Season of Hope

by Virginia Carmichael

  “I’ll look them over tonight and make sure I’m up to speed.” Evie was all business and Gavin had to smile at the contrast between Jack and his sister. A more laid-back guy would be hard to find, yet his twin was speed and efficiency.

  After a half hour of acquiring signatures and making sure the papers were in order, Nancy laid her pen on the table. “Looks like this meeting has reached its natural conclusion. Next week, same time, same place. And I’m praying that Grant will be showing us some pictures of that new baby.” She stood up, gathering a thick gray sweater from the back of her chair.

  Gavin hoped he would be there to see the pictures, because the way things were going, the CDC would be running night and day. His stomach clenched at the thought of what might be happening by then. More children in critical care, a city in the midst of an epidemic, the Mission Christmas parties canceled. He gathered up his papers and followed Jack’s conversation with half an ear.

  “Here, you guys, have another cookie.” Lana was pushing the cookie platter along the top of the desk as they emerged. The Mission residents were filing out of the cafeteria at the other end of the lobby, and the smell of something delicious reminded Gavin he hadn’t eaten dinner.

  “Oh, Lana, you’re tempting me.” Evie flashed a brilliant smile and did as she was told.

  “How did the meeting go? I saw Grant go by a few minutes ago.”

  “I think he said he needed to check on Calista, didn’t he, Gavin?” Evie asked.

  He nodded, keeping his gaze on Lana. Thinking back to that moment reminded him of Evie’s near accident in the hallway and how warm she felt to his hands. A friend’s sister was the very worst candidate for romance, even if he had the time, which he didn’t. Throw in her profession and she should come with a warning sign.

  “He’s hovering over the poor woman.” Lana’s lips twitched. “At least Evie’s here to help out. I bet she’s got some great plans.”

  Gavin cleared his throat. “Right. Feel free to bring any ideas to the table. Nancy would be the one to ask about specific projects, but the board is fairly informal.”

  “Well, I figured, since Jack is part of it.” She gave her twin an ultra-innocent look. He responded in true Jack fashion by flicking his pen cap at her.

  “Gavin, what sort of watch is that?” Evie asked.

  He glanced down at his wrist, brows lifting in surprise. “My sister had it made for me.” He moved toward her, extending his arm. “She’s got a great sense of humor. See, every number is replaced by a different microbe. Instead of the number one it has Yersinia pestis or the black plague, two is ebola...” His voice trailed off. Every microbe actually looked like a number, wasn’t labeled, was brightly drawn. “Just geek humor, I guess.”

  Evie stared, transfixed. “Okay, your sister should get an award for that.”

  “She should. For a singer, she sure knows her science. I don’t deserve her at all.”

  Reaching out to touch his wrist, she turned his hand to see the watch better. Her fingers were warm, almost hot to the touch. She leaned closer, dark hair falling forward. She smelled wonderful, like Christmas.

  “Gavin’s out to rid the world of disease. If he had his way, no one would ever get sick.” Jack leaned against the desk, his mouth lifted in a grin.

  She brushed back her dark hair and met Gavin’s gaze with those bright blue eyes. “That’s wonderful. Like a modern-day superhero.”

  He felt a tug in his chest, right under his ribs. He’d always found his drive in the memory of Patrick, his best friend. He worked and studied and fought hardest when he thought of children suffering like Patrick had, of families grieving the loss of a child. But right now, more than he ever had before, he wished he had the power to wipe out the viruses that cut children down in the prime of their young lives. All because of one sweet smile.

  He shrugged off the compliment with a good-natured laugh, but inside Gavin was waging a full-on war. He couldn’t afford to be distracted right now. Especially if the distraction came in the form of a beautiful woman who just happened to run her own paper. He had a walking, talking family secret on the way to Denver and right now, a journalist was the very last sort of woman he needed.

  The shrill sound of a cell phone stopped the conversation and Gavin searched his pockets until he grabbed hold of his work phone. Flipping it open, he already knew who would be on the other end.

