Practicing Partners (Maiden’s Bay #2)

Chapter Twenty-Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“WE’RE HEADED THERE right now.” Bran pressed the end call button on the touch screen, other hand on the steering wheel.

“Does he have a history of this?” Aubrie clutched her purse in the front passenger seat.

“Not that I know of.” But Bran had been out of Maiden’s Bay for years. It wasn’t hard to believe he was kept out of the family loop when it came to just about anything. Like his dad and stepmom moving to Florida. “I wouldn’t put it past him not to tell anyone. You know how doctors make the worst patients.”

Aubrie nodded, and they rode in silence the rest of the way to White Bend. It didn’t have quite the prestige as Seattle University Hospital, but Bran was thankful it was here. There was no telling how bad Doc Bernie’s situation would be if he had to go all the way to Seattle.

The hospital was a beige, two-story, rectangular building. Bran swore The University of Washington’s library was larger. He parked the car, and they entered through the emergency doors. Edith shot up out of her chair in the waiting room upon seeing them.

“Hey, Edith.” Bran gave her a hug, something he hadn’t ever done. She looked so worried and ran right up to him, it was the natural thing to do. “What happened? You were both in the office on a Sunday?”

“You know Doc. He had gotten behind on some paperwork at the office. Had a stack of papers a mile high. I offered to help him go through them, and he offered me overtime. Said that Sunday would be best since we wouldn’t be open for patients except for emergencies.”

“What happened then?” Aubrie asked. “Were you in the room when it happened? Or did you find him?”

“I heard a noise and ran to his office. I found him passed out on the floor. Nearly fell on top of his desk. I thought maybe he’d had a heart attack or stroke. But he was just out cold. By the time the paramedics arrived and I called you, he came to. I think he’ll be okay.” Edith touched his shoulder.

“Can we see him?” Aubrie asked.

“They won’t let anyone see him yet. They assured me they’d come out once they had more information.”

Bran hated the waiting game. He knew how parents, spouses, loved ones of patients fretted in the waiting room. How they watched the television screen like zombies, not processing anything because all they could think about was their loved one possibly dying.

He grabbed a cup of water from the water jug and sat down next to Aubrie. What if Doc Bernie didn’t pull through? What would happen?

Bran paced the waiting area, feeling awful it took an emergency to knock some sense into him. How could he even have considered selling Doc’s practice, and kept it a secret? The water suddenly didn’t sit well in his stomach.

He rubbed his face in his hand. It all made sense what he had to do. In order for Doc and Aubrie to have what they wanted, for the town to have what it needed.

He had to walk away from it.

It was the right choice, one he should’ve made a long time ago, before things got complicated. Before he fell for Aubrie, before he grew fond of town. He had to tell Doc and Aubrie he was out of the running. The thought of Doc Bernie dying with the chance he’d leave the practice to Bran, when it should go to Aubrie, would eat away at him. More than it already had. Not just that. He could lose the family member who actually gave him a chance to prove himself. To believe in himself.

“Hey.” Aubrie grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly. “He’s going to be okay. He’s a strong man. Not just fit for his age, but he’s got the will of a lion.”

Bran faintly smiled. “You’re right about that. If anyone could pull through, it’s my grandfather.” His attention veered to the new arrivals through the entrance doorway, surprised at the recognition. A grayer, aged version of Nathaniel faced him. “Dad?”

“Bran.” Dad came over, Rita with her cropped dark curls and worry on her round face behind him. Dad grasped Bran in a hug.

Bran didn’t know whether to pat his back, squeeze tighter, or ask what happened to his father.

Dad released him from the awkwardness. “What’s going on?”

“We don’t have any news yet. Just waiting.”

“Rita and I worried about this sort of thing happening.”

“You knew he was having issues?”

“No.” He shook his head vigorously. “It’s just that your grandfather is getting up there in age. With Rita and me moving to Florida, we worry there’s no one looking out for him when he’s up here. But knowing you’ll be here, taking over the practice… I have to admit it’s a bit of a relief.”

Bran didn’t think his heart could sink any further, but his father’s words managed to push it deeper. Who knew Dad actually had genuine concern over Doc Bernie, let alone trusted Bran to look after him? And what did he mean when he’s up here?

