Page 25 of Darla's Christmas Knight
Without waiting for a reply, she powered down her cellphone and got ready to scrub up and join the medical team waiting for her. She went straight to her patient’s side. It wasn’t often she entered an operating theater, but when she did it was generally under dire circumstances. Like this one.
“Did I do something wrong?” Inez asked again when Darla took hold of her hand.
“Oh, no, sweet girl. Not at all.” She had promised Inez to stay right by her side from the moment she failed to pick up theheartbeat when Inez came in for an examination after reporting there had been no movement for more than twenty-four hours. It was clear Inez’s baby boy had died. The traumatized teen had elected a C-section as opposed to induced labor.
“I’m scared, Darla.”
“I know.” She wiped a dark tendril of damp hair from Inez’s forehead.
“You’ll stay the whole time?”
“I won’t leave until you wake up, honey.”
A tear escaped and ran down her temple, disappearing beneath the blue cap. “Promise?”
“I promise.” Darla squeezed the trembling hand. The anesthetist caught her eye, ready to start, and she nodded. “Here we go, honey. Breathe—”
Inez jerked, panic flashing across her face as her eyes skittered about.
Darla placed her free hand on Inez’s face. “Eyes on me, love.” She waited until Inez obeyed, her gaze wide and wild with fear. “Let’s breathe together. Inhale. Exhale.” She took deep breaths, so the movement was noticeable beneath the mask covering half her face. “Slow and deep, love. Slow and deep. In. Out. Good girl, Inez. You’re going to be just fine. Breathe again. That’s right. We’re going to start now, honey. Okay?”
Eyes locked on Darla’s, her death grip easing somewhat, Inez gave a small nod, tears now flowing freely. Darla fought back her own. Time for that later. “That’s my brave, brave girl.”
The anesthetist positioned the mask, and Darla shifted to maintain eye contact, murmuring encouragement until Inez’s eyelids fluttered closed.
*
Darla pulled into her parking spot, bone-weary and fraught withpent-up emotion. She shifted into park but couldn’t summon the energy to get out. Her head slumped back, and she stared unseeing through the windshield, her mind filled with the image of Inez—
A light knock on her car window ripped her from her dark thoughts, and she turned her head to the side.
It was Bobby.
Darla frowned. What was he doing here? She had canceled. Her frown deepened. Hadn’t she? She was too tired to recall.
He knocked again, his mouth moving, the “Unlock your door” barely audible.
She didn’t want Bobby here. She just wanted to be alone and wallow. But her finger found the unlock button, and she depressed it. He opened the door and leaned in.
“Go home,” she muttered, looking away.
“Not a chance.” He reached across her body and unsnapped the seatbelt.
She batted at his arm.
“Just let me help you inside, love. You’ve had a hard day.”
Help?When last had someone helpedher. It was herjobto help others. Shealwayshelped others. But she hadn’t helped Inez.
“What if I lose our baby?” she whispered, the tears she had contained all day finally spilling over.
Bobby crouched and cupped the side of her face, twisting her head to look at him. His eyes glittered under the dim overhead light. “Then I’ll hold you and grieve with you,” he whispered back.
Hold her.
She wanted that. So very much. “Will you hold me tonight?”
8
