Page 21 of Heartbeat Harmony (Hearts in Hawthorne #2)
“The new apartment complex that’s gone up a mile from here. A lot of the nurses have leased apartments there. It’s me, my daughter, and our cat.”
“Divorced?” she asked sympathetically.
“Going on two years now,” Lucy revealed.
“He was a lousy husband and an even lousier father. I didn’t see the point of staying in Wichita Falls when he never made one single visitation to our daughter.
When I heard through the grapevine about a new Hogan Health facility being built in Hawthorne, I decided this would be a place where my girl and I would have a clean slate.
My daughter already loves her preschool teacher and has made a friend. I think I’ll be happy here myself.”
“I’m glad to know that,” Autumn said sincerely. “As a member of the Divorced Club, I’m making a new start in Hawthorne myself.”
“Didn’t you say you were from here?”
“I grew up here. Finished nursing school at Baylor in Dallas. Then accepted a nursing position in a large hospital in Houston, where my husband had gotten into medical school after graduating from college. I was ready for the next chapter in my life after the divorce. So far, Triple H is everything I want.”
Nancy joined them. “Everything looks great here. The staff is starting to assemble. I looked out into the parking lot and saw cars pulling in.”
“Hawthorne people will be polite,” she told the assistant. “The evite said six to eight, so no one will dare set foot inside the lobby until six on the dot.”
Nancy shook her head. “Gotta love a small town.”
As Autumn predicted, a stream of people poured in at six o’clock. They grabbed punch and a cookie and started chatting up the various staff members.
She made her way toward Eli, who excused himself.
“It’s six-fifteen,” she reminded him. “It’s time for you to say a few words, then we can get the tours up and running.”
He glanced around. “I don’t see a microphone set up.”
“Nancy has a lavalier mic for you,” she told him, motioning the administrative assistant over.
Nancy clipped the mic onto Eli’s lapel, and he slipped the rest of the unit inside his pocket.
“Go stand on the stairs so that everyone can see you better,” Autumn suggested.
Eli nodded and moved through the crowd, going up a dozen stairs until he reached the first of three landings.
“If I can have everyone’s attention for a moment?”
The buzz of conversations quieted, and all eyes were fixed upon him. Autumn stepped to where her parents were standing with West and Kelby. Mom slipped an arm around Autumn’s waist.
“I’m Dr. Eli Carson, and I would like to welcome you to Hogan Health Hawthorne, or as we affectionately call it around here, Triple H.”
The crowd chuckled, and Autumn knew Eli’s nickname for the medical facility would stick.
“We are a proud part of the Hogan Health system, which has multiple healthcare facilities scattered throughout Texas and several surrounding states. They have built medical centers, along with professional medical buildings. As of now, Triple H sits on fifty acres, with room to expand, and ample parking. We are a full-service, acute care hospital, a Level III trauma center, and a primary stroke care facility. Triple H has one hundred and twenty-five beds at the moment, and a staff of almost four hundred and fifty employees. There’s a finished medical building a quarter-mile to our south, and Hogan Health is building a second one next to it.
All told, several hundred million dollars will be poured into Hawthorne with this hospital and the accompanying professional buildings. ”
Eli surveyed the crowd. “No one wants to get sick, but when you do? It’s critical to have excellent healthcare in close proximity.
There’ll be no more driving to Decatur. Bowie.
Gainesville. You can be treated right here in your hometown of Hawthorne.
As Triple H’s medical director, I have hired professionals in numerous areas, from women’s services to oncology to cardiology and bone and joint care. ”
The crowd murmured approvingly.
“If you need surgery, the operation can take place here. The follow-up rehab, as well. If you’re pregnant, all your checkups can take place in Hawthorne.
You can deliver your baby in our state-of-the-art labor and delivery rooms. Any medical issue you have, from needing a triple bypass to placing a cast on a broken arm, Triple H is here for you.
We will offer quick, efficient, professional care. ”
Autumn saw the satisfied looks on those who had turned out this evening. They would be glad to give up the inconvenience of driving thirty miles or more if they had a medial issue, and they would certainly take advantage of Triple H’s ER if they experienced a medical crisis.
Eli paused a moment. “I’d like to introduce you to my various department heads, and then we’re going to be offering tours of the hospital if you’re interested.
You’ll be able to go inside the surgical suites.
Radiology. Even the nursery for newborns.
” He looked to where his staff stood together.
“So, give me a wave when you hear your name, folks.”
He quickly ran through his department heads, not missing a one. She thought Eli was a good public speaker, despite his tendency to be reserved.
When he finished the introductions, he said, “I may be the medical director for Triple H, but I’m going to turn it over to the real boss of this place, my assistant, Nancy Nichols.
Nancy will get the tour groups started. Thank you all for coming tonight to both celebrate and support Hawthorne’s new hospital. ”
The applause was enthusiastic, and Autumn felt pride swell within her, thrilled to be a part of a new hospital in her hometown, where she could make her mark and contribute to a place she loved.
Turning to her family, she said, “Thanks so much for coming tonight. I can’t wait to show off everything about Triple H to you.”
West grinned. “Does that mean we’ll get an exclusive tour from the Director of Nursing?”
“Only if you promise to behave. I imagine Kelby can help keep you in line. Just don’t let him touch anything,” she teased.
Suddenly, she sensed a new presence and glanced to her left. Eli stood beside her.
“Just making the rounds, introducing myself,” he said. Offering his hand to her father first, he said, “Eli Carson.”
“Joe Sutherland. I’m the superintendent of schools here in Hawthorne. This is my better half. Meg is the head librarian at the public library.”
Her mom shook Eli’s hand. “Also known as Autumn’s mom,” she quipped. “We met briefly at the library several months ago.”
“I do recognize the resemblance, Mrs. Sutherland. Both your hair and eye color give away that you’re mother and daughter.”
“Meg, please. No one in Hawthorne stands on ceremony.”
Eli smiled gratefully. “Then please call me Eli.”
Her brother offered his hand. “West Sutherland, Eli. I’m the head football coach at the high school and the district’s athletic director.
This is my lovely bride, Kelby. I know Hogan Health has its own PR and marketing department, but if you ever need anything on the local level, Kelby can help you out.
She handles social media accounts, as well as creating everything from graphics to taglines. ”
Eli shook Kelby’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Your husband is right in that Hogan Health does have an overall marketing department at their corporate headquarters, but I might be able to find some money in my budget for a local campaign.”
Kelby produced her card and passed it to Eli. “Just in case you do find those funds. Holler at me anytime.”
Eli looked around. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to keep mingling. Nice meeting you folks.”
“Let’s come this way,” she told her family, spying Coach Markham and his wife Georgia, and asking them to join their tour.
Chance, Kelby’s brother, also fell in with them. “Mind if I tag along?”
“Of course.”
Autumn took her group around the hospital, showing off the facility and then returning back to the ground floor lobby.
“I’m going to go and find Eli and talk about the hospital providing a doctor for athletic events,” West said, taking Kelby’s hand and setting off.
The others began moving away, beginning conversations with others. All except her mom. Meg Sutherland slipped her arm through Autumn’s.
“You’ve talked about Eli quite a bit. I can see why. He’s a very impressive man.” Her mom’s gaze bore into Autumn. “And something tells me that there’s something going on—or about to go on—between the two of you.”