Tempting Nashville's Celebrity Doc

Vivian groaned. She did, but she also didn’t want to leave her mother. If she told her about the text her mother would tell her to go.

Reece can handle it. Call him.

As much as it pained her to let go of the control, she owed it to her mother. She couldn’t abandon her tonight. Vivian looked up Reece’s number in the hospital directory and sent him a text. She didn’t tell him much. She just mentioned that she was tied up for an appointment. No one needed to know her private life.

That was her business.

Fine, Reece texted back.

No questions—something she’d always liked about him. However, his shortness meant something different now; he was still angry at her. Vivian put her phone away and leaned back against the couch, exhaustion overtaking her. Maybe Reece was right and she was jet-lagged but, after a week, that seemed highly unlikely.

Sleep started to wash over her, warm like a cozy blanket.

A blood-curdling scream made her sit bolt upright and run to the kitchen. Her mother was on the floor, clenching her wrist, which she held up. Vivian had an instant flashback to the day after her dad left... No ten-year-old should have had to see that.

Snapping back to the present, Vivian rushed over to her mother.

“Mama!” Vivian knelt down next to her.

Her mother was in shock, shaking, eyes wild as she looked up at her. “Vivian? When did you get here?”

* * *

Reece cut through the emergency room. It was unusually calm tonight, which was never a good sign. Really he shouldn’t even be down here, but it was the quickest way to the parking lot from where he’d been in the hospital. He hadn’t planned on staying so late, but honestly there was nothing at home anyway.

He’d been surprised that Vivian had asked him to set up the monitors and get her test ready. It wasn’t like her and he couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong with her.

She’s not your concern.

Still, it wasn’t like her, but then what did he know? He clearly hadn’t known her at all back then as he’d never thought she’d have been the person to leave him like she did.

“Can I have some help?”

Reece glanced up when he heard Vivian’s stressed voice coming across the emergency room. She was holding up a woman, blood over them. And then his blood ran cold when he saw that the woman was Vivian’s mother. He’d never told Vivian he’d met her mother; it had been brief, but that moment had been burned into his soul as the older woman had made it clear in a few words that she didn’t approve of his relationship with her daughter.

“Don’t tie her down, Dr. Castle. Let her soar. She deserves the chance.”

He shook that memory from his mind.

And though he should let one of the ER doctors deal with it, it was instinct to help Vivian. He couldn’t leave her like that. Reece ran over.

“Vivian?”

“Reece?” She shook her surprise away. “It’s my mother. She had an accident.”

He didn’t say anything about knowing her. He just hoped Vivian’s mother didn’t recognize him. “Let’s head over to the pod.”

Vivian nodded and they guided her mother over to the room.

“What happened?” her mother asked, bewildered. “Where am I?”

“You’re at the hospital, Mama. You had an accident in the kitchen.”

“Oh,” her mother whispered.

Vivian shot Reece a pained look and just in that quick moment he understood. He’d been studying the disease for so long he could recognize it easily. And then he knew why she’d come back to Nashville and it surprised him. When she’d left he’d thought she was selfish; maybe she wasn’t after all?

“Mrs. Maguire, I’m Dr. Castle. I’m going to help you.”

Vivian’s mother nodded but she showed no sign she knew him. Reece examined the wound gently. It was deep and would need stitches.

“Do you need me to do anything?” Vivian asked. She was pleading and he understood the need to do something. He wouldn’t be able to stand by and not do something.

“No, I’ll take care of it. I’m going to sedate her, though. Is that okay?”

Vivian nodded. “It’s for the best.”

“Try and keep her calm.” Reece grabbed the drugs out of the locked drawer. Vivian stroked her mother’s hair and whispered to her gently. It took him off guard. He had never had that close relationship with his parents and never would. His father had died on stage, a lifetime of drinking and drugs having taken their toll on him.

His mother had died two years before his father’s death. A car accident had taken her.

They hadn’t been the best parents, and right now, watching Vivian, he was envious of what she had with her mother. It also made his heart melt a bit, seeing her so vulnerable.

Don’t think about it.

“I’m going to give you something for the pain, Mrs. Maguire.” Reece injected the sedative. “It’ll help.”

Vivian’s mother nodded and then relaxed as she drifted off. Once she was out, Vivian started to help him as they inspected the deep laceration.

“How did this happen?” he asked as he began to repair it.

“In the kitchen with a knife, but I don’t know why. She hasn’t had violent tendencies.” He could hear the anxiety in Vivian’s voice. She was not telling him everything. Try as she might, he knew her, knew when she was lying to him, by the furrow of her brow and the fact she wouldn’t make eye contact with him.

“What aren’t you telling me?” he asked calmly.

“I told you all I know. I was in the other room,” she snapped.

“Calm down,” he said gently.

“You want me to calm down?”

“Look, I just think there’s more to this than you’re telling me. You’re a horrible liar.”

“Why do you think there’s more to this?”

“There is a scar here, an old one,” Reece remarked. “That’s why I asked.”

Vivian sighed. “It was a long time ago. I’m sorry. I don’t like to talk about it.”

“Right. I forgot you don’t like to talk about the past.”

