the road to managing her condition.”
The doctor shook her head. “A summer ranch camp is probably not the best place for her to do that.”
Her opposition surprised him, but now wasn’t the time for a debate. “We’ll figure that out once she’s better.”
At the hospital, they pulled into the ER parking lot and went to the registration desk. Garrett showed the paperwork that granted him treatment permission, and they were allowed to join Lena in her cubicle. Justino went to the side of the bed and took hold of the girl’s free hand.
“That’s what you need,” Rachel said, nodding at the bag of fluid hanging near Lena’s head. “You’ll feel better soon.”
Lena rolled her head on the pillow. “I want to go back. To the ranch.”
Garrett faced her from the end of the bed. “We’ll take you as soon as the doctors say it’s okay,” he said.
“Lying around being sick at camp is no fun.”
People wearing scrubs came and went, asking the girl questions and drawing blood for tests. A nurse brought some food and urged Lena to eat a little. Finally, a man wearing a white coat over his scrubs entered the cubicle, a medical chart held in one hand.
He nodded at Garrett but then shifted his attention to Rachel. “Dr. Vale? I’m Brad Stevens, from the medicine service. I understand you’re the new doc down in Bisons Creek.”
She gave him one of those bright smiles. “I just pulled in to town today.”
“And ended up at work. That’s the way it goes, doesn’t it? Good call on the diagnosis.” Then he moved forward to stand beside the bed. “Hi, Lena. I’m Dr. Stevens. We’ve run some tests and I have some news.”
Lena opened her eyes to focus on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“You’ve haven’t been well for a few days, have you?” Lena shook her head. “Well, that’s because your blood glucose is very high.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your cells use the glucose, or sugar, in the food you eat to produce energy and to function normally. There’s a chemical in your body called insulin, made by the pancreas, which helps release glucose into the cells so it can be used. But sometimes there’s not enough insulin. The glucose doesn’t get into the cells and instead stays in your blood. Your cells are starved and you become sick.”
“How do I get better?”
“We’re giving you insulin, and that will make a big difference.”
“Then I can leave?”
“Not right away. We want to watch you for a couple of days, ensure your system returns to a more normal state. And we have to talk about the changes you’ll need to make to manage your health. You see, Lena, your condition is known as diabetes. And you’ll have it for the rest of your life.”
Tears welled up in Lena’s big brown eyes and spilled over to run down her cheeks. “My mother had diabetes. She died.”
Rachel stepped up beside Dr. Stevens to put a hand on the blanket over Lena’s knee. “But that doesn’t have to happen, sweetie.” Her tone was gentle but reassuring. “You’re going to learn how to control your condition so you can be happy and healthy and live a long, wonderful life.”
“Can other people catch this diabetes from me?” Lena looked at Justino.
“Don’t worry, it’s not that kind of disease.” Dr. Stevens closed the chart. “First, we’re going to get you feeling better, then we’ll explain how you can keep yourself that way. I’ll talk with you again in a little while.” He left the cubicle.
A moment later, a nurse parted the curtains. “Lena’s father is here.”
Garrett led the way to the waiting room, where a Hispanic man in work clothes came toward them. “Lena is sick?” he said. “What’s wrong?”
“This is Dr. Vale,” Garrett told him. “She’s the new doctor in Bisons Creek and she can explain—”
“No, you are responsible for Lena,” Mr. Smith interrupted. “You explain.”
“Let’s sit down.” Garrett led the way to three chairs. “Lena has diabetes,” he said when they were seated. “Like your wife.”
Mr. Smith’s expression didn’t change. “She is going to die?”
“No,” Rachel said. “She can get treatment that will keep her alive for a long time. But she will have to take care of herself.”
He didn’t respond to her. “How did this happen?” he demanded, glaring at Garrett. “You are supposed to keep her safe.”
“This is not something anyone could predict or prevent.” Garrett braced his elbows on his knees and gripped his hands together. “But we can work with Lena as she learns to handle her condition.”
Mr. Smith nodded. “You will see that she knows what to do.”
“Yes, but you should also understand—”
The other man stood up. “No. You are responsible. I signed papers. You will make sure she gets well and can do what is necessary when she comes home. That is what must happen.”
Without allowing Garrett to utter another word, Lena’s dad stalked out of the waiting room toward the parking lot.
“He didn’t go in to visit her,” Rachel said in a hollow voice.
“No.” Garrett wiped a hand over his face. “And he treated you with disrespect. I’m sorry about that.”
She shrugged. “He doesn’t seem to value women very highly.”
“I guess not. It’s no wonder Lena was getting into trouble. She was crying out for attention.”
“A kid needs her parents at a time like this,” Rachel said fiercely. “Who’s going to look after this abandoned teenaged girl?”
Garrett swallowed hard. “You heard her father. He made me responsible.”
But the doctor shook her head. “Being a teenager with diabetes is tough—physically, mentally and emotionally. Lena has to have a stable support system to help her understand the healthy life she should try to live. You can’t possibly accomplish that on a ranch in the middle of a summer camp!”
Spine straight, shoulders square, Garrett met her gaze with narrowed eyes. “I think you’re jumping to conclusions. With your help—”
“Even with my help,” Rachel said before he could finish, “it would be quite a challenge, especially when you have so many kids to deal with. These first few weeks are going to be confusing for Lena, but also very important.
