by Joanna Neil
‘You did everything you could,’ she said softly. ‘I hate to think what might have happened if you hadn’t come after us. I had no medical kit, nothing that would be any use...’
He draped an arm around her. ‘I had to find you, to make sure you were okay. I wouldn’t have rested until I’d done that.’ He gazed into her eyes. ‘Come on, I’ll see you home. I expect we can cadge a lift with the paramedics.’
‘All right.’
He was quiet on the journey home, and she guessed he was still thinking about the boy’s close call. Jack’s illness had affected both of them, all the more so because he wasn’t just a patient, a stranger. They both knew this little boy and were friendly with him. Katie had often watched him play with Baz and had smiled at their antics. She even had photos of them on her mobile phone.
‘Try to get a good night’s sleep,’ Ross murmured as the paramedics dropped her off outside her house. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’ Then he reached down and kissed her gently on the mouth.
‘Goodnight, Ross.’ Even though it was brief and over with before she could get used to it, her mouth burned from the searing contact of that kiss. It warmed her through and through, and she hugged the sweetness of it to her as she let herself into the house.
She was startled when Jessie met her in the hallway. ‘You came home with Ross,’ Jessie said. ‘What happened? Did you find Jack?’ She hesitated for a second or two, frowning. ‘Did I see things right? Did Ross actually kiss you just now?’
Katie winced. ‘Whoa. Slow down a bit. Which question do you want me to answer first?’
‘Did you find Jack? It’s been all over the village that you went across the strait and must have been stranded there. I guessed Ross must have been with you.’
‘News travels fast around here, doesn’t it?’ Katie nodded. ‘Yes, we found him.’ She explained about the appendicitis and added, ‘He’s in Intensive Care, and Jack’s parents are there with him.’
‘I’m glad about that.’ Jessie eyed her cautiously as they walked into the sitting room. ‘So what was going on with you and Ross? He kissed you...’
‘Yes, he did.’
Jessie’s gaze was penetrating. ‘Is something going on with you two? Something I should know about?’
‘Um, maybe.’ Katie pulled in a breath. ‘I really care about him, Jessie. I think I’m in love with him.’
Jessie’s reaction wasn’t quite what she might have expected. Her sister was silent for a moment, taking it in, and then she said in an odd voice, ‘So it’s serious, then? You’ve been so careful not to let your guard down ever since your ex. Does Ross feel the same way?’
‘Uh, I don’t know. I’m not sure.’ Was it possible for Ross to ever give his heart to a woman? After all, he, too, was afraid of being hurt, and the demons that haunted him went right back to his childhood.
She gave her sister a concerned look. ‘What’s wrong, Jessie? You seem troubled.’
Jessie’s cheeks flushed with colour and she gave a diffident shrug. ‘No, it’s nothing. It’s just...’ She broke off.
Katie frowned. What was going on in Jessie’s head? She was usually so forthcoming but now she was being uncharacteristically reticent.
‘Are you bothered about me being with Ross?’
Jessie hesitated. ‘I...I just think it could be a problem for you.’
‘How? What do you mean?’
‘Well...’ Jessie was flustered, and it seemed to Katie that she was searching for a way out of the situation. Something was clearly on her mind, but apparently she wasn’t quite ready to share it with her.
Instead, she said quickly, ‘How are you going to explain things to Mum and Dad? You know how they feel about him. As far as they’re concerned, he’s still the youth who caused the fire all those years ago. He was always in trouble over something or other back then, and I don’t think they’ll ever trust him. And right now they’re upset for you because he came out of the blue and took the job you were going after. They’re thinking he could have backed out once he knew you were in the running for it.’
‘That was never going to happen.’ Katie’s mouth flattened. She had the strongest feeling Jessie was sidetracking, trying to avoid saying what was really on her mind. She wasn’t even looking her straight in the eye. ‘You could be right about everything,’ she said sadly, ‘but I’m not sure what I can do to help them to see him in a different light. No matter what I say they go back to their original way of thinking.’
