Page 4 of Finding Solace
"No thanks, I'm good," Brittany picks up her chart and turns to walk away. Abruptly stopping in her tracks, she whips around and snaps her fingers. "Shoot, I almost forgot. Kate wants to see you. She said to come to her office before starting yourshift."
Kate is our supervisor. She's a 56-year-old mother of five. I couldn't ask for a better boss. She understands the challenges of having kids. Anytime one of us needs to leave early or take a day off to deal with our families; she is more thanunderstanding.
I've wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. My grandmother was a nurse. I remember watching the joy she had in taking care of others. I knew from a young age what my grandmother did was important, and she made a difference in people'slives.
That's what I wanted to do—Make a difference. My parents couldn't disagree more though. In their eyes what I chose to do with my life is menial. To say I'm a disappointment to them is an understatement. I was supposed to go to Harvard and follow in my parent's footsteps, or at the very least become a trophy wife. Being at your husband's beck and call and having Botox lunch dates with the wives of fellow firm partners is not my idea of alife.
My parents used to ship me off to my grandmother's every summer growing up. As soon as school was out, they put me on a plane to Montana. They didn't want to deal with having their child around. God forbid they spend time with their daughter. Every single summer that I can remember was spent with Grams. Then my parents were shocked when I turn out to be so much like her. If it weren't for my grandmother being in my life, I would have never known what it was like to be loved. My parents believed children should be seen and not heard. My grandmother believed children were gifts from God and should be cherished. The way my Grams loved me growing up has shown me how to be the mother I am today. My daughter Ava is everything to me, and I always make sure to show her how much she is loved. I never once thought a one-night stand would change my lifeforever.
When I found out at nineteen that I was pregnant, my parents said I had two options, abortion or adoption. I chose adoption. Only, in the end, I couldn't go through with it. My parents went to great lengths to hide me and my pregnancy. I was to have my baby, hand her over to the adoptive parents and then simply move on with the life they had mapped out for me as if nothing ever happened. I was in the hospital, hours away from having my baby girl when the adoption papers were shoved in my face. I stared down at those papers for an hour. My shaky hand held a pen to the signature line. I knew in my heart I would regret for the rest of my life the decision to give up my daughter. She was a part of me, and I was already in love with her. My mother noticed my hesitation and told me, "Sign those papers, or you'll be on your own, Mila. Your father and I will wash our hands of you." Two days later Ava and I were on a bus to Montana where Grams welcomed us with open arms. I had never felt happier than I did at that moment. That was four years ago, and I haven't spoken to my parentssince.
My mother doesn't even care enough to check in on her mother. Grams has been battling Alzheimer's for a couple of years now, and six months ago, I had to come to the difficult decision of placing her in a nursing home. Realizing I could no longer care for her by myself was one of the hardest days of my life. When Grams got the diagnosis, she made me promise not to burden myself with taking care of her. I told her I would never make that promise. When the time came to pick a nursing home for her, I chose the best facility we had in our area. Insurance pays for some, but I'm still left with a hefty sum each month, which is why I'm always snagging all the overtime I can. Grams deserves the best, no matter thecost.
With my thoughts of grabbing a coffee before my shift placed on the back burner, I head in the direction of Kate's office. Knocking, I wait for her permission to enter. "Come in," she calls out. Opening the door, I see my boss typing away on her computer. "You wanted to see me?" Iask.
Taking her eyes off the screen, Kate slips her glasses off placing them on the desk in front of her. "I did. Please come in, Mila and have aseat."
Walking in I shut the door behind me, "Is everything okay?" I ask sitting down in the chair in front of herdesk.
She sighs, "I'm afraid not. I hate to do this, but the hospital is making cutbacks, and unfortunately, nursing is the first to suffer. I'm being forced to let two nurses go. You were one of the last hired so, in turn, one of the first I have to part with. I'm sorry, Mila. I hope you knowthat."
Shit!
