by Tina Beckett
It had still been in place afterward, so everything pointed to it having effectively done its job, but it was new territory for him. He’d never dragged anyone into the ocean before. Not even Tara.
“Okay. I was just taking Bill to meet his therapy team here at Saint Victoria Hospital, since it’s closer to where he lives.”
“That makes sense. Our cardiac team is really good at what they do, including rehab.”
Was there a note of defensiveness in her voice? She’d seemed wary that first day he’d come in to help, but he’d thought they’d made it past all of that stuff. There had been that kiss. And the sea.
So why was he feeling like they’d taken several steps backward? The hospitals weren’t in competition with each other. He wanted The Island Clinic to be an enhancement of what Saint Victoria Hospital was doing. An addition. Not take the place of it. Maybe that was something he needed to work on.
“Good to know,” Bill said.
His voice was still a touch weak, but after what he’d been through it was to be expected.
Nate glanced at her. “Do you have time to walk with us?”
“I do. Let’s go. Cardiac Rehab is on this floor actually, so you won’t have to worry with elevators or anything. And there’s a separate entrance, so you’ll be able to park near it and walk in. I’ll show you where.”
Nate had forgotten that the unit had its own entrance. Since it was at the back of the hospital, it made sense that they wouldn’t want patients with more vulnerable health issues having to walk long distances.
They headed down the long corridor, making two turns before reaching glass doors with a sign reading, “Welcome to Saint Victoria Hospital Rehab. We’ll kick your behinds...in the best possible way.” It was punctuated with a smiley face sitting at some kind of weight machine.
Bill laughed. “I’m not sure how much kicking I can take. But I’ll give it a shot.”
While Sasha opened the door, Nate wheeled Bill in, heading for the reception desk. They got checked in, and he made sure Bill had someone picking him up. Sasha leaned down and gave their patient a hug. “Don’t be a stranger. Let me know when you’re here, and if I’m free I’ll drop in to see you.”
“I will. Thanks again for everything. Both of you.”
Nate waited until Sasha caught up with him. “So you said you had something for me?”
“My mom sent over some conch soup. It’s in the refrigerator of the staff lounge. So it’ll need to be heated up, obviously. She wanted you to taste it to make sure it’s suitable.”
“I already had some the day we went out to lunch. She doesn’t have to send over a sample of everything. But I’ll enjoy the soup. Tell her thank you.”
“I will.”
“So, I wasn’t sure if you were worried about the aftermath of what happened. But I wanted to let you know that everything was still in place afterward.”
“Still in place?”
“The protection.” He lowered his voice.
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “Ooh. I didn’t even think about it. But thanks for letting me know. I probably should be on the Pill, but I don’t...well, there’s not really a need as I...”
“I get it. It’s okay. I just didn’t want you panicking. But if for some reason, you are...late...”
She nodded. “I’ll let you know. But like you said, as long as everything was still there it should be fine. There were no oils or sunscreens involved.”
“Right.”
He decided to change the subject. “You know you don’t have to defend Saint Victoria Hospital every time I’m around.”
“Defend it, what do you mean?”
“Just that when you were talking about the cardiac rehab center, it sounded like you wanted to make sure I knew that it was up to snuff.”
Her eyes squinched just a bit. “It came through, did it? Sorry. It’s just a habit. Sometimes I wonder if people see us as second best.”
“I’ve never heard anything but good things about the hospital, or I wouldn’t have invested so much in it.”
She gave a half shrug. “I think I know that up here,” she pointed at her head, “but in here, I’m not always so sure.” With that, she pressed her hand to her chest.
He found the gesture touching somehow. And it had probably been hard for her to admit that. And he really did know what she meant. Firsthand, actually. “I get it. Sometimes you can feel that way regardless.”
“What do you mean?”
Hell. He wasn’t sure why he’d said that, except at her words, the image of his parents presenting that plaque came to mind. And their expressions when he’d been forced to tell them that he wasn’t ever going to join their practice because he wasn’t going to specialize in plastic surgery. They’d had this look on their faces. Like they suddenly weren’t even sure he was their child.
“Nothing, really. I’m sure we’ve just all felt that way at some time or other. Not good enough, I mean.”
“Yes, I’m sure we all have.”
She drew the words out on a little sigh. Was she thinking of the man she’d dated at Harvard? What was his name? Austin, right? In trying to take the spotlight off himself, he may have just reminded Sasha of a painful time in her life.
Before he could try to think of a way to pull the words in a different direction, she spoke up.
“I actually have the next week off. I was wondering...” She shook her head. “Never mind.”
“No. What?”
She stopped and looked up at him. “Well, you mentioned me sounding defensive about Saint Victoria Hospital. Maybe it’s not so much defensive as it is protective. So...maybe I could spend a few days at The Island Clinic and see how things work over there. Like you did over here. Well...you didn’t do it for that reason, but if there’s something I could help with, maybe it would—”
“Help you see us with different eyes.”
“Exactly.”
