The Rancher's Reunion

“It is, isn’t it?” Dr. Wyatt agreed with a smile. “Are there any more questions?”

“What do you think caused the break?” Annie asked. “Any chance of osteoporosis?”

“The CAT scan will tell us more, but I don’t suspect an unusual amount of deterioration. I’ll have her on calcium after surgery to improve her bone density and send her home with a prescription. Hopefully it will prevent any problems in the future.”

Ellen nodded. “Thank you for taking care of my sister,” she added.

“My pleasure. You’ll have to check with the admissions office to see what her room number is. You might want to get a cup of coffee or a bite to eat and give the staff a little time to get her settled in.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s later than I thought. The food court is probably closed, but the coffee shop is open. There are signs at the end of the corridor.” As she spoke she pointed.

“Thanks again,” Will said.

As the surgeon turned to depart she said, “I don’t have any cards on me, but if you think of any more questions you can have the hospital switchboard page me.”

It took Ellen two seconds to wrap her arms around Annie for a tight hug. “I have missed you, young lady.”

Then she turned to Will.

“And don’t you look handsome,” she said with a cluck of her tongue. “You know those nurses have been eyeing you for the past ten minutes at least.”

Will released an embarrassed chuckle and changed the subject. “Shall we hit the coffee shop?”

“More like the ladies’ room,” Annie said.

“So how are you, Will? Enjoying having Annie back?” Ellen asked, once Annie was out of earshot.

“You bet. I haven’t had anyone to spar with except Rose for so long, it took me half the day to get back in form.”

Ellen laughed. She lowered her voice and glanced around. “Don’t tell on me, but I snuck into the X-ray area and saw my sister.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Will shook his head.

“She was wailing that she’d gotten herself into a mess on Annie’s first day back.”

“That’s ridiculous. This sure isn’t her fault.”

“I reminded her Annie isn’t going to be leaving for any mission trips while Rose is on the mend. That improved her disposition considerably.”

“Ellen,” Will scolded.

“Oh, Annie will see right through that. She’s a nurse, remember?”

Still, Will could easily imagine Rose becoming a drama queen if she thought it would postpone Annie’s departure.

“By the way, I’ll be staying at the ranch until my sister gets home.”

“Why?” Will didn’t mean the word to sound blunt, but he was surprised. Surely Ellen and Rose weren’t of the opinion he couldn’t fend for himself?

“Respectability, Will. You can’t be staying alone at the house with a beautiful young woman and no chaperone.”

“Beautiful young woman?”

“Annie.”

Annie?

He’d thought of her as his buddy for so long. Not quite a sister, but not quite not a sister, either. Beautiful young woman? He shook his head. How had that snuck up on him?

“Sure. Sure. Okay. Thank you, Ellen.”

“You’re welcome. The pastor’s wife and I are going to take turns staying at the hospital. We’ll get help from the church ladies. I don’t get up to Tulsa as much as I used to. Good opportunity for us to get caught up on our chitchat and our crocheting at the same time.”

Will smiled, knowing she wasn’t kidding.

“Annie will stay at the hospital tonight while I get my things out to the ranch.”

“Okay,” he answered. Not that he was going to argue with Ellen as she issued orders. She was so much like Rose he found it a little unnerving.