Christmas Kisses Collection. Louise Allen

spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.”

      Hope soared within her. What did he mean by the rest of his life?

      The number ended and Chance released her from his arms but continued to hold her hand. “I’d like you to meet my sister and her husband.”

      “What?” So he had contacted his sister. She was so surprised she didn’t stop him from leading her off the dance floor.

      He grinned. “You sure are using that word a lot. I’ve never known you to be at a loss for words.”

      Leading her to a group of people standing near the refreshment table, he waited until a couple broke away.

      “Abigail and Stan, I’d like you to meet Dr. Ellen Cox,” Chance said. “She worked at the clinic for a while. I’m hoping to convince her to return.”

      Ellen’s eyes widened. She stared at him. Chance wanted her to return?

      “It’s so nice to meet you, Ellen. We appreciate all the work you have done. I know Chance will be glad to have you join him again.” His sister’s smile was sincere.

      Ellen’s head was spinning with all that Chance had said. She hoped she made all the proper responses to Chance’s sister’s remarks. Had she walked into a third dimension where everyone understood what was happening but her?

      Chance broke in on the conversation and said to his sister, “If it’s okay with Ellen, I’m going to take her somewhere so we can talk privately. I’ll see you at the hotel tomorrow.”

      Abigail nodded.

      He kept a hand on Ellen’s waist as they sidestepped their way toward the cloakroom.

      “Why do you think I want to talk to you?” Ellen asked.

      “Don’t you?” He kept her moving, not giving her time to argue.

      A number of times people stopped them to ask him a question or make a comment. Keeping a hand on Ellen, he smiled and gave a short answer then made an excuse to move on.

      “I think what you haven’t said in the last few weeks speaks loudly enough.”

      He handed their tickets to the attendant and collected their coats.

      “Please, let me explain.”

      The clerk handed him Ellen’s full-length hooded cape, with white fur inside and the same green as her dress on the outside, edged with fluffy fur. He placed it over her shoulders.

      “You look like a Christmas fairy.” Chance was mesmerized. “I thought you were beautiful before but you take my breath away.”

      “Not too over the top?” She made a half-twirl.

      It was the first really civil thing she had said to him all night. She was coming around slowly. “You’re amazing.”

      She smiled at him. His heart flipped. He was headed in the right direction. Pulling on his overcoat, he beamed back at her. “I have missed you.”

      Bundled up, they stepped through the outside doors into a snowy night.

      “It’s beautiful.” Ellen looked up into the sky illuminated by the lights of the skyscrapers. “I love this city at Christmastime.”

      Chance offered his elbow as they made their way down the numerous steps to the street. “It’s completely different from Honduras.”

      “Which is equally beautiful in its own way.” She took his arm but he was sure it was more out of the need for help than her having forgiven him. Ellen wouldn’t go easy on him. He had hurt her deeply. They continued downward. “Where’re we going?” she asked.

      “How about a carriage ride?”

      “Now you’re turning into Mr. Romance?”

      “That’s my Ellen. Give no quarter.”

      “I’m not yours.”

      He needed to slow down. Give her time to think. Stopping, he looked at her a second. “Maybe not, but I’m hoping you will be. Just hear me out, please.”

      She nodded and he led her to a horse-drawn carriage parked on the street. It was decked out in white lights and bells for the season. He spoke to the driver and then helped Ellen into the carriage. With her settled in the seat, Chance joined her and pulled the heavy blanket waiting there across their waists and legs, tucking it around them.

      “Warm?” he asked.

      “Mmm…”

      The horse started off at a slow clop-clop and continued as they turned into Central Park. The jingle of the bells on the horse’s rig only added to the perfect winter dream feel of the moment.

      “It’s been forever since I’ve taken a ride through the park. I’ve never done it in the dark while it’s snowing.” She raised her face to the sky. “I love the sound of the bells. It’s magical.”

      “Sort of like standing under a waterfall,” he said softly.

      “Yeah. Just like that.” Wonder filled her voice.

      She was softening. He took her hand under the blanket.

      Her eyes came around to pierce him with a look. This was the Ellen he knew so well. “Why haven’t you called?”

      There it was. The hurt. Raw and deep.

      “Because I didn’t want to face what I feel.”

      She continued to glare at him. “I like that answer.”

      He brushed a snowflake from her cheek. “I thought you might. I’m sorry, Ellen. I was an idiot. There hasn’t been a moment I haven’t thought of you.”

      “You had a fine way of showing it.”

      “I know. You made me think about caring for someone again. But that brought the fear of rejection. I had to face my past before I could ask you about a future.”

      “So you reached out to your sister?”

      Chance nodded. Ellen squeezed his hand. It was as if that one action had shown her that he meant what he was saying.

      “I’m so proud of you. That couldn’t have been easy.”

      “You know that if you had died it would have killed me.”

      Ellen pulled her hand from his and cupped his cheek. Her hand was warm against his cold skin. “I’m made of tougher stuff than you give me credit for.”

      He covered her hand with his. “I know that now. You have more than proved it. I love you, sweetheart.”

      A smile spread across her face. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. I love you too.”

      He held her close and kissed her. Her lips were cold against his but they soon warmed.

      “I told my father I was returning to Honduras or another developing country,” Ellen said, with her head against his shoulder.

      “How did he take that?”

      “Better than I thought he would. He still wants to protect me but he is also starting to understand my need for independence. This time he knows I’m not rushing into a decision.”

      “No more being reckless?” Chance asked.

      “I promise to think twice before I react.”

      “And I promise to let you be who you are without holding you back.”

      She gifted him with a bright smile. “I love you, Chance Freeman. I also promise to never leave you.”

      His hands cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly with all the love in his heart. “If you tried,