Ny Doc Under The Northern Lights

CHAPTER TWO

THERE WAS A knocking at Betty’s door early the next morning. An incessant pounding that permeated into her dreams and gave her a raging headache. She opened her eyes, rolling over and looking at the clock on the nightstand. It was nine in the morning Icelandic time, which meant that it was four in the morning in New York City.

Good Lord.

Betty rubbed her eyes and heard the pounding again. It startled her.

Who was at her door? She knew no one here, except Axel and his father and it wouldn’t be either of them. Would it?

She clambered out of bed, jammed her glasses on her face, threw a sweater over her tank top, pulled on her heavy woolen socks and made her way downstairs, bumping into a wall as her eyes adjusted to the daylight.

She cursed under her breath and then peeked through the peephole and groaned when she saw a familiar six-foot Viking standing on her porch, looking just as good and put together as he had yesterday.

What does he want?

She opened the door a crack. “What?”

Axel’s gaze raked her up and down, just as it had when they’d first met. It was unnerving.

“You just open the door to strangers?” he asked, annoyed.

“You drove me home. You’re hardly a stranger.”

“You don’t know me.”

She ran her hand through her hair and tried to stifle a yawn. “So, you’ve come to my place, early in the morning, on my first full day in Iceland to give me a lecture on stranger danger?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Stranger danger? I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

“It’s...” Betty trailed off. Clearly it was a language-barrier thing and she didn’t have the patience or brain power to explain the phrase’s meaning to him or argue about it with him. “What do you want, Axel?”

“Can I come in?” he asked.

“Sure.” She opened the door wider and he slipped inside. She closed the door and crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe for support.

“You look terrible,” he said.

“It’s called jet lag and I was sleeping until I was rudely interrupted.”

“The only way to beat jet lag is to pretend it’s not real.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you should’ve got up a couple hours ago and started your day.”

“Look, have you just come to insult me or are you here for a reason?

Axel glanced over his shoulder. “Let’s have some coffee.”

And before she could argue he was striding into her small kitchen and rifling through her cupboards. What was with this guy?

Betty followed him, still a bit woozy from her lack of sleep. She tripped over a rug in the hall and Axel reached out to steady her, stopping her from doing a face-plant. His strong arms were around her once again and she was completely mortified.

“You’re not too nimble on your feet,” he said with a hint of humor in his voice.

She pushed out of his arms. “Axel, what’re you doing here? I know you didn’t just drive all the way over here to make me coffee.”

He turned back to the coffeemaker. “I’ve come to check on you and make sure you know your way around the city. Also to make sure you get food.”

She wanted to tell him that she was fine, but she wasn’t. She knew a few Icelandic words and phrases thanks to her father’s teaching, but last night when she’d been struggling with jet lag she’d tried looking up stores in Reykjavik and couldn’t make heads or tails of the names.

“That would be great,” she said. “I’ll go get dressed.”

Axel nodded. “Good. Don’t trip going up the stairs.”

Betty glared at him and took the stairs slowly, just so he wouldn’t keep remarking on her klutzy tendencies. She wasn’t such a klutz when it came to the operating room. When she was there she was in her element.

Was she?

She tried not to think about Thomas. About how he had always been in the operating room with her. Always the lead surgeon. At first, she’d loved having him there. It had been reaffirming. Thomas had been her teacher and he’d given her strength.

But since his betrayal his presence had annoyed her and shaken her confidence to the core, which was another reason why she was here. She was determined to prove to herself that she didn’t need anyone’s assistance when it came to surgery. That she was better than she thought she was.

She got dressed and made herself presentable. By the time she was done brushing her hair she could smell the coffee brewing downstairs.

When she came back down into the kitchen Axel handed her a cup. She took a sip and it was delicious. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had made her coffee. Thomas certainly never had when they were dating.

“This is good,” she said. “Thank you.”

“You say that in a shocked tone.”

“Well, you are a stranger. I don’t know how you make coffee. It could be complete doo-doo.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Doo-doo?”

“Garbage.”

“Ah, well, I suppose so. Are you ready to go?”

Betty finished her coffee and set the mug in the sink. “Yes, let’s get this over with.”

“I hope you have your better boots today. It’s quite icy being this close to the...to the water.” There was an edge to his voice as he mentioned the water, as if he hated it. Betty shook that thought off; perhaps he just didn’t like ice, and she couldn’t blame him. She wasn’t a huge fan of it herself.

“Yes. I have better boots.” She picked them up off the floor. “See?”

Axel nodded in approval. “Well, let’s go and I’ll drive you to the nearest store and make sure you get enough food to survive. I don’t want my father saying I let you starve.”

“I can find my way around.”

“Oh?” he asked as she locked her front door. “What street do you live on?”

“I live on Vatn...”

“I thought as much. You live on Vatnsstigur. That’s the correct pronunciation.”

