“Joyce. Please call me Joyce. Well, come on in. I know you’re busy. The ladies have been waiting on you, Mia. Several of them have new job interviews, and they’re very nervous.”
“That’s great news. How did Lisa’s interview go last week?”
“She didn’t get that one. She was devastated.”
“That just means it wasn’t the right one yet.”
“Has George come by yet?” Mia asked Joyce.
“He certainly has. Prompt as usual. Everything is in my office.”
Mia clapped her hands together. “Great! Let’s get this party started.”
Noah was guided into a large community room inside the Angels of Mercy Women’s Center.
He grasped Mia’s arm to hold her back.
“Mia, what am I doing here? I have work to do. How is this supposed to be relaxing?”
Mia had expected this. “Will you trust me, Noah? I want you to share this with me, then I’ll explain.”
He trusted her, but had no idea why he needed to be here.
Nodding, he released her and followed behind. It was only for a few hours. He guessed he would work late to make up the time.
Mia stopped in front of him suddenly, causing him to bump into her. His hands wrapped around her waist to steady her.
They both stilled, their eyes locking together.
They murmured, “Sorry” simultaneously, and laughed.
“Okay. You get to be the bearer of gifts today, Mr. Westbrook.”
He remained silent as he waited for Mia to explain.
“Each year we bring stockings to the women staying at Angels of Mercy. This is one of your dad’s—and now your—charities that the company supports. So, if you want to go with Joyce, she’ll get you all set up so you can hand them out.”
Mia turned to go.
“Wait! What am I supposed to do? To say?” Noah looked petrified.
Turning to face Noah, she gripped his arms and gave him a reassuring squeeze.
“It’s just like handing out bonuses at work. You give them the stocking, wish them Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. That’s all. Just show them you’re human, Noah. You can do this.”
Her words echoed in his brain as she left his side. Show them he was human. Had his mother called her? It was possible. She tried to use Mia frequently to get her way. He’d figure that out later.
Joyce brought in a huge box filled with stockings and led him over to a table, where he was busy for the next hour meeting the residents.
He felt a tap on his shoulder as he came back over to the table to gather more stockings. When he looked up, he found a silver-haired woman who looked to be in her sixties staring at him.
“May I help you?” he asked.
“You look just like him, you know.”
“Like who?” He wasn’t sure what the woman was going to say.
“Like your father, John Westbrook. You look just like him.”
“You knew my father?”
“I sure did. For 20 years he came here and handed out Christmas stockings and helped the women here. Your father was one of the best men I knew. I sure do miss him.”
Noah was floored. He never knew this about his father. Why didn’t he know this?
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“You’ve got big shoes to fill, son. I hope you continue in his footsteps, though they be steep and wide. I’ve got faith in you. Just have faith in yourself, and you’ll do fine.” The woman patted his shoulder and went on her way.
He looked around the room once again. Six-foot tables were lined up in what he assumed was the activity room. There were couches in one corner with a television, and a piano with chairs surrounding it on the other side of the room. His eyes landed on a familiar figure. Mia. She was sitting at a table with two women, looking at a stack of papers.
She would speak. Then the woman would reply. It was a volley of conversation back and forth. Her expression was serious and her eyes filled with focus.
“That woman is a godsend. She comes here once a week to work with the women. She conducts practice interviews, brings them clothes for their interviews, and just listens to them when they need to talk. They love her. We love her. You’re lucky to have her in your organization, Mr. Westbrook.”
He shook his head. “I won’t argue with you there, Joyce. I know I’m lucky to have her. She’s one of the best.” Noah felt a twinge in his chest as he watched her. He couldn’t explain the feeling, and he wasn’t altogether sure he liked it.
He made his way closer to the table where Mia was sitting. He handed out the last few stockings and stood by, waiting for her. His lips curled into a broad smile as he listed to her.
“Now, Lisa. You need to have confidence in yourself. You did great on every mock interview. Your aptitude tests have perfect scores. Believe in yourself, and you’ll get the job that is meant for you. I know it. I believe in you, too.”
The woman named Lisa hugged Mia, tears coming from her eyes.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Mia. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me and the girls. They love the books you brought them last week. Thank you most of all for having faith in me.”
She met Noah’s eyes during the embrace and smiled. Something shifted again inside his chest. He stretched his shoulders. Maybe he needed to see a doctor.
Crossing the short distance to him, she looked at him, making a show of tilting her head with her eyes moving from the top of his head to his feet and back up again.
“Hmm. Interesting,” she said.
“What?” He looked down at his shirt. Did he spill something?
“I hate to break it to you, but you’ve spent almost three hours out of the office, and the office didn’t collapse without you.”
“Three hours?” he nearly choked.
Sure enough. It was almost eleven o’clock.
“We’ve got contracts to get out in the mail. I know I have appointments. How could you…”
He stopped as she raised the palm of her hand in front of his face.
