“You. If I don’t make sure you eat when you’re in this mode, you will starve. How is she?” Nia pointed to the scans as she took a seat at Sky’s desk. “Charlie Kneeland, right?”
“Yeah.” Sky put the scans to the side and took a seat opposite Nia. “As far as her brain injury, there is a bit of short-term memory loss, but for the most part, her cognitive functions are returning to normal. It’s her spinal injury that has me worried. She’s been in therapy for close to a week, but so far, she can’t feel the lower half of her body. Based on these new scans, she seems to miraculously be healing nicely. I don’t get it.”
“Maybe it’ll just take a bit more time.” Nia served the food on paper plates and handed one to Sky.
“Maybe.” Sky was still pondering what she could do or have done differently.
“You’ve really taken a personal interest in her. Does Remington Kneeland have anything to do with that?”
Sky looked up from her plate. “Why would you ask that?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Nia shrugged. “Maybe because since you met him, you’ve been walking on sunshine.”
“My moods have nothing to do with Remington.” Not completely anyway. Sky thought. “This case is just—Charlie reminds me so much of myself when I was younger.”
“Oooohhh . . . That’s got to be terrifying.” Nia laughed.
Sky laughed too. “Shut-up. I was an amazing kid.”
“Amazingly terrible.” Nia slowly turned serious. “I want to meet him.”
“Who?”
“The man who has done the impossible and turned you inside out.”
Sky still looked thoroughly confused.
“He’s captured your attention, and that is no easy feat. He deserves a medal just for that alone. Any more workout sessions?” Nia took a bite of her own food.
“First, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but Remington is the father of my patient.”
“I think you need to get laid and you said you were mildly attracted to him.”
Sky forgot she told her that part. Thank God I didn’t tell her the really juicy parts. She thought. “Second, even if I were mildly attracted to him, things are crazy at the hospital right now. I have to be three times as good as my male counterparts, some of which can barely stitch a wound, to gain just a modicum of respect. It would be nearly impossible if I were caught doing something like sleeping with my patient’s father.”
“You have admitting privileges at most of the hospitals in Chicago. With your experience, you could practice at any hospital in the country. Screw them if making you feel small makes them feel better.” Nia munched on her food. “Anyway, back to the deliciousness that is Remington Kneeland. I saw what he looked like on the internet. If I had a snowball's chance in hell of hooking up with him,” Nia snickered. “I wouldn’t mind doing some things that might damage my reputation.”
Sky listened to Nia drone on and on about what she would do with Remington. She smirked as she thought about that incredible kiss they shared in the gym. The mere thought made Sky’s body heat up.
If Nia only knew, Sky had already done a few things any respectable woman who cared about her career would never do, but she decided to keep that bit of information to herself.
Chapter 16
Sky walked into the rehabilitation room to find Charlie at a station where she was half-seated in a wheelchair-like contraption, and with the help of staff members, was pulling herself up onto two very long but stationary poles. Charlie’s face was flushed and showed her focus and determination.
She was working hard to exercise. The muscles in her upper body were weak, but functioning. However, the lower half of her body, where she still did not have any feeling, was more challenging to exercise.
Sky tucked her hands in her white lab coat. “Wow. Look at you. At this rate, you’ll be ready for the Olympics in no time.” Sky smiled as she rooted her on.
Charlie’s hair had fallen in her face, and she tried to blow it away. “I’m following your advice.”
“What was that?”
“You said the mind was very powerful and to focus.” Beads of sweat had permeated across her brow. Charlie’s voice was strained. “Mind over matter, right?”
“Mmmhmm.” Sky watched her intently. She turned to the physical therapist. “How long have you guys been at it?”
He shrugged. “About twenty minutes. We were just about to wrap it up.”
Charlie whined. “No. I don’t want to stop yet. I can go a little longer.”
“You know? I didn’t realize until just this moment how much you remind me of your father.” Sky crossed her arms across her chest.
Charlie’s expression changed as she sat back down in her wheelchair. Her voice was low. “I’m nothing like him.”
“Really? I see a brilliant and determined young woman. Your dad showed that exact same determination the entire time you were unconscious. He never left your side. If I didn’t know any better, he probably willed you back to this side of the heaven.”
“My dad—” Charlie paused. “Was here? With me? The entire time? My mom said—” She cut off her words.
Sky didn’t want to speak out of turn but also wanted Charlie to know the truth. “From what I understand your dad was on a plane within minutes of finding out you were hurt. He even called and harassed me from China, and once he got here, I know for a fact, he never left your side.”
Charlie laughed. “Harassment. Now that sounds like my dad. What did he say to you?”
“He asked if I was the
