Hope's Toy Chest Read online

  “My tablet is in the truck.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her onto his outstretched legs, and snuggling her against him.

  “You’re going to get yourself wet, I’m covered in snow.”

  “I don’t care.” He tugged her hat off. She was beautiful with her hair cascading down around her. Without thinking it through or giving himself a second to question himself, he leaned in and kissed her.

  Claiming her lips with his own, he tasted the spiciness of cinnamon from the tea she had earlier, mixed with vanilla lip-gloss. He used his tongue to gently ease her mouth open. She leaned closer, her hand traveling up his chest as he kissed her one final time before pulling back.

  “That was nice.” Her breath was warm and full of desire.

  “Nice? Hmm, I had hoped for better than nice.”

  “I meant…well, it was unexpected. You’re out of my league.” She started to pull away, but he held her tight.

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means just what I said. Look at us, you’re the Chief of the Pediatric Oncology ward and I’m just a charity president, with no real career or life outside of it.”

  “You’re so much more than that.” He slipped a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Since you showed up in my life again, I can’t get you out of my thoughts. You’re all I think about lately. I’ll admit I had planned to put distance between us, but not for the reasons you think.”

  “Then why?”

  “You deserve so much better than what I can give you. Someone who will be home in the evenings, not off trying to save everyone that comes through the hospital doors.” He locked his arms around her waist. “Chelsea, I work long hours, and even when I’m home I’m often working or thinking about work. What kind of life is that for you?”

  “Many doctors find a way to balance a personal life and their careers. If anyone should understand what you do, I can. Those children and parents need you. You’re an amazing doctor and I would never ask you to put your career on the back burner.” She cupped the side of his face. “It seems as though we were both fighting this for our own reasons, and they aren’t very different.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’ve been haunting my fantasies and dreams since I showed up at your house and you knocked me on my ass. I was fighting it because I didn’t want to come between you and the children you fight to save. I would never want to be the reason you missed something.” She teased her finger along his jawline. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way. Why don’t you kiss me again?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  With dinner finished and the test results still fresh in Le’s mind, he sank down on the sofa next to Chelsea. Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he let his head fall back. The miracle the Cooks wanted had arrived, leaving him anxious to get back to Cedar Grove to deliver the news personally.

  “You seem happier than I’ve ever seen you.” She tipped her head until it was resting on his chest.

  “For the first time in a very long time, I believe in miracles again.”

  “Sorry you’re not there to…”

  He lifted her chin with his forefinger. “Don’t be sorry. I’m right where I want to be.”

  Without a second of hesitation, he leaned forward and their lips met with intense desire. Her mouth slid open, letting his tongue explore her. He slipped his hand along her body to her waist before pulling her into his lap. Sliding on top of him, she placed her knees on either side of him, all without breaking the kiss, her arms locked around his neck, drawing them closer.

  Passion pulsated in his groin. He wanted nothing more than to take her to bed and have her scream his name. He broke the kiss, enjoying her warm breath over his face.

  “Are you sure? You know what I can offer you…”

  “Shhh.” She placed her finger over his lips. “I’m sure. Are you?”

  For a brief second, Liz’s warning ran through his mind.

  Don’t lead her on…she deserves better than that.

  He might not be the man he thought she deserved, but he’d do his best to make sure she never regretted this decision. “I’ve wanted you since you walked back into my life. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to be with someone as much as I want you.” Adrenaline flooded his veins.

  “Then let’s not waste this night.” She unlaced her hands from around his neck and pulled off her sweater, revealing a black bra with pink trim.

  Without further invitation, he stood, taking her with him, and in two quick strides made it to the bed. He lowered her onto the mattress and whisked his shirt over his head.

  “Take off your bra and lay back.”

  She did as he asked, quickly tossing the bra aside before reclining on her elbows. He wedged his body between her legs, leaning into her. Trailing kisses along her neck, hunger coursed through him. He wanted to take his time, to get acquainted with every inch of her body. He claimed her nipples with his mouth, sucking each one, and flicking his tongue over them.

  “Le,” she moaned, and tugged at the button of his jeans.

  Reluctantly, he released her nipple, rising up above her so he could gaze into her green eyes while his hands caught hold of her jeans and slid them down her legs. “You’re beautiful.”

  Her cheeks reddened, and her fingers paused mid-motion from sliding his zipper down. “If I’m naked then I want you to be as well. Off with these.” She tugged at his jeans.

  He slipped off the bed and quickly took off the remainder of his clothes. “I want you on top, to see your body riding mine. I want to see your beauty in the light from the fireplace.” He slipped onto the bed next to her, pulling her with him until she straddled his torso, and caressed the curves of her body.

  He slid his hand between their bodies, his fingers teasing her sweet spot before entering her core, tantalizing her with yearning. She arched her back, giving his fingers deeper access. As the light from the fire accentuated her body, she rode his fingers to near orgasm before he stopped. He wanted to feel her orgasm around his shaft and not a minute before.

  “Le, please, I need you.” Her voice was full of desire.

