Just a Little Hope (2 page)

Snorting, Tori laughed. “Cars can be replaced; you can't! Besides, shopping for a new one will be fun.”

“Tori, you think shopping for a toothpick is fun. Going to hundreds of stores for hours on end does not equal fun for me. I guess I don't need to be in too big of a rush anyway; I'm not going to be driving anywhere for a while.”

Seb slid his hand down her arm, chuckling. “It's a good thing my knee is healed up enough to drive. Otherwise we'd be hailing a taxi or hiring a driver everywhere we went!”

Tori again grinned in their direction.

Seb's cell phone rang, and after checking the screen, he got up. “Excuse me just a minute. I need to take this.”

After he stepped out, Tori turned back to Pax. “He seems to be getting around pretty well now.”

“Yes! He said the last couple of weeks he could tell a big difference in how his knee was reacting. He's desperate to get back on the diamond again for Spring Training next year. I just hope he doesn't push himself too far.”

“Oh, Pax. He won't. Seb's going to be too busy taking care of you. I'm so glad both of you came to your senses and decided to try and mend your relationship.”

“You're right. He had to get past his injury and I needed to realize he needed the time to deal with it.

“What are you going to do about recovery time, Pax? It's not as if you can climb the stairs to your apartment right now.”

“I don't know yet. Mom is going to stay in town for a few weeks to help, so we'll figure something out.”

“Well, about that…”

Tori and Pax both turned to see Seb leaning against the wall by the door.

Pax laughed. “How long have you been standing there? I can see the wheels spinning in that handsome head of yours.”

“My house is plenty big enough for you and your mom to stay. You can have the whole bottom floor, and I'll stay upstairs in the guest suite until you are able to go back home.”

“Seb, I don't know. It might look…”

“Pax! Not if your mom is there. Nothing will look weird or anything. It's the perfect plan.” Tori clapped her hands together. “I like the way you think, Seb!”

Pax lay back on the bed laughing. “You're just saying that because you want to come over and swim in his pool whenever you can.”

“Did I say I wanted to swim in the pool? I just think it's a generous offer, and you should give it some serious thought.” Tori put her hand in front of her mouth in a mock whisper. “And be sure and let me know your schedule so I can hit the pool and Jacuzzi when you have to run errands or something.”

The following day, Tori returned to her office at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She pulled into the parking lot and noticed Michael Stratford's black sedan. She switched her cell phone to her other hand as she put her car in park. “Hey, Dad, I need to let you go. Michael's already at work this morning. This can't be good.”

“Okay, sweetie. Thanks for calling.”

“I just hope you're feeling better soon. I know having a headache for this long is driving you crazy.”

“It'll pass. I'm sure it's the weather. Love you, hon.”

“Love you too, Daddy.” Grabbing her purse and lunch bag, Tori hurried into the office.

“Michael?” She placed her things on the reception desk. Tori peered down the hallway. “You feeling okay? You aren't normally here for another thirty minutes.”

The door at the end of the corridor opened, and her boss appeared. Michael was a tall, lanky man. His raven hair, normally perfectly coifed, now stuck out at angles that suggested he'd run his hands through it a few times. “Hey. I thought I'd try and get some things done and then head over to the hospital to check on Pax. Have you heard for sure if she is coming home today?”

“That was the plan yesterday, but I'll give her a call in a minute and see. I'll let you know.”

“Thanks. I have a telecon in twenty minutes. I'll be tied up with it most of the morning.”

“You got it. I need to call Mr. Parker back and let him know Pax signed the papers. I'll be glad to have this off my plate. I'm thankful he wants to do some advertising, but wow, is he picky! I thought I might have to go down to his business myself and sketch out a stick figure drawing of what he wanted done.”

“Well, if worse comes to worse, it's good to know you're willing to take one for the team.”

Waving haphazardly in his direction, she snickered. “Yeah, yeah, Bossman. Don't you have a telecon or something?”

The light from the break room filtered across the hallway. Normally, it was her responsibility to start the coffee every morning. She smiled, seeing Michael had taken care of that job for her.

Tori grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured herself a cup of the steaming brew and returned to her desk. Upon checking her email, Tori dialed the number for Pax's cell phone, hoping she wouldn't be disturbing her. Pax's voice resonated through the speaker. “Good morning, Tori.”

“Hey, girlie. What's the verdict?”

“I'm springing this joint today!”

She leaned back in her chair and played with the telephone cord. “That's exactly why I called you! Great news! Do you know what time?”

