HIS Desire: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 1) (9 page)

They entered the hospital and stopped in the lobby. Two sides of the lobby were surrounded by windows four stories high. Dozens of blue modern chairs placed around the lobby gave it an open, bright, comfortable feeling.

Kate greeted the receptionist by name before they walked to the large stairwell on the east side of the lobby. The new artwork in the hallway captured their attention as they made their way to Nurse Debi’s office. After knocking on the door, they entered to see a desk overflowing with paperwork. The nurse stood and hugged each of them.

“Hi, Ariana and Kate. It’s good to see you both.”

“Hi, Debi.” The overpowering scent of potpourri assailed Kate’s nose. She didn’t dare comment on it being too strong and too much in such a small office because she knew Debi made it herself and took pride in it.

The nurse put her hands in her cat covered smock pockets. “I’m glad you’re here. The children always enjoy your visits.”

“Where would you like us today?” Ariana’s business suit had been replaced with a pair of slacks and silk blouse. Kate wished she could get her sister to wear jeans and relax completely.

“I can’t wait to see Jason again. Is he still here or has he been discharged?” No home awaited Jason. His parents died in a home invasion right after he’d been admitted. He and Kate had bonded on her weekly visits. He fought his Leukemia with gusto.

Debi’s smile faded. “He’s still with us but started declining.”

Kate’s heart sank. He couldn’t lose his battle. He should be living the normal life of a child. He dreamed of trying out for football. She looked forward to watching him play.

“Well, let’s get to it, shall we?” Ariana turned to the door.

“You know the way, so I don’t need to escort you. I need to catch up on paperwork.” Debi waved a handful of paper. “Enjoy your time with the children and stop back by on your way out. I’d love to hear how it went.”

They hadn’t visited the hospital since their last donation that had been earmarked for the remodeling of the playroom. They walked into the playroom and smiled. Each wall had been painted a primary color and had a large mural featuring children’s favorite characters, like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, painted on them. Different sized children’s tables and chairs were scattered throughout the room. The once nearly empty toy bins were overflowing with toys and books.

Ariana scanned the room. “It looks like we have a full room today.”

“Look at Seth. Last time we were here, he was bedridden. It’s good to see him up and about.” Seth, at six years old, had been at the hospital for months. He was a precocious and lovable little boy.

“I’m headed to the train table with the boys. I’ll leave you to play with Seth.” Ariana walked away. She’d been a girly-girl growing up, but every time they visited, she went straight for the boy toys.

Kate made her way around the playroom. She stepped around the Lego tower being built by two children. She ruffled their hair as she passed. Children at the coloring tables looked up, smiled and waved at her knowing she’d color with them before she went on individual room visits.

Seth jumped up from the building blocks he played with, ran to her and hugged her tightly. “Kate, you’ve come back. Just like you said you would.”

She laughed at his exuberance. “I missed you. I had to come back and visit.” She looked him over, noticing the positive change in him.

“Did you see that I’m playing? I don’t have to stay in the bed no more. Doc Boyd says I’m getting better.” He displayed a big grin on his face. “What happened to your hand? Did you get a boo-boo?”

She broke into a wide, open smile. “I’m so glad to hear you’re getting better. Are you ready to play with me? I can’t do much with this boo-boo, but I’m willing to try.” Telling him how she got the injury would start an entire conversation she didn’t want to have with a child.

He grabbed her good hand. “Come on. I know just what we’ll do.”

* * * * *

Playing with the children had worn Kate out. She and Ariana began their individual room visits.

“I’d like to visit Jason first.” Kate looked at her sister, unable to hide the pain in her eyes. She knew not every child survived their Leukemia, but she wanted Jason to be one of the survivors. He meant too much to her.

“Okay.”

She hesitated at his partially open door. A commotion down the hallway got her attention. After a gunshot rang out, she moved swiftly down the hall.

A man attempted to pull a child out of a room where a nurse lay bleeding and unconscious on the floor.

Before Kate could block the exit, her protective detail jumped in front of her, their weapons drawn. “FBI. Drop it.”

She tapped Agent Keller on the shoulder. “I’ve got this.”

He nodded but didn’t move from in front of her.

