NYC Angels:
The Wallflower’s
Secret

Susan Carlisle

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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This one is for you, Drew. I love you.

Dear Reader

I’ve spent many hours over numerous years in a children’s hospital. What I’ve learned is that it takes very special people to work with sick kids. The doctors, nurses and support staff are true angels when it comes to the care of children and their families. Lives of the young are saved and enhanced by their dedication. Still, these professionals have issues and problems of their own. My characters Ryan and Lucy are no different.

Change is often hard. Most people fight it. Sometimes they discover later that they’re grateful they were forced to make a change. It pushes them into finding a happiness they might have otherwise missed. Ryan and Lucy are two people who must change, but do so kicking and screaming. I encourage you to be open to change. You never know what’s just around that next bend.

The evening bus tour to Brooklyn that I describe in the story is a real one. It is breathtaking.

I can’t fail to mention how honoured I am to be included among the wonderful authors that are involved in the NYC Angels series. I’m in superoutstanding company.

I hope you enjoy Lucy and Ryan’s story. I love to hear from my readers. You can contact me at www.SusanCarlisle.com

Susan

NYC Angels

Children’s doctors who work hard and love even harder… in the city that never sleeps!

Step into the world of NYC Angels and enjoy two new stories a month

Last month New York’s most notoriously sinful bachelor Jack Carter found a woman he wanted to spend more than just one night with in:

NYC ANGELS: REDEEMING THE PLAYBOY by Carol Marinelli

And reluctant socialite Eleanor Aston made the gossip headlines

when the paparazzi discovered her baby bombshell:

NYC ANGELS: HEIRESS’S BABY SCANDAL by Janice Lynn

This month cheery physiotherapist Molly Shriver melts the icy barricades around hotshot surgeon Dan Morris’s damaged heart in:

NYC ANGELS: UNMASKING DR SERIOUS by Laura Iding

And Lucy Edwards is finally tempted to let neurosurgeon

Ryan O’Doherty in. But their fragile relationship will need

to survive her most difficult revelation yet…

NYC ANGELS: THE WALLFLOWER’S SECRET by Susan Carlisle

Then, in May, newly single (and strictly off-limits!)

Chloe Jenkins makes it very difficult for drop-dead-gorgeous

Brad Davis to resist temptation…!

NYC ANGELS: FLIRTING WITH DANGER by Tina Beckett

And after meeting single dad Lewis Jackson, tough-cookie Head Nurse

Scarlet Miller wonders if she’s finally met her match…

NYC ANGELS: TEMPTING NURSE SCARLET by Wendy S. Marcus

Finally join us in June, when bubbly new nurse Polly Seymour

is the ray of sunshine brooding doc Johnny Griffin needs in:

NYC ANGELS: MAKING THE SURGEON SMILE by Lynne Marshall

And Alex Rodriguez and Layla Woods come back into each other’s

orbit, trying to fool the buzzing hospital grapevine that the spark

between them has died. But can they convince each other?

NYC ANGELS: AN EXPLOSIVE REUNION by Alison Roberts

Be captivated by NYC Angels in this new eight-book continuity from Mills & Boon® Medical Romance™

These books are also available in eBook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHAPTER ONE

PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGEON DR. Ryan O’Doherty’s attention remained on the child lying in the ICU bed of Angel Mendez Children’s Hospital in New York City as he spoke to the father. “I removed as much of the tumor as possible. I didn’t get it all because I couldn’t risk additional impairment.”

This father wasn’t the first person to hear those words and he wouldn’t be the last. Ryan made a point not to gloss over the truth when speaking to parents. Despite the fact that Ryan knew he possessed more than competent skills, he’d done all he could for the child. He couldn’t fix them all. Parents had to accept that.

“I understand. His mother and I will take him home and love him for as long as we can,” the father said in a voice filled with tears.

The father had courage. He’d have to cling to it down the road.

The sharp, shrill sound of Ryan’s phone filled the air. He tapped the screen, stopping the offending noise, and looked at the message. Human Resources. He’d forgotten all about being expected down there. What could possibly be so important in the paper-pusher department that he was needed so urgently?

