Page 5 of Fractured Reunion

“Let’s get the CT scan ordered so we know what we’re dealing with,” Aaron said. Again, the nurses acted as if he were the doctor in charge rather than the pediatric emergency medicine physician hovering nearby, who appeared to be deferring all decisions to Aaron.

Apparently, Aaron Monroe was the big cheese around here. Good for him.

They were able to create a new medical record for the boy under the name of Joseph Johnson. She sank into the closest chair, holding Joey on her lap as the emergency department doc spoke with Aaron and entered orders using the computer mounted on a rolling stand in the opposite corner of the room. While waiting, she was far too conscious of Aaron’s penetrating gaze.

There was so much emotional baggage between them she was surprised he was here. Especially when he had the excuse of being a presenter at the medical conference. The way he’d jumped in to help those injured in the crash reminded her of the man she used to know.

The man she’d fallen in love with.

Doing her best to ignore Aaron and their fractured past, she focused her attention on the little boy in her arms. She was content to hold him, to stay with him.

To get him through this.

She hated the idea of Joey ending up in the foster system. As she soothed the child, she silently hoped and prayed Joey didn’t have anything seriously wrong with him.

And that he had other family members who would soon arrive at the hospital to help take care of him.

CHAPTER TWO

Watching Maggie hold Joey was heartbreaking. She so deserved to be a mother, and Aaron resented God for not allowing Maggie to live her dream. Yet when he had suggested adopting, Maggie had refused.

Looking at her cradling the little boy now made him wonder if she might change her mind.

Not that it mattered. She’d walked away from their vows, their marriage, and their love.

Enough. He had to stop torturing himself over the demise of his marriage. His parents had been together for over forty years, and it was difficult for him to accept that he’d failed when it came to having the same type of relationship they had.

A wonderful, supportive, and enduring one.

Apparently, that was not meant to be for him. Aaron straightened when a tech entered the room. “I’m here to take a patient named Joseph Johnson to the CT scanner?”

“Right here.” Maggie pushed herself up off the chair while still holding on to Joey. “Lead the way.”

The tech appeared disconcerted but then turned to leave. Maggie gave him a quick nod as she passed. Maybe a thank you for getting Joey the care he needed.

As if he’d stand by and do nothing for the little boy who’d lost his mother.

He glanced at his watch, wincing at the time. Even though he’d asked for the radiology scan to be expedited, he would have to leave soon if he was going to make his presentation.

As the Chairman of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, he didn’t think skipping the program was wise. He was relatively new in his role, and his being promoted above other cardiac surgeons with more experience had not necessarily gone over well. Yet he didn’t want to leave until he knew Joey wasn’t badly injured. If the boy was bleeding into his abdomen, he might need surgery depending on the size of the hematoma.

Aaron reached for his phone, scrolling through his list of contacts until he found the one he wanted. Dr. Kyle Flores was the best pediatric trauma surgeon on staff. He called his colleague, hoping the guy wasn’t in the OR.

To his surprise, Kyle answered. “What’s up? I thought you were doing a presentation at the Pfister?”

“Yeah, soon. I responded to a bus crash outside the hotel. We have a four-year-old by the name of Joseph Johnson with abdominal pain getting a CT scan right now. I’d like you to take a look at the results, see what you think.”

“I heard something about that,” Kyle said. “I’m between cases, so I can head down now.”

“Thanks.” He pocketed his phone and walked out into the hustle and bustle of the emergency department. When he saw Kyle Flores stroll in, Aaron hurried over to meet him.

“They’re down the hall in radiology.”

Kyle nodded, and by mutual agreement, they headed in that direction. Aaron could hear Maggie speaking with Joey from the hallway as they approached.

“You’re very brave, Joey. I’m so proud of you. Just continue to lie still, okay? That way we can get pictures of your tummy.”

“Can I see the pictures?” Joey asked.

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