The next morning, Craig and Lucy had to say goodbye again. He had managed to take one night off but he couldn't miss another concert on his tour.
Lucy hated to see him go and reluctantly walked him to the door, trying to spend every second possible with him.
"I wish you didn't have to go already."
"I know, but this tour will be over soon and I'll come back to you as soon as I can. Will you wait for me?"
"Of course I will."
"Great, because you're the only woman I can think about."
Lucy stood at the door looking out until Craig was out of sight. She wiped the few stray tears from her eyes and then walked back into the house to handle the rest of her day.
She found Jordan waiting for her in the dining room. "You have a call, Miss Stuart, from Dr. Wilton at the hospital. He wanted to make an appointment with you."
Lucy sighed, "Not him again."
"What should I tell him?"
Lucy took a moment to think it over before finally answering, "Tell him I'll meet him this afternoon."
"Are you feeling alright, Dad?" Eileen asked a weary looking Arthur as he joined his family for breakfast.
"I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night."
"Or the night before. Or the night before that . . ." Arthur's wife, Veronica, spoke up. "I really think you should see a doctor, Art."
"I know you do, but there's nothing wrong with me. I've just been a little concerned about a few things at work. It's nothing to be concerned about." When the two women exchanged doubtful looks he added, "I know what you think and I don't want to hear it."
"It's not that, Dad," Eileen said, changing the subject. "I need to ask you something, but I don't think this is a good time."
He sighed and asked sternly, "What is it?"
"I need another advance on my allowance. It's for school."
"What happened to the money I gave you a few weeks ago?"
"It's already gone, Daddy. I didn't know I would need it for this."
Arthur used his lecturing voice. "You really should budget your spending, Eileen. That's why I'm monitoring your spending now." When Eileen nodded in agreement, he gave in. "Bring the bill to me and I'll take care of it this time."
Eileen frowned to herself. That wasn't going to work, but she only nodded again and said, "Thanks."
When Lucy arrived at the hospital, she was immediately admitted to Dr. Wilton's office. She still had her doubts about this meeting, but decided it might be best to just hear him out.
Edward welcomed her warmly and invited her to have a seat. Lucy was wary as he started the conversation out with small talk and about medical school. Finally he came to the point of the meeting.
"Well, Miss Stuart, you sound like a very promising student. I would be willing to offer you an internship here, but our situation at the hospital is a bit doubtful right now. We've been working on a proposal to add a new intensive care wing to the hospital, but, unfortunately, we don't have the funding to build and staff the new wing and pay for malpractice suits.
Lucy had heard enough and she pushed back her chair as she rose to her feet. "Then maybe you should look after your patients better."
Dr. Wilton moved from his seat to and hurried to the other side of the desk before she had a chance to leave.
"You're a smart woman, Miss Stuart, and a medical professional yourself. Surely, you can see that the hospital wasn't to blame in your father's death. This lawsuit isn't going to do your father or anyone else any good. Can't you see that it's only going to prevent us from providing better health care to other patients?"
"We shouldn't be talking about this. Not without my lawyer present."
"I'm prepared to make you an offer," Edward said quickly. "Drop this lawsuit and I can guarantee you an internship in any department you chose. And if the new wing gets built, I'll try to talk the board into naming it in memory of your father, if you'd like."
Lucy was struck speechless, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"Just think it over and give me a call when you've made your decision."
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