Ryan Phillips, a speech and language pathologist in the physical rehabilitation unit of a major university hospital, has recently been wounded by the ending of a relationship. He is called in to treat a patient suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In the course of his treatments, he begins to have feelings for the man.<br><br>But is he ready to be healed, and will the patient heal enough to be able to return the love growing between them? Can he find the words to express it?

Finding the Words

“I highly recommend that you reconsider your decision to do that.”


“I said I highly recommend that you—”


“I heard you,” said Ryan, realizing he had just cut his boss off in mid sentence, letting his irritation get the best of him. “I thought the whole intent of personal leave was to take care of private business? It’s not subject to approval from the administration.” 


Dr. Peters’ reaction let Ryan know he was on thin ice. The man bent forward in his chair, his distended belly creased by the edge of the desk. He leaned on his elbows, his hands folded. He raised his eyebrows as he spoke. 


“When that ‘private business’ involves the personal life of a patient and compromises the professional ethics of the hospital, it becomes a subject of approval from the administration.”


“Ryan, it is no secret that you and Jeff Anderson were…shall we say…involved.”


Chapter 13