Second Dance Cowboy (Second Chance) by Rhonda Lee Carver Page B

Indeed, activity is good, as long as you’re not getting fatigued.” Doctor Neil patted his arm.
    “Is that why he passed out? Exhaustion?” Peyton asked.
    “ I believe his blood pressure dropped, he became dizzy and blacked out. Thankfully, your son was there to help. In the ambulance they placed him on oxygen and set up an IV, that’s protocol in this circumstance.” Doctor Neil pulled out a small tablet and pen from the pocket of his white smock. “I’m going to prescribe him a blood pressure pill and see how it works and I’ll want to see him in my office in a few days. He can call Dorothy, the receptionist, first thing Monday morning and she’ll get him in.”
    “I don’t like taking medicine,” Uncle Marty huffed. “Isn’t the heart pill enough?”
    “You’re not being asked if you like to take something that you need. We need you healthy,” Peyton squeezed his hand. Out of everyone, she knew she was about the only one who could chastise the older man and get by with it.
    “The pill I’m prescribing takes care of something different than the heart pill you’re on.” Doctor Neil wrote on the pad, tore out a sheet and handed it to Peyton. “Take these as prescribed and we’ll see if they help. If not, then we’ll try something else. And don’t worry, it’s a mild dosage and you can mix it with applesauce if you’d like.”
    “Thank you, doctor.” Peyton answered for her uncle who was sulking over the prognosis.
    “Do you have any questions?” Doctor Neil asked.
    “No, I don’t.” The doctor left and Peyton laid her fists on her hips, eyeing her uncle. “You should have been nicer to him,” she scolded.
    “He knows I don’t like meds. He knows you’ll make me take them.” He turned up his nose. His scowl and layer of sandpapery beard made him look bitter. “I’m not that old.”
    “This may be none of my business, sir,” Dillon stepped closer, “but age isn’t the important element here. My brother Deckland takes heart meds. He has since he was in his twenties. No one would know by looking at him.”
    Confusion poured over Peyton. Deckland had a heart condition. There was so much more she wanted to know about his family. Would she get the chance? They’d made love, but so what? Many people these days had sex to ease dry spells, what made this any different?
    Wh o was she kidding? She was different . She’d never had a one-night stand. In fact, she didn’t see what happened with Dillon as a fling.
    “I’m sorry to hear that, son . Is he doing okay?” Uncle Marty asked.
    “He’s stronger than I am. He’s never let his heart condition stop him from doing what he wants, or needs to do. But he knows he has to take a pill twice a day for the rest of his life so that he can continue to do the things he likes.”
    “Then I shouldn’t comp lain that I have to take a pill a day at my age. I guess this is all part of aging.” There was less agitation in his tone.
    “Thank you.” Peyton mouthed the words to Dillon who gave her a small smile.
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    “THANK YOU FOR agreeing to this, JoAnne.” Peyton watched the grey-haired woman bustle around the living room dusting the furniture. She’d gotten her name from a friend and Peyton had hired her immediately to come in and help with Uncle Marty. He’d been a bit of a grump, especially when Peyton had told him she’d hired JoAnne. He hated being taken care of worse than he hated the green pills the doctor had prescribed. Peyton couldn’t complain though. He took them that morning without a fuss. “I wish I could do this myself, but I can’t be at the studio and here at the same time.”
    “No, need to explain, dear.” JoAnne paused over the duster to give Peyton a genuine smile. “Now, what did you say your uncle’s favorite lunch is?”
    “Fried bologna on wheat bread. I think he’s eaten a sandwich every day for the last ten years. He likes a blot of mustard.”
    “That’s easy enough,” Joanne