He nodded, not glancing up from the latest results from the clinical trials, which she knew from Darren were a great success so far. It still stung that she’d been cut from the project, but at least the patients were seeing results. “He called to gloat, I guess, for stealing my best surgeon.”

Her jaw nearly hit the floor. His best surgeon? She recovered quickly but the hospital intercom sounded before she could verbalize any of the incoherent thoughts running through her mind.

“Dr. Sheraton to emergency. Stat. All available nurses and surgical staff to emergency. Stat.”

Her heart raced. All hands on deck? She turned to leave and her father was on her heels.

Sprinting toward emergency, she approached the desk as the paramedics wheeled in a stretcher. The sound of the emergency helicopter on the landing pad outside made her pulse race.

They’d airlifted someone in. A highway accident?

Moving toward them, her knees buckled as she recognized the Wild River Search and Rescue logo on the red-and-yellow jacket...

Dark hair covered in blood...

Reed.

Her heartbeat echoed off the hospital walls. The floor beneath her felt unsteady. She forced a deep breath, trying everything to remain in doctor mode. That’s what the man she loved depended on right now. “What happened?” she asked, taking the chart from the paramedic with a shaking hand.

Her father and Dr. Richardson were reading over her shoulder.

“Search and rescue volunteer...fell from the side of Canyon Ridge,” the young paramedic said, wheeling the stretcher toward the hall.

“Injuries?” It was Dr. Richardson’s question.

“Broken bones in both ankles and one wrist, a dislocated shoulder and fractured ribs on both sides...and suspected internal bleeding from damage to the spleen.”

Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at Reed. Unresponsive.

“Wild River Community Hospital wanted him airlifted here,” the young paramedic said. “Patient’s name is...”

“Reed Reynolds.” She could barely breathe as she touched the blanket above his chest. Internal bleeding, broken bones—his injuries were extensive. How long had he been unconscious out there on the mountainside? Her mind and heart were a mess. They needed to get him into surgery right away.

“Reed Reynolds,” her father said. “Cassie’s brother?”

And the man she’d been preparing to start a new life with, leaving everything she knew behind.

Now he was lying on a stretcher fighting for his life.

She nodded, unable to speak as they wheeled him down the hall to prep for surgery. At the doctors’ station, she grabbed her surgical scrubs and headed toward the locker room. There was no time to waste.

At the doors, her father stopped her. “You resigned, remember.”

Was he serious? Five seconds ago. “Dad, I have to help him...”

He studied her. “You can’t perform surgery when you’re this close to the patient. You know that.”