Second Chances (7 page)

The constant questioning about the Foundation and its management were more than enough to distract her without the need to add Arthur’s hand brushing on her back. Maya moved slightly to shake it off.

“By the way, what were the papers Arthur had to handle back in your office?”

Arthur gulped some inexistent saliva, momentarily taken aback. He should have remembered that Isobel was not just a pretty face, but her father’s daughter, observant and cunning. Maya turned to the blonde, gracefully pushing her braid off her shoulder. The movement recaptured his attention momentarily.

“Arthur is Matthew’s guardian angel...The Foundation can’t rely only on the revenue from our financial investments, even if we are doing pretty well. Donations are always welcomed, especially at this time of the year. Pendletons & Associates have been particularly generous this year…”

He swallowed again. Her hand was now locked around his elbow, and Maya was looking at him with big shiny eyes.

His “girlfriend” had spoken nothing but the truth; still, she had twisted it a little so suspicion was diverted and then added some comedy for good measure. She even sounded admiring. Arthur took a mental note to remember she could act quite well.

Isobel grinned, “I’d say Arthur had ulterior motives when he suggested the Foundation be awarded a P&A donation.”

Maya tightened her grip on his arm. He suggested the Foundation be awarded a donation? Not likely…
Just a façade, Maya… Keep it up.
“I really don’t know what makes you say that.”

The blonde woman just giggled and Maya sighed internally.

The eight-year-old boy was alone; his roommate was in the playroom. Matthew glanced up immediately when they entered and smiled at Maya. She walked briskly to his bed and sat there, taking him into her arms.

“Hi…You’re going to see some doctors this morning.”

The boy stiffened and hugged his horse tightly. Maya caressed his head gently.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ll join you very soon, but I have some things to do first. Arthur will be with you in the meantime. You remember him? He is my friend.”

Matthew nodded silently, his clear eyes moving to Arthur while he cuddled against the young woman. Maya kissed his hair and rested her cheek on his head.

“You’ll be good, and we’ll talk more about your wish this afternoon, okay?”

The lovely picture brought a gentle smile to Isobel’s features. She peeked at Arthur, who was stoically looking at them.

“Who is the boy?”

“Matthew is an orphan.”

“Maya seems to care about him a great deal.”

“Yes, she does.”

She paused and asked, “What is so special about her, Arthur? You’re generally not so cautious around women.”

He turned his full attention back to the blonde, with the sickening feeling that she was seeing right through him. Arthur crooked an eyebrow in a silent dare but Isobel refused to recoil.

“You’d better know what you’re doing. She’s completely out of your league and…”

“I suggest you mind your own business, Isobel.”

The blonde woman grinned despite the not so subtle threat in his voice. “You know me, Arthur…I never do.”

Chapter 11

Arthur didn’t approach the boy until the two women had left the room. The extra time was as much for him to regain his footing as for Matthew to get used to his presence. Isobel’s hints had pushed him out of his comfort zone. She had been fishing of course, guessing that there was more to him and Maya than met the eye, but she didn’t know anything. Arthur hoped he could trust Maya to resist the prodding.

The young man sat on the empty bed beside Matthew’s and loosened his tie, undoing one button from his collar. The young boy was watching him closely.

During his last visit, Mark had overtaken Arthur’s attention so this was the first time he was able to really meet his charge. The dark-haired boy had Maya’s clear eyes, maybe a little bluer, and a very delicate complexion, too delicate maybe. His veins were an unmistakable blue web below his fair skin. The tumour in his throat formed a small bump just below his Adam’s apple.

He had rarely seen a kid looking so fragile. His lips were nearly purple with the lack of proper breathing; the low hiss of his painful respiration was heart-breaking. Arthur wondered if the boy would let him hold him the way he’d allowed Maya, but something in the wary stare stopped him beforehand. Thus he simply said, “Maya wants you to get better quickly.”

The boy stayed still. Arthur relaxed his posture on the bed.

“I think that’s because she really likes you.”

This time a small grin rewarded his attempt. Arthur leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, fingers linked.

“Are you afraid, Matthew?”

