Читать книгу Christmas Kisses Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Louise Allen - Страница 40

CHANCE PULLED AT his tux jacket. He didn’t make a habit of dressing up in one and he knew why. They were uncomfortable. Here it was a week before Christmas and he was going to some fancy party. He much preferred a T-shirt and cargo shorts.

He wasn’t fond of a dog-and-pony show but he’d participate in the gala if that was what it took to raise money for the clinic. Tonight’s event in the great hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, if successful, should raise enough money to supply the clinic for the next year and give him start-up funds for a permanent building.

What he really wanted to do was find Ellen and beg her to forgive him for being such an idiot. If his sister could welcome him back, maybe Ellen could too. He had a feeling he would have to work harder where Ellen was concerned.

From wealthy and socially known families on both sides, maiden and married, his sister was well connected. To Chance’s shock she’d been on a committee that helped fundraise for the clinic for years. Abby’s group had already had this event planned before he’d called her. She’d asked him to attend and say a few words about his work in Honduras.

The great hall of the Met was already crowded with guests and more were arriving by the time Chance made it there.

“Doesn’t the place look beautiful with all the twinkling lights and the Christmas tree?” his sister said beside him after they had left her wrap and the men’s overcoats at the cloakroom.

Chance was sure he would have been overwhelmed by the event if it hadn’t been for his social training during boarding school. He certainly didn’t attend anything like this in Honduras.

Was Ellen here? If she wasn’t, he would leave to find her.

Chance didn’t see her in the crush of people. He’d had his sister send her and her father an invitation. It wouldn’t be like Ellen not to show up. Despite how she might feel about him, she would be supportive of the clinic. In this environment, he hoped she might be more favorable to listening to him plead for her forgiveness.

A woman who Abigail whispered to him was the head of the fund-raising committee took the stage and asked for the crowd’s attention. She thanked everyone for coming and introduced him, requesting he come forward.

As he spoke he scanned the room. Was she there? Once he thought he saw Ellen but if it was her she’d moved out of sight. He gave his prepared speech, which included sharing about how a visiting doctor had communicated with young girls over fingernail polish, pointing out that the smallest things could make a big difference. Ellen had taught him that. That the work wasn’t just about the grand scale but the small everyday efforts and relationships the clinic was building.

When he had finished, the committee chair returned to the stage. “We have a little something different planned for this evening. We’re going to have the men make a pledge of support in order to dance the first dance with a woman of their choice. Would anyone like to start the pledging?”

There was a soft murmur around the room then a man in the middle of the crowd raised his hand. “I bid a thousand dollars for a dance with my wife.”

“Come on, is that all Margaret is worth?” the committee chair said with a smile. “You can do better than that, Henry.”

“Make it five, then,” the man called.

“That’s better. Please come up and sign your pledge card and escort your partner to the dance floor. Anyone else? Come on, gentlemen, what’s a dance worth to you?”

“I bid five thousand dollars for a dance with Miss Jena Marshall,” called a young man.

“I bid six for the same lady,” another man said.

“Make that seven,” the first man came back.

The chairwoman looked at the other man but he shook his head. With a smile she said, “Miss Marshall, I believe you have your partner.”

From Chance’s vantage point beside the stage he could see the smile on the girl’s face. While the committee chair was encouraging another bid, he caught a glimpse of Ellen. A joy so large filled him to the point he didn’t know if his chest could contain it.

“I bid ten thousand dollars for a dance with Ellen Cox,” said a man Chance couldn’t see.

Without hesitation Chance lifted his hand. “I bid fifty thousand dollars for a dance with Dr. Cox.”

Heat swept over Ellen. Her heart did a fast tap dance and she stood stock still. A hush had fallen over the crowd and everyone looked toward her.

She knew that voice. It called to her in her dreams. The voice she hadn’t heard in weeks until tonight.

Her body had jerked and flushed when Chance’s name had been called to come to the stage just half an hour earlier. Her traitorous heart had flipped. He’s here!

Why hadn’t Chance gotten in touch with her? Because he doesn’t care. After so many weeks of not hearing from him that could only be the answer. Despite that, his informative speech, which was filled with knowledge and passion for what he did, had her falling in love with Honduras and him all over again.

