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He cleared his throat. “I’d only recently joined the hospital staff when Steven’s mother took a turn for the worse.” Rose dropped her gaze, but he continued, “And I saw how you rallied around her, helping Steven’s sister and caring for her yourself. While you didn’t fade as quickly as Melissa, I could see the toll it was taking on you.”
“But Lanie did most of her care,” Rose protested. “And they hired hospice nurses, so my contribution was minimal.”
“I know.” He took a deep breath. “I also know the situation won’t be the same with Steven.”
She stilled, her heart pounding in her chest. What does he mean by that?
“You’re a caretaker, Rose. I’ve seen it here at the hospital with your patients.” When she frowned, he hurried on. “That’s a good thing. It makes you an amazing nurse. But here, it’s easy to maintain boundaries with your patients.”
“You think I can’t do the same with Steven?” she asked coolly.
“Can you?” He raised an eyebrow. “He’s your fiancé, the love of your life, I assume. And I imagine he isn’t taking too kindly to staying in the rehab facility.” She made a face, and he nodded as if she’d confirmed something. “I know his sister has been going there regularly since the school year ended, which is likely lessening your burden.” His eyes narrowed. “But I don’t expect that to last much longer.”
“So what are you saying?”
He touched her hand, his mouth turning down. “Don’t become the next Melissa.”
Chapter Nine
After two weeks in the rehab facility, Steven was ready to leave, and he didn’t care if it happened to be against medical advice. He’d seen through Lanie’s lame attempts to hide how much his business was flailing without him, and the longer he remained in rehab, the more the firm would suffer.
Marvin and his medical team were sitting around the conference table opposite Steven, his father, Lanie, and Rose. Everyone’s face was grim. Dad was the only one who supported his decision, though Steven suspected that had more to do with how much continuing rehab for another two weeks would hurt his father’s bank account.
“You’ve made such amazing progress,” Marvin protested. “Why leave now? Your cast comes off in three weeks, and in another four, we might have you standing again.”
“Outpatient therapy can do that as well,” Steven countered, keeping his voice cool and detached.
“But these first few months after a spinal cord injury are critical. You’d do better with more therapy than you can receive on an outpatient basis.”
“And my firm will fail,” Steven retorted. “I’ve heard the arguments, but they don’t take into account the impact to my personal life.” With a deep breath, he worked to remain calm. “I need to get back to work.”
“Where will you live?” Rose asked quietly. Her brown eyes were filled with unshed tears. It wasn’t the first time she’d asked him that question. “Your house isn’t equipped for a wheelchair.”
“I visited Steven’s house yesterday. Despite the concerns expressed at the hospital, I found the door to the house and to the bathroom on the first floor are wide enough to accommodate his wheelchair. But even if they weren’t, he’ll need a two-person transfer assist to go to the bathroom or to move from the bed to the chair and vice versa,” Adrian, his physical therapist, responded for him. “But that can be accomplished with home care aides.”
Steven sat up a little straighter. While he hadn’t expected his decision to receive much support from his medical team, he was grateful his progress was at least being acknowledged.
“So you support this decision?” Marvin demanded.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Adrian sighed. “But determining what’s best for Steven depends on all the facts, and quite frankly, the stress of being here, away from his work, isn’t good for his spinal injury or his heart.” He turned to Rose. “Some adjustments would need to be made, such as placing a hospital bed downstairs until he’s able to climb stairs again. I believe, with some adjustments and Steven remaining mindful of his limitations, he could live there.” His gaze met Steven’s, and his face hardened. “However, there are other things to consider. How will you get to appointments?”
“While I understand being away from the office is stressing you out, how will you maintain a low stress level if you return to work?” Dr. Myers’s voice came through the intercom in the middle of the table. He hadn’t been able to get away to attend the meeting in person. “I don’t need to remind you of the risk of a second heart attack.”
Steven gestured to Lanie to speak. She shot him a withering look but nodded and leaned forward.
“We plan to hire a law clerk to help while Steven recovers. An experienced law student, even if they haven’t passed the bar, could perform most of the tasks Steven does.” Her hazel eyes flashed fire as she glared at him. “But Steven would still have to review the work and sign off on it.”
“And the appointments?” Marvin asked.
“I’ll drive him,” Steven’s father said. “I’m retired and have already rented an accessibility van.”
The medical team exchanged glances, and Dr. Myers heaved a heavy sigh over the phone. Steven held his breath.
“Again, I state for the record, Mr. McAllister is choosing to leave of his own free will and against medical advice.” Dr. Myers’s voice was authoritative but resigned. “Marvin, fill out the discharge paperwork and let me know if Dr. Bhati or I need to sign off on anything.”
“Thanks for calling in.” Marvin pushed back from the table and stood. “We’ll prepare everything for discharge.”
Rose burst into tears beside him and ran out. Lanie chased her, leaving Steven with his father. Without a word, Dad grabbed the wheelchair handles and guided him back to his room for hopefully the last time.
