Free Once Found: The Pocket Watch Chronicles by Ceci Giltenan Page B

He’s an old friend of my dad’s. A resident might be intimidated, but there is no way Gerald Rose will do anything just because a high-handed surgeon from another hospital wants him to.”
    “What do you think, Gabe?” she asked hopefully.
    “I’ve never met him, but Dr. Rose has an excellent reputation. I think he will make a fair evaluation.”
    “What if he says I’m not competent?”
    Gabe leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Let’s not borrow trouble.”
    They didn’t have long to wait. The chief of psychiatry arrived not long after Dr. and Mrs. Quinn left.
    When Dr. Rose walked in the room, Gabe stifled a smile. If anyone could look more like a stereotypical psychiatrist, he wasn’t sure how. Dr. Rose was a diminutive older man with graying hair, dark-rimmed glasses, and a neatly trimmed goatee that was also liberally sprinkled with gray.
    The old doctor smiled broadly. “Good morning. I’m Dr. Rose. David, I certainly didn’t expect to see you here.” He had a rich Scottish burr.
    David shook hands with Dr. Rose. “It’s very nice to see you. I’m here because Elizabeth is a friend of mine.”
    “Is she? What a small world.” He turned toward the bed. “So if I’m not much mistaken, you are Dr. Elizabeth Quinn.
    Dr. Rose seemed to emanate warmth, and Elizabeth visibly relaxed. “Yes, I am.”
    “And you are?” he asked Gabe.
    “I’m Gabriel Soldani. I’m a pediatric hospitalist here.”
    “And since Dr. Quinn isn’t a wee lassie, I presume ye’re a friend as well?”
    “Yes. We went to medical school together.”
    Dr. Rose shook Gabe’s hand. “It is a pleasure to meet ye, Dr. Soldani.”
    “Likewise, sir.”
    He turned his attention back to Elizabeth. “Do ye mind if I call ye by yer given name?”
    Elizabeth smiled. “That’s fine.”
    “Splendid. Now, Elizabeth, I understand ye’re having a wee bit of trouble remembering things. Would ye mind telling me a bit about what happened?”
    “I don’t remember what happened. I’ve been told I was in an accident.”
    “And ye remember nothing?”
    “I remember Gabe. We’re old friends.”
    “And David Sinclair, do you remember him?”
    She gave David a sad smile. “No. He seems very nice, but I don’t remember him.”
    Dr. Rose smiled broadly. “He is a fine young man and the image of his father. David, were you in the city visiting yer dad?”
    “No, I came specifically to see Elizabeth, but I intend to see Dad later today.”
    “Give him my best regards.”
    “Certainly, sir.”
    Dr. Rose turned to Elizabeth. “Now, ye said Gabe here is an old friend and based on the grip ye have on his hand, it appears ye’re very confident of that. Can ye tell me why?”
    “When I saw him, I had memories.”
    “Did ye? And did he look as braw as he does now?”
    She chuckled. “Not quite. In my memories, he didn’t have the beard. But I like it.”
    Gabe was shocked. She had never mentioned that.
    “Ye look surprised, lad. Many a lass finds nicely trimmed facial hair attractive.” He smiled, stroking his goatee.
    Gabe laughed. “That’s not what surprised me. This is the first Elizabeth has said that I don’t have a beard in her memories. I’d forgotten it, but I didn’t grow the beard until I came here for my residency.”
    “So ye knew each other in medical school. When did ye see her last?”
    Guilt swirled in his gut. “Six years ago, on the day we graduated.”
    “I see. What else do ye remember about Gabe, lass?”
    “The images are so fleeting, it’s hard to focus on them. But the feeling I have is nearly overpowering. I’m certain he means the world to me and that I love him.”
    “I see.” He glanced around the room. “I expected to find your parents here. They were so very concerned about ye.”
    Elizabeth’s brows drew together for a moment. “They said they had calls to make.”
    “If you need them, I have their cell phone numbers,” offered David.
    “Nay, it isn’t necessary. I just