She stood glued to the floor until someone nudged her forward. The crowd separated as she moved to meet him on shaky legs. Chance’s bid made her feel dizzy. Why did he want to dance with her? He could have given the money to the clinic without involving her. Where had he gotten that kind of money?

Ellen had smiled when the interesting pledge twist had been announced. It could either be a flop or a hit. Ellen had been interested to see which. She had watched as her father had made his way to the front of the room. His amazing bid had blown her away. He knew how important the clinic was to her, even if he didn’t support her working there.

Now Chance stood in front of her. He was so handsome in his tux it almost hurt to look at him.

A flutter of excitement filled her midsection. She had to remind herself of how angry she was. So why was she so pleased to see him?

The band played the first notes of a waltz.

Chance offered his hand. “May I have this dance?”

She said in a low voice, “I don’t want to.”

There was a surprised gasp from a few people around them.

He met and held her gaze. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t call me that,” she hissed. “It’s been almost two months since I’ve spoken to you.”

His smile never wavered. “Let’s not fight about it here. We can find someplace private to talk after our dance.”

Ellen heard the pleading in his voice and took his hand. It was like coming home to touch him again. He led her to the dance floor and there his arm came to rest at her waist. She could hardly breathe. Her hands shook. She worked to push the pure happiness down, to stop it from overflowing and washing her anger away. They moved across the floor. Chance was an excellent dancer. But even if he hadn’t been, she was in heaven by just being in his arms again.

You are mad at him. Remember that.

“I’ve missed you.”

Could she trust him? Was he playing at something? She’d already spent two months in misery. Her feet quit moving. “You think you can literally waltz in here after not speaking to me for weeks and I’m going to fall at your feet?”

“No, that’s the last thing I thought. With you I was fully anticipating I’d have to fight my way back into your good graces.” He pulled her closer.

Ellen pushed against his shoulder, putting some space between them. “Just where did you get fifty thousand dollars?”

“Let’s just say I came into some money. By the way, you look beautiful. That green is gorgeous on you.”

She couldn’t help but warm at his praise.

“How’re you feeling? How’s your leg doing?”

“Now you’re showing interest?” She wasn’t going to give him the chance to hurt her further.

He didn’t ease his hold as he whispered close to her ear, “I’ve always been interested.”

“You have a funny way of showing it. No phone calls. No handwritten letter. Not even an email or text.”

He twirled her away from him and then brought her back to his chest. “I deserve that. And more. But I have checked on you.”

She glared at him. “When?”

“I spoke to your father after you’d been back in the States a couple of days. And Michael gave me a report.”

“At least he cared enough to see me when he was here.”

“I’m sorry. I should have called you. I have no excuse but that I was a coward. I screwed up.”

“Well, you’re right about that.”

He lowered his voice and searched her face. “How are you?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“Yes, I want to know everything about you. I’ve missed you.”

“I’m fine. I’ve been back to work for a number of weeks. The leg is healing nicely.” She purposely filled her voice with sarcasm. “I had a good doctor.”

“Yeah, but not much of a human being.”

“You expect me to disagree with that?”

“I really am sorry. If you’ll forgive me I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.”

Hope soared within her. What did he mean by the rest of his life?

The number ended and Chance released her from his arms but continued to hold her hand. “I’d like you to meet my sister and her husband.”

“What?” So he had contacted his sister. She was so surprised she didn’t stop him from leading her off the dance floor.

He grinned. “You sure are using that word a lot. I’ve never known you to be at a loss for words.”

Leading her to a group of people standing near the refreshment table, he waited until a couple broke away.

“Abigail and Stan, I’d like you to meet Dr. Ellen Cox,” Chance said. “She worked at the clinic for a while. I’m hoping to convince her to return.”

Ellen’s eyes widened. She stared at him. Chance wanted her to return?

“It’s so nice to meet you, Ellen. We appreciate all the work you have done. I know Chance will be glad to have you join him again.” His sister’s smile was sincere.

Ellen’s head was spinning with all that Chance had said. She hoped she made all the proper responses to Chance’s sister’s remarks. Had she walked into a third dimension where everyone understood what was happening but her?

Chance broke in on the conversation and said to his sister, “If it’s okay with Ellen, I’m going to take her somewhere so we can talk privately. I’ll see you at the hotel tomorrow.”

Abigail nodded.

He kept a hand on Ellen’s waist as they sidestepped their way toward the cloakroom.