“Actually, it’s good you’re here, too. Not just for Doc Bernie’s sake. There’s something I need to tell everyone.” Bran turned to Edith and Aubrie. “Dad, Rita, this is Aubrie Turnbridge. The doctor I’ve been working with at Doc’s.”

Dad firmly shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Aubrie. I’d love to hear what it’s been like working with this guy.”

Aubrie smiled briefly.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, but there’s something you all need to hear.”

“What is it?”

A man in scrubs came through the double doors near the check-in desk. He lowered his mask and took off his cap. “Are you all here for Bernie Jackson?”

“Yes.” Bran swallowed down the lump in his throat.

“He’s doing okay. Looks like he fainted due to anemia. It’s not an uncommon side effect of the rheumatoid arthritis medication. We’re running a few more tests just to rule out anything else.”

Bran had a thousand questions that refused to line up in his mouth.

“Can we see him?” Dad asked.

“We can send two back at a time. But he has asked specifically for Doctor Jackson and Doctor Turnbridge.”

Bran looked to Dad, who nodded in agreement.

“I can take you two back, and when you’re finished, rotate.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Bran followed him with Aubrie at his side, going over the steps he’d have to take to concede. He’d have to close matters out with attorney Mitch Henderson, keep in contact with Doctor Fredericks in Seattle to make sure he survived probation. Then, maybe look for something else in Maiden’s Bay. Maybe this hospital would want his expertise.

But the silver lining in all of this was thinking of a life with Aubrie. Giving their relationship all he had.

The doctor stopped at a doorway to a patient room. “I didn’t mention before, but we nearly had to give him a sedative the more he came to. Of course, with the anemia, that wasn’t advisable.”

“What?” Aubrie eyed Bran. He thought the same thing. Did passing out freak Doc Bernie out?

“I just want you to be aware of his mental state.” The doctor tapped the doorway, door ajar. “Doctor Jackson? The visitors you asked for.” He nodded for them to walk in. Bran entered after Aubrie.

“Hey, Doc,” she said in a sweet voice. “Had us in a good scare there.”

“Tell me about it.” He sighed and smiled, seemingly in good spirits given the circumstance.

Aubrie sat in the chair next to his bed, and Bran remained standing next to her.

“How are you feeling?” Bran asked.

“I’ve been better. Been worse.”

“I don’t think I want to hear about the worse bit.” Aubrie tapped the back of Doc’s hand, minding the wires from the IV. “Let’s just agree that is behind us, and we’ll go from there.”

“I didn’t know you had rheumatoid arthritis,” Bran said.

“No one did but me and my medical team.” Doc Bernie said it with an heir of obstinacy. “No one asked me why. Why retire now? I know plenty of doctors practicing in their seventies.”

Aubrie took a deep breath. “Your hands.” She clasped his hand tighter. “I had noticed a while back but didn’t put it together.”

Doc Bernie nodded. “With the stiffness, and mobility not what it used to be, I just knew it was time. Luckily, there are more medications out there than ten, twenty years ago. Unfortunately, this latest one doesn’t seem to agree with me.” He smiled with an air of sadness.

“I’m sorry, Doc,” Bran said. About many things. He had noticed, thinking back, but he’d been so wrapped up in his own drama to be concerned about Doc’s health. “I should’ve paid more attention.”

Doc nodded. “Actually, could you help me out?”

“Sure.” Bran stepped closer to the bed. “Do you need up?”

“Can you grab something out of my clothes. I think they’re over there, in a bag.”

Bran turned around and located a big plastic bag with Doc Bernie’s items in it.

“There’s an envelope in my jacket pocket.”

“Okay.” Bran fished through the clothes, locating the jacket and the envelope inside. He glanced at the return address, and the lump in his throat returned. Seattle University Hospital… Health Care Real Estate Group.

“Would you hand that to me?” Doc Bernie stared right into his eyes. The charade was over.

Doc knew.

Bran slowly handed it over to Doc.

“Edith was helping me go through paperwork earlier today, when I came across this. At first, I thought it was a shot in the dark, perhaps spam that all practices were getting.”

“Doc—”

“But then I put it together. Of course. I should’ve known, but then again, I didn’t think my own grandson would trick me into handing him the practice, only for him to sell it.”

“What?” Aubrie turned to him. “What is he talking about?”

“Here,” Doc said. “Read it for yourself.” He handed Aubrie the letter. “Or did you want to tell her first, Bran?”

