His Temptation, Her Secret

As they walked, Sage took everything in. It was impossible not to be impressed. The furniture, the construction, the fixtures, everything was good quality and top caliber. Nobody they met seemed rushed or stressed. She knew it was a hospital, but it felt more like a hotel.

They passed through a set of double doors.

“This is a typical patient room.” Natalie opened a doorway. “The rooms are private, but the walls are retractable into quads. Occasionally, we have patients who prefer to be in a room with someone else, siblings after a car accident for example. The patient lounge areas provide another place for social interaction. On our pediatrics floors, there are playrooms instead.”

“How do kids get to the playroom?” Sage asked.

Eli was bedridden and likely would remain that way for some time to come.

“They can walk, or use a wheelchair, or even have their beds moved for periods of time. Our staff-to-patient ratio is one of the best in the country, so there’s plenty of help for patients requiring assistance. The beds are fully automated.” Natalie used a remote control to demonstrate. “Each room has a fully capable entertainment and communications station.”

Sage took in the wide screen on the wall and the keyboard on a rolling table. “Are you telling me patients can check their email and surf the net?”

“They can. Obviously, many people are too ill to use all the services. But as they recover, we strive to make their stay as homelike as possible.”

There were two armchairs with a small table between them in a corner by the window. The colors were warm, green and copper, even the floor was a faux wood grain. There wasn’t a speck of beige in sight.

Sage could see why TJ liked the place, particularly when she considered the level of service he must be used to in his life. But she still wasn’t changing her mind. Eli was perfectly fine at St. Bea’s. He might not have internet access, but he had his mother, and that was far more important.

“Can you talk about your oncology services?” TJ asked Natalie.

“The best, most progressive in the country.” She sounded proud. “We attracted top-rated doctors and researchers. Is your son struggling with cancer?” she asked Sage.

“Leukemia,” Sage answered.

Natalie touched her arm in sympathy. “Do you have a prognosis?”

“He’s just had a bone marrow transplant. At St. Bea’s.”

“That’s encouraging.”

“TJ was the donor,” Sage felt honor-bound to add.

Natalie smiled. “How fortunate you were to find a match.”

“He’s doing well so far. It’s a good hospital.”

“I know some of the staff there. They’re very dedicated, with excellent clinical skills.”

Sage gave a satisfied glance in TJ’s direction.

“I’m interested in transferring him to Highside,” he said.

“I’m not,” Sage said.

“It’s a personal decision.” There was a slight rebuke for TJ in Natalie’s tone.

“St. Bea’s is much closer to my house,” Sage said.

Natalie gestured to the hospital room door. “For all our fancy facilities, nothing replaces family.”

“Thank you.” For some reason, emotion welled up in Sage’s throat.

“I’m not suggesting she won’t see him,” TJ said as they walked, the barest hint of exasperation in his tone.

“Highside is a long way from Seattle,” Natalie said.

Sage was now completely convinced Natalie wasn’t part of any plot to sway her.

“She can stay in the parents’ residence,” TJ said.

“I have a job,” Sage put in.

Natalie halted. “Mr. Bauer, we love you dearly, and we are beyond grateful for your financial support—”

“This isn’t about my money.”

“The decision is Sage’s alone. It’s her son. She knows what’s best for her family.”

Sage struggled not to look at TJ, but she couldn’t help herself.

The set of his jaw betrayed his annoyance, but it didn’t look like he was going to blurt out the fact that he was Eli’s father.

“Do you have any more questions?” Natalie asked Sage.

“No. Thank you so much for your time.”

Natalie took both of Sage’s hands. “Good luck with your son. I hope his recovery is fast. We’re here if you need us. But there’s no wrong choice for you to make.”

A wave of guilt passed through Sage. She liked Natalie. She liked her a lot. And she liked everything she’d seen at Highside.

But she couldn’t leave Seattle, and she couldn’t let TJ pull her and Eli apart. She had to believe Eli would recover equally well at St. Bea’s. She had to believe it.