Page 79 of Mistletoe and Malice
“Stem cells via apheresis is the most common way they handle bone marrow donation, but for children with an adultdonor, straight-up bone marrow is a better bet to prevent rejection.”
“That’s really brave.”
She flipped her hand toward him. “I’ll be under, so I’ll never even feel it.” Despite her bravado, her stomach pitched a little at the idea of the needle they would use to extract her marrow.
“Except for the next few days afterward.”
“I’m ready. It’s a small price to pay compared to what that little boy has already endured.”
Hands down, the best day he’d ever spent on a protection detail.
Colton stood inside the playroom at the hospital Thursday afternoon. The children who could ambulate on their own, and a few on crutches or in wheelchairs, surrounded Riley as she passed out dolls and stuffed animals, coloring books and crayons, sketch pads and markers.
They’d been at the hospital for three hours already, but he was in no hurry to leave, not with all the smiles and laughter going on around him. He’d stayed with Riley while she gave several vials of blood for labs and filled out an extensive medical history. During her physical examination, he’d remained outside the door, but she’d invited him in with her during her consultation with the anesthesiologist.
“As Chairman of the Board for the foundation,” she’d said, “this might be good information for you.”
He’d agreed, since Theresa’s course of treatment never progressed that far. Now, more than ever, he hoped he would get the call somebody needed his marrow. He couldn’t think of a better way to honor his wife than to give to somebody else what she had so longed for herself.
A little girl with a knit beanie on her head stood from the child-sized table where she’d been earnestly drawing for the last several minutes. To his surprise, she walked straight over to him and held up her picture.
“Here, Mister.” Her pixie face turned up to him with the slightest of grins. She couldn’t have been more than seven years old. “I drawed this for you.”
“For me? How nice.” Deciding Riley was safe where she was for the moment, he kneeled to the child’s level. “Tell me about your picture.”
“That’s you.” She pointed to a tall man in the photo, standing in front of an open doorway, with yellow hair, blue eyes, a big smile, and wearing a suit. Or he supposed the black square around the body and bulky pants constituted a suit.
Had he been smiling? He didn’t usually on a detail, but today had been all kinds of different. “Wow, that’s great. You made me look lots better than real life.”
Her giggle brought a warm flush to his skin. “You’re silly.”
He pointed to the other person in the picture, a tiny girl in a frilly dress with long brown hair holding his hand. “Is this you?”
“It’s me and you. We’re married.”
“Oh, I see.” He had to swallow to hold back his chuckle and schooled his features to reflect the seriousness of the one peering up at him. “Well, you are beautiful. Thank you for this lovely picture.”
“You’re welcome.” She grabbed him around the neck, and he held her with one arm encircling her tiny waist.Lord, please let this little girl grow up to be a bride.
His little artist let him go with a kiss on his cheek. “See you later, Mister.”
Oh, how he hoped so.
He stood and grinned down at the drawing. It would definitely go up on his fridge next time he was home.
He scanned the space, and his gaze met Riley’s, staring at him from the middle of the room, surrounded by children involved in various activities. Her gentle smile caused his pulse to skitter, and, as it had the day they’d shared Thanksgiving at the estate—and that moment at the bridal shop two days ago—everything melted into the background.
Except her.
Those stunning green eyes, her dark hair spilling around her shoulders, the flowery blouse with blue slacks belted at the waist accentuating her figure.
I think you might be on your way.
Paul’s words of two weeks ago came rushing back to him. On his way to falling for Riley? That couldn’t happen. She needed him at his most vigilant, which meant no distractions. Not even her.
A male nurse walked in, pulling his attention away from Riley to check his ID. It matched with the intel he’d received from Tech Ops, so he nodded his approval.
The young man gazed around the room and back to Colton. “Nursing desk said you needed a fifteen-minute notice, correct?”
