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I placed my knuckle under her chin and lifted it so she was looking at me with those pretty eyes again. “That’s real good, baby. Because you’re gonna see and hear it a lot.”
A laugh bubbled out of her, and the damn grin on my face got bigger.
Twenty-Seven
Aspen
There were two different rooms that I would be working in on the pediatric floor.
The first one was filled with books. There was a reading nook, where the wall had been painted to look like a tree and bookshelves were placed along its branches. Craft areas were set up with supplies so that kids could make a specific craft that day that went along with one or more of the stories being read to them. I would be coming in four days a week to read the kids a story. There were three different story time hours, where I would read to them and help them with their crafts. I would also be in charge of cleaning up and disinfecting things after each group left.
The second room was the activity room. There were toys and games inside. When I wasn’t doing story time hour, I would be in this room, helping kids play with toys, cleaning up, and keeping things in their correct areas—that sort of thing.
Patty Shores, the director over the children’s activity centers at three different area hospitals, walked us through everything. Levi stayed with me and appeared to be listening intently. Patty was in her late thirties, but her gaze kept going to Levi instead of looking at me when she spoke. I honestly couldn’t blame her. I got it. I wanted to look at him all the time too.
“Two days a week, you will be working with another volunteer. Her name is Haisley Slate, and she’s been volunteering at the hospital for the past five years. She will be able to help you navigate the day and can answer any questions you might have,” Patty informed me, still staring at Levi, once again forgetting that it was me she was talking to.
“Your background check was cleared, and the former staff where you volunteered had nothing but excellent things to say about your work. I am thrilled to have you here. We have needed more volunteers in the activity centers. They come and go. It will be nice to have someone who has a true passion to be here. Now, Mr. Shephard said you could start as soon as tomorrow. Is that what you would like to do? Or do you have another date in mind?” she asked, glancing from Levi to me.
“Tomorrow would be great,” I replied.
She seemed pleased. “Excellent. Haisley will be here then too.” She smiled up at Levi. “Do you have any questions, Mr. Shephard?” she asked as she devoured him with her eyes.
“I will need an exact time that Aspen will be leaving each day. If that time will vary, then I want her to stay on this floor until I or someone I send comes to get her.”
Patty’s eyes shifted to me, then back to him. “Of course. So, she won’t be driving herself?”
“No. She’ll have one of our drivers bring her.”
I turned to him. “I have Irish’s car,” I told him.
“I’ll drive you, or I’ll have someone bring you.” His tone made it clear I wasn’t going to be allowed to drive here.
Was he still worried about my safety?
“You must be very important to Mr. Shephard.” Patty spoke as if she were talking to a child. I kind of felt like one at the moment.
“She is,” Levi replied.
I could see the questions in her eyes, and since she wasn’t wearing a wedding band, I had a feeling Patty was trying to decide if Levi was my boyfriend or my guardian. He was making it sound like he was my guardian. I could see where she would be confused.
Patty let out a nervous laugh. “Lucky girl.”
Levi’s hand rested on my lower back. “If you have everything you need from her, then we will be on our way. Thank you for all your time today.”
Patty’s adoring gaze was back on him. “Yes, absolutely. I’m thrilled to have Aspen working with us. You have my number—it’s there with the papers I gave you. If at any time you need to ask me about Aspen or anything really, please feel free to call.”
Patty was laying it on thick. I was glad she wasn’t here that often and rotated between hospitals. I wouldn’t know how to handle her if she started asking me about Levi. She was letting me volunteer, and I was so thankful they had availability for me to come help. However, I also wanted her to know that Levi wasn’t going to be calling her. I couldn’t call him mine, but his body was mine at least.
Levi simply gave her a nod, then looked down at me. “Are you ready? Is there anything else you’d like to ask or see?”
“I think I’ve seen it all.” I looked back at Patty. “Thank you so much.”
“It was my pleasure,” she said, still nervously checking out Levi, as if she wanted to ask him something more.
Levi pressed on my back and led me to the elevators. I waved goodbye to Patty as we walked away. His hand stayed on me as we waited for the doors to open and even after we were inside.
Once we were alone, he looked at me. “Are you happy?”