  “Gavin? It’s Frank Ray. I think we’re going to have to go to a twenty-four-hour schedule. The labs are swamped with all the samples the hospitals are sending.” His coworker’s voice sounded rough with exhaustion.

  “You’re probably right. I’m still downtown. Give me five minutes and I’ll be over.” Gavin snapped the phone closed and faced his friends.

  “Trouble?” Lana’s expression said it all. Concern, fear, worry. Evie’s brows were drawn together, and she opened her mouth to speak but seemed to think better of it.

  “You could say that.” He straightened his shoulders and tried to look confident. Part of his job was to keep the public informed, but not panicked. “Thanks for the cookies.”

  He made as quick an exit as possible, buttoning his coat with one hand and searching for his keys with the other. The main hospitals would be full to the brim with cases, and their labs weren’t equipped to handle all the pertussis samples.

  As the frigid night air hit him, Gavin felt the warmth of the Mission being stripped away. He pushed aside all the feelings that had swelled in him when Evie was near, the regrets of being too busy for a romantic life, the wishful thinking that did no one any good.

  He hunched farther into his coat, walking into the biting wind. He couldn’t let his focus slip, not for a day. He had made a promise to Patrick and lives depended on him.

  Chapter Two

  “Over here!” Evie waved at Jack above the crowd of kids, but she wasn’t sure he heard her over the noise. The Downtown Mission’s children were gathered in groups on the sidewalk, eagerly awaiting the delivery of the annual Christmas tree. Grant wandered the sidewalk, crouching down every few feet to chat with some small child or another. The Mission workers passed cups of hot chocolate and took turns peering down the road for any sign of the tree.

  Evie huddled inside her wool coat and tried to stamp some feeling back into her feet as her twin made his way over. The paper had been put to bed for the day, so there was nothing left but to jump back into the fray. It could be a 24/7 job, if she let it. She’d been down that road before, back in Aspen. A fast crowd of photographers, chasing a faster crowd of celebrities, made for a perfect storm of selfishness. She could feel her perspective slipping, just like old times. Her brain needed a little time away from the drama, and this was the perfect way to get a grip on her priorities.

  Snowflakes drifted gently down over the crowd of excited kids, and Evie whispered a silent prayer of thanks. Christmas was her favorite season, all about hope, new beginnings and fresh starts. She was living proof of second chances.

  “I heard the wagon got stuck on Lincoln Street.” Jack tugged his ski hat down over his ears and gave Evie a hug.

  “Traffic at this hour?” She frowned up at the sky. Drivers in Denver were used to the weather.

  “Something about a frayed rope. I didn’t catch the whole story.” Jack broke off as a cheer went up through the group.

  Around the corner came a pickup truck pulling an old-fashioned wooden wagon. The large spoke wheels were caked with clumps of snow. On the cart was strapped an enormous, bushy fir tree. The truck stopped and Gavin jumped from the passenger’s side. His coat was unbuttoned and he wore no hat, but he had a length of rope over one shoulder. He waved to the kids and flashed a thumbs-up, which resulted in another round of cheers.

  Evie sucked in a breath at the sight of his smile. Last week he’d seemed so preoccupied. Of course, she didn’t expect a f
inance meeting to be a barrel of laughs, but this was a different side completely.

  “I’ll see if he needs help with the tree.” Jack loped off toward the wagon, joining Grant and a few other Mission workers in the job of wrangling the tree into the lobby.

  “Will you help me hand out the cookies?” Evie turned to see a young woman holding a tray of brightly colored treats. Her name tag was sporting a blob of snow, but it was still legible.

  “Sure, Simone. My pleasure.” She took the tray and started toward the swirling group of preschoolers.

  From the corner of the group, Lana sang out the first lines of “Jingle Bells” in a sweet, clear voice. Evie joined in, moving through the crowd of waist-high kids, distributing cookies into mittened hands. The snow fell faster, large clumps landing on brightly colored hats. She couldn’t help grinning, although it was hard to sing and smile at the same time. To think she could have missed this moment by spending another evening at the office.

