A New Nurse In Town

Chapter 1 Meet My Niece

Dixie smiled as Johnny and Roy walked up to the counter. "Hello, guys, nice job on that Sanders kid."

"Thanks," they answered.

"Say, I have someone for you two to meet. Let's get a cup of coffee."

They followed her to the lounge. As they entered, a young woman in a nurse's uniform turned in her seat.

"Hi, Aunt Dixie," she said with a smile. She cast an inquiring glance at Johnny and Roy. "Are these the paramedics who brought in the Sanders kid?"

"Yes they are," began Dixie. "Roy, Johnny, I'd like for you to meet my niece, Amanda Rene McCall, she goes by Mandy. Mandy, meet Roy Desoto and Johnny Gage."

Mandy stood and shook their hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you both," she said with a warm smile.

"Nice to meet you too," said Roy.

"Likewise," said Johnny with a bright, friendly smile.

Before anyone could say anything else, a page came over the PA system. "Nurse McCall, report to Treatment Room 2."

"Well, gentlemen, looks as if I'm needed. Hope to have a chance to visit longer the next time." With that Mandy got up and hurried out of the lounge.

Dixie chuckled, "It's taking some getting used to not to go when I hear that page. The first month or so after Kel and I got married it took a few moments to realize that when 'Nurse Brackett' was called they wanted me."

Johnny stared at the door, and then turned back to Dixie. "Where's your niece from?"

"She grew up near San Francisco. She's been interested in nursing since she was a kid. She just got her license a few months ago." Dixie shook her head. "She's had a rough few years, but she was determined to make it."

Johnny thought for a moment. "Your brother's child?" he asked sympathetically.

Dixie nodded. "She took her parents' deaths really hard, but was more determined than ever to finish her studies."

"When did she start here at Rampart," asked Roy, wanting to steer Dixie away from painful memories.

"Last week," she replied. "For now she's staying with Kel and me until she can get a place of her own. She plans to buy a house. Kel and I are helping her find one. She's smart, but way too trusting for her own good."

Johnny opened his mouth to speak as their handietalkie came to life. "Squad 51, man down, 500 Walker, cross street Jones, 500 Walker, cross street Jones, time out 11:15.

Johnny pressed the button, "Squad 51, responding from Rampart." He flashed Dixie a smile. "See you soon."

Roy looked at Johnny with a grin as they rolled out on their call. "She caught your eye, didn't she?"

"Oh yeah," answered Johnny with a grin. "I definitely want to get to know her better."

"Just remember, she's Dix's niece," Roy reminded him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Roy shot him a side glance. "It means, if you screw up, well, you know how 'protective' she can get."

"I don't intend to 'screw up' as you put it. I just want to go out with her."

Roy chuckled. "Your track record isn't too great, pal."

Back at Rampart, Dixie and Mandy were talking over lunch. "Johnny and Roy seem to be really nice guys," said Mandy.

"They're two of our best paramedics. They've also been good friends to Kel and me," answered Dixie.

"I noticed that Johnny wasn't wearing a wedding ring." Mandy took a long sip of coffee and studied her aunt carefully.

Dixie chuckled in amusement. "Yes, he's single. He dates a lot, but no one's caught him yet."

"Well, I don't know that I want to catch him, but I wouldn't mind going out with him."

"Well, Mandy, from the way he was looking at you, you can probably expect him to ask you out."

Later that afternoon, Mandy was down in ER when Squad 51 called in.

"Rampart Base, this is Squad 51."

Dixie gestured for her niece to take the call. As part of her training for Rampart's ER, she had to learn to work the base station.

She walked over and pressed the switch. "Squad 51, this is Rampart go ahead."

"Rampart we have a male victim, approximately twenty-one years old. He fell off a ladder, stand by for vitals."

"Standing by, 51," She picked up the phone and dialed. "We need Dr. Brackett to the base station please." She got the notepad and a pen. Turning to her aunt, she got a smile of approval.

She turned as Johnny's voice came over the base again. "BP is 120 over 80, pulse 85, respiration 25. Victim is alert, he has a compound fracture of the right arm. Patient reports moderate pain. No other apparent injuries."

Dr. Brackett had arrived at the beginning the report. "51, immobilize the arm; start an IV D5W TKO, transport when ready, Rampart out."

