“It seems your new roommate needs to be reminded of his manners,” Skye retorted crisply.
“I don’t think you should blame Mr.Kiley for being in a bad mood.He’s just in pain and hungry,” Billy said with a maturity beyond his years.“You said for my prize I could have anything I wanted.”
“Yes, but—”
“Well, I’ve decided what I want.”He turned in his chair to look at her, his eyes full of boyish enthusiasm.“I want you to get Mr.Kiley to eat.He’s only a grouch because he won’t let anyone feed him, and his hands are bandaged so he can’t feed himself.”
“Oh, no, you don’t, Billy!”Skye protested, waving her finger back and forth urgently.
“Please, Skye,” Billy pleaded.“Remember how you coaxed me?I bet it would work with Mr.Kiley.If anyone can do it, you can.”
“Oh, Billy.”She sighed, hating to disappoint him.“It justwon’t work.A man isn’t going to get excited over a button that saysi ate the whole thing.”
Sally joined them in the wide hospital corridor.“Did you tell her yet?”she asked Billy.
“Yeah.I think she’ll do it.”He gave a reckless grin.
“No way!”Skye said instantly.“I’m sorry, but your request is beyond reason.”
“It sounds fair enough to me,” Sally interjected, a glint of laughter shining in her eyes.
“Sally!”Skye glared at her friend, her look speaking volumes.
Unaffected, Sally laughed.“You’d best be on your way, or Billy will be late for his physical therapy session.”
“Come on, Skye.”Billy’s hands hurriedly rotated the large wheels of his chair as he pushed himself toward the elevator.“If we don’t hurry, I might be late for dinner.”
“And we wouldn’t want to miss dinner, would we, Skye?”Sally taunted.
“Come on, you guys,” Skye pleaded helplessly.
But Billy refused to be persuaded otherwise, although Skye made repeated attempts as they rode the elevator downward.Leaving him with the physical therapist, she returned to pediatrics.
“I’m glad you’re back,” Sally said when she saw Skye had returned.“Pastor Johnson phoned and asked if you could visit Mrs.Montressor when you get the chance.There’s nothing pressing here.Go now, if you like.”
The hospital chaplain often requested that Skye visit certain patients.Her duties entailed reading scripture aloud, writing letters, or just visiting with a Christian brother or sister.Mrs.Montressor was a sweet, elderly woman from Skye’s church who was being transferred from the hospital to a nursing home.Skye realized the older woman was anxious about the move and just wanted a reassuring chat.
The visit lasted nearly an hour, and Skye returned to pediatrics only a few minutes before Billy was due, so she hurried to put his bed in order.Nervously she entered the room.The curtain around his roommate’s bed was open, but the man’s face was turned away from her.She said a quick prayer that she wouldn’t wake him and worked as quietly as possible.
“Well, if it isn’t little Miss Pollyanna.”A gruff voice thick with amusement spoke as she completed making the bed.A grin twisted the corners of his mouth as he regarded her volunteer uniform.He paused to read the button attached below her name tag, which said:i believe in miracles.
“Oscar the Grouch, I presume,” she said without her usual warm smile, hoping to show her disapproval of his behavior.
Their gazes met and held.Cool arrogance returned her study.As Billy had explained, his hands were bandaged in thick white gauze resembling makeshift boxing gloves; his left arm was propped at an awkward angle in traction.He wasn’t strikingly handsome, but he was compelling, with a sense of self-assurance.His eyes were a deep gray, widely set, and lent his face a look of intensity.His jawline, proud and strong, was ruggedly carved.
His eyes darkened under her scrutiny, as if he deeply resented her or anyone seeing him as incapacitated.Not that it was likely she would view this unnerving male as weak.He exuded an easy strength and confidence, but Skye could sense his frustration and impatience.
His helplessness stirred something within her, and she realized she wanted to help this man.Common sense quickly intervened, however.She was out of her element, and there was little she could do.
Their gazes remained locked until Sally wheeled Billy into the room.
“Okay, young man, let’s get you into bed; dinner is on theway.”Reverting her attention to Billy’s roommate, Sally added, “And, Jordan Kiley, you’ll be pleased to know you’re being transferred to another ward first thing in the morning.”
Amusement returned to the intense gray eyes.“Couldn’t wait to be rid of me, could you?”his husky voice challenged.
“Certainly pediatrics will miss your wit and charm,” Sally lied, and Billy giggled.
“Just as long as we understand each other.”The voice fit the man: low-pitched and demanding.“And as for dinner, either give me something I can eat myself, or forget it.I’m not a baby, and I won’t be hand-fed.”
