LITMIR.BIZ

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gave the small group a reassuring smile. So there was some warmth under that freezing exterior. She just didn’t choose to share it with him.

      She glanced toward the desk and for a second her gaze met his. Did he see anxiety in those eyes?

      No, that would be the last emotion he’d attribute to Dr. Ross. Self-confidence oozed from her.

      Sliding back the chair, Ty continued to watch the family as they hovered around the patient. Dr. Ross no longer stood in the center of the group. She now blended into the background as she answered an occasional question. Standing, Ty came around the desk, planning to leave the unit. When she looked in his direction again he changed his angle and walked towards the group. Stopping beside her, he asked in hushed tones, “Is there a problem?”

      She stiffened. “No. Why would you ask that?” she hissed.

      Her eyes were on the family members, as if she was making sure they didn’t overhear their conversation.

      “Good. From my end he looks good. I don’t see any reason the tube can’t be pulled out tomorrow morning if he continues on this path.”

      “I appreciate—”

      Her remark was interrupted by the woman he assumed was their patient’s wife. She looked at him and then back at Dr. Ross.

      The sound of Dr. Ross clearing her throat and the almost imperceptible hesitation didn’t get past him but only because he was standing so close to her. She’d had no intention of introducing him but now if she didn’t she would appear impolite.

      Ty smiled at the woman and extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Ty Smith, I’m the anesthesiologist who worked with Dr. Ross on Mr. Martin’s case.”

      “Thank you for taking such good care of my husband. Our family, my son and daughter …” the woman nodded toward the teens “… are grateful for everything you’ve done.”

      “I assure you your husband received the best of care. Dr. Ross is an excellent surgeon.” He glanced at Dr. Ross. A flicker of skepticism entered her eyes. She must be wondering what he was up to. He’d meant what he’d said about her skills. Her abilities exceeded many he’d shared an OR with but praise appeared to make her uncomfortable.

      “I’m sorry that this could only be a short visit,” Dr. Ross said to the woman. “After shift change you may stay longer. Why don’t you have dinner and then come back to visit?”

      “We will. Come on, kids. Thanks, Dr. Ross. Dr. Smith, nice to meet you.”

      He nodded as the family passed him on their way to the door.

      Dr. Ross moved to where the nurse stood and began discussing the patient.

      Ty silently stepped away. Based on the conversation he and Dr. Ross had had after the surgery, she probably hadn’t appreciated him coming over to meet the family. There had been a couple of seconds there when he’d seen past her cold exterior to some emotion he couldn’t give a name to.

      Minutes after leaving the CICU Michelle knocked on the chief of surgery’s office door.

      “Enter,” she heard from the other side of the door.

      She didn’t always agree with Dr. Marshall’s decisions or directives but she did think he was fair. He had been a mentor of sorts to her and more than once had gone to bat for her when there had been a problem between her and Administration. For the most part, though, he left her alone to do her job. He was old school but supportive. When he’d gone through medical school it had been almost entirely a man’s profession so a female heart surgeon had made him feel a little uneasy.

      She opened the door, stepped in and closed it behind her. The balding doctor leaned back in his chair, interest written on his face.

      “To what do I owe this visit? I don’t think you’ve been in my office for some time.”

      “Bob, you know I don’t complain much.”

      He nodded, his eyes intently watching her.

      “But I can’t allow the new supply anesthesiologist to work in my OR again.”

      Dr. Marshall propped his arms on his desk, concern on his face. “Is the patient okay?”

      “The patient is fine. Doing very well really.”

      He relaxed. “Then what’s the problem? Smith, I think his name is, came highly recommended. Good CV. Excellent, actually.”

      “I cannot have the man showing up late for procedures.”

      Bob looked at her incredulously. “Why did he show up late?”

      “I don’t know. He didn’t say.”

      “Did you ask him?”

      “No. I didn’t. I just need the people on my team to be on time.”

      “If that is the only fault you can find I think you should ask him why. I know you run a tight ship but we are all late sometimes.”

      “I’m not.”

      Bob released an exaggerated huff. “I know you’re not. It might be good if you were occasionally.” He said the last few words so quietly that she almost missed them. “Michelle, I think you’re overreacting a bit. We’re short an anesthesiologist and I can’t shift everyone around just to suit you. Smith is more than qualified in cardiothoracic surgery. Unless he has or is doing something to harm a patient, you’re just going to have to find a way to work with him.”

      “But—”

      “Michelle, I know you’re a driven physician. I can appreciate that but I think you can work this out without involving me. Smith is only here for six weeks. Surely you can handle working with him that long.”

      His desk phone rang and his hand hovered over the receiver. “Let me know if there’s an issue involving a patient.” He picked up the phone and said, “Hello?”

      She’d been dismissed. Opening the door, Michelle stepped out into the hall and closed it behind her.

      With no support, she was left no choice but to get along with the new guy. How was she going to manage that? Everything about him rubbed her the wrong way.

      Ty stepped out into the warm, damp May evening, glad to head home or at least to the place he’d call home for the next few weeks. He’d never known a real brick-and-mortar house until he’d been sixteen and had left his mother and father to go and live with his grandparents.

      He shoved a hand through his hair and rolled his neck one way and then the other to get the kinks out. It had taken him longer than he’d anticipated but he’d finished introducing himself to the next day’s OR patients before he’d left the hospital.

      Hooking his black leather bomber jacket on his index finger, he slung it over his shoulder and started in the direction of his motorcycle. A woman dressed in what he could see was a trim-fitting skirt was walking some distance ahead.

      In the dim light he couldn’t make out the color of her hair or clothes but as a red-blooded man he couldn’t help but notice the provocative sway of her hips as she walked in and out of the shadows. She moved as if she was a model strutting on a runway in Paris. It was a sexy stride if he’d ever seen one. He wouldn’t mind making the woman’s acquaintance while he was here. Maybe she worked in one of the business departments in the hospital. He’d have to make a few inquiries in the morning.

      With a feeling of disappointment he watched her step between two parked cars, leaving only her head visible. A minute later Ty approached the back of what must be her car. She glanced at him. The male anticipation he’d developed and fostered while watching her walk suddenly received an icy shower.

      “Dr. Ross!” He couldn’t have contained his astonishment if he’d tried. That amazingly hot strut belonged to the ice queen.

      Her eyes widened in disbelief. The key fob she held fell to the ground.

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