Dr Fox and the Queen of Curl: Return to Spencer City Series Novel

By Breanna Cone

Dr. Maxwell Fox bemoans his lack of female companionship but saw no solution in the small town of Spencer City, Connecticut where he is currently practicing medicine. But fate gets a hand with the early arrival of Amanda Rogers' child.

Susan Smith, a successful beautician and massage therapist, is visiting her old friend Marjorie Sellers when the nurse has to help deliver a premature baby at the Fox Clinic in the middle of the night. Susan tags along to assist in any way she can. But she is unprepared for the sexual attraction the doctor presents. Just recovering from a breakup with a Lothario, she has no intentions of letting a man into her world anytime soon.

The battle of wits between these two polar opposites makes the sparks fly and a romantic relationship intriguing.

Can they forget the problems of the past to find love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781475994223

Breanna Cone

Breanna Cone has been writing since 2001. Her Spencer City Series characters are portrayed as small town citizens who live life to the fullest and truly care about the rest of the townspeople.

Book preview

DR FOX

AND THE

QUEEN OF CURL

Return to Spencer City Series Novel

BREANNA CONE

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

Dr Fox and the Queen of Curl

Return to Spencer City Series Novel

Copyright © 2013 by Breanna Cone.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4759-9421-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-9422-3 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013910207

iUniverse rev. date: 06/10/2013

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

RETURN TO SPENCER CITY SERIES

DR FOX AND THE QUEEN OF CURL

BABY MAKES THREE

LETTER OF THE LAW

A TWIST OF FATE

IRISH BY DESIGN

Dedicated to the man I love

my husband Carl

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To Eva Bakalekos for the cover design

and

Margaret Ponder Thompson

Board Member Arkansas Pioneer Branch

National League of American Pen Women

for the storyline idea

CHAPTER ONE

D octor Maxwell Fox tossed the blanket off his muscular body and strode barefoot through the darkened hallway to the kitchen. He had been looking forward to sleeping in on this Sunday morning but his mind was still spinning. The doctor needed something to relax his body if not his mind.

Stopping beside the refrigerator, he opened the cupboard door, removed a highball glass and placed it under the ice cube dispenser. He let three cubes drop into the crystal tumbler then filled it halfway with tomato juice. Reaching into the freezer section, he grabbed the bottle of Grey Goose.

As your personal physician, I prescribe two fingers, Maxwell.

Chuckling at his own peculiar sense of humor, the man splashed the required dosage into the red liquid. Taking a sip, he walked to the sliding glass door, looked out at the empty backyard beyond the brick terrace into the darkness. At three o’clock in the morning, the chirping of the chickadees was the only audible noise, but that wasn’t what caused his lack of slumber.

Usually the quiet of the countryside was relaxing but during the early morning hours when he couldn’t sleep his solitary existence weighted on his mind, on his heart, his very soul. That favorite old adage of his father about man not living by bread alone resurfaced in his memory, followed by his mother’s voice asking him when he was going to give her a grandson.

Maybe I should stop waiting for the perfect woman to love. Just find someone to be a good and faithful companion.

Again he laughed at himself because it sounded like he was looking for a pet not a wife. Besides, any woman who would fit those qualifications would bore him within a month.

If anybody heard this conversation he was having with himself, they would bring on the attendants with the prerequisite strait jacket. The sudden ringing of the telephone instantly pulled him out of his pity fest.

Dr. Maxwell.

Doc, Greg Rogers. Can you come over ASAP? Amanda is having some odd pains. According to her, it doesn’t feel like labor.

Have her elevate her legs. I’ll be there in five minutes.

Leaving his half empty Bloody Mary in the sink, he hurried to the bedroom to jerk on jeans and a sweatshirt. He stopped in the foyer to grab his medical bag before he raced to his truck. Max accelerated down the horseshoe drive, spraying gravel as he pulled onto the country road and headed toward the sheriff’s house.

Turning into the long driveway, Max could see the house ablaze with lights, a beacon in the darkness. He only hoped it wasn’t a portent of tragedy. The baby wasn’t due for another month. Grabbing his bag, he sprinted to the front door, which opened as if by automatic eye. Instead, a distraught husband faced him; evident by the wild condition of the sheriff’s hair. It stood up in multiple directions from fingers raking through the strands.

Thank God you’re here.

The doctor patted his shoulder and made his way to the downstairs guestroom where Amanda had been on bed rest for the past month. He had been hoping it would prevent just such a situation as she faced today.

