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shoulder. “You did all you could, Doc. There were others who didn’t even want to take a chance with him, but you tried your best. Ethan was very fond of you, and we had four beautiful years with him because of your hard work and persistence. We can’t ever thank you enough for those.”
    Clint felt like a fraud and a loser. If he was so dammed good, he could have saved Ethan, but instead he failed him. He didn’t have any words to express the grief he felt. He hugged Ethan’s parents and left them to say goodbye to their son.
    When he got out, he wiped a hand over his cheeks to brush away the last of his tears. Ethan was gone, but there were others who needed his attention. He felt optimistic that most of them were going to make it, but the ones who didn’t—he never forgot them. His gaze strayed to the beautiful woman who was sitting on the bench against the door.
    She looked very familiar, but there was something different about her hair.
    “Hi. Do I know you?” When she stood up, he suddenly remembered. “Layla, right?”
    “You have an excellent memory.” She smiled a little hesitatingly. “I just came in to see if any of my test results were in, and then I heard about the boy—and I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but follow you. Is he—is he…?”
    Clint nodded. “He’s gone.” He could tell that she was deeply troubled about something. Surely, it couldn’t be the death of his patient since she didn’t know him, although he could tell that the news of Ethan’s death disturbed her. Why was she here at this time?
    Her gaze darted to the closed door. “I’m sorry. It must be hard to deal with the death of a young child.”
    “It is.” Clint felt the urge to stay with her and talk, even though he didn’t know her. Yes, he’d asked her out because she was beautiful and he’d been drawn to her, but there was also some other quality about her…her empathy. The way she’d talked to Charlotte and now, sadness she showed about Ethan’s death told him she was highly sensitive. He felt an immediate attraction to her. It wasn’t just for her beauty, but also for her good heart which he could see easily. “Would you like to have a smoothie with me? There’s a smoothie bar right outside. They serve coffee too, if that’s what you prefer. I can’t handle caffeine too well this time of the night.”
    She tilted her head. “Sure.”
    Amazed at his luck, he gestured with his hand.
    She fell into step beside him.
    “I’m sure you’re wondering how I can ask you out at a time like this.”
    “You need to go on with a normal life, so you can help others.” She adjusted the strap of her purse. “I appreciate the fact that you can deal with your grief and yet, continue to live.”
    He remembered that she was engaged. Or was that an excuse she gave, so she wouldn’t have to say yes to his offer for dinner the other day? He didn’t want to ask and spoil the moment. He also felt astounded at her keen perspective. “Are all your tests finished?”
    “They might have to run a couple more of them.” She sighed. “I’m losing my hair, and the doctors are trying to figure out why.”
    He didn’t spare a glance at her wig. Naturally, she must be using it to hide the bald patches. Sympathy welled in his heart. She wasn’t here to know about her test results at this time. Something else drew her here so late at night. He wasn’t sure if he should ask her. “It must be very distressing for you.”
    “It was, until I overheard your conversation with the receptionist and then I realized that there were kids dying while I was moaning and groaning about my hair.” She marched forward with an easy grace as they crossed the street. “It gave me a big jolt, and that’s why I followed you.”
    He opened the door of the smoothie bar. Now, he understood her reasons. It wasn’t often that people could put things in such perspective so early on. “Ethan was a very strong boy. Although he wanted to live, he