“Come on,” Brian whispered as he switched the monitor on.
With one last glance, they strolled from the room hand in hand. It was how she hoped their future would be.
Nora snuggled against Brian’s body, his warmth enveloping her, while her conscious nagged her. There was something that had woken her but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She wanted to snuggle deeper beneath the covers and forget about whatever it was. A soft moan came through the monitor, and Nora shot out of bed.
“She might just be having a bad dream.” Brian stretched his arms out above his head and started to get out of bed.
“You don’t have to come.”
“But I will.” He grabbed his shirt from edge of the bed and slipped it over his head. “In case you need me.”
She didn’t argue, just grabbed her silk robe from the edge of the bed and shoved her arms into it. I’m coming, Destiny. She hurried down the hall, not bothering to tie the robe as it flapped open around her. Two doors apart and it seemed to take her longer than it had before. When she finally reached the bedroom, she found Destiny still asleep.
“See, it was a bad dream,” Brian whispered as they neared the bed.
Not convinced, Nora leaned forward, brushing her hand against Destiny’s forehead. “She doesn’t feel warm.”
“Mommy.” Destiny’s soft cry came as she rolled over.
“I’m here, sweetie. You were moaning, are you okay?”
“Sleepy.” She answered without even opening her eyes.
“Then go back to sleep.” She tucked the blankets around Destiny and pushed her hair away from her face. “I’m just down the hall if you need me. Call me and I’ll hear you.”
Brian stepped closer and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Come on, let’s all get some sleep.”
She nodded. “Don’t even bother telling me you were right.”
“What do you mean?” He smirked down at her before taking her hand and pulling her off the bed.
“Don’t act innocent.” They walked out of the bedroom before she turned back to him. “You said she’d be okay and that I was overreacting.”
“Not overreacting, just worried. This study has had good results so far and Destiny has a good chance with it. There have been limited side effects, mostly what she’s already experiencing.”
“Limited?” Nora looked back at Destiny. “How would you like to go through the next three weeks feeling exhausted and sick to your stomach?”
“It wouldn’t be the most enjoyable time, but isn’t it better than the other options?” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Isn’t this better than going through the chemotherapy and radiation combination? I read her chart. I know how awful that was for her. We can manage these symptoms.”
“Then why didn’t Doctor Mathews prescribe anything?”
“We need to know how she’s reacting to the treatment. This is minor, but if she’s still feeling nauseous tomorrow, we’ll give her something for that. The exhaustion, that isn’t something we can do much about right now. You know as well as I do that it can be a standard thing for anyone fighting cancer. Their bodies are working so hard to beat the disease it leaves them exhausted.”
She laid her head against his shoulder. “I just hate seeing her this way.”
“I know.” He laid a gentle kiss on top of her head. “Three weeks of treatment and we’ll see how she does.”
“But a possible six weeks is a long time if it hasn’t killed all the cancer cells.” She wanted her happy, healthy, little girl back. The one who couldn’t get enough time in the pool and loved helping Greta bake cookies at the cabin. Her little girl was missing out on her childhood.
“The treatments will be over before you know it.”
“Then what do I do?” She turned to face him. “Just when I thought we had put the cancer behind us, it’s suddenly back with a vengeance. How do I know it won’t do the same thing in a few years?”
“We don’t know, but you can’t live your life in fear. She fought it once and she’ll do it again. We’ll both be at her side to make sure she gets through this.”
It had taken her nearly three years to get the constant fear out of her mind. To not become terrified every time Destiny had a cold. All of a sudden those fears were back and she couldn’t push them away. Cancer was a part of their life again. This time she wasn’t sure she could just forget about it no matter the outcome.
Maybe forgetting about it was the wrong idea. Instead, maybe she needed to do something to make a positive impact. To take a bad thing and turn it around into something constructive. Hope’s Toy Chest.
Chapter Thirteen
The week had flown by. As surprising as it was to Nora, Destiny’s condition didn’t worsen with the daily treatments. She was still exhausted, but at least the nausea had settled down with the medication Doctor Mathews prescribed, only rearing its ugly head shortly after each treatment. It gave her hope that they’d be able to get through this, even if it went on for the full six weeks.
It was Friday, the last day of treatments for the week. Nora slipped out to the coffee pot in the hall, to pour herself another refill, when she spotted Chelsea Mathews coming out of her husband’s office. Without thinking twice, she held up a new cup. “Would you like to join me?”
“No coffee for me, thanks. I’ve had to cut it out since I’m pregnant, and I doubt there’s any tea.”
“Actually there’s one tea bag left—apple cinnamon.” Nora plucked the last tea package out of the basket.
“Well, in that case, sure.”
“I wanted to talk to you about Hope’s Toy Chest.” She tore open the tea bag package, placed it in the cup, and added hot water. “Have you hired someone for the position yet?”