‘No.’ Jessie let out a long, slow breath. ‘I don’t know what the answer is either. It’s an impossible situation.’ She started to turn away and headed for the stairs.
Katie was puzzled. Jessie’s reaction had taken her by surprise, and she couldn’t think what accounted for it. After all, her sister liked Ross. She’d always liked him, and Katie would have expected her to be happy at the news that she was in love. Unless...
The truth dawned on her gradually, and Katie began to feel sick and dizzy all at once. All those times Jessie must have bumped into Ross at McAskie’s, the times when she’d been quiet and withdrawn just lately.
Had Jessie fallen for him? It could happen so easily after all, given Ross’s easygoing manner and his inherent charm. Jessie was unattached, and Ross was every woman’s dream.
It was the worst thing that could have happened. What was she to do? She couldn’t bear to see her sister hurting.
CHAPTER TEN
‘HOW DID YOU find the boy, Dr Brechan? Was it a race against time to get him to the hospital? He’s still in Intensive Care, isn’t he? How’s he doing?’ The young man stepped forward. ‘I’m James Standish from the Evening Messenger. Would you care to give me your story?’
Katie blinked as a camera flashed, and she put up a hand to shield her face as the reporter from the local newspaper came towards her, and his photographer raised his camera once more to take another picture. By her side, Finn appeared bemused, and Baz, ready and eager for his daily walk, looked curiously at everyone, interested to see what was causing the delay.
‘I’m not sure what to tell you,’ Katie said. ‘Yes, Jack’s still in Intensive Care and we’re very worried about him.’ Jack was fighting the dangerous infection that was raging through his body, and when she’d checked up on him that morning, she had been told he was under sedation. ‘Actually,’ she told the reporter, ‘it was Baz who found him.’ She waved a hand towards the puppy, who by now was busily examining the cameraman’s feet.
The reporter smiled, sensing a new lead. ‘He’s a bit young to be trailing someone, isn’t he?’
‘Well, he’s a good learner. Finn trained him. He’s Finn’s dog.’
James was clearly interested in getting to know all he could about the rescue, and the parts Baz, Finn and Ross had played in it. He listened carefully and asked a lot of questions. ‘It’s been great talking to both of you,’ he said after a while. He glanced at his watch. ‘If I get this back to the office now, the story should be featured in the paper later this afternoon.’
Katie and Finn watched as the two men hurried away. ‘It looks as though fame has caught up with you at last, Finn,’ Katie said with a smile. ‘I expect there’ll be a picture of you and Baz on the front page.’
He laughed. ‘Maybe. We’ll see.’ He leaned down to stroke the puppy. ‘Come on, Baz. Heel, boy.’ Katie walked with them on her way to the local shop, and he added on a thoughtful note, ‘I’ll probably not get to see the paper till later, anyway. I’ll be going to the barbecue and fair at McAskie’s Bar. I think most folk from the village will be there, don’t you?’
‘More than likely.’
Everyone had been talking about the event, and her boss, Dave Haskins, was expecting her to be there. ‘It’ll be a great way of getting everyone interested in the new minor injuries unit,’ he’d said, ‘and you nee
d to be seen to be supporting Ross McGregor. The staff are concerned that you didn’t get the job, and they will be looking to you for your blessing on his endeavours. People will be expecting to see you there.’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ she’d said, with a sinking feeling in her stomach. Ross and Jessie would be at the event and she’d no idea how she would handle things. ‘I’ll be there.’
* * *
It was the middle of the afternoon when she set out for the pub, thankful that at least the weather was holding up for the event. The sky was clear and the sun spread a warm golden glow over everything.
The pub was a long, low, whitewashed building, made cheerful with hanging baskets filled with colourful blooms, and all the doors and windows were open to let in the fresh air. The building was bordered on one side by the glittering waters of a loch and all around there were fields, set amongst a backdrop of low hills, and, further away, rugged mountains whose tops were clothed in pale cloud.