“Why do you think I want to talk to you?” Ellen asked.

“Don’t you?” He kept her moving, not giving her time to argue.

A number of times people stopped them to ask him a question or make a comment. Keeping a hand on Ellen, he smiled and gave a short answer then made an excuse to move on.

“I think what you haven’t said in the last few weeks speaks loudly enough.”

He handed their tickets to the attendant and collected their coats.

“Please, let me explain.”

The clerk handed him Ellen’s full-length hooded cape, with white fur inside and the same green as her dress on the outside, edged with fluffy fur. He placed it over her shoulders.

“You look like a Christmas fairy.” Chance was mesmerized. “I thought you were beautiful before but you take my breath away.”

“Not too over the top?” She made a half-twirl.

It was the first really civil thing she had said to him all night. She was coming around slowly. “You’re amazing.”

She smiled at him. His heart flipped. He was headed in the right direction. Pulling on his overcoat, he beamed back at her. “I have missed you.”

Bundled up, they stepped through the outside doors into a snowy night.

“It’s beautiful.” Ellen looked up into the sky illuminated by the lights of the skyscrapers. “I love this city at Christmastime.”

Chance offered his elbow as they made their way down the numerous steps to the street. “It’s completely different from Honduras.”

“Which is equally beautiful in its own way.” She took his arm but he was sure it was more out of the need for help than her having forgiven him. Ellen wouldn’t go easy on him. He had hurt her deeply. They continued downward. “Where’re we going?” she asked.

“How about a carriage ride?”

“Now you’re turning into Mr. Romance?”

“That’s my Ellen. Give no quarter.”

“I’m not yours.”

He needed to slow down. Give her time to think. Stopping, he looked at her a second. “Maybe not, but I’m hoping you will be. Just hear me out, please.”

She nodded and he led her to a horse-drawn carriage parked on the street. It was decked out in white lights and bells for the season. He spoke to the driver and then helped Ellen into the carriage. With her settled in the seat, Chance joined her and pulled the heavy blanket waiting there across their waists and legs, tucking it around them.

“Warm?” he asked.

“Mmm…”

The horse started off at a slow clop-clop and continued as they turned into Central Park. The jingle of the bells on the horse’s rig only added to the perfect winter dream feel of the moment.

“It’s been forever since I’ve taken a ride through the park. I’ve never done it in the dark while it’s snowing.” She raised her face to the sky. “I love the sound of the bells. It’s magical.”

“Sort of like standing under a waterfall,” he said softly.

“Yeah. Just like that.” Wonder filled her voice.

She was softening. He took her hand under the blanket.

Her eyes came around to pierce him with a look. This was the Ellen he knew so well. “Why haven’t you called?”

There it was. The hurt. Raw and deep.

“Because I didn’t want to face what I feel.”

She continued to glare at him. “I like that answer.”

He brushed a snowflake from her cheek. “I thought you might. I’m sorry, Ellen. I was an idiot. There hasn’t been a moment I haven’t thought of you.”

“You had a fine way of showing it.”

“I know. You made me think about caring for someone again. But that brought the fear of rejection. I had to face my past before I could ask you about a future.”

“So you reached out to your sister?”

Chance nodded. Ellen squeezed his hand. It was as if that one action had shown her that he meant what he was saying.

“I’m so proud of you. That couldn’t have been easy.”

“You know that if you had died it would have killed me.”

Ellen pulled her hand from his and cupped his cheek. Her hand was warm against his cold skin. “I’m made of tougher stuff than you give me credit for.”

He covered her hand with his. “I know that now. You have more than proved it. I love you, sweetheart.”

A smile spread across her face. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. I love you too.”

He held her close and kissed her. Her lips were cold against his but they soon warmed.

“I told my father I was returning to Honduras or another developing country,” Ellen said, with her head against his shoulder.

“How did he take that?”

“Better than I thought he would. He still wants to protect me but he is also starting to understand my need for independence. This time he knows I’m not rushing into a decision.”

“No more being reckless?” Chance asked.

“I promise to think twice before I react.”

“And I promise to let you be who you are without holding you back.”

She gifted him with a bright smile. “I love you, Chance Freeman. I also promise to never leave you.”

His hands cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly with all the love in his heart. “If you tried, I would come and find you. I love you.”

Chance had found what had been missing in his life. It was all right here in his arms.