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.
Aidan snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. “It’ll never happen. Em’s not the kind of girl who calls a man. She’s very old-fashioned.” His blue eyes narrowed at Dr. Nadeen’s dark ones, silently taunting him to give the card to Patrick.
Dr. Nadeen smiled. He took a pen from his coat pocket. He then turned his attention to Patrick. “Mr. Fitzgerald, would you happen to have Emma’s number? I’ll be happy to call her myself.” He held up a hand. “But only on the pretense of inquiring about her health after today’s incident.”
Patrick chuckled. “Why yes I do.”
After Dr. Nadeen had scribbled the number down, he gave Aidan a fleeting glance before looking back at Patrick. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
With a sheepish, grin, Dr. Nadeen said, “Now I suppose we should get back to business.” He peered down at his iPad. “If you’ll hang tight for just a few minutes, we should be ready to transport you upstairs. Surgery is set for…” he scrolled through something on the screen before wrinkling his nose. “Bright and early at seven am.”
“I figured as much.”
Dr. Nadeen laughed. “Well, I’ll wish you the best of luck then, Mr. Fitzgerald.” He leaned over and shook Patrick’s hand.
With a wink, Patrick replied, “Same to you, Doc.”
Cutting his eyes over to Aidan, Dr. Nadeen gave a slight nod before walking to the door.
When he exited the room, Aidan turned a wrathful gaze on Patrick. “After the last three weeks of experiencing my pure and total hell, how could you do that to me, Pop?”
“I didn’t do anything to you.”
Aidan gripped the rails on the hospital bed and leaned in closer. “Giving him Emma’s number? Pawning her off on him?”
Patrick grinned. “I’m glad to see I got you fighting riled right now.”
“Oh, I’m far from riled. I’m f**king livid!”
“Good. You need to be. It’s important that you keep up your fighting spirit.”
Aidan shook his head. “What will my spirit matter if she…” His heart shuddered at the thought of Emma being receptive to Dr. Nadeen’s charms. After all, he was a good-looking doctor who wasn’t even turned off by her being pregnant. That should be enough to make any woman swoon.