“They're saying anywhere from noon to four. Seb says it will be six o'clock then.” The faint sounds of his laughter rang in the background.

“Well, did you decide where you are going to recuperate?”

“I guess Seb gets what he wants. I talked to Mom about it, and she thinks it's the best plan. I can be all on one floor. With his workout room, I hope I can even take my therapy sessions there. He seems to think he knows some people who can help me out.”

She took a sip of her cooling coffee before responding. “Um, ya' think? Like the entire St. Louis Cardinals training staff?”

“Well, technically I don't think they can treat me, but they know people who know people… That kind of thing.”

Tori leaned forward and rested her elbows on her desk. “You'll be on your feet in no time, and then you can have Mr. Parker back. He's driving me crazy.”

“Oh, Tori. He's a sweetheart. He's, you know, organized.”

“Organized, my eye. He's trying to drive me to an early grave.”

“He's doesn't run one of the top car dealerships in the greater St. Louis area for nothing, you know.”

She grabbed the Parker file from her desk and thumbed through it. “Sure. Sure. You know what? I am going to take these papers over there personally. Then he will know it's done, and he won't have to call me anymore with questions, comments or complaints. And who knows? While I'm there I might see if he'll give me a good price on a new car.”

“I think I'm the one in need of a new car. And you couldn't afford the rear view mirror of one of Mr. Parker's cars.”

“I know, but it never hurts to look. Anyway, I'll pop by the hospital this afternoon. Michael's coming by, too, I think, although I don't know when. If you get sprung before we come by, give us a call.”

“I'll do it. And be nice to Mr. Parker. We can use his advertising dollars, detail oriented or not.”

Tori closed the folder with a flourish. “I hear ya', I hear ya'. Come back soon. For my sanity, you have to come back soon.”

Hurrying down the hall of the hospital, Tori hoped she hadn't missed Pax. Her dealings with Mr. Parker went longer than she planned, although she should have anticipated it. He was a sweet old man. He just drove her to the brink of insanity.

The sound of voices alerted her to someone inside Pax's room, and she exhaled a sigh of relief. Not waiting to knock, she pushed open the door. “Good! You're still here. Although I guess you wish you weren't still here.” The words tumbled out of her mouth. “But I am glad nonetheless. Once I got finished with Mr. Parker…”

Pax, sitting on the edge of the bed, shushed her and pointed to a stranger standing in the doorway of the open bathroom, his back to the room while he chatted on his cell phone. Tori grimaced. “Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't think you had company.”

“No problem, dear. When I heard the clip-clapping of heels outside, I knew it had to be you.”

“Funny. Where's Seb? I figured he'd be standing guard over you.”

“He's gone to check on the progress of my great escape. Mom's at his house trying to get organized for my arrival, and I'm just sitting here about to go stir crazy waiting.”

Mindful of Pax's injuries, Tori took care in sitting beside her. “How are you feeling? Little rough around the edges?”

“I guess. I'm trying to stay on top of the pain yet not take so many painkillers I'm a big drooling mess of sleepiness all the time.”

She squeezed her friend's hand and nodded toward the bathroom. “I hear you. So, who's in there?” She took more time to notice the masculine figure. He appeared to be in pretty good shape from the way his shirt tightened across his shoulder blades when he moved.

“A teammate of Seb's. He's been nice enough to come by and check on me since the accident.”

Tori smiled and crossed one leg over the other. Ah, that would explain his lean figure. “Wow. That is nice. What about the other guy? Have you seen them?”

“Linc and Rangy? What do you think? Since Seb won't leave me, they have taken to hanging out here until Traci calls demanding Linc come home to help take care of the twins.”

“What would these fellas do without each other?”

Pax nudged Tori with her arm. “I have no idea. It's not like you spend every waking moment here when you aren't at the office.”

“Very funny. I do it because I care. Maybe I am like them, just a little bit. Not much. Maybe.” The girls giggled.

The door to the bathroom closed. “Hmm. I guess we were being a little too loud. Sorry!” Tori found her curiosity now piqued at his behavior.

“Oh. He'll be fine.”

“Like he's not used to raucous noise coming from a locker room.” Laughter ensued again.

“What's going on in here?” Seb appeared in the door. “There's way too much racket coming from this room!”

“Oh, Seb. Please tell me you are bringing news which will cause me great happiness?”

Caressing Pax's face, he smiled. “They assure me it won't be too much longer, sweetheart.” He glanced around the room. “Where's Little Bro?”

“He's in there on his phone.” Pointing in the direction of the bathroom, Pax giggled again.