Next, he called the main offices of Hot & Fresh and made sure the business day was off to a smooth start. As the owner of five Springfield deli and coffee shops, which specialized in thick sandwiches, the best bagels in town and the freshest coffee in the state, he lived a fast-paced life. He was used to solving problems, to anticipating market trends and to outsmarting his competition. He rarely came home until he was too tired to think about anything except his little girl.
But here in the hospital, he hadn’t been as successful in fighting off unwanted memories. Though it’d been a little over a year since his wife, Kate, had died after a Florida freeway accident, it sometimes seemed like yesterday. Surprisingly, it wasn’t what he saw in the corridors, but what he heard and smelled when he closed his eyes—the pungent medicinal odors mixed with the sweet fragrance of stargazer lilies, the soft shuffle of footsteps punctuated by the constant ding of elevator bells, and the hissing, beeping sounds of medical monitors—that summoned the vivid images of the last days of his wife’s life.
Now, restless and confined by the square room, David sought a change of scenery. Putting both feet on the floor, he tested his balance and was pleased with the progress he’d made in such a short time. After getting dressed, he slowly headed down the carpeted hallway to the waiting room near the elevators. Despite some interior decorator’s fine effort, the scenic mountain mural, the ficus trees and the upholstered furniture didn’t fool anyone—it was still a hospital waiting room.
Standing in the bright sunshine, he cautiously stretched his arms over his head. He didn’t care what the doctors said, the only thing wrong with him was a few sore muscles. There was no need for him to spend another night here.
He continued to stretch, leaning forward at the waist, then to the side, the back, and the opposite side. When the nearby elevator dinged and the door opened, he looked up and saw Jessie and Isabel.
“You must be feeling better,” Jessie said, her smile conveying relief and enthusiasm as she allowed Isabel to kiss her father’s cheek.
“Much better. In fact, I’m ready to check out.”
“Is that your diagnosis or the doctor’s, Mr. Akers?” she asked with a smile that told him not to bother answering.
Determined to prove his point, he opened his arms to Isabel, who immediately leaned into his embrace. And even though his chest muscles tightened uncomfortably with her extra weight, he beamed with pride. It would only be a day or two at the most before he was back to normal.
“Now what do you think?” he asked. But before Jessie could answer, the elevator stopped on the floor and her parents stepped off.
“Mom, Dad.” Jessie greeted her parents with a quick kiss on the cheek. “I didn’t expect to see you here this morning.”
“We were running errands and decided to check on David. If there’s anything we can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
With Isabel anchored on his left hip, David extended his right hand in greeting as he said thank you to Don and Helene.
“Mom and Dad speak often of you,” he said.
“We think the world of them.” Helene smiled as she spoke and playfully squeezed Isabel’s hand. “And the way your mother’s always talking about Isabel, I feel like I know this little one.” Seeking David’s gaze, Helene added, “We’re serious about our offer. With your parents out of town, please don’t think twice about asking us for help. That’s what friends are for.”
David nodded with sincere appreciation.
Helene pulled a terry-cloth stuffed rattle from her purse and waved the bright-colored toy in front of Isabel. Instantly, the toddler reached for it, and when she did, Helene took the child into her arms, just as David imagined she did with her own grandchildren.
David was surprised when the Claybrooks made themselves comfortable on the institutional sofa. They obviously intended to stay for a while. But one glance at Jessie and his astonishment dissolved. The Claybrooks bequeathed kindness and compassion in the same way most families passed on blue eyes and curly red hair. And because they were friends of his parents, they were willing to lend him a hand.
Drawn to the healing warmth of the sunshine, David shuffled closer to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Holding his body erect, he watched children on swings in the playground below. “I thought I’d have heard something from the doctor by now.”
“Hospitals operate on their own timetables. Try to relax,” Helene said. Then, turning toward Jessie, she added with a teasing lilt, “I’m guessing that as in your case, patience isn’t one of David’s virtues.”
“Really?” Jessie said, though her smile gave her away. “I would never have guessed that.”
“Hey,” David said, “I’m the injured party here. How about a little sympathy?”
Again Helene addressed Jessie. “Like he doesn’t think we know he’s heading straight to the office as soon as he’s released from here.” She turned back to David, softening her voice. “Your mother tells me you push yourself too hard. I know she’d want you to take a few days off. I promise you, the business won’t collapse if you take a short vacation.”
David smiled, just as he did when his own mother launched into this too-familiar argument. Before he could respond, Helene added, “I’ve been saying the same thing to Jessie for the past three years. A little time off doesn’t hurt anyone. It helps you put your priorities in perspective.”
Curious as to Jessie’s reaction, David met her gaze. Where he’d expected to see a stroke of irritation or a touch of defensiveness, he saw shades of pain. He didn’t know what had happened in her past that compelled her to work long hours, but whatever it was, the spidery roots of disappointment and heartache ran deep into her heart.
David swallowed hard, suddenly realizing how little he knew about Jessie. What did she do for a living? Did she work until she was too exhausted to do anything at night but fall into bed? And if she prayed to God, what did she ask for?
When she turned her head, as if she were uncomfortable with David’s scrutiny, he continued to study her profile. He had learned a few things about her in the short time they’d known each other. She had courage and heart, a smile that cheered him and the instincts of a mother. And looking at her strong cheekbones, feathery blond hair and expressive green eyes, he couldn’t deny her beauty.
But despite all this, he couldn’t let her continue to watch Isabel. His daughter was his responsibility, and he’d imposed on Jessie’s kindness far too long. He didn’t care what she insisted.
Signaling to Jessie and the Claybrooks that he’d be right back, David walked back to his room. He silently sighed when no one seemed intent on following him, but were more interested in entertaining Isabel. And when Helene distracted his daughter with a “horsey ride” on her knees, the childish giggles following him down the hallway, he knew it would be quite a while before Isabel missed him.
Though Jessie couldn’t decipher all the emotions she’d seen cross David’s face, she believed his abrupt departure had to do with her. When he glanced at his daughter, his intent became clear.
She wasn’t sure why—whether it was pride, distrust, or that David simply found it difficult to ask for help—but she knew he was determined to hire a baby-sitter.
Jessie stood in the doorway and listened as David punched out several telephone numbers in a row, with the same result. Each person he talked to was either on their way out of town, already had plans or had a cold.
David shoved the telephone receiver into its cradle, then stared out the window.
“No luck?” Jessie said, making her presence known. He obviously had a pool of backup baby-sitters he frequently called upon.
Startled by her voice, David