Time to Heal (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Karen Young Page B

have to have new sneakers, Michael.”
    Michael recognized that tone and clammed up. He hadn’t been around Rachel McAdam a whole day yet, but he knew better than to argue. If she wanted him to have new sneakers, then he would have new sneakers.
    “Is there a special brand you prefer?” she asked briskly.
    “Well, not really, I guess.” He cleared his throat, trying to decide just how much of an opinion he should express. “Whatever’s cheapest.”
    She made a sharp turn into the shoe store and he almost stumbled following her. “You can try them all on, then we’ll see what fits best.”
    Boy, if Mama Dee could only see him now!
     
    B Y T HURSDAY , Rachel was more than ready to begin her job. At home the tension was almost unbearable. She wondered sometimes if the wall between her and Jake could ever be taken down. Michael was a constant reminder of Jake’s infidelity and, for Rachel, of her loss. Her only child might be gone forever. But, she reminded herself bitterly, Jake would always have Michael to fill the void. And so resentment and anger seethed within her. Feeling it, Jake walked around like a man picking his way through a mine field.
    She probably would have been more nervous about starting a career this late in her life had her problems at home been less consuming. As it was, there was little time left to work herself into a state. So, at eight o’clock she was at the hospital eager to begin.
    Immediately after completing the paperwork in the personnel office, she was sent around toHelen Falco, the head nurse in the emergency room, where she received a brief familiarization of the computer and emergency-room routine. Helen showed her the desk she’d occupy, along with other essentials such as the location of the coffeepot and the employee lounge. It was only a few minutes past ten when a commotion at the entrance sent everyone into a state of alert.
    Outside, instead of an ambulance, a police car shrieked to a stop and two uniformed officers jumped out. Rachel recognized both as sheriff’s deputies. One was Leon White, big and burly and black, a veteran of at least ten years. She’d always liked him. The other, the driver, was Ed Sims, younger, but sharp. A good lawman, she’d heard Jake say. While White dealt with the people in the backseat, his partner hurried through the hospital’s automatic entrance. “We need some help here!” Sims yelled. Then, without waiting, he turned and headed toward the vehicle at a jog.
    Through the car window, Rachel could see a girl, a teenager, she thought. She was not unconscious, but there was clearly something wrong. She was weaving slightly, her gaze fixed. Beside her was a teenage boy. He was pale and subdued. At a gesture from White, he climbed out of the car and stood watching as Ed Sims dealt with the girl. There was no response when he called her name. Sims looked relieved when he spotted thetrauma team headed his way. With well-rehearsed efficiency, the gurney was wheeled to the police car. The deputy pulled back to allow the medics access. When he did, the girl slowly keeled over.
    Within half a minute, it seemed to Rachel, the girl was on the gurney, being rushed through the doors. Gesturing for the deputies to follow, the medics snapped out questions.
    Did they suspect a drug overdose?
    Did they know what she’d taken?
    How long ago?
    Rachel watched everything with a feeling of helplessness. She went to her small desk and sat down, mostly because she was afraid her trembling legs would buckle beneath her. It was supposed to be her job to take patient information, she reminded herself, looking at her shaking fingers. She wasn’t certain she could type even if she could remember what she was supposed to ask. Someone touched her shoulder.
    “I’ll take this one, Rachel.”
    She looked up into Helen Falco’s blue eyes. Only fifteen minutes before, Helen had explained what she was expected to do when a patient checked in. She glanced at the file