Chapter Three
Sapphire
“Okay Josie, remember to listen to your mom. No crazy stunts. No jumping off the couch,” Sapphire said as she walked her young patient and her mother out into the waiting room.
“But Doctor K,” Josie replied, “couch jumping is fun. You can’t touch the floor because it’s lava.”
Sapphire laughed at the enthusiasm in the girl’s voice. She couldn’t blame her for the adventurous side she developed. A year ago, Josie could barely take five steps, now she was running around with other kids.
“Well, definitely don’t touch the lava, but let’s try not to give your ma a heart attack, okay?”
“Okay,” Josie said with a sigh.
Sapphire waved them off and pulled the next chart from the holder on the wall. Looking at the name, a thrill shot through her. Rachel Moore Briggs. She had been looking forward to this meeting since she had gotten the results and notes from Rachel’s visit with Cleo a few days ago.
“Rachel Briggs?” she called towards the room of patients waiting to be seen.
Sapphire watched as a tall man stood and began walking in her direction with a stunning woman wheeling herself in front of him.
Holy shit! He’s huge!
Sapphire had never seen anyone as gigantic as the man approaching her. He was built like a linebacker. Wide shoulders that tapered down to hips that she wanted to wrap her legs around.
What the fuck!
Sapphire cleared her throat and turned her gaze to the woman in front of her. She felt horrible for ogling the lady’s husband. That was so unlike Sapphire.
Maybe I just need to get laid…that has to be it.
“How are you, Rachel?” Sapphire asked. “I’m Doctor Kimber.”
“I’m good,” Rachel replied. “Excited to finally meet you.”
“Let’s go back and we can go over the results from your visit with Dr. Cleo and some other information.”
“Sounds good.”
Sapphire led the couple into an examination room and pulled up Rachel’s file on the computer screen.
“Okay, there is a lot to cover. But first, let’s get to the good news,” Sapphire said. “Looking over the results, I think your paralysis can be reversed. I’m not sure how your other doctor missed it, but it’s fairly noticeable.”
“Fixed? Like fixed?” Rachel’s quiet voice met Sapphire’s ears.
Turning to look at the woman, Sapphire saw the start of tears shining in Rachel’s eyes. Reaching over, she handed her a box of Kleenex and grabbed her hand.
“Yes, Rachel. Fixed.” Sapphire smiled. “I’ll have to ask Doctor Cleo to perform the surgery...”
“Surgery?” Sapphire looked at the giant standing against the wall, his voice catching her off-guard.
“Diesel, right?” Sapphire asked.
“Oh, no. Diesel is off on assignment for the Henchmen,” Rachel answered. “This is Tank. He’s another member of the club. Kind of like my big brother.”
“Oh,” Sapphire answered. Tank. That name definitely fit him. He was built like a Mac truck... or tank.
Shaking her head, Sapphire continued, “Looking at the scans you had done, there is a blockage to the Peroneal nerve.”
“The what?” Rachel laughed.
“Peroneal nerve,” Sapphire chuckled. “It branches off the sciatic nerve and controls the sensation in the legs and feet.”
“Okay,” Rachel nodded her head.
“But there is a blockage there that is not allowing the nerve to send signals to the brain. If we can remove the blockage, with some therapy, you should be able to walk again.”
“Really?” Rachel asked, new tears of hope falling down her cheeks.
“Yep,” Sapphire smiled.
“What kind of surgery? How extensive is it?”
“It’s not a surgery I can do. I’ll speak with Doctor Cleo about scheduling it. I am not a neurosurgeon. The surgery itself has its risks. I mean, it is a spinal surgery. So you will need to think about that,” Sapphire answered.
“I want to do it,” Rachel blurted out.
“Rach, don’t you think you need to talk to D about this first?” Tank asked.
“Tank, would you do it? If it meant walking again, having children?” Rachel asked. “Heck, having sex again!”
“Okay, okay, okay,” Tank shivered. “There is just some shit I don’t want to know. Your sex life is one of those things.”
Sapphire watched the exchange. They really were more like brother and sister.
“Take a few days,” Sapphire interrupted. “Definitely talk it over with Diesel. And then let me know. This is a huge decision.”
“But...”
“No buts, Rachel,” Sapphire interrupted again. “Look, take this information home,” Sapphire handed the woman a file. “Read over it with your husband. I’ll have Mandy schedule you another appointment in one week. In the meantime, write down any questions that you or Diesel may have. Bring them back with you and I can answer them at the appointment.”
“Okay,” Rachel sighed.
The rest of the appointment passed fairly quickly. Sapphire finished reading results and answering questions. She also created a therapy plan for Rachel to start immediately.
“So why do I need to do this if I can’t even feel my legs?”
“It’s been almost a year since your lower extremities felt any sensation. Massage is a great way to promote healthy blood flow.”
“So just random massage?”
“Yes and the other exercises.”
“Okay.”
“Alright, let’s go get you another appointment scheduled,” Sapphire said, standing from her chair.
“Definitely,” Rachel smiled. “Let’s do this.”
Tank and Rachel followed Sapphire out of the room and back into the waiting area.
“Mandy, schedule an appointment for Mrs. Briggs for one week, please.”
“Yes ma’am,” Mandy answered, clicking a few buttons on the computer.
“Mandy will get you all fixed up,” Sapphire smiled. “And I will see you in one week.”
Reaching for the next chart, Sapphire was about to call her next patient when the rumble of Tank’s voice flowed over her skin.
“Thanks, Doc,” Tank said, sending a panty dropping smile Sapphire’s direction.
“You’re welcome,” she squeezed past her dry throat.
Now that she knew Tank wasn’t Rachel’s husband, Sapphire was in full-on ogle mood. The man was hot as fuck. Jet black hair, bright blue eyes, and without even touching him, Sapphire knew the man would feel like solid granite.
Stay away! He is a biker. Not just any biker, but a Henchmen.
With a heavy sigh, Sapphire turned back to the waiting room. There was no point in lusting after the man. Nothing would ever come of it. Sapphire had no interest in starting any type of relationship with a biker. That was the last thing she wanted. Most of the men in their world would just try to use her. And she had absolutely no intention of letting that happen. No bikers. It was the one rule that she had stuck with since she first started dating.
“Mrs. Richards,” Sapphire called, smiling as the older woman made her way over.
“How are you, hun?” the woman asked. “Didn’t you have a date yesterday? How did that go?”
“Ugh,” Sapphire moaned. “Don’t even get me started.”
As the two women walked back to another examination room, Sapphire could feel Tank’s eyes following her.
Look all you want, because that’s all you’ll ever get.