An Unsinkable Love(39)
She was the reason he was still here at the hospital. Dr.
Tumey suggested he was fit enough to leave a few days ago, so he'd started feigning dizzy spells. He wanted to be near Bree, to make sure she got the care she needed. It was agony knowing he couldn't do anything to help her himself.
When his mother told him she had convinced Bree to go home with them, he only just refrained from giving her a crushing hug. If her ribs were healed, he would have anyway.
It was the perfect solution. It would buy him time to convince Bree he wasn't the rich ne'er-do-well she obviously thought him to be. No way would he watch her walk out of his life now. Eldon made a fuss, demanding to know why his wife would want to drag along a half-downed seamstress. Malcolm smiled at the vision of his mother drawing herself up to her full height and lecturing her overbearing husband.
134
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
"Not only do I owe her my life, but I consider her a very dear friend. She could have easily left me sleeping in my room. She might have taken every piece of jewelry I owned, and anything else she wanted. But she didn't. She took care of me. And I'll not do anything less for her. She has no family. No one to care for, or about, her. I intend to do both."
She'd glared at Eldon with a fire Malcolm hadn't seen in her eyes for years. He hoped it was a sign she wasn't going to let her husband dominate her life anymore. Time would tell.
He finally made his way back to his room in the wee hours of the morning. Still plenty of time to dream about creamy white skin and imagine long, coppery curls twisting around his body and drawing him close.
* * * *
His mother breezed in with his breakfast the next morning.
"Dr. Tumey says you are well enough to leave."
"What about Miss Barry?" He tried to appear unconcerned.
Elizabeth eyed him slyly. "What about Miss Barry, dear?"
When she saw the exasperated look he gave her, she relented, grinning. "Bree too. I asked Eldon to make arrangements for our private rail car to be brought up. I think we'd be much more comfortable than riding in a motorcar all that way. Now you sit still and eat your breakfast while I go tell Bree."
As his mother left the room, Malcolm smiled. He would have at least a few days where Bree couldn't get away from him. Perhaps enough time to convince her she should spend the rest of her life with him. When he'd left for Europe with 135
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
his mother and Eldon, he thought all he wanted was to take over the family business and make it what his father had wanted, not what Eldon changed it into. But now, the only thing on his mind was a beautiful, Titian-haired young woman named Bridget Barry.
* * * *
Bree was thrilled to hear she would no longer be confined to bed in the tiny room. She wasn't sure how often Malcolm would take time to visit an invalid, and now at least he wouldn't have to see her surrounded by the sights and smells of a hospital. Soon they'd be on their way to the fresh air of the country. She was truly about to begin her adventure in America.
As Dr. Tumey left her room after giving her a clean bill of health, and a warning to take it easy for a few more weeks, Elizabeth entered. She ignored his flustered smile, and the despairing grimace that followed, as she carried several boxes over to the bed. A grinning Malcolm hustled along behind, more packages heaped in his arms. Bree stood by the window in a rumpled flannel gown and robe and turned as Elizabeth laughingly tumbled the boxes onto her bed, her son following suit.
"What's all this?" Bree asked as she ambled over.
"Open them and see, my dear." Elizabeth stepped behind her and hugged Bree's shoulders, her chin resting next to her ear. "You can't very well leave here in a nightdress, now can you? We picked up a few things for you until we get home.
Then we can get you a proper wardrobe."
136
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
Bree bent her head, gazing at her stocking-clad feet.
"Elizabeth, you've been so kind. I promise I'll pay back every cent."
"I beg your pardon!"
Bree's head snapped up at the tone of outrage in Elizabeth's voice. She turned, wide eyed and beheld her friend's angry face.
"If you think I do this expecting to be repaid, you are sadly mistaken, young lady. I enjoyed every minute of shopping for you." Her gray eyes softened. "I never had the chance to spoil a daughter. Shopping for you was such fun." She smiled at Bree and held her arms out. "Please let me do this. No strings attached. Please."