  Her tray was almost empty when the song changed to “Deck The Halls.” She felt a small hand slip into hers and looked down into the face of a little girl.

  “I love Christmas,” the girl said. Her lisp was so pronounced, her large eyes such a deep brown, that Evie almost laughed. So much sweetness in one little person shouldn’t be allowed.

  “I do, too.” They both stood watching Gavin and Jack help carry the tree into the lobby. The children sang with gusto, if not perfectly in tune, and Evie blinked back tears.

  Five years ago she was the very worst kind of person, without a real friend in the world. She’d turned her back on everyone who loved her. Chasing money and fame was all that mattered. Evie sucked in a shaky breath.

  Thank You, Lord, for second chances. I won’t let You down again.

  * * *

  Gavin stood back to admire the tree. The Mission kids had decorated every inch as far as they could reach, then handed ornaments to Jack as he stood on a ladder. He really should be at the lab, but Frank had told him to take the evening off. Something about not being any use if he worked himself into the ground.

  “You guys picked a great tree.” Evie stood by his side, shy smile on her face. She smelled lightly of something flowery, maybe roses.

  “Gerry picked it out. I just tied it down.” He pretended to think it through. “But I should definitely get points for standing in the middle of Lincoln St. replacing the broken rope. I never want to stand in traffic again.”

  She snorted. “Let’s hope that’s your once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

  A short Hispanic woman bustled out of the double doors that led from the kitchen. Her black hair was pulled back into a bun, black eyes snapping with energy. “Gavin, is Grant in the office?”

  Evie answered for him. “Marisol, I think he went to call Calista. She wasn’t feeling up to the party so she stayed home. He’ll be right back. Would you like a cookie? We have a few left.”

  Lana held out the cookie plate with a smile.

  “Uh-oh. Lana is making Grant cookies now. He won’t want any of my enchiladas. I made them especial.” Her words were a rebuke but she was smiling.

  “Lana, why you not married? You cook like this and the men gather round.” Marisol gestured at Jack and Gavin, who froze like a pair of deer caught in headlights.

  Covering her mouth with her hand, Evie looked like she was working to get her expression under control.

  Lana snorted. “I’m not averse to marrying a younger man, but I’m pushing fifty. I don’t think good cookies will make up for a wheelchair and grandma status.”

  Marisol paused, black eyes gone wide, cookie in midair. “Abuelita already? When did it happen?”

  “No, no. Eric’s only thirteen.” Lana brushed a hand across her forehead, as if the thought pained her. “My son’s a great kid, but let’s give him a few more years. Like ten or so.”

  “Ah, well, I am sure you will have many babies to cuddle.” She said this like a benediction, her dark brown hand lifted toward Lana.

  “Thank you, Marisol. I can’t imagine how wonderful it will be. But you’re closer to that than I am.” Lana’s face crinkled in a smile, and both women sighed happily.

  “You’re waiting for a new grandbaby?” Gavin wished he had a cheat sheet for the Mission staff and their families.

  “Calista is having her baby soon. Very soon.” The older woman put a hand on her heart and closed her eyes. “Dios le bendiga. We must pray for her.”

  Gavin glanced at Evie and grinned. He’d seen Calista, and the woman was as white as they came. And Grant, with his tall frame and blue eyes, was probably not related to Marisol, either. He was getting the full picture of this place and it was all about family, but not the kind he’d known.

  The seriousness of what he’d seen this morning in the neonatal critical care unit intruded on his thoughts. He reached for his keys. “It was a wonderful party, but I’d better go.”

  “Anything we can do, Gavin? Is the office running twenty-four hours?” Lana turned, concern lining her face.

  “We are. Just keep trying to get the word out. We’re racing to stay ahead of the outbreak, but...” His voice trailed off and he could feel Evie watching him. It was the stuff of nightmares, his very worst fear, that his city would be hit with a disease he couldn’t control. That more families would suffer like Patrick’s had.

