Conflicts of the Heart (2 page)

The clock struck seven, time to get dressed and then help Michael get ready. She dressed in a flash. Soon she tucked Michael’s shirt into his shorts. She loved her beautiful boy with his thick hair as dark as his deep-set eyes. “We're going to a new place today, honey.”

With his head cocked, he cried out in fear. “Stay home?”

“We can't stay home for a while. You'll meet a new lady who's going to take care of you. As soon as mommy gets on her feet, we'll get someone to come here just like we did back home.”

“No!” He pulled away from her, turned, jamming his knuckles against his lips, and stared off into space, frightened.

She held her breath and counted to three before moving behind him and whispering in his ear in the most loving tone she could muster. “Do this for Mom. I need your help today.”

After a long silence, he tugged free, ran to the door and faced her with a stern look, his eyes never making direct contact with hers.

She went to him and grabbed his hand, blinking back a tear. They hurried from the apartment.

Michael sat next to her in the front seat, his head bowed, knowing something different was happening. They communicated on a level where he understood some of the changes they were going through. The doctors believed Michael’s autism was on the milder side because he had speech, and with enough love and understanding, they thought he might have a chance for a future. The counselors assured Dana each case was different, with the hope that some people improved enough to make a life for themselves. She prayed for Michael to be one of the lucky ones. If not, they were together forever. That part Joel, her ex-husband, never understood.

At the daycare center, the morning sun cast a copper glow over what must once have been a magnificent Victorian house. Surrounded by rolling foothills of golden wild oats, shaded by two
giant oaks, the house now stood in sad need of repair.

She glanced at Michael, reached over and took his hand. He jerked free, pulled his tattered teddy bear to his chest. They got out of the car and walked side by side up the walkway. The yard had no grass, just a sprinkling of indestructible wild flowers in soil hardened by years of drought and the trouncing of children's feet.

Mrs. Morse, a plump woman in her late fifties with an infectious smile stepped out onto the front door. She wore a food-stained, white chef's apron over her jersey, floral print dress. Dyed, over-permed red hair framed her round cheeks. Dana almost broke out in tears when she saw the woman. The most difficult part of her move had been finding Ruta Morse. The lady at the Autistic Society knew Ruta and recommended her because she, too, had raised an autistic son.

Without hesitation, Mrs. Morse took Michael's hand. “Well, young man, you’re in for a happy day.”

Her tender tone had a profound effect. He released Dana's other hand and followed the woman into the house. Normally he took weeks to trust anyone. After what she’d just witnessed with Mrs. Morse, she felt more comfortable leaving him. Inside, following a few moments of instructions, she kissed him on the forehead. He glanced down at the floor, wiped a tear from his cheek, and then squeezed her hand, as if letting her know he would be okay. She left.

The warm breeze whipping in through the open car window lifted Dana's spirits. By the time she reached the hospital, she had managed to put the morning in perspective. She went straight
to the administrative offices located on the ground floor to meet with Gil Hargrove. He had been her professor in business classes at Ashton State. He’d always encouraged her to seek a job in Human Resources. He’d said women were better at that job because they had the innate ability to relate and nurture the managers and employees. Her heart beat in double time before opening the door to his office.

The sword thin, gray-haired man greeted her with a hug, then ushered her into his designer office. Gil stepped back. “You look great. You're more radiant and beautiful than you were the day you graduated from college. I've always said until a woman reaches her thirties, she doesn't know who she is.” He spun her around. “You
definitely know who you are.”

“Thanks. You haven’t changed.
Still the flatterer.”

“I always said you were destined for big things.”

At the couch near the large bay window, he gestured for her to sit beside him.

“You're just what the doctor ordered. Mitchell's been driving us all nuts since Leon Benson left.” A fatherly grin spread across his face. “Excited?”

“I'm thrilled to be here. Everything about this place is perfect. When we were at the university, I always had an idea one day you'd give up teaching and run some big organization.” She glanced around at the polished teak wood. Sunbeams streaming in through the windows bounced off the glass-topped tables. A slight scent of lemon polish lingered in the air.

“So what do you think of Patrick Mitchell?”

“You didn't exaggerate about him. You were right, I should have come over earlier and sized this guy up. I'll have my hands full with him.”

“He's tough. Mitchell gets what he wants.” His mouth took on an unpleasant twist. “We could be in serious trouble.” Then Gil smiled, and she once again remembered him as the caring teacher and mentor, not the stern businessman.

“If I know you, he'll be putty in your hands before long, and you'll bring in a contract we can live with.”

After yesterday’s brief meeting with Patrick, she wondered. Putty, huh? She sank back, folding her hands in her lap. “He doesn't mind breaking the rules, does he?”

“That's our boy, all puffed up, and he thinks he has the nurses in the palm of his hand.”

Dana laughed. “He does. I saw it. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Remember your buddy, Teal DeLuca? She’s with a small-time clerical union, trying to get the nurses away from Patrick. He’s got orders to get this contract for the Professional Nurses Association, and soon.”

“Teal?”
They’d been friends since high school. The Teal she remembered never wanted a career in labor relations. She used to accuse Dana of being a fool for wanting a job with so much stress. What on earth could have changed her mind? Could this be another problem she hadn’t counted on? Knowing Teal as she did, she would revel in Dana’s shamble of an apartment. Something about Teal’s attitude toward Dana made her feel slightly uncomfortable. Though they’d been friends for years, she decided to tread lightly on renewing this old friendship.

