by Amy Ruttan
Reece chuckled. “Why don’t I close up and you go discharge Gary? I’m sure he’ll love to hear about your aversion to country music.”
“Ha-ha.” Vivian rolled her shoulders. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Really? Come on.”
“Sorry.” Vivian stepped down from the microscope.
“You should be.” Then he winked. “Go, and after you’ve discharged Gary, go home and sleep.”
“What about that other procedure?”
He knew she was asking about her mother, but without announcing it to the rest of the staff. She wanted to be around for her mother and it just endeared her all the more to him. Of course she actually had a good mother. There had been a valid reason her mother had left her alone as a child. With his parents it had just been avarice and greed.
“Tomorrow. The ORs will be full tonight. As soon as one opens up, that procedure will be the next on the list and I’ll make sure you’re paged. Just go home and sleep while you can.”
“Okay. Thanks.” And she left the OR while he finished up the craniotomy so the general surgeons could get in there and start the repairs in Ms. Sanchez’s abdomen.
It was good Vivian was out of the OR. This way he could collect his thoughts and not allow himself to continue to soften his defenses toward her, because the more time he spent with her, the more it was happening.
And that was a very bad thing.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“WATCH OUT!”
Vivian jumped out of the way as a roadie carrying an expensive-looking guitar pushed past her toward the stage.
So she stood off to the side and tried to stay out of the way. The backstage of the Opry was an overwhelming place for her. There were so many people and it was buzzing with activity. And of course she didn’t know anyone from a hole in the ground. As she walked around there were pictures of all the greats of country music lining the walls. Those were the artists she recognized. Those were her father’s idols. Cash, Hank Williams and Wynette.
One stood out and made her a bit angry looking at it. A picture of Ray Castille, who her father hero-worshipped.
Her father had wanted to be like Ray Castille to the point he’d neglected his wife and child to chase after that dream. Vivian resented Ray Castille. Which was foolish. Her father had never known him, as far as she knew. And, from what she’d heard about Ray Castille, he’d been a drinker and violent. Not the kind of person someone should idolize, but the man could sing like a siren.
“Why do you listen to his records? He’s the reason why Daddy left!”
“You have to look past that, Vivian,” her mother had argued. “You have to look at the music. Feel what he’s trying to convey.”
“How?”
And then her mother had got that wistful look on her face before she’d broken down sobbing.
Vivian sighed. Her mother had dreamed of being on the Opry stage; she might’ve become something if she’d been given the chance, but her father’s jealousy quashed those dreams.
Sandra Bowen loved her husband so much that she’d do anything for him. Even end her career before it even started.
Now, standing here at the Opry, she resented her father for stealing this from her mother. He’d undermined her. Her mother should be here. Not her, because Vivian didn’t appreciate it or understand it. Even when her mother pushed her as a young girl to sing. When her father left, Vivian stopped singing. She’d wanted nothing to do with this. Medicine was all she loved and all she could love.
And she didn’t let any man get in the way of her dreams.
Yeah, but was it worth it?
Vivian stared up at Ray Castille’s picture. There was something familiar about him. Something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Maybe it was just reminding her of all the times her and her mother were left alone.
“There is the most gorgeous doctor a guy could ever have,” a sweet Southern drawl called out over the din of backstage.
Vivian turned around to see Gary walking toward her with the expensive guitar slung over his shoulder. Yesterday when she’d left the craniotomy to discharge him he hadn’t been so charming. He didn’t like to be kept waiting and he’d missed his sound check.
Of course he was remorseful when she told him about the accident and the fact she’d been in surgery. Now, backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, he was charming again. A totally different person. The person she’d first met.
His stage persona, obviously.
“Gary, you look great.” That was a lie. One look at him had her concerned. Concealer couldn’t hide the dark circles under his eyes, the yellow waxy tinge to his skin.
He nodded and tipped back his cowboy hat. “Thanks to you.”
“I did nothing but write up your discharge papers.” And now, looking at him, she wasn’t sure if she should have.
“Exactly.” He grinned again, flashing her those brilliant white teeth. “I see you found the hall of fame.”
“Yes. Just looking at some names I recognize. My father was a big fan of country music.”
That was an understatement. It had been his religion.
“Well, you should bring him here next time I perform. I’ll get you tickets.”
“Thanks. I’m sure he’d like that.” It was a lie, but what else could she tell him? Gary was her patient and she wasn’t about to spill her life story to him. She wasn’t going to tell him she hadn’t seen her father since she was ten.
“You do look fantastic tonight, Dr. Maguire. If you weren’t my doctor...” He whistled.
Vivian just shook her head. “I am, though.”
“Yes and that is a shame.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Ah, and here comes my other fantastic doctor.”
Vivian looked behind her and couldn’t believe her eyes. She’d forgotten what Reece looked like out of his scrubs, but what was even more surprising was she’d never seen him wearing a cowboy hat. Ever.
It suited him.
He wore tight jeans and a gray V-neck shirt. Instead of cowboy boots he wore motorcycle boots. It all seemed to work and just from first glance she would’ve thought he was a country singer. It was almost as if he belonged backstage at the Opry.
