by Karen King
‘Stay there and be a good girl, Tess. I’ll come and let you out again soon,’ she said, softly.
Jed returned with the doctor, who quickly checked Mike over. He confirmed the appendix had burst and that peritonitis had set in.
‘You found him in good time, but we need to get him to hospital fast,’ he said.
Taking his mobile phone out of his pocket, he phoned the hospital to warn them a patient was coming in who needed an operation. Then he and Jed gently placed Mike on a stretcher, strapped him in, and carried him into the helicopter.
‘I hope he’ll be OK,’ Amber said as the helicopter took off.
Jed placed his arm around her shoulder. ‘You heard what the doctor said, we found him in time. He’s got every chance of making a full recovery.’
‘What if we’d arrived a bit later?’ Tears welled up in her eyes and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. ‘Mike would have died all alone, and in pain.’
Jed pulled her to him, encasing her in his arms. He lowered his head and kissed her gently on the forehead. ‘But we didn’t arrive too late, sweetheart. He’s on his way to hospital and he’s going to be fine.’
Then, Amber remembered her promise. ‘Jed, I promised him we’d look after Tess until a relief warden arrived.’
‘I know. I’ll phone the Trust now and arrange for one to come over. They’ll probably be here by the time I’ve finished taking the photographs for my article.’
He released her and started walking back to the cottage. Amber stared after him, almost in a daze, her senses reeling.
Sweetheart.
The word echoed in her mind. It sounded so … loving. And the way he’d held her, the touch of his lips on her forehead …
He was comforting you, Amber, that’s all. Jed’s like that. Kind and caring.
And incredibly sexy.
Not that she was attracted to him. Of course not.
She pulled herself together and followed him into the cottage, going straight to the kitchen to let Tess out. The poor dog was agitated, so Amber calmed her down then looked around for Jed. She could hear him on the phone. Following the sound of his voice, she found him in a small room, which Mike obviously used as an office.
From what she could gather from the one-sided conversation, the Trust couldn’t send a warden straight away. She frowned. What were they going to do? She’d promised Mike they would stay and look after Tess until the relief warden arrived. She looked down at the dog, who had followed her into the office and was now lying dolefully by her feet.
‘I guess you’re wondering what’s going on, eh, Tess?’ she said, kneeling down and stroking the dog’s silky head. ‘Well, don’t worry, we won’t leave you on your own.’
‘I’m afraid that they can’t send a warden until tomorrow morning,’ Jed told her when he’d finished his phone call.
Amber got to her feet, chewing her bottom lip worriedly. ‘But I promised Mike we’d look after Tess. We can’t leave her on the island by herself – not in her condition.’
‘Maybe we can take her home with us and bring her back tomorrow?’ Jed suggested.
‘I’m not sure that would be wise. It might upset her,’ Amber said doubtfully. ‘I’m sure she hasn’t got long before the pups are due and it’s quite a long boat trip. Her master going away then being taken to new surroundings might be too much for her.’ She looked around for the dog, but it had suddenly disappeared. ‘Where’s Tess?’
‘She just went out, maybe she wants a drink,’ Jed replied.
‘I’d better check on her.’ As she walked down the hall, Amber heard a noise coming from a room on her left. She peered in and saw that it was a small store-room. A big box was in the corner of the room and Tess was raking at the bottom of it, ripping paper by the sound of it. Amber crept, not wanting to alarm her. A pile of newspaper had been placed on the bottom of the box and the dog was now busy ripping it up, obviously preparing the bed for her puppies. Amber watched for a moment as the border collie circled the box, then went back to ripping up the paper again. Well, that settled it. Tess was getting ready to have the pups. There was no way they could take her home with them now.
Suddenly exhausted, the dog flopped down in the box and started panting. Amber sat down on the floor besides her, stretching her legs out in front of her, and let the little dog rest its head on her lap while she stroked it gently.
‘Don’t worry, girl. It’ll be OK. I’m here with you,’ she whispered.
‘How’s Tess?’
She glanced up to see Jed standing in the doorway. ‘She’s been making her nest. She could have the pups any time.’
