I Have Lived and I Have Loved - Willow Winters Page 0,158

question and quickly close it.

We wait in the front and a man comes over. “Mr. Walsh, good morning. I’m Mr. Shea, I’ll be making sure today goes smoothly. Your publicist called and gave all the names over, they’ve all been added to the list. Timothy should be here in the next ten minutes.”

“Great.” Eli’s voice is full of authority. “This is Ms. Covey, she’ll be with me through the day, and I’d like to ensure whatever she needs or wants during the day will be tended to.”

Mr. Shea agrees. “Of course.”

“Timothy is obviously my main concern. I want him to have the time of his life. Have the harnesses been acquired?” Eli questions. I probably look a bit crazy as my attention bounces back and forth between the two.

“Yes, we have everything that his team listed.”

“Timothy?” I ask aloud. Does he have a kid? Am I meeting his son? Panic starts to flood, and Eli grips my hand tighter.

“He’s an eleven-year-old kid from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Timothy has terminal cancer, and one of his wishes was to meet me and ride some roller coasters. So, I rented out the park for the day so Timothy and I can ride until he’s content. We have a big day in store for him.”

That isn’t at all what I expected, and it makes my heart sputter. Each emotion possible hits me all at once. Sadness for Timothy mixed with awe for Eli. He took time, and God knows how much money, to ensure this little boy has a day to remember.

I’ve been so wrong about him.

He’s nothing like I could’ve ever known. He’s everything.

Without thinking, I face him, grip his face in my hands, and kiss him. It isn’t long or passionate, it’s just all my emotions. I needed to kiss him because words wouldn’t explain what I think.

His eyes shine with adoration, and his smile almost knocks me on my ass.

“Told you it wasn’t what you thought.” He taps my nose.

Mr. Shea shows us to the area where Timothy will be coming in. He has no idea that Eli is here or what the day is. Just that he’s coming to the park. Eli made arrangements for his family and ten of his friends from the baseball team he played on before he was sick to come to the park, too.

We stand in an obscure part of the entrance so he doesn’t see Eli until it’s time. “Thank you for letting me be a part of this,” I say when we’re alone.

“You may not thank me if you’re not big on rides.” He laughs.

“I haven’t been to an amusement park since Stephanie was a kid.”

“Really?”

I nod. “She got sick when she was in her first year of college. It’s kind of hard to fit in roller coaster rides when you’re shuffling between doctor appointments and testing. Plus, sometimes, she loses control of her hands and legs.”

Eli looks away and sighs.

“You okay?” I ask.

He looks back with a sad smile. “Yeah, just thinking . . .”

“He’s here.” Mr. Shea appears before I can ask what he’s thinking about. “We’ll lead you out this way if you’re ready.”

Eli pauses to glance back at me. My own excitement spikes at the thought of how happy he’s about to make this kid.

“Go.” I smile. “I’ll be right behind you.”

He follows Mr. Shea out, and I follow. I can’t wait to see this. I’ve seen these things on television but never in person.

Timothy’s family all have big smiles as they see Eli come into view. I stay back, not wanting to miss a thing. Timothy’s back is to us and Eli moves quietly. A few kids see Eli, and their eyes get big, jaws go slack, and they point. Timothy spins his wheelchair around and covers his open mouth with his hands. The joy, surprise, and awe are bursting from this child.

Eli moves quickly and crouches in front of him. Timothy’s arms wrap around Eli’s shoulders and tears fill his eyes. He keeps shaking his head and looking back at Eli. I stand here with tears falling from my face. I think about my sister and how this family feels. The small amount of joy Eli brought them in a life filled with so much heartbreak. Knowing that Eli made this little boy’s dream come true crumbles the last defensive wall I have against this man.

Eli takes the time to hug the kids and shake everyone else’s hands. The boys jump around and snap pictures of him