And Phil, despite his usual demeanor, had sent some signals of interest as well. Some women probably would be thrilled to have that much attention, but Carrie wasn’t one of them. No matter what had happened, she wanted to honor her commitment to Adam.
    She thought about the ring she’d given back. Did she regret that action? No. Although she was in love with Adam, Carrie didn’t think they could move forward until they were no longer in danger. She only wished she knew when that might be.

    Carrie and Julie had decided to meet at a restaurant in the Galleria, a large shopping center north of Dallas. Julie was already at a table toward the back, and the sight of her friend made Carrie’s face light up.
    Julie jumped up and met Carrie halfway to the table. The two friends hugged.
    “I’m sorry I’m late,” Carrie said. “Things were crazy this morning.” She took the chair next to Julie and tossed her purse onto the vacant one beside her.
    “No problem,” Julie said. “Catch your breath, get something to drink, and we can talk.” She sipped her iced tea. “Afterward, I have orders from Barry to check out the Nordstrom here. He agreed to pay for our lunch if I brought home something frilly.” She raised an eyebrow.
    Carrie grinned. In a few minutes the two friends were chatting as though no time had passed since they were last together.
    The waitress served salads, and for a moment the two women nibbled, although neither seemed as interested in eatingas talking. Finally Julie said, “Now for the reason we’re here, I guess. The last time we talked, someone had taken a shot at you, after which you discovered your fiancé wasn’t who you thought.”
    “I’ve found out even more since then,” Carrie said. She leaned forward and laid out all she’d learned from Adam. “The real question isn’t whether I love him—despite everything, I still do—but what we’re going to do to get out of this mess.”
    “I don’t suppose you’ve talked with anyone else about the situation,” Julie said.
    “Who would I tell? My parents pretty much washed their hands of me when I became a Christian my first year in med school. I don’t have any siblings—you’re the sister I never had.” Carrie leaned across the table. “You’re my best friend.”
    “Even though we were both in love with Billy Kiker in the third grade?”
    “Even then,” Carrie said, and laughed for what seemed the first time in weeks.
    Julie took a forkful of salad. “Why didn’t Adam tell you all this before he asked you to marry him?”
    Carrie put down her fork. “He admits he probably should have, but he thought he’d made a clean start in Jameson and hoped he could get by without revealing his past.”
    “And you can forgive him for that?”
    “When I think about how supportive Adam’s been, when I realize how wonderful it’s been to have him in my life—yes. He taught me how to smile again, Julie. When he and I first met, I was a wreck, mainly because of what happened to John.”
    “Stop it! John had a cardiac problem that no one, not even a great diagnostician like you, could have noticed. And eventhough the odds of a complication like the one he experienced are slim, that doesn’t mean it can’t happen . . . even with the best possible medical care.” She reached to pat Carrie’s hand. “You have to accept