  He moved his hands to her hips and lifted her. “Up.” When she hovered above him, he adjusted so his shaft stood just below her entry. He guided her down onto him. Filling her inch by inch, nearly halfway in, he pushed up on her hips making her rise again before entering her completely with his manhood. His steady strokes fed her fire like tinder set to dynamite. His hands on her hips set their pace.

  He leaned into her, locking his mouth on her nipple and sucked until she moaned in pleasure. She quickened the movement, driving the force of each pump. His thrusts became deeper and faster, a perfect rhythm.

  Her body tightened around his shaft and her nails dug into his chest. “Oh, Le!” She cried out as his own orgasm followed.

  Breathless, he brushed her hair from her face. He wanted to see her. Chelsea’s eyes were glossy and dreamy—the aftermath of amazing sex. Glowing with beauty, she sent a fresh wave of desire through him.

  She slid off him, lying next to him. Snuggling next to his body, she sighed. “I can’t believe we’re here together.”

  He pulled the blanket over them. His breath returned to normal as contentment filled him. He cradled her, caressing her spine with long, lazy strokes. “Me either.”

  The morning light was peeking through the curtains, reminding Le they should get on the road before the second wave of the storm hit. Throughout the night they had made love more than they had slept, making it too early for their tired bodies. He teased his fingers down Chelsea’s arm, enjoying the feeling of her snug against his body.

  “We should go.” She tipped her head up to look at him. “I know you want to go to the hospital before it gets late.”

  “I’m sorry.” This was the reason he had avoided relationships, he always felt guilty that he was so devoted to his career.

  “Don’t be.” She ran her hand across his cheek. “I kn
ew who you were before I agreed to this. I’ll never have a problem with it, trust me.”

  He kissed her, tugging her bottom lip into his mouth and letting his teeth scrap lightly over it. “Thank you for understanding.”

  “Then let’s get going.”

  He snuggled his face into her hair, enjoying one last quiet moment between them. “I guess we should.”

  “Since we have to drive almost past your house maybe you can drop me off there. My car is still there.” She slipped out of his embrace, edging toward the end of the bed.

  “I was kind of hoping you’d come with me. Liz is off and Kelly might need someone to talk to in order to adjust to the newest development. With Liz’s in-laws in town, I don’t want to call her in if I don’t have to.”

  “I don’t think she’ll want me or anyone else. I respect you can’t tell me but I can make a logical jump, and she’s only going to want to be with her daughter.”

  “We’ll see. So will you come with me to the hospital, then we can go back to my place and deal with my exploding truck bed of toys?”

  With a nod, she slipped on her jeans. “I’ll stay in the waiting room, and you can let her know I’m there if she wants to talk. Now get dressed.”

  “Oh, I like a woman who thinks she’s in charge.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. More like he enjoyed her feistiness. Submissive woman, always waiting for a man’s orders, had never been his thing. He wanted a woman with her own mind, one who would stand beside him, not behind him.

  “I can be in charge when needed, but this time I have my own motives.”

  “What’s that?” He slipped out of bed and followed suit by pulling on his pants.

  “I’m hoping once we leave the hospital I can have you to myself for a bit, and I wasn’t thinking about the gifts in your truck.”

  That very thought sped him up. He wanted to be alone with her. If he’d had his way, they would’ve spent the rest of the weekend here, locked in each other’s arms.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kingsley sat behind his desk waiting for Kelly to say something, anything. Instead she just sat there silently, tears streaming down her face. Damn it, he should have called Liz in, he needed the backup when it came to crying women.

  “Are you absolutely sure? How?”

  “We ran the tests multiple times. Jessica is in remission.” Even as he said it, he couldn’t believe it. Since Jessica had come under his care there had never been a true remission. They had made progress with treatments for different periods but it always came back with a vengeance. “As for how, I’d love to take credit for it. To tell you it was the treatment, or modern medicine, but I can’t.”

  “What?”

  “As you know, we ran routine tests recently, and there was no change.” He opened the file on his desk, needing to see the proof again. “These tests look as though she’s been in remission for weeks. It’s impossible.”

  “A miracle.” She mumbled.

  “The miracle you wanted.” He leaned forward, placing his hands on the folder.

  “Can I take her home?”

  “I’m afraid we’re not at that stage just yet.” It was unbelievable that they were talking about Jessica leaving the hospital, when only a few days before they believed she wouldn’t see Christmas. “She’s weak and all of this has taken a toll on her body, especially her heart. Doctor West, the pediatric cardiologist you met the other day, has agreed to take Jessica as a patient. He’ll be working to regain her health. When the time comes that she can leave the hospital, we want her in the best condition she can be in. Give it time.”

  “I’ll give it all the time in the world because my little girl has been given a second chance at life. She’s going to live.” Tears followed freely down her face, but these were tears of joy. “Thank you.”

  He nodded, not sure what else to say. “Liz had plans today or she’d be here, but I know you connected with Chelsea. We just returned from Three Forks with a load of toys that were collected there by a former hospital patient and her mother. I got the news and came straight here. If you need someone to talk to, I’m sure she’d be willing, or I can call Liz.”

