As if this situation didn’t already suck badly enough, Abby came rushing into the ER a few minutes later. Without so much as a glance at him, she made a beeline for his mother. “I came as soon as I heard. How is he?”

His mother hugged Abby and updated her.

Grant couldn’t bear to be so close to Abby and not be able to touch her or hold her. When he needed her more than he ever had before, she was unavailable to him.

He turned his back on the group and looked out a window so he wouldn’t be tempted to stare at Abby. It seemed like they waited forever before Cal came through the double doors.

Turning in time to notice Cal’s pleasure at seeing Abby there, Grant wanted to kill the guy. It was all he could do not to stake his claim on her right then and there. But this wasn’t the time or place.

Wearing a white coat over jeans and a button-down shirt, Cal zeroed in on Grant’s mother. “Mrs. McCarthy, I have good news,” he drawled. Since when was Abby attracted to men who drawled? “There’s no sign of a brain bleed or anything life-threatening.”

An audible sigh of relief went through the room.

“We’ve stitched up the cut on his head and set his broken arm. He suffered a rather significant concussion, so when he comes to, you can expect him to be confused and in some pain. We’ll do what we can to keep him comfortable, but I don’t see any need at this time to transport him to the mainland or to bring a neuro over to consult.”

“What if we want a second opinion?” Grant asked.

The bastard never even blinked when he said, “I’m afraid I’m all you’ve got at the moment.”

Grant’s mother tossed him a dirty look and then returned her attention to Cal. “Thank you so much, Dr. Maitland. May I see him?”

“Of course, right this way.” He gestured to the door. “Abby, may I speak to you for a moment?”

His mother, Janey, Mac and Abby followed the doctor into the ward. As much as Grant wanted to see his father, he’d wait until the doctor moved on to other patients.

Joe stood and came over to Grant. “You might want to tone down the violent stares. He’s the only doctor around, and your dad is still in a world of hurt.”

“I don’t know who he thinks he is stealing my girl right out from underneath me.”

Joe raised an eyebrow. “Is that how it happened?”