“Aubrie, I—”

Aubrie held up a finger to quiet him. She rose out of her chair, scanning the letter. “But this, this wasn’t you, Bran, right? You didn’t pitch them the practice.” She read clear to the end, her breathing quickening. “You want to sell the practice to Seattle University Hospital? All this time, you….”

“I didn’t know they’d send something out before—”

“Before what? Before Doc gave it all to you? You’d sell your family’s practice? The one that provides care to so many people in town?”

“You said yourself how the area could use better access to medical care.” It was not the answer he should’ve said. But it didn’t register that way until hearing it.

“Oh, so, what? You were trying to trick me into agreeing with you? Bran, I meant it wouldn’t hurt to have new satellite locations out where Grace Donchik lives. Don’t twist my words around.” She pointed at Bran, her anger in her shaky hands. “And even so, I would never agree with throwing away Doc’s practice. Especially behind his back.”

“Why, Bran?” Doc’s voice broke, breaking Bran’s heart. “What could they possibly give you to do such a thing?”

Bran looked down, shoes and floor tiles blurry.

“I know why.” Aubrie nodded. “That’s right. Makes sense now. I know exactly why.”

“Aubrie—”

She turned back to Doc. “It’s because he’s on probation. And he’s worried they won’t reinstate him into the residency program. Serving your practice on a platter would make some board members reconsider.” She turned back to Bran. “Am I missing anything out of that?”

Bran wanted to scream. To tell her he had been wrong from the start. That he knew better now, that the practice meant more to Maiden’s Bay than it ever could to some other hospital. That she helped him see how self-absorbed, selfish, and hurtful his behavior was. That things were different now.

But all of that didn’t matter. It didn’t erase the fact that he came up with the plan in the first place. So, he didn’t scream. “That’s the gist of it.”

Even though Aubrie had guessed it, the letdown in her eyes was unbearable. As if a part of her held out hope she was wrong.

“I don’t know what to say.” Doc Bernie took a long blink. “I have a grandson who would squander my legacy, the one thing I built over my life that means the most to me. The most outside of family.” He eyed Bran again, a stare full of daggers and disappointment. “I guess it just hit me hard, reading those words, realizing their full meaning. I thought my heart hit the floor, but everything turned black.” His eyes filled with tears, the heart monitor beeping faster.

Aubrie patted his shoulder. “Maybe we should go so you can rest.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about the probation, Bran?”

“I….” There was no legitimate excuse. It was purely to save his own ass. And in order to save it, he behaved like one. “Because I failed.” He shrugged. “I didn’t want anyone to know that the one person everyone expected to fail did.”

“And you, Aubrie,” Doc berated. “You knew about his probation and didn’t say anything?”

“Aubrie is innocent in all this,” Bran said.

Aubrie whipped around. “I don’t need you to defend me.” She turned to Doc, holding his hand. “I am so sorry. It was wrong of me not to say anything. I had hoped Bran was going to speak to you about it and encouraged him to. I didn’t think it was my place to mention it, since we were both trying for the same thing. But I’m sorry.”

Bran’s blood boiled through his veins. He wanted to both beg for forgiveness and run out of here, out of town, as quickly as the gossip would travel. It wasn’t supposed to go this way. But maybe that’s what he deserved.

“I’m gonna go get Dad and Rita. They were only letting two at a time, and they’re waiting out there.” Bran headed through the door out into the hallway. He couldn’t stand to look at Doc or Aubrie. And if he thought his relationship with Dad was rocky now, wait until he heard the truth.

He walked down the hallway to the waiting room.

“Bran!” Aubrie chased after him and caught up. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m getting Dad and—”

“No, Bran. I mean….” She clenched his arm, holding him in place, forcing him to look at her beautiful disdainful face. “What are you going to do?”

He took deep breaths before answering. “I’m going to leave, Aubrie.”

“Then what? Huh?” She let go, folding her arms across her chest. “Hope Seattle takes you back? What about us, Bran? Are you going to leave us, too?”

It was the last thing he wanted. But he’d never make her understand. “It’s for the best.”

“So, that’s it?” Her eyes welled with tears. “What about last night? I thought… I felt….”

This was worse than any torture he could ever imagine. “I told you, I don’t deserve to be with you.” He couldn’t look her in the eyes. Not anymore.

“You know what? You’re right.”

She ran off past him to the waiting room and out the front door.