Page 57 of Cooper
“Trouble? Whywould I stoop to doing that?” She demanded. “Because youdumped me for her? I am trying to be the bigger person, Cooper, andmove on. But first, I want to see this woman, to try and discoverwhat made you choose her over me.”
“I am warningyou-”
“To what? Stayaway from her?” She rose. “It’s a free country, andI suddenly need to do some good. Give back to society. I hope thatwill not make you feel uncomfortable, and if it does, my work will becomplete." With that, she sailed out of the room, slamming thedoor shut behind her.
Cooper leanedforward, hands clasped loosely between his thighs. His relationshipwas new and fragile because of the woman he was in love with. Brookehad told him a little of what she had been through when she was achild; because of it, she was prickly and wary about trusting men.
One hint that he wasunfaithful to her and it would blow up in his face. He would have totalk to her later, and the prospect of doing so gave him indigestion.He would have to make her believe he was no longer interested inWendy. He rose, dragging restless fingers through his hair, just ashis pager sounded.
*****
“Am I going tolose my baby, doc?” Gloria implored her as Brooke continuedwith her examination. “I know I am a little too old, and lastnight I felt the sharp pain in my lower back, and there was a littlespotting. I have been reading the books you gave me.”
“You are goingto have to rest up for the week,” Brooke told her, trying notto show her concern. “And no more heavy lifting. What were youthinking? Those boxes of medical journals weigh a ton. You could havefallen and hurt yourself.”
“I thought Ineeded to do more to earn my keep—you and Doc. Cooper is sogenerous to me, and the only way I know to repay you is to do my bit.And that is not enough.”
“You doenough,” Brooke told her firmly. “I don’t need youdoing any heavy lifting. Now, I am going to prescribe something forthe pain and get the OBGYN to take a look at you.”
“I cannotafford-”
“Gail is afriend of mine and will do it for free. Don’t worry aboutit.”
The woman’seyes filled with tears. “I thank the good Lord when he directedme here. You and that very handsome Dr. Cooper have changed my life.”
Uncomfortable withdisplays of emotions, Brooke patted the woman’s hand awkwardlyas she rose and slipped off her gloves, dumping them into the trashcan. “Go back to your room and rest. I don’t want to seeyou for the remainder of the day. I mean it, Gloria.”
“Who is goingto tidy up?” The woman fretted. “The trash cans needemptying, and the lunch room is a mess.”
“Miranda and Iwill take care of it. Now, not another word about duties. I don’twant to see you for the rest of the day.”
“Thank you,doc. You have no idea how appreciative I am.”
“I have anidea. Now go.”
She waited until shehad left the room before going to the reception area to let Mirandaknow they were both on clean-up duty later on.
*****
“Darling, I didnot expect to see you today. Did we call a meeting I forgot about?”Sela Rochester reached for her appointment book with a frown.
“As if youwould forget something like that.” Cooper greeted her warmly,kissing her cheeks. “I just dropped by to see my mother andfind out how she is doing.”
Sela eyed himspeculatively as she took her seat behind her massive desk. Reachingover, she pressed the intercom. “Ilene? Hold my calls forfifteen minutes and push back my dinner appointment for half anhour.” Looking at her son, she nodded regally. “I am allyours for twenty minutes.”
“I am extremelygrateful, considering what an extremely busy woman you are,” hetold her with a charming smile.
“What is it,darling? Nothing dire, I hope.”
“No.”Stretching his long legs out, he jumped right into it. “I amseeing someone.”
“Aren’tyou always?” She asked him mildly.
“Have I evercome to you and said that?”
She shook her headimmediately. “This person must be important.”
“She is.”