Hope's Toy Chest Read Online Free PDF

unwrapping the food. “You mentioned expanding Hope’s Toy Chest. Well, I have a new idea.”
    “You d idn’t even wait until you’ve plied me with good food before you jump right into what you need from me.” She brought the drinks over and sat down. “So get on with it.”
    She took a drink, and one of the crab rangoons , before looking up at him. The idea of expanding Hope’s Toy Chest brought a new level of excitement to her. The organization in her daughter’s memory had become her coping mechanism and her life. There was nothing outside of the organization for her, at least nothing since her divorce. Her and her husband didn’t make it a year after Hope’s death before their divorce proceedings started. Without Hope they had nothing left between them, and there seemed to be no point in staying together.
    “ The little girl I mentioned last night who’s dying. I need your help to bring her a Christmas the day after tomorrow.”
    “Season of miracles, but I think we can pull it off. A Christmas in her hospital room?” She accepted her food and dug in.
    “ The hospital used to have guest rooms on the ninth floor for the families of the sickest children, or those traveling through. Now they are just used for medical students and crash rooms when working doubles. I’ve got permission to take over one of those rooms to give her a good celebration. The plan is to take her up tomorrow evening. She’ll go to bed with a Christmas tree shining bright, and when she wakes up Santa—well, us—will have delivered her gifts.”
    “Can you get me a list of what she’d like? I’ll gather it, and wrap it.” She took a bit e of chicken.
    “I’ ll speak with her mother. If you’re willing to help, I’ll get everything else lined up.” He began eating his own meal.
    “What’s everything else?”
    “I need to have the room sanitized, then decorated. That reminds me, if you hear people outside this afternoon, it’s nothing. I hired people to come decorate. I’ve got an image to uphold with my neighbors, can’t let the children down just because I’ve lost the spirit.”
    “How about we try to regain that spirit of the holidays by decorating the hospital room ourselves? We can do it this evening once you’re done working. I can get the decorations and meet you there.” She pushed the broccoli aside.
    “Didn’t your mother teach you that you should eat your vegetables? It will keep the doctors away.” He teased.
    “I eat salads, cucumbers, peppers, and fruits. A little vegetable neglect won’t kill me. ” She didn’t want to keep the doctor away; neglecting all her fruit and vegetables might keep him around longer.
    He let out a lighthearted chuckle. “You don’t have to decorate. I know you have enough to deal with.”
    “I don’t mind. I was just sitting in your living room thinking you needed a tree as well.”
    “I just haven’t been in the mood this season. It seems to have lost its joy.” With his plate now cleaned, he sat his fork down. “I have a meeting with a parent to discuss treatment options at four-thirty, so how about you meet me at the hospital at six?”
    “That will be fine. Are you going to be able to get it cleaned before then?”
    “I’m going to call my housekeeper, and see if she can do it for me today.” He slipped his phone from his pocket. “I should do that and then get back to the hospital.”
    “Go ahead. I’ll clean up.”
    He took his plate to the sink and rinsed it before putting it in the dishwasher. “Sorry to rush off.” When she waved his apology away, he slipped his jacket on. “I’ll have a list of stuff for you tonight. After we decorate, maybe we can get some dinner and come back here to find the stuff on her wish list,” he suggested.
    Dinner with him seemed more intimate and sent butterflies spinning within her. “That would be nice.”
    “Very well. In the closet of my office are the Christmas decorations I have. Help yourself to