Charlie’s face relaxed as she exhaled. “Then I guess I have no choice.”
Chapter 15
Sky stood with Charlie’s most recent CT and MRI scans in her hands. “Damn.”
“Another late night?” Nia popped her head into Sky’s office carrying little white boxes of Thai food.
“Unfortunately, yes and another long day to go with it.” Sky sighed.
“Figured. I brought dinner to you and a six-pack of beer since you canceled.”
“Sorry. I’ve just been bogged down.” Sky was able to muster up a tired smile. “I knew there was a reason I love you. But you know I can’t have alcohol when I’m on the clock.”
“I figured, technically, you were off the clock since you’re never really on the clock.”
“That’s that lawyerly talk. Anyway, what brings you to the hospital this late?”
“You. If I don’t make sure you eat when you’re in this mode, you will starve. How is she?” Nia pointed to the scans as she took a seat at Sky’s desk. “Charlie Kneeland, right?”
“Yeah.” Sky put the scans to the side and took a seat opposite Nia. “As far as her brain injury, there is a bit of short-term memory loss, but for the most part, her cognitive functions are returning to normal. It’s her spinal injury that has me worried. She’s been in therapy for close to a week, but so far, she can’t feel the lower half of her body. Based on these new scans, she seems to miraculously be healing nicely. I don’t get it.”
“Maybe it’ll just take a bit more time.” Nia served the food on paper plates and handed one to Sky.
“Maybe.” Sky was still pondering what she could do or have done differently.
“You’ve really taken a personal interest in her. Does Remington Kneeland have anything to do with that?”
Sky looked up from her plate. “Why would you ask that?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Nia shrugged. “Maybe because since you met him, you’ve been walking on sunshine.”
“My moods have nothing to do with Remington.” Not completely anyway. Sky thought. “This case is just—Charlie reminds me so much of myself when I was younger.”
“Oooohhh . . . That’s got to be terrifying.” Nia laughed.
Sky laughed too. “Shut-up. I was an amazing kid.”
“Amazingly terrible.” Nia slowly turned serious. “I want to meet him.”
“Who?”
“The man who has done the impossible and turned you inside out.”
Sky still looked thoroughly confused.
“He’s captured your attention, and that is no easy feat. He deserves a medal just for that alone. Any more workout sessions?” Nia took a bite of her own food.
“First, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but Remington is the father of my patient.”
“I think you need to get laid and you said you were mildly attracted to him.”
Sky forgot she told her that part. Thank God I didn’t tell her the really juicy parts. She thought. “Second, even if I were mildly attracted to him, things are crazy at the hospital right now. I have to be three times as good as my male counterparts, some of which can barely stitch a wound, to gain just a modicum of respect. It would be nearly impossible if I were caught doing something like sleeping with my patient’s father.”
“You have admitting privileges at most of the hospitals in Chicago. With your experience, you could practice at any hospital in the country. Screw them if making you feel small makes them feel better.” Nia munched on her food. “Anyway, back to the deliciousness that is Remington Kneeland. I saw what he looked like on the internet. If I had a snowball's chance in hell of hooking up with him,” Nia snickered. “I wouldn’t mind doing some things that might damage my reputation.”
Sky listened to Nia drone on and on about what she would do with Remington. She smirked as she thought about that incredible kiss they shared in the gym. The mere thought made Sky’s body heat up.
If Nia only knew, Sky had already done a few things any respectable woman who cared about her career would never do, but she decided to keep that bit of information to herself.
Chapter 16
Sky walked into the rehabilitation room to find Charlie at a station where she was half-seated in a wheelchair-like contraption, and with the help of staff members, was pulling herself up onto two very long but stationary poles. Charlie’s face was flushed and showed her focus and determination.
She was working hard to exercise. The muscles in her upper body were weak, but functioning. However, the lower half of her body, where she still did not have any feeling, was more challenging to exercise.
Sky tucked her hands in her white lab coat. “Wow. Look at you. At this rate, you’ll be ready for the Olympics in no time.” Sky smiled as she rooted her on.
Charlie’s hair had fallen in her face, and she tried to blow it away. “I’m following your advice.”
“What was that?”
“You said the mind was very powerful and to focus.” Beads of sweat had permeated across her brow. Charlie’s voice was strained. “Mind over matter, right?”
“Mmmhmm.” Sky watched her intently. She turned to the physical therapist. “How long have you guys been at it?”
He shrugged. “About twenty minutes. We were just about to wrap it up.”
Charlie whined. “No. I don’t want to stop yet. I can go a little longer.”
“You know? I didn’t realize until just this moment how much you remind me of your father.” Sky crossed her arms across her chest.
Charlie’s expression changed as she sat back down in her wheelchair. Her voice was low. “I’m nothing like him.”
“Really? I see a brilliant and determined young woman. Your dad showed that exact same determination the entire time you were unconscious. He never left your side. If I didn’t know any better, he probably willed you back to this side of the heaven.”
“My dad—” Charlie paused. “Was here? With me? The entire time? My mom said—” She cut off her words.
