Page 30 of The Cowboy’s Secret Lover

Seven

Faith hada plan for her day. First, she would report to the Emergency Room and see patients until noon. Lunch with Aunt Milly, then back to the rodeo for her afternoon shift—that was if she still had a job.

What she didn’t plan to do—in fact, hoped to avoid—was speaking to Dr. Adams. It wouldn’t take long for him to figure out that Faith had violated all manner of protocol in speaking to Dr. Ortega without the patient’s consent. When that truth came to light, Faith would certainly be shown the door. The Bear Creek Hospital would have no choice other than to file a complaint with her placement agency. And from there, who knew?

Best case scenario? She’d get fired.

Worst case? Well, that would be to have her nursing license revoked.

But if it saved Erin’s life—and Kurt’s soul—then her sacrifice would be worthwhile.

Kurt and Faith walked from the truck to the front entrance. She paused once they were inside the doors. “Well, I better get to the Emergency Room.”

“You aren’t going with me?” Kurt asked. “I need you to help explain your plan to Doc Adams.”

Before Faith could say anything, a booming voice asked. “Explain what plan to Doc Adams?”

Her stomach dropped to her shoes. Without turning around, she knew who had spoken. It was Dr. Adams.

“Explain what plan?” he asked again.

“Hey, doc,” said Kurt. He shook hands with Dr. Adams. “Faith has a plan to help Erin.”

The older man lifted a dark brow. “Oh?”

They stood in the middle of the hospital’s entrance. It was still early in the day and not crowded. Yet, it was hardly the place to discuss a patient. There was a small conference room, just passed the front doors. A sign affixed to the wall read, “Volunteer Training.”

“Let’s find some place private to speak.” Moving to the space, Faith held the door open as the men filed past. There was a single conference table that was surrounded by half of a dozen chairs. Once they were all inside, she pulled the door closed. Everyone sat.

Without preamble, Faith began, “The last physician I worked with, Doctor Ortega, is a cardiologist specializing in valve replacement. I assume that you’ve seen the latest reports, Doctor Adams, and you know how dire Erin’s condition has gotten. Heart valve replacement isn’t a surgery that’s routinely performed in Bear Creek, but Doctor Ortega is willing to walk another doctor through the procedure via video conference.” Faith paused and drew a breath. “Well, I think we might be able to operate.”

“It’s an unconventional plan, that’s for sure,” said Dr. Adams.

“But it might work,” said Kurt.

“It might work, but I don’t know. It’ll be hard to convince the insurance company to pay up.”

A spark of anger flickered inside of Faith’s belly. “Hold on a second. Isn’t it our job to save lives and ease suffering? When did money become the only thing that you worried about?”

“When it became my job to keep the hospital open so we can continue to save lives and ease suffering,” said Dr. Adams.

“I’m good for the money, Doc,” said Kurt. “Whatever the cost, I’ll pay.”

“Right now?” Dr. Adams asked.

“Well, no,” said Kurt. “But by the end of the year, I can.”

“Dr. Ortega agreed to donate her time, so she won’t be an expense,” Faith added. “She’s available this evening at seven o’clock. I’ve assisted with this procedure before and can again. I’ll donate my time, as well.”

“It sounds like you two have teamed up to concoct this scheme.” Dr. Adams gave a small chuckle. He continued. “Faith, I assume that you have all the consent forms filled out. I can’t make this happen without a paper trail.”

She swallowed. She hadn’t gotten a single document signed. Yet, they were close to getting Erin the surgery she needed. If Faith admitted to the transgression now, would Dr. Adams refuse to perform the procedure?

“Of course, she does,” said Kurt. “I signed them myself as Erin’s medical proxy.”

Thank goodness Kurt saved her from lying.

Dr. Adams sighed. “Then I suppose I don’t have any choice, do I? Schedule an operating room and I’ll be there at seven o’clock. Until then, I have patients to see.”