Hello, Amanda.

Max took the woman’s hand and felt a sudden squeeze that was the only indicator of her anxiety. Placing his finger on her pulse, he counted as his eye watched the second hand of his wristwatch.

Pulse is a little elevated, he told his patient. When did the problem begin?

Four days ago. It was more discomfort than pain until yesterday around noon, the woman revealed.

Why am I just now hearing about it?

The stern tone made Amanda smile at the earnest reprimand from her doctor. She gave her husband a guilty look.

Number 1, you are much too busy to baby sit every twinge I have; number 2, Greg is over protective, to say the least. I didn’t want to worry him.

There is a very good reason for our concern, Max told her. Yours is the classic at-risk pregnancy. We don’t want to take any chances on the survival of you and the baby.

Greg Rogers glanced uneasily at the young physician.

Is that a possibility?

I’ll be better able to answer that question after I do a physical exam. Knowing Greg was too nervous to wait patiently, he made a request. Can you make a fresh pot of coffee? I need a little something to clear my head.

Of course, the Boone County sheriff replied. He kissed his wife on the forehead and headed to the kitchen.

Maxwell Fox choose a few items from his bag and entered the attached bathroom. Laying out a clean hand towel, he turned on the water, scrubbed his hands with the cleanser from an antibacterial soap packet, and rinsed them under the hot water. He patted the moisture from his fingers. Slipping on latex gloves, he approached his patient but paused a moment.

Are the children here?

No. Greg called Julie to come take them to her house.

Then I’ll leave the door open since there isn’t a nurse with us this morning to observe the examination protocol.

I’m not worried, Max. I can trust you to be professional.

Absolutely. Besides, I have a healthy respect for a husband who carries a gun for a living.

This comment was intended to help Amanda relax for the pelvic exam. It had the desired effect when she chuckled and smiled at him.

Is that why you sent him off to boil water?

Partly.

The doctor placed his stethoscope on the right side of her distended abdomen and listened for a second before moving it to the other side. The baby objected to this procedure with a slight kick of a foot. Max frowned when he saw the ripple cross the top of Amanda’s stomach. After a quick glance at her vulva, the doctor felt queasiness in his stomach.

Did the baby move around much this week?

No. Just an occasional field goal attempt. Why?

The doctor removed his gloves and shoved them in his bag before taking the expectant mother’s hand.

From the looks of it, the baby has already positioned itself in the vaginal canal. And you are dilated two centimeters, which means birth could be imminent or take hours, maybe days.

Greg returned to hear this statement. He handed the coffee to Max and sat down in the chair beside the bed.

What is the next course of action? the sheriff asked.

That is up to you and Amanda, he replied. Did your other deliveries take a long time?

Four hours from start to finish with Sam and three with Sara.

That pattern of progressively shorter times means the baby could arrive in two to three hours. By the time we get an ambulance here to transport you to Hartford, you could be in the final stages. Giving birth in a moving vehicle would not be ideal for a preemie.

What do you suggest we do, Max?

I think the best bet would be to call for the ambulance, then go to my clinic. I have all the equipment to monitor the baby or deliver it if worse comes to worse.

Let’s go to the clinic, Greg, Amanda told her husband. I’d rather be with someone who can help if our child decides to arrive today.

The sheriff turned to the doctor. How do we get Amanda to the clinic?

Amanda will need to lay as flat as possible. Since the October weather isn’t too chilly, the back of my pick-up is the safest way. We’ll need several quilts or blankets to cushion the bed and a sleeping bag if you have one.

While Greg went in search of these items, Max patted his patient’s hand.

Everything will be just fine, Amanda. Try to relax, the doctor told her. I’ll take this cup to the kitchen and let the office staff know to get down to the clinic ASAP.

Waiting for her nod of understanding, he exited the bedroom, walked out of ear shot, and flipped his cell phone open. Pressing a single number, Max waited for his office manager and nurse to answer.

Marj, Max here. Sorry to call in the middle of the night but Amanda Rogers is going into labor so I need all the staff to meet us at the clinic. We should be there in fifteen minutes.

Okay. What prep work should we do?

Normal delivery, but prep the OR room, just in case. And make sure the incubator is ready.

We’ll be waiting. Drive careful.

You can bet it on.