Except for the fact he looked uncomfortable and stiff as he approached them. His hands jammed deep in his pockets. Like one wrong move and he’d bolt.
“Dr. Castle, I’m glad you could make it.” Gary stuck out his hand and Reece took it.
“Glad to be here, Gary.” Only Vivian didn’t believe him. There was something about what he said that didn’t seem sincere. It was clear to her it was forced.
Tense.
It was clear to her he didn’t want to be here, but why, since he’d been so vocal about the fact she’d said she didn’t like country music?
“I didn’t think you’d actually come, Dr. Castle,” Gary said.
“Well, it was close.” Reece glanced at her quickly. “Figured I better make an appearance once so you’d get off my back about it.”
Gary laughed. “Well, I’m glad. I better get ready to go out on stage. See you both later at the after-party.”
“After-party?” Vivian asked as Gary left.
“Always an after-party. They’re not too bad. Just drinks, music and mingling,” Reece explained.
“I’m not a mingler or a drinker. Especially with work the next day. Wait, how do you know what the after-party is like?”
“I’ve been to the Opry before. Remember, I do like country,” he teased, relaxing.
She found that hard to believe, given the fact he seemed so uncomfortable. “Liking country and being backstage at the Opry aren’t the same thing. Usually you have to know someone, or be someone, to get backstage.”
“I think being at the Opry and liking country music is the same.”
“You never told me you’ve been to the Opry before,” Vivian said offhandedly.
“Does it matter?”
“You never spoke much about your past. Other than the fact you had
a lonely childhood.”
“I only talked about what I thought was important and this isn’t. I attended the Opry and the after-parties a couple times before medical school.”
“So who did you know back then to get backstage?” she asked, intrigued.
“You’re full of questions lately,” he said.
“I like to know who I’m up against.”
“Up against?” he asked chuckling. “Are we in a competition, one I don’t know about?”
“For Dr. Brigham’s job.”
He rolled his eyes. “I told you I’m not after his job.”
“So you told me, but I don’t believe it.”
“Why? Why is it so hard to believe?”
Because you’re talented. You’re gifted and amazing.
“Because rightfully it should be yours. You’re a damn fine surgeon.”
It was apparent to her, her words shocked him, but he looked away, tensing up again as he crossed his arms.
“Thanks for saying that.” Her compliment made him uncomfortable.
“It’s just the truth. The job is yours. So take it.”
“I’m not interested. As I’ve said before.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Why do you want to talk me into competing for a job you’re after too? Why is it so important to you?” he demanded. “If I wanted that job, it would be mine.”
“You don’t sound so sure.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face, getting frustrated. “I’m done discussing this. I’m not after Brigham’s job. I have no interest in competing. You need to let it go.”
She knew she’d pushed him too far. “Fine. I won’t bring it up again.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s welcome the Opry’s own Gary Trainer to the stage!” The announcement came over the speakers backstage.
“I guess we better get somewhere to watch Gary,” Vivian suggested.
“Yeah. Come on, let’s get closer to the stage.” Reece’s hand touched the small of her back as he guided her through the small crowd gathered backstage.
Just a simple touch brought back so many memories. Of them dancing in the moonlight in the middle of Printer’s Alley. His arms around her had made her feel so safe and so scared all at the same time...
“We shouldn’t be here,” she’d said nervously.
“Why not? This is a public place.” Reece had begun to sway as he held her close. “We’re not doing anyone any harm.”
“It’s midnight and we’re standing in the middle of the street and it’s snowing. Which is weird.”
Reece had laughed. “It’s a perfect time to dance. Besides, you said you always wanted to learn the two-step. Listen to the music coming from the bars.”
They had stood there listening to the music and, before she’d had a chance to react, Reece had spun her around, making her shriek as he led her in a two-step. A quick dance to the rhythm of the music.
“Where did you learn to dance like this?” she’d asked.
Reece had chuckled. “Med school!”
She had rolled her eyes and then he’d spun her under his arm and brought her close, with that dangerous glint in his eyes that had made her melt like butter...
Vivian’s heart fluttered as she stole a glance at Reece beside her, ushering her closer to the stage so they could see Gary walk out into the center, waving to a crowd of fans who were cheering and clapping.
She might have said she didn’t know country music, but she did. And as Gary stood out on that stage it made her stomach twist. It reminded her of hurt. Pain and of her father leaving. She’d been to a few concerts when she was young, but they were at smaller venues.
Her father never made it to the Opry. Her father never made it anywhere. And neither did her mother, but she could’ve.
There was a vibe in the air and it overwhelmed her with so many emotions Vivian thought were long gone and she shuddered. She was teetering somewhere between excitement and fear.
Even though the Opry wasn’t like a stadium it was still the largest venue she’d ever been to and it thrilled her.
“Hey, you’re Reece Castille, aren’t you?”
Vivian turned to see an older man talking to Reece. Reece Castille?
“No,” Reece said quickly. “No, sorry. I’m Mr. Trainer’s doctor.”