“I’m not the only one.”

He shot her a warning look, but she was right. “It’s okay, Vivian.”

“I didn’t think...I mean. I don’t know what I mean.” There was a hint of sadness in her voice. Hopelessness when it came to this disease. He knew it well.

“When was she diagnosed?” Reece asked.

“Three months ago. Her doctor sent me the MRI. I finished up my affairs over there and headed here.”

“I’m sorry.” And he meant it. He wouldn’t wish this disease on his worst enemy.

Vivian nodded. “Thanks, and I would appreciate you not saying too much about this. I like to keep my private life and work life separate. I don’t care if people know she’s my mother, just not why she’s here.”

“It’s me, Vivian. I understand about that,” he said gently.

“I appreciate it.”

“Well, that explains why you were so interested in my Alzheimer’s trial,” Reece remarked. “Which makes me feel better.”

“Did you honestly think I would try and poach that?” she asked, hurt in her voice.

“It’s a tough world out there. Lots of people hungry for opportunity.” Reece finished up his work. “You can’t blame me for being suspicious.”

“No, I guess I can’t.” Vivian handed him the scissors. “I’m not interested in Alzheimer’s. That’s not where I’ve focused my papers. I’m a diagnostician. Plain and simple.”

“And you’re here to diagnose Gary Trainer?”

“One of the reasons, though, truth be told, I didn’t know about Gary until today.”

They shared a smile—one he hadn’t shared with her in so long. It was nice. He’d missed it. It was nice just knowing what another meant without having to explain. He disposed of the suture kit and then began to wrap her mother’s wrist.

“Is this what had you tied up when you asked me to set up the test?” he asked.

Vivian nodded. “I couldn’t leave her alone. I’m going to hire her a companion soon, but when I came home tonight she had left the door unlocked and had to be reminded about a few things. It was her first real bad day since I came home.”

“I understand. I respect that.”

He knew about bad days and parents.

His parents had been superstars and ran on a different schedule than the rest of the world. Reece had spent many a day sleeping during daylight hours and up all night, because that was what his parents did.

When he was a young child there were two years he didn’t see the sun. Only the moon and countless strangers passing through their Belle Meade mansion while his parents threw endless parties and get-togethers.

How he’d wished for some stability.

A normal life.

The only stability he’d ever had in his life were the couple of summers he’d spent with his paternal grandfather in Kentucky, up in the mountains. There were regular meals, chores, swimming and stability.

Those summers had ended when he was ten, when his grandfather got Alzheimer’s. Reece’s father had sold the Kentucky cabin and put his grandfather in a home near Memphis, where he’d died alone a year later.

Reece had never seen his grandfather again. It was then he’d decided to dedicate his life to curing Alzheimer’s.

That was all that mattered.

Medicine. Not music.

“She should be fine, but maybe try to find out if your mother tried to do harm to herself in her past. If she regresses it could be a repeat episode.”

Vivian nodded. “I will. She doesn’t talk much about those times. She’s private too.”

Reece chuckled with her. “I know, but I would hate to have to put her on a suicide watch.”

“She’s not suicidal when she’s lucid,” Vivian snapped defensively.

“Okay, but you understand where I’m coming from as her doctor.”

“You’re not her doctor.”

“I will be.”

Vivian looked confused. “What do you mean?”

Even though he shouldn’t do it because it would mean that he would be further getting involved in Vivian’s life, he couldn’t see her suffer like this. Her mother was a good candidate anyway—given that Vivian had said she was early onset and was diagnosed only three months ago—and he had to keep telling himself that he was going to make the offer because it made sense for his trial...not because of his past with Vivian.

“I mean I’ve decided to take your mother in my trial.”

Vivian was stunned. “What?”

“That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it? Your mother can start my Alzheimer’s trial tomorrow.”

This is not distancing yourself from her.

CHAPTER FOUR

“I THOUGHT YOU said your trial was full?” Vivian asked.

Reece shrugged. “There’s room for a good candidate and I think your mother is a good fit.”

“You don’t have to make room for her because it’s me.” In fact she didn’t want him to. She’d taken so much from him already. She didn’t deserve this kindness and didn’t want any handouts.

She didn’t need them.

Except, her mother needed to be on his trial. It was a shot.

“I’m not. Don’t mistake my offer for anything but the fact your mother is a good candidate.” His eyes were dark, cold and it sent a shudder down her spine. “This has nothing to do with our past relationship. It’s purely medical.”

Vivian tried not to blush. Of course he wasn’t doing it for any other reason and she felt foolish for saying it. What did she think—that he would still care for her seven years after breaking off their relationship with a note?

“Of course. I’m sorry. You don’t deserve that. It’s been a trying day.”

His expression softened. “I’m sorry too.”

“So why don’t you tell me what you need for this trial?” Vivian asked, trying to steer the subject away from apologies for something that was no longer there. Something she never really deserved since she’d thrown it away.

“Well, first things first. I will get her admitted up into the neuro floor and we’ll go from there.” Reece turned to the computer and began to do the paperwork.

“Admit her?”