“No, I interviewed a few candidates this week but none of them seemed perfect. Kingsley thinks I’m just being picky and don’t actually want to hire someone.” Chelsea added two packages of sugar to the tea and stirred. “Why, do you know someone who might be interested in the position?”
“Actually, I’d like to apply. I typed up a resume and had planned to give it to Doctor Mathews to give to you after today’s treatment.” Nora took her coffee and stepped away from the counter, moving away from the nurse’s station to give them a little privacy. “I’m not sure I’m what you have in mind for this position, and I understand either way. However, I’d love to find some way of helping the organization.”
“I don’t need a resume if you have a few minutes to talk. Go over what experiences you have. We can discuss Hope’s Toy Chest and go from there.”
“Destiny’s sleeping while the IV finishes, so I have some time.”
Chelsea nodded toward the door she’d exited a few minutes before. “If Kingsley is done with his call, let’s use his office. You’ll be close and we don’t have to stand in the hallway discussing this.” She opened the door and then pushed it wider. “Mind if we come in?”
“Sure.” He nodded to the chairs in front of his desk. “Everything okay?”
“Nora has shown interest in the position and I wanted to speak with her about Hope’s Toy Chest,” Chelsea explained as they entered, and she shut the door behind them.
“Well then, I’ll do my rounds and leave you two alone.” He came around the desk, leaned down to Chelsea, and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Nora’s the one.”
“You just want me to hire someone so you know things will be fine for the first holiday season with the baby, and I won’t be stressing over every little detail.” Chelsea shook her head at her husband.
“That, and because Nora understands why Hope’s Toy Chest is special. That means more to you than someone with all the perfect qualifications, or you’d have hired that other woman. This isn’t just some organization you’ve thrown together, it’s your heart and soul. You wouldn’t just trust anyone with it.” Without another word, he opened the door and left.
“He’s right.” Chelsea set the tea aside. “Hope�
�s Toy Chest is more than just an organization I threw together because I needed something to do with my time.”
“That’s obvious, not just from what I’ve heard but from the paperwork in our check-out folder. It’s not just about bringing toys to the sick children, though that’s a big part of it. You’ve also put together a support system for the parents, activities for the children, and so much more.”
“I see you’ve done your research.” Chelsea smirked.
“I have. At first, I just wanted to know more about it, but over the last few days I’ve realized I want to be a part of it.”
“Why just the last few days?”
Nora took a seat and wiped her hands on her jeans. “When you came to the house, I said I would be interested in getting involved. At that time I thought I could help by wrapping some gifts, chatting with families, or something like that. It was Brian who suggested I put my name in for the position. But I held off because of Destiny’s cancer. I wanted to make sure I could do the job without the distractions.”
“Why the change? Have you decided you can do it?”
“Yes, I guess I have. Destiny is taking well to the treatments. Doctor Mathews believes it’s working, the blood test results are coming back as he’d like them. All I can do is be there for her, but I need more purpose. I need something for me, to give back and to keep me busy.”
Chelsea took the other chair in front of her husband’s desk. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s backtrack for a moment. Do you have any charity or work experience?”
“Until Destiny was born, I was involved in charity work, mostly visiting injured military personnel at the hospital, talking with their families, making sure their needs were met, and sending care packages to overseas service members. See, my husband was in the Army and this was my way of making the most out of military life, and it was a way to ease the loneliness. When he was killed in action, that ended. I was pregnant with Destiny and…well, honestly, I fell apart. When she was born, I was able to get myself together again.” Nora looked down at her hands as she thought of those months of loneliness; it had hurt so bad she wasn’t sure she’d make it through.
“Work experience?” Chelsea pushed when Nora remained silent.
“Until I moved to Montana to bring Destiny to Cedar Grove Children’s Hospital, I had been employed as a virtual assistant for a marketing firm, mostly writing press releases, following up on details for events, little things like that. It allowed me to be home with Destiny. I was there for a little over three years.”
“If it was virtual, why did it end?”
“My boss needed someone to attend an upcoming event and I couldn’t, not with Destiny’s health. My daughter had to come first, even though I did love my job.”
“I’m sorry things ended like that, but you know Brian and Kingsley might just be right. You might be perfect for this position. Your marketing experience is an advantage. I’m always wanting to take Hope’s Toy Chest to the next level. I think you could help with that.”
“I’ll do whatever I can. Like your husband said, this charity means something to me and that’s what’s important. If given the chance, I can prove to you that I can manage Destiny’s care and this position without letting either of them slack.”
“I have no doubt.” Chelsea nodded. “You’re hired.”
Over the next hour, they discussed everything the job would entail. Covering the different events that were already scheduled, but most importantly going over the big Christmas push. Even though it was just days before Valentine’s Day, they needed to think ahead, especially with Chelsea due in September.
While Destiny received her treatments, Chelsea and Nora would meet in Kingsley’s office to go over the details of Hope’s Toy Chest. Where each event stood and what still needed to be done. They’d work together until Chelsea was sure Nora could handle things on her own. Even once the baby was born, Chelsea still planned to be active within the organization. They’d work together, a team for the cause.