He glanced at the father again. “The neurologist will re-evaluate your son’s case. I’ll be here if needed,” he said curtly. “Now, if you will excuse me…”

“Thanks for all you’ve done.”

Ryan nodded. It was his job.

Ten minutes later, Ryan walked through the network of gray hallways on his way to the human resources department. Hospital leadership was notorious for putting HR departments in the basement of the oldest section of the hospital and in the furthest corner, if they could accomplish it. Angel’s was no different. Ryan hadn’t seen this particular region of the building since he’d become an official employee five years earlier.

He wasn’t sure why he’d been summoned, but he’d received an email the day before, requesting his presence. When he’d called to say he was too busy to make the meeting, Matherson, the HR director, had stated it was mandatory that he attend. Ryan was sure the trip down would be a complete waste of his time. Whatever he was needed for, surely could be handled by email.

Despite technically being an employee, he still wasn’t used to being called into someone’s office. If there was something to be said he was typically the one doing the calling. Expected for a surgery consultation in just a few minutes, he needed to get this over with. He made the final turn in the hallway and pushed the faux woodgrain door open, entering the functional waiting area that would have been drab if not for the colorful framed pictures of children hanging on the wall.

Ryan headed straight to the middle-aged woman sitting behind the L-shaped reception desk. “Dr. O’Doherty here to see Mr. Matherson,” he said with a smile he didn’t feel. He’d learned long ago that it paid to mask your emotions.

“He’s expecting you,” the woman at the desk chirped, as if she’d said it hundreds of times.

Not bothering to sit, he stood over the receptionist as she picked up the phone and spoke into it, and looked around the room.

A young woman, maybe in her late twenties, sat facing the entrance in one of the three utilitarian chairs set against the office wall. She glanced up at him. Her large blue eyes reminded him of a summer afternoon, but held a sadness that contradicted their lovely color. With a single blink, the melancholy was replaced by an unwavering stare before she looked away.

“Dr. O’Doherty is here, Mr. Matherson.” The receptionist listened a moment then glanced at the woman sitting in the chair.

Ryan followed the receptionist’s look. The woman sat with her ankles crossed and her hands laced primly in her lap. There was little outstanding about her apart from those large eyes and a rope of hair that fell over her shoulder. She wore a business suit of light gray with a flimsy peach blouse beneath. A little too school-marmy for his tastes.

He could tell her clothes were of a fine quality. He snorted quietly. Must have been all those long-suffering shopping trips he’d made with his sisters that had given him that knowledge. He quirked a corner of his mouth. Should he be proud of that?

“Ms. Edwards, Mr. Matherson would like to see you and Dr. O’Doherty now.”

Who was this Ms. Edwards and why would she have anything to do with him being here? Ryan’s focus sharpened when she stood. The woman was tall, with a willowy frame that spoke of someone who took care of herself. Her gaze met his. The sadness he’d seen early in her eyes had been replaced by a resolute look. She held his gaze a moment before her attention turned to the HR man.

Mr. Matherson, a round bodied man with a balding head, had come round a corner. “Dr. O’Doherty and Ms. Edwards, please come back to my office.”

Ryan stepped back and allowed her to go ahead of him. Her head reached his shoulder. Her wheat-colored hair was controlled by a braid. What was it called? He’d heard his sisters talk about them enough. Something foreign. A French braid, that was it. Even with the braid her hair went midway down her back. Did it touch her hips when free?

Ms. Edwards’s eyes narrowed. Had she guessed his thoughts?

“Please come in and have a seat,” Mr. Matherson instructed as he stepped around the desk facing the door and remained standing. Ms. Edwards took one of the burgundy vinyl chairs and Ryan sat in the other before Mr. Matherson settled in his seat.

“Dr. O’Doherty, this is Lucy Edwards, and she’s just recently joined the Angel family.”

Ryan offered his hand and a half-smile. “Ryan O’Doherty.”

For a flicker of a second she hesitated before her small fingers slipped into his. Her grasp was firm, her hand soft and the touch brief. He liked the feel of her hand.

He gave Matherson an expectant look. They needed to get a move on with this meeting. His colleague was waiting on that consult. “So what brings us here?”

