A few minutes later, a lovely blonde woman with violet eyes smiled at him. “Hi. You must be the new team member. I’m Samantha. Scarlett texted me earlier.” She went behind the reception desk and handed him a bag. “I placed some peppermint lotion, aloe socks, and lip balm on top. It’s getting drier in the hospital. If she allows you, lotion her hands and feet. It’s a nice way to relax before she sleeps. What time do you plan on going over?”
“I have a stop to make in town, at the training facility, and then I’ll read to her,” he informed her.
“Perfect.” Samantha smiled at him.
Cole placed the bag in the back seat and drove toward town. They arrived at the hardware store and he harnessed Brody to him. “Mind your manners in here. We don’t need Kassie taking away our privileges to see Hannah,” he warned.
Ignoring him, Brody gazed out the window. He took him out of the truck and entered the store. He added items to his cart and checked out. Excitement ran through him as he grew creative with his idea. He placed the bags behind his seat and started for the mountain.
Stopping at the facility, Cole took Brody and Canine Nine to the bathroom before loading them into the truck. They drove the short distance to the hospital and he leashed Nine while Brody waited patiently by his side.
He glanced at the clock. The afternoon got away from him and he didn’t have much time to set up his surprise.
Knocking on her door, he waited a moment before entering. Nine climbed into her lap, and Brody moved to her side, nuzzling her hand.
“Hi, Hannah. I brought you a couple of friends today. Scarlett came down with a nasty case of the flu. She won’t be able to visit. Have no fear, she sent me for some books to read to you and keep you company.” Her eyes flared, and he hoped she wasn’t disappointed in the arrangement.
“I have a surprise for you. Can I turn you toward the window? I don’t want you to see it until I finish it. Brody can stay by your side,” he blurted, now nervous over his impromptu idea.
She nodded her head, but her eyes grew big.
He knelt beside her. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, Hannah. I’m your friend. But I’ll never ask you to do something you’re not comfortable with.”
She gazed into his eyes. He saw the fear abate, and wary anticipation took its place. Cole grinned.
“No peeking,” he warned. “Brody, you and Nine keep her occupied for me, please.” Nine already cuddled in her arms as Brody pawed her sleeve. A slight smile played on her lips as she petted him behind the ears.
He gently turned her chair to face the window. Checking her expression, he assured himself she seemed fine before he started.
Taking his bags, he hung the hooks all around her room close to the ceiling.
“I hope you’re having a good day,” he said, hanging the tiny lights. “You won’t believe what happened to Leo. Has Scarlett told you about him? He somehow ordered the wrong number of socks. We have five thousand pairs, and they’re non-returnable. Today, another shipment arrived. He’s beyond himself. Things have gotten busy with him and Whiskey. Apparently, things are slipping through the cracks. He’s planning on asking Shadow’s wife, Avie if she wants to make sock puppets with the kids. Don’t be surprised when everyone shows up with at least one.”
He reached into the bag and brought out the last of his surprise and set it by her bedside table.
“All right. I’m finished. Do you mind if I shut the curtains and we can try it out?” he asked.
Hannah seemed frozen. Recalling the items from the spa, he pulled them from another bag. “These came from Whiskey’s wife, Samantha. She said it’s getting drier in the hospital. It smells like peppermint.” He held it to her nose for her to smell. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply.
“I don’t know what all’s in this, but holy moly does it smell good,” he exclaimed. “We can add some to your feet and hands before I start reading your book. May I turn you around?”
Hannah hesitated. Her eyes seemed uncertain, but Cole smiled, coaxing her to trust him. He gently slid her chair back into position and closed the curtains. With the remote in his hand, he clicked the button, lighting up her room with tiny twinkle lights. It gave off enough glow to appear soothing, but not enough to keep her awake.
Hannah stared, showing her surprise.
“It’s not the best part,” he told her. “You haven’t gone outside in a while, so I brought you the moon,” he explained, turning the switch on the machine by her bed. The room filled with stars and a full moon glowed on her ceiling.
Hannah seemed stunned as she gazed at his masterpiece. He knelt by her side.
“I don’t know what you’ve gone through. The other night, I saw the fear in your eyes when the nurse mentioned the nighttime meds. One of my buddies hated sleeping in the dark when he returned from his tour. I thought this might help you rest more easily. You can adjust the lighting if you want it dimmer or brighter,” he said, placing the remote in her hand.
Hannah swallowed. Her fingers gripped the small remote as tears filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry. Do you want me to take it down?” he said, panicking and thinking he misread her.
She shook her head adamantly.
He clutched his chest in exaggeration. “Oh, good. You scared me there for a moment.”
