Shadows of Recovery (Everhart Family #3)

Chapter 3

Three

T ristan Blackwell sat at his desk, a stack of resumes and referral letters spread out before him. The past few months had been grueling as he worked tirelessly to restructure the emergency room at Waverly County Hospital. As the new Chief of Emergency Services, he was determined to elevate the level of care for the surrounding area.

Patient numbers were increasing, and the pressure to deliver top-notch emergency care was immense. Finally, the county had provided the funding for four new ER doctors, a much-needed relief for his overburdened team. He also maintained his position as the CEO of the Blackwell Institute for Trauma Recovery.

Tristan rubbed his tired eyes, glancing at the clock. His next interview candidate was due any moment. Dr. Sophie Everhart, age twenty-nine, had garnered a solid reputation and glowing referrals. She had worked in the ER as locum tenens during the crisis at Waverly Junction, where their community hospital's power plant sustained an arson fire. Her experience in handling high-pressure situations was exactly what they needed. But he’d never had the occasion to work with her.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and his secretary's voice came through the intercom, "Dr. Blackwell, Dr. Everhart has arrived."

Tristan straightened his posture, pushing the papers aside. "Send her in, please."

The door opened, and Tristan's breath caught in his throat. Standing before him was Sophie Everhart, her auburn hair cascading in loose waves around her shoulders, framing her striking hazel eyes. She was stunning, her beauty both delicate and powerful. But what made his heart pound in his chest was the recognition that flooded his mind. Sophie was the woman from his one-night stand several months earlier.

Sophie stepped into the room, her eyes widening. For a moment, the world seemed to stop as their eyes locked, the air thick with unspoken memories.

"Dr. Everhart," Tristan finally managed, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Please, have a seat."

Sophie nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly as she took the chair opposite him. "Thank you, Dr. Blackwell."

You don’t have to thank me as long as you’re safe. He paused, searching for the right words to address the unexpected reunion.

"I must admit, I wasn't expecting this," he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "The last time we met, I didn't even know your full name."

Sophie let out a soft laugh, the tension easing slightly. "I wasn't expecting this either. Small world, I guess."

"Indeed," Tristan agreed, leaning back in his chair. "But let's focus on the reason you're here. The physicians who worked with you here all say good things about you. Your experience during the Waverly Junction crisis was impressive. Can you tell me more about it?"

Sophie nodded, her professional demeanor slipping back into place. "Of course. It was a challenging situation. The power plant fire created a cascade of emergencies, and with the hospital's power compromised, we had to improvise a lot. We set up triage stations, coordinated with other hospitals for patient transfers, and managed with limited resources. It was chaotic, but the team pulled together."

Tristan listened intently, impressed by her composure and leadership. "That kind of experience is invaluable here. We're seeing a significant increase in patient numbers, and we need someone who can handle high-stress situations with the same level of competence."

Sophie smiled, a hint of relief in her eyes. "I believe I can contribute positively to your team, Dr. Blackwell."

Tristan couldn't help but smile back, the initial shock of their reunion giving way to a sense of companionship. "I have no doubt about that, Dr. Everhart. Your reputation precedes you." There was a moment of silence, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions.

Tristan cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly. "Sophie," he began, his voice softer, "about our previous encounter... I want you to know that it won't affect our professional relationship. We both have a job to do, and I have full confidence in your abilities."

Sophie met his gaze, her hazel eyes sincere. "Thank you, Tristan. I feel the same way. Let's focus on making this emergency room the best it can be."

Tristan nodded, a sense of resolve settling over him. "Agreed. Welcome to Waverly County Hospital, Dr. Everhart. I look forward to working with you."

As Sophie stood to leave, Tristan couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and curiosity about what the future held. Their paths had crossed again unexpectedly, but perhaps it was fate.

After Sophie left, Tristan eased back in his seat, letting out a long breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Sophie Everhart was even more beautiful than he remembered, her auburn hair and hazel eyes searing themselves into his memory once more. He had just hired her, a decision based on her impeccable reputation and the glowing referrals she had received. But as he sat there, his thoughts took a less professional turn, imagining clearing everything off his desk and taking her again, just like that unforgettable night.

Tristan banged his head against the back of his chair, hating himself for how improper his thoughts were. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to regain control. After sitting and thinking for a few minutes, he realized he needed advice. Picking up his phone, he dialed the number of his close friend and colleague, Dr. Chris Skylar, the head psychiatrist at the Blackwell Institute.

