Miracles and Mischief

by Mary Manners

  Zac’s lips curled into his signature gap-toothed smile. He nodded profusely and hugged his football to his chest. “Yes, sir!”

  “I’ll be your personal chauffer today, and I think you’ll need this before we go out into the cold.” Nate pulled a Titan’s cap from the pocket of his jacket. Then he wrapped Zac in a signature-blue team jacket he’d tucked beneath one arm. “You like it?”

  “Wow, yeah.” Zac’s eyes lit up as he slipped his arms into the jacket’s sleeves. He admired the cap before he plopped it on his head. “Can I ride up front with you, Nate?”

  Nate paused at the purplish-blue burst of bruises on the back of Zac’s hand as it poked through the sleeve’s opening. The IV had really done a number. He smoothed a finger over the bruises as he spoke. “I brought my SUV, so we can all ride up front—you, me, and your mom.”

  “Wait.” Shayna stepped between them. “My mother’s coming for us in a while. I should call her and let her know we don’t need a ride.”

  “She’s held up at a meeting,” Zac added, tugging the hat brim low over his eyes. “That happens sometimes.”

  “I know who your grandmother is.” Nate nodded to Zac. “She was my physics professor when I played for the university.”

  “Now she’s head of the whole department,” Zac informed him. “And Mama says that’s pretty important.”

  “It is.” Nate squeezed Shayna’s hand. “And I’ve already called to let her know I’ve come for you instead.”

  Shayna released his hand. “How did you manage to get ahold of her while she’s in a meeting?” She gave her cheeks one last swipe with the tissue and tossed it into a corner trash can. “Even I can’t do that.”

  “I told you, Shayna.” There was the signature, blue-eyed wink. “I have my ways.”

  She sighed, resigned to his mysticism. Then she caught a glimpse of the skin on the inside of his left elbow and gasped. “Oh, your arm is bruised, too.”

  “The phlebotomist missed my vein—twice.” Nate grimaced, rubbing the deep purple welt. “She was a newbie.”

  “When did you have blood drawn?”

  “Yesterday after I left you and Zac. I went straight to the lab and demanded they suck a tube of the red stuff right out of me. Then I signed on with the National Bone Marrow Registry.”

  “You did? Really?”

  “Oh, yeah.” He nodded. “And, as a result, I should be active in the donor system by week’s end.”

  “Oh, Nate, that’s wonderful news.” Shayna’s eyes filled with tears. “Someone’s going to get very lucky.”

  “It’s the least I can do.” He shrugged. “Besides, I’m the lucky one.”

  “Did you watch the news segment at noon today?”

  “No, I didn’t have time.”

  “It was good…tasteful.” She nodded. “Maybe people will sit up and take notice.”

  “I hope so.” Nate reached for Zac. “Hey, buddy, you look beat. How’d you like to ride my shoulders out of here?”

  “Cool.” Zac’s grin nearly filled the room. The Titan’s jacket swallowed him as he raised his arms and wrapped them around Nate’s neck. “I’m ready, Nate. Lift me up.”

  ****

  “Why are you doing this, Nate?” Shayna eased over on the couch. The sun had set, and the modest living room was steeped in shadows from the flicker of a small TV. Nate didn’t seem to mind that her house was a bit cramped and most likely the size of a toothpick box compared to his.

  “Doing what?” Nate shifted Zac’s weight and rubbed his right arm. Shayna imagined it tingled as the blood began to flow once again. Zac had fallen asleep against him as they watched a movie, and Nate was careful not to disturb him through the movie, even though the position had to be uncomfortable. The little guy was out cold—the best stretch of sleep he’d enjoyed in a long while.

  “Spending time with Zac. Why are you doing it?”

  “I’m…not really sure.” Nate shrugged, careful not to jostle Zac too much. “I can’t explain it, Shayna. In all honesty, I never planned to spend more than yesterday’s visit with Zac—or you. But, now…”

  “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  “That sounds good.” Nate reached for the remote and lowered the TV’s volume. “As long as you have decaf. I’ll be up all night, otherwise.”