‘Then we must stay with her, no question of that. Have you ever played midwife before?’
‘Yes. When I was a kid our dog, Bella, had pups and Dad let me help deliver them. I think I can still remember what to do. How about you?’
‘Never actually had to help out, but I’ve seen enough vet programmes. I reckon we can manage it between us.’
She nodded. ‘Tess’ll do most of the work herself. We just need to be there in case she gets tired or there are complications.’
‘It seems like we’re doggy-sitting for the night, then,’ Jed said. ‘I hope you hadn’t made plans for this evening.’
‘No, but I am supposed to be going sailing with Randy tomorrow and he’s leaving quite early,’ Amber replied. ‘But there’s no way I’m breaking my promise and leaving Tess.’ It suddenly occurred to her that Jed might have plans for the evening. She’d promised Mike they’d look after Tess without stopping to consider what Jed wanted. ‘What about you? Have you got plans for tonight?’
He shrugged. ‘Nothing that can’t be put on hold. If you’re willing to stay and look after Tess so am I. In fact, it would be quite useful for me to spend a little longer here, get some more information and photos.’
‘OK, well, I’ll just phone Callie and tell her. What time shall I say we’ll be home? Maybe Randy will wait for me.’
‘The Trust said the warden will be over by nine so, weather permitting, I’ll be able to get you back before lunch. But I should think that Randy’s setting off before then. It’s not much of a day’s sail if you don’t leave until lunchtime.’
Amber shrugged. ‘Then I’ll have to give it a miss.’
She eased the dog off her lap and stood up. ‘Now where did I leave my bag?’
‘Probably in Mike’s bedroom,’ Jed guessed.
He was right. She remembered putting it on the floor by Mike’s bed. She went to get it, took out her mobile phone, and dialled Callie.
‘You must be mad,’ Callie retorted when Amber explained. ‘You can’t miss an opportunity like this! Randy will think you’re not interested in him.’
‘Tess is due to have pups anytime,’ Amber reminded her. ‘We can’t abandon her. I’m sure Randy will understand if I explain.’
‘Understand what? That you’re ditching him to spend the night on a remote island with Jed looking after a stranger’s dog?’
‘It’s not like that …’
‘That’s how Randy will see it,’ Callie retorted. ‘Why can’t you bring the dog home with you? It must be used to sailing in the warden’s boat.’
‘Because the upheaval and journey could upset her too much, her pups are due anytime,’ Amber sighed. ‘I promised Mike I’d look after Tess and that’s what I intend to do. So, can you please explain to Randy? If I had his mobile number I’d phone him myself.’
‘It’s probably a good job you haven’t because there’s no reasonable way you can explain this.’
Amber suddenly had a flash of inspiration. ‘Isn’t rule number four to play it cool? You know, millionaires are used to being chased after so let them do the running for once? Well, that’s what I’m doing, isn’t it?’
‘True,’ Callie conceded. ‘But you haven’t got much time to play games. You need to get Randy interested enough to want to see you when you go back home.’ She was silent for a moment. ‘Mind you, i
t might work. Leave it to me. Oh, and Amber …’
‘Yes?’
‘Get back home as soon as you can and remember, Randy’s the one you’re after, not Jed.’
Amber fought back a retort, aware that Jed was listening. ‘I have no intention of forgetting that,’ she said.
Jed raised an eyebrow as Amber ended the call. ‘So this is part of your plan to hook him, is it? Looking after Tess gives you a good reason not to turn up for your sailing date and make him even more eager to see you?’
Did he really think she was that shallow?
‘Of course not,’ she denied hotly. ‘I just said that to appease Callie because she was mad with me. I didn’t even think of the rules when I agreed to look after Tess. I didn’t know the warden wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow, and I can’t leave Tess when she’s ready to give birth any minute, can I?’
‘No, I know.’ His voice softened a little. ‘Sorry, it just seems so cold-blooded, planning to marry someone for their money.’
Yes, it was. Cold-blooded but necessary. She sighed. How could she expect him to understand?
