Free Hope's Toy Chest by Marissa Dobson Page A

single queen size bed. That was going to make things intimate and possibly awkward between them.
    “Let me make a call and then we can go up to the dining room for a bite to eat. The owner’s only serving for another hour and then we’re out of luck , so I hope you’re hungry.” He slipped his cell phone out of the pocket of his jeans and was thankful when he saw he still had full service.
    “ I could go get the food and bring it back here. It will give you privacy for your call and we can have a quiet meal afterward.” She grabbed her coat off the back of the chair and slipped it on.
    “You don’t have to do that.”
    “I’d rather have a quiet dinner here with you, if you don’t mind.” She pulled a crocheted blue and white hat over her blonde hair. “Make your call, I’ll be back shortly.”
    He watched her slip out the door, the knowledge of what he wanted settl ing over him. Pushing his personal life to the side, he slid his thumb over the screen of his phone and called Brian.
    “Kingsley, I was just about to call you. Are you coming back in this evening?” Brian a sked.
    “No, I’m not going to back in back into town until tomorrow. The weather got nasty and we’ve taken shelter. Is something wrong?”
    “Not wrong.” There was a shuffle of papers before Brian continued. “Different. I didn’t call early because I wanted to double check the results.”
    “What are they showing?” He paced the small room un able to stay still.
    “ I’m not an oncologist but I believe your patient is in remission. All signs point to it.”
    “That can’t be.” He leaned against the wall, not sure he heard correctly.
    “Do you have access to a computer and internet? I’ll forward you the results, then you can see for yourself.”
    “Send them, I have my tablet. ” Leaving the hospital with his tablet in hand had been an accident and now it turned out to be a blessing. “I ordered another test when I was there this morning, but the results won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime don’t mention this to Mrs. Cook. I don’t want to get her hopes up unless we are completely sure.”
    “She was praying for a miracle, and she might have gotten one.”
    “I hope so.” He knew test results could be wrong but it was unlikely. “How about her heart?”
    “She’s weak, her body is tired, and it has taken its toll. With a little time, she’ll be fine.”
    “Time…yesterday we didn’t think she had any left.” It all sounded too good to be true and until he saw the test results, he couldn’t quite convince himself it was real.
    “I’m sending them now. Give me a call if you have any questions, otherwise I’ll see you when you get back.”
    After hanging up with Brian, Le slid down the wall to sit on the floor. Part of him wanted to rush out and get the tablet to check the results, while the other part of him screamed it might be a mistake. Jessica’s chances at remission were less than one percent. The likelihood that she would live past the end of the year was barely ten percent. He couldn’t help but think someone had messed up.
    The door opened and Chelsea entered with a tray full of food. “Le?” She rushed to set the tray aside, then came to him. “What’s wrong? Bad news?”
    “Test results came back and I’m having a hard time believing them. I need to check them for myself . You go ahead and eat.”
    She shook her head. “I’ll wait for you. How are you going to check them?”
    “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