Hearts In Rhythm by Angel Wheeler Read Free Book Online

jeans. She let them. For the first time in a long time she let go and released all the pain, the worry, the control that she’d kept buried inside.
    The knock at the door startled her. She stood quickly wiping the tears from her cheeks using the palms of her hands. Her vision was bleary and she blinked several times trying to regain her focus. A head with dark hair peered around the door.
    “Knock, knock. I hope I’m not disturbing you,” a male voice said. It sounded familiar to Allie and she tried to place it but couldn’t. She turned toward the sink and pulled a rough brown paper towel from the silver dispenser to use as a tissue. Crying always caused her nose to run excessively. She hated that about herself; among everything else lately.
    “Come on in,” she called, dabbing her nose as she studied her reflection in the mirror. She turned toward the door to see Brandon Weaver standing right inside the door wearing khaki slacks and a blue pullover sweater. In his left hand he was pulling a red wagon. Inside the wagon sat a small navy blue duffel bag.
    Their eyes met. By the look on his face, it was obvious to Allie that he was just as surprised to see her as she was he, maybe even more so.
    He dropped his wagon handle and walked toward her extending his hand.
    “Hello again,” he said taking her hand. His hand was warm and large and swallowed hers. Immediately heat rushed into her face. She wasn’t sure if the embarrassment from crying or the comfort in his touch were the cause. His voice was tender when he spoke.
    “I think it’s time for a proper introduction. I’m Brandon Weaver.”
    All Allie could do was nod. He lifted his other hand and placed it over hers so both of his hands were holding hers. He fixed his eyes on her face. Compassion filled his eyes. The same compassion she saw the day in the grocery store. Allie looked away. She felt so stupid having him see her like this. He released his hand from hers, and walked toward the bed.
    “This must be Samuel. Hey there, little buddy,” he said. He pulled the green chair Allie had been sitting in closer to the side of the bed. Allie wondered what he was doing here. She looked to the door to see if Matt and Cody were with him. But how would they have heard? Then she noticed a badge clipped to the collar of his sweater.
    “Are you from social services?” she asked
    “What?”
    “Are you from social services?”
    He looked behind him then pointed at himself as if there were more people in the room than the three of them and she was directing the question to someone else.
    “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t even tell you why I’m here, did I? I contract with the hospital. I’m a Child Life Specialist and I’m here to play with Samuel. You know to help him with his stay, to try to explain things to him, and sometimes to distract him from all that’s going on here.”
    A feeling of relief flooded Allie. She laughed. Given the circumstances she knew it would appear awkward to be laughing but yet she couldn’t help it.
    “Thank God,” she said placing her hand on her chest as if she could stop the rapid beat of it. “I’m so scared they’re going to take Samuel away from me.” She turned toward the window. “I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this.”
    Her vulnerability was exposed. She looked down at herself suddenly feeling as if she was standing before this man stark naked. She pulled her tan cardigan sweater around her hugging it tightly to herself as if she could grab her words and her emotions and hold them inside her.
    She looked at Samuel lying in the bed, his eyes fixed on the animated figures on the television. He was okay. He was going to be okay. She had to keep telling herself that.
    Brandon rose from his chair and approached her. He placed both of his hands on her arms and rubbed them, as if he were trying to warm her up. A shiver came over her and without warning she threw her arms around his neck. He held her tightly