She had to stop him there.
‘But it didn’t.’
‘No, and let me finish. As I was saying, I am genuinely grateful. It was a lovely thing to do. Sometimes taking a chance is the only way forward.’
There was a lot more riding on his words than thanking her for contacting Jack, and they both knew it, but now wasn’t the time.
‘I’m just pleased there’s someone else in the world with the same sense of humour as you.’
Will fiddled with the edge of the bedsheet.
‘But there is something huge I need to ask you.’
He looked so serious that Grace was worried he’d had some bad news about his test results. Phil had always been hesitant to give her more bad news.
‘You know how much I hate being cooped up in here…’
‘Yes…’
Was he about to suggest she sprung him from the hospital?
‘The doctor told me today that there was a possibility I could go home, if…’
Grace thought she knew what was coming.
‘There was someone there who could keep an eye on me.’
Grace swallowed hard. She’d nursed Phil on and off for three years, and during the last six months of his life more or less constantly. She’d taken early retirement from the job she loved, so as to be at his side, because she knew there’d be no second chances.
Will took her hand and lifted it to his lips, sending shockwaves through her body.
‘I know what I’m asking you, and what you must have been through with your husband. My employers have hired a nurse who will do all the medical stuff and change the wound dressing. But I couldn’t bear a stranger in the house with me twenty-four hours a day.’
He gave her one of his superstar smiles.
‘The only person I could bear being with is you. Will you at least think about it, please?’
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Grace sat in silence for a moment and closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at Will. Could she really do it? It would be way worse if she said yes now and then flaked out halfway through. Not managing to complete something she’d agreed to was a pet hate of hers. She’d rather say no early on than fail. She opened her eyes again and caught sight of his worried face. His smile had melted away and he’d let go of her hand. It was wrong to keep him waiting. Grace clenched her fists at her sides.
Why was she even hesitating? This would be a very different experience from the one she’d had with Phil. This time round she’d be with a man who’d get better and stronger day by day, instead of one getting weaker and closer to the end. She still didn’t know if her relationship with Will had a long-term future, but this was the perfect opportunity to at least try and find out. They’d be basically living together for the next fortnight.
‘Grace? Are you OK? You’ve helped me so much already. I totally understand if this is one step too far. I can always hire someone.’
Grace picked up his hand and stroked it. She couldn’t let him be helped by a stranger when she was right in front of him.
‘No, it’s fine. I’ll do it.’
Will grinned from ear to ear.
‘Fantastic. That means we can get out of here tomorrow.’
‘Will we be going back home in the helicopter?’
‘You bet.’
‘Yay!’ Grace waved her arms in the air.
