0373011318 (R) (12 page)

“Yes, Dr. Maguire,” the resident said.

She was going to find out what was ailing Gary Trainer if it was the last thing she ever did.

* * *

“Dr. Castle, it’s the active ingredient,” his resident said as he showed him the vial containing the drug and not the placebo.

Reece smiled behind his surgical mask and nodded. “Thank you.”

He took the syringe and held it, ready to inject it.

“You can let Dr. Maguire in now.”

“Yes, doctor.” One of the nurses headed into the scrub room and brought out Vivian.

“You can take her hand, Dr. Maguire.”

Vivian grinned from behind her mask. “Thank you, Dr. Castle.”

He nodded. “Injecting the protocol.” He peered in the microscope and watched as the active ingredient worked its way into Sandra’s brain. They had to wait a few moments for it to work before they could finish up and revive Sandra.

He smiled as he glanced over at Vivian, holding her mother’s hand. There was such a tender love there. Something he’d never experienced. He was envious of the connection she had with her mother because it was what he’d always wanted.

There were times he’d wondered if his parents even wanted him, let alone loved him.

He wasn’t so sure, since he’d disappointed his father so much by heading to medical school instead of singing.

“You’re nothing.”

And the thing was, sometimes he really believed it. He’d really believed he was nothing when Vivian had left all those years ago and then again when his father had died and there was so much left unsaid.

So much he had wanted to say, but it was too late.

His father had died while on stage and Reece was busy during medical school. He’d barely made it in time for the funeral and when he had refused to sing his father’s songs he’d managed to upset what little extended family he had left.

Maybe I should have sung.

The guilt still ate away at him.

“How did it go?” Vivian asked, glancing over his shoulder.

“Beautifully,” Reece said.

“Thank you.”

“It’s my job.” And that was the truth, but also he was happy to do it for her. She had such a hold on him. “Okay, well, let’s get her up to Recovery.”

Vivian leaned over and kissed her mother’s forehead through her surgical mask, while Reece finished.

He walked out of the OR with Vivian. “You know everyone knows what your mother is in here for, right?” Reece asked.

“I know. It was mostly the wrist injury I wanted to keep hidden. If everyone knowing she’s my mother means she gets treatment that may help her, then I don’t care if they know my business at this point. My mother is more important.”

“How were Gary’s scans?” he asked, trying to get his mind off what he’d just witnessed in the OR and to get his thoughts off his father.

“Clean.”

“Clean?” he asked in disbelief. “How can they be clean?”

She shrugged. “I’m about to hit the research lab. I plan to read every darn medical journal about strange neuroscience I can get. There has to be something. It’s almost like Parkinson’s, yet it’s not.”

“You’ll find it. I have faith.”

“You’re supposed to be my partner in this, or have you forgotten?” she asked. “You can come to the research lab too, you know.”

Reece laughed. “I haven’t forgotten, but your specialty is diagnosing the mysterious. The ball is in your court.”

“Thanks. I think.”

“You’ll do well. Your mother will be in Recovery for a couple hours and the protocol does have a side effect of migraines so she’s going to be kept pretty much sedated until the morning. So go work. Figure it out.”

“And where will you be?” she asked.

“What does it matter?”

“I guess it was my roundabout way of asking whether or not you wanted to come dive into back issues of neuroscience magazines and medical journals. You were always good at the research.”

He wanted to do it. He really did, and he wasn’t doing anything now except an OR report. Only he couldn’t. He had to keep his distance from her.

“I would love to, but I have rounds.”

He could see the disappointment in her eyes, briefly. “Sure. Well, thanks again for taking such good care of my mother.”

“It was my pleasure. You’ll figure out Gary’s medical mystery, I have no doubt.”

“I plan to. I’ll see you around.” Vivian left the scrub room and he cursed under his breath. It was for the best.

At least that was what he kept trying to tell himself.

CHAPTER NINE

V
IVIAN
HAD
BEEN
stuck in that lab for two days. Or at least it felt like it. Gary’s condition had stabilized and he was no longer in a medicated coma. He was disoriented and the weakness in his hands was continuing.