The phone rang twice before Chris answered, "Hey, Tristan. What's up?"

"Chris, I need your help." Tristan tried to keep the desperation out of his voice. "Do you have a minute?"

"Of course. What's going on?"

Tristan took a deep breath. "I just interviewed and hired a new ER physician, Dr. Sophie Everhart. She’s incredibly qualified, but there’s a complication. No easy way to say this…but we had a one-night stand a few months ago."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Chris responded, "Wow, that’s quite a situation. How are you feeling about it?" He was clearly using his best psychiatrist speak.

"Conflicted. She’s perfect for the job, but I can't stop thinking about that night. I need to know how unethical it would be if...if I pursued something with her while she's working under me."

Chris sighed thoughtfully. "Alright, let's break this down. From an ethical standpoint, dating someone who works under you in a professional setting is fraught with complications. The primary concern is the power dynamic. As her supervisor, there’s an inherent imbalance of power, which can complicate consent and make the relationship seem coercive, even if it’s not."

Tristan nodded, even though Chris couldn’t see him. "Right, I get that. But if it's consensual, and we keep it professional at work, does that change anything?"

"It does and it doesn’t," Chris replied. "While mutual consent is crucial, the appearance of impropriety can still cause issues. It could lead to perceptions of favoritism, undermine your authority, and create tension among the staff. Even if you both handle it perfectly, the optics could still be damaging. What’s the hospital fraternization policy?”

“I don’t know.” Tristan sighed, rubbing his temple. "So you're saying it’s a bad idea."

"I’m saying it’s a very complicated idea," Chris corrected gently. "If you truly have feelings for her and believe there’s potential for a real relationship, you need to consider the timing and context. It might be wise to avoid any romantic involvement while she’s directly reporting to you. Perhaps see if there’s a way she can be reassigned or wait until one of you moves into a different role."

Tristan leaned back, absorbing Chris's words. "I don’t want to cause any issues, but I can’t ignore what I feel either."

"I understand. It's a tough situation. Just remember, as a leader, your actions set the tone for your team. If you choose to pursue something with Sophie, you need to handle it with the utmost professionalism and transparency. Consider talking to HR for guidance as well."

"Thanks, Chris. I appreciate your advice."

"Anytime, Tristan. Take care and think it through carefully. Your decisions affect more than just you.” He paused. “Does the institute have fraternization rules?”

"We will after the next board meeting. Thanks again."

As Tristan hung up, he felt a little clearer but no less conflicted. The attraction he felt for Sophie was undeniable, but the responsibility he held as Chief of Emergency Services pressed heavily on him. He had to tread carefully, balancing his personal feelings with his professional duties, and he resolved to think carefully about his next steps.

Tristan stared at his phone. The conversation with Chris clarified some points, but it didn’t make the situation any easier. He knew the next step was a call to HR, but the thought filled him with dread. He couldn't reveal Sophie's name, not yet. He had to understand the implications first.

He dialed the number for HR, his heart pounding in his ears. After a few rings, a calm, professional voice answered, "Human Resources, this is Karen. How can I help you?"

"Hi, Karen. This is Dr. Tristan Blackwell, the new Chief of Emergency Services. I have a hypothetical situation I need some guidance on.”

"Of course, Dr. Blackwell. What’s the situation?"

Tristan took a deep breath. "Suppose I hired a new physician, and we had a brief personal relationship in the past. We both want to maintain a professional work environment, but I’m concerned about the ethical implications. How should this be handled?"

Karen was silent for a moment, likely absorbing the gravity of his question. "Dr. Blackwell, this is a delicate situation.” She explained the hospital’s process.

Tristan felt a flicker of hope.

"Maintaining strict professionalism at work is key. Avoiding any interactions that could be perceived as favoritism. Transparency is important. The sooner we know, the better we can manage any potential issues."

"Thank you, Karen. This helps a lot. I’ll think about what you’ve said."

"You're welcome, Dr. Blackwell. If you need any further assistance or decide to disclose more details, please don’t hesitate to contact us."

Tristan hung up. He had a clearer idea of the steps he needed to take, but the situation was still fraught with complications. And then it hit him: he didn’t even know how Sophie felt about all of this. Did she have the same lingering feelings? Or was their one night together a forgotten memory for her?