The direct question seemed to surprise the child and he didn’t move right away. After a moment, he nodded once, slowly. Arthur stood up and went to sit on Matthew’s bed, one leg folded over the rail, facing the boy.

“I understand. These tests will ensure that the doctors can safely remove that thing from your throat so you can have a normal life again.”

He had always thought children understood a lot and were probably appalled by the dimwitted behavior of adults. As a kid, his father’s severe attitude had contrasted a lot with the pitiful looks or suffocating coaxes. He had never fully understood why, but it had helped keeping his head up. At times, he would have liked to be embraced like Maya did Matthew; but only his mother could have done that, and she was gone.

Matthew considered his explanation for an instant before he quietly slipped his little hand into the larger one and Arthur squeezed it. The little boy stirred the need to protect him in those around him and he could see why Maya was so taken with him. He briefly wondered how she would react if the surgery failed.

He smiled at the kid. He hoped with all his heart that it didn’t.

***

After one hour of blind corridors, antiseptic scent and lectures about the hospital and the Foundation, Isobel asked for a truce. They stopped by the cafeteria for a cup of coffee. Maya picked up one for Arthur too, hoping he took his coffee with a cloud of milk.

“Wow, you even have him evolved from his bitter black espressos? You really have quite an influence on that guy, Maya.”

She hid her embarrassment behind a cough. Why hadn’t he taken the time to tell her that he took his coffee black and strong? Or whether he liked muffins? Damn him. How stupid of her to try to be nice and bring him a cup.

Apparently unaware of her sudden uneasiness, Isobel was looking at the other side of the room. She made a small noise with her tongue.

“Arthur is not my type but he is definitely…”

Maya followed Isobel’s stare and giggled.

“That is Gavin…”

“I’ve heard that name before.”

“Yes, probably from Colin…”

The blonde sighed.

“Just my luck.”

She pouted for a second before her laugher chimed once more and she grabbed Maya’s arm, dragging her along.

“Since you stole my date, it’s up to you to find me a suitable escort for the Yule Ball. Tall, dark, handsome, good dancer. Social and conversation skills are a nice addition but not mandatory…”

Her description was cut short by the muffled sounds of an argument coming from the office nearby. Maya froze.

Moira’s clear voice was answering a lower one, definitely male. Her sister was apparently having a row with her fiancé…They were not that frequent, but rather nasty when they happened. Maya always avoided stepping in, especially when they shouted loud enough to be heard through the thick concrete walls. Unfortunately, the door opened before she could interest Isobel in the next wing.

“I am a member of the board, Moira, and I will look at those books. I don’t need your permission!”

Tristan walked out, followed by a grunt of rage and the noise of a vase crashing on the floor. He ignored it. His handsome face was flushed with anger, which Maya didn’t witness often. Tristan generally kept his cool, however distraught he was.

The young man ran one hand through his shoulder-length hair, breathing slowly to calm himself down, and smiled when he recognized the woman in front of him.

“Hi…I thought you were with Matthew this morning…”

“We’re going back there actually; Tristan, this is Isobel, the daughter of one of Robert’s business partners. My cousin, Tristan Blois.”

She hoped he had made the connection. Tristan answered the brilliant smile with a courteous bow then excused himself. Isobel followed his retreat with an appreciative stare.

“Tell me he is not another one of Colin’s friends…”

Maya twitched her nose then her face lit up.

“No, no he is not. And he fulfills your requirements for a date very well, actually. What are you doing next Saturday?”

And just like that, the Christmas market won another enthusiastic customer. Isobel was all too happy to escape her father and Robert for an entire day. Of course, it still left Arthur to be dealt with. But if she had to suffer his attentions, at least Isobel would help distract her cousin…Maya hoped Tristan wouldn’t be too upset about her matchmaking attempt.

***

The ringing sound broke through the peaceful waiting room. Arthur reached for his pocket and sighed when he read the name on the screen. Maya took the cell phone out of his hand and flipped it open.

“I’m sorry, Robert. Arthur is busy right now.”

Amazed, he watched her switch it off, before she slipped the phone back in his hand without a sweat.

“Cell phones are not allowed inside the medical aisle.”

Her tranquil smile was too much to take. Arthur scowled.