“Take a breath, Mr. Westbrook. I’ve got it covered. The Lane contracts were mailed. The Mitchell contracts are waiting on your signature, and your appointments were scheduled to start at one o’clock. Lunch will be waiting for us when we get back to the office, and you’ll have time to freshen up before your first meeting. I have a suit waiting for you in your office.” She ticked off the mental list without a second thought.
He stared at her as if he was contemplating his words carefully, but all that came out of his mouth was, “How did you get all that done if we were here?”
“That’s what you pay me for, isn’t it?” It didn’t matter to her that she had had to work yesterday—a Sunday—to get everything in place prior to this morning. It had been worth it, watching him hand out the stockings and interacting with the residents.
“I’m beginning to wonder,” he muttered.
The afternoon had flowed effortlessly thanks to Mia’s scheduling. All deadlines had been met, and nothing had been missed.
Today had been an incredible experience. It had felt like his dad had been there with him. He had Mia to thank for that.
A knock on his office door interrupted his thoughts. “Come.”
Mia stuck her head in. “I’m wrapping things up. Do you need anything else before I leave?”
“No. We’re caught up. You can go.”
“Okay. Are you ready for round two tomorrow?”
“Where exactly are you taking me tomorrow?”
“You’ll have to show up to find out.” He was finding this lighter side of Mia to be quite enjoyable.
“I’ll be here. Just don’t expect bells.”
CHAPTER 5
“Full house!” Mia shouted triumphantly as she spread her cards across the table. The three men playing against her shook their heads in defeat.
“Cliff, I think yo
u need to check her for trick cards. I don’t see how she beats us every single time.”
“Now, Tom. You know I wouldn’t cheat. Don’t be a sore loser.”
“She might be Italian, but she’s definitely got the luck of the Irish,” another man added.
Grinning, she cleaned up the mock poker table and stood. “It looks like it’ morning snack time. You know what that means. I’ll go get the book cart while you guys have your coffee, and then I’ll be around with my boss to give you some new books.”
“This guy treats you alright, missy?” one of the men asked.
“Walter, Mr. Westbrook is my boss, and yes, he treats me just fine.”
“Ifin’ he don’t, you know we’d be glad to have you here. Miss Hazel says it all the time.”
Patting Walter on the back, she pushed his wheelchair over to the aide waiting for him. “I’ll keep that in mind, Walter. Thank you.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. The old man grinned from ear to ear.
Noah flashed back to the night in his office when her lips touched his. He’d tried to block it out, with no success. He understood exactly how the guy felt.
She was dressed more casually today, in navy blue dress slacks and a Kelly- green button-down silk blouse with navy flats. Without her normal three-inch heels, she was quite petite at 5’3”.
“Ready to hand out some books and read a few stories?”
“Are you going with me?” he asked.
“I’ll start you off, but you’ll do fine on your own. I have a couple of hair and makeup appointments.”
“Hair and makeup?”
“Sure. Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Rand always ask me to do their hair and makeup when I come in. It makes them feel good.”
“Is there anything you don’t do, Mia?” This woman was full of surprises.
“Come on. This is always fun. The residents love to get new books. All you have to do it push the cart to each room and ask them what they like to read and pick out a few books for them. You pick up what books they want to turn back in. Easy, right?”
“For you, sure,” he grumbled.
“Oh! I almost forgot something.” She reached into her pants pocket and pulled out something that jingled. Holding it up to him, he saw that it was a gold Christmas ornament. Then she shook it and it jingled.
“Thought you might like to borrow this, since you didn’t wear your own.”
She looped the red necklace rope around his neck and went into the first room, his laughter following her.
His first few rooms were awkward. He didn’t really know what to say, but after that, he got into a groove. The people had been welcoming and eager for his visit except for one—Albert Randall. He took his books about American History and said he wanted to be left alone.
He’d handed out at least 50 books and met so many people that he wouldn’t be able to remember their names. What he had learned was how lonely some of them were and how much they enjoyed Mia’s company.
Each one of them had asked where she was, and who he was. Once they found out he was her boss, they couldn’t sing her praises enough. She should pay them for campaigning on her behalf. Clearly they adored her.
He’d also discovered something about himself. He’d enjoyed reading to them and talking with them. They had shared stories with him and generally appreciated the time he had spent with them. To have so little mean so much to someone was humbling.
He retraced his steps in search of Mia. Where had she gotten off to? Then he heard the giggling. The laughter was so genuine it made him subconsciously smile just listening to it. He knew it had to be Mia.
Standing at the open door, he found her brushing a woman’s hair. It was long and gray. Mia proceeded to braid and pin her hair around the back of her head. The woman looked elegant and graceful.
“There! All finished. Let’s have a look in the mirror. What do you think, Mrs. Johnson?”
Mia handed the woman a mirror. She looked at herself for a few moments before responding. “You always make me feel so pretty, Mia. Thank you.”
“You are pretty, Mrs. Johnson. I didn’t do that. I just highlighted it a little more.”
