Tomorrow's Dream by Janette Oke, Davis Bunn Read Free Book Online

on the table’s opposite side. Two thick folders lay open before his own place, along with a pair of empty coffee cups. He glanced at his watch, then at the closed door, and gave a sigh.
    Dr. Hearly’s gaze was dark and probing. Kenneth sensed he was a man with both intelligence and integrity. This was confirmed to Kenneth when he said, “Long ago I designed a lecture for distraught parents. Most doctors come up with something or other to handle such situations. But I am reluctant to give it here. You both strike me as astute, able to accept the truth.”
    â€œThe uncertainty—the waiting—has nearly done us all in,” Kenneth replied. “I simply can’t understand why it has taken so long for the doctors to decide what the matter is.”
    â€œThey know what the matter is,” Dr. Hearly replied. His voice was deep, strong, and had the characteristic of being both direct and gentle at the same time. “The only question is how much hope they can offer you.”
    Again he glanced at his watch and shook his head. “Excuse me.” He reached for the phone and dialed a number. His fingers seemed almost too large for the holes. “This is Dr. Hearly up in Conference Room . . . I’m sorry, I don’t know what number . . . oh, you do. Good. Listen, I’ve been waiting for Dr. Pearce and the pediatric surgeon . . . wait, I have his name here.” He inspected the open file. “Yes. Saunders, that’s right.” He listened a moment, shook his head a second time, and said, “No, that’s all right. Thank you for checking.”
    He placed the receiver back in its cradle and went on. “It seems that Dr. Saunders had to perform an emergency operation and Dr. Pearce is delivering a baby at another hospital. I would have preferred for at least one of them to be present. But I have a conference to get to, and I’m afraid I really can’t wait much longer.”
    â€œWe understand.” Abigail glanced at Kenneth to make sure it was all right for her to speak. “You’re the expert in this field.”
    â€œWe’d really like to have your opinion,” Kenneth agreed. “Your unvarnished conclusion.”
    The man gave each of them another swift inspection, then nodded once. “Very well. Mr. Adams, I am sorry to tell you that your son has what we call a shunting across his heart.”
    My son . The words were enough to stab him deeply. While Kyle was pregnant he often had dreamed of hearing those words. He had never mentioned it—one of the few secrets he had ever kept from her. He had not wanted to say it and then have her feel disappointment for him if the child turned out to be a girl. He knew he would have been delighted with a daughter. But in his heart of hearts he had yearned for a son. Yet now when he heard those longed-for words, they threatened to tear his world apart.
    When he was unable to respond, Abigail said for them both, “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”
    The doctor thumbed through pages in the first file. “I understand from your wife’s history that her brother suffers from a heart condition.”
    â€œYes,” Kenneth managed. “But her parents are both in excellent health.”
    â€œI don’t suppose you know her grandparents’ medical histories?”
    Kenneth started to rise. “No, but I could call and—”
    â€œLater. See to that later and inform Dr. Saunders if any of them suffered from a heart problem.” He closed the file. “Infant cardiology represents an entirely new field. But we are beginning to wonder if there is a genetic basis to some of these ailments.”
    Abigail reached across the void that seemed to be gathering around Kenneth and took his hand.
    â€œBlood is meant to flow through the heart’s valves, you see, moving from one chamber to the next in very careful steps.