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such a beautiful name, it’s a shame to shortenit.” For a moment she felt her jaw drop in shock and did her best to close her mouth so she didn’t look like a gaping fish. She was relieved when he changed the subject. “Emma’s doing well this morning. I think we’ll try to wean her a bit from the vent.”
    Okay, patient care she could handle. She took a deep breath. “That sounds like a good plan. What about nutrition?”
    â€œShe hasn’t had any seizures since we started the medication, so it’s probably okay to begin feeding her. As soon as I finish my morning rounds I’ll come back to insert a feeding tube. Maybe you could get the pump set up so everything is ready to go.”
    â€œOf course.” She avoided his direct gaze, not trusting her ability to stay cool, calm and collected.
    Had he really called her beautiful? No, he’d called her name beautiful. And that was completely different.
    Wasn’t it?
    Of course it was.
    She pulled out her stethoscope and warmed the diaphragm in the palm of her hand before leaning over to listen to Emma’s heart, lungs and abdomen. As she went through her basicassessment she swore she could feel Dr. Ryan’s piercing gaze on the back of her neck.
    Just as she finished her assessment Debra came rushing over. “Sorry I’m late, had to finish feeding Barton.”
    â€œWe can start at his bassinet,” Cassie said, hoping her need to escape Dr. Ryan’s overwhelming presence wasn’t too obvious. “I don’t mind.”
    â€œOkay.” Debra led the way over to where Barton’s bassinet was located and quickly logged onto the computer to pull up his flow sheet. “He’s up to two and a half ounces per feeding and he gained three ounces. His weight this morning is four pounds twelve ounces.”
    â€œAwesome news,” Cassie said with a smile. “What about his breathing? Any periods of apnea noted on the monitor?”
    â€œNone. He’s been clear for twenty hours now.” Debra beamed as if she were the proud mama. Actually, they all tended to take great satisfaction from watching their tiny patients’ progress. “If he lasts until tomorrow morning, Dr. Ryan is going to move him over to the level-two nursery.”
    â€œWonderful,” Cassie agreed. “His parents are going to be thrilled.”
    â€œThey won’t be here until later this afternoon, but I’m sure they will be.” Debra clicked through the rest of the assessment, including the amount of time he needed to be placed under the bili lights, along with the medication list.
    When they finished with Barton they went back over to Emma’s warmer. Cassie was relieved yet oddly disappointed that Dr. Ryan had left. They quickly reviewed Emma’s vitals, her vent settings and her medication list before Debra left to head home.
    About an hour later Emma’s IV pump began beeping. Fearing the worst, she hurried over to shut off the pump and check the IV site.
    Emma’s little vein had blown earlier than she’d expected. She removed the catheter, feeling bad about the bruise that marred Emma’s pink skin.
    â€œI’m so sorry, sweetpea,” she murmured. “Unfortunately, I’m going to have to put this IV back in.”
    As much as she detesting having to poke the baby, she knew it was for Emma’s own good. The poor thing needed to get her medication to prevent seizures. She was especially anxious to get some tube feedings into thelittle baby. Emma had lost the three ounces Barton had gained.
    This time, she chose the opposite arm for the IV. Tiny beads of sweat rolled down from her temples as she concentrated on finding the vein. For some reason, putting an IV in Emma was much more stressful than when she placed them in other patients. Thankfully she managed to thread the tiny catheter in and breathed out a sigh of relief.
    â€œNice job,” Dr. Ryan