"Once you graduate, every hospital in the city will be lining up to hire you."
"I wish I could keep you here, but I know that's just wishful thinking."
Claire smiled. "I'm still just a student."
Randall let out a long sigh. "Exactly. You're already so impressive, and you haven't even finished school. Who knows which big-name hospital will be lucky enough to have you in the future."
A small place like theirs just couldn't compete.
"Randall, don't stress over it. You look worn out. Why don't you grab a bit of rest?” Claire said gently. "Tandy has probably arrived by now. I'll go check on him."
With Claire saying that, Randall didn't insist. Even if he forced himself to stay up and chat, Claire still needed some sleep.
"I'll come with you," Randall decided. He really wanted to rest, but now just wasn't the time.
As soon as the two of them stepped out of the lounge, they spotted Tandy. He was surrounded by a few specialists, deep in discussion about the day's surgery.
When Tandy noticed Claire and Randall, his whole expression softened, filled with gratitude. "If it weren't for you two, Yates would have lost his leg. I can't thank you enough."
Randall was quick to wave off the praise. He told Tandy just how tense things had been and how it was all thanks to Claire's decisive actions that things turned out so well.
Tandy already knew how incredible Claire was and felt lucky Randall had her on his team this time.
Tandy's wife had come too. She took Claire's hands, her words overflowing with thanks. She even wiped away tears, saying, "We treat Walton Yates like our own son. The moment I heard about the accident, my heart nearly stopped."
She'd actually been so shocked she blacked out and fainted on the spot. Thankfully, her husband was there to catch her.
"Honestly, even if I hadn't been there, someone else would've stepped in. Your nephew was just lucky," Claire said, not wanting the spotlight. She explained that Randall and the rest of the team rushed into surgery night away and gave her a chance to help, even though she was so young. If they didn't trust her, she never would have made it into the operating
room. Tandy made that possible.
"I've heard Walton mention you many times. He always says it's a shame he didn't meet you first.
Having a student like you would've made his life so much
Helena said warmly, her words
putting everyone at ease.
Claire stayed and chatted for a while longer before apologizing. "My friends are waiting for me, so I have to head out."
"You just finished surgery. You really
need some rest. I'll book a few hotel rooms for you and your friends. Sleep well before you travel again alright?” Heléna offered, looking concerned when she learned Claire and her friends were on a graduation trip and planning to leave so soon.
"If you're here for fun, you should take it easy. Stay another day and see some of
our local sights. It's beautiful this time of year,” she suggested brightly. It was honestly a tempting idea.
Claire smiled. “I'll have to run it by my friends, but please, don't worry about the cost."
"No way," Helena said firmly. “You lost a whole day helping Yates. I insist on paying for your rooms."
Unable to win the argument, Claire promised she'd ask her friends first.
While Claire was busy with surgery, her friends had already wandered around the city, trying out all sorts of local food.
"I heard there's a famous mountain nearby. It's a great place to cool off. We could check it out," Shirley suggested right away.
Sophia and Len nodded, both on board.
Claire had worked hard and deserved some rest. Since they weren't heading out yet, they might as well go explore and have a little fun.