She smiled fondly. He was barely conscious and his mind was already on the engagement ring.“No, nothing missing as far as I know, thanks to a very nice man and his daughter. They came to your rescue, waited with you, and looked after your stuff till the ambulance came. Anyway, I’ll tell you more about that later. I’m just so glad you’re okay. I called your mum, of course, but reassured her that you were fine and she shouldn’t worry.”
Gary bristled. “Not that fine. I’m still very sore, you know.”
“Oh, I know,” Rachel soothed. “It’s just I didn’t want her to worry, what with us being on the other side of the Atlantic and given the time of year and everything. It’s a pity you missed Christmas, but don’t worry. We can celebrate properly as soon as you’re out of here.” She grinned. “And exchange gifts too.”
“Yeah, I suppose,” Gary replied nonchalantly. “I can’t believe I was out of it for so long though. We’ll need to get back home soon. I’ve got a job on first thing Wednesday. What date is it today—the twenty-seventh, is it? I think that’s what the doc told me.”
Rachel’s expression dropped. “But I got our flights extended because I didn’t know how long you’d be here.” Then she smiled softly. “Gary, you can’t start a construction job so soon after leaving the hospital. You said yourself you’re still not a hundred percent, so you need to take it easy for another while at least.”
He seemed to be thinking it over. “I suppose I could always ring the guy and tell him I’ll be there first thing after the New Year.”
“That’s more like it. Anyway, I thought that once you got out of here, maybe we could stay on in the city until then?” Rachel figured he might be up for it under the circumstances, especially with his grand plans for a proposal going astray. New Year’s in New York would no doubt be amazing. They could go to Times Square and take in the atmosphere while waiting for the ball drop; it would help make up for missing Christmas.
Gary looked at her as if she was mad. “Not a hope! You’ll have to change them back, babe—the cheapest ones you can get. To be honest, after all I’ve gone through, I can’t see the back of this place fast enough.”
“Oh.”
“And I’ll need to get out there and start getting a few more jobs in. Money doesn’t make itself, you know.”
“Oh, I see.” Rachel hadn’t expected him to be quite so…negative.
“Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate this trip and all that. And I had a great time the first few days. It’s just…you know…work and then the big New Year’s bike ride, which I’m still doing despite these blasted ribs, I swear.”
“No, no, I understand that,” she said, raising a smile. After all, he was right. Moneydidn’tmake itself, and she reminded herself that he had already laid down a good chunk of that for the ring. Chances were he was also thinking ahead and budgeting for their wedding and honeymoon too, so thinking about it, an extended stay would indeed be too much of an extravagance.
Not to mention that Rachel had her own responsibilities with the bistro.
No, it was probably better in the end, she decided. Gary would no doubt have already thought this through and was likely waiting until they got back home to propose now.
Oh well, Rachel thought. It seemed she’d just have to wait that little bit longer to get that ring on her finger.
“That’s my girl. Come here,” he said, motioning to embrace her, and she duly leaned in and kissed him tenderly. “Now let’s get the doc to write me a prescription so I can get the hell out of here.”
He seemed unusually keen to leave the hospital. Or maybe he wanted to propose imminently. Even better! To Rachel, an engagement in New York—be it on Christmas Day or otherwise—seemed much more romantic.
But definitely not in these clinical and decidedlyunromantic surrounds.
“Hello there” came a voice from the doorway, and they turned to look.
“Kim, hi!” Rachel greeted warmly. “Oh, I’m glad you’re here. I…wewanted to say thank you and goodbye. You’ve been so kind, and I loved talking with you.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it. I think he’s being discharged tomorrow, but just in case I’m not here when you leave, I wanted to pop in and say hi. Hey there, Irishman,” she said, turning her attention to Gary. “How does it feel to be back in the land of the living?”
“It’d be a lot bloody better if I had some painkillers,” he replied rudely, and Rachel looked at him, mortified. “And why can’t I get out today?”
“Gary, have some manners,” Rachel chided. “Kim has been looking after you very well while you were here, and me too.”
“Well, someone had to keep your lovely lady company,” Kim replied, evidently unperturbed. “I’m glad you’ll be back on your feet soon. Quite a knock you had. She’s been like an angel watching over you,” she told him, putting her hand on Rachel’s shoulder. “Anyway, I’ll leave you two to your catching up. Just wanted to wish you well in case I don’t see you. I’ll find out from the doc about your discharge and come back and let you guys know.”
“Thanks, Kim. We really appreciate it.”
“No problem.” The nurse turned to go but then paused and looked back over her shoulder. “And you, sweetheart…you remember what I told you before, okay?”
Rachel flushed, and her eyes darted toward Gary for reaction. Of course, he had no idea as to the reference Kim was making, but still she felt a little caught off guard. She hadn’t noticed the clock on the wall before, but all of a sudden, the ticking from it could be heard clear as day. “Of course, of course I will,” she replied quickly. “And thanks again.”
“What was all that about?” Gary asked after Kim had closed the door.
“Oh, nothing. Just some insider secrets on helping you get better,” she said, stroking his arm and trying to sound carefree. “Anyway, I can’t wait to have you out of here either. We’ve got a belated Christmas to celebrate.”