What am I going to do? I was not expecting this when I came in this morning. Rubbing my sweaty palms on my leg, I nod. "I understand, Kate. I know it's not your fault. Will you at least call me if I'm able to come back? I like workinghere."
"I think I have something you might be interested in," she says fumbling through the charts on her desk. Finding the one she was looking for, Kate hands it to me. Reaching across her desk, I take the offered file with a confusedlook.
"When I was handed this case this morning, I immediately thought of you. I know you took an In-Home Care course after your grandmother's diagnosis, so you are perfectly qualified for this job. The patient needs home care. He was involved in an accident about a month ago where he had been hit by acar."
My head snaps up with her description 'hit by a car.'Is it him?Looking down at the folder in my lap, I flip it open. Patient name—Reid Carter. My mouth goes dry at the sight of his name. I've only been around Reid a handful of times. All the Kings men make me a little nervous. They are not only ruthless, but sweet, caring and let's not forget utterly gorgeous. Especially the one in question. Reid stands at least six-foot-two, broad chest and shoulders. One of his arms is covered in colorful tattoos and a few peek out from the collar of his shirts running up his neck. He also has hair the color of honey, and green eyes that cause my heart to flutter whenever he looks my way. The times I've ever been around him, he was mostly quiet. Always offering a quick greeting, but no real conversation. I don't take offense to it though. I get the feeling he's more of an observer. He likes to studypeople.
As I scan Reid's chart, I listen to Kate discuss his injuries. Spinal swelling and a broken arm. "The patient has lost partial mobility in his left leg due to swelling pressing on the spinal nerves. He'll be doing physical therapy two to three days a week to start. You will need to take him to his sessions. He's not able to drive himselfyet."
"What about his right leg? You said he lost mobility in his left leg. Does he have full function on the right?" I askKate.
Shaking her head, Kate replies, "The patient had an amputation of the right leg just below the knee from a previous accident. His doctor says Mr. Carter has been experiencing some tingling on that side, but can't move it. Being that he wears a prosthesis, his therapy will be a bit morechallenging."
I'm shocked. I had no idea Reid wore a prosthetic. Bella and Alba never mentioned it. Then again, why would they? They would have no reason to. Kate calling my name draws my attention back to her. "There is something else you should know if you decide to take on thisjob."
I give her my full attention, "What?"
"Mila, the job is full-time, meaning it's live-in. Mr. Carter will require 24-hour care." I'm just about to protest when Kate jumps in. "I know you have your daughter, but at least go meet with Mr. Carter. Maybe you both can come up with an arrangement that will suit youboth."
"Kate, it's just Ava and me. I don't have anyone I can depend on to help with my daughter. She's at preschool during the day, but I don't think anyone would take on a live-in nurse that comes with a child. I wouldn't ask themto."
"Would you be willing to meet with Mr. Carter, see if you two will be a good fit? If nothing else, I'll see about having another nurse stay during the night. But it might be a few weeks before I find someone. Are you okay withthat?"
With a shaky breath I accept, "Yes, I'll give it a try." At this point I don’t have a choice, I need thejob.
"Great. Mr. Carter's address is in his file. Be there first thing in themorning."
Nodding my head in agreement, I stand up from my seat and head towards the door. Just as I'm about to reach for the knob, I turn back to Kate, "Has Reid—I mean Mr. Carter been told who his nurse will be?" Iask.
"No. Since I was just given the case this morning, I haven't had a chance to call and talk to him. But he is expecting you tomorrowmorning."
"Okay. Thanks, Kate. I'll get in touch with you tomorrow after I meet with him." She smiles, and I leave heroffice.
Once the door shuts, I take three steps before I stop, lean my back against the wall and hug Reid's file to my chest as I take a deep breath. "This is not a big deal, Mila. You can do this. He's just another patient." I say to myself. A freaking hot as hell patient who happens to be a member of The Kings. I have a feeling I'm going to be in way over myhead.