  Lana reached up and squeezed his hand, sympathy written large on her features. “We’re praying.”

  “Thank you.” Gratitude swelled in him. “And I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

  “What’s on Tuesday?” Jack mumbled through a mouthful of cookie.

  “Gavin’s helping set up a soccer league for the kids.”

  “Overachiever. Now I suppose I have to volunteer for that, too.” He pretended to huff, but Gavin knew he lived for sports, any sports.

  “Actually, I need another coach. So, yes, you do.” He was already heading for the door. “Be there at six.” He let his gaze wander to Evie, just for a moment. When their eyes met, he felt a tug deep inside that had nothing to do with the finance board or coaching and everything to do with the fact she was a beautiful woman who had a smile that took his breath away.

  A second later, Grant pushed through the far door, his phone clutched to his ear. The director’s tie was crooked and he was running one hand through his dark hair. “Yes, yes! I’ll be right there!”

  The four of them froze in shock, watching the normally calm man snap closed the phone and take two steps forward. And then two more. He looked like he was sleepwalking, except for the wide-eyed expression.

  “Grant, honey.” Lana’s calm voice cut across the lobby. “Are you okay?”

  He looked up, a huge smile on his face. “It’s time! She’s already at the hospital!”

  Gavin and Jack exchanged looks. Uh-oh. Looked like the dad-to-be was having a mental breakdown before he even got to the labor room.

  “Why don’t we have someone take you over?” Gavin walked back across the lobby, holding out one hand to Grant like a lion tamer approaching a wild beast.

  “He’s right. Let me get someone to cover the desk and we can take my car.” Lana rolled out from behind the desk and was heading toward the office doors. She punched in the code and hit the blue button that opened it automatically. “I’ll grab our coats.” And she was gone before he could answer.

  “How long has she been in labor?” Gavin wasn’t an expert, but Calista was probably going to take a while.

  “Twenty minutes. She just checked in. She didn’t want to interrupt our party if it was nothing.” Grant shook his head, dark hair falling over his forehead. “She sounded so calm. I wonder if they already gave her drugs. She said she didn’t want any.”

  “Hmm. Sometimes they can be helpful.” Gavin led Grant toward the desk, one hand on his shoulder.

&n
bsp; “Especially for the dads,” Jack murmured and Evie tried not to giggle.

  Gavin glanced up, eyes creased with mirth. Their gazes locked and he watched her lips curve up at the corners.

  Lana wheeled herself back through the door, her coat draped around her shoulders, purse on her lap. “Eric just left. Michelle and the child care folks helped the parents take the kids back to the family area. I’ve called a few more people.” She looked at Gavin and he nodded.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll man the desk. Good thing you showed me the switchboard in case of emergencies.”

  “Emergency? There’s no problem. I can drive,” Grant said.

  Three of them spoke at once. “No, Lana should drive.”

  Grant looked from one to the next, then grinned. “Okay, Lana can drive. Let’s go!”

  And then they were gone, with only a cold gust of icy wind as a farewell.

  Gavin walked behind the desk and slipped off his jacket. A new life, a precious gift to the mission family. “I was afraid we were going to have to take his keys.”

  “Too excited to drive,” Evie agreed.

  “Well, I’d better get. I’ve got a ski date early tomorrow morning.” Jack was already heading toward the door.

  “Same girl as before? The bank teller?” Evie sounded hopeful.

  “Who? Oh, right. No, she didn’t like to go out and do anything. Sort of a homebody.” Jack shrugged, as if that said it all. And it sort of did. Jack was all about the going and doing.

  Evie looked at Gavin. “Won’t you need someone else here?”

  He didn’t look up from the switchboard but poked a few buttons and frowned. “I’m sure someone will be here in a few minutes. They have staffers everywhere.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her look toward the office doors, then the deserted lobby. Okay, so maybe there weren’t staffers everywhere. But they would come, and he wasn’t really certain about hanging out with Evie.

  “I’ll just wait until someone else arrives.”