Page 45 of Planned Seduction
“Everything okay?”
“Better than okay. She had a baby.”
“Congratulations. Must be nice to reap the rewards of your work, I’m sure.”
“As it must be for you.” She stared over his shoulder. “The ward is charming.”
Daniel looked around, his face incredulous. “It looks amazing.”
She could only agree. Although she’d never been in the ward before, Daniel’s exhibition had given her a good idea of how it had been—run-down, with old wallpaper peeling off the walls, its designs faded and dull.
Now the passages gleamed with fresh paint and bright wallpaper. If one had to be in a children’s hospital, this was a good one to be in.
“Look in there.” Daniel headed to an alcove filled with toys and books. “They’ve replaced all the old junk. Everything’s new and unused.” He was like a small kid, and she suspected more excited about the changes than most of the children.
He should be. He was the one responsible for them.
They stopped at the nurses’ station. New filing cabinets lined the walls while boxes from recently unpacked computers lay on the floor, waiting to be discarded. Not only was the ward more presentable, it also had a lot more modern technology, making administration easier.
Amy recognized a few of the nursing staff from Lexi’s party and the exhibition, and she and Daniel chatted with them for a while until Daniel asked for Vicky’s room number. She sensed a little apprehension in his gait as they made their way to her room.
“Maybe I should stay outside.” She was reluctant to invade the little girl’s privacy.
“No, I’ve told Vicky all about you. I’m sure she’ll want to meet you.”
Why would he have told Vicky about her?
There wasn’t time to ask. Daniel stepped up to a closed door and knocked softly before sticking his head inside.
“Hi there. Feeling up to visitors?” She didn’t hear a response, but Daniel opened the door wider and motioned for her to walk inside with him.
A quick glance revealed a cozy, inviting room, the walls done in the same colors as the corridors. The bed was made up with crisp linen in soft pastel shades of orange, lime, and lemon. There were two armchairs covered in matching fabric and a bookshelf against the far wall, overflowing with books and toys. A TV and DVD player hung suspended from the ceiling.
The only difficult thing to take in was the slip of a girl lying in the bed. She was so tiny that at first look, Amy would have estimated her to be around seven or eight had she not known Vicky was ten. Her hair looked as though it had been shaved off and was only now beginning to grow back.
“Hey, slugger,” Daniel said affectionately. “I thought they sent you home weeks ago.”
“They did. But then they brought me back.” Vicky laughed weakly. “I guess they like me too much to let me go.”
Amy’s chest tightened, and she blinked back her tears.
“Nah,” Daniel said, “I think they wanted a professional opinion on the wallpaper.”
“It’s nice.” She looked at Amy. “Who’s your friend?”
Amy walked forward. “My name’s Amy.” She held her hand out.
Vicky took it in hers and gave it a firm shake, firmer than Amy had expected. “You don’t have to be scared, you know. I’m sick, but I won’t break.” Wise eyes, so out of place in the face of a girl so young, seemed to probe and then she said, “You’re Daniel’s girlfriend.”
Amy couldn’t help but like the girl. “I’m Daniel’s best friend. I’ve known him since high school.”
“I have a best friend, too, but he doesn’t come visit me here. His mum won’t let him.”
“That must upset you.”
“Kind of. But I understand. It’s frightening for him to come into a hospital where there are very sick children.” She looked solemnly at Amy.
“You understand a lot for someone so young.”
