Read Online A Healing Heart by Melissa A. Hanson - Free Book Online Page B

stroller up and tried to get settled with the bags. It was no wonder that she’d wanted some help on Riley’s first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. Keeping track of a two-year-old with all the stuff needed for him could be a daunting task for one person.
    Once inside the park, we walked down Main Street toward Sleeping Beauty Castle; our first stop for the day would be in Fantasyland. Riley had climbed into his stroller, which allowed us to move more quickly through the already packed street. Dumbo was our first ride, and from there, we moved on to Peter Pan, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and the King Arthur Carrousel. We had decided to skip Snow White and Pinocchio; we weren’t sure if they would scare Riley. Waiting in line for Casey Jr. Circus Train, Collin’s text arrived letting us know they were here.
    we’re in fantasyland, in line for Casey Jr then to the tea cups
    k, we’ll meet u there
    “ They’re walking in. We’ll meet them at the tea cups.”
    “ Perfect. They made pretty good time coming down here.”
    It was finally our turn, and we climbed in the Monkeys cage. Eileen and I both laughed; how appropriate for little Riley. As the train traveled through Storybook Land, the tiny castles fascinated Riley, and he had his face pushed tightly against the bars. Much too quickly for Riley, the ride was over and we walked toward the tea cups. Parking the stroller along the edge, I was scanning the crowds for Collin and Lacey.
    “ Bailey, I’m going to run Riley to the restroom around the corner while we wait for them to get here.”
    “ Okay.” I pulled the bag of Riley’s things out from under the stroller and handed it to Eileen.
    “ Thanks, we’ll be right back.”
    I was leaning against the stroller looking toward the Carrousel when I felt a pair of arms from behind wrap around my waist. I was so startled, a small scream escaped my lips. The strong arms didn’t let go, though.
    “ Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you, but it was too good to pass up.”
    “ Collin, you almost gave me a heart attack! Hey, Lacey, are you ready to go on the rides?”
    “ Yes, where’s Riley?” she asked, looking around shyly. Lacey was dressed in jeans and a cute red shirt with a big black lacy heart in the center. Her black hair was pulled back into two pigtails, her natural curls forming perfect little ringlets.
    “ Riley’s in the bathroom with his mom, he’ll be right back. I like your shirt. Hearts are my favorite, you know.” Collin had released me long enough for me to crouch down to Lacey’s eye level while I talked to her. “Your hair sure is cute in those pigtails.”
    “ Thank you. Collin did it.” Lacey’s crystal-blue eyes, so much like Collin’s, finally looked up at me. She was still so shy but had at least warmed up to me a little. It was Riley who had won her over entirely, though.
    I looked up at Collin. “Really? Collin put your hair in pigtails? Wow, I’m impressed.”
    He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s better if it’s out of her face. I can handle some pigtails, but that’s about as far as it goes. None of those fancy braid things you girls do.”
    I stood back up to face him. “Still very impressive.”
    “ RILEY!” Lacey yelled.
    Turning, I could see Eileen coming around the corner holding Riley’s hand, his bag over her shoulder. Riley pulled out of her grasp and ran the last few feet to us.
    “ WACEY!” He stopped just short of Lacey, and hugged her.
    “ Well, I guess there’s no question that’s Lacey, so you must be Collin. Very nice to meet you. I’m glad you guys could make it today.”
    Collin had reached over to shake Eileen’s hand. “And you must be Eileen. Thanks for inviting us. Lacey’s very excited. My dad and I brought her here back in November right after they got the Christmas stuff up, but we didn’t stay very long, ‘cause it got too cold and started to rain.”
    “ Alright, so teacups next?” I asked.
    “ Sure, let’s go. Come on, Lacey,