Page 78 of The Beat of her Heart

Giselle nodded, her eyes not leaving Addie for a second. She looked sorry. Addie could see that in the slight droop of her shoulders when she exhaled. She could see the hurt—or was it pain?—shining in Giselle’s eyes.

“Right. Work.” Giselle nodded and took a step back.

Addie never thought she’d see Giselle frown at the mention of work. She didn’t think she’d feel this burning desire to sink into Giselle’s arms and listen to everything she had to say. She didn’t think she’d stare ather and hope there was some explanation that made all of this make sense.

Giselle turned and headed for the OR. A couple of breaths later, Addie joined in. She worked alongside the team, but avoided eye contact with Giselle. With each glance she stole, she quickly shifted away, her focus only on the task in front of her.

There was no room for warmth or anything that might distract her. Not here. Not now. And maybe…not anymore.

As soon as the patient was stabilized and she stepped out of the OR, Addie’s breathing was shallow and her fingers were still tense from the procedure. She pressed a hand against the wall, closing her eyes and allowing herself a second to breathe.

“You good?”

Addie’s eyelids flew open. Madeline was staring at her with concern etched all over her face. Addie was too lazy to force a smile.

“I’m fine, Maddie,” she said.

Madeline raised her eyebrows. “Maddie? Now I’m sure something is wrong.”

Addie found her smile now, weak as it was. She allowed her gaze to drift toMadeline’s fingers. Sure enough, a gold band sat on the ring finger of her left hand.

“I never got to congratulate you,” Addie said, pointing to Maddie’s finger.

Maddie grinned as she raised her finger and caressed the ring. “I still haven’t gotten used to this, you know.”

“I know, right?” Addie said. “Alex didn’t seem used to it, either. She blushed as much as you are right now.”

Madeline pressed her hands against her cheeks.

“You don’t seem surprised that I know about Alex,” Addie said.

Madeline shrugged. “I mean, I always knew it was only a matter of time before you found out. Besides, it wasn’t exactly a secret. You just didn’t ask.”

“Right,” Addie said. “Congratulations all the same.”

“Thank you,” Madeline said. “What’s going on between you and?—”

Addie’s phone rang, interrupting Madeline’s question.

The caller ID was one she had saved. It was Sophie’s school. She glanced at the clockon the wall. Sophie should’ve just been dropped off at school.

“I’m sorry,” Addie said. “I’ve got to take this.”

Addie picked up the call, her pulse racing. “Hello?”

“Dr. Wolfe?” a female voice said.

“This is Adrienne Wolfe speaking,” she said.

“There’s been an accident involving Sophie…” The rest of the words were a blur. “A truck…hit the car from the rear…the driver was mostly unharmed…Sophie was in the backseat…”

The phone dropped from Addie’s hands. She didn’t wait to hear more. She bolted down the hallway, ignoring the nurses’ startled glances. Her heart pounded faster with each step, her thoughts a frantic blur.

She didn’t even hear Madeline pick up her phone and run behind her. When she reached the ambulance bay, she spotted the familiar vehicle pulling up. The doors opened and Sophie lay on the stretcher, still and small, her face pale, with a gash above her eyebrow.

“Oh God,” Addie whispered, reachingout instinctively, but one of the paramedics gently pulled her back. “Sophie…my baby.”

“Dr. Wolfe, we need to get her inside right away,” one of the doctors said.

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