Page 52 of Mistletoe and Malice
“No problem,” Paul said. “I’ll take anything over Black Friday shopping.”
“I’ve been doing some research and making a bunch of calls, and I’ve started a new non-profit.”
“Another one?” Colton sat up in disbelief. “How many jobs do you need?”
“I’m actually hoping somebody else will chair the board instead of me. It needs to be someone who will give it direction, instill a sense of purpose in it, otherwise it will fail. And I think it’s too important to let it go by the wayside.”
“So, what are we doing Friday?” Colton’s brain was already going over what details they needed to start working on.
“Spending the day at Houston Med. To test for potential bone marrow donors.”
Colton caught the quick glances of his coworkers in his periphery, but he couldn’t quit staring at Riley. “Bone marrow? This is your new charity?”
“A new non-profit. I spent a lot of time online Saturday night, or I guess I should say Sunday morning, and found there are thousands of patients waiting for bone marrow transplants. Most of the time, the donor comes from one’s own family,but that’s not always possible. And from what I found in my research and speaking to some experts in the field, it’s alarming how many people are waiting for a donor. Unlike most other transplants, the donor doesn’t have to die to donate. Nobody should die waiting for a transplant.”
Colton sat for a moment, his blood roaring in his ears. “And why in such a hurry?”
“It can take a few weeks for the test to be processed, then the donor has to undergo more testing, and then a five-day regimen of injections to increase stem cells in their blood. I thought if we could at least do the cheek swab tests now, someone might get the gift of hope for Christmas. Hope that their new life can start after the New Year.”
Colton stood and walked over to the mantel, staring into the cold fireplace, silence filling the room. “You did this for Theresa. Because of Theresa.”
“I did this for the living. As a tribute to Theresa.”
He turned back to her. “Why? Why’d you do that?”
She stepped closer to him as Paul and Trevor stood and left the room. “I was so moved by your story. It’s heartbreaking to think of someone so young and vibrant losing her life waiting for a donor. There are probably half a dozen people walking around who would have been a perfect match for her, but they didn’t know it. Because they weren’t tested. Because they didn’t know somebody was in dire need of what they possess. I’ve never thought twice about my marrow. I’ve never even thought once about it. But what if there’s somebody out there dying and my marrow is a match? How can I not give it to them?”
He stared at her, lost in those green eyes imploring him to understand.
“Please don’t be upset with me.”
“Upset? Riley, I’m not upset. I’m flabbergasted. You did in three days what I haven’t done in four years. I never madethe effort to ensure that what happened to her didn’t happen to anybody else. I tell you about it, and within minutes, you’re trying to fix it.”
She shook her head. “It’s not about me. It’s about meeting a need because we can. Because we’re able. I’ve established a lot of connections through my other organizations, so I started by reaching out and asking questions. I prayed hard about it after I went back up to bed that night we talked, and God started opening doors. I was even surprised at how fast it all came about.”
“Fast is an understatement. Five days from our talk to actually running a donation drive? That’s … astounding.”
“Like I said. I have an incredible network. It wasn’t all me, not by a long shot. Lend a Hand will sponsor the foundation until we get non-profit status, then I want to call it the Theresa Blankenship Foundation for Bone Marrow Matching. But I wanted to get your permission first. And I’d like for you to serve as board chairman. It needs someone who has a passion for it. I think that’s you.”
A lump took form in his throat. “I’d be proud to serve if you’ll guide me until I get the hang of it. And Theresa would be honored to have her name on something created to make a difference. Something that might have saved her life if only somebody like you had come into it.”
“She had you. I’m sure that was enough.”
Before he’d given a thought to his actions, he reached out and wrapped her in his arms, holding her close and putting his lips close to her ear. “Thank you.” He somehow pushed the words past the thickness in his throat.
“Thank you for letting me do this.”
He held her in silence for a moment, closing his eyes against the onslaught of unfamiliar emotion that tightened his chest. He hadn’t cried in three years. Not since the first anniversaryof Theresa’s death. Once he got himself put back together after several long, hard weeks, he’d held himself in check ever since.
Now he wasn’t sure he had it in him to push back. Not with Riley holding him so tight, her arms clutched around him with her hands gliding up his back.
What was happening? His heart beat hard against his sternum, and a coil of warmth from the pit of his stomach circled outward. He’d only experienced this once before, many years ago, as a sophomore in college who suddenly realized his boyhood chum wasn’t one of the guys but a beautiful woman. He’d been falling in love and suffered from all the requisite symptoms of that particular malady.
But he certainly wasn’t now.
No. Impossible. This was simply a man who hadn’t been near a woman in far too long, holding one who was lovely, inside and out. Its name was loneliness. Gratitude. Maybe a little attraction. But certainly not love.
Someone cleared their throat from the doorway, and he let her go, swiping at his face before turning. “Yeah, Paul?”