Sky didn’t want to speak out of turn but also wanted Charlie to know the truth. “From what I understand your dad was on a plane within minutes of finding out you were hurt. He even called and harassed me from China, and once he got here, I know for a fact, he never left your side.”
Charlie laughed. “Harassment. Now that sounds like my dad. What did he say to you?”
“He asked if I was the best neurosurgeon around. When I said yes, he still called in the top surgeon in this field to double check my work. Your father literally did not leave this hospital until you opened your eyes. My guess is the only reason he is not here now is because he’s setting up your rehabilitation after-care for when you are released.”
Charlie’s face fell. “I won’t be going home with him?”
It was clear that Charlie loved her dad just as much as he loved her. “Maybe. Not sure how the rich and famous people do it. There are facilities specifically to rehab your type of injury. It is probably costly to set it up in someone’s home. From what I know of your dad, he can do it. Do you want to go home with him?”
Her eyes were cast downward. “I guess.” Charlie sighed. “Maybe I am a little tired.”
Speaking of the devil, Remington strode into the center carrying a bouquet of red roses. Everything about the man screamed confidence and swagger–including his walk. Sky’s breath caught at the sight of him. Her pulse quickened. Down girl. She chided herself.
Charlie noticed that something caught Sky’s attention, so she followed her line of sight. Interesting. She thought. Charlie pushed her suspicions to the side. Surprisingly, given her complicated feelings with her father, Charlie had to admit, her heart lifted the moment she saw him.
“Hey, kiddo.” He bent low and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “These are for you.” Remington handed her the flowers. When he stood, he acknowledged Sky. “Dr. Kirby.”
“Mr. Remington.” It was funny that only a week ago they were tearing each other’s clothes off. Now,
they were using each other’s surnames. “I was just checking on my favorite patient.”
He smiled at Charlie. “Isn’t that a coincidence? She’s my favorite patient too.” Remington tilted his chin to the therapist. “I can take Charlie back to her room.”
Sky decided it would also be an excellent time to give father and daughter some alone time. “Well, I have a couple more patients to see, and then I’m off to my office to complete some paperwork. It’s going to be a long night.” She started to leave.
“Dr. Kirby—” There was a part of Remington that didn’t want her to go. But he knew spending quality alone time with Charlie was imperative. They needed to rebuild their relationship. “I’m in the process of making some rehab arrangements and would love to get your input.”
“That’s fine. I’ll probably be available in a couple of hours and will probably here until seven or eight tonight. Just drop by whenever you have some time.”
“Okay, that’s good.”
“Okay, great.”
They stood staring at each other in awkward silence.
Sky broke eye contact first. “I had better go. See you later, Charlie.” Sky waved as she walked away.
Remington couldn’t tear his eyes away from her until she had left the room.
Charlie wrinkled her nose. “You haven’t dated in a while have you?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Dr. Kirby. If you like her, you should just tell her. I think she might have a thing for you too. Maybe ask her out on a date.”
Remington pushed Charlie toward her room. “What would make you say something like that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It could be the goo-goo eyes you were making at each other.”
Remington chuckled. “First, I don’t make goo-goo eyes. And, second, my only concern right now is you.”
Charlie turned serious. “Dr. Kirby said you haven’t really left the hospital since I got here.”
“She said that huh?”
“Yes. Is it true?”
Remington wheeled Charlie into her room, then picked her up out of her chair. She wrapped her arms around his neck. It wasn’t a tight hold but enough for him to want to dance for joy. Remington did his best to keep his emotions intact and gently placed her on her bed. “I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and I’m sorry that I haven’t been around more.”
Charlie wasn’t expecting that—an apology. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she fought them back.
“There isn’t any good excuse for not being there for you like I should have been. However, I want you to know that it wasn’t because I didn’t love you because you own my heart. Stupidly, I thought I was doing what was best for you. Little girls your age need their mothers.”
“That was stupid,” Charlie whispered. “Little girls need our fathers too.”
“Duly noted.” He kissed her on the side of her head.
Her tears started to fall. Remington used the back of his knuckle to wipe each one away.
She touched her forehead to his. “I love you too, Daddy.”
They stayed like that for a while. Then, pulled apart. Nervously, Remington rubbed the back of his neck. “What do you think about living with me for a while?”
She stared at him. “Mom doesn’t want me?”
At that moment, Remington hated Bella and the damage she was doing to Charlie. “It’s not that. Your mother only wants the best for you. She’s just afraid that she won’t be able to give you what you need.”
“I heard you two arguing. I know she gave you physical custody.”
“You heard that?”
“I did. If she would rather be with Kane instead of me then let her. I don’t need her.”
Remington’s heart was in a vice. “You know that’s not true.”
“It is true.” Charlie sighed. “I wish mom were more like Sky.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She’s honest with me. She doesn’t do things that will hurt me or sugarcoat things. Sky treats me like I matter.”
