“Don’t stop now,” Archer said. “You can do this. Come on, Lauren.”

She swallowed hard, steadied herself, and extended the incision, pressing a little more deeply.

Blood spurted. Archer pressed a towel against it, and Lauren took it from him. She handed him her knife and checked the wound. Blood continued to spurt. Dark, clotted blood.

“Got it!” Lauren cried.

A siren echoed in the distance as the swelling eased in Norville’s neck. His breathing returned to normal with encouraging rapidity.

“I need more ice,” Lauren called over her shoulder. “And another towel, please.” Thank you, Lord!

She leaned over Norville. “You’re going to be okay.”

“Norville Webster’s a lucky guy,” Becky said softly as they listened to the ambulance report at the central desk. “Thanks to Lauren.” She turned and grinned at Grant. “Have you been teaching her the tricks of the trade?”

“Not me. Don’t forget, she’s been in the ER for a lot of years.” Grant couldn’t have been more proud—or relieved.

He gestured to Eugene, the night RN who had arrived to help out barely five minutes ago. “Let’s set up for our incoming patient in Trauma Two. I may have to intubate. Also, the patient in eight is ready for discharge.”

“I’m already on it, Dr. Sheldon,” Eugene said. “Lester’s setting up the intubation equipment. Will you have time to see the guy with the swollen ankle in six? He needs an x-ray.”

“Yes, I’ll check in on him.” He took the chart from Eugene, then turned and nearly collided with his daughter.

“They’re out, Dad.” She brushed the long dark bangs out of eyes that glowed with excitement. “There’s nobody back here now that doesn’t have a good reason. I’d make a good bouncer, don’t you think? Got anything else for me to do? I can’t leave—Beau won’t let me take the car, and—” She glanced toward the door. “Oh, great, what’s she coming in for?”

Grant followed Brooke’s line of vision and saw Jade Myers entering the ER from the reception office. “She came to see about her uncle.”

“Oh, sure, and she’ll find some reason to corner you and—”

“Retract your claws, Brooke. She’s a nice lady and a good—”

“She’s after you, Dad.”

“She’s dating Norville.”

“So? That doesn’t—”

________