Page 155 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Warm bread.

Cinnamon.

Vanilla.

Sadie insists we leave with a box of pastries even after I remind her that we'd already eaten breakfast.

Jillie races out from the kitchen long enough to hug me before disappearing again because, according to Sadie, she's helping decorate cookies. "I like her," Keisha says as we step back onto the sidewalk.

"You've known her for four minutes."

"Long enough."

I laugh. "I had a feeling you'd say that."

A little farther down Main Street we stop inside Brooke's bookstore. The bell above the door jingles softly and a gray tabby immediately stretches across the front counter as though greeting customers is exhausting work. "There he is," Brooke points. "my very lazy assistant manager."

"He looks overworked," Keisha says gravely.

"He is."

Brooke scratches behind the cat's ears. "He had to nap twice before lunch." The three of us laugh. For the next twenty minutes Keisha disappears between the shelves while Brooke quietly recommends half a dozen novels she'll probably end up buying.

When we finally step back outside, Keisha hugs the paper bag against her chest.

"I blame you."

"For what?"

"I'm already planning another visit."

"That was the idea."

***

The hospital is our final stop. As we walk through the main entrance, I find myself smiling before I even realize why. People wave. Volunteers call hello. Mrs. Alvarez looks up from reception.

"Good morning, Annette."

"Morning."

She notices Keisha immediately. "You must be the famous friend." Keisha laughs. "I hope only for good reasons.” "So far." Mrs. Alvarez winks. "So far."

I lead Keisha toward the rehabilitation wing. She's taking everything in. The sunlight spilling through the tall windows. The artwork painted by former pediatric patients. The little coffee cart volunteers keep stocked every morning.

"I can see why you love it here," she says quietly.

"I do."

***

"You know..."

Keisha slows beneath the wooden sign hanging above the entrance to the rehabilitation wing.

"I didn't realize the Walker Rehabilitation Center was this beautiful."

I stop walking.