Free Forever This Time by Maggie McGinnis Page A

your five-star guests, Ethan.”
    He pretended to be thoughtful. “That’s true. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. We only let the nicest kids stay here.”
    â€œWhat do you do with the rest?” She giggled, already knowing the answer.
    â€œString them up by their toes in the tower, of course. So I guess you’d better keep behaving, young lady.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    He kissed the top of her tiny, bald head. “So about that sherbet. Can I spoil you now?”
    â€œWhat flavors do you have?” A half-smile cracked the pale veneer of her face.
    â€œWell, let me see. Today I have a fabulous array of choices for discriminating young ladies.” Ethan set down the cooler and lifted the top. “Our most popular item this week seems to be the pepperoni and mushroom with white chocolate chips. How about that?”
    Emmy grimaced and giggled. “What else do you have?”
    â€œHmm. I have a new flavor just in. Seaweed and squash special?”
    â€œYuck. No, thank you. What else?”
    â€œI have a fantastic chili pepper, chimichanga, and cheese combo. But you’ll have to move fast. Only one left.”
    Emmy giggled again. “Save that one for Danny.”
    Ethan pretended to set one aside. “Pickles and peanut butter? Croutons and cabbage? Mango and mudpie?”
    Emmy shook her head to each choice, her grin growing bigger. “Do you have butterscotch and beans?”
    â€œThe lady wants butterscotch and beans today.” Ethan fished through the cooler, making ample noise with the ice cubes as he did. Finding the mild lemony sherbet that was the only flavor Emmy’s stomach could handle, he raised it over his head with a flourish. “Aha! I have it! Still can’t stump me! You’ll have to do better tomorrow.”
    â€œI already have a plan.” Emmy reached out for the sherbet cup and plastic spoon, then tucked her legs under her as she pulled off the cap and licked it. “Thank you.”
    Ethan sat down in the other chair at the window. “You keeping an eye on things for me today?”
    â€œLooks like the Twinkle Fairy’s tired.” She pointed down the hill toward Snowflake Village. “But the Ferris wheel is very busy.”
    â€œHow many rides today?”
    â€œThirty-six so far. I think.”
    â€œWowza! How about the roller coaster?”
    â€œToo busy. I lost count of that one.”
    Ethan watched her as she spooned the sherbet to her lips, savoring each drop. Her tiny little scalp caught the afternoon sunlight coming through the windows, and through her nearly translucent skin he could see the blue veins carrying around the poisonous drugs that were waging a desperate war with her cancer.
    Winning the war, he prayed. Though Avery’s House, the huge old B and B he’d converted to a care facility for kids facing life-threatening illnesses, was a great place to visit, it certainly wasn’t a cure for cancer. The building was situated adjacent to Snowflake Village, and all of the kids’ rooms looked downhill toward the park, so on days like today when it was too hot for most of them to handle the heat outside, they at least had a fun view. And at ten, the child life specialist would be here to do some indoor activities.
    â€œIs it hot out there, Ethan? Looks hot.”
    â€œVery. You’re lucky to be in here.”
    â€œThat’s what Mommy said.”
    â€œWhat did Mommy say?” A female voice sounded from behind him.
    Ethan looked around to see Emmy’s mom coming through the doorway with two green Popsicles. “Hey, Steph.”
    â€œHey, there. You escaped the park?” Stephanie Stevens was probably ten years younger than the worry lines etched into her face would have anyone believe, but she had the same bright smile he conjured from Emmy at every possible opportunity.
    â€œCouldn’t resist coming to visit my favorite friend.” He winked at