Unexpected Inheritance

7

Callie walked through the halls of the county hospital, taking everything in. The equipment was outdated, the staffing was stretched thin, and the whole place felt like it was hanging together by sheer willpower. She glanced at Miranda, who was watching her carefully.

"Damn," Callie muttered. "I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was this bad."

Miranda nodded. "Welcome to my world."

They stepped into an empty patient room, where Callie ran a hand over a worn-out exam table. "This place needs everything. Better imaging, updated surgical tools, more staff. The nearest trauma center is hours away, but this place isn't equipped to handle real emergencies."

"That's why I asked you to come," Miranda said. "I've already started working on trauma protocols, getting donations, setting up training. But it's not enough. These doctors are good, but they need support."

"Miranda, this place needs someone like you. Have you thought about leaving your practice and running this hospital once we fix it up?"

Miranda turned to her, surprised. "Leaving my practice?" She shook her head. "Callie, I just got that place up and running. People rely on me."

"Miranda, this place is rough. They need real leadership, someone who knows what they're doing."

Miranda sighed, glancing around at the outdated equipment and overworked staff. "I know. That's why I'm helping get them the resources they need. But I'm not leaving my practice to run this place."

Callie studied her. "Are you sure? You used to run an entire department. You could turn this hospital around."

Miranda shook her head. "I like what I do now. I like being part of the community, treating whole families, being there from start to finish. I don't want to be stuck in admin meetings and budget discussions. I love being a doctor, not a hospital director."

Callie smirked. "You used to love being a surgeon."

Miranda shrugged. "I still do. But this... this feels right for me now."

Callie nodded slowly. "Alright. But if you ever change your mind..."

"I won't."

Weeks passed, filled with intensive training sessions, supply drop-offs, and countless late-night strategy meetings with the hospital staff. Miranda coordinated with her former colleagues, making sure every department received the attention it needed. The hospital was still far from perfect, but it was improving, and the staff had a renewed sense of hope.

Ben leaned against the kitchen counter, watching as Miranda sorted through a stack of paperwork from the latest supply drop. "So," he drawled, arms crossed, "are you secretly rich?"

Miranda let out a short laugh without looking up. "Not exactly."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "Not exactly? You've been throwing money at this hospital left and right."

She smirked. "I had some cash stashed for a rainy day. And Eleanor left me some money."

Ben whistled low. "How much we talkin'?"

She gave him a look. "Enough."

Ben chuckled. "Well, I guess I should've known, fancy doctor like you, moving out here and turning this place around."

"I have the means to help, so I'm going to. If this place had been better equipped, how many people might've had a different outcome?"

"You got a good heart, Miranda Bailey."

She smirked. "And deep pockets, apparently."

He grinned. "Yeah, well, I think I like both."

"Callie asked if I'd run the hospital"