Matherson regarded Ryan as if he wasn’t comfortable with others taking over his meetings. Clearing his throat, the HR man said, “Ms. Edwards is a family counselor. She comes with the highest credentials and praise from her last position. As I understand, she was the person the families regularly requested.”

The woman beside him shifted uncomfortably. Pink touched her cheeks. She obviously didn’t enjoy being the center of attention. That came as a surprise. In his experience, woman generally enjoyed being the main focus. What made this one different?

Matherson continued as if giving a great oratory to be remembered. “Angel’s is setting up a new program called Coordinated Patient Care, where we’re pairing a counselor with a doctor. Ms. Edwards is your partner. You’ll be working with her on all your cases.”

What was this? Another hospital bureaucratic feel-good project? Ryan leaned forward, piercing the rotund little man with a look. “Didn’t we try something like this a couple of years ago and decide it didn’t work?”

Matherson had the good grace to look contrite. “Similar, but this is a little different. You two are the beta test. If it works then we’ll require other departments to follow suit.”

“Is all this necessary? I’m sure Ms…. uh—”

“Edwards,” the woman supplied.

He sensed more than saw her stiffen. “I’m sure Ms. Edwards and I could both use our time more wisely.”

“Please don’t speak for me.” The woman who had been sitting stiffly beside him said, shifting direction. “Doctor, I can assure you that the closer the doctor-counselor relationship is, the better it is for the patient.”

Her words were said in a soft Southern drawl laced with an edge of steel. So the woman had some backbone. Interesting.

He cocked a brow and smiled. “So-o-o.” He dragged out the word to match her drawl. “You believe that working closely with the doctor is important.”

She rewarded him with a blush that added a brighter touch of pink to the ridge of her cheeks.

Matherson cleared his throat, but Ryan chose to ignore the man. He gifted her with a smile. The identical one he used when making an effort not to ruffle the nurses while at the same time trying to get his way.

“I didn’t mean to imply that your job doesn’t have merit, it’s just that I don’t think we need to personally discuss each patient. In fact, I don’t discuss the same type of issues with my patients that you would be concerned with. You can make notes on their charts about any matters you think I should know about and I can read from there.” Ryan stood. To his surprise, Ms. Edwards rose to face him.

“I can assure you, Doctor, our relationship will be strictly professional,” she said through clenched teeth. She took a breath and continued, “Patients, as well as their families, need reassurance and comfort that you can’t provide.”

She couldn’t have been more correct.

“That’s my job and I do it well.” She squared her shoulders, punctuating the statement.

“I’m sure that is true but I’m not going to waste my time in meetings when there is a perfectly good computer system we can use for correspondence. Now, if you’ll both excuse me…”

“Dr. O’Doughty,” Matherson said with a pointed look at Ryan, “I don’t know if you fully understand what’s being asked here. This is a trial program. The board’s supporting it unanimously. Your co-operation would be noticed and to your advantage.”

Ryan compressed his mouth. Matherson was making a veiled reference to the fact that he hadn’t been offered the head of neurosurgery position and that his co-operation would look good on his CV. By rights the department head job should have been his. Instead, they’d hired Alex Rodriguez.

Drawing his lips into a thin line, Ryan looked directly at Matherson for a long moment. The hospital pencil-pusher did have the good grace to lower his eyes. If going along with this ridiculous time-consuming coordinated patient care idea would make him look good on paper to the powers that be, then he’d make some form of an effort. He’d at least give it lip service, but based on his experience it would be a waste of time. Shrugging a shoulder, he said, “Okay.” He looked at Ms. Edwards. “I guess we’re a team, then.”

Ms. Edwards angled her head, mistrust written all over her face. Was she questioning his motives? Would she let him get away with doing as little as possible? Maybe there was more to this unassuming woman than he’d originally supposed. If nothing else, it would be a challenge to see if he could get her to smile. Find out if he could make that sadness in her eyes disappear.

“So it’s settled.” Matherson sounded far more cheerful than Ryan felt. “Then I’ll let you two get started.”

