Part 13 (1/2)
was groggy. The President and members of Congress came here for treatment, and the center kept up to speed on the latest medical advances.
”I'll need to notify my regular doctor,” Thomas said.
”It's Daniel Enberg, isn't it?” Matheson asked. ”I called his emergency number. He'll be in to see you
first thing tomorrow.”
”Thanks.” He had known Daniel for decades and trusted him. Since Thomas's heart attack, Daniel had kept close watch on him, monitoring his health and doing periodic tests.
”How is your granddaughter?” Matheson asked.
Thomas looked at the small figure. ”She's right here, sleeping and safe.” Thank G.o.d.
”That's good to hear. She's a fine girl.”
”Yes. She is.”
”We reached her parents. They're on their way home.”
It relieved him that they had already taken care of the calls. It would be good for Jamie to be with Leila
and Karl. Thomas knew he could never tell them about those moments he had feared Jamie would die.
No parent should ever have to go through that.
”Thanks, C.J.” He was growing woozy. ”I . . . appreciate it.”
”Thomas? Are you all right?”
”Fine. I'll see you in the morning.”
”Good night.”
”Good night.” As Thomas toggled off his glove, the door opened and a nurse came in, a tall, large-boned woman with dark hair. She took one look at Thomas and scowled.
”You should be in bed,” she admonished.
Thomas doubted it was coincidence she entered after he finished his call. It seemed this place had other
advantages, too, at least enough that they stayed out while he was on the comm. He would have preferred more privacy, but given his situation, this would do.
”I wasn't tired,” he said. It was sort of true. When he had awoken, he had been too worried about Alpha
to notice his fatigue.
”You look terrible.”
”I'm fine,” Thomas grumbled. Her bedside manner left something to be desired. Knowing his children, it
wouldn't surprise him if they tried to put some stipulation in his insurance about his nurse being a dragon. They had always insisted he needed someone tough looking after him, or he wouldn't behave himself when he was sick.
Thomas stood up, swayed, and fell against the bed. The nurse strode over, her long legs eating up distance. ”Into bed with you.”
Despite his dizziness, he smiled at her. ”Who am I to argue when a beautiful woman says that to me?”
She frowned as she helped him lie down, but her expression wasn't convincing. It looked like she was covering a laugh. ”Get on with you.”
He let her pull up the covers. ”How is Jamie?”
”Your little girl? She's fine.”
”My granddaughter.”
”Really? You must have married young.”
He couldn't help but laugh. ”You're flattering me. Not that I mind.”
The nurse started to smile, then caught herself. ”Humph.”
”So how am I?” he asked.
”Lucky, that's what.” She tucked the blankets around him. ”What were you doing, attacking a burglar?
You ought to know better. Let him have whatever he was stealing. Better that than your life.”