Billy’s eye quickly caught Skye’s, and she shrugged in a gesture of defeat, but Billy’s eyes widened imploringly.
The large cafeteria cart had arrived from the kitchen, and glancing from the hall to her patient, Sally said, “I’ll see what I can do, but it’s doubtful.”
Skye tucked Billy’s sheet in and brought the vanity around from the side of the bed before leaving the room.
“Where are you going, Pollyanna?”Jordan asked.
His question surprised her.“I’ll be back,” she promised, and offered him a tentative smile.
“Remember, I want to collect on my bettonight!”Billy shouted after her.
The dinner trays had all been delivered...save one.Skye stood beside the large cart deep in thought.She knew Jordan Kiley represented a far greater challenge than any child she had ever worked with.It wouldn’t be easy to spoon-feed him and salvage his pride at the same time.
“Hello, Skye.I haven’t seen you in a while.”Joyce Kimball, one of the younger high school volunteers, addressed her warmly.“Do you like the new me?”She turned, allowing Skye to study her appearance.It was unmistakably the Carin Cain look.The sleek, high-fashion image was sweeping the country.It seemed everyone was imitating the famous model: the Carin Cain hairstyle, the Carin Cain designer jeans, the Carin Cain cosmetics.
Skye’s eyes widened as an idea began to form.“Joyce,” she cried, “you’re a genius.”Obeying the impulse, Skye began pulling the large pins from her hair.
Several minutes later the latest Carin Cain imitator approached Billy’s room.Silky, honey-blond curls cascaded over her shoulders.Normally Skye applied her makeup modestly, but now her mouth was liberally coated with gloss, and blush had been added to accentuate the natural color of her rosy cheeks.
She found Billy enjoying his meal and cast him a secret smile.He returned her wink in silent communication.
Jordan watched dispassionately as she set the dinner tray on the vanity and rolled it to the side of his bed.
His gaze traveled leisurely over her, measuring her.Skye’s face grew hot under his slow appraisal; her courage nearly failed her.
“You must really believe in miracles if you think I’m going to let you feed me,” he announced caustically, sending a shiver of apprehension up her spine.
The words seemed lodged in her throat as his look penetrated through her.
“I learned a long time ago that when it comes to miracles, I have to pray as if everything depended on God—and work as if everything depended on me.”She was surprised at how composed she sounded.
“Just how do you propose to workthismiracle?”He sounded cynical.
“I’m prepared to offer you a little inducement.”
His thick brows arched in curiosity.
She offered him a warm smile.“You must understand, thenurses are held to a certain code of ethics.But I’m not a nurse, I’m a volunteer.And I’m prepared to offer you a small reward if you let me feed you.”
His eyes showed interest.“What kind of reward?”
“More of a dessert.”
Interpreting his silence as consent, she rolled the vanity closer to the bed and dipped the fork into the potatoes.But Jordan’s mouth remained defiantly shut, his dark eyes brooding.
Skye’s spirits sank; her ploy wasn’t going to fool this intuitive male.
Unexpectedly a faint smile formed at the corners of his mouth.“Feed me,” he sighed with self-derision.“I always was a sucker for a pretty face.”
Her thick lashes fluttered down to conceal the triumph in her expressive blue eyes.
Jordan continued to watch her, his eyes sharp and intent.Skye knew it was all Billy could do to keep from applauding.
“Do you find fulfillment in life as a hospital volunteer?”Jordan asked between bites.
“I’m responsibly employed.As a matter of fact, I hold a highly respected position.”His smile brought a marked defensiveness to her voice.“As it happens, I enlighten, train, and discipline.”
“She’s a kindergarten teacher,” Billy supplied laughingly.