Lucy glanced at the self-absorbed doctor walking half a pace ahead of her up the hall. It had been hard enough to leave her entire life behind to start a new job in an unfamiliar city but being forced to work with a person who resented her being foisted on him made it almost impossible. Left no choice, she had to make this partnership work somehow.

Matherson, with the syrupy smile still on his face, had inquired if the good doctor was going back up to the neuro floor. When he said he was, Matherson had the nerve to ask him to show her the way. She’d been horribly embarrassed that Matherson had relegated this surgeon to a tour guide but didn’t know a graceful way to say she’d find her own way.

As they left the HR department, Dr. O’Doherty held the door for her to go ahead of him. Someone had at least instilled manners in the self-absorbed man. She’d seen little else to impress her. That wasn’t exactly true. She hadn’t failed to notice his wide shoulders, piercing blue eyes and height. Even now his long legs were eating up the well-worn tile floor beneath them. Not often did she find a man that she couldn’t meet almost eye to eye.

Gripping her purse, Lucy found herself tagging along behind him. With each step she became more irritated with his attitude. He walked as if he couldn’t leave the HR or her quickly enough. Regardless, she appreciated him leading the way as they made one turn then another, past another bank of elevators. She had no idea where she was in the vast hospital.

That morning when she’d stood across the street in Central Park, facing the front entrance of Angel’s, and had looked up, she hadn’t begun to count the number of floors. The building spread across an entire block. To say she’d been intimidated would have been an understatement. Still, there had been something about the mixture of old and new architecture that had appealed to her. If nothing else, the bright yellow and red awning leading to the front door had made her think the place had warmth.

Being employed by a large hospital wasn’t new to her. Most children’s hospitals were attached to a larger teaching hospital that was affiliated with a big university. But compared to Angel’s, those she’d worked in were dwarfs in size. She liked the nickname Angel’s. Glancing at the man beside her, she decided he didn’t act very angelic or hospitable.

Dr. O’Doherty finally stopped in front of a set of elevators and pushed the ‘up’ button.

Her job required her to read people. Dr. O’Doherty’s rigid stance and unyielding demeanor said he wasn’t pleased with having to answer to the HR department and now to her in a lesser way. She wasn’t surprised. Typical surgeon. Highly typical neurosurgeon. Confident, in control and with minds closed to anyone’s ideas but their own. Still, she had a job to do, and that meant co-operating with this guy. She had no choice but to make it work.

Clearing her throat, she said, “I understand this arrangement isn’t really your idea of a good plan.”

He moved to face her. “No, it isn’t.”

His displeasure didn’t encourage her. If this was the way he acted over a simple request, she couldn’t imagine his reaction to a serious issue. She was well acquainted with life-altering experiences. She wasn’t going to waste her energy getting upset over anything as mundane as being partnered with the egotistical doctor.

“I’d like to make my end of it as painless as possible for both of us.”

The elevator arrived, putting their conversation on hold. The doors opened and they stepped into an already crowded car. Dr. O’Doherty’s solid frame brushed hers as they turned to face the front of the elevator. A prickle of awareness spread through her body.

On the ride upward, they stood close enough that the heat of his body warmed her down one side. It was the first time in months that the Arctic cold buried deep within her had melted even for a second. The numbness returned the moment the elevator doors opened and he moved away. She stepped out behind him, then paused.

He stopped and looked at her. “Something wrong?”

“No, I’m just always amazed at how completely different patients’ areas are from the business parts of the hospital. These bright yellow walls are like coming into sunshine after being in gloom.”

“I’ve never noticed.”

She wasn’t surprised.

“Can you get to your office from here?”

She glanced around, recognizing a framed picture of a child’s artwork on the wall. “I know where I am now.” He turned to leave and she asked, “So how’re we going to handle this coordinated care plan, Dr. O’Doherty?”

Stopping, he turned back to her. “I’m going about it like I always have. Check the charts, Ms. Edwards.”

“Mr. Matherson made it clear that wouldn’t do. You might not like the idea but I expect you to do your part. Your patients are now mine also. I’m determined to give them the best care possible.”

Dr. O’Doherty stepped a pace closer, leaned forward and pierced her with a penetrating blue stare. “And you don’t think that’s what I do?”

