Emergency Response by Nicki Edwards Page A

replacement?” She spun around to face the woman. Debbie. “I think there’s been some sort of mix up. I’m just a nurse , not a doctor.”
    “Don’t ever call yourself just a nurse,” the man growled down at her. Mackenzie swung back around to face him. His dark eyes shone. “’Round here, nurses run the place and do a damned fine job of it too. Worth remembering that when you find yourself in the thick of it and there’s no hoity-toity city doctor in his smart suit and tie on the other end of the phone when you get yourself in a spot of bother.”
    He looked her up and down, causing anger to bubble within her. The man had taken an instant dislike to her, as she had to him. While he was right – she wasn’t just a nurse – he didn’t have to be so rude about it. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.
    “I happen to be a very good nurse. I’m ICU trained and I’ve been working in a major trauma center in Sydney for the past fifteen years.”
    He took another long look at her. “Bloody well good for you, love, but have you ever worked in an emergency department in the middle of the bush? No trauma team to support you out here.” He brushed dust off his hands and shoved them deep in the pockets of his scrubs, rocking back on his heels as he stared at her. His face wore a smirk. At least that’s what she thought it was. It was hard to tell what was really hiding behind that beard.
    Beside her, Debbie snickered. “Told ya Doc’s got crap bedside manners.”
    Mackenzie turned back to her. “I’m sorry, Debbie is it? There has obviously been a miscommunication with the nursing agency. They said I had a three-month contract here. As a nurse ,” she emphasized for the doctor’s benefit. “I’m meant to be filling in for someone.”
    “Like I said, love. You’re my replacement. You’re filling in for me.”
    Debbie chuckled before leaning over to punch the man lightly on the forearm. “Think we’d better introduce you properly.” She turned to Mackenzie. “This here is Doc. We call him that because his name’s Daniel O’Connell. Doc. Get it?” She laughed as though it was the funniest thing she’d heard all day. When Mackenzie didn’t even crack a smile, the woman’s face fell. “It’s his initials. D-O-C,” she explained slowly, as though Mackenzie didn’t get it. “He’s a nurse, but one of the best ones you’ll ever meet. Jeez, if I were sick I’d choose him over any of the doctors any day of the week. Guess that’s another reason why we call him Doc. He knows his stuff.”
    Mackenzie looked from one to the other. “So I’m replacing you ?” she asked.
    He nodded. “Yep. Although good luck with that. I’m actually irreplaceable.”
    He strode off, leaving Mackenzie looking at Debbie in horror. This wasn’t the welcome she was hoping for.
    “Ah sorry love. Shouldn’t have teased ya, but it’s always worth it to see the expression on the newbie’s face when they meet Doc for the first time.” She held out her hand. “Anyhoo, I’m Debbie. I’m one of the other nurses here. We’ll be working together.” Mackenzie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Well come on, love, close your mouth or you’ll catch flies. Tom should be here by now and he can take ya to your house. You’ll be living with Charlotte.”
    Mackenzie opened and closed her mouth again. Another surprise. The nursing agency hadn’t said anything about a housemate.
    Mackenzie didn’t know what else to do except follow Debbie back inside. Debbie talked as she walked and Mackenzie had to work hard to get a word in edgeways with her incessant chatter.
    “Does it get busy out here then?” she asked.
    From the brief emails from the agency, Mackenzie hadn’t been able to glean much information.
    “It all depends. Sometimes you can go a full day without seeing a patient. Other days you’ll go all day without a break. My advice, for what it’s worth? When it’s busy, don’t drink too much water