The Proposal (The Proposition #2)(10)

Patrick started to open his mouth when a knock came at the door. A tall, dark-headed doctor smiled at them. After his eyes made a quick sweep over the room, his smile faded a little. “Hello again, Mr. Fitzgerald. You’re looking much better now than when I first saw you today.”

“I believe I have you to thank for that, Dr. Nadeen.”

Dr. Nadeen strode into the room. “We have your test results back. It appears that you have two arteries that are eighty percent blocked. I’ve consulted with our head cardiologist, and just to be on the safe side, we feel it’s best to keep you overnight and schedule an angioplasty for the morning.”

Patrick grimaced. “Not one of those again?”

With a chuckle, Dr. Nadeen replied, “Yes, I noticed from your records you had the procedure before.”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“You’re going to have to start taking better care of yourself and maintaining a heart-healthy diet, so you won’t be back here again.”

Aidan snorted. “Good luck with that one.”

Patrick chose to ignore him. “At least it’s not something major like open heart surgery.”

Dr. Nadeen nodded. “I’m sure this news will make your granddaughter feel better.”

Patrick’s brows furrowed. “My granddaughter?”

Dr. Nadeen ducked his head but not before Aidan caught a faint smile on his face and gleam in his dark eyes. “Emma—the beautiful redhead who almost passed out because she was so worried about you.”

“She almost fainted?” Aidan questioned at the same time Patrick replied, “Aw, bless her heart, I sure hate that I upset her so much.”

“It’s okay. I got her to lie down for a while, and I got her little guy—I mean, her, something to eat.”

Aidan’s chest clenched not only at Dr. Nadeen’s familiarity with Emma, but the mention of Noah. This dude was getting under his skin and fast. Even though Aidan was a guy, he knew competition when he saw it. It wasn’t just the fact that Dr. Nadeen had the looks that made women’s panties ignite, but the f**ker was kind and considerate. Throw in the fact he was a doctor, and he was a triple threat.

Finally, Aidan found his voice. “That was very kind of you. I appreciate you taking care of her,” he said, trying hard to speak without gritting his teeth.

A warm smile spread across Dr. Nadeen’s face. “I was happy to do it for her. Your sister is a kind young woman—her spirit shines from within.”

Aidan’s mouth gaped open. What the hell? He thought Emma was his…sister? “Did you just say…?” Aidan sputtered.

Patrick shook his head. “Emma isn’t my granddaughter, Doc.”

“Oh, my apologies. You have a very sweet daughter then.”

“No, no, she isn’t even related to me.”

“Ah, I see. Well, you’re very fortunate to have someone in your life who cares that much about you.”

Patrick glanced from Aidan to Dr. Nadeen. “Did I hear you call her beautiful?”

Pesh’s expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry. That was entirely too forward of me.”

“It’s all right, Doc.” Rubbing his hands together, Patrick said, “Hmm, I can’t help but play matchmaker while I’m laid up here. Would you be interested in dating Emma? She’s single, you know.”

Aidan glared at his father, which only caused Patrick to widen his grin. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Aidan hissed.

“Forcing your hand.” A mischievous gleam burned in his eyes, and Aidan knew there was no stopping him. He didn’t know how after everything Patrick had been through that day he could still find the energy to goad his own son. He knew what a sore spot Emma was.

At the moment, she was more like a gaping hole in his chest. “You better be damn glad you’re in the ER right now,” he muttered under his breath.

Patrick ignored him and focused his attentions on Pesh who was staring strangely at the two of them. “Whatcha say, Doc?”

“Uh, well, I don’t normally pick up women in the emergency room, Mr. Fitzgerald,” Dr. Nadeen murmured, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.

“Oh please. This isn’t picking up. It’s a fix-up. That’s totally different,” Patrick argued.

“Pop,” Aidan growled.

With a hesitant smile, Dr. Nadeen said, “Maybe we’ll get a chance to talk again.”

“She’s six months pregnant!” Aidan countered.

Dr. Nadeen jerked back like he had been slapped. He cleared his throat before he spoke. “Yes, I’m well aware of that. It’s what concerned me most when I met her. I didn’t want her to get so upset in her condition.”

Aidan grunted but didn’t argue.

Dropping his gaze to the floor, Dr. Nadeen said, “After she assured me there was no husband or boyfriend to call, I thought I had surmised she wasn’t with anyone. I apologize if my assumptions were wrong.”

“Don’t worry about my son, Doc.” Patrick stared pointedly at Aidan. “He has no claims on Emma’s happiness. Anymore.”

A sense of understanding seemed to pass over Dr. Nadeen’s face. “Oh, well, when you see Emma again, tell her to call me.” He took a card out of his iPad case.