Island Christmas Read Online Free Page A

attack?”
    “It’s nothing serious and very common in young people. It basically means you fainted due to a rapid heart rate drop. I’m more concerned about any injury you may have sustained in falling.”
    Rachel squeezed her eyes shut. This couldn’t be happening. Her head hurt as well as her back, but neither was excruciating. She described her pain to Nick, then allowed the paramedics to load her into the ambulance. As they lifted her onto the gurney, she had a view of the parking lot. At least there wasn’t a huge crowd gathered around watching. She spotted Chris and sighed. She could add embarrassment to her growing list of things that had gone wrong today.
    The rest of the evening flew by in a blur of doctors and tests. By midnight she was exhausted, and all she wanted was to snuggle beside her baby boy and sleep. Instead she lay on a hospital bed in the emergency department of a tiny hospital that had not been on the island the last time she had been there. Things had changed more than she’d realized.
    A nurse glided into the room wearing a smile. “Ms. Narrelli, the doctor signed the paperwork, and you are free to go.”
    Finally . Joy washed through her. “Thank you. Is there a cab service I can call to take me to my car?”
    “There’s a gentleman in the waiting room. He said he would be delivering you home.”
    Relief washed over her, and she quickly prepared to leave. That was nice of Nick to stick around and save her the expense of a cab. Once again he was coming to her rescue.
    “These are your after-care instructions along with your diagnosis.” The nurse handed her a few papers. “Would you like a wheel chair or are you up to walking?”
    “I’m fine. Thanks.” Although slightly surprised the nurse hadn’t insisted on a wheelchair. She remembered seeing people walk out of the ER back home too, so they must not require it unless admitted.
    She glanced at the diagnosis. Vasovagal attack . Which she already knew since the doctor had explained her diagnosis and all that entailed. This must be in case she forgot what he said. She walked into the emergency department’s waiting room and looked for Nick.
    “Hey there.”
    She spun around to the left. “Chris. Are you the person waiting to take me to my car?”
    “Actually, I was instructed that you are not to drive until tomorrow. I’ll give you a lift to your vehicle in the morning. Right now, we both need to get back to the B&B. You’re a popular lady. Piper stopped by to check on you, but no one would tell her anything or allow her to see you, so she left.”
    “No kidding. That was really nice of her.”
    “Yeah. So why the frown?”
    “Just thinking. Tonight is going to cost me a small fortune in insurance deductibles and babysitting. If I’d been thinking clearly I wouldn’t have agreed to the ambulance ride to the hospital.” She shivered. At this rate she’d never be able to afford a little place for herself and her son. She hoped there was a good selection of rentals because after tonight, she wouldn’t be able to put a down payment on a house any time soon.
    This island held a special place in her heart, and her dream since leaving it three years ago was to move back and make a life for herself and Jason. Would that dream ever become a reality?
     

     
    Chris looked Rachel over from head to toe. He felt bad for her and was glad he’d thought to come check on her before heading to the B&B for the night. The longer he’d waited the more concerned he’d become, but other than her drooping eyelids that threatened to cover her deep brown eyes and her somewhat slumped shoulders, she appeared to be doing great. Anyone would be worn out after the ordeal she’d had this evening. He hadn’t been the one to pass out and spend several hours in the hospital, and he was more than ready for his comfy bed.
    She slid the band off her ponytail and massaged her head. Her raven colored hair cascaded to her shoulders and looked silky soft.