‘Does that mean you won’t help me?’ she asked, wondering if he’d changed his mind.
‘Nope, like you I don’t go back on my word,’ he replied. ‘Though it doesn’t look like the sailing’s going to come in useful now. Is there anything else you need brushing up on?’
‘Dancing,’ she suggested, remembering how unimpressed Randy had been with her dancing skills last night.
‘OK, we’ll do some dancing practice tonight. Mike’s bound to have some CDs or at least a radio we can dance to.’
Amber felt a frisson of trepidation. She had thought of them practising dancing at somewhere not quite as intimate as the stone cottage. Somewhere with more people around, where she wouldn’t be so aware of Jed’s raw magnetism.
Grow up, Amber. Surely, at your age you can practice dancing with a man without going all weak-kneed. Honestly, it’s no big deal.
‘How long do you think it will be before we can phone up and see how Mike is?’ she asked, anxious both for news of the warden and to change the subject.
‘The doctor said the operation will take at least a couple of hours. So it’s best to leave it until after lunch,’ replied Jed.
Lunch. That reminded Amber how hungry she was. She hadn’t eaten since the bowl of muesli she’d had for breakfast – apart from the crackers and apple on the boat, of course.
‘You’re not still feeling queasy, are you?’ Jed asked.
She’d forgotten all about her travel sickness. It seemed ages since she was on the boat feeling like her stomach was turning inside out!
‘No, just starving!’
‘Good. Then how about we have a cup of coffee and something to eat? We could eat outside. I noticed a wooden table and some benches at the back of the cottage.’
Good idea,’ she agreed. ‘I’ll go and make it and find some plates for our sandwiches – unless you want to eat out of your lunchbox?’ They’d both brought a packed lunch with them.
‘Eating out the lunchbox will be fine for me,’ Jed said. ‘Why dirty the dishes?’
Amber smiled at him and went into the kitchen to make the coffee. There was only instant but she was pleased to see that it was one of her favourite brands.
‘Milk and sugar?’ she asked as Jed came into the kitchen.
‘I’ll add my own,’ he told her, opening the fridge to get the milk.
They both took their mug of coffee and lunchboxes outside to the wooden table, which had a bench joined to each side.
‘I’m sure Tess will have the puppies today. She’s made her nest and now she’s gone quiet, as if she’s conserving her strength.’ Amber said. She sat down on the end of the nearest bench and placing the coffee on the table in front of her.
Jed sat opposite her. ‘Tell me about your dog.’
So she told him about how she’d longed for a dog so her parents had bought her Bella for a Christmas present when she was eight. And how she and the dog had soon become inseparable.
‘It sounds like you had a happy childhood.’
She nodded. ‘I did. My parents married in their late thirties and thought they would never have children. Then I came along. They idolised me. Even though they were busy, Dad with his business and Mum being his secretary, they always made time for me. They always made my friends welcome. Boyfriends too’, she added. ‘When I got engaged to Rod they welcomed him with open arms, accepted him as one of the family. That’s why it was so easy for him to con them. They trusted him because they trusted my judgement.’ She couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice. ‘And now they’ve lost everything.’
Jed reached out and covered her hand with his. It was a workman’s hand, she noticed. The hand of a man who grafted for a living. Strong yet comforting. ‘Did you advise your father to buy the shares?’
The emotional memories were making her feel shaky. Or was it the feel of his hand on hers? ‘Of course not, I don’t know anything about shares. I didn’t even know Rod had given him any financial advice. None of them told me about it.’
‘Then how can it be your fault?’
‘Rod was my fiancé.’
‘And that makes you responsible for his actions?’ Jed asked, taking his hand away and picking up his coffee mug. He sipped it thoughtfully for a moment.
Could a hand feel lonely? Because that’s how hers felt without his hand covering it. She wanted to beg him to put it back. ‘No, but I’m responsible for introducing him to my parents. It’s because of me they trusted him.’
Jed put his mug down, a solemn look on his face.