“Thanks,” she said dryly.

They walked down to his SUV and he held open the door for her. She shouldn’t be going with him to get groceries, but she did need food and she was tired and didn’t know her way around Reykjavik. She would take his help for this and that was it.

No more.

She was here to make it on her own and not rely on someone else.

The drive to the grocery store was silent, but she really didn’t know what to say to him. Everything she said seemed to annoy him and vice versa. Thankfully it wasn’t a long ride and soon they were pulling up in front of a grocery store that advertised being open twenty-four hours a day.

“We’re here.”

“Good,” Betty said, stifling another yawn. “I’m going to need more coffee.”

“Well, after we get your groceries home I will take you for a proper coffee near your place. That will wake you up.”

“If the cold air doesn’t wake me up I doubt any coffee will,” she muttered.

“You haven’t had this coffee yet.” He got out of the car and Betty followed him. He walked well ahead of her in big, commanding steps making it hard to keep up with him.

“Hey!” she called out. “Wait up.”

Axel paused and turned around. “What? Did you fall?”

“No, I didn’t fall. Why are you always assuming I’m falling or tripping?”

“Because you keep doing it,” he stated in a matter-of-fact tone. And he had a point. She had been.

“I’m not falling this time. You’re just walking too fast. You’re a giant and I can’t keep up, not in these boots.”

There was a twinkle in his blue eyes. “Sorry.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll get a cart.” He grabbed a cart from the carrel. “You ready?”

“I didn’t make a list.”

“We’ll get you what you need.”

“Okay.” Betty followed him in a daze. He took her through the produce section and she picked out some apples and oranges. Then they moved over to the deli and bakery. Axel dutifully pushed the cart in silence but after a few aisles he made a “hmm” sound.

“What?” she asked as she held a box of pasta.

Axel reached into her cart and pulled out a can. “This is an interesting choice.”

“Isn’t it tuna?”

“No, it’s lutefisk. You know what that is?”

“Not tuna?”

“No, it’s an aged stock fish and lye. It’s sort of like gelatin.”

Betty made a face. “Oh.”

Axel chuckled. “You want me to put it back?”

“No, I’m going to try it.”

Now it was his turn to make a face. “You’re brave. I don’t like it much.”

Betty took the can and placed it back in the cart. “I’m going to try it. I’ll be brave. I like fish.”

Axel looked amused but didn’t say anything more. Satisfied that she had enough to last her for her first few days, she paid for her purchases and he helped her load them into the car. Returning to her rental, Axel helped her take the groceries inside and put them away. She was hoping he would leave when they were done, but he lingered.

“What?” she asked.

“Coffee, remember?”

“Oh, I thought you were just being polite.”

“No, I mean it. I’ll get you some good coffee. It’s not a far walk from here.”

“Okay. Isn’t it a little cold to be walking though?”

“You wanted to walk to the hospital on your first day and that’s farther than the coffee house.”

“You have a point,” she said. “Okay, let’s go, but then I have to get back and prepare for tomorrow.”

“Deal.”

Axel was right, it wasn’t far from her rental, but when they got to the coffee house it was packed and there was nowhere to sit, let alone move.

“Sorry about that,” Axel said as they left.

“It’s okay.”

“I promised you coffee for dragging you out.”

Betty looked around and down on the pier near the beach was a little coffee hut. “What about there? That looks like a coffee place!”

Axel looked to where she was pointing and his expression hardened. “Uh.”

“We can have coffee and go walk on the beach.”

“No,” Axel snapped. “No, that’s not a good place.”

“But it’s not crowded at all.”

“I said no!” Axel’s jaw was tightened and he wasn’t even looking in the direction of the beach. “You know what, I have to go.”

“Oh,” she said. “Okay.”

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you home.” He took her by the arm and practically dragged her from the beach. Someone really didn’t like water and she wondered why.

That’s not your concern.

She was out of breath by the time they reached her rental and he wouldn’t look her in the eye as he opened the gate into her yard.

“Thanks for taking me out. I’ll see you Thursday.”

He nodded curtly. “Thursday. Tomorrow.”

And before she could say anything else to him, he walked quickly to his SUV and left. Betty was too tired to figure out what had happened and it really wasn’t her problem. She was here to work, not make friends, and that was all there was to it.

CHAPTER THREE

BETTY SIPPED HER COFFEE, her body still not used to the time-zone change, even after having had a couple of days to adjust. She was glad that she’d got proper coffee before her first day of work. No matter what she tried she still couldn’t brew as good a cup of coffee as Axel had.

Axel.

That had been a good second day. He’d helped her get groceries, made her feel somewhat welcome, even if her suggestion to walk on the beach had gone a bit awry.

She took another sip of the coffee, wishing she could go back to bed so she could feel more rested for this important day.

It was currently midnight in New York City, usually the time when she’d be thinking about going to bed.

