Read Online Something From Tiffany’s by Melissa Hill - Free Book Online

a bit of a motorbike enthusiast. Sorry about that. I’m sure there are things you’d rather be doing on Christmas morning than listening to such ramblings.’
    ‘Don’t worry about it,’ the nurse chuckled, waving an arm. ‘It’s kind of funny – my husband has a Ducati too, and if I didn’t know better I’d ask if his injuries were from riding. Al, my husband, slipped on black ice two weeks ago and had rib problems really similar to your husband’s.’
    ‘Oh, he’s not my—’ Rachel caught herself before she uttered husband . But the very thought of the word sent fresh flutters through her stomach. ‘I mean, we’re engaged, but no, he got hurt in an accident, actually. His first time in New York and he gets hit by a yellow cab,’ she added, with an ironic half-smile. ‘I’m sorry to hear about your husband, though.’
    ‘Oh no, he’s fine. Couldn’t keep him off that bike if I tried. Honestly, I think if he had to choose between me and that thing . . . I’d probably be a single woman by now!’ The nurse laughed good-naturedly. ‘Well, I won’t hold you up. You have a nice visit.’
    ‘Thank you . . . Kim,’ Rachel said, reading her name tag. ‘I’m Rachel, and I’m sure I’ll see you on my way out.’
    ‘Sure.’
    But, peeking around the corner of Gary’s room, the joy Rachel had felt all morning suddenly gave way to a potent dose of reality. Her boyfriend looked even worse than he had the night before. One side of his face was swollen, scraped and black and blue, and he was hooked up to an IV. He looked so still and pitiful that she felt her stomach lurch, and swallowed hard as she sat down in the chair next to his bed.
    Wracked with guilt, she berated herself for being so carefree and happy when her poor fiancé was lying here in agony. Then, telling herself that he probably looked worse than he felt, and remembering that his injuries weren’t extensive, she leaned over and kissed Gary tenderly on the forehead.
    As he batted his eyes open slowly, her vision blurred a bit through her tears. This was all so strange, she thought. Did this man who spent most weekends riding with his bike club, and who was getting ready for a three-week European tour next spring really want to marry her? And what if his injuries had been from riding – how would she feel then? Or what if—
    She stopped thinking and rebuked herself for being negative, especially when she was usually so good at focusing on the positive. Maybe she just was so caught off guard by Gary’s intentions that it had really thrown her for a loop. The man had bought her a shockingly expensive diamond, for goodness’ sake, and was now ready to show her his sensitive side. Yes, that was it, Rachel told herself.
    ‘Good morning, my love,’ she said, when Gary moaned again. ‘Merry Christmas.’
    It took a good ninety seconds for him to turn his head slightly and begin to respond. ‘Hey . . . was in a bloody accident . . .’ he slurred. ‘Some fool hit me.’
    ‘I know, I know, a taxi. But you’re OK. I mean, it’s nothing serious and . . . God, Gary, I’m so sorry.’ Rachel couldn’t help but feel responsible. ‘This was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. I can’t believe this happened. Should I call your family? I wasn’t sure if—’
    ‘Yeah, stupid gobshite . . .’ he said, barely perceptibly, before his eyes fell shut once again. Hoping he was referring to the taxi driver and not her, it made Rachel smile. He was obviously high on the medication.
    ‘Hey, I’m sorry for being nosy,’ Kim whispered suddenly from the doorway, ‘but what does that mean? He’s been saying it off and on all morning too.’
    Rachel was grinning. ‘It’s sort of an Irish swear word.’
    ‘Ah, I see. Well, pardon me for saying so, but I think that accent is kinda sexy,’ Kim chuckled, going to the top of the bed and doing something with the saline drip bag. ‘Even with that bruised face, I can see why you fell