He liked the idea. Not because it would give him more time to spend with her. Not at all. But they’d often had doctors from the hospital come over and work with them. He had a feeling that Sasha could be a powerful voice in their favor if he could win her over.
“I think that’s a great idea. Let me know when you want to start and how many hours you want to put in each day, and we can put you somewhere...trauma, maybe?”
“How about Monday. I can float around. Maybe see a couple of surgeries done.”
He was pretty sure one of Merriam Blankenship’s reconstruction surgeries was coming up next week. It might be a good one for her to see. “We have a couple of nice observation areas. And I think I know a good one for you to watch. A melanoma that infiltrated a woman’s cheekbone. She’ll need pretty extensive repair work.”
He’d have to get Merriam’s permission for her to watch but as long as he assured her that it was educational and had nothing to do with her fame, she would probably be okay with it. Not even his parents’ practice could afford patients the amount of privacy that The Island Clinic did. There were no cell phones allowed in certain areas of the clinic, even by staff members. And there were rigorous background checks and waivers that everyone signed. There was also a one-strike-you’re-out policy. Nate would not hesitate to prosecute anyone who violated patient confidentiality.
The Island Clinic’s very existence depended on its ability to keep its promise to its patients.
“That sounds interesting. I would love to watch.”
“I’ll join you. Let me find out exactly when it is, and I’ll get back to you. In the meantime, if you want to come in on Monday, I can take you on rounds.”
“Perfect. What time are rounds?”
“Eight. Do you want me to send the shuttle?”
“It’s okay. I’ll drive over. It’ll make it easier on everyone.”
They stopped at the staff lounge. �
�Let me get that container of soup for you.”
“Thanks. Much appreciated.” As he watched her duck into the room, he was buoyed by the thought of her seeing the clinic. It would be the perfect opportunity to see all that was right about his medical facility. And to change her mind about it, once and for all.
* * *
On Monday morning, Sasha went through the front doors of The Island Clinic and was met by the sound of screaming and people running in all directions. What the...?
Out of habit she started to race toward the sound, only to be stopped by someone at the reception desk. “I’m sorry. Can I help you?”
Of course she couldn’t just jump in. No one knew who she was. “I’m Dr. James from Saint Victoria Hospital. I’m supposed to go on rounds with Dr. Edwards this morning.”
“Oh, of course, he told me you were coming. Let me see if I can page him.” The young woman was calm and serene, acting like there wasn’t something terrible going on less than a hundred feet from her station.
“Can I help with something?”
This time the woman bit her lip. “I’m not sure... Let me see if I can find out.” She put her ear to the phone and spoke in low tones to whoever was on the other end. Then she hung up.
“Dr. Edwards is on his way.”
Still no reply to her original question. But the sounds were also dying down. She had to remember, this wasn’t Saint Victoria Hospital. She couldn’t just walk in and take charge like she was used to in her ER. But it was hard to shut off the part of her mind that said run! when she heard sounds of distress.
Nate came down the hallway, motioning her forward. He nodded at the receptionist. “Thanks, Jen.”
Impressive. He knew her name. Although Saint Victoria Hospital’s administrator probably knew most of the names at their hospital, as well. She just always expected to be met with snootiness here at The Island Clinic. So far she’d been proven wrong at every turn.
“What’s happening?”
The screams had reduced to muffled crying.
“They’re doing bandage changes on the melanoma patient that I told you about.” He paused. “For someone who makes a living off her appearance... Well, it would be a shock to anyone.”
“I can imagine.” So it had to be someone famous. Patty had mentioned that a lot of well-known and well-heeled people came through The Island Clinic’s doors. “Does that happen often?”
“Surgery?”
“No...screaming. Your receptionist was as cool as could be about it.”
“No. It doesn’t happen often. No more than any other hospital.”
Touché. Saint Victoria Hospital had had its share of patients and families whose emotions got the better of them. And some for good reason. The hospital was not the happiest of places most of the time. Except for maybe in the obstetrics wing.
Which made her wonder. “Do you have obstetrics here?”
His eyes narrowed. “We do. Why?”
Too late, she realized he was probably remembering their earlier conversation about condoms. “I just wondered.”
“Does this have anything to do with what we talked about?”
“Not at all.” She decided to explain. “I was just thinking about how hospitals aren’t necessarily a place of laughter. Except the maternity ward.”
“That makes sense.” His shoulders sank in what looked like relief. Well, why wouldn’t he be relieved? He probably wouldn’t be thrilled if someone he’d had a brief encounter with got pregnant. Visions of Austin came to mind. Would he have stayed with her, if she’d been expecting his child?
She couldn’t think of a worse reason to be with someone you didn’t love. And he hadn’t loved her. That much was obvious. And looking back, it was probably for the best, although at the time she had felt used and humiliated.
“Let me peek in on Mrs. Blankenship and make sure things are okay.”
“Mrs. Blankenship as in...”
He nodded. “Now you see why she might be upset.”
