On Wings of Love by Kim Watters

Author:Kim Watters
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2010-05-03T22:00:00+00:00

“Hi, Marissa. Happy birthday, honey.” Ruth enfolded the tiny girl in her arms as soon as Ruth entered the playroom.

Within seconds, the group of kids swallowed Ruth in their midst, leaving Noah with an excited Houston squirming in his arms standing on the fringes. He wasn’t so sure about this. Agreeing to come to the birthday party at the hospital was one thing, but he wasn’t prepared to deal with the memories it brought to the surface. His gaze skimmed the brightly painted park scene on the walls as his feet planted themselves on the dark green carpet. While the room contrasted against the stark white one where his son had died, the underlying smell of death and antiseptic remained.

He tightened his grip on Houston. Definitely not a good idea.

“Miss Ruthie, you made it.” The olive-skinned girl grinned and threw her arms around Ruth’s neck. “I knew you would. I just knew it.”

Noah watched Ruth settle herself on her knees in the midst of the children. On their level. Talking with them, not at them. Obviously, Ruth was more than just a volunteer in here. Another contradiction. Her sunny smile as she interacted with the sick children almost made him forget. Almost. But in the back of his mind, he remembered. Noah also remembered that he needed to talk to Ruth about Hannah’s illness.

“Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss your party for all the chocolate in the world.” Ruth pulled the skinny arms from around her neck. “And I’ve brought a special visitor today to help celebrate.”

Ruth stood and held out her hand to Noah. “Kids, I’d like you to meet Mr. Barton and his dog, Houston. Everyone say hello.”

“Hello, Mr. Barton. Houston.” A chorus of young voices answered as they welcomed him into their midst. Many hands reached out to pet his dog. Houston loved all the attention and tried to gain his freedom so he could play with all the children.

Noah tried to catch Ruth’s eye to see if he should put the dog on the carpet, but she was too caught up in listening to a story from one the young boys holding her hand. He glanced around the room, looking for an authority figure, but only came up with several smiling parents, and his elderly neighbor, Mrs. Murphy, cradling a young toddler in her arms. Was Mrs. Murphy a volunteer like Ruth or was the little girl her grandchild?

An uncomfortable weight settled across his heart. In the few brief conversations he’d had with the woman, the subject of family had never come up. He’d preferred it that way because then he wouldn’t have to get involved. He stared at the top of Ruth’s head again, among all the different shades of color from blond to red to black.

How had he allowed himself to become so selfish? Bile rose in his throat. He used to care. He had a reason to care.

“May I pet your dog?”

Noah angled his head to stare down at a small, solemn girl.

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