Christmas with Her Ex(16)

It had been so many years of nods and handshakes, for goodness’ sake, and they’d both been married at the time. It should never have happened but that lightning bolt of ridiculous magnetism had never truly been dispelled in her mind. And every year she did still think there was a special glow just for her in his dark chocolate eyes.

Max.

Ten years her junior, so gallant, so gentlemanly, so loyal to his invalid wife, as she had been loyal and loving to Robert. It had been the only thing to do.

But his wife was gone now. And so was her darling Robert. And she didn’t want to spend her last years alone.

Maybe she was mad to even consider being so forward, but she knew she’d be madder not to try. She just hoped Max felt the same.

After that first year when they’d been not all that much younger and very silly, they’d indulged in one solemn stolen embrace, one magic kiss that had accepted the vagaries of cupid shooting his arrow when neither had the freedom to fly. After a long angst-filled conversation that had acknowledged the truth in their reality, they’d never physically strayed again.

The whole thing could be her overactive, aging imagination but she didn’t think so. For twenty years she’d wondered and today she’d finally find out.

She’d go now. Before she lost her nerve. He might take some persuading. ‘I think I’ll go and have a look at the boutique.’

To her dismay, Connor put his magazine down and stood up. ‘I’ll come with you, Gran. Perhaps I could buy you a gift for Christmas. It’s your last trip.’

Impossible. ‘No. No. You stay here. I don’t need anything.’

He remained standing. ‘Please allow me to do that.’

She looked at him. Swallowed the disappointment and accepted the reprieve from being brave. ‘Of course. That’s very sweet of you. Thank you.’

Winsome’s eyes went to Max’s as soon as she entered the boutique and she hoped it wasn’t her imagination but suddenly it did seem as if they were alone.

Still gorgeously dark and straight-backed, Max was not as tall as Connor but a lovely height to look up to. He did look older. No doubt she did too. But he still looked wonderful. She could feel her smile, the warmth in her stomach. Such a lovely man. It shone from his eyes, and every year, when she came again, without even touching her, he made her smile. Soften. Warm.

‘Mrs Black. Welcome back on the Orient Express. How lovely to see you again.’ Max bowed low over her hand, like he’d done so many times over the last twenty years. ‘And my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. Mr Robert was truly a gentleman.’

‘Thank you, Max.’ Reluctantly she drew her hand away and glanced at Connor, who stood behind her, assessing the fine glassware, sparkling jewellery, even the bound copies of Agatha Christie’s novel.

‘Max, I’d like to present my grandson, Connor. He was kind enough to join me on my last trip. He’s come to buy me a present.’

‘For your belated birthday or for Christmas?’ Max held out his hand and the men shook.

Connor looked surprised and Winsome thought ironically there was a lot more he could have been surprised about. ‘She did miss her birthday.’

Max smiled at Connor. ‘For women as deserving as your grandmother, birthdays are sacrosanct.’ Then he looked back at Winsome. ‘Your last trip?’

She met his eyes and her voice lowered. ‘I’m getting too old for jaunting around.’ She saw his eyes soften and felt her knees tremble.

‘Nonsense. Women half your age are too old. You will never reach that state.’

Winsome smiled, felt the heat in her cheeks, and turned to her grandson, hoping it didn’t show. ‘You see why I come here?’

‘Absolutely.’ His attention wandered and she relaxed. Saw him skim the contents of the jewellery case assessingly. ‘Will you make a choice?’

About what? Then she remembered. ‘Connor has promised me something from your boutique for Christmas.’ Her voice sounded overbright to her own ears. She’d already said that, for pity’s sake, and she tried to tone the squeak down as an idea formed and she touched her grandson’s arm.

‘Why don’t you go away and have a drink in the bar car? I can have a proper look without you glowering at me to hurry up, then I’ll meet you there and Max can wrap it for you to collect and pay for.’ She laughed and smiled sweetly at him and he shook his head.

‘You are incorrigible. But… ’ He grinned at Max. ‘I don’t need telling twice. Enjoy.’

Kelsie’s walk up the long snake of the train was like something out of the movies. She clattered in and out of doorways between carriages, passed people sideways in the corridors, bumping into walls when the track jolted a carriage unexpectedly, and always, outside, the countryside rushed past the windows.