Nora still couldn’t believe she’d gotten the position, and her ideas for the organization jumbled in her thoughts. This was a new beginning for her. A way to make this horrible situation better, not only for her but for the other families. Hope’s Toy Chest was giving Nora her hope back.
Seeing Brian’s car pull into the drive, Nora left Destiny lying in bed watching her favorite movie on the television he had given her days before. They had decided this was easier than making her comfortable on the sofa and hauling her back upstairs to bed once she was too tired to walk or had fallen asleep in the middle of a movie. She headed down the steps in a light jog, eager to tell him the news.
“Ms. Horton, is everything okay?” Greta stopped dusting to look her way.
“Yes, fine, thanks.” She shot Greta a big smile. “I just need to talk to Brian.”
“Whatever it’s about, you look happy about it.” Greta grabbed a rag off the end table. “I’ll give you some privacy and get dinner started.”
“Thank you.” Nora reached out to take hold of the handle just as the door flung open, forcing her to take a step back out of surprise. “Oh.”
“What’s wrong?” Brian asked, slipping off his coat. “Is Destiny okay?”
“Everything’s fine, no…it’s wonderful. I got the position with Hope’s Toy Chest,” she blurted out, not waiting until he had a chance to hang up his coat.
“That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.” He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground. “I know you’re going to be amazing. We should celebrate.”
“Not tonight.” She kept her arms around his neck as he lowered her to her feet. “Greta has dinner started and Destiny is exhausted. I haven’t told her either, I wanted you to be the first one to know.”
“Then tomorrow. Destiny and I have a date for the hospital’s tea party, then tomorrow night is Faith’s birthday party. How about the next day, the two of us will go out for a quiet meal. Greta can watch over Destiny while we’re gone.” He rubbed his thumb along her jawline. “Say yes.”
“Okay. Unless we get a call approving us for the rental.”
“What rental?” His body went rigid under her touch.
“After Destiny’s treatment, I had an appointment to see an apartment. It’s a little farther from the hospital than I would like, but it seems like a decent neighborhood. There’s a playground across the street where Destiny can play outside when she’s feeling better.”
“I didn’t know you were looking.” He stepped back from their embrace, the sadness creasing around his mouth.
“You knew things couldn’t stay the way they are. You don’t need Destiny and I hanging around here.” As much as she hated to leave, she couldn’t outstay her welcome. He had invited her there so Destiny could get out of the hospital.
He reached out and took her hand. “I want you and Destiny to stay. I want you in my life, in my home, and in my bed. Nora, I love you.”
Love. He loved her.
She wasn’t sure what to say to that, or how to handle it. She should have seen this coming, especially after they had been sleeping together since that night in the cabin, but she hadn’t, and it shook her world.
Chapter Fourteen
The hour was late, but Nora sat on the sofa with a book in hand, her eyes fluttering shut. She was determined to wait up until she could talk to Brian. When he’d admitted his love for her, she wasn’t sure what to say, and was relieved when Destiny called for her. When she had be able to get her thoughts together and get Destiny asleep, she came downstairs to find he’d been called back to the hospital for an emergency. Now, as the minutes ticked by, she waited for him to return. With each passing second, her nervousness grew.
She thought she knew what she was going to say to him but as the hours rushed past she respectively questioned her plan. Whatever came out of her mouth when he walked in might very well surprise them both. One thing was for sure, she needed to say something to ease the mounting tens
ion left between them. There was so much of it he didn’t even bother to tell her he had to go back to the hospital; instead he’d scrawled a note for her that she’d found in his office when she went to look for him.
Unable to keep her eyes open any longer, she set the book aside and scooted down on the sofa until she could rest her head against the armrest. She’d sleep there until he came home, with the light on so he’d see her when he came in. She didn’t feel right going to bed in his room without him, especially after the way they had left things earlier, and sleeping in the guest room would give the wrong impression.
Invisible weights pulled her eyelids shut and sleep called to her like a distant friend. Her body begged her to give in, to sleep for a little bit before the dawn of a new day. The only thing that stopped her was the sound of the front door opening. Brian.
“It’s late. You didn’t have to wait up for me.” He stood in the doorway, his face drawn with worry.
“Is everything okay?” She pushed herself up into the sitting position.
“Only time will tell.”
“Are you talking about something at the hospital or about us?”
“Both.” He untied his tie, sliding the silky material free from the collar of his dress shirt. “Look, Nora, I’m sorry for earlier.”
“Sorry for what you said…or how you said it?” She tried to swallow past the lump that had formed in her throat, but the fear of his next words made that nearly impossible.
“I shouldn’t have said it like I did.”
“So, you do love me?” She needed to hear it again to know it was true.
He nodded. “I should have eased into it, instead I blurted it out, catching you off guard. You’ve got a lot on your mind right now and I realize you need time, but I want you to know that I’m here for you, even if you don’t return my feelings.”
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