  “Decaf it is.” She set aside an empty bowl. The aroma of buttered popcorn wafted. Together, she and Nate had made quick work of the snack. “Let me put Zac to bed first.”

  “I’ll do it for you. He’s heavy.”

  “Not so much as before. He dropped another two pounds in the hospital this go ’round.”

  “We’ll have to beef him up.”

  “Not an easy task. Some of the medicines stunt his appetite.”

  “Make me a list of his favorite foods—anything he likes that’s easy on his stomach—and I’ll bring a supply by.”

  “That’s very nice of you, Nate.” Shayna reached for Zac. “I appreciate it.”

  “Here, I’ll get him. Which way to his room?”

  “Down the hall, first door on the left.”

  “OK.”

  Shayna followed Nate, silently thanking God for the gift of Nate’s fledgling friendship and his offer of groceries. She hadn’t been able to work full-time since Zac got sick, and what she managed to bring in fell woefully short of expenses. Her meager nest egg was dangerously close to depletion.

  Shayna switched on a nightlight plugged into the wall beside the bed. “I’ll get his shoes.”

  “Look at all the posters.” Nate scanned the moonlit room, drinking in the half-dozen photos of him in action that Shayna had mounted for Zac. He whistled softly. “I never imagined…”

  “You have a gift, Nate—the ability to impact people. When you speak, they listen. It’s a wonderful and very powerful thing.”

  “Sure, except for when you drop a playoff game-winning pass.” He placed Zac on the bed. “Then, no one wants to listen. They just want to criticize and second guess.”

  “Do you think Zac cares a smidgeon about that dropped pass?”

  “I guess not.”

  “I know not.” Shayna shook her head firmly. “He sees only the good in you, Nate.”

  “Why can’t everyone be that way—looking for the good and not the bad?”

  “Because, not everyone has the eyes of a child.”

  “And why does it bother me so much—what people say?”

  “I’m sorry about that. But don’t lose any sleep over it.” Shayna tugged at Zac’s sneakers and dropped them on the floor before covering him with a Titan’s quilt. “Next season will be here before you know it and offer a whole new spectrum of possibilities.”

  “Yeah.” Nate sighed. “At least I have that.”

  “It’s more than most people.” More than Zac, who might very well be in his final season if a donor didn’t emerge soon. Shayna forced the thought away—she would not allow the negativity to take root and flourish. She had to trust God in this, as she trusted Him in everything.

  “You’re right.” Nate brushed his fingers through Zac’s baby-thin hair, and the gesture stole Shayna’s breath. “Will he sleep through the night?”

  “Maybe…probably not.”

  “When’s the last time you snagged a full night’s sleep and a decent meal?”

  “It’s been a while.”

  “I imagine it has.” Nate took her hand. “Now, how about that coffee you mentioned?”

  “Come this way.”

  6

  “I win.” Zac laughed as he took the last of Shayna’s cards in a game of War. He bounced on the couch, pointing a finger at her. “You should practice more, Mama.”

  Shayna smirked. “And you should be a little more humble in winning.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Keep your ego in check, young man, and say, ‘good job!’”

  He giggled. “Good job, Mama.”

  “Thank you.” Shayna scooped up the cards. An entire wee
k had passed since he’d come home from the hospital, and Zac was finally having a good day. He almost seemed like his old self. Her mom had phoned earlier for an update, and was thrilled when Shayna gave her the good news. Maybe the new meds had bought a little extra time. Shayna certainly prayed it was so. “Do you want to play again?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Zac sipped apple juice. “But I have to warn you, I’m gonna win again.”

  “We’ll see.” The doorbell rang as Shayna began to shuffle. She turned to glance through the opaque glass of the front door and frowned when she saw two shadows. Her mom had mentioned earlier that she might stop by after work, but who had she brought along?

  “It’s Grandma,” Zac announced, craning his neck to peer over her shoulder. “And I think that’s Nate, too!”

  “What?” Shayna dropped the cards and raked a hand through her hair, damp from the quick shower she’d enjoyed while Zac napped. She hoisted herself from the living room floor. “What are they doing here—and together?”