“I’m sure you’re a more than capable surgeon, but there’s always room for improvement where patient care outside the OR is concerned.”

“Ms. Edwards, are you questioning my ability to be professional?”

She met his look squarely. “No, but I’ll not let you dismiss me or my abilities either. I was approached by this hospital to do a job so someone must have thought I had something to offer the hospital and the neuro department in particular. I expect you to at least recognize that.”

His attention remained on her long enough that her knees started to shake. Had she stepped over the line? With a huff, he said, “I do rounds at five. Promptly.” With a curt turn he went down the hall as if he’d spent all the time he deemed necessary on her.

Lucy passed a number of patient rooms, rounded the large corner nurses’ station and dodged a child in a wagon with a parent pulling it. Her heart tugged. Every small child she saw made her think of Emily. With relief, she finally reached the hall her office was on. Maybe going back to work in a children’s hospital hadn’t been one of her best ideas. But it had been the only job available when she’d needed to leave.

As bright, open and modern as the patients’ floor was, in contrast her office was little more than a cubby hole. She shared the area with two other family counselors assigned to the neuro floor. Three desks were lined up side by side against a wall and if all three were working at the same time, they wouldn’t be able to get to their desks without one of them stepping out into the hall. That didn’t concern her. It was a fairly typical arrangement for support staff. She was happy to have her position and she’d work in whatever space provided.

Lucy checked her watch. There were a few hours before she had to meet Dr. O’Doherty for rounds. That gave her time to review his patient load and familiarize herself with each child’s diagnosis. She’d make sure the doctor didn’t have anything to complain about in regard to her work. It was her goal to make this partnership as stress-free as possible despite his opposition of the plan.

When she’d learned about this job she hadn’t thought twice about taking it and had every intention of succeeding in it. She needed this position if she was going to survive and get her life back on track.

One of Lucy’s officemates, a woman with pepper-colored hair and a generous smile, was coming in the door as Lucy was heading out. “Hey, how’s it going?” Nancy asked.

“Fine.”

“I heard you were teamed up with Dr. O’Doherty.”

Lucy gave her a questioning look.

“Learned it from the hospital grapevine. Even from the basement news travels fast.”

“I see.” Lucy picked up her notepad.

“Ryan’s such a cutie. We all love working with him. Kind of keeps to himself but he’s a favorite among the nurses. More than one of them has a crush on him.”

Lucy didn’t know how to respond to that statement so she remained silent. She didn’t see that ever becoming an issue for her.

“You know the kind of patients we see on this floor often break our hearts, but with Ryan around it sure makes it easier. That goes for the patients and us. He’s a brilliant doctor. Not hard to look at either.”

Lucy had to agree with the latter. Even so, he’d not made a great first impression as far as she was concerned. She had a new life to build and being a groupie of a doctor who already had a posse of female admirers didn’t fall into her “need to do” list.

“Well, I’d better review some charts before rounds.” Lucy gave her co-worker a wary smile and left the office.

She’d never been one for hospital gossip and actively stayed away from it when she could, but her office-mate’s chatter had caught her interest. The more she knew about Dr. O’Doherty the better off she’d be.

She slipped into a vacant chair behind the nurses’ station desk. Facing the state-of-the-art computer screen, she typed in her password and queried Dr. O’Doherty’s in-house patients. A list containing five names came up. One by one she reviewed the patients’ charts and made notes. She’d just finished scanning the last chart when a deep-throated laugh followed by the high-pitched giggle of a child came from down the hall.

“Dr. O’Doherty is at it again,” the nurse standing beside her said with a smile.

Seconds later, he slow-galloped into view with a young girl on his back. His white lab coat had been discarded. The light blue knit shirt he wore stretched tautly across his broad chest. The man either had good genes or he worked out regularly. The child had a happy smile on her face and her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck. Her head was bound in white gauze.

He stopped at the nurses’ station where Lucy and the nurse stood watching. “Ms. Edwards, I’d like you to meet Princess Michelle.”

The girl giggled.

“She buttoned her shirt all by herself today and got to make a wish.” He glanced back at the girl. “Princess Michelle,” he said.