And the bed in the rental was comfortable. It had a thick, down duvet and two feather pillows.

Stop thinking about bed.

She set down her travel mug and picked up the parka she’d bought, pulling it on and glancing out of the window just in time to see Axel’s SUV pull up.

He’s punctual.

She didn’t know why in this moment that thought surprised her. He didn’t strike her as the kind of man who was usually late. Granted, he’d been late picking her up the other day at the airport, but he had been annoyed and grumpy, so being late had probably irked him.

Why are you dissecting this?

She shook her head. Man, she was tired.

Betty grabbed her bag, her travel mug and her keys. She was ready to face the day, meet the elder Dr. Sturlusson and discuss her lecture series for his surgical residents later in the week. Not only was she working in the emergency room as a trauma surgeon, but she’d been hired to teach the first-year surgical residents. She was terrified because she’d never done this before.

You’ve got this.

Though there was a part of her that wasn’t quite sure that she did, indeed, have this.

* * *

“You can’t go to Iceland,” Thomas had said as he’d followed her from the scrub room.

He hadn’t taken the hint that she wanted to be alone. She’d wanted to cry, to weep, because he was getting married to someone else. He had used her.

“I can and I am.”

Thomas had stood in front of her. “Where can I reach you, then?”

“For what?”

Thomas touched her cheek. “You’re my rock.”

“I’m going,” she’d said, her voice shaking.

“You’ll come back,” he’d snapped. “You can’t possibly handle it.”

* * *

She locked her door and headed down the steps toward Axel’s SUV. He got out and pulled open the gate for her.

“I’ve come to check that you’re wearing appropriate footwear.”

Betty stuck out her leg. “Happy? You saw these the other day.”

He looked her up and down, then nodded. “Yes. Quite. I won’t have to carry you into the hospital.”

Betty ground her teeth. “And I won’t have to slug you now.”

“Slug me?” he asked, as he shut and latched the gate behind her.

Betty held up her fist, but the effect was lost, buried under a thick, wool mitten.

Axel raised his eyebrows. “Oh, I see.”

And then he chuckled as he opened the passenger door.

“Why are you laughing?” she asked as she slid into the warmth of the SUV’s interior.

He shut the door and then walked around to the driver’s side, still chuckling as he buckled up.

“What is so funny?” she asked again.

“Slugging. I find it humorous that you think you can harm me.”

“I’m tougher than I look, partner. Or, I’ve been told I am.”

Truth be told, it had been a long time since anyone had told her that. She used to be a tougher woman and she hated herself for burying that part of her, for letting Thomas bury that part of her.

Let it go.

“I don’t doubt it,” Axel said, a hint of humor in his voice. She glanced at him and even in the dark of the car she could see a glint of a humorous twinkle in his eye.

She snorted and took a sip of her coffee.

Axel turned around at the end of the dead-end street where her rental was and sped toward the hospital a couple of blocks away. As they drove through the darkened streets, she could see a green hint in the distance, above the city.

“What is that?” she asked.

“What?” Axel asked.

“The green light on the horizon. What is that?” Something was gnawing away at her that she should know.

“It’s the Norðurljós, the northern lights. Have you never seen them?”

“No,” Betty said, excitedly craning her neck to look at them. “I live in New York City and there are so many lights there. You can barely see the stars. I also grew up in southern Tennessee. Not exactly close to the sixtieth parallel, but they’ve always been on my bucket list.”

She smiled as she watched the green lights just beyond the horizon. They flickered, but just barely and the light was fading.

“It’s hard to see them here. They’re stronger around midnight and you can see them much more clearly outside the city. They must be really strong tonight for us to see a glimpse of them here.”

“I would love to see them properly one night.” The words slipped out of her mouth before she had a chance to stop them.

“Would you? Well, I can drive you to a great spot I know if you want.”

Warmth flushed her cheeks. She hadn’t meant to fish for a date from him.

“You don’t have to.”

“Do you have a car?” he asked.

“No.”

“Then I’ll take you. I don’t mind.” He parked his SUV. “You are my responsibility.”

“I’m not a child. I’m going to rent a car to get around. You took me out to get food. I think your job is done. I’ve settled in.”

“I will drive you.”

Betty got out of the SUV and shut the door. “I’m a grown woman, a talented surgeon and I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”

“Why are you so defensive?” Axel asked.

“I don’t need anyone to help me.” She was being defensive, but she didn’t want help. Iceland was her chance to prove herself.

To whom? Thomas? He doesn’t care.

She shook that thought away. No, she wasn’t going to let all these self-doubts take over. She wasn’t going to let Thomas ruin this.

She would use the distance. She needed to get over him.

To get over the hold he had on her.

“I’m sorry,” she said, wincing as she gripped her travel mug. “I’m just used to doing things on my own.”

