by Amy Ruttan
“There’s a coffee shop next to the hospital. You’ll be close enough to run back if you get called in.”
“Okay.” Sam picked up his notes. “I’ll see you there in half an hour.”
“Sure,” she said nervously, and then quickly walked away before she did something ridiculous like blush.
This was not going according to plan. Her plan had been to swear off Sam, even though she knew that was going to be a hard thing to do. There were so many things about him that she liked and admired. She also had a hard time forgetting about the way he kissed, even though that had been nearly a month ago.
Sam was also the only person she’d really connected with in New York. She’d spoken to other attendings, her patients, nurses, but there wasn’t a connection. Mindy had been so busy she hadn’t had the time to form any friendships or to get to know anyone. And she had a hard time opening up.
Perhaps she was blocking them out because she was scared of trusting people. Especially after what had happened in California.
She’d been deceived and she’d had no idea. Instead she’d lived in this oblivious little bubble, thinking that her marriage was okay, that her best friend wasn’t betraying her. All the things she’d told Owen made her stomach knot. She’d been such a fool.
After it had all gone down it had been the pitying looks she’d been unable to handle. The “Poor Mindy”s. She hadn’t liked being pitied. When she’d been an intern she’d struggled that first year and had been pitied. She’d been the underdog and scared of her own shadow.
When Dr. Guild had taken her under her wing Mindy had blossomed. That shy girl who had dominated her life had disappeared and all of those who had dubbed her the runt of the surgical litter had been left behind as she’d become a surgical star.
It was hard for Mindy to make friends. She just didn’t want to open herself up to any more hurt.
With Sam it was totally different. She was just at ease around him. She liked to talk to him and she kept forgetting that she shouldn’t be so relaxed around him, because Sam was off-limits and because she refused to open her heart again. It just wasn’t worth it.
She found herself in the coffee shop next to the hospital, still in a bit of daze, with a latte in her hand. One of those limited edition spiced ones.
Mindy took a seat in the corner, waiting with anticipation for Sam to come. Though part of her hoped he wouldn’t. It would be easier if he didn’t show and she was hoping that he would be called to something.
The chime over the door tingled and Sam walked in. He didn’t see her at first, so she watched as every female in the coffee shop turned their appreciative gaze on him and she had to admit she couldn’t blame them. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with dark reddish hair, ridiculously gorgeous features and eyes that had no business being on a man who wasn’t going to be an actor or a model.
Mindy could almost see him in a kilt with a big giant sword. What do the Highlanders call their big giant swords?
Why the heck are you thinking about big giant swords at this moment?
Mindy shook her head and rubbed her eyes. She needed to get some more sleep. He ordered a small coffee and headed over to her. All eyes followed the handsome doctor as he slid into the booth across from her.
Sam frowned. “What?”
“What?” Mindy asked, confused.
“You’re staring at me like I have horns growing out of my head or something.”
“Sorry, I was just watching all your admirers give me the look of death.”
Sam glanced over his shoulder and a few female patrons who were still looking in their direction looked away quickly.
Sam chuckled and smiled with smug satisfaction. “Oh, that. I’m used to that.”
Mindy snorted. “I’m sure you are. What’re you drinking?”
“Black coffee with a shot of espresso. Dr. Chang paged me just as I was leaving. There’s a surgery in about thirty minutes.”
“Oh?”
Sam nodded. “Not pleasant, I’m afraid, but it needs to be done and once it’s done the child will be better off for it.”
Mindy was just about to ask what surgery when she got a page herself. She frowned when she saw it was from the OB/GYN department.
It was in regard to Ms. Bayberry. She was over the crucial twenty-five weeks, but the babies needed longer in utero.
“What’s wrong?” Sam asked, as they both stood up together.
“It’s Ms. Bayberry.” Mindy slipped her phone back into her pocket.
“Is she in labor?” He was concerned. She could tell. Mindy knew he still checked on Linda. It was sweet.