“You are a beautiful soul, Mia Benedetti. Don’t ever change.”
She hugged Mrs. Johnson. “I won’t. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks, okay? Take care until then.”
It wasn’t until she stood to leave that she noticed Noah at the door, watching her.
“Hi! How did it go?”
“Oh, you know, gave people their books, listened to the people petition to make you a saint. Same ol’ stuff. It went fine,” he teased.
A blush crept up her neck, into her cheeks.
“I think a few of them want to marry you.”
She laughed. “That would be Tom or Cliff, I’m imagining. They’ve asked me several times already.”
Waving good-bye to Mrs. Johnson, they headed down the hall.
“Everything went quite smoothly, except for one…a Mr. Randall. What’s his story?”
Mia paused and looked up with sad eyes. “His wife died recently. They’d been married 55 years. His kids sold his house and placed him here.”
“God, that’s awful, but I guess it’s part of life. Still, a difficult adjustment I’m sure.”
“He’s heartbroken, Noah.”
“That’s a prime example of why I’m not interested in marriage. Too much at risk. It’s not worth it.”
“Not worth it? Are you serious? Why don’t you ask Mr. Randall if he feels that way? Even though he’s unhappy right now, I’d bet you my salary that he wouldn’t change a thing.” She huffed past him, stopping at the exit.
“Come on. You’ve got work to do.”
Back at the office, Mia said very little the rest of the afternoon. She was professional and polite, but the light that had been in her eyes at the nursing home was no longer there, and Noah was certain he had had something to do with it having diminished.
After she escorted his last client to the elevator, he called her into his office.
“Mia, I get the impression I’ve done or said something to upset you. Is something wrong?” He watched her closely as she stood in front of his desk, her hands clasped in front of her.
“No, sir. Nothing is wrong. Is there something you needed before I start on the monthly reports?”
“No. I don’t believe so. Thank you, Mia, again for today. The past two days have been insightful into the charities that our company supports.”
“Yes, sir. I’m glad.” She turned to go.
“And Mia…” he halted her.
She turned back toward him.
“Know how I know when you aren’t telling me the truth…which I don’t think has ever happened until now?”
She raised her eyebrows, silently questioning him.
“Sir. You’ve reverted back to calling me ‘sir’.”
“Duly noted, sir,” she said, closing the door behind her.
She was mad alright, but she wasn’t going to be an even bigger idiot and explain to him why she was so upset. He’d made himself clear on the subject of a meaningful relationship.
Did the man even have a heart? She was beginning to wonder.
Tomorrow was the last stop on the agenda. If that didn’t melt his frozen organ, then nothing would.
CHAPTER 6
“I thought Santa was coming. Where is he? I want to see Santa!” a little boy with red hair and blue eyes cried to Mia. She bent down to his eye level and sat him on her knee.
“Santa is coming, sweetie. He’s just really busy. He must be running behind. I’ll go try to find out where he is, okay?”
The little boy calmed at the sound of her soothing voice, hiccupping as he stopped his tears.
“Why don’t you go over to the art table and make your mom a Christmas tree ornament, okay? I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
The pediatric ward of Angels of Mercy Hospital had been turned
into a Christmas Bazaar for the children. Red and green paper steamers, candy canes, and Christmas trees were everywhere. Truthfully, it looked like Christmas threw up as far as Noah was concerned. He supposed the kids liked it. His mother would have a stroke.
“Little over the top for you?” Mia whispered in his ear.
“This was definitely wasn’t what I was expecting this morning. Not sure what I thought, but this was a surprise.”
“I know you haven’t ever spent much time with children, but your dad loved it here. He handed out the presents every year until he died. The kids loved him.”
“Didn’t know that either.”
“Well, now you do.” She grinned.
“I have to go find out where Santa is. He’s the star of today; he’s handing out the gifts you’ve donated, so I’ll be right back.”
Noah walked around the visiting area, watching children paint ornaments, decorate cookies, and color pictures. They were smiling and laughing as if they weren’t stuck inside a hospital during Christmas.
Suddenly it dawned on him which wing they were in. He’d been checking emails as they exited the elevator and missed it, but looking around at the children, realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
All these children had cancer. My God. So many and all different ages, and yet they were so full of life. He stood in the center of the activity, stunned and speechless.
“We have a situation.” Mia stood beside him, looking grim.
“What is it? Something wrong at the office?”
“Worse. Santa is missing. No one knows where he is.”
“What? That’s all? Jeez! I thought something was terribly wrong.”
She looked back at him as if he had sprouted three heads.
“Something is terribly wrong. These kids will be heartbroken if Santa doesn’t come see them. They’ve been looking forward to it all week. How can you be such a Grinch?”
“Hey! I’m not a Grinch. I’m just saying there could be worse things that had happened.”
“Not when you’re under ten years old.” She had a valid point.
“How can I help?” he asked.
“I’m so glad you asked that question.” She took his hand and pulled him down the corridor into a closet.
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