People were already making the most of the early autumn afternoon, sitting at tables outside the country pub, where giant parasols shielded them from the hottest of the rays. A gas barbecue had been set up on the terrace and the appetising smell of chicken mingled with that of burgers and pork sausages. In the field beyond the car park stalls had been set up, offering produce for sale, fruit from gardens, home-made preserve, and handcrafted goods of all kinds.
Katie mingled with the crowd for a while, talking to friends and stallholders and making the occasional purchase. She spotted Josh among the crowd, and he came to join her later when she was standing by the waterside.
‘Have you seen anything of Ross?’ he asked. ‘I particularly wanted to talk to him.’
She shook her head. All the time she’d been walking around she’d been looking to catch a glimpse of him. ‘Someone said he went to sort out a problem with the gas canisters for the barbecue. Apparently, Jessie went with him.’
‘Hmm.’ His mouth twisted. ‘I heard they’d been together for most of the morning.’ He didn’t seem to be too happy about that.
Katie didn’t comment, not wanting to pass her own misgivings on to Josh, but instead she looked out over the loch while he went to buy drinks from the bar.
He came back a few minutes later with ice-cold lagers in tall glasses, and walking not far behind him were Jessie and Ross. Katie’s mouth went dry. How was she going to face either of them?
‘Hi, Katie.’ Ross came to join her, watching the wildfowl dart in and out of the reed beds, searching for food. ‘I’m glad you managed to get here.’
‘Hi.’ Katie tried her best to appear composed, when in fact she was nothing of the sort. ‘Did you manage to fix your problem with the gas canisters?’ He and Jessie seemed to be at ease with one another, though Jessie’s expression was a little strained, and she couldn’t help wondering what had gone on between them.
He nodded. ‘Yes, they’d both run out and there was a hitch when the chef tried to find new ones to replace them. Everything’s fine now, though. Jessie helped me to change them, so the panic’s over and the barbecue can go on.’
‘That’s good.’ Katie’s brows drew together. ‘Though everything looked perfectly under control to me—I’d no idea things had gone wrong behind the scenes.’
‘Well, hopefully that’s the worst of it. There have been so many last-minute hitches—Jessie’s been helping out all morning and we’ve hardly had a moment to ourselves, let alone a chance to stop and chat. I think we’ve earned the chance for things to go smoothly for a while.’
Ross bent down and picked up some sycamore wings that had fallen from a nearby tree, and began to deftly skim them through the air and out over the water. He appeared to be completely relaxed, though Katie was more confused than ever.
Jessie held out her hand to him and he passed a few seeds to her so that she, too, could send them into flight and watch them spin.
‘You must have been worried sick,’ Jessie said, glancing at Katie, ‘when you found you were stranded last night. I can’t imagine how I’d have managed if that happened to me.’
‘You’d have done the same as Katie and made your way to the bothy,’ Josh responded. ‘And, of course, I’d have gone along to keep you company.’ There was a glint in his eye. ‘I expect that place could tell a few tales if it could speak.’
Jessie’s brows lifted. ‘I don’t know what you’re imagining, Josh Kilburn, but you can censor it right now.’
Josh’s grin was wider than ever. ‘That’s easier said than done,’ he murmured, and she gave him a quizzical glance, before turning her attention to Ross.
‘I think it must have been awful for Jack, being away from home and in so much pain,’ she said. ‘It was lucky for him that you were there and had all your medical equipment to hand. You and Katie saved his life.’
‘I certainly hope so.’ Ross pulled a face. ‘I won’t be able to relax until I know he’s out of Intensive Care.’
‘I asked his parents to let me know how he’s doing,’ Katie said quietly. ‘Freya’s not been home since he was admitted to hospital, and Harry only came back for a few minutes this morning to collect some pyjamas and toiletries for him. I heard the grandparents are looking after their little girl while they’re spending time with Jack.’
Ross nodded, and glanced across the field to where Finn was walking Baz. There was a girl about his own age by his side, and Ross waved to both of them.