Max drained his cup then returned to his patient. At the doorway, Amanda and her husband were sharing a hug. The tender moment brought a longing to his heart but he had more important things to deal with right now.

Greg, I’ll get our makeshift ambulance ready while you get Amanda into a warm coat, hat and gloves, thick socks. I’ll back the truck up to the garage door so we don’t have to deal with the front porch steps.

Gathering the bedding in one arm and his bag in the other, Max hurried outside. When he bought the four-wheel drive truck it was for driving convenience. He never thought it would be needed as a makeshift ambulance. Tonight was the culmination of his purpose in being in Spencer City, to ensure the delivery of Amanda’s child. Glancing up at the clear sky, he whispered a prayer for divine guidance.

With Greg holding his wife’s hand, the patient was helped into the bedding and covered with the comforter.

Amanda should be fine but if she has any pain, knock on the back window, the doctor instructed the sheriff.

Will do.

By the time Doctor Fox pulled up to the clinic at four o’clock, his office staff was at the open door with a gurney ready to transfer Amanda Rogers from the truck bed to the examination room. He was so intent on getting his patient as comfortable as possible he didn’t notice the strange female sitting at the receptionist desk speaking quietly on the telephone.

Max left Amanda with his office manager, Marjorie Sellers, his surgical nurses, Antoinette Hardin and Conchita Alvarez while he went to change into scrubs.

Let me know when you have the patient ready for full examination.

It wasn’t until he entered his office and saw the woman place a steaming cup of coffee on his desk that he realized he hadn’t a clue who she was or why she was in the clinic during this crisis. The woman smiled at him in a friendly fashion as she turned to see him in the doorway.

Hello, I thought you might appreciate a cup of coffee to help calm the nerves before the serious business of medicine takes precedence.

Thank you, Max told her. I don’t mean to sound rude, but who are you and why are you here?

The woman replied to his request with a short laugh.

Susan Smith. I’m visiting Marj who suggested that I man the phones while you and the rest of the nurses take care of the patient.

The low timbre of her voice had a deep resonance that was pleasing to Max’s ears and the twinkle in her eyes made him take a second look. Sipping his coffee, he cataloged the lady’s attributes as any red-blooded male would do in the same situation. Average height, slender build ample curves in the usual places. Shoulder length chestnut hair, classic cheekbones, and long eyelashes complemented sea green eyes. Siren eyes. The kind of eyes that could see into a man’s soul, if he wasn’t careful.

I knew Marj had some vision issues but you could never pass for a man.

Max watched a slight blush tint her cheeks at the implied sexual comment. This revealing sign was telling in its own right. The lady wasn’t as self-confident as she appeared.

I’ll let you get back to work while I check on the ambulance.

The doctor’s eyes followed her as she exited the office. The rear view was just as appealing as her face. But the doctor had learned early on in his career to be cautious of beautiful women.

Enough lollygagging, Max. Time to check on your patient.

Taking one last swallow of coffee, he walked down the hallway to his first obstetric case in over five years.

CHAPTER TWO

S heriff Greg Rogers stood by Amanda’s bedside and tried his best to reassure her. But ever since Max had said there might be a chance of losing one or both of them, he had so many knots in his gut he wasn’t sure his colon would ever recover. The idea that he might lose Amanda or the baby was too awful to contemplate.

Hearing the nurses talking softly to themselves, the Sheriff turned to see Max enter the suite they used for minor surgeries. The doctor stopped to give the surgical nurses some instructions then approached the patient lying on the exam table.

How are you feeling, Amanda?

The pains haven’t gotten closer together so I’m okay.

Let’s take a listen, Max told her as he placed his stethoscope gently on her protruding abdomen.

Greg watched Dr. Fox’s eyes as he moved the flat metal head from one side to the other.

The doctor didn’t seem to be alarmed so he let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

What’s the word, Max?

The baby is quiet at the moment, but I need to do an ultrasound to make sure the fetus isn’t resting for a final exit.

Marj rolled the cart to the side of the bed and plugged it into the outlet. Applying the cool gel to the patient’s skin, she slowly ran the wand over Amanda’s abdomen.

Max examined the monitor screen picture for a visual of the fetus. Greg’s head jerked up when the machine’s audio beeping indicated the heartbeat of his child.

Is that a normal heartbeat? he asked the doctor.

Yes. But slightly elevated, Max replied. We’ll keep a close eye on him to make sure it doesn’t elevate too much.

You can tell it’s a boy? the Sheriff asked.

