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Her anxieties were slowly but surely beginning to melt away. She would always hate hospitals. They would always have that association for her. But somehow, this time, things felt different.
Different because she knew Rhuaridh had her back.
If she needed a minute—if her heart started racing or her breathing stuck somewhere inside her chest—she didn’t need to hide it or pretend it was something else entirely. And the weird thing was that none of those things had actually happened.
Maybe it was Bill, the older man, who’d distracted her completely. In a lucid moment he’d just told her about his wife dying fifteen years before and how much it had broken his heart. Then he’d started to gently sing a Christmas carol they’d loved together. Kristie had joined in and when, a few moments later, he’d become confused and panicky, she’d taken his hand and reassured him about where he was, who he was, and what he was doing there.
This could be her. This could be Rhuaridh. This could be anyone that she knew and loved. No one knew what path lay ahead for them, and if she could give Bill a few moments of reassurance and peace then she would.
Rhuaridh came over and placed a warm hand on her shoulder. ‘I’ve just finished. Do you have some more people to film?’
She shook her head. ‘Gerry’s looking tired. I think we’ve done enough today. We’ll come back tomorrow and finish then.’
Rhuaridh gave a nod. ‘Okay. The snow’s got a bit thicker since yesterday. We might be able to scrounge up a few snowballs. Are you game?’
She wrinkled her nose. ‘Game? What does that mean?’
He laughed. ‘It’s like a challenge. It means are you ready to do a particular action—like making snowballs.’
Now she understood. She took a few minutes to say goodbye to Bill, then joined Rhuaridh. ‘Okay, then, I’m game.’
Gerry joined them outside, and grabbed the car keys while they plotted. The hospital grounds were large, with a grassy forecourt lined with trees.
‘Why go anywhere else?’ asked Kristie. She zipped up her new red winter jacket—which would never see the light of day in LA. She kicked at the thick snow on the ground. ‘Let’s just have our snowball fight here.’ She put her hands on her hips and looked around, her breath steaming in the air in front of her. ‘Or maybe we should start with a snowman. I’ve always wanted to build a snowman.’
Rhuaridh pulled some gloves out of his pocket. Kristie winced. Gloves. She’d forgotten about gloves. He walked closer. ‘Did you forget the most essential tool for playing with snow?’
She grimaced, hating to start on the back foot. ‘Maybe.’
He handed his gloves over. ‘Here, use mine.’
She grinned. ‘Doesn’t you being a gentleman give me an unfair advantage?’
His eyes gleamed. He leaned forward, his lips brushing against the side of her face as he whispered in her ear. ‘Yeah, but that would only count if I thought you might actually win.’
‘That’s fighting talk.’ She gave him her sternest glare but she knew he was teasing.
He nodded. ‘It is. So let’s start. First to make a snowman wins.’
She looked across at the wide snow-covered lawn and wagged her finger encased in the thick gloves. ‘We split this straight down the middle. Don’t try and steal my snow.’
‘Your snow?’
‘Absolutely. This is my snow.’ She gave him a wary nod. ‘I’m the guest.’
‘You are, aren’t you?’ He bent down and scooped some of the snow into his bare hands. ‘I haven’t told you, have I?’
She frowned. ‘Told me what?’
‘I might have a bit of a competitive streak. Go!’ Something streaked across the dark sky towards her, hitting her squarely on the shoulder and splattering up into her face.
She choked for a second as Rhuaridh’s deep laugh rang across the night air. He didn’t waste any time. He ran straight into the middle of his patch and started trying to pack snow together.
She shook the snow off her hair and out of her face. ‘Cheat! I’ll get you for that.’
‘Keep up!’ he shouted over his shoulder.
