Page 7 of Bonds of Shame, Bonds of Lust

I pinned it next to the others on my bulletin board and felt the familiar tightness in my chest. "It's perfect. Up on the table, kiddo."

Derek Harrington filled the doorway. Dark hair silvering at the temples, broad shoulders under a navy sweater, slate-gray eyes moving across the room the way I imagined a soldier would.

Every time he was nearby, I had the reaction I had fought all my life.

"Bonds," he said, last name only.

"Mr. Harrington." I kept my eyes on Jessica's chart, then turned back to her.

"She's been good," he said, settling into the chair like he owned it. "More energy. Short hikes on weekends. Building stamina."

I nodded, stethoscope already moving to Jessica's chest. Regular rhythm, no extra sounds. "Sats ninety-four. Let's get our echo."

In the ultrasound room, Jessica lay still while I worked the probe. No worsening, but still not where I wanted it.

Derek leaned forward, eyes locked on mine with that focused unyielding attention he brought to everything involving his daughter. "About activity. I'm signing her up for soccer. Recreational league, nothing intense. She needs to move more. The literature supports exercise training programs."

My stomach did its familiar clench. "I don't think that's a good idea, Mr. Harrington. Her rhythm is more unstable than I'm comfortable signing off on for sports yet. Sudden sprints could stress her heart. Fatigue, irregular rhythms, or worse. Walking, swimming, light play are fine. Soccer is too much running."

He exhaled through his nose, half sigh and half something else. "She's not made of glass, Bonds. I've read the studies."

I felt myself tense. "Moderate aerobic exercise is beneficial, yes, but it has to be individualized. One more monitor, clean results, then we can talk light soccer."

Jessica looked between us. "Am I in trouble?"

I squeezed her hand. "Not even a little, sweetie. Your dad and I are just making sure you can run circles around everyone eventually."

Derek's jaw tightened. Then he watched me with Jessica, and his face seemed to soften. "You always win these arguments with the kid card, don't you?"

My quiet laugh sounded nervous in my ears. "The kid card is pretty unbeatable when the kid is this cute."

He tilted his head, leaning slightly forward. "You're killing me here, Bonds. She's got energy to burn and I'm the one who has to explain why she can't play with the other kids."

"You can be the fun dad who promises ice cream after every appointment," I said, quieter now, careful to keep it light for Jessica's sake. "I get to be the cautious one who says not yet."

He rubbed a hand over his jaw. His eyes dropped to my mouth for half a second before coming back up.

The soft pulse shocked me.

I looked back at the echo screen.

"You're enjoying telling me 'no' a little too much," he said.

"I'm not enjoying it at all. I'd love for Jessica to run straight up mountains." I kept my voice professional. "She just can't yet."

A slow reluctant grin pulled at one corner of his mouth. "Fair. But if I out-donate everyone, does that give me veto power?" As he said that he reached down and started adjusting Jessica's already perfect ponytail.

I managed a small laugh, more from nerves than amusement. "We always appreciate your support. But you pay me to give you medical advice. For now you're stuck with it."

"Lucky me," he said, still perfecting Jessica's hair.

Jessica giggled. "Dr. Lacey wins!"

Derek shook his head slowly. "She's impossible, Jess."

He studied me for a moment, eyes unreadable, then nodded once. "Fine. No soccer. Yet. But being overprotective can hurt a kid just as much as pushing too hard."

"I know," I said. "It's a balance I think about carefully."