He sucker punched her. Her blood pressure shot through the roof. Did he really think he was going to dismiss her after all the work she’d done and give her patient to Noah? “Wait a minute? What do you mean I’m off the case?”
“We can discuss this later, Sky.” He said in a dismissive tone.
“That’s Dr. Kirby! I am a doctor just like the other men in this room. Show me the same goddamn respect! Noah is a great doctor, but he doesn’t know a nerve root from a dura. Charlie needs the best care, and I shouldn’t be shut out because I don’t have a penis swinging between my thighs.”
Dr. Shaw’s face turned three shades of red. He was not just angry but embarrassed. He lost it. “Have you lost your mind you arrogant, egotistical–bi. . .!?!” He didn’t finish what he was going to say. “Don’t think for one second that just because you are a gifted surgeon that I won’t fire your ass!”
“You won’t have to fire me. I quit!” Sky stormed out of the office angrier than she had ever been in her life.
After she left, Dr. Shaw apologized. “I’m sorry, gentleman, that you had to witness some of the ugliness of hospital business. Sky Kirby has always been a difficult woman to deal with.”
Remington had had enough. He had spent too much time away from his daughter dealing with this shit show. He turned steely eyes toward Dr. Shaw. “Difficult or not, Dr. Henson thinks she’s the best person to treat my daughter. Therefore, so do I.”
“But, Mr. Kneeland–” Dr. Shaw began to protest.
“No, buts. Get her back. Fix it.” He never raised his voice, but his tone left no room for argument. “Otherwise, wherever Dr. Kirby takes her talents, my money and I will follow.” He turned to Dr. Thomas Henson. “Thank you for coming and for your expert opinion.” He shook his hand. “If you will excuse me, I think I’m done here.” Remington started to walk out of the office. “One more thing, I don’t need a physician who doesn’t know the difference between whatever the hell it was Dr. Kirby said. I have no need of your services.”
Noah was furious. He hadn’t said or done anything, yet Sky managed to make him look like a sniveling fool in front of some very powerful men.
As he watched Remington’s retreating back, Noah vowed that he would make Sky pay for the damage and embarrassment she had caused him.
*****
Sky had boxes on her desk and was packing her things when Remington entered her office. She was also on her phone. “Uh-huh. A misunderstanding. That’s what Dr. Shaw is calling it?” She spoke on the phone with Human Resources. “Thank you.” Sky disconnected.
“Did he fix it?”
Sky hadn’t heard Remington enter her office. She glanced up. The man moved so silently it freaked her out. “Excuse me?” The sound of his voice got to her every time. The man exuded sex appeal.
“I asked if Dr. Shaw gave you your job back.”
“Considering I quit, it’s interesting you should ask. That was Human Resources on the phone. The woman said that it was all a misunderstanding. I am guessing you had something to do with his sudden change of heart?”
Remington took a seat without being asked. “You might not want to remain at this hospital, but if Doc Henson says you’re the best, then Charlie needs you. I hope whatever you do, you keep that in mind.”
Sky’s decision to leave, or stay, wasn’t about the good old boys club. It was about saving lives. She wouldn’t allow her justifiable anger to keep her from doing just that. She sighed. “Of course. If you want me to remain Charlie’s physician, I will. Sometimes the purpose of things can get a little crazy when egos are involved, and I apologize.”
“I apologize too. We got off to a rocky start and haven’t really had a chance to talk. When we have, it hasn’t been very pleasant.” He was tired and dark circles had formed around his eyes. “The bottom line is I can tell you’re not only good at what you do but passionate about your work. Charlie’s going to need every bit of luck and people like you in her corner.”
“Thank you,” Sky spoke softly.
Remington got up to leave. “Thank you for what you are doing for Charlie. And let me know if you need anything else. Just say the word, and I’ll make it happen.”
“All I have to do is just say the word, huh?”
A slow lop-sided grin appeared on Remington’s face. “It can’t be easy doing what you do even when you’re at the top of your game. I just witnessed it first-hand. In this case, your success will hopefully translate into my daughter’s success. So, yeah. You need it. Name it. It’s yours.”
His words lingered after he walked out of the door. You need it. Name it. It’s yours. Lost in thought, Sky sat down and leaned back into her chair while steepling her fingers together. It wasn’t easy to make a first, or second impression, but Remington Kneeland was doing a damned good job of it.
Chapter 10
Sky opened the door to Charlie’s room and found Remington asleep