“Do you have any idea how my father is going to react to that?”

“You said you were willing to take the risk.”

Arthur couldn’t recall when exactly she had begun bouncing his own words back at him. It felt…good; dangerous.

He pointed at Isobel, who was sipping her coffee while looking through a window.

“How did it go?”

“Quite well, actually, she is very interesting. I’ve invited her to join us on Saturday.”

“You did what?!?”

Concerned about his rising voice, Maya pressed one finger on his lips to silence him. Arthur took it off immediately, linking their fingers to make the gesture look natural. He whispered, “We need to talk, Maya.”

“Sure. Coffee?”

The horror on his face when he sipped her offering was definitely worth whatever he had planned for a conversation.

Chapter 12

The tests lasted another hour before she was allowed to see Matthew. The boy was tired, and he refused to eat, falling asleep almost instantly once he was settled back in his bed. Maya tucked in the sheets around him and waited a few more minutes before going back to the cafeteria to grab some lunch.

Her sister was there, and she joined her. Moira’s long blonde hair was hanging dully on her shoulders. Even pale and obviously tired, her sister was still a striking woman. Maya touched her shoulder gently before sitting next to her.

“Hi.”

Moira jerked at the touch, her dark eyes searching the room frantically. Then she concentrated on her coffee again. Maya bit into her sandwich.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes. I need a…I’m missing Cedric, that’s all. He’s been out of town for three days now.”

Maya nodded and chewed quietly. She looked for something to say; Moira was very touchy lately, especially since Maya had begun seeing Arthur, and she had no desire to upset her further. The argument she had witnessed in the morning forbade discussing Tristan or even Isobel. Matthew and the Foundation were off limits too, for the subject would automatically bring up Arthur or Pendletons & Associates. Christmas holidays were a touchy subject because of their parents’ disappearance.

It didn’t leave a lot to discuss. Maya took another bite. Suddenly, it occurred to her she didn’t have a lot in common with her older sister.

“I like your dress. Is it new?”

Maya looked up and grinned.

“Yes. Colin had a go at my wardrobe and convinced me to spend half of my salary on clothes.”

“I’m glad you’re finally wearing fitted clothes. You’re very beautiful…At least this ridiculous affair seems to help you realize that.”

Completely stunned, Maya glanced up. Moira’s chocolate eyes were fervently scanning the room again. Could she really be missing her fiancé so much? It was unlike her sister to be that jittery, or even flattering. Moira generally gave orders more than compliments.

“I’m not beautiful.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Maya, of course you are. Why you’d choose Arthur Pendleton when you could have any man is beyond me, though. He is so…”

The raven-haired woman held one hand up and her sister fell silent. The mention of her pseudo-boyfriend brought back the memory of one question Maya intended to ask.

“When I saw Robert yesterday evening…”

“I don’t want to talk about Robert and his accusations.”

How could Moira know Robert had accused them of anything? Maya insisted.

“Moira, what he implied…”

“I said I don’t want to talk about him!”

Her voice rose as her temper flared. Maya sighed. This was another example of her older sister’s volatile moods. She surprised herself by hoping Cedric would soon come back into town. At least when he was around, Moira looked happy, almost…ecstatic.

***

Leaving early one day, and spending the following morning entertaining a surprise guest had caused havoc to invade her office. The afternoon flew by quickly as Maya answered emails, phone calls, filed bills, and handled as much as she could in the very short amount of time left. Being Friday, she had to provide chores lists to the weekend teams, as well as prepared for the next week.

It had been dark for several hours already when she finally overcame the monstrous task of last-minute details with the organization of the upcoming The Vallon Hospital Christmas Tree event.

Christmas was one of the busiest times for her, along with Easter and Halloween. This year, she had managed to convince Moira to plan the event for Christmas Eve, and the organization was worse in many ways. She had to contact every parent to make sure they planned their own celebration accordingly but also brought the presents in advance. She also had to book the team who would play Santa and his elves, and to deal with catering and temperamental decorators, unhappy to work on Christmas Eve. Right now, she felt as if her head was about to explode if she heard anything else about golden-winged angels and edible snowflakes.