Hope's Toy Chest Read online

  “Last night was a rough night for Jessica. The radiation made her extremely ill.” She wiped her hands on her pants.

  “We spoke about this before. If we stop her radiation treatments, her prognosis becomes dire. It is your choice, but I would strongly advise against it.” He knew how rough the radiation was, especially at the level they were doing it, but it was the only thing that might help. Even then it would only prolong the inevitable; they had no cure.

  “That’s not why I asked to meet with you.” She leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees. “Tomorrow is her third treatment, then she has a day off before the next three days of radiation. I want to take her home.”

  “Mrs. Cook…”

  She put up her hand stopping him. “Please just hear me out.” When he nodded, she continued. “Just for a few hours…we both know it’s doubtful she’ll make it until Christmas. Let me take her home and give her a proper Christmas. I can have my sister come in, clean, and put up the Christmas tree.”

  “You know if Jessica leaves the hospital, it’s likely she’ll catch a virus, her frail body couldn’t handle that now. It’s too much of a risk.”

  “If this is her last Christmas, I want to make it memorable. Please, Doctor Mathews, there’s got to be something you can do.” Tears glistened in Kelly’s eyes as she begged him to give her daughter one final Christmas celebration. “Please…”

  Chapter Five

  Kingsley sat at his desk long after Mrs. Cook had left, trying to figure out a way to make her wish come true. She wasn’t asking too much by wanting to have a semblance of normalcy for their last Christmas together. Now he just had to figure out a way to do it without risking his patient.

  Suddenly he shot from his chair, nearly spilling his coffee over everything. If he could get the approval of the Hospital Administrator, he might be able to make a special Christmas for Jessica after all. That and a little help from Chelsea. He finished off his coffee and headed for the door. Calling might have saved him time if Doctor Annabell Booth was busy, but he needed to stretch his legs.

  Doctors, nurses, patients, and families moved quickly through the long corridors of the hospital, each rushing to and from. It always surprised him how many emotions could be seen throughout a hospital. Families receiving good news glowed with a fresh start, while others had unshed tears glistening in their eyes.

  With his mind elsewhere, he quickly made his way through the hospital, and up to the eighth floor where the administration offices were. Stepping off the elevator, he found Grace sitting behind her desk. Grace had worked for the hospital for over twenty years, her salt and pepper hair in a fashionable bob cut, her business suit perfectly pressed. The way she glanced up from behind her glasses made him feel like he was back in school again.

  “Doctor Mathews, how can I help you?” Grace had known him when he was just a boy, visiting his sister. Back then, she had been a nurse on Elizabeth’s floor. They had kept in touch and when he graduated medical school, she had been there, beaming from ear to ear.

  “I was hoping to have a minute of Doctor Booth’s time. It’s somewhat of an urgent matter.”

  “Ahh, now that might be a problem. She had a very busy schedule today.” While Grace glanced at the schedule, he waited, not at all surprised Annabell was busy. She was even more of a workaholic than him, if that was even possible. Annabell had been the Chief of the Emergency Room before going over to the dark side—administration. She had always played well with others and with her experience and knowledge she made an excellent Hospital Administrator.

  “I’ll make myself available whenever she can squeeze me in and I promise I only need five minutes of her time.”

  “She’s got a few minutes before her next appointment, let me see if she can talk now as a favor to me. I know you wouldn’t be here in person without calling ahead if it wasn’t important.” She stood from her desk. “No promises.”

  “Thank you.” He was grateful for her kindness.

  He slipped his hand into the pocket of his dress slacks and fingered his cell phone, trying to determine when Elizabeth and Jason would make it through the bad reception area. She’d have a phone number for Chelsea, but a trip home, with lunch for the two of them, might be the better way to convince her that he needed her help. He tried not to think about the fact that she had occupied the majority of his thoughts since she left.

  Grace stepped out of the office, drawing his attention. “You’ve got three minutes.”

  “I owe you.” He stepped around her, nearing the door. “Thank you.”

  Stepping into the office, he found Annabell sitting behind the desk, looking both tired and ready to take on whatever scumbag who wanted to cheat the patients from their health benefits. “Thank you for taking the time to see me. I understand you’re busy and only need a moment.”

  She leaned back in her leather chair, a pen still in hand, and glanced up at him. “Sit down and get to it, Kingsley.”

  “A no-nonsense woman, I like that.” He teased, taking a seat in front of her desk.

  “Your flirting will get you nowhere with me. Those big blue eyes don’t work on me like they do on Grace.” She gave him a smile.

  She had a way of putting everyone at ease. She was a strict boss, but fair. “Fine then, I’ll cut to it. One of my patients isn’t going to make it to the holidays and I was hoping to do something special for her.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Jessica has been in and out of the hospital since she was nine months old. Five long years of treatments, needles, and endless hospital stays.” He paused for a moment before leaning forward. “At one time the ninth floor was used as rooms for the parents, or those traveling through. I know we still have the rooms for medical students, and other staff if they need a crash room when working long hours.”

  “Don’t forget the storage,” she reminded him. “Now how about you tell me what you’re getting at?”

