Page 92 of A Kind Wedding: Christian & Charleigh

“I’m okay, and it was very sweet of you to bring me flowers. How are you, my dear?”

“I’m good. I just had a baby not too long ago. Her name is Isabella.”

“Congratulations, and what a beautiful name.”

“So, what’s going on, Dr. Lenox?”

“I’m in congestive heart failure, and I don’t have a lot of time left, Charlotte.”

“I’m so sorry.” I placed my hand on his arm.

“Thank you, sweetheart. I cannot go in peace until I know a very special patient of mine will be well taken care of.” He reached over, grabbed a thick file folder, and handed it to me.

I opened the folder and studied a couple of the papers inside. Looking up at him, I furrowed my brows.

“You want me to take on this patient?”

“Yes, Charlotte. I’ve already had her see a few other therapists, and they didn’t connect. I’ve been following your career since you graduated. I always knew you were a gifted therapist. You have a special way with people, and I think you would be perfect for my patient.”

“But I’ve never dealt with something like this before,” I said.

“What was the one thing I taught you back in class?”

“If you’re unfamiliar with something, study it, research the hell out it, and handle it with more confidence than you can imagine.” I smiled.

“You got it. You could say that Ava has been like a daughter to me. She’s been in therapy for many years, and she will continue to need it when I’m gone. She’s having a hard time with my diagnosis, and I fear she may take a turn backwards.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everything you need to know is in that file. Please, Charlotte. I hate to put you on the spot, but this is my dying wish.”

“Dr. Lenox.” A sadness resided inside me as I took hold of his hand.

“Please, Charlotte.”

“Okay. I’ll take her on as a patient. I’m on maternity leave but return to work in two weeks. I’ll read over her file, and we’ll go from there.”

“Thank you, Charlotte. I’ll let Ava know.”

After saying goodbye, I left his room and went to Christian’s office.

“Hey,” Christian said when I walked in. “Did you see Dr. Lenox?”

“I did.” I held up the file. “I officially have a new patient. I just wanted to stop by and tell you that I saw him.”

“Where’s Isabella? Wait. Don’t answer that. Conner insisted you leave her at the medical center.”

“Yep.” I smiled. “He sure did.”

I left the hospital and headed back to the medical center.

“Hi, June.”

“Hi, Charlotte. Conner is in with a patient.”

“With my baby?” My brow arched.

“Yep.” She nodded.

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