Page 68 of More than a Memory
“Now that is good news,” Sam said. “Darcy, this is Pepper, she just came on shift for the day.”
“Nice to meet you,” Darcy said smiling warmly, forgetting about her earlier moment of jealousy.
“The patient is coming along beautifully. He had a very close call. He is one lucky man.” Pepper asked, “Is your headache gone?” as she ran a thermometer across his forehead.
“Almost, just a dull ache.”
“I’ll bring you something for that,” she promised as she left the room.
“Come over here,” Sam demanded. “I’ve missed you.”
“Oh Sam, you have no idea,” Darcy said as she sat down next to him.
“Aren’t you going to kiss me?” he asked.
Darcy stood up again and leaned over the railing, pressing her lips gently against his. He parted her lips with his tongue, slowly and sensuously, and she felt an immediate response in her core.
“I love you Sam,” Darcy said with tears in her eyes, reluctantly drawing her lips from his.
“Shamrock, do you know how long I’ve been waiting to hear those words?” he asked. “Since last Thanksgiving, when I first laid eyes on you at Allie and Zane’s. I knew right there and then that I was captivated by the beautiful redheaded spitfire named Darcy Morgan.” He smiled at her, looking exhausted but content. He winced a little as he tried to shift his position.
“Are you OK? Do you need anything?” Darcy said worriedly.
“I need you, that’s all I need,” he said, closing his eyes as he drifted off to sleep.
* * *
“You would not believe the scene at your house!” Casey was telling Sam. “Flowers, casseroles, baked pies—two from your client Millie—and the card read ‘From Millie and Cluck,’” she said smiling. “Also, Gabe and I have received countless calls from the entire veterinarian community telling us to pass along that your patient load will be covered for as long as it takes for you to recover!” Casey said, tears filling her eyes. “You are so loved.”
“That is amazing!” Sam said, gratified beyond words.
“I’m not the least bit surprised. You are well respected and the most generous person I know,” Casey said, “and I’m not the least bit biased.”
“So, all you have to do is focus on your healing, you got that?” she asked.
“Yes, Sis, I got it. Quite honestly, I couldn’t do anything besides rest even if I were inclined to. I’m feeling pretty beat up.”
“I know you are; I can see the pain in your eyes,” she said. “I’m going to let you get some sleep now. I’ll going back to the office so I can finish calling your patients. I’ve been notifying everyone with appointments already in the book about the changes. We still don’t have all of the logistics worked out yet, but it’s progressing.”
“Thanks, Casey, I’m leaving it all in your capable hands,” he said, drifting off again.
Darcy entered the room as Casey was leaving and they hugged briefly and pantomimed the current state of affairs: Sam resting, Casey leaving, and Darcy settling in with a good book as she kept watch over her love.
* * *
Five days later, Casey was wheeling Sam down to the exit while Darcy and Gabe pulled the truck around to finally take him home. Darcy would be staying with Sam indefinitely until they determined that he could fend for himself. Annie would move into Darcy’s place in the interim. Darcy planned to check in with her three furry companions often so that they didn’t feel abandoned, but they adored their Aunt Annie and were used to her staying with them when Darcy traveled.
* * *
“Would you like to settle in on the couch or in your bed?” Gabe asked Sam.
“I think I’d better opt for the bed, the way I’m feeling. I feel like I unloaded about five dumps of hay,” he said, his voice sounding weak.
“Not even on a good day,” Gabe said laughing, since a “dump” of hay was the equivalent of about 70 bales of hay, weighing anywhere from 60 to 100 pounds per bale.
“Hey, Gabe, could you help me to the bathroom before I get into bed,” he asked his friend.
“Sure thing, Bud, you’ll just need to let me know how to help ‘cause I sure don’t want to injure your ribs any further.”