  “Maybe Nate came to play cards with me.”

  “Maybe.” Shayna massaged kinks from her back as she strode to the door. “But, if that’s the case, your winning streak’s most likely in jeopardy.”

  “I can beat him, too, Mama…well, I think I can beat him.” Zac scratched his head. “Or, prob’ly not. I’ll bet he’s really good.”

  Shayna laughed at Zac’s banter as she opened the door. “Well, this is a surprise.”

  “I told you…” Nate stood there grinning. “I’m full of surprises.” He added his signature wink.

  “Mom, you’re in on this, too?” Shayna ushered them in. “What’s going on?”

  Her mom, sporting peppered hair and a crisp, linen pants suit stepped over the threshold. “I came to spend some time with my grandson while you fill your belly with a decent meal and your ears with a bit of adult conversation.” Her voice was more animated than usual, and that was a red flag that she’d brewed something up. Put her and Nate together and there was no telling what they might get going.

  “But I haven’t even started dinner yet.” Shayna propped one hand on her hip.

  “No need for that, sweetheart.” Mom snaked around Shayna to head over to Zac. “Nate’s taking you to dinner.”

  “I can’t just leave.” Shayna threw up her hands, suddenly remembering she hadn’t even bothered to apply so much as a hint of blush to her pale cheeks or a spot of concealer to cover the bruised shadows beneath her tired eyes. “And, besides, I’m not dressed to go to dinner.”

  “You look good to me.” Nate scanned the length of her and then eyed the deck of cards strewn across the coffee table. “But if you want to change into something else, I’ll play a few hands of cards with Zac.”

  “You’re gonna lose, Nate,” Zac chimed in. “I’m a beast.”

  “You think so, huh?” Nate nodded to Shayna and then eased around her and went to Zac. He sat on the floor opposite Zac at the coffee table and crossed his legs as he reached for the deck of cards. “We’ll see about that.”

  Zac scratched his nose and wiggled in his seat. “You want to play, too, Grandma?”

  “I’d love to.” She scooted onto the couch beside Zac, grinning. “There was a time I was pretty good at cards. Once I’m warmed up again, I’ll show you both how it’s done.”

  ****

  “You have to stop with the surprises.” Shayna chastised Nate as they backed from her drive and headed toward the highway.

  “You don’t like them?”

  “I didn’t say that. It’s just a little…unsettling.” She shifted her weight in the passenger seat. “I like my ducks all in a row.”

  “Then how do you manage…with Zac and everything?” Nate snorted. “It’s impossible to keep all those ducks in a row.”

  “I try anyway.”

  “I see.” He turned right and shifted into third gear, then fourth as the SUV picked up speed. “Duly noted. No more surprises…I promise.”

  “Thank you.” Shayna gazed out the window. “Where are we going?”

  “You just said you didn’t want any more surprises, so I’ll defer to you.” Nate flipped the turn signal before switching lanes. “What kind of food do you like?”

  “Umm…” She hesitated. “Steak?”

  “Are you asking me or telling me?”

  “Telling you. I like steak. And a baked potato sounds good, too.”

  “A meat and potato girl, huh?” Nate paused at a stop light, then turned right again and headed toward the river. “I can manage that. I know a great steakhouse.”

  “Nothing expensive, OK? I could never pay you back.”

  “Whoa…what makes you think you have to pay me back?”

  “I don’t take charity, Nate—well, maybe for Zac, but not for myself, at least.” Her lips curled into a frown, and he imagined she was referring to the sack of groceries he’d brought for Zac, and maybe even the Titan’s gear, though he hoped not. Those were gifts, not charity.

  “Charity…I was thinking of this more like a date.” He reached for the radio dial, and the cab filled with soft music. “Am I way off base?”

  “I thought bases were used in baseball—not football.”

  “Good one.” He rolled his eyes at her. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

  “Why would you want to date me?”

  “I could ask you the same.”

  “But I didn’t call this a date, you did.”

  “Right. And I didn’t insult you by saying your friendship, an act of kindness, is nothing more than charity.”

