Run to You Read Online Free

clobbered him!” He waved his tiny fist.
    Brandon blinked at the young fan. Greta had to laugh.
    “You are one tough customer,” Brandon told the young patient. “Do you play hockey?”
    “I used to, before I got sick.”
    The boy told Brandon his story, and he listened, as if he were listening to his coach. He seemed interested, nodding and smiling.
    “Okay, sport. I have some other patients to see. Hope to see you again sometime.” He gave the boy to his mother.
    “Thank you for being so nice,” she told Brandon.
    “It’s all right…”
    “He has more surgery coming. I have no idea when he’ll get out of here. But I appreciate your coming here, and being so kind.”
    Brandon looked sober. He continued to visit young patients, stopping at each room, making sure everyone who wanted an autograph got one, and answering as many questions as he could. More than one female employee asked Brandon if he was married. He just said, “No.”
    Greta all but forgot lunch with April as she watched the hockey player mingle with staff, patients and their parents; many were Ice Bandits fans. Both patients and parents faced long, hard days in the hospital, and the visit by an Ice Bandit meant the world to these people. Brandon realized this, as he continued to mingle with the kids.
    He looked different as he spoke to the children. His face looked soft, and he smiled at everyone, not just the youngsters. He didn’t look anything like the angry customer who marched into the store, stepped into the sticky gum, and demanded his gold ring back.
    Greta walked with the nurse manager, without thinking, following him. She was never that much of a sports fan—she thought athletes were dumb and overpaid, and too full of themselves—but this Brandon Taylor was a decent guy. She listened to him answer questions, fan questions. She didn’t understand much of it, but she found it interesting, and wanted to learn more about this game.
    Especially from a player like Brandon Taylor.
    “I’m not that big a fan,” said Karen, “but my husband is. I had to meet this guy. How about you?” She turned and looked directly at Greta, forgetting she had come to eat lunch with April. “I’m sorry, I don’t recognize you. Are you Brandon’s wife, or his girlfriend?”
    Greta thought, she wouldn’t mind that at all.
    “Oh, I bet you came with the PR crew to help out,” Karen answered her own question. You gotta have staff here too. What’s it like to work for a big sports team like the Ice Bandits? It’s a challenge being a nurse manager, let me tell you.”
    “Hey, let’s go to lunch before the cafeteria closes.” April rescued her. “Aren’t you hungry?”
    Greta would just as soon skip lunch and keep watching Brandon, but she couldn’t blow off her friend. “Yes, I am. What’s for lunch?”
    Brandon was making his way back to the station, with a group of kids and parents. “I hate to leave, but I have practice, and a game tonight. We have to make a speech, too.”
    “More players are here,” one of the youngsters spoke up. “Zach Lambert and Vyto Snarskis.”
    “The best goalie! Snarskis!” A little boy said, repeating the Lithuanian name.
    Zach and Vyto came to pick up their teammate, who stopped at a water fountain.
    Greta saw her chance, and ran up to him.
    “Brandon? Brandon. I’m sorry about that day at the store.”
    He wiped his mouth. “I am too. I was so upset about the ring.”
    Greta watched him wipe his mouth, lick his lips.
    She wondered what it would be like to kiss him.
    “What’s your name?” He looked down at her with those clear blue eyes.
    “Greta. Greta Patton.”
    “Hey, Sparky!” Zach punched Brandon’s shoulder. “Let’s get moving! Duty calls.”
    Brandon liked what he saw. He didn’t want to look away from the blonde with the pretty smile. “Well…see you around.” He left with his teammates.
    Greta didn’t know when or where she could ever see him again, and she didn’t like that