She spoke around the agents. “William, let him go. You know you aren’t supposed to be here. Billy is staying.”

“Stay out of this. He’s my son, and he’s leaving with me.”

“That’s not going to happen today, William. The court says he stays and you’re not allowed to visit. He has to be treated and trying to
beat the devil out of him
as you put it, isn’t going to do it.”

On a previous visit a concerned nurse had advised her of the court order and William’s insistence he take his son home.

He pointed the weapon at his struggling son. “Move or I shoot him.”

Tears streamed down Billy’s face. His small body trembled.

“Not going to happen. We’re not going to let you out of here with him.”

“Drop your guns and move. I’ll shoot him if you don’t let us pass.”

Billy’s eyes widened, and he stopped struggling.

She told the agents to put their weapons away and leave the room. They refused, so she pushed her way in front of them.

“Look, William, you don’t have to do this. Hand me the gun, and we’ll call it a day.”

“I said
move
. I’m not leaving without him.” He tightened his grip on his son’s arm.

Billy cried out in pain and fear.

She slowly advanced toward them. “William, hand me the gun.”

His hand shook. “Don’t come any closer.”

She stopped arms-length away from them. She reached out her hand midway between them and kept her voice soft and calm. “Hand it here, William.”

His eyes darted around the room resting on the two federal agents behind Kate. He swallowed and lowered the weapon. Kate reached out and removed it from his grasp.

“Now let Billy go.”

He looked at his son. “He’s my son. He belongs with me.”

“I understand this is hard for you, but Billy belongs here right now. So, let him go.”

He let his son go. He lunged at her, and she elbowed him in the face then sucker-punched him with her left hand. He doubled over, grasping his bleeding nose.

“You can take him.” The agents had already rushed around Kate grabbing William.

Agent Brent pulled William’s arms behind his back. Agent Keller rushed to the nurse and checked for a pulse. After given the all clear, a waiting doctor hurried into the room.

Kate turned to the child. “It’s okay, Billy. It’s all over. Let’s go down the hall and get something to drink.”

His arms wrapped around her legs, his sobs breaking her heart. No kid deserved the treatment he’d received at the hands of his father. Getting him out of the room became a priority for her so he didn’t see the nurse and blood on the floor or his father being arrested.

“Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you.”

A nurse led them to an empty room. Kate settled him in the new room and waited until he finally calmed and fell asleep.

After dealing with the police, she and Ariana arrived back at Jason’s door. She smiled at the thought of seeing him again and knocked.

“Yeah?”

They entered the room.

“Kate! Ariana!”

They approached the bed and Jason reached over and gave each of them a hug. Kate held on tight. She couldn’t let go. She needed to give him her strength to fight his current infection.

“I’d hoped you’d come by today.”

“We’re glad to see you. I hear you’ve been good for the doctors and nurses.” Kate reluctantly released him. She refused to wait this long again to see him.

He hugged Ariana. “Well, they mean well.” Jason, at twelve, acted like a young adult. He’d missed a great deal of a regular childhood due to his Leukemia.

“So, tell us. What’s been happening?” Ariana cringed after she’d said it.

He frowned. “They’re keeping me in bed most of the time. They won’t let me go play. They haven’t told me, but I know that I’m not getting better.” His serious tone held too much resolve in it. As if he’d accepted his fate.

Tears formed in Kate’s eyes, and she blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. He couldn’t see them. She had to be strong for him. “I’m sure it won’t be long that you’ll be back out there playing.” God, she hoped so.

“I have to. I have to be strong to be a quarterback. I want to be ready for next season.” He picked up the worn football lying next to him in bed.

Her heart ached. He may never leave the hospital, may never get to play football. If his infection wouldn’t improve, his chance dwindled.

“I bet you’ll beat out all the other boys for the position.” If he got out of here, Kate would hire him a coach to help him become the best quarterback his school has ever seen.

“I’m reading a Harry Potter book, and it’s so long. Will you read me a few chapters, please?”

She nodded and smiled. “We’d love to read to you.” Doing something normal with him would help keep her from breaking down and crying.

Kate and Ariana took turns reading chapters aloud. They read about some stone Harry said someone was trying to steal. It enthralled him.

