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“I keepyouguessing, though, don’t I?”
He chuckled. “That you do, Miss Wyatt. That you do.”
She drove them to the Dallas Children’s Hospital, and he followed her inside, carrying half the bags while she carried the rest. They barely fit in the elevator. It stopped on a floor between the ground and their destination, and the doctor took one look and backed up.
The doors slid shut again, and they both burst out laughing.
“This is fun,” Grady admitted.
“It’s always fun to play Santa Claus, especially when it’s just a regular day.”
They reached their floor, and he followed her to the nurse’s station. An older nurse came around the desk and hugged her like they were old friends.
“Miss Wyatt, lord-y, you just made my day.”
“Good to see you, Jackie. Can we pop in?”
“Sure, honey. Just not those two over there. They’re in quarantine, but I’ll make sure they get theirs.”
Tinsley held a bag open, and Jackie grabbed two stuffed animals. She looked at Grady. “And who is this fine-looking man?”
He held out his hand. “Grady Steele, ma’am. Nice to meet you.”
She gave Tinsley a look as she took it. “You done upgraded, child.”
Tinsley rolled her eyes. “He’s just a… friend.”
“I’d change him from friend to boyfriend if I were you, sweetie.”
Tinsley laughed and moved to the first room, tapping on the door and poking her head in. “Can I come in?”
A mother sat in a chair next to the bed of a little girl about eight years old.
“Hi, I’m passing out stuffed animals. Is there a little girl in here who would like one?”
The child raised her hand, and the mother smiled.
“Hi, I’m Tinsley. What’s your name?” She approached the bed.
“Amanda.”
“Well, hello Amanda. You can pick out whichever one you want.” Tinsley held the shopping bag out for her to choose.
The little girl picked a white puppy dog and hugged it to her chest with a shy smile.
“What do you say, Amanda?”
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Amanda. What will you name it?”
She thought for a moment. “Snowball.”
“Why, that’s a perfect name.”
Her mother hugged Tinsley. “Thank you. That’s the first smile I’ve seen on her in days.”
“Are you all right?”
