Page 1 of Saving His Heart
Prologue
Emory
One year ago
I’m numb. I must be. It would explain why I’m not reacting to the gut-curdling, mind-exploding heartache that is happening right now. I’ve spent my life doing the right thing. I’ve followed all the rules, listened to all the authorities, and never once questioned right or wrong … until now.
Sitting in the office of Dr. Terry, my mentor, my hero, and my friend, I know my world is about to come tumbling down. His expression says it all.
“Emory, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say other than we will keep fighting this.” Sighing, he removes his glasses from his nose to inspect me. “Do you have any idea how Donny could have compromised records in this manner?”
How? How? How?It’s been running through my head all day. Until the hearing last week, I had no idea Donny had forged records. I’ve been racking my brain ever since, trying to come up with a plausible explanation.
“I … the only thing I can think of is when he used my laptop a few months ago. He wasn’t working, and he needed to draft a new resume for an interview he had coming up. But, sir, I would never have given him access to my files, and he isn’t smart enough to figure this out on his own.”I’ve always known that. “I’m willing to bet he doesn’t even know what half of those words mean,” I tell him, my voice beginning to waver.
“Oh, my dear, that’s what I’m afraid of. It’s also why I’ll keep pushing the hospital to reopen this investigation. I’m worried that the one doctor Donny went to for the mandated medical examination is the one doctor we have on staff whose ethics are questionable at best.”
I chance a peek at my mentor. “I’m so sorry, Dr. Terry. I would have never imagined Donny could do something like this.”
“Emory, if I didn’t believe in you implicitly, we wouldn’t be sitting here having this conversation.” Turning his head, he looks out the window. After a long pause, he asks, “How are you faring? With life, I mean. I know you have some rather extenuating responsibilities at home?”
Dr. Terry is one of the few people in my adult life who knows about the shitshow that I come from. One day, during my residency, I had no choice but to tell him about it when my sister Sloane’s appendix burst, and my father refused to go to the hospital.
Averting my eyes as shame washes over me, I admit to him where we stand now without my income. “My two oldest sisters had to leave school. Luckily, they could take a leave of absence until I can afford to pay their tuition.Somehow. For now, they’re working at the supermarket trying to save up again.”
Dr. Terry nods in understanding as I continue. “My youngest sister, Sloane, I guess you could say, is a free spirit. She’s somewhere in Pennsylvania working on her next book as she makes her way across the country. I sold a lot of my medical journals and textbooks, so they can stay afloat for now. Without my medical license, I’ll have to look into teaching or something, I guess.” Saying the words out loud hurts. I have only ever wanted to be a surgeon.
“Emory, we are going to sort this out, but I honestly have no idea what kind of timeframe we’re looking at. I cannot, in good conscience, believe that your surgical days are over. You’re too talented, too good of a surgeon for that to be the case. You have more promise than the last three classes to make it through their residency combined. The fact that your malpractice insurance paid Donny’s claim so quickly is another area of concern, so I have a feeling we are fighting an uphill battle, and you need to set yourself up for that. You are going to lose precious time in the OR, but I might have a rather, let’s say unorthodox solution,” he says cryptically.
“But without a medical license, how am I supposed to do anything in the hospital?” I ask uncomfortably.
“As I said, it will be unorthodox for sure and will not take place in this hospital. I have a patient coming in tomorrow morning who I’d like you to meet. He’s a very wealthy man, with limited options due to his specific cardiomyopathy. However, he is interested in trying other forms of treatment. Trials if you will, and he needs someone to travel with him to get these other therapies. Mr. Westbrook is also a close friend, or his father was, I should say. I’ve known his family for many years, so I am comfortable telling you he will pay you fairly and treat you well. All agreements will be between the two of you after I make the initial introduction, though. As you probably assume, this is skirting a fine line as it is, but I believe this is your best option—for now.”
I sit back, stunned.How has this become my life?
* * *
There arefew people in this world I trust, but Dr. Terry is one of them. Knowing I have no other options, I set out my clothes for the morning, take a long bath, climb into bed, and pray for some good news.
That night I barely sleep as I roll Dr. Terry’s comments over in my mind again and again.
* * *
Walkingthrough the doors of Mass Mercy Hospital the next morning is painful. My heart hurts, and my brain is very aware of all the whispered conversations going on around me. The news of my hearing would have filtered down through all hospital channels by now, so I’m not surprised. That doesn’t mean it hurts any less, though.
Noticing a door sliding closed, I put my head down and walk straight toward it. I could make this walk in my sleep, having lived here the last four years of my life. Sometimes, when money was tight at home, I literally lived here, too. Often sleeping in the resident lounges, always thankful there were so many of us, no one ever noticed me living out of my locker.
I slip my hand into the door just as it’s about to close, and the doors slide open. I’m not paying attention as I burst into the small space and run right into an expensive smelling wall. My entire body reacts in a way it shouldn’t. Before I can apologize, a large hand wraps around my elbow to keep me from bouncing off of him.
“I’m so sorry,” he says in a silky, almost Southern drawl.
“No, I should have been looking where I was going. It’s my fault.” Lifting my eyes to meet his, “Holy shit,” slips past my mouth unfiltered. My entire body flushes so deeply I feel the need to fan myself.
I watch as a sly grin plays over the handsome stranger’s face. “Hi, darlin’, going up?”
“Yes,” I say in a stunned stupor. I’m staring at him unabashedly, I know, but I’ve never seen someone so attractive up close before. His dark hair is styled in a way that would look messy on anyone else, but it’s his eyes that suck me in and threaten my airways—the lightest shade of blue I’ve ever seen. Tucking a strand of strawberry blonde hair behind my ear, I look down at the file I’m holding, hoping he will lose interest in me soon, but no such luck. I feel him take a step closer.
“I’m Preston,” he says, and I see the humor on his face as my own flushes crimson.
