LITMIR.BIZ

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as much as she could, only managing to mash the berries further into the fabric. Before Steven returned, Tori picked up the chunks of fruit and globs of yogurt from the floor.

      Grandmother woke and tried to talk, but gibberish was all that came out. Grandpa’s eyes watered. He took her hand in his as she struggled to get the words right. She shook her head and started over, the words garbled.

      “Don’t try to talk now, honey. Just rest. I’m not going anywhere. Steven Remington brought me, so I don’t even have our own car here.” Grandpa leaned over, tenderly kissed his wife’s frail lips and she struggled to smile.

      Abuela’s body relaxed and her gaze shifted to Steven as he walked back into the room.

      “Housekeeping will be in shortly with a mop,” Steven said quietly as he stepped closer to Tori. “The nurse said the doctor will be right in, as well.”

      “Zlevem,” Abuela said. She frowned. “Ztevem…gwashias.” The frown turned to fear. She pounded the bed with her good hand.

      Tori started to interpret but stopped when Steven took Maria’s hand. “You’re welcome, Mrs. Sandoval. I’m happy to help.”

      Grandpa spoke, again, so loud that the entire wing of the hospital could probably hear him. “Steven is Bill’s nephew. Remember, the one who came from out East to raise his niños?”

      Steve almost blushed.

      Abuela nodded, then looked at Tori and tried to lift her eyebrows. “Towee.”

      Tori stepped to the bedside as Steven moved, making room for her next to him, as Grandmother wouldn’t let go of his hand.

      A rap on the door caught everyone’s attention. An older man wearing a white lab coat and stethoscope entered, followed by Grandmother’s nurse.

      “Good morning. I’m the neurologist—Dr. Kimball—and you may have met her nurse already.” He turned to Tori and Steven and smiled. “Leila, it looks like we have another case of hospital-food-itis. Would you get a set of scrubs for these two to change into so they’ll be a little more comfortable.” Tori felt ridiculous for mistaking Steven for a doctor once she noticed Dr. Kimball’s white coat and stethoscope.

      The nurse left the room, and the housekeeper came in with the mop and bucket, cleaning while the doctor continued to fill the family in on Abuela’s condition, explaining in tedious detail what tests she would be having and why. “Right now, Maria, you seem to be doing very well. The tests will confirm the preliminary diagnosis and guide us in the best path to take in your rehabilitation.”

      Nurse Leila returned with a pair of scrubs for both Tori and Steven. Steven tried to give them back, explaining that he needed to get to his errands.

      “I’d really like all of you to be here for the test results. We should be done in an hour or two. While the aides take Mrs. Sandoval down for the tests, Leila will show Mr. Sandoval to the waiting room. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”

      “Dr. Kimball, I live a few miles away. Could we go clean up and get a bite to eat—Steven won’t need to be here for the results.”

      “You go,” Grandpa interrupted, “but I’m not leaving Maria. She may need me.” He dropped into the chair next to the bed, and no amount of reasoning could change his mind. Even Maria’s feeble attempts to plead with her husband failed.

      “Sure, you should have time to run home and clean up, and we’ll be sure to keep in touch with your grandfather.” The doctor left the room, followed by the nurse.

      “Victoria Isabelle!” her grandfather’s deep voice rumbled.

      “What?” Tori jumped and her stomach growled.

      “Surely you aren’t going to make Steven run his errands in stained clothes, are you?” He paused only a second before continuing. “You’ve been here for hours. Why don’t you go on home and get both of your clothes washed before those stains set in.”

      Steven shook his head. “I’ll be fine, really.”

      “Nonsense,” her grandfather stated, “It looks as if the two of you took a dive into the punch bowl. Don’t worry about us. You get something to eat, clean up and take care of Steven. Can’t send a man on his way looking like that.”

      Tori wanted to fade like a mirage on the desert. In addition to being sticky, she was tired, hungry and anxious to find out more about Abuela’s condition. None of which were going to get any attention sitting in a waiting room. “Yes, sir. I’ll be back soon.” She kissed her grandparents, picked up her bags and headed out the door as the staff arrived to take her grandmother for tests.

      Steven followed. Halfway down the hall he broke the silence. “You don’t need to concern yourself with my clothes with all you have on your mind, Tori.”

      “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I should have suggested it earlier. Abuelo’s right. I couldn’t send you to the store looking like that.” She dug through her bag searching for her keys, rattling on about where she’d parked. “You can follow me to my condo. It’s not more than ten minutes away.”

      “I can pick up another set of clothes. It’s no big deal, really. I’m not afraid of a mess…or being seen like this. You, on the other hand, know people here and have a reputation to uphold as principal of the prestigious high school.”

      “Assistant principal of a middle school, and I never—”

      “You didn’t have to.” A twinkle lit his almond-shaped eyes, and Tori considered why her grandpa had suddenly become so insistent about her leaving with Steven. “Your grandfather didn’t stop talking about your successful career.” Steven’s eyes shone with admiration. “Jose is very proud of you.”

      What in the world had Grandpa told him?

      Her grandparents hadn’t played matchmaker in nearly a decade, since she’d moved to Colorado Springs for her first teaching job. And this was a lousy day to make up for lost time. She looked as if she’d just come from the mines, with no makeup and stains darkening her clothes by the minute. “Grandfather talks when he’s upset.”

      “I can vouch for that,” Steven said with a chuckle. “I enjoyed his company.”

      “You probably didn’t get a word in edgewise.” Tori’s hand reached for her keys and pulled them out. “Good grief, it’s almost lunchtime.” As if on cue, her stomach growled again. “While your clothes are washing, we can order lunch. It’s no bother.” Except that she needed to eat something as soon as possible.

      “Much as I’d enjoy that, you have—”

      She felt a wave of dizziness and hurried to the elevators.

      “You okay?” He pulled her away from the door and pressed the elevator button. “Can I get you anything?”

      Would this embarrassment never end? “I’ll be fine as soon as I eat something.” She reached into her bag. “I was in such a hurry this morning, I forgot the bagel I toasted. I have hypoglycemia. As my emergency granola bar will prove, I haven’t had a problem with it for a long time.” She held up the foil pouch with the label worn off, and tore it open, then took a bite.

      “I think maybe I’d better drive,” he said.

      “You’ve done too much already, Steven.”

      “Friends call me Steve.” The elevators opened and he ushered her inside. A group of female nurses stared at them in silence. “Parking garage, please.”

      She lifted her gaze to his, “I parked in the east lot.”

      “We’re not taking your car,” Steve said.

      She shook her head. “You don’t know where I live.”

      “I’m about to find out, because you’re in no condition to drive.” As if he, too, had become aware of the attention they were

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