It wasn’t just sweet, it was the mark of a caring surgeon. One who was looking beyond being just a surgical god and being an actual good doctor. Even if Sam didn’t want to admit it. To admit something like that, to admit to caring while in competition with other interns could be a sign of weakness. She should know. Mindy had felt that bite, that sting against her jugular when she cared too deeply, but once she’d realized it didn’t matter she no longer cared.
She was going to be the physician she wanted to be and that was all that mattered. Sam was just starting a surgical career. He’d learn it soon enough, but then again maybe he already had and if he did it was commendable. Being a surgical resident was tough. It was supposed to be tough and it was a phase in her life she was glad was over.
“No, she’s not in labor.” Mindy finished the rest of her latte and crumpled the cup, tossing it into the garbage. “The neonatologist called me. There’s something on the ultrasound she wants me to take a look at.”
Sam frowned. “Can I come?”
“Don’t you have a surgery with Dr. Chang?”
“Not for thirty minutes. If she needs me before then, she can page me. I would really like to be there when you look over the ultrasound.”
Mindy grinned. “Changing your mind about maternal-fetal medicine?”
“No.” Sam downed the rest of his coffee. “I still want to be a pediatric surgeon, but perhaps after completing my fellowship with Dr. Chang I’ll be looking to add maternal-fetal medicine to my résumé. Really specialize.”
Mindy cocked an eyebrow. “Wow. You have mighty big aspirations and you’re cocky. What makes you think you have a shot at that pediatric fellowship?”
Sam shrugged as they walked out of the coffee house together. “Because I want it and because I’m going to earn it all on my own merit. You said so yourself, I’m a fine surgeon.”
“Hmm. That remains to be seen. I haven’t actually seen you in any complicated procedure yet.”
“That’s true. The week I was on your rotation all I did was observe and calm down a set of twins during a splenectomy.”
“Maybe I’ll have to observe your surgery later with Dr. Chang.”
“Or, if there is something that has to be done surgically to Ms. Bayberry’s twins, I can be on the case.”
“You’re pushy,” Mindy teased.
“It’s only natural. I was the first doctor on her case and she likes me. We have a rapport.”
“That’s true. I’ll think about it.”
“It makes the most sense since you’ve banished Dr. Snow from your service.”
Mindy shook her head and they headed to meet Dr. Hall, the neonatologist, in an exam room. When they got there Dr. Hall was frowning as she leaned over the ultrasound image on the computer. She barely glanced over her shoulder to acknowledge them as they walked into the room.
“What seems to be the trouble?” Mindy asked, as she took a seat next to Dr. Hall. Sam stood behind her, leaning over so he could look at the screen as well. She was very aware that he was so close. The heat of his body permeated her scrubs, causing her blood to sing.
“Take a look. It was missed in the ultrasound done by her regular OB/GYN, but now that she’s almost thirty weeks you can see it clearly as the twins are in a different position.”
Mindy’s heart skipped a beat when she saw one of the most rare pregn
ancy conditions.
“Is that the same amniotic sac?” Sam asked, his breath on her neck.
Mindy moved close to the computer, more to get away from Sam being so close to her. “Yes, it’s a mono-amniotic pregnancy.”
“Why was this missed earlier, Dr. Walker?” Sam asked.
“It’s sometimes hard to see, depending on where the babies lie.” Mindy clicked on a file and brought up an earlier ultrasound, zooming in. “See this line. It looks like it was a membrane dividing the fetuses, but it clearly is not. As they’ve moved and grown, you can clearly see that no membrane divides the amniotic sac.”
“And you can see here, the cords are starting to tangle,” Dr. Hall remarked.
Mindy pinched the bridge of her nose. “That’s not good.”
“No, the babies are at risk of cutting off their blood supply now. Is that correct, Dr. Walker?” Sam asked.
“Yes.” Mindy stood. “Ms. Bayberry is thirty weeks tomorrow. We’ll have to keep a close eye on her. Let’s try to get her to thirty weeks and then we’ll deliver the babies.”
Dr. Hall nodded. “I’ll prep my neonatology staff.”
