Page 98 of Wandering Souls

Chapter Eighteen

Ray stared at the bedsideclock, willing time to slow down—or speed up, he couldn’t decide which. If he could put the brakes on, she’d never leave, but if it hurried along, the agony of watching her go would be over in a heartbeat. The digital numbers ticked over at their leisure, giving him too much time to decide whether to lie here and avoid the inevitable, or keep his promise and see her off.

His heart ached but he only had himself to blame. The fool in him had convinced her she couldn’t hurt him, and gave him a false bravado to think he’d ever be happy with a short-term fling. Ray closed his eyes, unable to face the rising sun. Why did she have to leave so early? She didn’t have to be at the base until tomorrow.

“Uncle Ray?”

He squeezed his eyes shut. Another person he couldn’t face this morning. “Yes, Millie?”

Quickened steps padded into the room before Bruce appeared at his bedside. A cold wet nose touched Ray’s hand.

“Are you going to the airport to say goodbye?”

Goodbye.His heart did a backflip. “I don’t think so, sweetheart. Why?”

“Oh.”

Intrigued, he sat up to find the teen leaning against the doorframe, fully dressed. Her downcast eyes seemed sad as she twisted her slender fingers in front of her. It was no secret to either her mother or him that she was enamored with Abi.

Much to Grace’s delight, the two of them got on like a house on fire. The kid had found someone to talk to, to confide in. Somehow, Abi found a way to connect with her. Grace put it down to the development of a sisterly bond, and Ray had to agree.

As he studied his niece, he felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. She wanted to see Abi off and she’d expected he’d take her with him. After all, he and Abi were friends. The kid would expect him to wish her good luck on her journey because that’s what friends did.

Ray sighed.

He either let down his niece or suffered the agony of watching the woman he loved fly out of his life.

Was there even a choice?

“Have you had breakfast?” He rubbed his eyes and gave Bruce a scratch behind the ears.

Millie shook her head. “I don’t think there’s time.”

Probably a good thing. He doubted he’d be able to do this on a full stomach. “Okay. Go let your mum know where we’re going.”

A smile slowly spread across her face. “Are you sure?”

No.“Of course,” he lied, hoping she didn’t see right through it. “Let me get dressed.”

By the time they hit the road, they didn’t have long before Abi was due to leave but they reached the airport in time. Glad to see Damien’s big black plane still on the tarmac, he parked at the end of the long row of vehicles. Abi was making her way along an equally long line of people, saying farewells, and accepting hugs and kisses. He stayed in the car as Millie and Bruce ran to join the far end of the queue.

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