Love On Anchor Island: An Anchor Island Novel by Terri Osburn (web based ebook reader txt) 📗

appears more worn out than usual.” Alex locked onto Roxie. “Did you make sure she stayed off her feet?”

First of all, if he’d spent any real time with Callie Edwards, then he’d know that she doesn’t take orders very well. Secondly, there was no way in hell she was ratting out that poor, miserable woman.

“She got excited when Henri got here. That’s probably all it is.”

Henri backed her up. “She’s right. Cal wanted to catch up, and all our chatter must have worn her out.”

Knowing that Callie slept the entire time they were on the beach made it difficult for Roxie to keep a straight face.

“For both Callie and the twins, it’s imperative that she stay off of her feet,” Alex informed them, cutting Roxie a pointed look. “The medications will help strengthen the babies’ lungs, but keeping them in there as long as possible is the only real way to give them a fighting chance. I understand that staying in bed isn’t fun, but it’s absolutely necessary. The people supporting her need to understand that.”

Maybe the walk outside had been too much, but Roxie had only been trying to help.

“We get it,” Henri said, setting her wine glass on the coffee table. “I’ll be staying for the foreseeable future and will make sure that Callie does as little as humanly possible. Scout’s honor.”

Alex scraped a hand over his face and sighed. “I’m sorry. I know we’re all on the same team, but Callie is in a dangerous situation right now. Every step she takes, and doesn’t take, matters.”

“How dangerous?” Roxie asked.

“The twins are viable, but at maybe three pounds each, if delivered right now they’d need intensive care and would likely be in the hospital for a month or more. Edwards Medical Center has a fully equipped nursery and birthing unit, but not a NICU. The medical center can bring in an air ambulance if necessary for transport to CHKD, but we’d rather get the babies closer to term and avoid all that.”

“CHKD?” Henri asked.

“Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter in Norfolk,” Alex explained.

As the reality of the situation sank in, the three fell silent. Roxie sipped her wine and imagined two tiny infants being whisked into a helicopter. What if they didn’t make the flight? The thought sent a chill down her spine. Even if they made it that far, there’d still be another scary month ahead.

“They need to stay in there,” she muttered.

“Exactly,” Alex agreed.

Henri leapt to her feet. “I’m on it. I’ll strap her to that damn bed if I have to.”

The doctor’s face softened a bit. “No need to go that far, but keep her as immobile as you can.”

“You can count on me.”

With Henri on the job, Roxie wasn’t needed anymore. Beth had dropped her off on her way to the art store where she worked, with a plan to pick Roxie up on her way home. That was another two hours away. “I guess I’ll call Beth and see if she can pick me up early.”

“I can take you,” Alex offered.

Riding in a Prius would be bad enough, but being stuck in a confined space with the doc did not appeal. She’d already softened to him enough. No sense in pushing her luck.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“We’re literally going to the same place,” he argued.

“Wait, what?” Henri cut in.

“Doc here lives next door to my cousin,” Roxie clarified. “We’re neighbors.”

“Oh. Got it.”

Alex waited for her answer, and she couldn’t think of any reason to turn him down. At least not one she’d admit out loud.

“Okay, then. I guess I have a ride.”

Once they reached the front door, he stepped aside for Roxie to go first and said, “It was nice to meet you, Henri. Make sure Callie wakes up long enough to take her next dose of medications.”

Henri saluted. “Yes, sir.”

To Roxie’s surprise, Henri offered her a hug and whispered, “Jump him while you have the chance.”

Heat rolled up her cheeks, and she could only hope Alex didn’t hear the suggestion. Thank God this island was the size of a postage stamp because she needed this over with as soon as possible.

Alex tossed his bag into the back seat as Roxie buckled in. When he pressed the button to start the engine, a snorting sound came from the passenger seat.

“Did you say something?”

Roxie crossed her arms. “You can’t even hear it.”

He wasn’t in the mood to play games. “Hear what?”

“The engine.”

Not the stupid car again. “You mean opposed to yours that can be heard from four blocks away?”

“And?” came the retort.

Gripping the steering wheel, he said, “It’s forty-seven degrees outside with rain in the forecast. Would you prefer to walk?” Alex took the huff as a no.

Four minutes later, he was lost in his own thoughts, knowing that his father was never going to accept his choices, when Roxie broke the silence.

“What’s up with you today?”

“There’s nothing up with me.”

“Really?” she quipped. “Could have fooled me.”

Alex checked the rearview and said, “I don’t mind riding in silence.”

Roxie ignored the suggestion. “I don’t know you that well, but you’re an easy read. Especially when you’re pissed off.”

“I am not pissed off,” he argued through clenched teeth.

“Right. My bad.”

Now he felt worse for snapping at her. Since she’d asked, he said, “I got an annoying call earlier. That’s all.”

“Annoying?” she repeated.

No one on the island knew about his father’s constant demands, not even Lucas. Alex had been given advantages in life that many others would never experience. Thanks to his parents, he’d graduated debt free. Thanks to Lucas, he’d walked into the exact practice he’d hoped for. And thanks to the islanders who trusted him, that practice was thriving. Who was he to complain?

But just this once, he needed to rant.

“My father wants me to come back to Philadelphia and join his practice.”

“Do you want to go back to Philadelphia?”

“No.”

“Have you told him that?”

“Yes. Repeatedly.”

After a brief pause, she said, “I guess we have more in common than I thought.”

Not what he