Mindy turned to Sam. “Can you inform Dr. Chang for me, Dr. Napier? I would like her present at the surgery.”
“Of course, Dr. Walker.” Sam left the room to track down Dr. Chang before she got prepped for surgery.
Dr. Hall left the exam room to prep her team and now Mindy was faced with breaking the news to Ms. Bayberry. As if the poor woman hadn’t been under enough stress. Now Mindy had to break the news to her that her twins’ lives were in danger. At least when she’d had the splenectomy they’d given Ms. Bayberry a shot of corticosteroids to help strengthen the babies’ lungs. She’d be given another shot tonight.
Any little bit helped.
At least the babies were almost thirty weeks.
At least their cords weren’t tangling at twenty weeks, when there would be nothing they could do to save them.
Being thirty weeks along, at least the babies had a chance.
And Mindy was going to make sure they got the chance they deserved.
CHAPTER SIX
SAM STOOD NEXT to Dr. Chang as she scrubbed in. He was annoyed that he wasn’t going to be allowed into the OR while they delivered Ms. Bayberry’s twins.
“There will be too many people in there. It’s a delicate surgery, and we have Neonatology, Pediatrics and OB/GYN. You can watch from the gallery, like the other residents.”
That command had come down from Professor Langley, but he didn’t actually have the guts to come down and tell him in person. He’d sent his lackey to tell him. Langley never really dealt with him. He always seemed to avoid him.
He must feel guilty and that pleased Sam to no end.
Good. Langley’s affair with his mother had torn his family apart. Crushed his father. It was best Langley keep his distance from him.
“You’re scowling,” Dr. Chang remarked, as she scrubbed her arms and hands.
“I think I should be in there. I was on this case since day one,” Sam snapped.
“Professor Langley has a point. There will be a lot of people in there.”
“I calmed the patient.”
“Yes, when her husband was absent, and she’ll be under general anesthesia again. This is a delicate procedure. We can’t have the cords continue to tangle. If they tangle before the babies are ready to be born, it could kill both of them.”
Sam grunted in response. He got that, but he still wanted to be in there. Mono-amniotic twins was such a rare occurrence he doubted he’d ever get to see another case like this in the near future. In fact, it was Dr. Chang’s first time to see such a case. Even she’d never seen mono-amniotic twins.
And it wasn’t just the rarity of the case he was moaning about. He cared for the patient. Linda Bayberry and her husband Frank were two of the nicest native New Yorkers he’d ever met, besides Enzo’s family, though he wouldn’t let anyone else know that.
He’d been following the case since day one and he wanted to see it through. He wanted to make sure those babies were okay.
“I heard from your mother today,” Dr. Chang said, with a note of derision in her tone.
Oh, bloody hell.
“Aye, and what did she want?” His brogue was slipping out in his annoyance.
Dr. Chang smiled at him. “Oh, she wanted to tell me that I’m wasting her son’s talent and surgical skill by having him work in OB/GYN. She didn’t pay for your education and pull strings for you to be delivering babies like some glorified midwife.”
Sam cursed under his breath. “And what would she know about that? I’m sorry she laid into you like that, Dr. Chang. I hope you know that I don’t think that way.”
Dr. Chang shook off her hands. “I know and I know your mother.”
“What did you say to her?”
“Nothing. I hung up on her.” There was an evil grin on Dr. Chang’s face as she walked into the OR.
Sam chuckled to himself. He was glad that Dr. Chang didn’t put up with his mother’s ridiculous behavior. He was also angry that his mother had done that. She was bound and determined to ruin his career as a pediatric surgeon.
His mother wouldn’t be happy unless he was a bloody neurosurgeon. Not that there was anything wrong with neurosurgeons. On the contrary, he respected many of them—the brain was a delicate organ.
It took such precision to operate on it and the nervous system, but was it any more difficult or delicate than when you were dealing with a heart no bigger than a grape or veins the size of a human hair?
No. It wasn’t, but then kids had never really mattered to his mother.
Sam knew all about that.
