The Unwritten Rule | Randolph Bell

Chapter 2

Her hands moved softly, but quickly. She was silent the entire surgery unless she was asking for something. The music was soft, but suited to her tastes. She was focused and the surgery was a complete success in record time. It saved Randolph the trouble of dealing with his tremors, but it showed what kind of doctor Jacqueline really was. She wasn't just a cardio surgeon, of course that was her specialty, but it seemed like her specialty was anything. It was amazing, everyone in the OR was just as surprised as he was.

The rumors, magazines, articles, everything was true and Chastain definitely needed her now.

"Well done, doctor." Randolph smiled at her as she was removing her mask and cap. She hadn't been dressed for surgery, but she always carried something in her car just in case.

Being over prepared never hurt anyone.

"Thank you and I appreciate you letting me take your surgery. That rarely happened back in New York." Jacqueline looked back in the OR as the patient was removed to be taken back to her room.

"Well, I had to see you work. Having someone like you in the hospital, it would be a missed opportunity not to." Randolph smiled. If he could just schmooze her into working for the hospital, everything would be perfect.

Jacqueline chuckled, "well, we might have more chances to work together, Doctor Bell. I'll be taking this position at this hospital to heart. Everyone here is more welcoming than most and it seems to have a great chief." She smiled at him and the two of them both looked back forward, focusing their attention on cleaning up after surgery.

Maybe Randolph had done exactly what he needed to, maybe allowing her in on his surgery was the perfect opportunity to reel in another doctor. It seemed to have worked, but now all that was left was to speak with Claire.

She got the deciding vote. If it was up to him, he would have already fully offered her the position.

***

The end of the day had come swiftly after that one surgery. Watching Jacqueline talk to patients was another aspect of his day. She was good with everyone and everyone was happy to see her as if they had known her their entire lives. She would make a great asset, she could help bring Chastain to new heights.

Randolph sat in Claire's office, leaning back in the chair with his hands folded together.

"So, what did you think about Doctor Black?"

He could put it into so many different words, but there was one that suited her best.

"She's remarkable, absolutely amazing. She has excellent bed manner. I had her scrub in on a surgery with me and seeing her work, well, it speaks for itself." Randolph smiled, thinking back to the surgery. "I can see why the other hospitals are wanting her. She could bring Chastain to new heights."

Claire nodded, "did she say what other hospitals she was visiting?"

Randolph shook his head, "she wouldn't say. She said she would prefer to keep the list to herself, but she will definitely consider Chastain. Now, it's up to you. How much is she asking in salary?"

It wasn't all about money, but could Chastain even afford her?

"$600,000. She was making the same at her last hospital. What do you think, Randolph? Is she worth having here?"

It wasn't a question after spending the day with her, they needed her. She would make the perfect asset. "I think she is, I think she could bring in more patients that she saw in New York and having a doctor with that reputation? There are almost none like her."

Claire nodded, "I guess it's settled, I'll call her now. You're welcome to stay, see if she accepts the job."

Randolph tuned out after that, thinking about the off chance that they could land a surgeon like Jacqueline. She seemed happy with the outcome, with the day, but there was still a chance another hospital could offer more money or something Chastain couldn't.

She was beautiful and her work definitely spoke for itself in every way.

It seemed like an eternity of Randolph being in his own head until he heard the phone click from Claire putting the phone down.

"Well?" He looked at Claire.

"She said she'd take the job, she said she was really impressed with the Chief of Surgery and that she would start tomorrow."

Impressed with him? He had some amazing accomplishments, but nothing compared to her. He could see the two of them working together, but it really was going to happen now.

"Great." Randolph stood up, "I'll see you tomorrow then. Seems that Doctor Black knows exactly what she's doing, but I'll walk her through a few things for the hospital." He smiled before leaving Claire's office. He took a great interest in her and her work, it would only be right he take charge in assisting Jacqueline until she got adjusted.