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His face fell. “Ah, okay. What does your schedule look like this week? Maybe we could have a date night.”
“I’m off Tuesday and Wednesday.”
“Let’s plan for Wednesday. I’ve got a few deadlines on Tuesday.”
And just like that, her earlier fears came rushing back, but she swallowed them. After all, he’d gone into the office only a couple of days that week. And he has Michael now.
But she still couldn’t shake the nightmarish image of Steven on the floor of his house. Bending down, she kissed his forehead so he couldn’t see her face. “Wednesday sounds great for dinner. We can figure out the details later. I’ve got to get back to work.” Without waiting for a response, she spun on her heel and rushed away from him.
After her rounds were done, she headed to the cafeteria to grab a cup of coffee. When she returned to the nurses’ station, Dr. Myers was waiting for her.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Everything’s great.” It took effort, but she was pleased with the cheery tone she’d infused in her voice. “I hear you had an appointment with Steven today.”
A wariness flashed in his eyes, but when he blinked it was gone. “I did. I was surprised you weren’t there.”
A knot formed in her stomach, but she ignored it. “He forgot to tell me, but my shift was starting anyway.”
“Mm-hmm,” he murmured, his forehead creasing. “Did you want me to tell you what we discussed? He’s granted you access to his medical records.”
The knot tightened, and she fought with herself. On the one hand, it would be smart for her to be kept informed. But on the other hand, it would be difficult for her to review his medical record with the clinical detachment she’d honed over the years in order to be a good nurse. Her reaction to the news of Mr. Patrones clearly demonstrated she couldn’t be impartial when it came to Steven.
The concerned side won over her better judgment, and she nodded. At the very least, it would put her mind at ease to double-check that Steven hadn’t left anything out in his vague report on the appointment.
At her nod, Dr. Myers produced a thick file and handed it to her. “He’s looking much better, but I’m concerned with the level of stress in his life. I suggested that he consider doing some yoga or meditation classes to help calm him when he’s not working.”
Her head shot up. “You approved him to return to work full-time?”
A smile tugged at one corner of Dr. Myers’s mouth, though he appeared to be trying to suppress it. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but you know your fiancé. Would my approval really alter the course he thinks is best for himself?”
Pressing her lips into a thin line, Rose returned her attention to the file. Pigheaded, stubborn man. Of course, Dr. Myers was right. Steven had argued against most of the medical advice he’d been provided thus far. Sometimes, she wondered if Steven gave much credence to career paths other than his own. After all, wouldn’t he be offended if a client went against his sound legal advice?
“Look, while I would prefer him to take things a little more slowly, he’s doing well considering everything he went through.” Dr. Myers put a hand on her shoulder, and she was too shocked by the gesture to flinch. “He’s following the diet I prescribed, and as long as he keeps an eye on his stress level, I don’t see any reason he can’t return to work.”
“Thank you,” she said, relenting. After all, it wasn’t Dr. Myers’s fault Steven was being stubborn. Rose laid that character trait entirely at Max McAllister’s feet. In the nature-versus-nurture argument, the trademark McAllister stubbornness could be traced to both genetics and learned behavior.
“Happy to help.” Dr. Myers stepped back. “And if you have any concerns, you can always come to me.” That time, he didn’t bother to suppress his grin. “Especially if Steven waves them away without fully addressing them.”
She found herself smiling back. He might not have known Steven well, but he clearly knew his type.
When Dr. Myers had gone, she pushed aside the files she had pulled to update, then she opened Steven’s. As the doctor had said, Steven was progressing at a decent rate. Still, his attitude toward his health hadn’t changed, and the similarities between him and Mr. Patrones haunted her. All she could do was continue to keep an eye on him and pray that luck was on their side.
Chapter Seventeen
“I’ve got the Peterson motion ready to go,” Michael said as he entered Steven’s office without knocking.
Ignoring his first instinct to chastise the newest employee, Steven gestured for him to take a seat. At that moment, the important thing wasn’t manners, it was meeting deadlines.
Sure enough, the document was sitting in Steven’s email. He clicked to download it and started skimming through. The arguments were sound, and the case law Michael had found seemed appropriate. Steven frowned. Michael’s citations could use some work, but that was something Sandra, their resident Blue Book expert, could handle.
“How’s the Harris pleading coming?” he asked.
Michael sighed. “Not great. I’m having a hard time coming up with relevant case law. I’ve found some persuasive cases in other jurisdictions but nothing that sets precedent here.”
Steven looked up from his computer. “Have you asked Sandra for help?”
“I have, and she’s not had much luck either.”
