Page 7 of Her Heart's Desire

Halfway through, I shake my head because I know I'm going to have to make some hard decisions. Ones that won't make the hospital staff happy, such as reducing some budgets and even layoffs. This is the part of the job I hate. Most people think I let others make these types of choices, but it's not like that. I like to get my hands dirty and knowing what is happening in every single one of my companies.

My mind drifts to Kimberly and what she might think about these decisions. Would she be disappointed in the people who led me to this solution? Would she understand? She has such a heart of gold. Her advice and strength would be helpful at this moment.

Speaking of her, I wonder what she could be up to right now? It takes everything in me not to head to the hospital and track her down. The need to see her and talk with her runs deep. Especially right now.

Hunching my shoulders, I let out a breath. I would love to sit here and daydream all about how I'm going to get my little doe, maybe even picture her under me, imagining how she might feel. But unfortunately, I have work to do. I've got to finish up going through everything with a fine-tooth comb to see what we can cut to make sure this hospital is profitable.

Today I'm going to finish the budget business with the hospital. Tomorrow though, I'll hunt her down and let her know where she belongs. Next to me.

*****

"Sir, you can't go in there." Luna shouts from the other side of my office door. Her shout pulls my attention to the door. When it opens abruptly, I'm not surprised to see Randall standing in the doorway glaring at me. If all the emails he's sent me in the last twenty-four hours are anything to go by he wasn't going to take no for an answer. He's been trying to get a response from me since the moment I signed the check.

Standing up quickly, my chair rolls back as I glare back at him. "Well, did you come all this way to just stare at me or do you have something to tell me?" I try to keep any anger out of my voice. How dare he barge into my office as if I owe him something?

"We need to have a meeting with the board. They want to know what is going on," he demands, his hands clenched at his side. I can feel the fury radiating off him. I'm not sure why he's so angry though, it's only been about a week since I've taken over and a day since I last met with him. If anyone should be boiling over, it should be me. I'm the one who was left with this mess.

My expression hardens at his demand my blood boiling underneath my skin. Because yeah, we fucking do, but I don't think he'll like what I have to say. Showing my ire will not help the situation. It will not magically fix everything. Besides, I'm not the man to mess with when I'm angry. I would probably end up hitting him, and it would be a PR nightmare. Especially after what I've been finding in the budgets.

Tilting my head, I try to read more into what he wants out of this. It seems like it would be in his best interest for me not to talk with the board. "Yes, we do. But I'm curious. Why do you want me to talk with the board?"

"You've given no direction. The board wants answers. We need to figure out how to make the hospital more profitable. Didn't you have a plan when you decide to buy it?"

"Yes, I did. But it takes time, you should know that Randall. Things don't just magically fix themselves."

My gut is telling me there is more and I always listen to my gut. Pulling my shoulders back, I relax my stance. Maybe I should show them exactly what I've found. "How about you set the board meeting at two o'clock tomorrow? Will that appease you and the rest of the members?"

Nodding, it's his turn to relax. He starts to open his mouth to say something, but I cut him off. I don't want to hear anything else. "Now, if that's all. I have work to get back to."

Making sure he gets the message that he's dismissed, I sit back down in my chair and return to working on the budget sheets. I was hoping to call a meeting for later in the week, to give me more time to handle the situation delicately, give me more time to think everything through.

I was already planning how I was going to make the hospital a better place, and not just financially. I was going to take it slow, make sure we did everything by the book. But now it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Randall thinks showing up here demanding for a meeting, puts him in a position of power, when it actually does the opposite.

Once I'm done, he's going to wish he hadn't forced my hand.

Chapter 6

Kimberly

Walking into the hospital this morning feels different from it did in the past. Today my spine itches knowing that Silas could be anywhere in the building. At any time. My thoughts haven't strayed far from him and all the old habits I thought I broke seem to come back.

Opening the door to the locker room, I try to focus on what I need to do. Once I get my patients, it should be easier to keep Silas from invading my mind. I recall every action to focus my mind. Place your backpack in the locker. Grab your badge. Walk out into the hall toward the nurses' station. Log into the computer. Talk with the night nurse to see what you need to do for your patients this morning. I repeat each step until I'm done with that action. As if I'm mentally marking each one off of a checklist.

Before I know it, it's time to meet with Angel and I haven't even thought about Silas once. Shit, how did I let that happen again? Somehow that man always seems to enter my thoughts no matter what I do. But I'm going to stop that right now.

Shaking my head, I see Angel walking up, giving her my best smile. I say, "Hey Angel, how was the night shift?"

She lets out a sigh and then leans against the top of the desk, resting her forearms on it. "Girl, it was exhausting. It seemed like everyone needed me all at once."

"I understand that. It feels like everything always happens all at once."

"Yes. Are you ready for the report?"

Pulling closer the notepad that I use to record all my notes in, I nod at Angel to start. I know I could just use the computer, but I love having the notes right on me. Besides, I rarely write any medical stuff. No, it's the more personal stuff I need, like if someone likes green Jello better than blue.

"Okay, Mr. Stevens just got his meds. Seems to be recovering from his surgery well. His wife said she will come sometime before lunch to check on him. That way, she can make sure he eats properly. Her words, not mine."

That particular statement makes me smile as I continue to jot more notes. "Now, Mrs. Saxony seems to be extra sad. I was giving her more one on onetime last night, when I could, and it seemed to help her. My suggestion is to do the same."

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