Vital Signs (Emergency!)

by Bobby Hutchinson

Pediatric nurse Hailey Bergstrom, a nurturing but plain woman, knows the score. For her there will be no romance, no marriage, no child of her own. And then a little boy badly in need of a warm,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373711247
• ISBN13: 9780373711246
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Harlequin
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

An abandoned child helps bring love to a lonely woman

VITAL SIGNS by Bobby Hutchinson (Harlequin Superromance)Hailey is a pediatric nurse who has been yearning for children of her own for a long time. But, although Hailey seems to be popular among the children at the hospital, Hailey feels she's out of her league when it comes to dating. She feels that no guy would want to go out with her, feels very unattractive, and the few dates she's had over the years never amounted to much.Then, Hailey meets Roy, a social worker who is put on the case of a young boy who was abandoned by his mother and is sent to the hospital, barely breathing and holding on to life. Hailey happens to be the nurse that is in charge of David Rigg's recovery, and she is immediately introduced to Roy.Hailey not only falls in love with little David, who she desperately wants to take home with her and be his foster mother, but she also falls in love with the social worker. Their relationship starts out on a professional foot, but with the help of Roy's sister Nicole, who decides to play matchmaker, Hailey and Roy become more than just professional associates!I found VITALS SIGNS by Bobby Hutchinson to be one of the best harlequins superromances I've read in the past 6 months. As a novel, the book was well written. Its characters are likeable and believable, and I was very happy with the ending. But I also enjoyed the storyline and it was one of those books that I wanted to keep reading, to find out what was going to happen. Although labeled as a romance, I believe the central story line and the most important subplot of this book was the story of David, the little boy that was abandoned by his mother, and how the love of two strangers helped to make David's life a little better.

A touching, character driven romance -- Highly recommended

Two year-old David Riggs was alone three days before a neighbor called about a loud tv that went on all night and all morning. Too young to reach the water tap, David was dehydrated and conscious in the ninety degree heat when rescue personnel find him. Such a tragedy touches the heart of all ER personnel, but none as much as pediatric nurse Hailey Bergstrom who wants a child of her own. But Hailey knows she is plain, and men do not find her attractive.Rather than wait for the right guy to marry to come along before having children, Hailey signs up to adopt a child. When David's plight brings him to her floor, Hailey wants him. In charge of David's case, social worker Roy Zedyck sees the magic Hailey works on the pediatric floor. A woman who can wear a tale and bunny ears to make children smile, Hailey quickly captures his heart. But life has a way of dealing harsh surprises, and neither Hailey nor Roy are prepared to loose David to a mother who who would abandon him.Author Bobby Hutchinson gracefully acknowledges the harsh realities and the delicate works of the heart in VITAL SIGNS. While it would be easy to damn a mother out of hand for abandoning her child, Hutchinson instills gentle understanding of an impossible situation. The powerful relationship between mother and child, and the important relationship between caregiver and child result in a novel with powerful depth. Further, Hutchinson does not provide simple, easy answers to this gripping drama, allowing a touch of realism to temper the happily-ever-after romance. The result is terrific read that comes highly recommended.

An Emotional Rollercoaster with an HEA Ending

Plain pediatric nurse Hailey Bergstrom has given up on finding Mr. Right. Desperately wanting a family of her own, Hailey has begun adoption proceedings when two-year-old David, a battered toddler comes into her life, along with gorgeous social worker Roy Zedyck. Hailey decides to apply for the fostor parenting program in the hope that she can have little David. She is encouraged by Roy, and the two find themselves caught up in a passion neither expected. But when Roy must act on his conscience, Hailey's world is shattered. Can they save David and pick up the pieces?Ms. Hutchinson keeps the reader on the edge of the chair with her gripping, gutty portrayal of drug abuse and the emotional trauma it wreaks on human lives. Equally powerful are her excellent character portrayals. Very highly recommended.