His Temptation, Her Secret

“Dr. Stannis. The nurses. They keep saying these things take time, and I should relax and let my body heal.”

“They’re right.”

“That’s what they said to Joey.” Eli’s eyes went glassy with unshed tears. “They told him that right up to when he died.”

TJ felt like he’d been sucker punched.

A stricken expression on her face, Sage rose and drew Eli into her arms. “Oh, sweetheart.”

“It would be okay,” Eli said. “I mean, I’d deal with it if it happened.”

“The transplant was a success,” Sage said with firm conviction.

“You don’t have to deal with it,” TJ said. Then he rethought his words.

Eli had plenty to deal with for the next few months.

“It’s going to be tough,” TJ told his son. “You’ll need to be strong. But you are most definitely getting better.”

“I can read again,” Eli said. “At least a little bit without my head feeling like a baseball hit it.”

“I hear you play baseball,” TJ said, perching on the corner of the bed.

“I used to,” Eli said.

“That’s something to look forward to.”

“Over the long-term,” Sage said.

TJ couldn’t tell if it was a rebuke or if she was just carrying on with the conversation.

“For now,” she continued, “maybe we can look forward to some Jell-O?”

Eli thought about it for a moment. “I can try.”

“Good for you.”

TJ found himself smiling at the simple accomplishment. “Is there anything you feel like?” he asked Eli. “Anything at all?”

Eli looked to his mom as if seeking permission. “Could I have a chocolate milkshake?”

“I can run out and pick one up,” TJ offered.

“Yes.” Sage surreptitiously swiped her hand across her cheeks. “Yes, darling. You can have as many chocolate milkshakes as you want.”

“Finally,” Eli said with a small smile. “Something good in the hospital.”

TJ couldn’t believe his son was making a joke. In a hospital bed, weak and frightened, and fighting for his life, he was making a joke. His kid had mettle. Again, pride rose in his chest.

He left the room and took the elevator to the main lobby. There was a fast-food restaurant down the block that served milkshakes. But Eli deserved better than any old milkshake. TJ wanted his first gift to his son to be at least a little bit special.

So he drove to a gourmet ice-cream shop ten minutes away and waited while they made a custom order.

When TJ got back, Eli was semi-reclined in his bed. His eyes were closed, and he was listening to Sage read a story. She was sitting between Eli’s bed and the bed of the little girl with the broken leg.

The girl looked to have other injuries too, TJ realized. One of her arms was bandaged, and she had a brace on her other leg.

She looked shyly at the milkshake, and TJ felt like the biggest heel in the world.

Sage stopped reading.

TJ set the milkshake on Eli’s table.

“Is there something you’d like?” he asked the girl, moving closer.

“Heidi, this is my friend TJ,” Sage said to the girl.

“Hi, Heidi.” He offered her a smile. “I should have asked you before. What would you like to eat? As long as it’s okay with the nurses, I can bring you anything.”

She hesitated.

“Go ahead,” Sage told her. “He’s rich. He can afford something great.”

TJ was taken aback by Sage’s description of him. It was true, but it was an odd thing to tell a child.

“Pizza?” she asked shyly.

“Absolutely,” TJ answered. “What kind do you like?”

“Hawaiian,” she said. “And…” She bit her bottom lip.

“What else?” he asked. “Do you want a soda?”

“Can I have extra cheese?”

“Extra cheese it is.” Out of the corner of his eye, TJ saw Eli lift the milkshake to his lips.

Heidi’s blue eyes lit up with simple joy.

“This is really good,” Eli said.

“Fantastic,” TJ said to Eli. He hadn’t felt this good about a gift in years.

“I can get you a milkshake, too,” he said to Heidi.

Instead of answering, she looked to Sage with amazement.

“Chocolate or vanilla?” Sage asked her. “Or maybe strawberry or caramel?”

“Caramel,” Heidi said, sounding breathless.

“What about you?” TJ asked Sage, not about to mess this up a second time. “Pizza and milkshakes all around?”

Sage gave him a grin, and he swore he could feel her joy seep into his very pores.

“You bet,” she said. “Surprise me.”