The spinal tap came back clear. As with every other test.

All she could do right now was keep Gary in the hospital and under constant supervision. She ran between Gary and her mother’s rooms. While she did that she read every neuroscience magazine that she could and she knew that the other neurosurgeons were beginning to question her ability as a diagnostician.

She heard the gossip. Caught the pointed stares and heard the whispers.

Her career at Cumberland Mills was riding on this.

This was why she was brought in, because she was one of the best in diagnosing and solving perplexing medical mysteries that revolved around the brain. She was positive the answer was under her nose, she just couldn’t see it.

The only one who didn’t question her abilities was Reece.

He was the only one who had encouraged her, who was kind to her when she clearly didn’t deserve that from him. Not after what had happened in the past. Why did he have to be so nice and caring? Why did he have to take care of her mother so well?

Why did he have to be such a damn good surgeon?

And why did he want to be her friend? She didn’t deserve it.

She didn’t want it.

Yes, you do.

“I don’t normally say this, Dr. Maguire, but you look awful,” Gary said weakly from his bed. “You look stressed.”

“You’re one to talk,” she teased.

He smiled weakly at her. “You need to get out of this hospital.”

“I’m not the only one.” She finished her charting. “How are you doing?”

“Tired. I want out of here too.”

Vivian’s heart sank. “I know. I’m working on that.”

“I was supposed to sing at the Red Swallow Bistro down in Printer’s Alley tonight. I got someone else to do it for me—why don’t you go there and have a drink on me? I’ll be fine.”

“No, I’ll stay close by.”

“I know you’re off duty, Doc. I asked. Go. It might help refresh your brain too. I have a private table at the Red Swallow. It’s a nice quiet booth. You can have a drink and enjoy some music. Maybe a change of scenery will help you figure out what’s wrong with me.”

“Did Dr. Castle tell you I’m not a fan of country music?” she asked suspiciously.

Gary grinned. “He did.”

“Is that why you’re pushing this on me?”

“I am. I aim to change your mind yet.” He winced. “Come on, Doc, humor me.”

“I don’t think that will work.” Though she was sorely tempted to get out of the hospital, going back to her mother’s house was no better. It was so lonely there. Maybe she should take Gary up on his offer and go somewhere where no one knew her.

Where no one would be questioning her skills and whispering about how she was a failure.

“Come on, Doc. Just go check out my replacement. It would put me at ease. You know, less stress.”

Vivian rolled her eyes and then laughed. “You’re terrible.”

He grinned again. “I know it.”

She sighed. “Printer’s Alley?”

“It’s not far from here and, besides, the walk will do you good. It’ll clear your mind.”

“I know where Printer’s Alley is. I’m from here.”

“Good, then you know exactly how far it is.”

“I’m not going.”

She had spent so many nights in Printer’s Alley with Reece. Huddled together in a secluded booth having a coffee, talking about medicine or not talking at all. And there had been the time in the winter, when a rare snow had begun to fall early in the season, catching them off guard...

“It’s starting to snow.” Vivian had stood there, staring up at the inky-black sky. “I’ve never seen it snow this early on.”

Reece had stepped out the door of the bistro and stared up at the sky. “Must be El Niño.”

She had snorted and then laughed. “I can’t remember the last time I really watched it snow.”

“It snows every year,” Reece had said.

“Yeah, I know, but I can’t remember the last time I did this—you know?” She had held up her arms and spun around.

“What? Dancing in the snow?”

“No.” She’d stuck out her tongue and caught a snowflake.

“Haven’t you heard about acid rain?” Reece had teased.

“You’re a stick-in-the-mud.”

“Oh,
am
I?”

Then he had pulled her close and begun to sway.

“Let’s dance, then. That’s what I like to do in the snow...”

“So what’s the holdup, Doc? Why won’t you do this one favor for me?” Gary pleaded again, interrupting her thoughts.

“Fine, but you need to rest for the rest of the night. No television. Sleep.”

“Deal, but when you get back I want a report.”

“Fine, but if you’re asleep I’m not going to wake you.”

“Get out of here, Dr. Maguire,” Gary said, laughing, and then laid on his Southern accent really thick. “Go on, now—git.”