“Yes. All my trial patients are admitted until after I administer the medicine and they recover from the procedure so I can keep a close eye on the protocol. Will that be a problem?” Then he frowned. “I know you didn’t want this spread around...”

“You’re right, I didn’t, but it’s okay. She’s more important. Besides, she has a different last name from me.”

“Not Maguire?”

“No.” And she didn’t elaborate that her mother had kept Vivian’s father’s name, but Vivian had taken her mother’s maiden name when she’d turned eighteen. She’d wanted to wipe her father’s name from hers. She didn’t need to be reminded she was the daughter of Hank Bowen, failed country singer, liar, cheat and drunk.

“So your mother’s surname is...?”

“Bowen. Her name is Sandra Bowen.” Vivian sighed and gave Reece the rest of the info he would need to admit her.

“Vivian?” her mother moaned as she woke up.

“Right here, Mama.” Vivian gripped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Where am I?”

“Cumberland Mills,” Reece reminded her gently.

“Why?” Then her mother winced and looked at her bandaged wrist. “More than a blip?”

Vivian nodded. “Dr. Castle wants to admit you.”

“I’m not suicidal,” Sandra snapped. “Please believe me. The knife slipped.”

It broke Vivian’s heart because Reece had seen the old scars. Scars from a long time ago when her mother had been just that. Another reason why Vivian had wanted to sever the ties between her and her father.

“We know, Mama. It’s not that at all...”

“I’m running an Alzheimer’s trial. Your daughter, Dr. Maguire, will be helping and you’re a perfect candidate, Mrs. Bowen.” He smiled at her, one of those charming smiles which could win over any woman with a pulse and it worked like a charm on her mother.

“Oh, well, that sounds great. What’s the trial testing?”

“Medication, Mrs. Bowen, that will hopefully cure Alzheimer’s.” He smiled again, but wouldn’t look at Vivian. “I take it Vivian is your medical power of attorney now?”

“I am,” Vivian said. Then she looked at her mother. “What do you say, Mama? Do you want to be part of the trial?”

“Of course.” Her mother grinned. “Besides, I’ll get to see you in action.”

Reece smiled and patted her mother’s arm. “That’s the spirit. I’ll get a porter to take you up to your room. Dr. Maguire, can I speak to you for a moment?”

“Sure.” Vivian kissed her mother’s head. “I’ll just be a moment.”

“Of course, darlin’.”

Vivian shut the door to the trauma pod. “What do you need, Dr. Castle?”

“I just wanted to clarify something.”

“Okay.” Now she was confused. She thought everything was fine. Maybe he’d changed his mind.

“I said you were involved with the trial to ease her, but since you want her connection to you kept quiet you can’t have any involvement.”

“I assumed as much,” she said, trying to not let her anger take over. Did he think she was so obtuse?

“I also want her MRI. The one her GP sent you.”

“Of course. Anything else?”

Reece shrugged with indifference. “No, I’ll update you as I know more.”

“Okay. For what it’s worth, thanks.” She didn’t wait for an answer. He’d made it quite clear why he was doing this for her mother. It was purely medical and she was fine with that. She expected that. Whatever they had in the past was long gone. And really all she wanted now for their working relationship was tolerance and professional indifference.

* * *

Reece regretted his demeanor toward Vivian the moment he uttered those words, but it was for the best. He knew bringing Vivian’s mother on his trial was not going to distance himself from Vivian. Far from it. So he tried to delude himself. Tell himself the only reason he was doing it was because Vivian’s mother was a perfect candidate for the trial. It had nothing to do with old feelings.

Keep telling yourself that.

It was hard to remind himself of that because every time he looked at Vivian he remembered every kiss, every touch.

The scent of her hair, the taste of her lips.

That was why he’d never had a long relationship after her. Vivian haunted him.

She’d taken his trust, something that was so hard for him to give, and crushed it. He knew he’d never feel that way again. Never open up again. So he didn’t bother after a handful of bad dates and failed attempts at a relationship.

They always broke it off, saying he was never there.

And it was true.

His heart was in Germany.

I have to get away from here.

Reece turned and shut the door to the office. He was overtired and maudlin. Past was in the past. Focus on the now.

“Dr. Castle?” Reece turned to see one of his interns run toward him.

“Yes, Dr. Brody?”

Dr. Brody caught her breath. “Have you seen Dr. Maguire? She’s needed in the ICU.”

“Is it something I can help with?”

Dr. Brody shrugged. “I don’t know. Dr. Brigham told me to find Dr. Maguire. He heard she had come back to the hospital and was in the ER.”

Reece nodded. “I’ll get her. Tell Dr. Brigham we’ll meet him in the ICU.”

Dr. Brody nodded and ran back the way she came.

So much for going home to have some sleep.

He didn’t knock when he opened the trauma pod. “Dr. Maguire, you’re wanted in the ICU. Dr. Brigham is specifically requesting you.”

Vivian quickly looked down at her mother. There was such love and tenderness between them. Reece envied it. His parents had never shown much interest in him. Except when he’d walked away from the musical career they had wanted for him in order to go to medical school.

“You were invited to sing at the Opry. Singing at the Opry will launch your career. You can’t say no.”

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