Light This Candle (Harlequin More Than Words) by Cindy Dees Read Free Book Online Page B

the board
up so you can see it.” Mitch showed Cody the board and the colored plastic game
pieces. He explained how the disks were placed and then moved around the board’s
painted arrows. As he did so, the beeps around the bed gradually steadied.
    Cody announced in a stronger voice, “I want to play.”
    Mitch glanced at the medical staff for permission, and they
carefully propped Cody up and positioned the board across his lap. Mitch said,
“Your mom’s getting left out. How about we have her roll the dice for you and
move the pieces you tell her to?”
    “‘Kay.”
    And the game was on. As Mitch expected, Cody caught on fast.
There were many nuances to the game that a five-year-old couldn’t grasp, but
Cody’s eyes lit with pleasure as Cassidy moved his pieces moved around the
board.
    “Tell me a story about my daddy,” he said at last, pushing the
backgammon board aside.
    Mitch complied, although he avoided any tales that might excite
Cody. He described everyday life in a military unit and included a few anecdotes
about Jimmy. In a little while, Cody’s eyelids grew heavy.
    Mitch said, “I’m getting pretty tired, little buddy. Would you
mind if I went out in the waiting room and took a nap?”
    Cody retorted sleepily, “You want me to take a nap.”
    “Caught me.” Mitch chuckled. “Sweet dreams.”
    “‘Kay.” Cody’s eyes closed, and the beeps slowed even more.
    A nurse came to sit on the high stool beside Cody’s bed while
the others in the room filed out silently As the door clicked shut, another
nurse said, “Nicely done, sir.”
    Cassidy dropped her mask and Mitch did the same. He was
startled to see tears in her eyes. He was even more surprised when she flung
herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
    She was all sweetness and soft warmth as he held her close.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his chest,
    “My pleasure.”
    She stepped back from him and looked away awkwardly. His arms
felt cold and empty and he had to restrain the urge to fold her in his embrace
again.
    “I have some good news and some bad news for you,” he said to
fill the gap between them.
    She looked up in quick alarm.
    “The good news is Rose and I stopped by your apartment earlier
and left you a birthday present. The bad news is I don’t know when you’re going
to be able to go see it.”
    She frowned as if she was having trouble processing someone
doing such a thing for her. He supposed it might be an adjustment for her after
being on her own for well over a year. Particularly when the person helping her
represented the military—the focus of her anger and resentment since her
husband’s death.
    “I don’t know what to say,” she finally mumbled.
    “No need to say anything at all,” he replied cheerfully. He
turned to the nearest nurse. “Is Cody down for the night?”
    “Most likely. He had an exhausting afternoon.”
    Mitch dived in. “Tell you what. I’ll spend the night here with
Mr. Cody. You go home and get a decent rest in your own bed.”
    “Are you always this bossy?” she retorted.
    “Always.”
    It took a little more arguing and persuasion, but eventually
she capitulated and headed for the elevator. He grinned at her back and then
walked into Cody’s room, feeling well pleased with the day’s work.
    * * *
    Cassidy smiled at the silly, handmade poster taped to
her front door. Mitch might be great with a wrench, but not so much with glitter
glue. Still, the card was a sweet gesture. She unlocked her front door wearily.
How had she ever managed before he blasted into her and Cody’s lives? She was
exhausted and emotionally wrung out by today’s crisis, and a hot bath and full
night’s sleep sounded like heaven on earth.
    She flipped on the light switch. What the—
    The couch was different. And where had that rug come from? And
the room was brighter than she’d ever seen it. A new floor lamp? The living room
was colorful and cheerful...how had Mitch known this would be