Page 6

“Hey there, Annie,” Addie said, sitting beside her. She watched the girl’s thorax rise and fall as she checked out her chest symmetry and respiratory rate. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better.” Annie shrugged, her golden brown pigtails framing her slightly pale face. “But I don’t like the food here.”
If Addie had a penny every time she heard that, she’d have enough to afford a trip to Mars.
She chuckled. “Hospital food isn’t the best, is it?”
Annie shook her head, her lips pulling into a tiny frown.
“I’ll talk to the nurses and see if we can get you something better,” she said. “But you need to eat. Otherwise we can’t let you go home, okay?”
“Okay,” she mumbled.
She glanced at the chart on the end of her bed before standing up. Annie’s vitals were in order. Addie jotted down some details about Annie’s further care plan.“I’ll check on you later.”
“Bye, Dr. Addie,” Annie said, giving her a small wave.
She waved back before stepping out of the room. Her rounds continued for the next hour—checking charts, talking to patients, and re-diagnosing.
It was the same routine every day, but shenever minded it. The kids made it worth the predictability.
On reflex, she checked her phone quickly to see if there were any updates from Sophie’s school. Nothing. Not that she expected there to be anything bad, since Sophie never got into any trouble.
She’d been extra excited about school this morning, practically bouncing in her seat when Addie had dropped her off. It was hard not to smile when she thought about her. She was the best part of her day, no matter what.
“Everything okay, Dr. Wolfe?” a voice asked behind her.
She turned to see Dr. Madeline Summers, one of the pediatricians. Madeline was the chattiest of all the doctors at Phoenix Ridge General Hospital. Her obsidian hair, styled in a chic pixie cut, added to her warm and relatable vibe.
Somehow, she seemed to know everything about everyone, which wasn’t so difficult here. The entire hospital was so tight-knit that secrets were almost impossible to keep. Madeline just happened to know a little more than most, to put it nicely.
Addie slipped her phone back into her pocket and flashed a quick smile. “Yeah, just thinking about Sophie.”
“Being a mom is the best, huh?”
“Something like that.” Addie smiled and leaned against the counter. “Any updates on Jackson’s case?”
Madeline glanced at the chart in her hand. “We’re still waiting on the latest lab results. Should have them by noon.”
Addie nodded. “Let me know as soon as they come in.”
Madeline gave Addie a quick nod before walking off, leaving her alone in the hallway. Addie’s mind wandered back to Sophie again—the way she’d giggled when she kissed her goodbye this morning, and how she’d hugged her tightly before running off to join her friends.
Sophie was her everything, especially since relationships weren’t her strong point. She’d given it a try countless times. Damn, she’d even tried dating apps, hoping to find “the one.” It never ended well, not even with Margo, her last serious girlfriend.
Addie sighed.
That was five years ago. She’d longsince given up on dating. After having Sophie through an anonymous donor, she’d sworn off relationships and hadn’t looked back.
“Dr. Wolfe,” Dana called. “There’s a patient in room six asking for you.”
She nodded and headed down the hall. The patient, a four-year-old girl with a broken arm, was sitting up in bed, her mother hovering nearby.
“Good morning,” she said, stepping up to the bed. “How’s our little trooper doing today?”
The girl gave her a small smile. Her arm was wrapped in a bright pink cast, and her mother looked relieved to see Addie.
“She’s doing better,” she said. “But she’s still in some pain.”