Merriam Blankenship was beautiful in an elfin way, with high cheekbones and delicate features. She was one of the top-paid actors in the States, from what Sasha understood. “I’ll wait here.”
“I’ll be out as soon as I can.”
“No, take your time.”
Nate went down a couple of doors, then with a quick knock he went inside. The sounds of crying intensified when the door opened, but muted again as soon as it swung shut. The soundproofing was obviously better here than at Saint Victoria Hospital. Then again, she couldn’t remember ever getting a patient like this one.
She could see how Nate might have to perform a balancing act that she didn’t have to deal with in the ER. Sure the island had its own wealthy population, but it wasn’t on the scale that one found in other places in the world.
Nate stuck his head out. “Sasha, could you come in here please?”
That surprised her. But she braced herself to treat the woman like any other patient as she went into the room.
Merriam Blankenship’s tear-stained face met her, lids swollen and her lashes plastered together.
“Merriam, this is Dr. James from our sister hospital in Williamtown. I just want her to have a look at you.”
She wasn’t a specialist in oncology or plastic surgery, so she wasn’t sure exactly what Nate wanted to do, but there was a reason he’d called her in here. She just didn’t want to mess it up. There were three other medical personnel in the room and a man who sat holding the woman’s other hand. He must be her husband.
Moving toward the woman, she was surprised when Merriam reached her hand toward her. Sasha didn’t stop to put gloves on; she knew there was healing in skin-to-skin touch that you couldn’t get in other ways. She would glove up and sanitize her hands before she examined her.
“Do I look horrid?” Merriam turned to look at her fully, revealing the cause of her distress. There was a large hole in the woman’s cheek, some of the packing still wedged in it. According to what Nate had told her earlier, part of the cheekbone had to be removed.
Still, the question shocked her. Beneath Merriam’s tears, Sasha could see real fear in her eyes. For someone who was used to looking gorgeous and idolized by millions, this would be a very hard blow. “No. Of course you don’t.” There was a stool next to the examination table where Merriam sat. Sasha sank down to be near her. “It looks like it does now because of the swelling and bruising. But Dr. Edwards only has the best of the best here at the hospital. I’ve seen wounds much, much worse than this have a good final result.”
“Will I...look like me?”
She glanced up and Nate nodded to another man in the room, before he spoke up. “Dr. Seldridge has some renderings drawn up. Do you think you can look at them right now?”
Merriam’s fingers went to Sasha’s cheek, and she held very still to let her explore. “You’re beautiful. You could be an actress too.”
Sasha smiled. “No, I’m afraid I couldn’t. My real feelings show far too easily. I’m not good at pretending to be someone I’m not. You have a rare gift.”
“Thank you.” She glanced at Nate and then Dr. Seldridge. “I’ll look at what you have.”
Sasha gave Merriam’s hand a squeeze and got up to give the other doctor room to sit with his tablet. They went through the stages of the reconstruction process and Sasha was seriously impressed. This man had done his homework.
Then again, he would have. Nate would have made sure of it.
“How long?”
“Total, including healing time? Probably six months to a year.”
Merriam glanced at her husband and whispered, “Can you check on when Marriage of the Swans is set to start filming?”
The man took out a device and scrolled through what looked like a calendar. “Nine months.”
She blinked. “Will most of the work be
done by then?”
“I can’t promise, but I imagine so, but there may still be some redness from scarring.”
“Makeup will cover scarring as long as the skin is smooth.” She seemed to muse to herself. “It’s not my best side and I can ask filming to take that into consideration.”
Her husband smiled. “See? Not a tragedy.”
“You got clean margins?”
“Yes. We’ll want to scan you to make sure nothing lights up, but we’re optimistic it hasn’t spread.”
“Thank God.” She nodded. “Okay. Let’s get this show on the road. I have a schedule to meet.”
And for the first time since she’d come into the room, Merriam smiled and reached out to hug her husband. His whispered words reached her ears. “You’re always the most beautiful woman in the room.”
Sasha wasn’t offended. Because the words were said in love. Merriam could be disfigured for life, and she was positive the words her husband uttered would have been exactly the same as they were now. She couldn’t imagine being loved like that. Except for by her mom.
Her gaze went to Nate and found him looking at her. She quickly averted her eyes to the wall behind him hoping he just saw it as a passing glance that meant nothing.
Because it did. It meant nothing.
Three minutes later, they were on their way down the hallway. “Thanks for coming in. I just felt that if a woman she’d never seen before could come in and not flinch or recoil, it would help her feel better.”
“It kind of helps that I’m a surgeon and an ER doc and have seen almost everything.”
He laughed. “Yes, it does. But you’re also compassionate. And that came through in droves.”
“I’m glad.”
The emergency had broken the ice and made meeting him here a little easier. Except for his reaction to her question about the clinic having an obstetrics department. She could see how that might have sent him into a panic.
“Hey. I just want you to know that even if I had somehow wound up pregnant—which I don’t see happening—I wouldn’t expect anything out of you. I don’t believe in partnering with someone for reasons other than love.”