Karen Rose Smith - From Doctor...to Daddy (Harlequin Special Edition)

T he door to Dr. Dillon Traubs office at the infirmary in the lodge suddenly flew open. A tall, husky man carrying a boy of about eight rushed inside. Youve got to do something, Doc. I cant find his EpiPen.

Erika Rodriguez was right on the mans heels. This is Dave Lindstrom. He thinks his son Jeff is having a reaction to something he ate. Her words were quick and precise, yet she seemed calm.

As Dillon rose from his desk, their gazes collided and the zing hed been experiencing ever since hed met his receptionist hit him full force. Even now.

Pushing aside any thoughts other than those about this little boy, Dillon took Jeff into his own arms and ran into a well-equipped exam room. Call 9-1-1, he shot over his shoulder at Erika, experiencing the gut-wrenching ache he always felt when he was near a child in crisisremembering his own child.

I already did, Erika called after him.

An internist, Dillon could handle almost any emergency that cropped up at Thunder Canyon Resort. Marshall Catesthe resident doctor herehad assured him not many emergencies occurred at the resort.

So much for Marshalls assurances.

The boys breathing was labored and his lips were blue and swelling. Dillon knew he had everything he needed to reverse the reaction if it wasnt too late.

Too late, echoed in his mind, as it often had over the past few years.

It wouldnt be too late for this child.

Hold on, Jeff, Dillon said in a low voice as he laid the boy on the table.

Expertly assessing Jeffs height, weight and condition, Dillon grabbed an EpiPen with the appropriate dosage from the medicine cabinet. Instants later, hed administered it, pulled over the oxygen tank and let Jeff breathe it in through the nasal cannula. Erika assisted any way she could while Dillon ran an IV line. All the while, he monitored the little boys pulse, checked his breathing, comforted him in low tones and prayed for the anaphylactic reaction to reverse.

Dillon was aware of Erika beside him. Hed been too aware of her since hed briefly met her on his vacation here in June. When hed accepted Marshall Catess offer to take over as staff doctor for the month of September while Marshall was away, Grant Clifton, the resorts manager, had assigned Erika to be his receptionist. Since then, Dillons awareness of her had revved up into something even more disturbingdesire. He hadnt felt real desire since well before his divorce.

Erika had never had any medical training but seemed able to take on any assignment she was given with a competence that made her a valued employee in Grants eyes, especially given the recent budget cuts. Those same budget cuts had made it necessary for Ruthann, Marshalls nurse, to come on duty when Dillon went off. Not that he was really ever off. He was usually on call twenty-four hours a day, except for the odd night when the retired physician in town would cover for him.

Now Erika suddenly glanced toward the hallway, her long dark brown, wavy hair sliding over her shoulder. I hear the sirens. The paramedics are coming.

Standing at the boys shoulder, Jeffs father murmured, Thank God.

Dillon checked Jeffs nailbeds and was relieved to see the blue was receding. His lips were less swollen and pinker, too. I know youre scared, Jeff, he said clasping the childs arm. But everythings going to be okay.

Jeffs hazel eyes darted to Dillons face.

You can breathe easier now, cant you?

Jeff nodded, then reached his hand out for his dad who took it and squeezed it tightly. The husky mans brow was beaded with sweat and he looked as if emotion was choking his throat. Finally he managed to say, Hes all I have.

Dillon reached out his hand to the lodges guest. Mr. Lindstrom, Im Dr. Traub. Ill follow along to the hospital to make sure all goes smoothly as soon as I give my nurse a call so she can cover.

Ill call her, Erika offered. Shes due in soon, so shes probably around the resort.

Erika moved away from Dillons side, her figure trim in her navy suit. Her skirt was just the right length to be professional and her white silky blouse had a scooped neckline that showed off her beautiful olive skin.