Page 35 of Miss Trust

Chance

I’d lasted six days without seeing Tory. Then I’d felt compelled to come by with an excuse to take her out to dinner. Of course, it had backfired.

What had I been thinking to use work as an excuse? I’d hoped it might convince her to come with me more than admitting I simply fucking missed her face and sassy comments.

“How about I go by the house? I can bring you anything you need.”

Tory sighed. “It’s okay. We’re fine.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“It’s late, and I’m sure you have other things to do—”

My temper at her dismissal threated to erupt, but then a thought interfered and softened my exasperation. “I realize you’re not used to relying on anyone, Tory, but let me do this for you?”

She held my gaze for the longest time. “Okay. Penny was asking about her pink fleece blanket. I forgot it in the dryer. And she’s bored already with the books I brought, so maybe a couple others from her room.”

An unnamed emotion took hold in my chest. “And what about for you?”

“I’m fine.”

It would do me no good to argue with her. “All right. I’ll be back.”

Mona greeted me once I stepped inside the house. I’d called her on my way over.

“How are they?”

“Okay, but Tory freaked out about leaving tonight, even for dinner.”

“Poor thing. She said this week would be the toughest. Can I grab some things? Take them to the hospital?”

The most prudent thing would be to give her the list of items, and yet I didn’t. I needed to get them myself. “I’ll do it.”

Her expression was confused, causing me to confess.

“I’m going to bring her the items she asked for and also some dinner.”

“That’s nice of you.”

I sensed she was tempted to say more, but when she didn’t, I went into motion, going to grab the leather weekender bag from my closet. In the laundry room, I fetched Penelope’s pink fleece from the dryer. From there, I entered their bedrooms, thinking they might want more comfortable pillows. When I walked into Tory’s room, the smell of honey lingered in the air. Tory’s scent. I wasn’t sure if it was her soap, shampoo, or some sort of lotion, but it did something to me.

I went to the dresser, figuring I’d have to guess what clothes she wanted since she’d refused to tell me. But when I opened the top drawer, all I could do was stare. Tory’s underwear. Simple cotton, some black, some white, all thongs. Jesus. What was I? Sixteen.

“Mona,” I called out.

She appeared, carrying crayons and a pad of paper in one hand and some snacks in a bag in the other. Leave it to Mona to know what they needed.

“I’m not sure what to pack for them as far as clothing. Do you mind grabbing some things for each of them?”

She patted my arm in understanding and busied herself with packing up clothes for each of them, along with a linen bag. “Bring home the dirty clothes in this, and I’ll see to their laundry.”

“Will do.” It made me feel good to be able to do something to help. To have a purpose. Something useful when I felt useless in every other way.

A quick phone call from the car had dinner sorted. I only had to swing by to pick it up. The restaurant owner greeted me curbside with a large to-go basket. The next stop was my office to grab something I hoped would keep Penny from getting bored.

After parking in the garage at the hospital, I went up the elevator and toward the patient rooms. I opened the door and stepped into Penny’s room, swallowing hard at the tender moment. Tory was curled up with her daughter in the hospital bed. I closed the door softly behind me, and leaned against it, not wanting to disturb them.

“You are my sunshine,” rang out in Tory’s soft tone. Her voice was beautiful. But more than her voice was the love there.