Page 35 of Fractured Reunion

“We have an AED here too,” someone said, gesturing to the automatic external defibrillator sitting on top of a red crash cart, “in case you need to shock him.”

Aaron nodded, then rested his fingers against Oliver’s neck to feel for his carotid. Then he smiled up at her. “He has a pulse. You did it.”

“We did it.” She sat back on her heels again, feeling the fine trickle of sweat rolling down her spine. “Let’s get him connected to the AED.”

In less than five minutes, they had Oliver connected to the portable heart monitor/defibrillator and had lifted him onto a gurney. Oliver groaned but didn’t quite wake up. Maggie knew it would take time for the Narcan to counteract the drugs in his system and that he would likely need additional doses of Narcan too.

“We need to get him down to the emergency department ASAP,” one of the residents said, “before he crashes again.”

“Do you have more Narcan on that crash cart?” Aaron asked. “If so, take it with you.”

“We do.” Sonja pulled the medication from the drawer and dropped it onto the gurney. Moments later, Oliver disappeared into the elevator.

“Well, that was interesting.” Maggie glanced at Aaron. “Good timing in showing up when you did.”

“I wanted to be here when Kyle made rounds,” he said with a wry smile. “You had the situation under control.”

“I don’t suppose we’re able to use this incident against him when it comes to his fighting for custody.” She frowned. “We don’t know where he was when he took the drugs and I doubt he’ll be arrested for suffering an overdose in the hospital.”

“I think CPS needs to hear about this, but I guess it’s up to them what they choose to do with that information.” Aaron put his arm around her shoulder. “It’s going to work out, you’ll see.”

“Yes, I know.” She allowed herself a moment to lean against him. Once, she would have turned into his arms and kissed him. But that was before their divorce. “I’m sure you heard about Krista Monroe.”

“Adam’s wife?” Aaron looked confused. “I know I mentioned her earlier, but I thought you you wanted to be Joey’s foster mother.”

She flushed. “I did. But Krista came by yesterday. I assumed that was because you reached out to her. Anyway, as you pointed out Krista is already a foster parent, so I’m hoping that whoever takes Joey’s case will agree to placing him with Krista and Adam.”

“I see.” Aaron’s green gaze held hers. “And how do you feel about that?”

She flushed, surprised that Krista had approached Maggie of her own accord. “I think it’s the best option for Joey. Krista said I could stay with them for a few days to ease his transition to a new home.”

His gaze narrowed. “So you’ve given up the idea of moving here to become Joey’s permanent foster mother.”

Why did he look disappointed with her? Hadn’t he been the one to warn her off heading down this path in the first place? She blew out an exasperated breath. “I don’t see how that’s any of your concern. Thanks for helping with Oliver Chism. I need to get back to Joey.”

“Maggie,” he started to say, but she lifted her hand to stop him.

“I don’t want to argue with you anymore,” she said, feeling incredibly weary. Most of that was the adrenaline crash from handling the medical emergency, but these interactions with Aaron only proved why they’d gotten divorced in the first place. “Please, Aaron. While I appreciate the support you’ve given Joey, it’s time for you to leave me alone.”

He looked taken aback by her comment, but that didn’t stop her from slipping into Joey’s room. The little boy had climbed up into the bed and was watching cartoons, completely oblivious as to what had just transpired in the hallway outside his room.

Maggie washed her hands in the bathroom, then sat beside Joey to order him a breakfast tray. She had a feeling the social worker would be here very soon.

And she wasn’t giving up another second of the precious time she had left with the little boy.

CHAPTER TEN

Aaron called Officer Thomas to let him know that Oliver Chism was a patient after collapsing outside his son’s room. Thomas agreed to meet him down in the emergency department where the medical staff was still working on him.

He and Maggie had done everything they could to save this guy, but in the darkest corner of his brain, he silently acknowledged that if Chism didn’t make it, Maggie’s life would be much easier. He and Maggie shared the Hippocratic oath of do no harm. Their quick response had hopefully saved Chism’s life.

And if he had overdosed on drugs as he suspected based on his response to the Narcan doses, that should be enough for a judge to decide that Chism was not capable of caring for his son.

As he took the stairs down to the emergency department, he made a mental note to talk to Adam later. He hadn’t realized his brother had passed along Maggie’s desire to be a foster parent for Joey to his wife, Krista. And that Krista had taken it upon herself to find Maggie and Joey on seven south, offering her assistance in placing Joey in her care.

The part that bothered him was Maggie’s apparent willingness to walk away from Joey, leaving the boy with Adam and Krista. From what he’d witnessed over the past three days, Maggie had been determined to take on the role as Joey’s mother.

What had changed?

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