Unexpected Wedding by Carla Rossi Page B

and shazam! I’m having a stay-cation with my wife.”
    “Good call. Well... I’ll let you get in out of the bugs.” She ground her toe into one of the boards. She still didn’t feel well but she’d only ever seen a male doctor once in the emergency room years ago. Talking to men about physical stuff was not comfortable for her. Every kid adored Paramedic Ash, but she couldn’t do it. Not even as her tired body ached and her nausea persisted. Her neurological mass would have to wait. “Have a great, uneventful week, Ash. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
    “Hang on, Gia. Was your question of a medical nature?”
    She was off the porch now, shrinking into the trees. It felt safer to talk from there. “Yes.”
    “Ask away. I’ll try to answer.” He stepped to the edge of the deck. His voice was steady, comforting, professional. “What’s goin’ on?”
    “I had a bit of a dizzy spell this morning. I think I almost passed out because I swear I saw black for a second.”
    “Had you eaten and were you hydrated?”
    “Yes.”
    “Any numbness or tingling like in your arms or hands?”
    “No.”
    “Are you diabetic or have any other health issues?”
    “No. I had my camp physical. Everything was fine.”
    “Any other problems?”
    “I had a stomach bug recently. Seems to be hanging around.”
    Ash shrugged. “I’m sure you’re fine. C’mon in and I’ll get your vitals and we’ll talk a little more about it. Dizziness and fainting is nothing to ignore.”
    She retreated further. “I think I stood up too fast.”
    “Probably, but I need to check your blood pressure and listen to your heart.”
    Now she’d done it. Would he notice if she simply walked away?
    “Don’t make me come out there with a thermometer,” Ash warned with a laugh.
    She shoved her hands into her back pockets and rocked on her heels. Buck up, Gia... You know you wouldn’t let anyone else get away with this chicken routine. Besides, you feel terrible.
    “I’m coming,” she said and then mumbled something about not being afraid, only shy.
    But Paramedic Ash had played her from the start, knowing she wouldn’t have shown up at the clinic at ten PM for no reason, and sensing she was apprehensive. Had to give him credit. He’d already conducted half his evaluation from outside the door.
    “I’d rather no one know about this,” she said as she entered the small clinic.
    “I promise complete confidentiality but you know the rules. I need to have someone step in while I do a quick exam. Then we can talk privately. The registrar is in the other room signing off on new camper files. Can I ask her or do you want me to call someone else?”
    Gia nodded as she wiggled onto the exam table.
    “Good. Let me get your file.” He grabbed the door frame and looked back as he left the room. “It’ll be OK, Gia.”
    “I know. Just want to get back to work.”
    She closed her eyes and let the cool air settle around her. Thank goodness the little camp triage shack was nothing like a regular doctor’s office. She’d have run screaming into the woods if she’d spotted a gown or urine sample cup.
    Ash returned with Mrs. Winston and tossed Gia’s folder on the counter. He washed his big hands in the tiny sink along the wall and gathered some basic supplies.
    Mrs. Winston stood nearby with a pleasant, reassuring smile. Gia stared ahead and tried to think about anything else.
    “You were right about your physical,” he said as he took her temperature. “Nothing off in there.”
    She passed the blood pressure test and dutifully took deep breaths and then didn’t breathe at all on cue as he checked her heart and lungs.
    He quizzed her about her eating habits and the persistent bug she’d been entertaining. Her answers seemed to satisfy him.
    “Lie back for a sec and let me press on your tummy.”
    She glanced at Mrs. Winston who sensed her unease and rushed over to plump the plastic-covered pillow behind her head. “Bless your