  “Jessica’s mother wants to take her out of the hospital, the day after tomorrow, to have one final Christmas with her that isn’t surrounded by the nursing staff, doctors, machines, and the sickly scent of bleach. I can’t with good conscious sign off on it. Jessica is in too frail of health to risk her catching a virus, traveling in this weather.” He took a deep breath, his breath caught in his throat. “I want to take over one of the rooms and give Jessica the Christmas she deserves. To let them spend the night there with the Christmas decorations, and the next morning can be their Christmas, and Jessica can open her presents.”

  “You don’t think it would be too much for her?”

  “She’d be in a safe and secure environment. I’ll stay here at the hospital, checking in on her to make sure everything is fine. If there are any changes in her health, I’ll return her to the floor. She’s on a three day radiation with one day off rotation. The day after tomorrow is her off day.”

  “How are you going to pull this off by yourself?” She tossed her pen on the desk, watching him.

  “I know someone who’d be willing to help, and Elizabeth will be back in town that morning. If there are any last minute things, I know I can count on her and Jason. Do I have your approval?”

  “To take a sick child up there you’re going to need a deep cleaning of the room.”

  “I won’t ask for the hospital cleaners. I’ll see to it and everything else. Cleaning, decorations, everything. What do you say?” His stomach churned waiting for the answer. It was worse than waiting to see if he’d gotten into his top choice for medical school.

  She nodded. “Don’t take any unnecessary risks with her health.”

  Excitement coursed through him, and for that brief moment the joys of Christmas began to return to him. “Thank you.”

  He stood and quickly made his way to the door. There was so much to do before Jessica’s Christmas celebration. The first thing he needed to do was talk to Chelsea.

  Chapter Six

  Chelsea sat in the middle of Kingsley’s living ro
om surrounded by mountains of toys. Thanks to his key, she’d been able to make a dent, as small as it might be. She had managed to get the stuff divided for two children. Now she sat there wrapping them, putting them in a Santa sack to be delivered on Christmas Eve.

  The front door opened, and dress shoes made a dull thud on the hardwood floor. “Chelsea?”

  “In here.” She put the last piece of tape on the baby doll and tossed it onto the pile in the sack. “What brings you home at this time of the day?”

  “Lunch.” He held up a bag of Chinese food. “Want to join me?”

  With a glance at the clock, she smirked. “It’s ten-thirty in the morning. Where did you find a Chinese restaurant open at this time?”

  “The one by the hospital is always open early preparing for the day. They’ll take orders from us at the hospital before they open.” He set the bag on the table. “I thought we could have some lunch and I could convince you to help a little girl.”

  “You didn’t have to bribe me. After all, I owe you for letting me take over your house.” She stood up, carefully making her way through the piles. “It smells delicious.”

  “I’ll grab plates and we can talk about what I’d like your help with.” He turned to the cherry wood cabinets and grabbed the dishes. “I got chicken and broccoli, beef teriyaki, and crab rangoon.”

  “Can I get drinks?”

  “I keep a pitcher of water with a splash of lemon in the refrigerator. If you’d like to pour me a glass, I’d appreciate it.” He took the dishes to table and begun unwrapping the food. “You mentioned expanding Hope’s Toy Chest. Well, I have a new idea.”

  “You didn’t even wait until you’ve plied me with good food before you jump right into what you need from me.” She brought the drinks over and sat down. “So get on with it.”

  She took a drink, and one of the crab rangoons, before looking up at him. The idea of expanding Hope’s Toy Chest brought a new level of excitement to her. The organization in her daughter’s memory had become her coping mechanism and her life. There was nothing outside of the organization for her, at least nothing since her divorce. Her and her husband didn’t make it a year after Hope’s death before their divorce proceedings started. Without Hope they had nothing left between them, and there seemed to be no point in staying together.

  “The little girl I mentioned last night who’s dying. I need your help to bring her a Christmas the day after tomorrow.”

  “Season of miracles, but I think we can pull it off. A Christmas in her hospital room?” She accepted her food and dug in.

  “The hospital used to have guest rooms on the ninth floor for the families of the sickest children, or those traveling through. Now they are just used for medical students and crash rooms when working doubles. I’ve got permission to take over one of those rooms to give her a good celebration. The plan is to take her up tomorrow evening. She’ll go to bed with a Christmas tree shining bright, and when she wakes up Santa—well, us—will have delivered her gifts.”

  “Can you get me a list of what she’d like? I’ll gather it, and wrap it.” She took a bite of chicken.

  “I’ll speak with her mother. If you’re willing to help, I’ll get everything else lined up.” He began eating his own meal.

  “What’s everything else?”

  “I need to have the room sanitized, then decorated. That reminds me, if you hear people outside this afternoon, it’s nothing. I hired people to come decorate. I’ve got an image to uphold with my neighbors, can’t let the children down just because I’ve lost the spirit.”

  “How about we try to regain that spirit of the holidays by decorating the hospital room ourselves? We can do it this evening once you’re done working. I can get the decorations and meet you there.” She pushed the broccoli aside.

