Page 111 of Flirting with 40

I nod. It’s all I can do because it’s taking me a minute to process everything. The bastard father. The sweet, battered little girl. That I was in the right—and sure, I always knew I was in the right, but there were moments in the middle of the night when I wondered if I was wrong. If I had overstepped when I prevented her father from being in the room with her. If I had ruined my career.

“I don’t know what to say,” I finally murmur and run a hand through my hair. “I’m at a loss.”

“This isn’t my department,” he says, “but I’m here because of the consequences and how they might affect one of my most talented residents.” He shakes his head with a drawn-out sigh. “She asked for you because she said she remembered you telling her she was safe with you.” When he looks back to me, his eyes have tears welling in them just as mine do. We both blink them away, and he clears his throat. “While I can’t condone what you did and how you went about doing it, I can tell you that it definitely made its mark. That’s something we all strive to do and often fail. Congratulations, Dr. Henderson, not only on being reinstated but also on being the type of doctor we need more of. One who cares about the patient’s well-being more than they do their own self.”

“Thank you, sir,” I manage to say around the emotion clogging my throat.

“And let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he adds with a chuckle before patting me on the back. “You’re cleared to go in and see her when the police come out.”

“What happens next?” I ask, the question broad.

“The father rots in jail—hopefully, she goes on to live a gloriously happy life, and you become a highly regarded cardiothoracic surgeon.” He shrugs as if it’s without question.

“Nothing’s ever that easy.”

“Let’s hope this was your difficult part and from here on out is smooth sailing.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Call me when you’re done and let me know what happens. I have to get back to my patients.”

“Will do,” I say as I pat my pocket and realize my phone isn’t there. My mind and emotions are on overload, so who knows where I left it.

And, honestly, who cares? This moment is so much greater than anything I’ve done thus far in my career. I’ve been reinstated. She’s awake.

As much as it feels as if a huge burden has just been lifted off my shoulders, the weight of the moment is still crushing.

Ivy is in there, giving the police information to put her dad away for a long time.

She asked for me. She said I made her feel safe.

Blowing out a breath, I Iean back against the wall and pat for my phone again. My first instinct is to tell Blakely. Not my parents or John, Prisha, and Leigh . . . but Blakely.

The door beside me swings open, and a woman walks out. She’s slight in stature, her hair is a light grayish-white and is pulled up in one of those clip-things, and reading glasses are hanging from the V of her shirt.

Our eyes meet, and she smiles warmly. “Dr. Henderson, I presume?”

“Yes. How is she?”

“I’m Felice Philemon, child psychologist. I work with the police department when it comes to minors.”

“Nice to meet you. Slade Henderson.” We shake hands as her expression softens. “I’m not at liberty to talk about what we discussed, but I think you can imagine what was said considering the lengths at which you went to protect her at the expense of your career.” She shakes her head ever so slightly. “That’s one incredible little girl who I have no doubt will thrive after she’s given some time to heal.”

“What happens now? I mean if her dad . . .”

“When and if what happens should happen with her father, she’ll live with family members. Several have stepped forward and offered to be her guardian. CPS will vet them, see who is committed to getting her the counseling she’ll need, and ask her who she feels most comfortable with—that type of thing. She’ll be taken care of.”

“If you were waiting for her to wake up to press charges, why have people already stepped forward?” I ask. “I mean, that implies you knew all along what had happened and—”

“I don’t have the answer to that, but from what I gather, her father is well-known in many important circles that have a lot of influence. Perhaps the district attorney wanted to make sure she had all the tools she needed to ensure he couldn’t weasel out of the charges. With Ivy’s statements and my assessments, I think she’ll have all she needs. But, of course, this is all supposition as I’m not at liberty to discuss any of this with anyone.”

“Of course. Strictly supposition,” I say. “I don’t understand why she asked for me.” It isn’t what I’d planned on saying, but it’s out and I can’t take it back.

“When you’re suffering in the dark, it’s amazing how much you cling to the one person who brings you a glimmer of light.” She pats my arm and lifts her chin toward the door. “You should go in.”

I stare at her for a beat longer before looking at the door I need to walk through. Nerves rattle with an anxious anticipation and hesitation.

Taking a deep breath, I push it open and enter.