Christmas with Her Ex(51)

She watched him run his hand through his hair. He did that a lot when he was stressed. And she had caused him this stress and she was sorry for that.

He was saying, ‘Please. Let me take you to your hotel and we can talk. You said you’re not leaving until tomorrow. And you don’t even have to go then. Stay and have a drink with me.’

Almost with relief she seized on the argument her brain would listen to. Nothing had changed with him. This was why she’d run away from him before. He didn’t listen when she said she needed her own space.

She took a couple of deep breaths. His face was serious. Determined, yet there was a vulnerability about him she hadn’t seen before. It was that that made her pause. They began to walk towards the lifts together, even though she hadn’t agreed.

Then he spoiled it. ‘Do you really have to fly back to Australia tomorrow?’

Her voice quieted as a nurse approached. ‘I have to. I have a ticket. And I start work in seven days. My patients need me.’

He frowned. Shook his head. ‘Can’t you delay your flights?’ He pushed the lift call button with unnecessary force. ‘Put them off!’

‘Why?’

‘I’m asking you to stay.’

‘I can’t.’ Couldn’t he understand she’d organised her life too?

‘We need more time.’

And there it was again. Give in, Kelsie. Do what I want. She’d fought damn hard for her independence. Paid a huge price for it too, including the loss of the man in front of her. Had worked hard for respect in her profession. For the trust of the women she cared for. She’d like to see him fly away from his patients for her. He obviously didn’t care about the women she’d looked after during their whole pregnancies. ‘No, Connor. I won’t do that.’

‘I see.’ No expression. How did he do that?

She wanted to stamp her feet and scream at him.

He stopped and in that same expressionless voice, ‘Then I’m sorry I pushed you to stay.’

‘Have a good Christmas, Connor. Give my love to your grandmother. I’ll get my own cab.’

He sighed heavily and turned away and she couldn’t help but wonder if her damned independence was worth the loss of this man—again.

Connor woke on Christmas morning and he’d never felt so alone. With sudden clarity he knew he didn’t want to wake and feel like this ever again.

It wasn’t too late. She hadn’t flown home yet. He just needed a chance to tell her he would come to her in Australia as soon as he could.

He hadn’t really expected her to cancel her flights. They’d discussed that, he thought with a wry smile. When he’d panicked and pressured her to suspend all her flights and plans just because he’d said they should spend more time together. He couldn’t say he blamed her for storming off.

But he wanted to explain more eloquently that he was now certain they were meant for each other. If he could just see her one more time he would let her know he’d wait for her.

That he’d fight for her.

To hell with it. He knew he was strong enough, determined enough to take that chance again or even as many times as it took. That risking everything for Kelsie’s love would always be worth it—but he needed to stop rushing her. Let her come to that decision in her own way, in her own time.

Max had pulled some Orient Express Christmas Eve strings at his request and filled his special order so Kelsie would get his Christmas surprise before she left for the airport. There was a slim chance he’d have already missed her by the time he’d arranged his grandmother’s discharge but he could deal with that.

Because once Gran was sorted he doubted he’d have much to do, and he could be on the next plane out to Australia, judging by the way Max had taken charge of Winsome since he’d arrived at the hospital last evening.

If he had missed her then, considering he and Kelsie had waited fifteen years to meet again, he could wait a few days more until he could arrange a flight. But he didn’t want to wait.

Christmas Day and Kelsie woke to a blanket of snow outside the Ritz’s windows. Her first white Christmas. In a famous and luxurious hotel in a city she’d always wanted to visit. So why was her mood so black?

Ahh. She put her hand over her eyes. Not that word.

Black.

Connor Black. It was too late now but she should have had that drink last night. Should have taken the chance that Connor was right. She missed him this morning.

Maybe there was still time to catch him before she flew out.

She scrabbled in her bag for the number of the hospital the nurse had given her and she dialled shakily.

The doctor had said Winsome would be able to go home early Christmas morning. But when she phoned the hospital they’d already left. Connor had picked her up already. The only good thing was that Winsome was now much more comfortable on the correct medication. Thank goodness it hadn’t been her heart that was the trouble.