CHAPTER ONE

      MOLLY SODERLING hurried back down the hall to the one patient who had been on her mind all through her break. Toby Astin. The eight-year-old had also found his way into her heart, ever since he’d come into the hospital three days ago, the victim of a car crash. The same crash that had killed his parents and two other adults, and had left the boy an orphan. Less than a month before Christmas.

      Molly’s heart ached for him. She knew exactly what he was feeling, as she, too, had lost her parents when she was a young child. She remembered how lonely she was the first Christmas without them, and every one since then.

      In Toby’s eyes she saw the loss he suffered; in his clinging arms she felt his pain. In the three days he’d been here, no one had come for him. Perhaps after the funerals someone would claim him. She didn’t want Toby to be put into the foster care system as she had been.

      As she turned down the pediatric wing, she saw two people clad in black enter his room. Perhaps they were mourners who’d attended the funeral for his parents today. According to his doctor, Toby’s uncle and grandmother had phoned to ask for Toby to attend, but Dr. Bradford had refused.

      He was concerned the boy might suffer depression.

      Molly had disagreed with the doctor, but he wasn’t going to listen to her. Having had to attend her parents’ funeral when she was seven, she knew how comforting it had been to see others mourning their deaths also.

      Molly sighed. Then, forcing a smile on her face, she turned into Toby’s room.

      “Molly!” he cried as if she were a lifesaver.

      “Hi, Toby. Did you eat your dinner?”

      “Yes, but—”

      “Are you his nurse?” the man in the black suit asked abruptly, stepping toward her. He looked about thirty, with dark hair and striking blue eyes.

      “I’m one of Toby’s nurses.”

      “He seems extraordinarily attached to you.”

      Was it condemnation she heard in his voice? Her shoulders stiffened. “We’ve become friends,” she said tersely.

      Then she turned her attention to Toby. “Can I get you anything, honey?”

      “I’d like some ice cream,” he said hesitantly, shooting a look at the man as if he would object.

      “Sure. I’ll be right back with it.”

      She passed the older woman dressed in a black designer suit, leaning against the wall. She wasn’t sure who the elegant-looking woman was. Maybe a family friend or maybe even the grandmother she’d heard mentioned. But no, she wasn’t acting like a grandmother, at least none Molly had ever imagined.

      “Excuse me, Ms. Soderling,” the man called.

      How did he know her name? Molly turned around. “Yes, sir?”

      “We’re taking Toby with us in the morning.”

      Before he could go on, Molly said, “I’m sorry to see him go. I’ll miss him. Are you his guardian?”

      “Yes, by default.”

      She stared at him, her eyebrows raised. Who would say such a thing, as if the boy was nothing more than a burden to be endured?

      “The other couple, who also died in the car with Toby’s parents, were named in their will as guardians. However, my mother and I are his only relatives. I’m an attorney and I filed the papers this morning to be named guardian. They’ve assured me it would be approved. I want to get Toby home so he can begin to heal.”

      “Good. He’s been feeling lost since no one had come to claim him.”

      “The doctor in charge of Toby says he’s very fond of you.”

      Molly frowned. “Yes, I told you we’ve become friends.”

      “He’s eight years old. How