Page 15 of Broken Dreams

Amber tapped her foot in time to the music and he imagined she loved to dance. He set his jaw. His leg didn't hold up to walking, much less dancing. No matter how determined he was to comply with his therapy, he often wondered if he'd ever get back to normal.

His cell phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he recognized his boss's number. Plugging one ear with his fingertips so he could hear better, he answered, “This is Tanner.”

“Got your message.” Steven white's booming voice was easy to hear, especially since the band had chosen that moment to take a break. “I think it's a great idea for you to try out the temporary hospitalist position. I might be able to create a full-time position here in Virginia if you decide to go that route, but I'll have to move some budget money around, first.”

“I don't know about that.” The idea of doing this type of work on a permanent basis didn't sit well with him. He wasn't ready to give up being a surgeon. A temporary position was just that, temporary.

“Your decision,” Steven agreed. See how it goes. I’ll get in touch with the chief of staff, Rick Johnson. I’ll happily give you a recommendation if you need one.”

“Thanks. I'll find Johnson first thing in the morning,” he promised.

“Good. Glad to hear it. How are you doing, otherwise?” Steven asked. He knew his boss's question was aimed at getting information about him on a personal level. Specifically, his physical therapy.

“Excellent,” he lied. He had no intention of whining to his boss and mentor about his physical problems. From the way Steven had offered to create a different role for him, he figured his boss wasn't confident he'd make it back to the operating room either. Regardless of how he was or wasn’t doing. “I'm sorry, but I have to go. I'll let you know what happens after I talk to Johnson.”

“Okay. Take care.”

Nick ended the call and lowered his phone, feeling a surge of anticipation he hadn't experienced in a long time. Tomorrow he'd talk to Johnson about the position. One he’d normally be over-qualified for. Pathetic to be so excited about a temporary hospitalist role. But he might be able to do good in more ways than one. Like helping Amber. If the rehab unit’s medical director really wasn't doing his job, then he would be in a position to do something about it.

Her eyes were bright with curiosity. “What was all that about? Johnson? As in the chief of staff—that Dr. Johnson?”

He slowly nodded. The crowd around them had thinned with the band's break, so they continued to walk toward her parent’s house. “Yes, there is a temporary hospitalist position open on the rehab unit. I thought maybe I could fill the role for a little while and see how things are running up there. My boss back in Virginia, gave me the go ahead to discuss the position with Johnson.”

“Really?” Her expression turned hopeful.

He grimaced. “It's not exactly as if I'm overwhelmingly busy at the moment.”

“I'm so glad.” Relief relaxed her tense features. “After the way Roland spoke to me the other day, I can't wait to see how he behaves with a new physician around.”

He frowned. “What did he say to you?”

“It doesn't matter.” She waved him off with an impatient gesture. “I was rude first. It got me a note in my file and a mandatory training session, but it was worth it.”

“Wait a minute. Your personnel file? What on earth happened?”

Now her cheeks were tinged pink. “Nothing. I told you, I was rude first.”

This time, it was her cell phone that rang. Irritated she lifted the device to her ear. “I'm on my way, Andrea. Tell Mom not to worry.”

When she'd finished her call, he glanced at her. “I'm going to keep bugging you until you tell me what happened.”

She rolled her eyes. “Alright, if you must know, I paged him several times about Mr. Goetz.”

“And?” He prompted when she paused.

“And, when he finally called back four hours later, he acted as if I paged him for nothing.”

From what he knew of Amber, he couldn't imagine she'd paged the guy for nothing. “Jerk.”

“Exactly.” She grinned. “So I point blank asked if he'd bother responding to his page next time. He got pretty angry, and yelled at me for insinuating he did not take good care of his patients. Which wasn’t wrong. That’s exactly what I intended.”

He chuckled. “Good for you.”

“Yeah well, the nurse working with me was horrified. And my nursing director wasn't too thrilled with me either. Most of the nurses I work with are either brand new and too afraid to speak up or they've been there forever and don't want to make any waves. I don't get it. It's the patients who are suffering.”

She turned and led the way up the sidewalk to her parents’ front porch. Nick heard her father call out before they even reached the door.

“Amber? Is that you?”

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