‘My mom was half Cherokee,’ he told her. ‘They’re a proud race. She was brought up to work hard and honour her family. When she got accepted at college, her parents were so proud of her. She was the first one in her family to go to college.’ He paused for a moment. ‘She was halfway through her first year when she met a guy there who swept her off her feet. He moved in with her, they talked about marriage … Then she found out she was pregnant with me and he legged it.’
‘Oh, Jed …’
‘Legged it owing a month’s rent and lots of other bill,’ he continued, his voice grim. ‘Mom quit college and took a job to pay off his debts. When she couldn’t work any longer she went back to her parents, who refused to take her in. They couldn’t forgive her for letting them down and – as they thought – ruining her life.’
Amber’s heart went out to that poor woman as she listened. And to Jed too, knowing how he must have suffered as a young lad.
‘A friend, Angie, took Mom in, looked after her until I was born, gave us both a roof over her head. When Angie died in a car accident a year later, Mom looked after her daughter, Chloe.’ Jed was staring into the distance now and she knew by the look on his face the memories still pained him. ‘Mom worked hard all her life to support me and Chloe, always feeling guilty for being a single parent, always taking the blame for my father running out on us, for bringing shame on her family. But it wasn’t her fault. She did nothing wrong. She just fell in love with the wrong guy.’ He focused his gaze back on her. ‘That’s all you did, Amber. You fell in love with the wrong guy. You’re not responsible for Rod’s actions.’
A lump formed in her throat and it was a couple of minutes before she could steady her voice to reply. ‘Your mum sounds like a wonderful woman,’ she said. ‘And maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m not directly responsible for what Rod did. But because of him my parents are going to lose their home and I can’t – won’t – allow it to happen.’
Chapter Five
Rule number 5: Never let him see you looking anything but your best.
She stood up, desperate to get away from Jed for a while and get herself under control. ‘I’d better check on Tess.’
She could feel Jed watching her every step of the way. As soon as she got inside the cottage, she leant back against the door and closed her eyes to keep the tears at bay. How she wished
she had never met Rod. He had broken her heart and bankrupted her parents. But she wouldn’t let him win. Somehow, she would repay her parents. And the quickest way was to marry Randy, so the sooner she got back to Coombe Bay the better.
Tess pattered along the corridor to greet her.
‘Hello, girl. How are you?’ Amber stroked the dog’s silky fur. ‘I bet you’re hungry, eh? Let’s see if we can find you something to eat.’
Amber went into the kitchen, the dog at her heels, and looked around. Where would Mike keep Tess’s food?
Her first guess – the cupboard under the sink – proved right. She placed a few forkfuls of food in the dog’s dish, knowing that it probably wouldn’t want a heavy meal, and some fresh water. Tess ate the food, lapped up some of the water, then went back to her bed in the store-room. Amber sat down on the floor beside the dog, resting Tess’s head on her lap.
‘It’ll be all right, Tess,’ she said soothingly. ‘We’ll stay with you until the warden comes and Mike will be home soon.’
The dog looked at her with doleful eyes and whimpered quietly.
Jed stood in the doorway, watching Amber stroke Tess and whisper comforting words to her. She was so gentle and loving with the dog and didn’t seem in the slightest bothered about the mess it was making on her shorts. He remembered how her eyes had welled with tears when she’d seen how ill the warden was, how he’d held her in his arms and kissed her forehead, longing to hold her tight and kiss her on the lips. And how she’d hurried inside on the verge of tears because of that rat, Rod. It had taken all his willpower not to run after her and comfort her. Damn it, she was really getting under his skin and now they were both alone on the island until tomorrow afternoon.
You’ve been celibate too long, Jed. No wonder you’re lusting after the first gorgeous female you’ve come across.
Only she wasn’t the first gorgeous female he’d met since Melissa, was she? Just the first one he’d been attracted to. Maybe it was his body telling him it was time to date again.
As if sensing his presence, Amber looked up.
‘Poor Tess. She’s probably wondering what’s happened to Mike,’ she said. ‘Do you think the operation is over? Can we phone and see how he is?’
