Hidden Shadows (The Shadow Series Book 1)

FOURTEEN

Jenna detoured from classroom to Molly's desk before trying to fit in a short lunch. Her schedule was jam-packed today.

She'd seen newlywed, new parents, sleep deprived and sanity deprived with a baby who wouldn't breastfeed, or feed at all really (at least easily); a divorced mom of two, remarried to husband number two and trying to conceive for eleven months; and she'd just finished up a packed Pregnancy & Nutrition class.

After lunch she'd scheduled to teach a private infant CPR course to a couple she'd been counseling for months. They thought if they had known resuscitation skills they could've brought their first child back from a tragic SIDS death—in all likelihood, they couldn't have—but the knowledge and reassurance would be needed and good since the woman was expecting again.

Phone to shoulder, Molly wiggled a wave as Jenna dropped off a stack of paperwork, grabbed a post-it and jotted instructions before sticking it to the pile.

Already on her way back out of Molly's cubby, Molly called, "Jenna, for you." She held out the thick black receiver. "Wanna take it?"

Jenna shook her head. "Send them to voicemail. Wait," she pivoted, poked her head back in. "Is it Doctor Vick? I'm hoping to hear from him today."

While Jenna would've liked to clue Molly in on the possibility of a new staff member joining the Perinatal group—growing was a positive, vital step for the success of the wing and excited everyone on staff—there was no final approval yet, so she'd wait to spill the beans until it was official.

"No, it's Taryn Tate."

Jenna frowned. She knew that look. The one Molly sent for pleading, for pity. It was also twinged with just enough authority and disappointment to make Jenna feel guilty.

"Molly, Taryn is not my patient anymore. Transfer her to Doctor Vick's secretary."

Molly frowned, pulled the phone back to her slowly.

"I know, I know," Jenna resigned. "You've got a soft spot for her and I'm awful."

"No," Molly waved the notion away, "it's not that. She just seems so sad, so broken when she's here. It's her eyes, something in them makes me feel sad too."

"Which is exactly why she needs a new doctor. I can't give her the help she deserves."

"I thought you were good for her though. Didn't Vick tell you he felt like you helped because of your history with her? She respects you, listens to you, asks to see you specifically."

"Be that as it may, he agrees with me now and has referred her to a wonderful doctor that specializes in maternal psychiatry."

Molly took her dark eyes from Jenna's, tucked her short hair behind an ear. "Does she know this? So I don't say the wrong things," she explained, tapping the phone's wide board of buttons.