17. Birdie #2
“No. I’m not playing around when it comes to your safety. That’s my job. And I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”
My eyes were glued to the spot on the kitchen floor where I’d dropped the glass just a few hours before. There was no trace of broken glass. No moisture left from the water. No lingering eyes.
So why did it feel like I still wanted to scream? Like my body knew the truth, even if nothing pointed to a person being out back last night…
My brain was desperately trying to convince me that I hadn’t been sleepwalking, or in some sort of post-traumatic episode.
That it had been too long since I’d taken pain medication for that to mess with my head.
I saw the same eyes that were staring down at me while he wrapped his hand around my neck and almost squeezed the life right out of me. I know I had.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I nearly fell to the floor again. God, I couldn’t wait for the jumpiness to go away. This wasn’t who I was. This wasn’t who I wanted to become.
“Hello?” I answered as my heart still tried to beat out of my chest.
“Is this Bernadette Calloway?” a woman’s voice filled the line.
“Speaking. Who is this?”
“Ms. Calloway, this is Janice Wittaker. I’m an administrator at St. Clare’s.
” I instantly went on high alert. Had there been an issue with my sick leave request?
I wracked my brain, thinking over what I’d said when I’d called in to report my absence for the next few days while my wrist and ankle healed.
“Ms. Wittaker, what can I do for you?” I asked.
“Actually, I’m calling to let you know that your sick leave has been transitioned to administrative leave.”
“Admin leave? Why?”
“The Texas Midwives Advisory Board has just notified the hospital of a complaint made against you. It’s hospital policy that while we investigate and corroborate this allegation, that the provider named in the complaint not return to work.
I’ve already spoken with the head of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and notified him that you will not come back until you are cleared to do so. ”
“Who…who made this allegation? What is the allegation?” My voice rose an octave as Beau walked into the kitchen.
My leg was throbbing, but I pulled it off the chair I had elevated it on and began pacing across the floor.
Each step on my braced ankle felt like chalk grinding into dust, and my cut foot was fairing no better.
Beau stood in front of the coffee maker, his arms folded over his chest and his brows pulled in confusion.
“We aren’t allowed to discuss it until records are reviewed. Take this time to rest and recuperate. We’ll notify you of next steps, if any are to be taken, when the time is appropriate.”
“What about my paycheck?”
“Unfortunately, Ms. Calloway, in these situations, it is standard hospital policy that you be placed on administrative leave without pay. Also, your access to the hospital’s record system, as well as the system at the clinic, has been suspended until we are able to clear all of this up.
You are not to contact anyone currently employed within the St. Clare’s hospital ecosystem until we have the next steps established. Do you understand?”
I pressed my hand against my stomach. I was going to be sick. Either that, or I was going to fall to the ground and sob until I made myself sick.
“Yes. Thank you for your time,” I choked out before slamming my phone on the table.
“Hey, sit down.” Beau pulled a chair out at the table, and I followed his direction. “I’m gonna get some ice for your wrist. And then you’re going to tell me what that was about.”
I groaned, setting my arm up on the table. “I’m being investigated for a complaint made to the state licensing board.”
His eyes went wide as he reached into the freezer. “What the hell for?”
“I’m not allowed to know.” A small hiss left my lips as the bag slipped out of the little kitchen towel he’d wrapped it in and touched my hand.
“Shit. Sorry.” Beau tucked the towel around the bag and gently set it against my wrist again. “There.”
“I’m gonna start calling you Beau Nightingale. You’re turning out to be quite the nurse.”
“I think I’ll stick with my current profession.” He sat down next to me, pulling his chair out so he could lean forward and have his hand rest against the top of my leg. “Why aren’t you allowed to know?”
“I’m not sure, I’ve never had this happen before.
They obviously need time to look back in the records and see if what happened in the complaint is factual, but the administrator who called told me I’m not allowed to talk to my colleagues or return to the hospital until it’s all cleared up.
I’m not going to be paid during this time, either.
With no say on how long the process could drag on for. ”
Beau pulled his phone out. “I’m going to send a message to the lawyer Dad works with for the ranch.”
“You think he’s going to know hospital and state medical license board procedures?”
“No, but he might have a colleague who can help us. This doesn’t feel right.”
Help us. A weight lifted off my chest. I wasn’t facing this alone.
“Shit,” Beau cursed under his breath. “This’ll have to wait. Colt’s on his way out to take your statement. Are you up for it?”
I nodded, my good hand playing with the edge of my shirt. “As ready as I’ll ever be. And it’ll be good to take care of things before Juniper gets home. Would you grab me a sweatshirt from upstairs? I still don’t have a bra on—”
A rumble filled the room. “I’ll be right back.” Beau stood, pressing a kiss to the top of my head as he disappeared around the corner and up the stairs.