The girl giggled again.

“Can you tell Ms. Edwards what your wish was?” Ryan asked.

“I want a horsy ride,” the girl said with a shy grin.

“Well, that sounds like a fine wish.” Lucy smiled up at the child. “So how far are you going on this ride? Over the mountain? Across the river?”

The girl snickered and pointed. “End of hall.”

“I see.”

“This horse can’t go too far away from the barn.” He winked at the young nurse and she blinked and grinned.

The sting of pain Lucy experienced when she’d not been included in the flirtatious action surprised her. It was a visual reminder he didn’t consider her part of his circle. She was once again an outsider.

An easy lilt in his Brooklyn accent became more prominent as he continued to speak. “I’d better finish this princess’s ride and get her home. It’s almost supper time.” He turned his head toward the girl, “What do you say to get the horse to go?”

“Giddy up,” Michelle said with another round of giggles and off they went.

A smile covered her lips.

“Why, Ms. Edwards, is that a smile I see?” Dr. O’Doherty asked with a brow raised. “I wondered if it was possible.”

To her amazement, she was smiling. Something that had happened rarely in the last few months. How had that exasperating man managed to make her smile? Maybe there was more to him than she had originally given him credit for. His bedside manner might not extend to her but apparently he cared about his patients.

The horse and rider set off down the passage then returned, and she waved. Her chest constricted. It wouldn’t be long until Emily would be the same age as Michelle. Sadly, Lucy would never hear the sounds of Emily’s childhood delight.

Half an hour later, Lucy asked one of the nurses which end of the hall Dr. O’Doherty usually started his rounds on. The nurse pointed to the right and Lucy headed in that direction. A group of six led by Dr. O’Doherty exited a patient’s room as she approached. The crowd circled around him. Lucy stopped just outside the ring.

He looked over the head of a female intern wearing a lab coat, with her head elevated in a worshipful manner, to glower at Lucy. “Everyone, this is Ms. Edwards.”

The assemblage turned to inspect her. She shifted uneasily under the scrutiny.

“She’s our newest family counselor. Please introduce yourself later. We have patients to see.” His mouth tightened briefly but his words didn’t falter. “Please see that she stays in the loop on all cases.” His intense blue gaze pinned her again. “I’ll have to get you up to speed later on the patient you missed.”

She looked away.

Dr. O’Doherty made a few more comments as they moved down the hallway to the next patient, then the next, stopping in front of another door. He paused. His attention focused on her again. “This is Brian Banasiak. I removed a blood clot three days ago. This is one case I believe that it might be beneficial to have you involved in.”

Might? Lucy wasn’t sure she needed his seal of approval but she didn’t say so. Neither was she certain how she felt about the left-handed compliment. In her last position she’d been considered the “go to” person when a family was having a difficult time coping with their child’s illness or injury. Her role was seen as important in overall patient care.

Apparently Dr. O’Doherty viewed her work as a sideline to his godly power. She’d do her job effectively then maybe she could change the narrow-minded man’s opinion.

“I understand his head trauma occurred during an auto accident,” she said quietly. “I’m going to discuss the benefits of therapy at home with the parents. Also assistance with home schooling. These parents have a long road ahead of them. The adjustment of having gone from a perfectly normal child to one who needs help eating and dressing will be difficult at best to accept.”

Dr. O’Doherty’s look of surprise along with similar ones from the others made her want to pump her fist in elation. She’d managed to wow the man. Why it should matter she didn’t know, but it felt good.

He pursed his lips and nodded as if he might be impressed. “Thank you, Ms. Edwards. You’ve obviously done your homework.”

“The family clearly cares about their child and I gather are willing to do what it takes for Brian to recover. I’ll be speaking with them first thing in the morning to determine any additional needs.”

Dr. O’Doherty gave her a quick nod and with a rap of his knuckles on the door entered the room. Along with the rest of their group, Lucy moved to stand next to the boy’s bed.

The parents of the boy came to stand across the bed from the group. Dr. O’Doherty paid them no attention.

“Brian, how’re you feeling today?” Dr. O’Doherty asked.

