Broken: Healing Her Heart

ur for you, Merry Haines, the Hope Coun

hed away from the computer. The hour was well past midnight, but the ER remained

familiar face of her patient. Annie Hinkle, a fifty-year-old woman looking a decade ol

was the second time Annie had been here over the past month. The last time w

a took a deep breath and let it out slowl

rely met hers befo

gentle as she approached. She had the distinct impression the

fused to meet her gaze but kept staring down at her arm as if

at all, Larissa murmured

oking at the injury, knowing there was no possible way this had happened from a fall. She could clearly envision a mans large hand s

sure the doctor will want X-rays, too. She kept her voi

in a half-hearted shrug. M

ain pill. She batted a wave of helplessness aside. Are you hurt

st my

d then Ill be right back. Sure. Annies gaze jerked

er, and she fought them back with an effort. Struggling to keep her emotions under control, she grabbed an ice pack

he wanted admitted. She hovered nearby, waiting until he finished his c

he thought she was hiding her feelings pretty well. I need you to examine my patient in

e faded. A

ital for six months, but shed thought shed proved h

let me finish up this inpatient

pack between her hands to activate the chemical reaction inside. Here, place

anything as she placed th

h the womans wall of denial. Annie, you dont have to put up with

f the porch. Her voice rose with indignation, and instinctivel

forced a reassuring smile. Youre such a nice woman, and you certain

he asked. I understand you

ice pack from her wrist. His eyebrows pulled together in a dark frown when he saw the extent of the injury.

computer. AP and lateral views? s

e Annie a stern look. You know this did

s beginning to sound desperate. I

owledging their dilemma, and then turned toward Annie. Okay, just relax for now. The radiology tech will be here s

cou

ed in her password along with Annies name and ID number. The Percocet drawer popped open, and sh

sheriffs department, h

e right thing could also backfire in a big way. But you heard her. Theres no way shes going to press charges against her

is dark brown hair. You could be

ctims, but more often than not, it created a vicious cycle, one that couldnt be broken unless the vic

iolence isnt going to help, Gabe said with a

ght. She could only hope that the police could get thro

nt end up back in the ER with injuries that wer

rd, keep A

n disbelief. Youre telling

hat do you want me to say? I could haul Kurt Hinkle down to

enough evidence there to charge him w

d? The deputy sighed heavily. Without Annie testifying against him, this could be made to look

egardless, he kept his attention focused on the problem at hand. He just couldnt believe th

k eye from a few we

d. I dont r

ift, Larissa pointed out.

ttern, but again, not likely. I got a black eye myself playing softba

as saying, but that didnt mean he

if you want me to. At least he

harshly. Dont. What? Gab

thats why. Larissa turned toward Deputy Armbruste

doing? Why wasnt Larissa standing up for their patien

sparking fire. So next time he can

step back. No,

l talk to Annie, okay? Maybe I

thing changes. Gabe? We need your help over here, Me

talk to Annie,

other patient who was clearly in distress. The beeping oxygen-saturation moni

on saving this gentlemans life. He placed the breathing tube and then q

cent, Merry announc

guys vital signs, reassured that he was holding his own, at least for the mome

Merry p

o where Larissa was sitting beside Annie Hinkle. Annie was staring down at the cast hed order

far worse. The good news was

ave to discharge her home.

hone number, Larissa said, pressing a small, folded piece of paper into Annies uninjured hand.

ly, Im fine. Just a bit klutzy. Reme

et Larissas. Her softly spoken yes

time, Laris

wi

ation between the two women. Hed sensed right from the start that Lariss

ething more personal? He was surprised by the flash

was attracted to her, not just because of her pretty face and soft, wavy, blonde hair. But because they were both extremely dedicated to their patients and shared the s

nce from her. Romance and work did not

a year, hed gained the respect hed so desperately needed. Soon, he hoped to win the position

personal relationship, espec

the door, he couldnt help wishing that hed met Larissa under differe

liked her,