“I get that,” he said. “Same with me.”

“Good.” She stared up at him. He really was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. It was almost classical. As if he were a Viking hero.

Like Beowulf.

And right now, she felt like a complete Grendel.

“Let’s go,” he said. “Or we’ll be late and I don’t like being late.”

She nodded and followed him into the hospital.

Great way to alienate yourself from your coworkers, Betty.

This was going to be a long, long first day.

* * *

Axel glanced up from where he was charting to see Betty bending over a patient with her stethoscope and listening to the patient’s chest. Her blonde hair was tied back and the aquamarine of her scrubs suited her.

Look away.

Only he couldn’t tear his gaze from her.

She had spirit. Even if that spirit grated on his nerves, Axel couldn’t help but admire her for that. The day he’d spent with her had made him forget all the stress he usually bore on his shoulders.

He’d enjoyed the simplicity of buying groceries and sharing a laugh, the adult companionship aspect of it.

That was, until she’d suggested walking along the beach. That was when it had all gone sideways and he was still angry at himself for the way he’d treated her. This was why he didn’t get involved with anyone and why he kept to himself.

“She seems to be fitting in well.”

Axel tore his gaze from Betty and glanced at his father, who was suddenly standing across from him, looking formidable in his white lab coat and expensive suit. He didn’t see eye to eye with his father on many things, including the expensive tastes his father had.

His father had never understood Axel and Calder’s need to go to sea. He saw it as them wasting their medical training by serving in the tactical navy. Patrolling the coast of Iceland and providing emergency medical services at sea.

After the accident, his father had taken the opportunity to point out that if Calder and Axel had listened to him in the first place and pursued “proper” medical positions, Calder wouldn’t be dead.

“First Eira’s mother dies of cancer when she’s an infant and now her father is lost at sea. Now Eira is an orphan. Calder never should have died.”

His father’s pained words still haunted him and he knew that Eira thought the same things too. He could see it in her eyes when she was mourning Calder. Or when she thought about the mother she never knew.

Axel was all Eira had now. An uncle who knew nothing about raising a teenaged girl.

“Yes,” Axel replied. He was hoping that would be the end of the conversation, because, even though it had been two years since Calder died, it was still hard. To know that his father had loved Calder more and wished that Calder had been the one to survive.

I wish that too. It would be easier than bearing this burden.

“Did you give her my apologies about not being able to pick her up at Keflavik?” his father asked.

“I did. I told her that you were busy.”

His father was always busy.

“Thank you,” his father said stiffly. “I would’ve gone, but...”

“I know you were too busy, Father. Eira and I both know how busy you are.”

It was a dig. His father barely came to see Eira.

His father’s eyes narrowed. “I take my work very seriously, which is why I’m Chief of Surgery here.”

Axel shut the chart and set it down on the counter of the nursing station where he’d been working. He took a step closer to his father. “I take my work seriously too. I’m saving lives!”

“Except for one.” The words his father spoke stung Axel, because he couldn’t save Calder and his father could never forgive him for that. His father took a step back and straightened his lab coat. “I should go and make my introductions. She seems to be done with the patient for now.”

“Yes. Do that,” Axel said, annoyed with his father’s stubbornness as he watched him cross the triage area and introduce himself to Betty.

Axel’s head pounded and he turned on his heel, walking away.

His father was so stubborn. If his mother were still alive... He let that thought trail off because he knew his mother would never have survived losing Calder, the favored son.

Calder was the favorite, whereas Axel had always been the screw-up.

Calder had been the only one to love and support him when he was growing up and then messing up his life. It was why Axel had wanted to go into the tactical navy. It was why he’d wanted to be a naval surgeon like his brother. His plan had never been to work in a hospital.

Of course, his plan hadn’t included losing his brother and almost drowning.

Axel stepped inside an on-call room that was empty and took a couple of deep calming breaths as the post-traumatic stress disorder began to take control of him.

You can control this wave.

The therapist working with him on his PTSD had taught him the deep-breathing technique. He kept his eyes closed and kept breathing in and out, trying to drown out the sounds of the helicopter crashing into the water, of Calder’s last words or the howling of the stormy seas.

Instead he saw Betty’s face in his mind’s eye. That saucy, feisty pixie-like face. It startled him to see her there.

He scrubbed a hand over his head. Angry that he saw Betty’s face in his mind, mixed in with his torment.

He already knew that he had to be careful when it came to dealing with Betty Jacinth. This only reinforced his conviction to keep things strictly professional between them.

His phone buzzed and he frowned when he saw that it was Eira and that Eira was headed to the emergency room.

What in the world?

Axel pocketed his phone and rolled his shoulders, making sure that he had regained his composure before leaving the on-call room.

Axel headed to the emergency room, hoping his father hadn’t gotten word that Eira was in the hospital. No doubt Axel would be blamed for whatever had gone wrong.