The eight-year-old boy offered a weak smile. His entire head was swathed in white gauze. His eyes had dark circles under them and there was puffiness about his face that lingered from having surgery.

“Okay, I guess,” the boy said with little enthusiasm.

“Well, from all I hear from your nurse, you’re my star patient,” Dr. O’Doherty stated. “So give me a high five.”

That managed to get a slight smile out of the boy. He raised his small hand and met the doctor’s larger one with a smack.

Dr. O’Doherty pulled his hand back. “Ow! See, you’re already getting stronger.”

Brian’s smile broadened.

The doctor did have a way with kids.

“I’m going to take a look at your head. Maybe we can give you a smaller bandage.”

“It’s itchy.” The boy wrinkled his nose.

“Yes. That means you’re getting better. I’ll see if we can’t help with that problem.”

As he removed the gauze, Lucy watched the parents’ faces to gage their reactions. Death wasn’t the only time people experienced grief. A major life trauma could bring on the emotion. Lucy knew that all too well. She’d run to get away from hers.

“Will he be able to ride a bike?” the boy’s mother asked. “Do we have to worry about him falling?”

Dr. O’Doherty didn’t look at the mother as he said, “Ms. Walters, my clinical nurse, can answer those questions for you.” He continued to unwrap the bandage.

The mother looked like she’d been struck. She stepped back from the bed.

He continued to examine the surgical site then spoke to the floor nurse standing next to him. “I believe we can place a four-by-four bandage over this.” He looked at the boy. “You’ll look less like a pirate but it won’t be so itchy.”

That statement brought a real smile to the boy’s face.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Dr. O’Doherty said, before turning to leave. He shook the big toe of the boy’s foot as he moved toward the door

The mother followed him out into the hall. “Dr. O’Doherty, we were wondering what to expect next,” the mother said, tears filling her eyes.

“My nurse will answer all your questions.”

Lucy compressed her lips. Where had all the charm that had oozed from him seconds before gone?

“Will he ever be like he was?” The mother’s eyes pleaded to know.

“I don’t make those kinds of promises,” Dr. O’Doherty clipped.

The mother looked stricken again.

This man had a sterling bedside manner where his patients were concerned but he sure lacked finesse with the parents. Why was he suddenly so cold?

Lucy stepped forward, not looking at Dr. O’Doherty for permission. She placed an arm around the woman’s shoulders. “Mrs. Banasiak, I’m Lucy Edwards, the family counselor. I think I can help answer some of your questions.”

The mother sagged in relief. She shot a look at Dr. O’Doherty and then said to Lucy, “Thank you, so much.”

Dr. O’Doherty progressed on down the hall with his group in tow without a backward glance. Lucy hung back to speak to the parents further. The watery eyes and fragile smile of the mother touched Lucy’s heart. These were the type of people who needed her. It felt good to be using her skills again.

Ryan paused in front of the last patient-to-be-seen door. Turning, he waited for the group to join him. Ms. Edwards was missing. Should he really be surprised? He discussed the patient, while his frustration grew. She could speak to the parents on her own time.

“We’re glad you could join us,” he said when she finally walked up.

Her eyes didn’t meet his. The woman didn’t like having the spotlight on her. By the way she dressed and spoke so softly, he guessed she spent most of her time in the shadows. “I needed to reassure the parents,” she said quietly.

Pushing the door of the patient room open, he stepped in. “Hi, Lauren,” he said to the ten-year-old sitting up in bed, watching TV. “I believe you’ll be ready to go home tomorrow. How does that sound?”

The grandmother, who was the girl’s caretaker, stepped to the bed. “That’s wonderful. What do we need to do about getting her back in school when the time comes?”

A soft but strong voice beside him said, “I’ll help with that.”

“This is Lucy Edwards,” he said to the grandmother. “She’s my family counselor.”

The only indication that Ms. Edwards didn’t appreciate the word “my” was the slight tightening around her lips. That had been entirely the wrong thing to say. He didn’t know how to repair the faux pas gracefully in front of a patient’s family so he continued speaking to the grandmother. He’d apologize to Ms. Edwards later.

