Christmas Kisses Collection. Louise Allen

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