“No, I’m not. That baby is not a pro bono case.”
Mr. Snyder blinked. “I don’t see parents and the last I heard the infant is now a ward of the state of Florida.”
“Not for much longer, Mr. Snyder.” It took every ounce of strength not to belt Mr. Snyder across the head. He knew these kinds of men. They got a bit of power and they thought they ruled the world, and he knew Mr. Snyder was taking great pleasure in it.
Mr. Snyder was a pretentious snob.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I have contacted my lawyer and very soon I will be guardian of that baby, meaning that I will be financially responsible. I will be paying all the medical bills.”
“Why would you do that?” Mr. Snyder asked.
“It’s my money. I’ll do what I like with it.”
Mr. Snyder shook his head and stood. “No good can come from this. That child should be sent to County, like all the other wards of the state.”
“Well, he’s not. And if we’re done talking, I do have to get back to my work. Paying patients, as per your request.” Alejandro smiled at him a little too brightly. It was enough to tick off Snyder, who left his office in a huff.
Alejandro raked his hands through his hair.
Oh, Dios mío.
This was not how he wanted to start his week at Buena Vista, with the president of the board of directors breathing down his neck and the new head of pediatric surgery being his one and only one-night stand who knew about his sordid past.
There was another knock at the door and Alejandro cursed under his breath, wondering if Snyder had come back to spew more vitriol and threats at him.
“Come in.”
Kiri opened the door and his pulse quickened at the sight of her, but he also didn’t really want to see her either, since she was the one who had delivered the devastating news about the pro bono program.
It’s not her fault.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked, trying not to look at her.
“You know I had to dress you down yesterday.”
“I know,” he sighed. “My apologies, Dr. Bhardwaj. I was angry yesterday.”
“I get that,” she said. “Dr. Valentino, you can’t take responsibility for that infant.”
“I have to,” Alejandro said. “He doesn’t stand a chance if he’s shipped off to another hospital. Especially not County.”
“You know that I don’t want to do that either, but the board—”
Alejandro held up his hand. “You don’t have to explain board politics to me. I’m very familiar with that. Snyder was just here.”
“Oh, great,” she said sadly, then she looked concerned. “I told him I’d handle it.”
“Your job is safe, I’m sure. It’s me he doesn’t like and he never has. Probably because I don’t kiss his ass,” he snapped.
“I don’t either,” Kiri said defensively.
“And what about Dr. Vaughan?”
“What about Dr. Vaughan?” she asked, confused.
“Oh, come on, I’m sure there was some smooching involved.”
“I ought to slug you,” she hissed. “I worked hard and Dr. Vaughan recommended me for the job.”
Alejandro felt bad about his gibe. He was just on edge. “I’m sorry. Snyder has got me all riled up.”
“I can see that. Can I sit down?” she asked. “I hate hovering by the door.”
He may be angry at board politics, but that was no reason for him to behave like an animal. Especially in the presence of a lady. Carmelita had smacked him upside the head numerous times in his youth when he’d stepped out of line when it came to the fairer sex.
“Eres todo un caballero. Comportarse como tal.”
You’re a gentleman. Behave like one.
“Of course.” Alejandro stood and pulled out a chair for her. “Sit, please.”
She sat down and then he took his seat again. “So what do I tell the board about the baby?”
“My lawyer is getting an emergency injunction to stop the transfer. I’m hoping as the head of pediatric surgery you can delay things on your end for a couple of hours.”
She nodded. “I can, but if that injunction doesn’t come by the day’s end then I have to send him to County.”
“Not Seaside?” At least at Seaside he had family who could watch out for the boy.
“No,” she said sadly. “Wards of the state are to be sent to County.”
Damn.
“Well, I appreciate you doing all you can do to delay it. I’m dead serious about taking financial responsibility for the boy.”
A strange expression passed across her face, like pain, but whatever it was it was quickly gone. “Why are you doing this?”
Alejandro shrugged. “Wouldn’t you if you could?”
“Your job is worth this?” she asked.
“Are you going to fire me?”
“No.”
“Then, yes, it’s worth it. The boy needs medical attention, the best medical attention that this city can give him, and that’s here at Buena Vista. He needs a chance at life. I can give him a shot, even if it’s only financially.”
That strange expression passed across her face again. “How very gallant of you.”
“What’s with the sarcastic tone?”
“There’s no sarcastic tone.”
He frowned. “Why does this make you so mad?”
“Look, I want what’s best for that baby too, but doing this is just throwing it in my face. In the board’s face. You’re basically saying that you don’t care about the new policies being handed down to you by your boss or the board, you’re just going to do what you want.”
“That’s not it at all,” Alejandro snapped. “This is about saving that child’s life.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I understand that.”
* * *
She couldn’t believe that she was trying to talk him out of it. It was so unlike her. When had she changed so much? When she’d decided to become a pediatric surgeon she’d wanted to save them all too. She was just as idealistic as Alejandro. And then reality had hit her hard. She’d lost patients and had learned how cruel life was. She’d become jaded, but never had she shared those dark thoughts with another surgeon until now.
Strange emotions were raging inside her. Watching him fight so hard to save this little baby melted her heart, but also reminded her that he hadn’t been there to save theirs.
Not that there had been anything that could be done about that. She knew that, but he hadn’t been there and he’d made it clear he never would be.
It just hit so close to home.
When she’d seen that little baby in the dirty box, covered with newspaper and thrown away, it had cut her to the very core.
And it had ticked her off.