Free One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) by Celeste Norfleet Page B

continuing to edge away from him.
    “There’s obviously something wrong, tell me, what is it?”
    “Nothing,” she sniffed away a falling tear then turned to the anxious man beside her. “Your grandmother will be fine.”
    “I know that,” Raymond said indignantly, slightly insulted by her assumption that his only concern at that moment was for his own well being and that of his family. “My concern is for you. How can I help?”
    Hope stared at Raymond for an instant. She was taken aback by his genuine concern, his ardent, almost passionate plea to help her. He was actually concerned about her feelings and her discomfort. Why? She wondered to herself with dubious curiosity. What possible difference could her distress make to him? Then, suddenly, an overwhelming sense of attraction swept through her. Gasp. She sat back and shook her head as if to dispel the odd feeling of attraction and fascination that had somehow snuck up on her.
    Raymond watched closely enough to notice a sudden change in her facial expression. The uptight, embittered medical professional had turned from a sobbing heap to an aloof and guarded woman right before his eyes.
    “Listen,” he said, speaking in the barest whisper, “whatever it is, whatever the problem, sometimes talking about it, talking to someone else, a friend maybe, makes a difference.” Raymond reached up to wipe the last fallen tear from her cheek. Her skin was soft, too soft. He smiled, openly assessing. “Sometimes even talking to someone you barely know, can’t stand, and just met after an argument in the hospital quiet room can be helpful.”
    Hope suppressed the smile for as long as she could. But eventually, it forced its way free. It crept from a single corner, than spread wide across her full mouth until her entire face was lit by her radiance. Raymond’s touching slightly comical remark had somehow sparked hope into a dismal memory. Hope easily succumbed yielding to the charm Raymond so naturally exuded. Surrendering to this man would be too easy.
    “I’m sorry for this, this...” she paused to consider her wording, “unprofessional...”
    “Why do you keep apologizing?” Raymond questioned still sincerely concerned. “There’s no need to apologize.”
    “It was unprofessional.”
    “To show emotion isn’t unprofessional?” She remained silent.
    “Do you want to tell me about it?”
    She slowly shook her head.
    “Okay.” He acknowledged her simple statement with acceptance.
    Hope looked around the small room uncomfortably. Suddenly being this close was too close and she needed breathing room. She stood up suddenly taking Raymond by surprise. “The final tests results came in. Mrs. Gates experienced a serious allergic reaction to something she ingested.”
    “I see. Do the tests indicate the catalyst?”
    “No, I’ve ordered a comprehensive allergy test later today. I’ve already contacted admitting about an available room.”
    “So you’re recommending she stays here?”
    “Yes, her blood pressure is still elevated. Her cholesterol is borderline dangerous and her heart rhythm is a little erratic. I’d like her to stay at least a day for observation.”
    Raymond walked over to the pot of newly brewed coffee on the side desk. He poured rich dark coffee into a Styrofoam cup. “I can have her transferred to Manhattan Medical within an hour.”
    “Transferred?”
    “Yes.” He took a sip of the hot brew then pulled his telephone from his jacket pocket and prepared to dial. Then closed it and looked for a landline.
    “Why would you want to disturb her rest by transferring her to another facility?”
    “Because it’s a better hospital and it’s my hospital.”
    “Are you implying that Golden Heart is less than adequate?”
    “I’m saying that I want my grandmother at Manhattan Medical, a hospital that I’m associated with where I can be sure that she’s receiving the best care and attention.”
    “And exactly what do we administer to our