“You wouldn't know Teal.” It was as if he were reading her mind. “She won't be a problem. With you on our team, we'll have the association sweating by the time they bring in this contract. We're all counting on you.” He rubbed his palms together and chuckled. “Did you introduce yourself to Patrick?”

“No. He didn’t give me a chance.”

“I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees it’s you, and a woman. He'll think this contract will be a cakewalk.”

“I thought this contract was going to be a cakewalk. I hope you'll give me some carrots to dangle.”

“No carrots. We’re facing layoffs for some non-union employees. These are tough times, even for hospitals. We’ll work this out. I'm counting on you to keep things pretty close to the way they are.

A frown creased his forehead. He poured water from the pitcher on the coffee table. “We’re building a new wing, the most advanced burn center in the valley. It’s going to cost a fortune, but we need one here. The closest right now is either Los Angeles or San Francisco. We have endowments for most of the wing, but we’ll have to do more fundraisers. That’s why it’s so important we keep operating expenditures under control. I'm retiring in two years. It's important to me to leave this hospital better than when I came in.”

“Retiring?” He shocked Dana.
“Never! What will you do with your time?”

“Don't worry about that, my girl. I have golf clubs, fishing poles and a new motor home itching for Brenda's and my presence. If I want to leave here feeling good about what I've accomplished, I want someone I trust to run this place.” His eyebrows arched. “That's why I hired you. I figured in about two years you'd be ready for your own shop.”

Had she heard him correctly? Administrator? If this were true, she’d have the money she needed to take care of Michael the way she wanted. The job she thought was still ten years away could be hers. Those who said she’d never make it if she left Joel and kept Michael might just have to eat their words. Speechless, she sat in the chair as a thrill of excitement shot through her. This could be her opportunity to break through the glass ceiling.

Gil had offered her the administrator position of a major medical center, her dream job. Everything else had been a stepping-stone.
Too simple. Nothing ever came easy to her. She had a mighty bridge to cross and only two years to prove herself. Could she do this? Yes! Yes! Yes!

Gil gently shook her. “Hello, are you there?” He grinned.

“I’m stunned. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

“You deserve this chance. I’m glad I can offer it to you.
My prize pupil.” He rose, walked to his desk, and leaned against the edge. “But there is a catch.”

Two

The proverbial catch.
No free lunch. She tilted her head, held her breath, waiting for the bomb to drop. “So, what’s the catch?” A host of negative scenarios swirled around in her mind. One being Michael, another Joel, and, of course, the medical staff relating to a woman administrator.

“You must stay in Ashton. No back tracking to Palo Alto or running off to get married.”

“Is that all? Whew.” She ran the back of her hand across her forehead. A commitment to stay in her hometown, where she planned to stay anyway, was no catch at all. She’d never return to Joel, and as far as marriage went, not a chance. Who would want to be saddled with an autistic stepson? She rarely had an offer for a date when they found out about Michael let alone entering into a committed relationship.

“I know you’ll come to love this hospital as much as I do. You have integrity, and they need that here.” He took her hands in his.

“I’ve changed your title to Associate Administrator-Human Resources, and I’ve thrown in a little extra money. It’ll give you more clout.”

She swallowed over the lump in her throat. He had no idea how
much she needed the money. As close as they were, she hadn’t told him what Joel had done to her. Not out of pride, but because she didn’t want anyone’s pity. She wanted to work this piece of her life out on her own. “I'm home for good. At least in Ashton, once I get on my feet, I can afford a nice little place in the country for Michael and me.” She cleared her throat. “You can count on me.”

“We have two years. You'll be ready and you'll be great.” He gave her one of those affectionate smiles she remembered so well. “Now back to the problem at hand. You have three weeks to get ready for negotiations. I’ll introduce you to the doctors over lunch this afternoon and you'll meet the board of directors later this week. They'll love you as an associate administrator, but you have to earn their respect. We've never had a woman administrator.”

Gil’s fatherly qualities were what she needed in her life right now. This wasn't like being in a strange new place, starting from scratch. Thank goodness they hadn't lost touch. “I'll have a strategy for my first round of negotiations ready for your approval by the end of the week.”

“Must be nice to be
back home. You've got your mother, your friends. In no time, you'll have the world by the tail.” He walked over to her and squeezed her hand. “If I were single and twenty years younger, you'd have to fight me off.”

The harmless twinkle in his gray eyes warmed her heart.

“I never thought you and Joel were right for each other. You and your son deserve better. You're a bright, sensitive woman. Your life’s just beginning. Remember, Brenda and I are always here for you. Tell your mother hello for us.”

“I will, when she gets back from her world cruise.” At least she had time to settle in before tackling their relationship.

“She does get around. How are you two getting along these days?” She frowned, glanced away. “I hope my coming back will help. Mom thinks I should have put Michael in an institution. She and Joel agreed on that one.”

Gil shook his head. “I’m glad you kept Michael. It says a lot about you.” He paused. “I guess we can't always count on our parents.

He walked her to the door. “Let’s go up to your office. I’ll introduce you to your staff.” In the elevator, he said, “Don’t let Patrick Mitchell take advantage of you. Use some of that Bay Area pizzazz on him. If he thinks he can run all over you, he will.”

“Thanks for all your support.” She had a new job, new offices, a new staff, and soon, a giant step up the ladder. Fear of failure had no place in her thoughts. Her spirits soared.

“One of my staff saw him in the cafeteria holding court with a few of his minions.” He rolled his eyes in disgust.

Oh, boy! She had to face the dreaded confrontation after all.