Free The Millionaire and the M.D. by Teresa Southwick Page B

give him the four-one-one.”
    As it turned out she didn’t have far to go. After leaving Amy’s room, Rebecca replaced the chart at the nurse’s station, then glanced to her left down the corridor and spotted a familiar pair of broad shoulders. He was staring through the glass doors that separated patient rooms from the newborn nursery.
    She wondered how she’d recognized him so quickly. Especially from the back. There was, of course, the exceptional butt. A part of the anatomy she hadn’t truly appreciated when she’d taken the course. Not until meeting Gabe had her opinion in that regard changed. And recognizing the folly of seeing him more than necessary, she’d resolved to stay out of his way. Except, now she was on an errand for her patient.
    She walked down the hall and stopped beside him. Lost in his own thoughts, he didn’t say anything, but she’d have given a lot to know what he was thinking, why the signs of sorrow were deeper on his face. Was this about his sister’s baby? They’d never talked again about how the baby was conceived, who the father was, and that could be on his mind. Whatever was bothering him, she couldn’t stand to see him look that way.
    â€œGabe?”
    He glanced at her and there was no warm, gooey expression that usually followed when someone looked at the babies. Gabe’s eyes were hard and there was a coldness that made her shiver.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    â€œI hate hospitals.”
    And that told her everything. He was thinking about Hannah. Losing her. And the patient rooms, long corridors and antiseptic environment reminded him of what he’d lost. She could tell him how many people were helped every day, how many were better off for medical intervention, but he wouldn’t want to hear it. She thought about pointing out that the babies on the other side of these doors were thriving and healthy and would be going home to start their lives. The expression in his eyes dared her to say something optimistic so he could mock her.
    Instead she said, “Then you’ve got a problem.”
    â€œHow’s that?”
    â€œSince you’re building on to this one, you work here.”
    â€œIt’s different when it’s just a shell. Without people.”
    â€œPeople benefit from the good work that happens within the walls you put up.”
    â€œAnd a lot of bad happens,” he said.
    She knew he couldn’t let go of Hannah. “We can’t save everyone. But how many more people would be lost without the benefit of this facility and others like it?”
    He blew out a long breath and met her gaze. “That doesn’t mean I’ll ever be comfortable here.”
    â€œMost people aren’t. I happen to find the environment invigorating as well as serene.”
    â€œThen you’re a sick woman.” A hint of humor replaced the hardness in his eyes, and a smile took the sting from the words.
    â€œThank you,” she said, then remembered her errand. “Considering your aversion to hospitals, isn’t it handy that I found you here.”
    â€œWere you looking for me?” he asked.
    She nodded. “Your sister asked me to.”
    â€œHow’s she doing?”
    â€œI’m discharging her.”
    â€œOkay. Good,” he said, but the tone in his voice said the news was anything but.
    â€œWhat’s going on? I thought you two connected and bonded earlier.”
    â€œWe did. It’s just—” He glanced at the newborns just beyond them.
    â€œShe’s having a baby,” Rebecca guessed. “And that’s a lot of responsibility.”
    â€œSomething like that,” he admitted.
    â€œIf you feel that way, imagine how scared she is.”
    â€œI thought we already established that I don’t have a clue about what she’s feeling.”
    â€œYou don’t really have to. All she wants is for you to be there for her. Medical