Siobhan's Beat Read Free Page A

uninjured hand then looked deliberately into the faces of each of those present. “God is with us.” The words resounded, firm and forthright. “God is with us, no matter what. That’s our belief, right?”
    The group nodded in unison, but Coop sensed a quiet resignation as well. His brows pulled, his study intensified.
    “We need to make a decision here and now,” Liam continued. “Are we ready to live that truth? Are we going to give God the head of this nightmare so He can work His will?”
    The woman who tucked next to Liam lifted her chin. “You’re right. God hasn’t led Siobhan this far to forsake her.”
    “Let’s pray for her. Let’s give her…and all of this…to God.” That from a woman of brunette features with determination and love scripted across every line of her features. Once again, AJ intended to enter the suite but held back out of respect for the way their heads bowed and they murmured words of protection, entreaty, and guidance from God.
    “Liam…Liam…? Mom? Dad? I’m in so much pain…so dizzy…don’t feel good…”
    Siobhan came to, gasping the words; she writhed and moaned. With swift footsteps, AJ crossed the threshold, his hand-held computer already cued to her chart. He needed to keep her still and calm. It was time to administer a round of pain and anti-nausea meds and begin an initial consult with the family.
    “Good evening, everyone. I’m Doctor Cooper. I’m the orthopedic surgeon heading up Miss Douglas’s case. Give me a moment with our patient then I’ll be happy to bring you up to date.”
    He didn’t wait for a reaction; he wanted to see to Siobhan’s comfort because she roused quickly and pain was set to override everything else. Even now, she shifted and bucked as if trying to find comfort, but the movement caused him concern when it came to her carefully stabilized broken leg. He stopped at the intravenous patient-controlled analgesia unit and immediately pressed a button to dispense a dose of tramadol that would act quickly against pain receptors.
    He rested a hand against Siobhan’s arm, looking straight into her wide, frightened eyes. “I’ve just given you a round of pain medication, and you should feel the effects quickly.” He looked away just long enough to indicate the IV unit. “You’re on saline for now, to keep you hydrated, but your IV is also connected to what we call a PCA. PCA is the easier way of describing a patient operated pain control unit.”
    “Accident. I was in an accident. I…”
    AJ increased the gentle, calming pressure on her arm. “You’re OK, Miss Douglas. You need to rest.” He could see her pulse jump against a slender, creamy neck. She licked her lips, tossing her head as she fought to clear away one fog of anesthesia as yet another crested in. Tramadol worked fast—she wouldn’t be awake for long.
    Family members gathered around the bed while AJ explained how the unit functioned and the ways in which Siobhan would control her medication via pre-timed doses. Siobhan listened, he noticed, but she was still terrified. Not surprising, considering the magnitude of what her body had just endured.
    Gradually, she relaxed, her eyes fluttering closed as the pain medication took hold and she drifted back to sleep.
    Only then did AJ address those in the room. “If you’ll come with me, I’d like to take you to a conference room where we can be a bit more comfortable. We can discuss the next steps in her recovery.”
    “That would be wonderful, doctor, and we appreciate it. Thank you.”
    Despite exhaustion following an intense shift at Westerville Memorial Hospital, AJ smiled at the older woman who looked at him with such open gratitude. This was his patient’s mother, he recalled—the stalwart, beefy man at her side was Siobhan’s father. These folks wanted the assurance of a battle plan; AJ intended to provide just that.
    He led the way along a wide, bustling hallway. He lived and breathed the ortho-surg area of