Page 36 of Heart in Waiting
They walked into the hospital side by side. As they strolled in it occurred to her that they were comfortable together in silence. They didn’t have to talk to fill the space around them. She’d never had that with anyone else. Too much quiet made her uneasy after a while. But with Dane—they could just be together and the rest of the world fell in line. How could something that profound not be right?
“How long will your meeting with Dr. Foster be?” Dane asked as they stepped onto an elevator heading to the third floor.
“I’m not sure. We have a few things to go over, and then I have to meet with Paige to discuss Halie’s treatment options.” The elevator dinged as it stopped on their floor. “I’m guessing a couple hours for both.” They stepped off and headed in the direction of her office.
“Do you have anything after?”
“No.” She probably had some paperwork to go over... “Did you have something in mind?”
“You, me—lunch.” They stopped in front of her office. The corner of his lip tilted upward. He stared down at her, and it was almost...adoringly. Her heart skipped a beat and her mouth fell open with anticipation. Surely he’d kiss her soon. “We can explore what the cafeteria has to offer. Unless you have a better idea.”
She could think of a few things. Maybe delivery and a little quiet time in her office instead. “I might,” Reese said cryptically. “Meet me back here at one and we’ll go from there.”
“It’s a date.” He leaned down and touched his lips to hers. It was a sweet kiss, yet even it set her on fire. Dane stepped back and cupped her cheek with his hand. “Be safe.” Then he turned and headed back to the elevator.
She should have asked him where he would be, but it didn’t really matter. He’d come find her in a couple hours and that would be enough. A man didn’t like a clingy girlfriend—oh, God, she considered herself his... That had escalated fast. She sighed and stepped into her office. Not long after that, Zachary Foster knocked on her door and joined her.
“I’ve gone over her results numerous times, and I’m afraid Halie is far worse than we first believed.”
“Oh, no...” Reese lifted her hand to her chest. “So, what do you propose for her treatment?”
“Chemo and radiation will buy her some time, but what she really needs is a transplant. Without one, I don’t expect she’ll survive six months.”
Reese hadn’t expected her prognosis would be so dire. Zackary’s expertise far outweighed hers. She had a lot to learn before she reached his level. He’d studied all kinds of cancer, but leukemia was the one he’d tried to find a cure for. Someone close to him had succumbed to it several years ago, and now he made it his mission to find a cure. So far, he hadn’t had much luck. That was one of the reasons she’d decided to work with him. The fundraiser was to help aid their joint research project. “We’ll put her on the registry, but perhaps there is a family member who is a match and can help her.”
“We’ll have to talk to her mother. She doesn’t have a father listed. Do you know who it is?”
Reese chewed in her bottom lip. She didn’t know for sure if Dane was Halie’s father, but he could be. It was time to have that heart to heart chat with Paige. “No, I don’t.” Reese stood and walked around her desk. “I’ll go talk to her now and see if she’ll tell me. I’ll contact you when I know more.”
Zachary nodded. “I’ll be in my office if you need me, or if Ms. Morris has any questions.”
“All right,” Reese replied and exited her office after Zachary. She rushed down the hall toward Halie’s room. Paige had been released yesterday, but she would probably be still hanging out in her daughter’s room. She rounded the corner and then counted the room numbers until she reached the correct one. The door was ajar. Reese pushed it open and stepped inside. “Paige,” she called out. “I need to talk to you about Halie’s condition.”
Reese froze as she took in her surroundings. Paige was there all right, but she wasn’t alone. Halie was fast asleep and unaware of the danger that lurked nearby.Hewas the last person she’d expected to find in the room, yet at the same time, it didn’t quite surprise her either.
“Hello, dear,” Nolan greeted her. His dark hair had grown long and curled around his neck. He must not have washed it recently because it appeared greasy and unbrushed. His blue eyes held a hint of madness to them that left her cold. He’d procured blue scrubs, probably in an attempt to blend in with the hospital staff. His lips tilted upward maniacally. “Did you miss me?”
He sat on Halie’s bed, stroking her dark hair. Reese wouldn’t exactly call it lovingly either. Nolan’s touch bordered more toward possessiveness as if the child belonged to him. Reese turned her head to meet Paige’s gaze. Tears streamed down her face, and she barely controlled the sobs from pouring out of her. It was then that it hit her. Of course Halie looked like Dane. She was his niece, not his daughter...
“Don’t get any bright ideas,” Nolan ordered her. “One wrong move and Halie will be no more. It would be a shame if she died since she’s my only child, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made.”
“What do you want?”
“Why, you...” he said. “I realize now that Claire was a mistake. I should have focused all my attention on you. I can rectify that now.”
Why couldn’t he have left her alone? Reese was finally in a good place and had stopped doubting herself. She should have realized a long time ago that Dane was a good man and the one for her. She’d let too many people guide her choices instead of listening to her own heart. Nolan was an evil bastard and seemed set on ruining her life. Though he probably looked for Claire first and couldn’t find her. He wouldn’t have settled on Reese otherwise. He hadn’t been interested in her before. At least her sister was safe.
Reese swallowed hard and prayed. She had no idea what to do or what action she should take next. Dane couldn’t even be counted on... He’d left her alone to do her job, and he wouldn’t return for over an hour. Why had she thought she could ever handle Nolan alone?
No bigger fool lived than her.
And to think her morning had started so well, and she’d begun to believe she’d found love. Ironic didn’t fully describe how incredibly fucked up it turned out to be. At that moment, she realized the impossible had happened. She did love Dane, and she wanted nothing more than a chance at a future with him. For that reason alone, she’d fight to live, and she’d do whatever it took to survive. Nolan would not win.
