Read Online An Unexpected Win by Jenna Byrnes - Free Book Online Page A

it. Uber-cheerful, she was the perfect greeter for a place like this.
    “Cindy, holy smokes! It ought to be a crime to look that good on a Monday morning.” He opened the box and held it out to her. “Sweets for the sweet.”
    Trey watched as she chose one of the dozens of cookies inside the large box.
    “Thank you.” She tucked the cookie under the counter in front of her. “Sweet-talker, that’s what you are.” She glanced at Trey. “Watch out for this one. He’s a charmer, that’s what he is.”
    Trey grinned. “I’ve noticed.” He followed Hawk down the hall. The man obviously knew his way around, and everyone there seemed to know him. But why? Hawk said he was going to work. Did he really work here?
    In a large room that seemed to be a combination cafeteria and playroom, he set the box down on a table and several children ran up to him, hugging his legs. “Hawk! Hawk!”
    He crouched down to their level. “Cecilia! How are you feeling today? Hi, Jake. Did you get a new cast?”
    The kids, each wearing a smaller version of a hospital gown, vied for his attention. The dark-haired boy he’d called Jake waved his plaster-covered arm. “I did! Will you sign it?”
    “Of course. Give me a few minutes. I brought a friend today, and I want to show him around. Trey, this is Jake, and Cecilia.” He motioned to the blonde-haired girl with her own cast arm.
    “Hi, Jake. Hi, Cecilia.” Trey smiled at the kids.
    They kept babbling, to both him and Hawk, and both men listened patiently. A nurse came to get the children and helped them choose a cookie each to take to a nearby table to eat.
    Hawk grabbed the small bag he’d brought with the box and asked the nurse, “Is Sam in his room?”
    “Yes. He’s having a rough day.”
    Hawk motioned to the table and the pack Trey carried. “You can set that down. Let’s go say hi to Sam.” He led Trey down the hall and stopped in front of one of the rooms. Hawk knocked on the door and stuck his head in. “Anybody home?”
    “Hawk!” a small voice called.
    Smiling, he entered and went to the boy’s side. “Still in bed, lazy bones?”
    “I’m not feeling too good today.”
    He held up the small bag. “I brought your special cookies, gluten-free. I’ll set them here for now, and we’ll make sure your mom says it’s okay first.”
    “Thanks, Hawk. Can we make more paper birds today?” He pointed to his bedside table.
    Trey noticed several small origami birds, folded from paper.
    “I thought we’d color some pictures today, but only if you’re feeling up to it.” He glanced at Trey. “This is my friend Trey.”
    “Is he a good colorer?”
    Hawk nodded seriously. “Trey is good at everything he does. He’ll be a great colorer.”
    Sam leaned back against his pillow. “I don’t know if I can come out today. Mom says Dr. Jones is supposed to be here soon.”
    “Let’s see what he says. If you can’t come out, maybe Trey and I can come back and color with you. Just rest for now. We’ll be back.”
    “Promise?”
    “Cross my heart.” Hawk touched Sam’s head, then headed out.
    Trey had to hurry to keep up with him. “What is this?” He was confused.
    “Exactly what it looks like. A hospital for sick children. Very sick children . Most of these kids won’t be going home again. Sam won’t, for sure.”
    Trey paused and drew a breath. “Oh my God.”
    Hawk rolled his shoulders, as if they’d suddenly developed tension. He glanced at Trey. “Don’t look so gloomy. Nobody wants to see that. They want to see smiles and happy faces.”
    “You work here?” He was still trying to process the information.
    “I volunteer here. Yes, it’s work. God help me, some days it’s the hardest work I’ve ever done.”
    “I’m just…surprised. Considering what you used to do, I mean. The parents don’t mind?”
    Hawk’s face clouded. “Mind what? That I bring their kids cookies and listen to them and help them make crafts and try to help them not