  “No, let Liz enjoy her day off. This isn’t a time for a grief counselor. It’s a time for celebration. Does Chelsea know?”

  He shook his head. “You know I couldn’t tell her. I only made her come with me so I didn’t have to make a detour.”

  “Where is she? I’d like to tell her the news before I go to Jessica.”

  “The family lobby, just down the hall.”

  “Thank you for everything.” She rose from the chair and reached to him, laying her hand over his.

  “It was a miracle. One that was deserved.” He didn’t feel there was any credit due to him for this. It wasn’t something he did, but it was something he sure wished he could replicate. “Now go to Chelsea so you can get back to Jessica. Just remember, she still needs to take it easy.”

  “You have my word.” With that she slipped from his office.

  Wanting to give Kelly and Chelsea time together, he looked over the file again hoping to find something that would explain it. Something that let him know how it happened. Maybe then he could do it again. He knew there should be a logical explanation somewhere, and perhaps it would point to the cure he was searching for.

  Chelsea leaned against the doorframe watching Le scan the file in front of him. Knowing him as she did, she was sure he was looking for something logical to explain a miracle. From what she gathered, he wouldn’t find anything.

  She had a moment of sadness, wondering why Hope couldn’t have had the same miracle. Then she realized that if the miracle had come then, she wouldn’t be where she was now, and Hope’s Toy Chest would have never been created. Without it, she wouldn’t have been able to bring joy to children and parents each year. Maybe everything had happened for a reason.

  She tapped her knuckle against the door, gaining his attention. “You’re not going to find what you’re looking for there. Some things are unexplainable. Look at Liz, she’s here because of a miracle too.” She wandered into the office and sank down into the chair across from him.

  “You know I spent years trying to explain what happened with Liz.”

  She could picture him going through every page of Liz’s file over and over again. Never solving the mystery he was so desperate to unravel. “I’ve always believed some things are best left undiscovered.”

  “Are you saying I shouldn’t seek a cure for childhood cancers?” He leaned back, his eyes wide with shock.

  “No, not at all.” She shook her head, trying to find the best way to explain it. “What I’m saying is miracles happen, and if we go searching for the reason we’ll drive ourselves crazy. Some believe that if you search too hard the miracle will cease and you’ll be back where you started. I wouldn’t want to test it.”

  “You sound a little too much like Liz.” He twirled the pen between his fingers. “When she found out I got access to the files from her treatments…let’s just say I think that was our very first fight.”

  “Why was she so upset?”

  “She put it behind her, and doesn’t want to relive it. I was never fully able to put it behind me. I see her in every child I treat, it’s what drives me to find a cure. I thought I might be able to learn something by going over her records.”

  “Did you?”

  He shook his head. “There was nothing I didn’t know already from medical school and my years of training. I thought maybe because I was young I didn’t know everything about her condition. That maybe somewhere in the file there’d be something. I even looked up the doctor who was in charge of her care.”

  “Sometimes the things that happen in life are unexplainable.” She gave him a shy smile. “My mother always said you should never look a gift horse in the mouth, you might not like what you find.”

  “If I’m to find a cure then I need to tear this case apart over and over again until I find why she’s suddenly in remi
ssion.”

  “What if you don’t find what you’re looking for? What if there are no answers in that file?”

  “I’ll go on to the next one, and the one after that. There’s got to be something everyone is missing.” He’d search his whole life if he had to, and that was pure dedication.

  “If everyone else is missing it, why do you think you’ll find it?” She admired him for his commitment, but she had to insert a touch of reality.

  “Because I have to.”

  “Trust me, I want there to be a cure. I don’t want to see these children suffer.” She wiped her hands, stopping herself from going to him. “People have searched for a cure for years, it might not be something that’s developed in our lifetimes. Right now, all you can do is treat it, learn from what worked in the past, but be flexible because it won’t always work again. I have no medical experience besides what I went through with Hope, but I know each case is different and needs to be treated as such. You need to be grateful that Jessica’s in remission and focus on your other patients.”

  “Don’t you wonder why Jessica was saved when Hope’s cancer was less invasive?”

  Tears stung her eyes but she blinked them away. “No. It won’t bring Hope back, and what matters is Jessica has a chance to live. If she’s lucky she’ll never have another battle with cancer and can go on to live a happy and healthy life. The Cooks have a blessing. I’m happy for them.”

  “Even though I wasn’t able to give one to Hope?”

  She had worried he felt guilty since he had been Hope’s primary doctor, but none of it was his fault. She hoped whatever was happening between them wouldn’t be spoiled by unreasonable guilt. “You did everything you could for her.”

  “If I had a cure I could have saved her.”

  “No, you might have been able to but there’s no guarantee.” She leaned forward, placing her hands on the desk. “What’s happening between us could be a wonderful thing, but if you have some unshed guilt over what happened in Hope’s treatment then we might never get this to go anywhere. I need you to be straight with me.”