He stopped Kate at the end of a chapter. “That’s enough. I’ll read the rest later.”

She closed the book and set it on his nightstand. “It’s a good book. There are more Harry Potter books after this. Are you going to read them all?”

“Yes. I like Harry. He’s a good wizard, and he’s going to beat that bad wizard.”

Kate laughed. “That he is.”

“I know you visit other kids while you’re here, so it’s okay if you have to leave.” He was such a polite and respectful child. His parents had done a wonderful job raising him. What would happen to him now?

“I think I’ll do just that. I miss some of the other kids, too.” Ariana gave him a hug. “Goodbye, Jason. You keep fighting.” She left the room.

“What about you, Kate?”

She reached for his hand and smiled. “I can stay with you as long as you want.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

A thunderstorm darkened the sky. The fat raindrops pounding on Kate’s car hadn’t let up since she’d picked up her car at Ross Communication. Her car headlights had little effect breaking through the blackness that accompanied the heavy rainfall. It was a reprieve to see a streak of lightning flash across the star hidden sky, highlighting the skyline. Even though expected, the loud clap of thunder that immediately followed startled her.

After parking her car, she reached for her umbrella. Luckily it had a push-button mechanism to open it. Not waiting for her protective detail, she opened her car door, popped open the red and white polka dot umbrella and moved at a brisk pace toward her apartment, hoping Joy, her dog sitter, had stayed with Dottie since her dog got antsy during storms.

Arriving on her doorstep with wet shoes and pant legs, she cursed at not being able to close her umbrella. Brushing off her frustration, the open umbrella landed on the doorstep, and she pulled her keys from her purse. She didn’t need to wait for her detail to clear the place. She could do it herself.

A muffled, deep, male voice sounded from her apartment, and she automatically reached for the missing weapon on her hip. Pain shot through her hand from the contact with her side. Before she could remove the weapon from her purse, Joy laughed and she relaxed. It must be Doug, Joy’s boyfriend, visiting.

She quietly stepped inside and scanned the room for the visitor, catching sight of two handsome men. AJ and Jesse. What were they doing here? Maybe AJ had good news for her, but why would Jesse be here with him?

Dottie sat in her usual spot by the door waiting for her, the dog’s tail rapidly thumping on the floor. She set her purse on the small table and petted the excited pup.

“Hey, my Dottie-Girl. Were you a good girl today?”

The men had dressed casually, in jeans and t-shirts. Jesse’s t-shirt showed off his well-defined biceps. She fought to keep from reaching out to touch him. The powerful draw he had on her frightened her.

He looked her over seductively and an electrifying shudder reverberated through her.

Joy hopped up from the couch where she’d been sitting a little too close to AJ. “I hope it’s okay, but I let them in so they wouldn’t have to wait for you in the rain. AJ showed me his badge, and they assured me it would be okay,” she rushed to nervously explain.

Taking a deep breath helped Kate keep her temper in check. No, it wasn’t okay, but Joy didn’t need to see her explode. Once her dog-sitter left, the men would get a big piece of her mind.

She fixed a smile on her face. “It’s okay, Joy. Hello, AJ. Jesse.” She nodded at each man. Her gaze locked with Jesse’s, and she felt a strange flutter in the pit of her stomach, which had her temper rising even more. Damn the man and the effect he had on her. She had to fight it and stay away from him. She wouldn’t be someone’s plaything.

“Well, Dottie’s been fed, and we got her walk in before the rain started. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Joy.” She didn’t have an umbrella or rain jacket and the rain still fell from the sky in heavy droplets. “Why don’t you take my umbrella? It’s right outside the door.” Her problem of closing it solved.

Joy smiled. “That’d be great. Thanks.” She petted Dottie and left with a glance and smile at AJ.

Kate locked the door then rounded on the men who were now standing. Dottie felt her agitation and whined. She reached down to soothe her, hoping to also calm herself.

Before she could speak, AJ put his hands up, palms turned to her. “Now, Kate, don’t be mad at Joy.”

“Mad? Why should I be mad? Because you talked my dog-sitter into letting you in my apartment while I was away? You’d best have some superb information, Special Agent Alexander Joshua Hamilton.”