She’d been deceived and she’d had no idea. Instead she’d lived in this oblivious little bubble, thinking that her marriage was okay, that her best friend wasn’t betraying her. All the things she’d told Owen made her stomach knot. She’d been such a fool.
After it had all gone down it had been the pitying looks she’d been unable to handle. The “Poor Mindy”s. She hadn’t liked being pitied. When she’d been an intern she’d struggled that first year and had been pitied. She’d been the underdog and scared of her own shadow.
When Dr. Guild had taken her under her wing Mindy had blossomed. That shy girl who had dominated her life had disappeared and all of those who had dubbed her the runt of the surgical litter had been left behind as she’d become a surgical star.
It was hard for Mindy to make friends. She just didn’t want to open herself up to any more hurt.
With Sam it was totally different. She was just at ease around him. She liked to talk to him and she kept forgetting that she shouldn’t be so relaxed around him, because Sam was off-limits and because she refused to open her heart again. It just wasn’t worth it.
She found herself in the coffee shop next to the hospital, still in a bit of daze, with a latte in her hand. One of those limited edition spiced ones.
Mindy took a seat in the corner, waiting with anticipation for Sam to come. Though part of her hoped he wouldn’t. It would be easier if he didn’t show and she was hoping that he would be called to something.
The chime over the door tingled and Sam walked in. He didn’t see her at first, so she watched as every female in the coffee shop turned their appreciative gaze on him and she had to admit she couldn’t blame them. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with dark reddish hair, ridiculously gorgeous features and eyes that had no business being on a man who wasn’t going to be an actor or a model.
Mindy could almost see him in a kilt with a big giant sword. What do the Highlanders call their big giant swords?
Why the heck are you thinking about big giant swords at this moment?
Mindy shook her head and rubbed her eyes. She needed to get some more sleep. He ordered a small coffee and headed over to her. All eyes followed the handsome doctor as he slid into the booth across from her.
Sam frowned. “What?”
“What?” Mindy asked, confused.
“You’re staring at me like I have horns growing out of my head or something.”
“Sorry, I was just watching all your admirers give me the look of death.”
Sam glanced over his shoulder and a few female patrons who were still looking in their direction looked away quickly.
Sam chuckled and smiled with smug satisfaction. “Oh, that. I’m used to that.”
Mindy snorted. “I’m sure you are. What’re you drinking?”
“Black coffee with a shot of espresso. Dr. Chang paged me just as I was leaving. There’s a surgery in about thirty minutes.”
“Oh?”
Sam nodded. “Not pleasant, I’m afraid, but it needs to be done and once it’s done the child will be better off for it.”
Mindy was just about to ask what surgery when she got a page herself. She frowned when she saw it was from the OB/GYN department.
It was in regard to Ms. Bayberry. She was over the crucial twenty-five weeks, but the babies needed longer in utero.
“What’s wrong?” Sam asked, as they both stood up together.
“It’s Ms. Bayberry.” Mindy slipped her phone back into her pocket.
“Is she in labor?” He was concerned. She could tell. Mindy knew he still checked on Linda. It was sweet.
It wasn’t just sweet, it was the mark of a caring surgeon. One who was looking beyond being just a surgical god and being an actual good doctor. Even if Sam didn’t want to admit it. To admit something like that, to admit to caring while in competition with other interns could be a sign of weakness. She should know. Mindy had felt that bite, that sting against her jugular when she cared too deeply, but once she’d realized it didn’t matter she no longer cared.
She was going to be the physician she wanted to be and that was all that mattered. Sam was just starting a surgical career. He’d learn it soon enough, but then again maybe he already had and if he did it was commendable. Being a surgical resident was tough. It was supposed to be tough and it was a phase in her life she was glad was over.
“No, she’s not in labor.” Mindy finished the rest of her latte and crumpled the cup, tossing it into the garbage. “The neonatologist called me. There’s something on the ultrasound she wants me to take a look at.”
Sam frowned. “Can I come?”
“Don’t you have a surgery with Dr. Chang?”
“Not for thirty minutes. If she needs me before then, she can page me. I would really like to be there when you look over the ultrasound.”
Mindy grinned. “Changing your mind about maternal-fetal medicine?”
“No.” Sam downed the rest of his coffee. “I still want to be a pediatric surgeon, but perhaps after completing my fellowship with Dr. Chang I’ll be looking to add maternal-fetal medicine to my résumé. Really specialize.”
Mindy cocked an eyebrow. “Wow. You have mighty big aspirations and you’re cocky. What makes you think you have a shot at that pediatric fellowship?”
Sam shrugged as they walked out of the coffee house together. “Because I want it and because I’m going to earn it all on my own merit. You said so yourself, I’m a fine surgeon.”
“Hmm. That remains to be seen. I haven’t actually seen you in any complicated procedure yet.”
“That’s true. The week I was on your rotation all I did was observe and calm down a set of twins during a splenectomy.”
“Maybe I’ll have to observe your surgery later with Dr. Chang.”
“Or, if there is something that has to be done surgically to Ms. Bayberry’s twins, I can be on the case.”
“You’re pushy,” Mindy teased.
“It’s only natural. I was the first doctor on her case and she likes me. We have a rapport.”
“That’s true. I’ll think about it.”
“It makes the most sense since you’ve banished Dr. Snow from your service.”
Mindy shook her head and they headed to meet Dr. Hall, the neonatologist, in an exam room. When they got there Dr. Hall was frowning as she leaned over the ultrasound image on the computer. She barely glanced over her shoulder to acknowledge them as they walked into the room.
“What seems to be the trouble?” Mindy asked, as she took a seat next to Dr. Hall. Sam stood behind her, leaning over so he could look at the screen as well. She was very aware that he was so close. The heat of his body permeated her scrubs, causing her blood to sing.
“Take a look. It was missed in the ultrasound done by her regular OB/GYN, but now that she’s almost thirty weeks you can see it clearly as the twins are in a different position.”
Mindy’s heart skipped a beat when she saw one of the most rare pregnancy conditions.
“Is that the same amniotic sac?” Sam asked, his breath on her neck.
Mindy moved close to the computer, more to get away from Sam being so close to her. “Yes, it’s a mono-amniotic pregnancy.”
“Why was this missed earlier, Dr. Walker?” Sam asked.
“It’s sometimes hard to see, depending on where the babies lie.” Mindy clicked on a file and brought up an earlier ultrasound, zooming in. “See this line. It looks like it was a membrane dividing the fetuses, but it clearly is not. As they’ve moved and grown, you can clearly see that no membrane divides the amniotic sac.”
“And you can see here, the cords are starting to tangle,” Dr. Hall remarked.
Mindy pinched the bridge of her nose. “That’s not good.”
Читать дальше