RoguesAngels

Excerpt from Everlasting Love by Rosemary Indra.
Hint you'll see Shelia Roberts in my May Day story.

     "Are you alright Miranda?" Her friend Shelia said as she placed a patient's chart on the counter of the nurse's station. "You look really white. Sit down before you fall over." The other nuse pushed an office chair toward her.
     Miranda quickly sat down and sighed. "I'm...fine," she stuttered. "I made it to work. So it's a good day. Right?"
     Shelia walked to her side. "Honey, what are you talking about?"
     "I had a little car problems." Determined not to release the emotions which threatened, Miranda rubbed her eyes. "There were two flat tires on my car. So Kevin let me use his truck. On the highway going 60 mph, I discovered his brakes were out."
     "You've had a rough morning." Shelia walked toward her and rubbed her shoulder. "Take a few minutes to pull yourself together."
     "He said the truck was in good running order. Good condition with no brakes?" Miranda muttered, barely listening to her friend. She slapped her palm on the desk. "I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."
    "Kevin? Kevin who? Is he the guy you met at the cabin?" Shelia occupied the chair next to Miranda.
     At the sound of Kevin's name, Miranda relaxed. "Yes I met him at Abby's cabin." For the last two years they'd been there for each other. Miranda helped Shelia when she lost her husband and Shelia had been there when Miranda went through her divorce.
      Turning the conversation back to Kevin's vehicle, Miranda said, "Why would he say the truck's ok when the brakes don't work?"
     "I know you, you're not going to yell at him, so let it go." Shelia moved her chair closer. "So are you seeing him? I was under the impression you weren't going to see him again."
     "I called him last night." Miranda rolled a pen between her thumb and index finger before she looked at her friend again. Monday morning after staying at the cabin, Miranda had told her friend all about her weekend with Kevin. She didn't elaborate about the intimate details, but she knew Shelia filled in the specifics. At the time Miranda said she wasn't gong to see Kevin again. Even when she told her friend her relationship with Kevin was over, Miranda knew she needed to see him again.
      A doctor walked by and picked up a patient's chart then continued down the hall without saying a word to them.
     "Mark stopped by last night--drunk." Miranda whispered. "I panicked so I called Kevin."
     "Wow, you've had a busy twenty-four hours." Shelia lifted her shoulders. "I just stayed home with Mr. Whiskers and we watched television."
     "You're lucky. I could use a little less excitement."
     "You called Kevin again this morning to borrow his truck?" Her friend arched one slender brow. When Miranda didn't reply, Shelia said, "Oooh!He spent the night. You have it bad for him, don't you?" The petite blonde gave her an encouraging smile.
     "I think you need someone in your life Shelia. You have too much time on your hands." For the last three months Shelia had been telling Miranda she should have a new man in her life. "It's time you take your own advice."
     "Not me. I don't need another man. No one will ever take James' place."
     Miranda reached for the other woman's hand. "I'm sorry but at time I think..."
     Shelia shook her head from side to side. "I'm not ready."
     "I guess we both will know when the time is right."
     A patient's light illumined the switchboard. "I'll get that Miranda. You have a phone call to make."