Genesis Press
ISBN: 1585711713
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McKenna swallowed, straightened and looked into her patient’s agony-filled eyes. The movement had caused a thin line of perspiration to break out over his upper lip.

“They tell me you refuse to take anything for pain.” Bone injuries were notorious for their pain and her patients equally renowned for frustrating the nurses with requests for more, more, and still more narcotics. For the Japanese man not to be in that group was curious. Did it have something to do with their being typecast as stoic in nature?

“I could definitely use something to stop the throbbing.” Takamitsu made a face as an obvious stab of pain moved through his hand after he settled it on the ice pack. “I wanted to know what you plan to do before my senses are clouded with narcotics.”

McKenna’s attention remained rapt in the study of his face. Dark brown eyes framed by oblong eyelids and thick lashes stared at her from a lean face with full lips. She was caught in his gaze for several seconds before she could speak again. “My plan is to take you to surgery as soon as we get a room open and put your hand back together. Are you one of the stage hands?”

“I am a drummer,” he explained through gritted teeth. “I perform with the Taiko Nihon drum troupe.”

“A musician who will need the use of his hand,” she muttered to herself. McKenna mulled his answer over. This was increased pressure on her skill.

“Can you fix it so that I can use it again?” The dark eyes beseeched her.

“I’m going to do my best, Mr. Takamitzue.” McKenna put her hand on his bare shoulder, the warmth of his velvet skin sending a spark from her fingers through her arm.

“It is ‘mit-su’,” he explained the pronunciation of his name. “I place my hand in your hands.”

McKenna noticed the smile he tried to give her. She addressed the nurse. “Get consents signed for the open reduction of multiple fractures of the left hand and then push ten milligrams of morphine.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The young woman turned and left the area.

“Dr. Stafford,” Tetsuro spoke.

“Yes, Mr. Takamitsu?” She noticed a faint twinkle in his eye as she spoke his name correctly. A small tinge of warmth filled her.

“Will I be able to play the piano after the surgery?”

“I hope so.” Drummer and pianist.

“Good. I never could before.”

McKenna was taken aback by the stale, old joke. She giggled.

“I’ll see you in surgery.” She left to prepare for the operating room, still smiling at his comment. This man was an interesting patient.

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