She didn’t really want to go to Printer’s Alley to watch Gary’s replacement at a bistro, but maybe a change of scene would do her some good. She changed into her street clothes and decided to take the short walk to the bistro.

It was still early in the evening, but late enough that the sun had set. She could see the pedestrian bridge lit up against the dark night. Usually the streets were quieter in the fall, but it was summer and there were a lot of tourists milling about. They were being brought in by shuttles from various hotels to the normal tourist traps.

The Red Swallow Bistro wouldn’t be on their radar.

Which was good. If she had to endure a night of live country music, she wanted it to be in a relatively peaceful place so she could think.

“Can I help you?” the hostess asked as soon as she walked in.

“Yes, Gary Trainer sent me over.”

“Oh, yes. You must be Dr. Maguire. Gary called me and let me know you were coming,” she said sweetly. “Follow me.”

Vivian followed her through the darkened bistro that had white Christmas lights strung from the low rafters. The mood was definitely intimate and rustic.

“Here’s Mr. Trainer’s booth. Can I get you a drink?”

“A sweet tea with something in it would be nice.”

The waitress smiled. “Sure, I’ll be right back.”

Vivian slid into the booth, which was off to the side and in the shadows. You could see the stage area. The entertainment hadn’t started for the evening. The small stage was lit up with a circle of light and on the wall behind it were various neon signs and signed country music paraphernalia.

The rest of the bistro was wood, brick and stone. It just gave off a rustic feel. That was the best way she could describe it. Vivian relaxed against the plush leather seat in the booth. It had been so long since she’d really relaxed like this.

Seven years was too long.

“Here you go,” the waitress said, setting the tea down. “Mr. Trainer said your drinks are on the house.”

“He doesn’t have to do that. I can pay for my own drinks.”

The waitress shrugged. “He insisted and, since he owns most of the shares in this place, I’m not going to argue with my boss.”

Vivian chuckled. “Fair enough. Thank you. When does the live music start?”

“Soon. If there’s anything else you need, just holler.”

“I will.”

The waitress left and Vivian took a sip of her spiked sweet tea. The alcohol went straight to her head and though she wasn’t sure what they’d put into her tea she didn’t care. It tasted great.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special guest with us here tonight. He’s a close personal friend of Gary Trainer, who is still in hospital, so please give a warm welcome to Reece Castle.”

Vivian almost choked on her sweet tea as Reece came out of the shadows of the stage, a guitar slung around him and his black cowboy hat down low. Reece? He was Gary’s special guest? She knew Reece could sing but why he would agree to it? He hated the spotlight, but it was him. He walked across the stage, keeping his head down as he sat on a stool. The house band came out and sat behind him. Another guitar, an autoharp player, percussion; it was a bit surreal for her.

“Thank y’all for having me here tonight. I thought I would sing some songs that mean a lot to me and Mr. Trainer to let him know we’re thinking about him tonight.”

Vivian watched with bated breath as he began to play the guitar and the lyrics of the song Gary had been singing a few nights ago, Ray Castille’s song
Only Hearts Are Broken
, slipping from his lips, but what made a shiver race down her spine was that she heard Ray’s voice in Reece. Which was eerie since Ray Castille had been dead for a long time, but it was as if he was in the room. She’d heard Reece sing before, but never really listened. It was eerie, hearing him sing like this. She’d never put two and two together before now.

And she wasn’t crazy, as a few people around her began to gasp and whisper, but only for a few moments as they sat back and listened. Reece had the audience under his spell, as if he was weaving words which held them captive and enthralled.

Something she’d never seen him able to do.

He moved so quietly through the halls of Cumberland Mills. Almost like a shadow. He didn’t speak out or step out of line. Most people thought he was harmless and didn’t think twice about him, but she knew better. Vivian knew that he didn’t take guff from anyone and he was fiercely talented.

Here, though, he had a commanding presence.

With his voice he reached out to the audience and ensnared them, holding them captive. It was mesmerizing and she was just as captivated as the rest of the audience. Just as spellbound. And when his performance finally came to an end there was a standing ovation, which she joined in.