Disgusted with her behavior, he headed up to the gallery and pushed his way to the front through the throng of eager observers so he could watch Mindy in action.
He was surprised that none of his other roommates were in the room, but they were probably off doing surgeries, while he was stuck up in the gallery like a first-year intern. Observing, rather than helping.
“Did you hear that Dr. Monica Hanley is coming to West Manhattan Saints?”
“No, I hadn’t. Get out of town. The Dr. Hanley is coming here. When?”
Sam perked up at the mention of his mother’s name and when he glanced around he could see it was two young interns on the other side of the gallery who were talking about it.
“She’s coming in a couple of weeks. Apparently there’s a kid with some kind of inoperable brain tumor, but she’s going to be testing her new surgical procedure to remove the tumor and she’s going to do her groundbreaking surgery here.”
“That’s amazing.”
Sam groaned inwardly.
Great. Just what he needed to hear. His mother was coming to West Manhattan Saints to flaunt neurosurgery in his face once again and he was ticked off. Why did she have to come here to do the surgery? Why hadn’t Dr. Chang told him his mother was coming? Did Dr. Chang even know? Perhaps she didn’t as she’d hung up on her.
Even then, he wouldn’t put it past his mother to go over the head of the Pediatrics attending to Professor Langley to get permission to do the surgery here.
Why here?
“I hear her son works at West Manhattan Saints and that’s why she’s coming.” This was said in a hushed undertone.
“Her son? She has a son and he works here? Who is he?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure he’s going to get picked to assist. I mean, come on, the son of Dr. Hanley. I’m sure she pulled strings to get him into the program. He’s probably riding on her coattails and doesn’t have to lift a finger. Just has all the most awesome surgeries handed to him.”
“I hate him on principle,” the other intern griped.
Sam’s stomach knotted, his worst fears about being his mother’s son realized. It was a good thing they had different surnames. This was why he didn’t want people to know who his mother was. They would stop looking at him as a surgeon an
d only see him as someone who’d got to where he was because of his mother.
He wanted to get up and leave, or confront the two gossiping fools as they continued to gossip about Dr. Hanley’s son and how crummy a surgeon he was, but instead he blocked them out. He was safe behind his walls.
Sam was here to learn. He was here to observe a once-in-a-lifetime surgery. He was here to advance his career because he was a surgeon. A good surgeon.
He knew one thing—he was not going to be around when his mother was here. He wasn’t going to allow that can of worms to taint his surgical career in the hospital where he planned to spend many years becoming one of the best pediatric surgeons. If she was going to be here, he wasn’t.
Mindy was still on a high after safely delivering the mono-amniotic twins. This was her third delivery of mono-amniotic twins and thankfully the second successful delivery. In the first year of her fellowship Dr. Guild had delivered a pair, but sadly the cord restriction had been so bad that one twin hadn’t made it.
It had crushed Mindy, breaking her heart. She’d almost walked away from maternal-fetal medicine. Who needed that kind of heartbreak every day? But Dr. Guild had talked some sense into her.
“Next time we catch it sooner. Next time we perfect the skill, so that next time we save a life before the life needs to be saved.”
Mindy hadn’t been able to walk away from her specialty then. She’d thrown herself into it, because the more she’d learned, the better she’d got and the more lives she’d saved.
Life was short sometimes and it sucked, but that’s what drove Mindy to rise above that. To find another way to save more lives.
It’s why she had one of the lowest mortality rates for a surgeon who was so young.
Saving lives. Precious lives.
“I saw Dr. Napier scowling in the gallery. I’m surprised you didn’t have him in the OR with you, Dr. Chang,” Mindy remarked as they scrubbed out. The neonatologists had whisked the babies off to the NICU in stable condition and Mindy had finished with Ms. Bayberry and she was in Recovery and stable as well.
Dr. Chang had stayed until the end, asking questions about the procedure.
Dr. Guild had always said it was a mark of a good surgeon to never stop learning and Mindy was a big believer in the Socratic method of teaching. Even if she was teaching a world-renowned and respected pediatric surgeon such as Dr. Amelia Chang.