  “Oh, Nate…you’re right.” Her cheeks pinked, and the frown deepened. She fiddled with the button on her jacket. “I just wasn’t thinking straight. I’m sorry. Can we start over?”

  “That’s not necessary. It’s OK.”

  “No, it’s not.” Her voice hitched, and she glanced away to study the scenery whooshing by. She adjusted the seatbelt before folding her hands in her lap. Dark hair skimmed her shoulders, and a hint of gloss kissed her lips. The subtle scent of her perfume drifted around the cab of his 4x4. Nate’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as his pulse kicked up a notch. “Thank you, Nate. For this—and for everything.”

  “It’s me who should be thanking you, Shayna.”

  “Whatever for?”

  “You’ve made me feel again.” His hand slipped from the wheel to find hers. “It’s frightening and...amazing, too.”

  “I don’t understand.” She shook her head. “The press says you have a girl in every city.”

  “I told you; don’t believe everything you read or hear on the news.” He shook his head. “The press can do good things, but it can also destroy people. That’s why I came home to Mill’s Landing—to get away from it for a while.”

  “But the segment with Zac—”

  “That was an exception, and I’m glad I did it.” He glanced at her. “And I’m glad I did the marrow registry, too. I haven’t heard anything yet, but maybe one day…”

  “I hope so, Nate. That would be a wonderful thing—a true miracle for someone.”

  7

  “Is Zac well enough to leave the house?” Nate asked as he walked Shayna to her front door later that night. The moon, full and bright, was high in the starlit sky, and a slight breeze carried the scent of pine cones that littered the grass. Through the living room window, Shayna saw her mom curled on the couch with her nose in a book, sipping—most likely the green tea she loved so much—from an oversized mug. Shayna glanced at her watch and hoped that Zac had been asleep at least a couple of hours.

  “It depends on the weather.” Shayna buttoned her coat against the cold as she turned to face Nate. “And on how he feels. He’s been more energetic the past week, and his counts are good, so Dr. Garrison said he can get out for a while if it’s not in a crowd. Why?”

  “It’s supposed to be much warmer this weekend, and I was wondering if you’d like to come out to my place for the afternoon. It would give Zac—and you—a much-
needed change of scenery.”

  “He’d like that, and so would I.” She brushed hair from her face as the strands tickled her cheek. “I can only read so many books, and I’ve cleaned every inch of the house. It’s hard not to go stir crazy. Luckily, I’m able to do the bulk of my computer work from home, or I might have lost my job by now.”

  “Saturday, then?” He nodded. “I’ll pick you up around noon?”

  “Sure. That sounds perfect. I’ll tell Zac. He’ll be thrilled.” Shayna slipped her fingers around the door latch. “Thank you for dinner, Nate. It was a real treat. And I enjoyed the walk afterwards. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to feel the wind on my face, and the stars are truly amazing tonight.” They shimmered and twinkled across a velvety expanse of sky, and for the course of a few precious hours, Shayna felt that all was right with the world. The mini-escape was a gift.

  “Shayna, wait.” Nate caught her as she pressed down on the door latch. “I need to say something.”

  “What is it?” She turned back, her hair fluttering in the breeze. One look in his blue eyes and she knew something was up. He looked almost…frightened. “Are you OK?”

  “I…” He stumbled over the words. “I mean, you’re beautiful, Shayna.”

  “Oh. But I feel like a wreck.” She sucked in a little breath and offered him a lopsided grin. “You really should have your vision checked. Don’t you have a team doctor or something?”

  “My vision is fine.” He leaned into her, sheltering her from the chill. The scent of his cologne drifted on the breeze. “And, I’d really like to kiss you.”

  “Hmm…then poor vision’s the least of your worries.” Though her pulse quickened to a height that made it nearly impossible to breathe, she managed to keep her tone steady and light. She would not become one of those girls who fawned all over him—though she understood their motivation. Not only was he handsome beyond words, but the guy was also kindhearted and gentle, as well. She cleared her throat and pressed a hand to his chest to maintain distance. “I’m not kissable, Nate.”