Page 59 (1/1)

Chapter One

With a shrill decibel ringing in his left ear, Alpesh, or Pesh Nadeen, as he was htstand before hitting the snooze button on the alarm When the sound continued, his dark brown eyes popped open Cutting his gaze to the nightstand, he realized it was not his alar the sleep froer and peering at the screen, he groaned before pressing the OFF button He knew the code all too well One of the ER docs was unable to come in for his or her shift As supervisor, he had to either find a replace there wasn’t rabbed his phone He alerted the charge nurse that he would be filling in, and he would be there as soon as he could

As he trudged into the bathroo that one of his few days off was being taken Most of the other doctors he worked with had wives or husbands along with children They never called in unless it was a grave necessity So why shouldn’t he, as the only single and childless one a to do, and if there was one thing Pesh prided hi an honorable character

After a record breaking shower and shave, he hurried into the closet He threw on one of his signature long-sleeved blue shirts and trademark khaki pants Besides his white lab coat, it was his unifor color, and he alanted to put his patients at ease and htened his tie, he hurried out of the closet and over to the dresser

When he grabbed his wallet and hospital authorization card, his gaze fell on the picture in the antique silver fralass Jade was gazing up at hi blue eyes—both of the outfitted in the traditional Indian wedding attire Her long blonde hair fell in waves and was adorned with various ribbons, charms, and beads, as were the custom

His chest tightened as he thought of the day his A in the full Indian wedding cereood tie, he couldn’t re day It was the day they had finally co of two different people and cultures The day had held such proether

Turning away from the dresser, he also tried to turn away froripped him Two years had passed since the horrible day when his thirty-five year old wife had been snatched away from him Not a day went by when he didn’thohter or her sweet presence No one could quite fathoh—only a select feho had also had their heart torn fro hole of emptiness left behind

With a heavy heart, he headed out the door On the short drive in to work, Pesh didn’t bother turning on the radio to drown out the voices of sorrow echoing through his head He kneas no use No matter how hard he tried, he could not rid himself of his pain Fa before they had been on hiet hi his Jade would as for hi a torch for her—to spend his life sad and alone He’d tried to prove to the what he thought was love onto a woman as just as confused about her life as he was He’d vowed after thatto let anyone dictate when it was time for hiain, he would be the one to take the steps

Helot into the hospital Every day was just the saht after the other He’d barely had time to ease on his white ed over the interco over to the sink, he scrubbed up as quickly as he could before whirling around Using his back to open the door to the doctor’s lounge, he did his best speed walking down the hallway to the traulass doors, the staff pounced on him

Two nurses were at the man’s head One held down the faceinto his airways Another was stationed at theCPR compressions intervals on the chest

After donning a pair of rubber gloves, Pesh glanced to the charge nurse as he hurried to thepark during a run No known medical history Coded once on the trip over,” she quickly informed him

“BP is dropping,” another nurse called behind him

Machines began beeping on and off, a sy dooain” The crash cart was rolled up to the gurney Pesh grabbed the paddles “Charging Shocking at 260 joules”

“Clear,” Pesh co co stepped back, holding their hands off the elled paddles to the h the s flailed

Pesh glanced at the heart ain”

“Charging at 360 joules,” a nurse replied

“Clear” As he brought the paddles once again to the man’s chest, Pesh muttered, “Come on, come on, beat, da or how old, he hated to lose a patient Although the body shuddered and jerked in reaction to the electricity, the heart re battle, he called, “Clear!” once again

When the e, Pesh shook his head “We need to open hie the heart Get e one of the residents,” he ordered He took a face mask from another nurse and slid it on

Aftera quick incision in the man’s chest, Pesh took the saw froh the sternum, he shifted to the side to allow a nurse toaside the hard bone of the sternuently took the man’s still heart in his hands No matter howso hu the most importantit over and over, Pesh an did