Page 291 of Under Her Skin

“A minute?” she asks. “No, I don’t need a minute.” Tears start flowing in rivers down her pale cheeks. Her dirty-blond hair hangs in limp strands around a face I bet was pretty before this fell onher.

I hand her a napkin, and she wipes her tears, then breaks down completely. Delaney pushes me and whispers, “Give her ahug.”

Getting up, I pull the poor woman up and hug her. Shushing her, I whisper, “I’ll take that as ayes.”

She can only nod as she cries, and I rock her back and forth as I hold her quivering body that’s much too thin in my arms. Her reaction is nothing like I thought it’d be. I envisioned happiness, pure joy, some jumping up and down, and maybe a high five. Neverthis.

I don’t know what kind of road I’ve stumbled upon, but it’s certainly a lot more emotional than I ever thought it’dbe.

Chapter6

DELANEY

The day hasn’t gone the way I expected it would once I found out I had to spend it with Blaine Vanderbilt. Watching him hand out the gifts he’d brought to the four kids he met today is more thanheartwarming.

The best part about it is watching Blaine, as something inside of him seems to be growing with each interaction. He seems to be gaining an understanding of the human spirit. It’s kind of like watching a baby start walking and seeing how amazed and scared they findthemselves.

“I’ll let you practice today, but come tomorrow, I’m bringing my A-game, Terry,” Blaine tells him, then gets out of the chair and hands him one more pumpkin lollipop. He turns back just before we walk out. “Hey, bro, do you want me to bring you anything when I come back in themorning?”

“No way,” the teenage boy says. “Dude, you’ve given me enough. But I tell you what. There’s this guy a little older than I am. He’s major bummed about losing his golden locks. Go visit him tomorrow, will you? His name’sColby.”

“Will do,” Blaine says. “And let me tell you that I think you’re one great guy. I think you’ll go far in thislife.”

“If I live,” hesays.

Blaine looks back at me, and I can see he’s upset with what the kid said. I shake my head and hold out my hand for him to come with me. “Time to go seeTammy.”

He nods. “Bye, Terry. I’ll see youtomorrow.”

Once we’re out the door, Blaine falls back on the wall. “Shit! This ishard!”

I still have his hand and find him tugging me to him. “Come on, Blaine. Around here, we suck things up. If you want to fall apart, you do that away from here. While we’re here, we are nothing but a tower ofstrength.”

He pulls himself together and stands up straight. “You’re right. Okay, let’s go visit Tammy now. I hope she likes the wig you picked out. Is her mom hereyet?”

“I doubt it. You sent her to the salon to get all gorgeous. But she should be here soon, I’d think.” She gives the door a quick two-tap knock. “Tammy, can I come in? I have a male visitor withme.”

“Wait!” sheshouts.

We wait, and then Delaney holds her hand up. “Waithere.”

As I wait while she goes inside, I lean on the wall again and try to steady myself. I thought this would be like a walk in the park—an easy thing to do. Come to the hospital …give some gifts. Then I’d simply stand back and watch the kids smile about it. The huge waves of emotion are like a shot out of thedark.

The door opens and Delaney looks around, then over at me. “Again?” She holds out her hand. “Comeon.”

I take her hand and pull her out into the hallway. “Can you do me a favor and give me a purely platonichug?”

Her eyes go soft and she pulls me into her arms. “I know how rough it is. But I can see things are working inside of you, Blaine. Don’t let this give you a big head or anything, but I’m growing proud ofyou.”

The way she’s holding me tells me she’s great at making people feel better. “You have a gift, Delaney. You really know how to helppeople.”

She lets me go and gives me a smile. “Hmm. Now, maybe that’s why I was sent in the direction to become a nurse. Maybe there was a bit of divine intervention that directed me to thisplace.”

“Maybe so.” The click-clack of high heels draws my attention, and I look down the hallway to see a tall, very pretty lady coming downit.

“Would you look at her?” Delaney says, then lets out a wolf-whistle.

“Is that Patsy?” I ask as I take a harderlook.