This quiet, gentle-voiced woman wasn’t his anything. She wasn’t even his type. He was used to dating freer-spirited women, who thought less and laughed more. Those who were loud and boisterous and were not interested in emotional attachments. Ms. Edwards had already demonstrated she was the touchy-feely type.

He left the room while the grandmother rattled off a list of questions for Ms. Edwards.

After answering a page, he returned to the nurses’ station in search of Ms. Edwards. Not seeing her, he was forced to ask where her office was located. He’d never paid much attention to the family counselors. He knew they had a job to do and as far as he was concerned they did it. Rarely did he interact with one outside other than when they asked him a question or left a note on a chart.

He knocked lightly on the nondescript door with a small plate that showed he was in the correct place. The door was opened by a woman he recognized. “Hi, Ryan. What’s up?”

“Hello, Nancy. I was trying to find Ms. Edwards.”

“Yes-s-s.” The word being drawn out came from inside. He’d found the right place. Ms. Edwards put far too many syllables in a word. He glanced around the woman in front of him. Ms. Edwards looked at him with wide, questioning eyes.

“I’ll get out of your way. It’s time to head home anyway,” the older woman said. “Nice to see you, Ryan.”

“You too.” He smiled as she left and stepped into the doorway, holding the door open. “Do you mind if I come in a minute?”

The new counselor looked unsure but nodded her agreement.

He’d received warmer welcomes but guessed he couldn’t blame her, considering their less than congenial start. She sat at the desk furthest away from the door. Her eyes resembled those of a startled animal as he pushed the door closed behind him. The look eased when he sat down in the chair furthest from her. Was she afraid of him? He conjured up one of his friendliest smiles.

She gave him an inquiring look.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry for the comment about you being my family counselor. I misworded the statement. It won’t happen again.”

Her bearing softened. “Dr. O’Doherty—”

“Please call me Ryan. I’m a pretty casual guy generally.” She looked unsure about the idea. “May I call you Lucy?”

She nodded slowly. “Uh, Ryan, I know you’re not a fan of this coordinated patient care arrangement but I’d really like us to work together with as little conflict as possible.”

He liked the way his name sounded when she said it. Kind of easygoing and warm. “I’ll do my part but there have to be some ground rules.”

She pursed her lips and her delicately shaped brows drew closer together. “And those would be?”

“I expect the people that work for me to be punctual and to stay with me as I make rounds. I don’t wait.”

“Dr. O’Doherty, I don’t work for you. I work for the hospital, and ultimately for the patients. If I understood Mr. Matherson correctly, we do coordinated patient care. Which means we work together.”

“My OR schedule, which the hospital dictates, means I don’t have time to stand around waiting for you.”

“And my job, which the hospital and the human heart dictate, is to care for the patient and the family during a difficult time. My job is to help the whole family. We…” She waved a hand around, broadly including him. “This hospital should care for the whole person. That’s my job and I would appreciate you letting me do it.”

He flinched. “My job is to be a surgeon, I fix the problem. I don’t need to hand-hold patients or their families to do my job well.”

“No, you don’t, but it would be nice if you would at least try to on some level.”

His body stiffened and he gave her a questioning look. “The parents of my patients need to hear the truth.”

“I don’t disagree with that. I just question the delivery.”

“I thought that was why you were here?”

“It is, but parents like Brian’s like to hear reassurances from the doctor.”

She met his direct gaze for the first time for longer than a second. He stood. “Point taken.”

“What time’s your first case in the morning?”

“Seven. Why?”

“I like to be here when the child leaves the parents to go into surgery. It’s when they need the most support. Many want to talk. They’re scared. I’ll walk them down to the waiting room.”

He’d never given any thought to how difficult it was for parents to watch their child go into surgery. Didn’t want to think about it. He opened the door.

“It’s hard to let go,” she said with wistfulness in her voice.

Did she know that from personal experience? Her eyes glazed over. Where had her thoughts gone? Thankfully she recovered, the hopeless expression disappearing, to be replaced by that of a trained professional again. That he was more than capable of dealing with.

“I guess it is.” He closed the door between them. What was the woman with the sad, serious eyes hiding?

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