CHERISH (The Billionaire's Rules, Book 12) by Kelly Favor Page B

improve.”
    Ivy stood up and walked across the
waiting room, wanting to be nearer to Cullen.   Her heart was soaring, but she was also
thinking about the fact that Cullen needed to be told about his father’s
arrest.
    When she approached, Cullen turned and
gave her a smile and a wink, before turning back to Peg and her father.
    “Dr. Sharpe, I knew you would do it,” Peg
sobbed.   Snot was pouring from her
nose and she wiped it away with a crumbled tissue.   “I knew…I knew that Becca would live if
you were the one who operated on her.”   And then there was another round of sobbing.
    “Thank you for your confidence and
encouragement,” Cullen said.   “I’m
just glad that Becca fought through the surgery.   She’s clearly strong, with lots of love
and support from her family.”
    Mr. Woodhouse rose to his feet and then
threw his arms around Cullen.   “I
owe you my life,” he said.   “You are
like family to me now,” he said.   His voice was choked with emotion.
    Cullen stepped back.   “I was only doing my job, just as any
surgeon would have done.”
    Ivy wiped her own tears from the corners
of her eyes.
    Even though Cullen was being modest, she
could sense that he was absolutely jubilant and relieved now that the surgery
had been successful.   His spine was
straight, his shoulders square, his eyes brimming with confidence that she
hadn’t seen before.  
    It wasn’t just confidence, she realized,
watching him as he continued to give compassionately to this family that had
dragged him through the mud and put him through the ringer, forcing him
practically at gunpoint to operate on a sick girl.
    But Cullen Sharpe had faced his demons
and conquered them.
    And even after hours and hours of
intensive surgery, he was like a new man.   “Would you like to see Becca now?” Cullen asked them.
    “Really?” Peg gasped.   “We can see her?”
    “She’s conscious,” Cullen said, “so it
might be nice to have a very quick visit.   I don’t think we should stay more than a few minutes, because Becca
needs to rest and recover.   However,
I think it would be wonderful for her to see you both.”
    Peg and Mr. Woodhouse were like a couple
of kids on Christmas morning.   They
were giddy and excited, laughing, their eyes showing with tears of joy.
    Ivy felt their joy, but for slightly
different reasons.
    Cullen had fulfilled his end of the
bargain, which meant that in all likelihood, the DA wasn’t going to pursue any
charges against him for negligence in Jillian’s death.   
    Nor should he have to defend
himself—Jillian died because she was ill and had an underlying condition
that nobody was aware of, not because Cullen was negligent.
    They went back into the hospital hallway
and Cullen led them through to the critical care unit, and then brought Peg and
her father into the room to visit with Becca.  
    Ivy waited just outside in the hallway.   But she could hear the words of love and
encouragement that Peg and Mr. Woodhouse said to Becca, and it brought more
tears to Ivy’s eyes.
    Cullen was with them, his bedside manner
impeccable, calming, soothing the weary family.
    Ivy wished she didn’t have such horrible
news to tell Cullen in what should have been a time of victory and vindication.
    When they left Becca’s room a few moments
later, an older doctor came over and intercepted Cullen.
    “Dr. Sharpe,” the man said, extending his
hand.
    Cullen shook the man’s hand.   “Doctor,” he said.   “Good to see you.”
    “I just wanted to tell you that word has
already spread about the job you did saving Becca Woodhouse’s life.   Not one in a million surgeons could’ve
done what you did today.   It’s an
honor to have you practicing medicine at our hospital, and I just thought I
should say that.   There are many
here who feel like I do.”   He
smiled.
    “Thank you,” Cullen said.   “That means the world to me.”
    And then they were walking again, and Ivy
couldn’t