  “Didn’t your mother teach you that you should eat your vegetables? It will keep the doctors away.” He teased.

  “I eat salads, cucumbers, peppers, and fruits. A little vegetable neglect won’t kill me.” She didn’t want to keep the doctor away; neglecting all her fruit and vegetables might keep him around longer.

  He let out a lighthearted chuckle. “You don’t have to decorate. I know you have enough to deal with.”

  “I don’t mind. I was just sitting in your living room thinking you needed a tree as well.”

  “I just haven’t been in the mood this season. It seems to have lost its joy.” With his plate now cleaned, he sat his fork down. “I have a meeting with a parent to discuss treatment options at four-thirty, so how about you meet me at the hospital at six?”

  “That will be fine. Are you going to be able to get it cleaned before then?”

  “I’m going to call my housekeeper, and see if she can do it for me today.” He slipped his phone from his pocket. “I should do that and then get back to the hospital.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll clean up.”

  He took his plate to the sink and rinsed it before putting it in the dishwasher. “Sorry to rush off.” When she waved his apology away, he slipped his jacket on. “I’ll have a list of stuff for you tonight. After we decorate, maybe we can get some dinner and come back here to find the stuff on her wish list,” he suggested.

  Dinner with him seemed more intimate and sent butterflies spinning within her. “That would be nice.”

  “Very well. In the closet of my office are the Christmas decorations I have. Help yourself to anything we might need.”

  “Thanks, but you’re going to need them here. Plus I keep extra supplies around just for cases like this.” She finished off the last crab rangoon and watched him walk out the door. He could fill out those dress slacks like no other man she knew. She wanted to touch him, to feel his body beneath her fingers.

  She closed her eyes, letting the fantasy take hold. It had been so long since she felt anything stir within her. Letting her mind wander to what he might look like under those clothes, how his body would feel pressed against her.

  He’s not the type of man to get involved with, even in my fantasies.

  Kingsley was dedicated to his work, and she wasn’t sure she could take the backseat to his career. When her divorce was finalized, she’d promised herself that if she ever got involved again it would be with someone who would love her for who she was, not who she could be or what she could do for them. She had spent too long as the woman on her husband’s arm, and then the perfect housewife while her husband was busy with his career. Never again.

  Chapter Seven

  Kingsley had everything in order for the celebration for the Cook family. The only thing left was the decorations and the presents. Hope’s Toy Chest would be providing some of the toys, and Kelly’s sister would be bringing the ones they had purchased in the morning. Little Jessica was going to have a Christmas that would make other children envious.

  It was only five-thirty but he figured he’d mosey down to the lobby and help Chelsea carry the decorations in. He shut down his computer and went to grab his jacket when a knock sounded at his door.

  “Come in.”

  Grace opened the door and peaked her head in. “I was hoping I’d catch you here. Annabell told me of your plans and I wanted to offer Tony’s services to you. He plays Santa for the ward parties, and a couple events. He could stop by Jessica’s room before she goes to bed. Jessica with Santa in front of the tree would be a good photo for Kelly, one that she’d hold dear always.”

  “Are you sure Tony won’t mind? I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before.”

  “No, he’d love to.”

  “Perfect. We’re moving her upstairs around seven.”

  “Good. I’ll have him here at six-thirty to make sure she’s still awake.”

  “Thank you, Grace, and tell Tony I owe him one.”

  “We’re glad to do it. This is a great thing you’re doing for the Cooks. If you need anything, just let me know.”

  He curved his lips into a smile, knowing she had a hard time saying no to him. “Actually,
now that you mention it, there’s something else. On Jessica’s off days from radiation, she has a sweet tooth, and she loves chocolate cake. It’s so much better when it’s homemade instead of what I could buy. What do you say?”

  With a quick nod, she turned to leave. “I’ll make her my triple chocolate cake and bring it tomorrow night. See you then.”

  “Thank you.” He called after her before grabbing his coat. He didn’t slip it on, but instead slung it over his arm.

  For the first time in months, he strolled out of his office in a good mood. He left his worries behind him, and looked forward to the evening activates. Decorating the room upstairs held more appeal to him than decorating his own house, because tomorrow evening he’d be able to see Jessica’s face when they revealed what they’d pulled together for her. That in itself made everything worth it.

  “Doctor Mathews.” Nancy hollered to him just before he stepped into the elevator. “Can I have a moment?”

  “Everything okay?” He glanced at his watch.

  “I heard what you’re doing for the Cooks and I’d like to volunteer to stay over tomorrow to look after Jessica.”

  “That’s appreciated but not necessary. I’ll be staying upstairs.”

  “I understand but I would still like to help. Jessica has captured all our hearts, and I would love to be a part of this special celebration for her.”

  “Very well. The accommodations are rough, but we’ll only be there one night, and like you said it will be worth it. I’ll see you tomorrow night at six o’clock, so we can take her upstairs around seven. We’ll give them most of the next day and bring her back onto the ward that evening. You don’t have to stay the whole time.”

  “I’ll be there. Thank you.” She went back to the nurse’s desk.