"Just checking on things," he replied, his gaze fixed on Joey's back. She was deliberately ignoring him until he addressed her directly. "How are you doing, Joey?"
Joey? This was getting interesting. I expected her to confront Dr. Dan, but she simply raised her hand, giving him a defiant gesture. She still hadn't turned around and avoided his eyes in the reflection of the glass partition.
"Joey, my dear, don't—"
"My dear—" I started to interject, but she cut both of us off.
"What are you doing here, Dr. Dan? I'm pretty sure loitering is against hospital policy."
I watched Dr. Dan's jaw tighten. The nurses' station had become unusually quiet; everyone was watching the unfolding scene. It seemed to make Dr. Dan uncomfortable until he broke the silence.
"Nurse Green, is my sister around? I thought she was on this floor tonight," Dr. Dan asked, looking at the charge nurse.
"Was she with that patient discharge crew?"
"That would be them." If Dr. Dan's sister was with the discharge crew, I realized I might have a way to find out my patient Sheryl's full identity.
I started to speak up, but her next words hit me hard. "She's the patient being discharged."
Suddenly, everything clicked into place.
A vague memory of my duchess in mind, leaving, now a discharged patient, preparing to marry the son of local Chief Commissioner, Mr. Peterson, made my teeth clench so hard I was surprised they didn't crack. Sam Peterson and I had a long, unpleasant history.
He was an arrogant jerk who thought he was above everyone, and just as manipulative as my father. They were two of a kind.
At least I knew where to find her now. She was either at the Chief Commissioner's residence or their old family estate.
If she was at Sam Peterson's house, I'd consider every ethical boundary crossed to ensure she was safe.
"They left about two hours ago," Nurse Green said, handing an elderly patient at the end of the counter another cup of lukewarm water.
"All right, I was just checking in before I head home for the night." I hesrd Dan say to the nurse.
Joey snorted at his words, clearly disbelieving him. She mumbled something I didn't catch, but before I could ask, Dan was speaking to her.
"Joey, can I have a private word with you outside?" He shifted nervously on his feet. Frankly, I'd be nervous too if I kept calling Joey 'Joey,' but he said it as if he'd always done so.
The two couldn't have a long history, as Joey had only been at this hospital for a little over a year.
"Who's asking?" She motioned for mark, the ward clerk, to get another shot of espresso. "The doctor or Davies miller?" I noticed she didn't even want to call his name, just Doctor was enough.
"I'm asking, my dear."
"Then the answer is no. Besides, you don't like being seen with me in public." She shrugged, feigning indifference, but I could tell by her rigid posture that it was an act.
"That's not true, and you know it." Dan took a step towards her, but Joey slammed her espresso down and jumped up from the stool with a slight wobble in her step.
Both Dan and I moved at the same time to ensure she didn't fall.
"Don't you dare touch her," Dan growled at me, pulling her towards himself in a possessive grip.
Normally, I'd tell him to back off, but Joey could handle herself, and I didn't want to start trouble with Sheryl's friend's older brother.
I already had a significant challenge ahead of me, and I didn't want to add unnecessary complications just yet.
I wanted to keep my intentions as discreet as possible.
Just as I thought, Joey pushed at Dan's chest, making him take a step back from her. Joey was small, barely reaching Dan's chest, but she knew how to assert herself.
"You made your decision. Now live with it." She tried to move past him, but he grabbed her arm, and she gave him a look that would deter anyone less determined.
"You're too impaired to drive," he said, his words soft and filled with concern.
She didn't even respond. Joey just called out Mark's name. He was over by the supply cart, but when he heard her call him, he walked over.
"Mark will take me," she said, her voice a little smug.
Dr. Dan clenched his jaw again, but what could he really say? If he knew anything about Joey, he knew she shared an apartment with Mark.
He was friends with her brothers, and he was the reason Joey moved here. She'd been staying at his place since she arrived, but as far as I knew, nothing romantic had happened between them. But again, I didn't ask many questions.
"Pick up your phone," Dan said, but Joey wasn't interested.
"Get lost." With that, she strolled out of the nurses' station. Mark gave me a 'what was that all about?' look before he followed her out, leaving Dan standing there looking like a kicked puppy.
I wasn't so sure he could handle Joey. She might be small, but she compensated with attitude and an iron will.
"You're in over your head," I told him, finally turning to look at him directly.
"As long as I'm in her orbit, I'll deal with it." With that, he followed Joey and Mark.
Shaking my head, I gathered our charts and completed the necessary paperwork, thankful I hadn't let myself get emotionally invested in other people's drama as I wanted to.
No, I needed to make sure my sweet Sheryl was safely discharged and settled for the night.
Alone. Once I ensured that, maybe I could start to think of a way to navigate this unexpected situation I seemed to have found myself in.
This morning I woke up without a single worry, and now I felt completely disoriented. It made me understand what Dan had just said. I'd rather be in this complicated situation with Sheryl than have no Sheryl at all.