Page 12 of Wedding Plans

The technician drew three vials of blood. “That’s it for now. Have a good day.”

She left, and her savior approached the bed. “How do you feel?”

“Not feeling anything.”

“That’s good. You’re heavily sedated.”

“What time is it?”

“Six fifteen. They start early. Do you need anything? Water maybe?”

“Nothing. Thank you for spending the night with us. I felt safer with you here.”

He chuckled. “I felt safer, too.”

Sienna didn’t askfrom what.It was a raw subject,although he’d dropped hints about his canceled wedding.

It was just after seven when the door opened again admitting a new nurse.

“Good morning, Ms. Perino, how was your night?”

“Good.”

Combing his hair with his fingers, Dr. Kent moved to the window once more and waited while the nurse checked her incision site, measured her vitals, and injected medication into the IV port. “The surgeon will stop by soon. If you need anything, call me.”

“Thank you.” They were all so helpful in this hospital. She closed her eyes and dozed again.

A male voice woke her. “Good morning, Sienna, how are things today?”

“Better.”

The surgeon pressed her belly, made her gasp once, and declared himself satisfied with her progress. “You can go home around noon. I’ll have some prescriptions for you. Make sure you take it easy. No lifting. Keep the incision dry until the steri-strips fall off.” With that, he left.

She turned toward Dalia’s stretcher and frowned. It was empty. Apparently, Dr. Kent and Dalia had vacated the place—hopefully together.

The door opened, but instead of her daughter it was an aide with a tray. “Breakfast.” She set the tray on the portable table at the foot of the bed and disappeared.

Sienna tried to sit up and fiddled with the various buttons on the side of the bed.

“What are you doing?” Dr. Kent walked in, a smiling Dalia by his side.

“Mommy, you’re awake. The nurse helped me get dressed, and the doctor took me to breakfast,” she babbled, quite pleased with herself.

“Good, I’m glad you’re happy, pumpkin,” Sienna muttered, not able to find the right button.

“Here, let me help you.” Dr. Kent raised the head of the bed, adjusted the pillows behind her, and brought the table closer to her.

Her gaze roamed over his handsome features, and she sighed. “What would I do without you, Dr. Kent?”

He chuckled. “Call me Tyler. Don’t worry, you would manage. That’s what we do when we don’t have a choice.”

Was he referring to himself and his failed wedding?

A nurse burst into the room. “Dr. Kent, I know you’re not on call today, but we have an emergency in Pediatrics, a one-year-old who’s arrested. We called code blue. He’s back, but we can use your help.”

“Right away.” He rushed out ahead of the nurse without saying goodbye.

So that was how he was... Whether at work or away, always dedicated to the patients in need of his help. Had his fiancée resented him for helping a patient? One would assume she would’ve known that about him before getting engaged to him. Or had she hoped to change him? If that was the case, then she was the wrong person for this wonderful man.

Sienna clenched her jaw. Maybe the dedicated doctor who’d saved her life now needed saving of his own.

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