“You do matter. You matter to your mother and me. I hate that you have to find out like this that your parents are human and have major flaws. Bella is just scared. When things frighten her, she doesn’t know how to deal with them, and sometimes her choices are not ideal. Some of my choices haven’t been the best either.”
Charlie hadn’t thought of it that way. “Dad? Are you happy?”
Remington had to think about it. “You make me happy. So, yes.”
“What if I never walk again?”
“You are still you. Nothing will ever change my love for you. And, if you never walk again, we’ll figure it out. You’ll still have an awesome life. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Sky said if I focus on my health, then walking again is possible, but I have my doubts, and I don’t want to let anybody down.”
Remington tucked Charlie’s hair behind her ear. “There is nothing you can do that will let me down. It seems like you and Sky have become really close?”
“Yeah. I like her. I like her a lot. You should ask her out. Maybe she can make you smile more. After you divorced mom, you stopped smiling.” Remington hadn’t realized it and certainly didn’t think Charlie would have noticed.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Not that I’m contemplating dating anytime soon, but she’s pretty focused on her career right now.” If he asked her for sex, she would probably say yes. A date? He wasn’t so sure. “Do you think she would say yes?”
“Absolutely! You might be flawed, but you’re a catch.”
Remington thought about his daughter’s words. There she was lying in bed recovering from a horrible accident, and yet she was thinking about him. “I meant it when I said my only concern right now is you. Speaking of—” He was careful with his words. “We haven’t really talked about the accident. Charlie? What happened that night?”
The sparkle in her eyes dimmed. “I-I don’t remember.” She made a big show of her yawn. “I’m so tired daddy.”
Something told him that that wasn’t true. He would be patient for now, but eventually, Remington wanted the truth.
Chapter 17
“Knock-knock.” Yolanda stuck her head inside the door. “Can I come in?”
Charlie woke up and her smile grew wide. “Ohmygosh! What are you doing here?”
She walked through the door. “Not only is it me, but I also brought a friend.” Yolanda pulled Charlie’s favorite doll from behind her back and handed it to her.
“La-La!” Charlie reached for her and held the doll as if she were a delicate, priceless artifact.
“Yep.” Yolanda smiled broadly. “She missed you, and so did I.”
“How did you get here?”
“Someone once told me that you’d be surprised what a hundred dollars could convince people to do.” Yolanda giggled.
“You paid a hundred dollars to come see me! That’s a lot of money.”
“Girl, are you crazy? I took the bus.” Yolanda full-on laughed and embraced Charlie in a hug. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I holding you too tightly?”
Charlie’s eyes filled up with tears. “I’m fine. My legs don’t work, but if I’m honest, I’ve never been better.”
“Oh.”
Charlie held La-La close to her chest. “Don’t be sad. My dad is here, and now you, and La-La. For the first time in a long time, I think things are looking up.”
“Your dad?”
“Yes. Can you believe it? He came as soon as he heard and hasn’t really left my side—well except to take a shower and change clothes. I think he’s worked out at the hospital gym. For the most part, we’ve been talking through our issues, and when this is over, I’m going to live with him.” Her face beamed.
Yolanda sat down in shock. “Whoa. That’s fantastic!” She looked on sadly. “Don’t get me wrong but you going to live with your dad means we won’t be staying in the same house anymore. That’s a bummer, but I’m happy for you. I’ll miss
you.”
Charlie’s smile brightened even more. “No, you won’t because I’m going to ask if he’ll bring your mother on as one of his staff members.” Charlie looked down at the lower half of her body. “I’ll need a lot of help.”
“If you could pull that off, it would be amazing. But, aren’t you going to miss your mom? I mean, I know you too have your differences but—she’s your mom.”
Charlie’s lips tightened. Her face hardened. “No. I won’t miss her.”
Cautiously, Yolanda asked, “What they’re saying happened to you in the paper is it true? You didn’t really fall off that horse, did you? What did Kane do?”
Before Charlie could answer, her father returned fresh from a shower. “Yolanda?”
“Yep. It’s me.”
“Look at how you’ve grown since the last time I saw you. It’s really good to see you.”
“You too, Mr. Kneeland.”
He glanced around. “Where’s your mother? I haven’t seen Sophia in a while either.”
She answered nervously. “She’s not here, Mr. Kneeland.”
“Where is she?” Remington used the towel hanging around his neck to finish drying his hair as he eyed her suspiciously.
“She’s—um—at home.”
“So, how did you get here this time of night?”
“The bus.”
“You took the bus from the estate to the city? Your mother wouldn’t allow that. It’s too dangerous. Okay, here’s what we are going to do. Visit with Charlie for a few more minutes since I’ve got a couple of calls to make. Then grab your stuff and I’ll take you home.”
*****
Remington pulled through a set of familiar gates, a place he had called home for almost ten years. It was the first time he had been back in three. In the beginning, his visitation with Charlie had been contentious. Eventually, they worked out a plan when it was his turn to have Charlie, to have a car pick her up and take her to his private plane. There, she would meet up with his assistant, Ashleigh. She was typically their go-between.
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