He turned to Mandy, "Good job, kid. Set up treatment room one, and have OR on standby."

"Right away, Doctor," she answered as she walked away with a grin. Her uncle and Dr. Early both referred to her as kid, but she didn't mind it.

"You've done a great job training her for the base station, Dix."

"She was always a fast learner. I'm glad she's working here. Other than you, she's the only family I have left."

He squeezed her shoulder and they waited for the ambulance to arrive.

Roy and Johnny hurried in with the gurney, and they both went into action. "Treatment room one, guys," he ordered briskly.

By the time the young man was being wheeled out for surgery by the orthopedist, Mandy's shift was over. She walked to the nurses' locker room to get ready to go home. Dixie was there too.

"Well, you impressed Kel the way you handled the base station today."

She smiled, "It was fun." She stretched her arms up over her head. "I really like working at Rampart." She pulled a sweater out of her locker. "I also appreciate you and Uncle Kel letting me stay at your place until I can get a house."

Dixie hugged her niece. "Well, we love having you with us. We're gonna miss you when you do get a house."

"I'm off tomorrow, and the real estate agent is going to show me house with 15 acres. It has a barn with a corral too," Mandy said in an excited tone. "I'll be able to keep my horses there instead of boarding them."

"Well, just remember, before you sign or agree to anything that you promised to let Kel and I check things out too," Dixie reminded her.

"I will, especially after all the surprises that turned up in the other two houses I looked at."

"Kel should be about ready, let's go kid," said Dixie with a grin.

They met Kel near the ER entrance. He was talking with Johnny and Roy, who had brought in a ten year old boy who needed his arm stitched up. He saw them and grinned. "Well, it looks like my two girls are ready to go home. I forgot a file in my office, I'll be right back."

Johnny smiled and spoke teasingly, "His two girls?"

Dixie shook her head as Mandy bubbled over with laughter. "Uncle Kel started that my second night at their house."

Johnny smiled at her and decided now was as good a time as any. "Say, Mandy, I'm rotating off shift in the morning. I was wondering if you'd like to go out for dinner and a movie with me tomorrow night."

Mandy grinned, "Sure, what time do you want to pick me up?"

"Uh, how about 6?" he replied.

"Sure, that'll be fine," said Mandy.

Just then, Dr. Brackett came back from his office. "Well, let's go, ladies."

"I'll see you tomorrow at 6, Johnny," said to Mandy with a wink and a smile as she followed her Aunt and Uncle out.

John Gage watched as she left. He turned to Roy with a huge grin. "She's something else. Just seeing her work in the ER today…she's a great nurse."

"Well, good luck, John," said Roy.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked John.

"Well, nothing, I just hope things work out for you this time," said Roy softly.

"If she's anything like Dixie, she could easily make me want to give up my bachelor days" said John Gage thoughtfully.

"Johnny, you might want to slow down a little. You just met her. Remember Valerie?"

"Don't remind me," he groaned. "That was a disaster. She should have told me she had kids. At least I know that Mandy doesn't have kids."

"You're good with kids, Johnny. You get along great with my two. They adore their 'Uncle' Johnny," said Roy sincerely.

"Well, your kids behave. They aren't little demons like Valerie's kids were."

"Let's head back to the station, Johnny."

Dixie was in the kitchen with her niece where they were putting the finishing touches on dinner. "Johnny is a nice guy, Mandy, a little on the impulsive side, but nice."

"Impulsive can be a good thing. His smile can sure light up a room." She gave her Aunt a big grin. "And that thick wavy hair of his…well…he certainly caught my eye."

Dixie laughed, "I hope your date goes well. Johnny hasn't been very lucky in love." She picked up a platter. "Okay, this is done; let's get the food to the table."

Johnny sat in the Day Room scanning the movie section of the newspaper trying to find a movie to take Mandy to see. He looked up as Roy walked in the room. The rest of the company was at a small brush fire. "Say, Roy, what type of movie do you think Mandy would like?" He showed Roy the paper.

"Well, 'Murder on the Orient Express' might be a good choice." Joanne and I went to see it. She liked it, said it was a perfect blend of action, adventure, and romance."

"Then 'Murder on the Orient Express' it is," declared Johnny closing the paper. "As far as dinner, I'm taking her to Steak and Ale. They have great food."

Roy smiled. "Sounds like a good plan to me. I hope two of you have a good time."