Page 19 of Before the Bond
I paused in the middle of the corridor.
The harsh whisper came from further down.
I slowed down and drew closer. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I was pretty sure they were talking about me.
Peering around the corner, I saw Caleb and Donovan in the corner of a room. Donovan stood rigid, arms crossed tight acrosshis chest. Caleb's hand rested on the back of a chair, his knuckles white.
“How is bringing her here supposed to help us?” Donovan said. “We could have gotten anyone else to take care of Jake.”
“This is best for everyone,” Caleb urged.
“You’re being riskier than usual,” Donovan said. “Having her here will mess things up.”
Caleb raised his hand. “I’m not talking about this anymore, Donovan.”
Donovan opened his mouth to respond, but Caleb had already turned and disappeared into another corridor.
I pressed my back to the wall and waited for the sting to settle in my chest. I reminded myself it was normal for families to be skeptical. They had every right to question my abilities.
So why did that feel so bad?
A shadow fell over me.
I flinched as Donovan came around the corner and saw me.
He stopped. His eyes narrowed further.
I clung tighter to Jake’s charts.
“Were you listening?” he asked.
I steadied myself. “Enough to know you have concerns about my being here.” My voice still came out shaky. “I’d prefer you direct itatme rather than around me.”
Donovan’s expression eased, but he didn’t look happy either.
“You weren’t our first choice,” he said. “No offense, but we don’t take kindly to outsiders.”
“That much was clear.”
“I don’t doubt you’re capable,” he said. “Your nursing history’s enough to prove that.”
“Then what does it have to do with?”
He looked at me for a long moment. “You’re just not one of us.”
My throat tightened.
“You understand this is temporary,” he said. “You’ll be gone when it’s over.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t care about my patients,” I said. “Jake is sick and he trusts me. And I’m going to make sure I don’t take that for granted.”
Donovan held my gaze. “Good,” he said plainly.
“Oh, and don’t even think about going past the perimeter,” he said. “I know you like snooping, but the wildlife in this area can be unpredictable. The last thing we need is an injured nurse.”
Then he was gone.
I stood in the hallway and sank back against the wall.
