The Very Best of Care

An excerpt from my new medical thriller

Sophie started panting, which worked for thirty seconds before her eyes popped wider and a wrenching contraction ripped through her lower body. Sweat dripped down the side of her face. She grabbed Carol’s wrist. “What is going on? What’s wrong? Promise me Danny will be okay. Please save him.” Sophie felt the heat of terror and labor burning her face.

“Sophie, you’re going to be okay. And so will your baby.” Carol turned and yelled out, “I need some help here!” Nurses crowded around her gurney, bumping into each other as they hurried to tear open packages of supplies. They ripped off pieces of tape to hold Sophie’s IV in place. Two IV bags hung precariously from the pole that extended above Sophie’s head. Needles, syringes, and vials of medications littered the counter. The noxious smell of alcohol permeated the air.

“Sophie, we’re doing everything we can to keep that baby inside of you,” Carol explained in a tight, controlled tone. “Just keep panting.” She dropped the head of the gurney down, laying Sophie flat on her back. Paralyzed with fear, Sophie stared at the brown water-stained ceiling tiles above her. I haven’t even met him yet. He can’t die now. Then another agonizing cramp gripped her belly. “Nooooo!” She tried to sit up, but the pain was unbearable forcing her to stay on her back. Tears ran down her temples and collected in her ears. She’d never felt so helpless. She started to pray. God, please don’t let him die. I’ve tried so hard. He can’t just die now.

The beeps from the monitor slowed, no longer reassuringly steady and strong.

“The baby’s heart rate is dropping!” Carol shouted. “I need another IV started right now. She needs a fluid bolus. Someone check the baby’s position.” Carol’s eyes were fixed on the fetal monitor. “The baby’s heart rate is sixty and it’s not coming up!”

This is an excerpt from my debut novel “The Very Best of Care” - a medical thriller, due out in June. The book is now available for preorder at Barnes & Noble for a 25% discount for the next 3 days.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/_/N-26Z29Z8q8

Enter the code PREORDER25 at checkout.

Thank you for your support and enjoy reading!