Page 38 of Wounded Hearts

Chapter 19

“Areyou happy with the assessments we have so far, or would you prefer to get them in and do more?”

Doc leaned back in his seat at the kitchen table of the Cunningham Estate and regarded Mara earnestly. The older man was an excellent physician with a keen eye for everything the patient didn’t say as well as what they did say. He’d treated her with the utmost professional respect since Drew had introduced her and it felt good.

It made her feel less of a victim, stronger somehow. Allowing her mind to forget the shit she had going on personally and concentrate on her work was the best therapy ever. “Yes, I think that would be helpful. It will allow me to see how they move and examine them properly.”

She made a note and then looked up to see Doc was examining the piece of paper with a slight frown on his face. “If you decide to come on board full time, we can get you set up on the system, so you’ll have your own login and you can keep notes there.”

“Full time?”

Doc angled his head as he crossed his arms over his midsection. “I assume Zack is paying you for your work. I know he wanted someone full time. With the team growing and the injuries becoming more diverse, I need the help.”

“I’m not sure really. For now, this is keeping me busy and helps to get me back to doing what I love.” Mara paused as she thought what to say next. Almost everyone on the team knew her story and it would be good to speak to a doctor as she had a few questions regarding what had happened to her. “I’m not sure what, if anything, you know about my story, but I had two miscarriages this last year. One was second trimester and I never saw a doctor about any of it. Will it harm my chances of conceiving in the future?”

Doc looked up and away like he was giving real thought to her questions. His manner automatically relaxed her; all the best doctors had that ability. He looked her in the eyes, and she felt nerves tighten her belly. “As you may know, miscarriages happen for a number of reasons, sometimes the foetus just stops growing or there’s an underlying condition, but most times there’s no way of knowing why. In my opinion, it’s most likely your miscarriages were caused by the physical trauma you suffered. Obviously, I can’t guarantee that, but it’s my avenue of thought.”

Doc handed her a clean tissue and Mara realised she was silently crying. He patted her hand gently and went on. “That said, you’re young and healthy, and I see no reason why you shouldn’t go on to have more pregnancies. Would you perhaps let me do a couple of scans and some bloods? I suspect after what you’ve been through you may be slightly anaemic. Have you been tired more than usual?”

“A little but I thought it was stress.”

“It may well be, but it might be best to check and then we can get you in tip-top condition so you can take your life back and control it however you see fit.”

Mara considered his words before nodding. “Yes, I think that sounds like a plan.”

“Plans, my dear, are just what you need to help you feel more in control of a difficult situation. But trust me when I tell you if these people say they’ll do something, then you can absolutely guarantee they will.”

The thought, along with his assertion and belief in Fortis, had her smiling as she thought of Drew. What they had shared should terrify her, it was too soon, and had happened under the most stressful of situations and yes, it did scare her a little. But not what they shared, no what terrified her was that she could lose him when he realised she wasn’t exciting, that she wanted a white picket fence, and two-point-four children.

“I’ll set it up and let you know then.”

Doc stood and they both turned as Roz came into the kitchen.

“Hey, Doc.”

“Roz, how are you? Are those girls of yours well?”

Roz snorted. “They’re great. I, however, have a new grey hair every time I look in the fucking mirror.”

“The joys of parenthood. Well, my dear, it doesn’t get easier, let me tell you. I worry myself silly over that boy of mine.”

“Is he still in the sandpit?” Roz asked and Mara frowned.

“He is, but his tour finishes the end of next month and then he’s home for a month on R&R.” He glanced at Mara, before focusing back on Roz. “I’m hoping Zack will persuade Mara to join us so I can take a break for a few weeks. This isn’t the retirement I envisaged,” he said with humour.

Roz tilted her head and smiled. “Come on, Doc, we both know retirement would bore you to death inside a week.”

“Hmm, maybe, but the chance to find out would be nice.”

“Well, with everything we have going on, I doubt that will start anytime soon but maybe Lauren can take care of some of the minor things for you? Ask her.”

“I could I suppose.”

“Lauren?” Mara asked with a frown, not understanding. She didn’t know Lauren had a medical background.

“Oh, I forgot you don’t know everyone or the history behind most things yet. Perhaps ask Lauren next time you see her,” Doc said and frowned at Roz. “Did you need to speak to me about something, Roz?”

Roz shook her head and zeroed in on Mara. “Nope, Mara was the person I was looking for.”