Free Healed by J. S. Cooper Page B

any special precautions. And she loves visitors, so she’ll be happy to see you.”
    “I wish Lexi could have come as well.” I sigh ed. “But she’s not talking to me right now.”
    “Oh?” He looked at me quickly and turned away with a slight flush on his face. I’m sure he felt bad for me after everything that had happened.
    “I think she must be mad because of Anna.”
    “I guess so.” He nodded.
    “She did call and leave me a message yesterday , though.” I paused. “I’m sure she must be unsure of what to do, what with my mom dying and me dropping this bombshell on the same day.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Sorry, I’m sure you don’t want to hear about it.”
    “I don’t know what to say.” He looked at me with worried eyes. “I hope you guys get to talk soon.”
    “I’ve been thinking about proposing to her.” I laugh ed at his shocked expression. “I know it’s fast, but it just seems so right, you know. She’s loved me for years, and well I want her to know that I appreciate her faith in me. I just can’t believe I never really noticed her in high school.”
    “Yeah, I don’t know how anyone can pass over Lexi Lord.”
    “Sorry, man.” I cringed as I thought about whom I was gushing to. He most probably thought I was throwing our relationship in his face. I was pretty sure he was in love with her as well. C’mon Bryce, I thought to myself. Be a gentleman. “Anyways, I’m excited to see Shelby.”
    “Do you want to tell her you’re her brother?”
    “I can do that?” I was surprised.
    “Well, if you don’t plan on visiting her often , then I wouldn’t recommend it.” He looked at me curiously. “So I guess I’m asking is this going to be a one visit type of thing?”
    “But she won’t be in the hospital much longer will she? If she’s in remission.”
    “No, she’ll be going back to the orphanage. But you can still visit her then. Maybe even take her out for an afternoon.”
    “Oh, I don’t know if I can do that.” I felt panicked. “I don’t know anything about little kids.”
    “It’s not too hard.”
    “But she’s a girl as well. I don’t know anything about little girls.” My hands clammed up and I stopped. “Maybe I shouldn’t visit her. Will you give her the Barbie instead?”
    “Hey Bryce.” Luke put his hand on my shoulder. “It’ll be okay. I promise. Just come and meet her properly. You can decide what you’re comfortable with.”
    “Okay.” I took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready.”
    Luke pushed the door open and Shelby ran towards him as I just stood there like a statue. “Lukey.” I watched as he picked her up and swung her around. I saw her blue eyes sparkling with happiness. She smiled as she saw me and waved energetically.
    “Hiya.” I wave d back at her and plastered a big smile on my face.
    “Hi, I member you from yesterday.” She walked over to me as Luke put her down and I put my hand out for her to shake.
    “I thought I’d come and say hello.” I smile d, gently, and handed her the Barbie. “I bought this for you to play with.”
    Shelby took the Barbie from me and held it in her hands like a sacred object. “For me?” She looked surprised and I nodded.
    “Yes, for you.”
    “Thank you.” She leaned over to give me a hug and I held her tightly.
    “You’re welcome.”
    “I’m Shelby.”
    “I’m Bryce.”
    “I like the name Bryce.” She giggled and I am reminded of Lexi. She had Lexi’s smile I thought to myself. That’s why she seems so familiar.
    “And I like the name Shelby.”
    “We both have blue eyes.” She pointed at me.
    “Yes we do.” And I felt as if I’d been shot. She had my eyes. I looked into her face and I saw my reflection shining back at me through her sky blue irises. She had my eyes and she had Lexi’s smile. In a weird way, she could have been the image of what a kid of mine and Lexi’s would look like.
    “Want to play top chef?”
    “What’s that?”
    “We pretend to cook stuff.