A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel Read Online Free Page A

Callahan.”
    “Hi, Mrs. Callahan. I’m Cassie Jones. Pleased to meet
you.”
    Shawn returned and smiled at Cassie. “This is the
lady who gave us the tickets to the Dino Tread. I told you that
Daddy and I think she’s really pretty.”
    Cassie glimpsed at Trent, who was blushing and then
held her arms out to Shawn. “Thank you. And I happen to think you
are as handsome as your daddy.” She pulled the tentative little boy
into her lap and opened the bag he was holding. “What else do you
have in here?”
    Shawn showed off the rest of the evening’s purchases
and, when he was done, Cassie pointed to the books on the counter.
“For you.”
    He slipped off her lap. Excited, he flipped through
the coloring book of various woodland creatures, then started to
look through the book on dinosaurs.
    “That’s an amazing book,” Robin said. “I’m sure it
will challenge his reading skills.”
    “He reads?” Cassie looked at Robin as if the woman
had suddenly grown a third eye.
    “Oh, yes. I taught him. We didn’t want him vegetating
in front of the TV, so I found some books on teaching children to
read. It wasn’t difficult.”
    Shawn brought his book over to the table where the
adults were sitting. “Want to hear me read?”
    “I’d love to hear you read.” Cassie listened to the
small boy stumble his way through a long passage. He sounded out
several words, and she corrected him twice as he muddled through
it. “I’m shocked!” She ruffled his blonde hair. “And so proud of
you.”
    She gazed at Trent. “There are other books I can give
him. I thought he’d look at the pictures in this one. I had no idea
he could read so well. This is way too advanced for him.”
    “He needs something to keep him occupied, and this
will do quite well. I take him to the library twice a week,” Robin
said.
    “Please bring him to the museum one day and have him
choose a few books from our gift shop. My treat.”
    They chatted for a few minutes, and when Trent
mentioned it was time for Shawn to take his bath and get ready for
bed, Cassie attempted to excuse herself.
    “Please stay. It’ll only take a few minutes for me to
get him tucked in. After that, we can spend some time
together.”
    “Oh, I don’t mean to impose--”
    “Nonsense. I’ve enjoyed your company.”
    Cassie watched Trent as he left the kitchen. He was
average in height, slender and sinewy, with a cute butt. She felt
the heat flowing over her cheeks and tried to smile at his mom.
“He’s a wonderful father.”
    “He’s always been there for Shawn. It’s been tough.
At least his boss is good about giving him time off. It’s harder
for me. I’ve already put in for my vacation time this June, and I’m
still not sure I’ll get it.”
    “What do you do?”
    “I work at the hospital, in admissions. You’d think
they would understand.” The woman shook her head and pressed her
lips together.
    Cassie winced. “How long will Shawn be there?”
    “We don’t know. Two, maybe three weeks this time.
He’s going to have special therapy afterwards. If we’re lucky,
he’ll come home sooner, and then we’ll have to take him there
daily.”
    “Will this surgery fix the problem?”
    “We hope. If it doesn’t, he doesn’t have many
options. The biggest problem is surviving the surgery. That’s why
this new technique is so important. It will not only cut the
surgical time down, but it will be easier on him, because it’s less
invasive than traditional open heart surgery.”
    Cassie watched the woman’s eyes fill with tears.
    “We don’t want to lose him.” Robin grabbed a napkin
and blotted her eyes.
    Cassie reached over and touched the woman’s arm. “I
can’t imagine being in your shoes, but I understand. He’s
precious.”
    They chatted for a few more minutes about less
important things, until Trent reappeared.
    “He’s in bed. He’s also not about to forget your
offer of another book.” Trent pulled out a kitchen chair and