Max pointed a gloved finger to a spot at the apex of the thighs.

That is a pretty positive indicator.

Squinting closer at the monitor screen, Greg saw the outline of male genitals.

The father looked at his wife in wonder. We’re having a son.

Amanda smiled at the awe in his voice. Before she could answer him, she experienced a sharp pain low in her stomach that made her give an involuntary gasp in response.

As Max turned to check the monitor, he felt a gush of water hit his shoes. The embryonic sac burst, a fact that could lead to a wide variety of scenarios. The birth could be eminent or a protracted labor with a dry birth. Either one was not a good thing for a preemie. The ultrasound monitor showed that the baby was settled low in the birth canal. A sure sign that baby boy Rogers was eager to make his appearance.

Marj, check her dilation.

The office nurse lifted the sheet that covered the patient’s legs in their stirrups and glanced down. Still two centimeters.

This reply caused a deep furrow to appear between the doctor’s brows.

Recheck the dilation in fifteen minutes. I’ll be in my office.

Max stripped off the latex gloves, tossed them into the trash container, and opened the door of the exam room. The view of the patient waiting room at the end of the hall made his jaw drop. The area was small so every chair was filled with Spencer City residents and close friends of the sheriff and his wife. Doing a quick scan, the doctor saw Aimee North, Angie Marshall, Crissy Smith, Tiffany North, and Colleen O’Shay. Tommy Murphy, Charlie Hunter, and Paddy O’Shay paced the floor but stopped immediately when they saw the doctor.

Any news, Doc?

This request came from a man in a chef’s apron with Joe’s Diner printed across the chest section that didn’t quite cover the muscles underneath.

How did you find out?

Deputy Sheriff Don Terrell was doing his end of shift drive through and saw the nurse’s car pull up to the door. Since the clinic is closed on Sunday, he stopped to see what was happening, the man explained. When they told him Amanda was in labor, he called the diner and here I am to check on the lass.

Status quo at the moment, Charlie. Are all these folks with you?

No, they were here when I arrived. You know how fast word spreads in this town. We’re all concerned about Amanda and her baby.

I’m sure she and Greg appreciate that but things could get very hectic here shortly. I suggest you take them all to Joe’s and feed them breakfast.

Okay. I’ll try but you know how stubborn they can be.

Tell them you need help with getting food ready to bring back for the staff and me.

That might actually work. I didn’t know you had such a devious mind.

Max grinned at the ex-boxer turned diner chef. Nobody in their right mind would willingly tangle with the muscular cook. His physical appearance always surprised him even after being in the town for seven months.

I only developed that talent after coming to Spencer City where the ladies seem to need a lot of physicals. Have to protect myself, Max told him.

A quick glance at the volunteer receptionist revealed a knowing look from the woman who tried to hide a grin at this comment. His answering smile and twinkle in the doctor’s eyes indicated he wasn’t kidding exactly.

Enough said, Charlie replied as he turned to the assembled townsfolk. The doctor wants us to go to the diner and fix food for him and the nurses. I need some volunteers.

Only if he lets us know how things are going, Aimee North insisted.

I promise to call the minute I know something conclusive, Dr. Fox answered.

Okay, Doc, the cook said as he led the group to the door.

Max stood in the empty waiting room bemused at the level of involvement the residents devoted to their neighbors. Coming from a much larger city, he wasn’t prepared for the caring personalities of the small town people. He turned to the woman sitting behind the reception desk.

Would you mind finding out the status of the ambulance again, Ms. Smith?

Not at all, she replied as Marj appear in the exam room doorway.

Max, you need to come back in.

Turning his head, the doctor read the concern on Marj’s face. Once again he sent up a silent prayer for help in this precarious situation before he hurried back into the exam room.

A glance at the monitor’s heart readout made it necessary for a quick decision.

Amanda, the heart rate increase indicates stress on the baby. I think we have to do a C-section to alleviate the problem. Do you and Greg need some privacy to discuss it?

His patient shook her head.

We trust your judgment, Max. I’m ready.

Prep the patient and make sure the incubator is ready.

The doctor went to the anteroom and began his scrub procedure. Hearing the door open, he turned his head to see the worried look in Greg Rogers’ eyes.

How dangerous is this emergency delivery?

"Any preemie delivery is serious. Amanda is in good health and I don’t anticipate any issues for her. But the baby might have some respiratory problems because the lungs are