Connorwe have a child.
He snorted derisively. Thats a damned lie and you know it.
Look closer, Connor. She is yours. Mallory shoved Liddys photo under his nose. Shes six now. Shes ill. I swear I wouldnt be here otherwise. Iweshe needs your help, Connor.
It was only after Connor stopped to examine Liddys baby picture that Mallory began to relax. I named her Lydia Beatrice, she ventured. I, uh, everyone calls her Liddy Bea.
This isnt some practical joke, is it? This child really exists. And shes mine. Connors shell-shocked eyes rose from the photo at last. He stared at Mallory, who had once again retreated into the shadows.
Something moved deep inside her. Finally, mercifully, she was able to place herself in Connors shoes. I shouldnt have sprung this on you with no advance warning. Im sorry. Her hand fluttered. Liddy Bea is ill, Connor. Her kidneys have stopped functioning. Fumbling, she extracted a manila envelope from her bag. Her doctors office prepared a report for you.
He took the report, and as he skimmed it, she backed slowly away from him.
A moment later, the report in one hand, Liddys baby picture in the other, he stalked toward her. You waltz in here after seven years ofof nothing, announce I fathered a child, and oh, by the way, she needs one of your kidneys, Connor. Thats a hell of a monkey wrench to throw in a mans life, Mallory.
Dear Reader,
In an earlier career of mine, I had the privilege of working for a doctor who led the race in the pediatric kidney transplant program. Although there have been great medical strides in the dialysis programs since those first forays into the field, the desperate need for organ donors has changed little. Doctors and patients still have to beg for lifesaving organs. And yes, even though transplants are easier than they once were, problems do still occur, even when it seems that all factors point to the perfect donor.
This story is dedicated to a sorority sister and good friend who has had one failed transplant. Shes now near the top of the national donor list, but her perfect match hasnt shown up. The problems facing people in the long waiting list are not as simply solved as Ive made them for the sake of a happy ending. Yet I hope Mallory, Connor and Liddy Beas situation adds in some small way to public awareness of the constant need for organ donors.
I also want to give special thanks, always, to my editor, Paula Eykelhof, for continuing to let me write stories that are close to my heart.
Roz Denny Fox
P.S. I love hearing from readers. Write me at: P.O. Box 17480-101, Tucson, AZ 85731. Or you can reach me by e-mail: rdfox@worldnet.att.net.
The Seven Year Secret
Roz Denny Fox
www.millsandboon.co.uk
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER ONE
A LIGHT TAP AT THE DOOR of Liddys hospital room drew Mallory Forrests attention. Her daughters doctor, Fredric Dahl, motioned for her to come out.
Liddy Bea had fallen asleep. Mallory hated leaving without telling the fretful six-year-old where shed be. But Tallahassees leading pediatric nephrologist was a very busy man. Dropping a kiss on Liddys cheek, Mallory slipped out, closing the door softly behind her.
Dr. Dahl strode briskly toward a small conference room near the bustling nursing center. Mallorys heart quickened, and fear clawed at her stomach as she followed him. Busy doctors didnt use conference rooms to impart good news.
Fredric pulled out a chair for Mallory. He leaned against one corner of the table, all the while clutching a thick metal hospital binder. Liddy Beas chart. Mallory knew from its size. It pained her to think of the number of times Liddy had been hospitalized in her short life. To avoid Dahls unsettling frown, Mallory concentrated on smoothing wrinkles from the suit shed worn that morning for work.
Fredric spoke gently, though ever blunt. Its as we feared. Liddys rejecting the kidney you donated. I need you to authorize its removal, Mallory. He drew a paper from the chart and slid it across the table. The organ is dying. Any delay taking it out means we risk gangrene setting in.
How is that possible? Mallory ignored the gold pen he extended. She wrapped her arms around her midsection and tucked her hands under her elbows to slow their shaking. Cant you switch Liddys antirejection medication again? Surely theres something new on the market. Something different we can try? Tears spilled from beneath Mallorys eyelids. She was doing so well. Why? Why her?
Now, now, Mallory. We knew it wasnt a perfect transplant. Its those rogue antibodies of Liddys I told you were dealing with. And you werent an absolute match.
But I should be, shouldnt I? Im her mother. Oh, its not fair! She doesnt deserve to have her new life snatched away.
It wont help to beat yourself up over this setback. We weighed all the consequences eight months ago and took the risk. Liddy Bea will go back on hemo, or peritoneal dialysis. Ill relist her immediately in the national donor computer.
But the list is so longoverwhelming. And if transplants from complete strangers work, why did she reject my kidney? Mallory tried but failed to keep hysteria from erupting as panic built inside her. If only Mark
Your brothers out of the question. The malaria he contracted in the military makes him unacceptable. And we both know your dads heart condition rules him out. I know how tough it is to accept, Mallory, but you simply have to face the fact that youve exhausted your family options. The national list is our best hope now.
Mallory tore at a tissue Fredric had thoughtfully pulled for her from a nearby box. She focused on the white bits coming apart in her nervous fingers. We havent totally scraped the bottom of the family barrel. TheresLiddys father.
Uncrossing his ankles, Fredric came to his feet. The senatorBrader, your dad informed me quite succinctly at the outset that Liddys father is out of the picture. If youre planning to start a family feudwell, its awkward for me. Your father gave me the opportunity to head kidney studies at the university, and also to supervise Forrest Memorial Hospitals transplant program. Im forever in his debtbut for Liddy, Id be happy to step aside and call in someone else, if youd like.
No, youre the best, Fredric. Dad wanted the best for his only grandchild, Mallory said sharply. Hell agree this is our only choice, given whats happened.
I hope so. He didnt mince words when he closed the subject of Liddys father.
Dad never minces words. Nor do I. Liddys my child. Its my decision. And her fathers, assuming hell listen Mallory snatched the pen from the doctors limp fingers and scribbled her name at the bottom of the surgery authorization form.