Page 3 of Heart in Waiting
CHAPTER ONE
Present Day
Reese pushed a stray strand of hair back behind her ear and took a deep breath. It had been a particularly rough day at the hospital. She loved her job, but some days were harder than others. Working in pediatrics had been a carefully made decision. She wanted to save kids so they could live long and full lives. Sometimes she couldn’t do the one thing she’d set out to do, and when she lost one of those innocent souls, it gutted her even more than before. The loss of little Amanda though... A toddler no more than three years old—should be alive and happy. Why could the world be so damn cruel? She couldn’t shake the anguish that settled deep inside of her.
She pushed open the nearest door and flipped on a light. Somehow, she’d managed to find the family waiting area in the PICU. There were no more family members waiting to see if their little girl would live or die. Silence and a vacant room greeted her. Tears fell down her cheeks before she’d realized she had given into the emotions ruling her heart. How had she ever believed she’d be able to do this? Her inner strength couldn’t take many more beatings like this or she’d never survive.
Maybe it was time to re-evaluate her life goals. She needed some peace and quiet, so she did the one thing she’d never done since she’d become a doctor. She shut her phone off, then slid it in her pocket so no one could contact her for a little while, and finally she could breathe and make a decision about her life.
Without thought, she slid into the nearest chair and considered everything that had gone wrong, and yes, even right in her life. She’d finished medical school at the top of her class, aced her internship, and then made it through the first year of her residency at Envill East. If she kept on her current path she’d be at the top of the program and eligible for a fellowship. She should be ecstatic, yet she was far from it. Her career was on track; however, her personal life was completely in shambles.
A knock echoed through the room, bringing her out of her melancholy. “Dr. Jackson?”
She wiped the tears from her cheeks as fast as she could and turned to the sound of her name being called through the room. “Yes?”
“You’re needed for a consult in the ER—you weren’t answering your phone...” the nurse told her.Damn it.She’d shut it off for five freaking minutes. “There was an accident, and Dr. Souza requested you—it’s a little girl around five.”
Another child, another chance to make a difference—or another chance to fail... Which would it be, and at the end of the day would she still be able to live with herself? “I’m on my way.” Reese pushed past her and headed to the emergency room, leaving behind the pediatric ICU and the bad memories. She owed this new child her best, and she couldn’t do that with images bombarding her.
Once she reached the emergency room, she headed to the nurses’ station. Lana Kelly—Brady—leaned against the counter, staring at the tablet in her hands. Reese wasn’t used to her new last name. She’d married Sullivan Brady faster than anyone anticipated, and they were already expecting their first child. Reese would say one thing for Sullivan—once he found what he wanted, he worked fast.
“Ren needed me?” Reese nodded at Lana. “Where’s the patient?”
“She’s in room four,” Lana said. “Halie Morris, five years old. Multiple contusions, unconscious, and broken fibula, but that isn’t what Ren’s concerned about.”
“That’s not bad enough?” What else could have befallen the little girl to have Ren so concerned? “She was in an accident, correct?”
“Yes,” Lana replied. “A drunk driver ran a red light and right into the vehicle the little girl was in.” She rubbed her belly as she spoke, probably thinking of her own child. “The mother is already in surgery. Preston is taking care of her.”
She was glad Preston was in charge the little girl’s mother’s surgery. That meant her chances of survival had gone up exponentially; however, she still didn’t quite understand what the problem was. “Explain Halie Morris’s situation. What has Ren concerned?”
“I’ll fill her in, Lana,” Ren said as he approached. “Can you check on the drunk driver? He’s waking and will be disoriented.”
“Right on it,” Lana said and rushed to do as Ren had ordered.
“So?” Reese lifted a brow. An answer to her questions would be nice... Her impatience was growing thin.
“The injuries from the accident aren’t serious enough to cause worry,” Ren began. He scrubbed a hand over his face and glanced toward the room the little girl was in. “It’s what I discovered after I examined her. There were already numerous bruises on her that weren’t quite healed.”
That didn’t sound good, but it could be any number of things. She could have a disease or... “Do you think she’s abused?” What a horrible thing if she had been. Reese couldn’t imagine what that might be like for a child. Her own mother was harsh, but she’d never harmed her or either one of her siblings. Rachel Jackson could be demanding, and it had certainly driven Reese to be the best.
Through all her years growing up, she’d never questioned her mother’s love though. Of course, that didn’t necessarily mean an abused child did. Some of them actually believed they deserved the treatment they received. Reese clenched her fingers into her palm and attempted to keep her composure. She hated the idea that any child would be hurt, let alone abused.
“I certainly hope not.” He sighed. “That’s why I called you. I’d like for you to examine her and rule out any medical reason before I call protective services. I don’t want to assume someone is intentionally hurting that little girl.”
“I understand.” Ren was married to a woman who’d spent a lot of time in foster care. All those different homes, and not all were good. The better ones had been indifferent. If this little girl was being hurt, then his wife would want to help. She’d started a foundation for children in need. This case was potentially something that could hit close to home for the Sousas. “I’ll go examine her now.” Reese spun on her heels and headed to check on the child. No time like the present to determine if a little girl needed to be saved from more than her injuries...
***
DANE STOOD INSIDE THEexam room, staring at the little girl on the bed. She was so tiny—like a doll, albeit a broken and bruised one, but a doll nonetheless. He hoped the drunk driver who had caused her injuries was brought to justice. His job was to serve and protect, and he couldn’t have prevented this. No one could have foreseen what this little girl would go through, yet he couldn’t help feeling somehow responsible.
The driver—it wasn’t his first time in trouble. He’d arrested him in the past, and the way things were going he would probably have to do it again and again. Sometimes it couldn’t be helped. Especially, when the person in question had a problem—Abel Roberts was an alcoholic. He fell off the wagon so many times one day he’d fail to climb back on. The door clicked as it opened.
He turned and found the one woman he’d always loved in the entrance—Reese Jackson. She still didn’t pay him much attention. Not much had changed in the last decade. They’d moved on past high school and into their chosen careers, but they remained in the same social sphere. Hell, she’d even dated his rotten brother. That had been the worst thing he’d ever lived through. Even all the taunts and hardship growing up wasn’t as painful on his heart as that had been. He couldn’t understand what she’d seen in him. He was evil incarnate, and thankfully, the whole world knew it now. Nolan was locked up for murdering several women and attacking Reese’s sister, Claire. He’d realized a long time ago that Nolan was a narcissistic asshole, but he’d never thought he’d turn out to be a sociopath.
“I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” Reese didn’t meet his gaze. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. I need to examine her.”
“I didn’t realize Dr. Sousa called in a specialist. Does he think there’s something else wrong with her?” He hoped not. If she’d been even more seriously injured than he believed...
