A Secret Dose (A Companion to Becoming Mr. Archer)

A Secret Dose

A companion to Becoming Mr. Archer.  Tara Billings has received a secret request from her patient, someone she is envious of despite her prognosis.  Will she agree to do what’s asked of her?

Excerpt:

 

    “How are you feeling today?” I asked, when her smile faded.  As had happened before, she wilted when relieved of Jonas’ concerned scrutiny.

     “I’m ready for this to be over.”

     “Mmm,” I murmured.  I was not surprised by her comment.  The majority of my patients reached this stage sooner or later.

     “Can you help me?”

     She met my sharp look with calm resolve.  Yes, she meant what I thought she did.  While what she was asking for was not illegal in our state, as a nurse, it was not something I could provide the means for - and I was glad for the reason to decline.

     “I’m sorry, Angela, but this is something you need to discuss with your doctor.”

     “I have, and he’ll prescribe what I need.”

     “So…” I began, wondering what she needed of me.

     “It’s Jonas.  He’ll fight me on it, and if I force his hand he’ll never forgive me… or himself.”  A tear slipped from her welling eyes.  “He can’t know.”

     I understood her dilemma.  As attentive as Jonas was to her care, it would be difficult for her to hide it from him.  She needed an ally.  

     “What about your father?”

     “Even if I could talk him into it, Jonas is like a son to him.  I can’t ask him to deceive him that way.”

     I looked away, no longer able to meet her beseeching eyes.  What she was asking of me went against everything I believed in.  This didn’t make it any easier to turn her down, however.  I knew how much she was suffering.

Author’s Note:

In my short story, Becoming Mr. Archer, Jonas found certain parts of his tale too painful to tell, yet they ached to be told.  Enter Tara Billings, who revealed more than I was prepared for.