Moira watched him and understood exactly what was going on. “Pat.” When he wouldn’t stop pacing nor look up, she called out again, using a more forceful tone. “Patrick!”
He stopped and looked at her, desperately trying to disguise the tears that were welling up in his eyes. She sighed, seeing his deep anguish. “It’s ok to be afraid, Pat. Let yourself process this. You don’t have to be strong right now, no one is watching. You’re safe here with me.”
He closed his eyes, feeling solace from the words his mother spoke to him. His bottom lip started to quiver and before he could compose himself, the tears started streaming down his cheeks. Moira rushed over to him and held him tightly as he sobbed.
She stroked his back in hopes that it would soothe him. “There you go. It’s not good to leave all that bottled up inside you. It’ll be ok, Pat. Yes, it doesn’t look good right now, but you said it yourself. Kit lands on her feet. She’s a fighter. Somehow everything will be ok.”
Sully pulled back and looked at his mom. “God, I sure hope so. I don’t know how to do this without her.” He hung his head.
Moira grinned and lifted his chin to stroke his cheek and wipe a tear. “She’s not the kinda woman that would leave this world from the bullet of some asshole that tried to hold her down years ago. Not her style.” Her eyes reflected a hope that served as a life preserver for him.
Sully tilted his head to the side. “Do you know who this guy was?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I just learned about him from Spencer. He gave me the background.”
Sully sighed. “Well then can you clue me in? ‘Cuz I’m feeling left out in the dark here and supposedly this guy wanted to kill me too.”
Moira met his eyes. “That was someone that worked with him. Ok, I’ll tell you the story—what I know at least, and you’ll have to consult with Giselle or Spencer for more. I’m only doing this because Kit can’t tell you herself. Normally I wouldn’t…”
Sully placed his hand on top of hers. “Please, Mom.”
She nodded. “Ok.” As she started going back into Kit’s history, Sully listened intently hanging on her every word.
* * *
Kyle paced in the physicians’ lounge ten minutes after he had finished a debriefing with his superior, Dr. Perry. He had received massive kudos and even more hints at an offer of a permanent position on the cardiothoracic surgical team soon after he completed his residency in six months. Dr. Perry had been impressed with Kyle’s performance in Kit’s surgery. It had been a massive success. He held up well under a the pressure of a stressful, live-saving, four-hour surgery.
Seeing Kit, though, had thrown him into a tailspin evaluating his life trajectory more than he had anticipated. To get his bearings back, he had asked for some time off. Dr. Perry easily approved it, encouraging Kyle to take an extended period since he had not taken a vacation or even a planned day off since he started his residency at the hospital two and a half years prior.
There was only one matter of business that Kyle had to attend to before he could sign himself out on vacation. That sole task left him in a complete state of resistance. Dr. Perry was off his shift for the night and asked Kyle to speak to Kit’s husband about her improving condition and recovery.
He was seized with internal conflict as he struggled with his moral conscience. Part of him wanted more than ever to have another chance with Kit, yet a nagging feeling remained telling him he had given up his option years ago. She had moved on, married, and he had to deal with it. Seeing her in person again, reopened all of those old wounds as if they were freshly inflicted. The mere thought of talking with a man he knew Kit would be spending the rest of her life with angered him.
Always the professional, he threw on his white lab coat over his scrubs and headed out, grabbing her chart on the way. He scanned a nurse’s note listing family member names and recognized Spencer’s name as the next of kin below Sully. He had no idea how he would explain himself to Spencer after all these years, but he knew he had to get his job done.
He closed the chart and approached the waiting room, expecting to see Moira and Spencer, but they weren’t there. Only the larger than life rock star, Sully Foxx, and an attractive, petite, brunette young woman remained. Sully, fueled by tremendous anxiety and concern, paced like a caged tiger.
Kyle swallowed hard and approached. Giselle noticed him coming and tugged on Sully’s arm. He shifted his focus up to Kyle and met his lucid, sage green eyes.
Kyle nodded and extended his hand. “I’m Dr. Nicholls. I was one of the surgeons working on Kit McKenna this evening along with Dr. Perry who I understand you’ve already spoken with. I’d like to take a moment to brief you on her current condition.”
Sully shook his hand vigorously and bobbed his head with approval. “Sully Foxx, Kit’s husband. It’s great to meet you, Dr. Nicholls. Dr. Perry said she made it through surgery well, but was still in critical condition. How is she doing? Is she going to be ok?”
He paused for a moment, stuck on the word ‘husband’ that Sully uttered confidently with ease. He forced his personal feelings aside to do his job.
He met Sully’s eyes and nodded. “Yes, she’s
