Nightwatch

Nightwatch
Jo Leigh

A vicious storm. Trees and power lines are down. A sick, pregnant young woman walks into E.R.–alone and about to give birth. Dr. Rachel Browne saves the baby. The mother isn't so lucky….E.R. chief Dr. Guy Giroux is shocked. His ex-wife's eighteen-year-old daughter has died during childbirth–in his E.R. He didn't even know she was pregnant. Guy confronts Dr. Rachel Browne, demanding answers. Rachel could be stubborn, obstinate and downright hardheaded–but faced with Guy's grief and anger she's disarmingly calm, compassionate…even tender. And as Guy and Rachel hunt down the truth, Guy realizes how much he wants to keep the baby…and how much he wants Rachel, too.

Internal Memo: Courage Bay Hospital E.R.

From: Dr. Guy Giroux

To: E.R. personnel

After reviewing patient reports from Thursday night, I would like to commend all of you for your hard work and professional expertise during what’s now being billed as the Storm of the Century. Although I was unable to be here because of the storm, I have received nothing but praise and gratitude from the fire and police departments, as well as civilians, on the performance of Courage Bay Hospital’s emergency room staff.

As many of you know by now, one of the patients admitted was my stepdaughter. Heather was given excellent care by the admitting staff, and I know that all of you who dealt with her, especially Dr. Rachel Browne, worked tirelessly on her behalf.

I also want to thank you for the concern you’ve shown me during this time. Because of the extra work due to the storm, as well as my personal situation, schedules will be less flexible and some of you will be asked to cover extra shifts. I appreciate your willingness to do this, and suggest that anyone who finds the commitment onerous should address their concerns directly to me.

As I have always known, our E.R. staff is one of the best in the country.

About the Author

JO LEIGH

Jo Leigh has written more than forty novels for Harlequin and Silhouette Books since 1994. A triple RITA® Award finalist, she has contributed to many series, most recently Harlequin Blaze.

Jo lives in Utah, where she’s hard at work on her next book. You can chat with her at her Web site, www.joleigh.com. And don’t forget to check out her daily blog!

Nightwatch

Jo Leigh

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the next adventure in the Code Red series. I had a fascinating time with this book, diving deep into the world of medicine and emergency rooms, which was a blast! I talked to a lot of nurses, particularly the terrific Tammy Strickland and Myrna Temte, who made sure I wouldn’t make a fool of myself. Then I got to work with the other authors of the series, which made it too fun. As for the romance, well, let’s just say I was able to use some of my own experience to make it all come alive.

Let me know what you think. I promise I’ll get back to you!

www.joleigh.com

Best,

Jo

To Marsha. Thank you. Again.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER ONE

THE MOMENT Dr. Rachel Browne stepped outside to the emergency bay, the wind and rain slapped her in the face. So hard, in fact, that she had to hold on to the door to keep her balance.

The ambulance had slogged through what was already being called the storm of the century by the media, taking almost fifty minutes for what should have been an eight-minute ride.

The EMTs pushed open the doors, and John Wilkins, one of the E.R. orderlies, ran up to help them pull out the gurney.

Rachel, inadequately dressed in her lab coat, waited just under the overhang, but even so, she was soaked by the time the patient got to her.

“Julie Bell,” the paramedic closest to her shouted over the wind. “Found on her bathroom floor, presumed overdose. No suicide note, but a lot of empty bottles.”

“Any narcotics?” Rachel asked as they hurried into Courage Bay Hospital.