The Montana Doctor's Love (New Montana Brides Book 8) Read Online Free

available, but it’s a preventive rather than a cure. His pneumonia is advanced and I don’t think it would be effective, but they will try everything. Unfortunately, it’s not something we carry in our bags.
    “Some hospitals use an oxygen therapy, but in my experience at Washington General, it was ineffective. He should be kept hydrated, so give him plenty of liquids, such as hot soup, and he should drink plenty of water.
    He nodded his head toward the hallway. When they were out of the room, he asked, “Is there a problem with taking him to Saint John’s?”
    Her cheeks flushed. “Patrick, I don’t know how we could pay for it. Without both of us working, there’s nothing coming in.”
    “Take him, there and tell them the circumstances. They will admit him, and you can worry about it later.
    “Pneumonia is not something to play around with. It can be fatal. If he’s coughing, he’s spraying the germs around. You and your daughter can catch it too. I would keep her out of the room, by the way. You should cover your mouth while you’re in there.
    “Would you like for me to make the arrangements? I’ll be happy to do so,” he said.
    “I don’t know,” she said.
    “Well, let me know. I’ll come back tomorrow to check on him.”
    She put her hand on his arm. “Thanks for coming over. I appreciate it. I’ll think about it and let you know,” she said.
    The next day…
    Patrick had finished his rounds at the hospital and returned to his office. The nurse and office person said, “Mrs. Wells called and asked me to tell you to go ahead and make the arrangements. Her husband’s cough got worse during the night.”
    Patrick called the hospital and arranged to have Preston Wells admitted. He asked them to send an ambulance to pick him up and take him to the hospital.
    He asked the operator to connect him to the Wells home. A very tired sounding Mary Louise answered. “Mary Louise, an ambulance should be there any minute to take him to the hospital. Do you have anyone to stay with your daughter?”
    “No, our neighbors are at work. Can’t she go with us and wait outside?” she asked.
    “No, they won’t allow it. I’m going to call Mom and tell her you’re bringing your daughter to our house. When the ambulance comes, you take her to Mom. What’s her name by the way?”
    “Emily. Her name’s Emily. Patrick, I can’t let you do this.”
    “You always did argue too much. Now do as I said, then come to the hospital. I’ll be there,” Patrick said, the tone of his voice indicated he would brook no argument.
    “Thank you, Patrick,” she said and hung up.
    He called his mother. “Mom, I just admitted Mary Louise’s husband to the hospital with pneumonia. It’s pretty bad. She doesn’t have anyone to look after her daughter, until she can take her to her parents. I told her to bring her to you. Is that all right? If not, I’ll send Lorna over to get her. Her name is Emily, by the way.”
    “Of course it’s all right,” his mother said. “Is he going to be all right?”
    “I don’t know, Mom. He has a raging fever, and Mary Louise said he coughed all night.”
    “Oh no,” she said. “Are you going to the hospital?”
    “As soon as I hang up.”
    “Tell her I’ll be praying for him,” she said.
    “I will, Mom. Thanks for the help.”

Chapter five
    Mary Louise Wells
    Patrick turned when Mary Louise came into the room. “Did you get Emily taken care of?” he asked.
    “I did, and I really appreciate it, I’ll take her to Mom and Dad’s as soon as I can. Their phone was out of order, so I couldn’t call them.” she said.
    “Mom loves kids. She will enjoy having her there. With Lucy having her own place, it’d just the two of them. And me. We have your husband settled in here too.” He motioned her into the hall. “Tell me about last night.”
    “His cough was a lot worse. It was a terrible racking sound. I don’t know that he got any sleep at all. He was perspiring so