Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders #7)(83)

“What did they find?”


“Uterine fibroids. The orphanage director was called in.” Domini fought back the anger. “I was a minor. When the doctors told him the best option was removal of my uterus, he didn’t question it. He just signed the paperwork. I didn’t know any of this until after it happened when I woke up two days later.”


“There are so many other options besides the most extreme one! Especially at your age! Why didn’t they—”


“What could I do? The orphanage made the choice for me.”


“And you had something taken from you without your consent. My older patients who’ve gone through a hysterectomy have emotional issues with the physical loss of part of their womanhood. But to deal with that loss at age sixteen when you were just a girl? Just becoming a woman—” Her voice broke, and she looked away.


Domini watched in shocked silence as Doctor Monroe’s tears dripped on her white slacks. Not the reaction she’d expected.


What did you expect? She’d call Cam and tell him she could give him the babies you can’t?


Finally Doctor Monroe composed herself. “I’m sorry. It makes me so angry that there are monsters in the medical field all over the world who can just play God and take away choices…” She inhaled. Exhaled. “I get a little worked up sometimes.”


“It’s okay.”


“Did they have any idea what might’ve caused the fibroids? It’s fairly uncommon at that age.”


“There were a lot of medical abnormalities after Chernobyl. Some immediate, some issues that didn’t show up until years later. Of course, no one will admit that disaster had long term affects on any of the Ukraine people.”


“Of course not. Who monitors you?”


“A gynecological specialist in Denver. I see her once a year.”


“Good. But now that I’m aware of your condition, if you have any issues you’re not sure of, I’d be happy to treat you. I’m not a specialist, but I am determined to make rural healthcare top notch.”


“Thank you.” Domini fidgeted with the folds of the gown. “Cam doesn’t know.”


Doctor Monroe frowned. “Why not?”


“Because when we’d just started dating my friend Nadia died and left her son Anton an orphan and I couldn’t let him go into foster care. I’d have a hard time getting custody of Anton as a single woman so Cam suggested I marry him.”


“He did?”


“It was spur of the moment. As a cop Cam has had foster care training. His logic was if I married him, I wouldn’t be a flight risk and Anton wouldn’t have to go into foster care. So I said yes. I’m so selfish.” Domini started crying. “Cam is the best man in the world and he deserves so much better than me, especially with his brothers and cousins all having kids. If he stays married to me that’ll never happen, he’ll never have kids of his own and I don’t know how to tell him.”


“Ssh. Hey. Here.” The doctor handed her a tissue. “Take a deep breath. I can’t tell you what to do, because you already know what you should do. I don’t believe the only reason Cam McKay married you is so you could get custody of Anton. No one is that selfless.”


“You’d be surprised.”


“There’s no other reason?”


Domini blew her nose. “Well, the sex between us is pretty spectacular.”


“I don’t doubt that. Look, obviously you’ve dealt with the issues concerning Cam’s handicap. I can’t imagine he wouldn’t be as understanding when you tell him about yours.”


“But—”


“Do you think any less of him because his leg is gone?”


“No!”


Two raps sounded on the door and the nurse poked her head in. “Umm. There’s a very agitated, very large, uniformed man out here demanding to see his wife. He’s armed and he’s scaring me.”


Domini’s gaze zipped to the doctor’s. “How did Cam find out I was here?”


“Don’t look at me. I didn’t call him. Send him back.” Doctor Monroe patted Domini’s knee. “For now, let’s concentrate on—”


The door opened and Cam barreled in. “Domini, are you all right?”


“I’m fine, Cam.”


“You scared me half to death.” He cupped her face in his hands. His eyes searched hers frantically. “Why didn’t you call me?”


“You’re busy and—”


“I’m never too busy for you. Never ever ever too busy for my wife.” Cam glanced at the doctor. “What’s wrong with her? Is it serious? Is she gonna be okay?”


“She’s anemic for one thing. Which explains the lightheadedness and fainting spells.”


“You fainted?” Cam said incredulously.


“Just once.”


“How many times do you have to faint before you see it as a problem?” Cam turned to the doctor. “What else?”