“Oh,” the stranger said, crestfallen. “I thought you were for sure.”
“It’s okay. Happens all the time.” Reece turned his back on the man, his face like thunder.
“What was that all about?” Vivian asked.
Reece didn’t answer; he just shrugged. He couldn’t even look her in the eye. He was lying, hiding something, and if Vivian didn’t know any better she would swear she knew that man.
“I’d like to play you all a different song tonight, if I might? Tonight is the thirtieth anniversary of my idol’s number one hit, Only Hearts Are Broken, and I want to sing you that song to honor the memory of Ray Castille.”
Vivian winced. Her father would play that song over and over to her mother. And when he’d left, her mother would play that song over and over to remember.
Vivian hated that song. It reminded her of hurt, betrayal and shattered dreams.
It reminded her that she was no better than her father.
She wanted to leave but she was frozen to the spot when Gary turned and waved to them. “If it wasn’t for my two doctors I wouldn’t be here tonight. This song is also for them.” Then the music started and Gary started singing the lyrics that still haunted her memories.
Leave.
“I can’t stand here and listen to this.” Reece cursed under his breath in disgust. “I’ve got to get out of here.”
“Why?” she asked. “We can’t both leave.”
He looked confused. “Why do you want to leave?”
“Why do you?”
Before he could answer, though, the music cut off suddenly and there was a scream. They both turned in time to watch Gary’s body jolt as if he was being electrocuted before his guitar crashed to the stage and his body followed after.
Vivian pushed past Security and ran out onto the Opry stage. Gary was seizing and Reece was beside her as they worked together to get him on his side. Reece was shouting off directions and demanding people call an ambulance. She tuned it all out as she pinned Gary’s rigid arm to his side.
“Come on, Gary,” she whispered, pleading with him to stay with her.
The seizures stopped, but then so did his heart. His ABCs were not good. Again he stopped breathing. Almost as if the singing had caused the seizure.
“Gary!” She rolled him back on his back and straddled his huge frame so she could administer CPR. She tilted his head back and checked his airways. “Gary. Come on, stay with me.” She began humming the tune Staying Alive as she counted chest compressions.
“Drop the curtains!” someone shouted.
“Come on, Gary,” Vivian said as she began to pump his chest. “Get me an AED!”
“Drop the curtains. You can’t shock him on television,” another person yelled.
“Forget about the damn curtains and get her an AED,” Reece screamed.
Vivian tuned the world out but as she turned and looked at the audience one last time before the curtains dropped at the Opry, she saw her father’s face looking up at her from the crowd.
* * *
Reece was glad to be leaving the Opry. He wasn’t glad how it was happening, though. He’d rather sit through all his father’s songs than have this happen to someone. The paramedics had arrived and Vivian was rattling off instructions as Reece helped them load an unconscious Gary onto a stretcher.
They’d got his heart to start again, but his blood pressure was not good and he hadn’t gained consciousness. There was pupillary reaction but not much else and Reece had no doubt that if they hadn’t been there Gary would’ve died on stage.
“Good thing we came tonight,” Vivian said softly beside him.
“I w
as just thinking the same thing myself.”
Vivian stood behind him and shivered. It was early summer, but it was still cool at night and all she was wearing was a sequined tank top, skinny jeans and open-toed heels. She looked so damn sexy, but she probably wasn’t all that warm.
“Let’s take my car and get to the hospital. Run some more tests,” Reece offered.
“Sounds good.”
He didn’t have a coat on to offer her, so instead he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in close and holding her tight. It felt so good to hold her.
“What’re you doing?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“You’re shivering.”
“Oh.” She settled into him. It was nice, his arm around her as they walked toward his car. He wished it was a more leisurely stroll. He wished it was a different time. He wished there hadn’t been any separation between them, but it was dangerous being so close to her. It made him forget the pain.
He couldn’t let her get too close. It was bad enough that that producer backstage at the Opry had recognized him and she’d overheard. When he’d first seen her backstage she’d been staring at the picture of his father, frowning. He’d been so sure she was going to recognize him then, but thankfully she hadn’t.
If she’d stayed in Nashville he would’ve eventually told her.
“Thanks for the arm. I didn’t realize how cold I’d gotten. Sorry I freaked out.”
“What did you think I was doing?” He opened the car door for her. “And I didn’t think Germany was all that tropical.”
She laughed uneasily. “It’s not and I’m not sure what I thought. I’m out of sorts. Still in shock over what happened.”
“You did good,” he said as she slid into the passenger side.
“We both did,” she said, but then she began to curse under her breath. “I wish we didn’t have to let him go. I wish I knew what was plaguing him. It’s driving me crazy that I can’t find the cause.”
“We’ll find it.”
What he didn’t say was that he hoped it was before they were doing an autopsy. He wanted to find a cure for Gary.
“I know. I have to find it.” She sighed. “I mean we have to find it.”
He knew with that slip of the tongue that she was blaming herself, that she was putting so much pressure on herself. Even after all this time, her modus operandi hadn’t changed.