‘He looks happier than he has done in a while,’ Katie commented, waving along with him. ‘Perhaps he has a girlfriend to cheer him up.’
‘There is that—he met up with her on your father’s estate, apparently,’ Ross answered with a wry smile, ‘or it could be the article in the local paper that’s given him a boost. The landlord has a copy in the bar and it looks as though Finn and Baz are front-page news.’
‘Well, that should make your father feel a bit better towards him, surely?’ Katie finished off her lager and set her glass down on a table close by. ‘Perhaps you should show him a copy of the paper?’
‘There’s no need. They have it delivered.’ Ross grinned. ‘I’ve been telling my father he needs to give Finn the benefit of the doubt sometimes, that he’s a good lad. Maybe now he’ll believe me.’
‘You’ve been talking to him? That’s something new, isn’t it?’ Katie was surprised and pleased at the same time.
He nodded. ‘I took your advice and went to see him again. I knew what you said made sense.’ He shrugged. ‘It was difficult at first, as I knew it would be, but Stephanie was on my side and acted as go-between. Now that she’s feeling better in herself, she seems to be much more focussed, and she kept trying to tell him that he’ll drive Finn away if he doesn’t ease up a bit. Of course, he’s still worried about this business with the break-in. It’s been weighing on all our minds.’
‘I wanted to talk to you about that,’ Josh put in. ‘I had official confirmation this morning—they’re not going ahead with the prosecution. Not of Finn, anyway. They said there wasn’t any evidence against him. No fingerprints, nothing to show that he had been inside the perimeter of the building, or the building itself, whereas the other boys left fingerprints, shoeprints and other signs that they’d been there. Finn made the mistake of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.’
‘In more ways than one, when you consider the damage the dog did to his ear.’ Katie gave a sigh of relief, and Ross raised the palm of his hand and gave her a high five, exulting in the good news.
‘That’s a great result, Josh,’ he said. ‘Does Finn know?’
Josh nodded. ‘I phoned him about an hour ago, as soon as I heard. It was lucky I went into the office this morning to go through the mail or he wouldn’t have known till Monday.’
‘That’s brilliant.’ Ross’s gaze strayed to his brother once more. ‘No wonder he looks so hap
py. All his troubles are over.’
‘Except for the problem of the puppy,’ Jessie said with a frown. ‘He loves that dog to bits, but Baz is never really going to belong to him unless he can persuade your father to let him stay at the house with him.’
‘That’s true.’ Ross made a face. ‘I haven’t worked out how to get round that one just yet.’
On an impulse Katie ran a hand lightly down his arm. ‘I’m sure you’ll think of something.’ She felt a sudden need to touch him and show him that she would support him in any way she could.
He laughed. ‘You seem to have a lot of faith in me.’
‘I do.’ She gazed up into his eyes, loving his warm, responsive smile, but then she felt Jessie’s stare boring into her and she quickly looked away.
‘Why don’t you and I go and look at the home improvements stand?’ Josh interjected, placing a hand under Jessie’s elbow. ‘You said you were thinking of getting some new furniture for the extension you’re having built—from what I’ve seen, they’ve some great ideas here for furnishing conservatories. You might be able to pick up some ideas.’
Jessie frowned. ‘Oh, I thought I might stay here with Ross and Katie, and maybe get some lunch. We haven’t really had a chance to talk...’
‘We can get something to eat in a while. I’ll treat you to a medium-rare steak—that’s what you like, isn’t it?’
‘Well, yes, but—’
‘I can’t stay around anyway,’ Ross intervened. ‘I have to go and organise the raffle and make sure everything’s in order for the horse-riding sessions to start in around half an hour.’ He glanced at Katie. ‘I hoped you might like to come and help with that. The horses are on loan to us from your parents’ stables after all.’
Katie nodded, but Jessie said with a frown, ‘Don’t you want me to come along and help? They’re my parents too, you know.’
Ross gave her a thoughtful look. ‘I realise that, Jessie, but Katie and I work together and we need to present a unified front here for all the sponsors. Perhaps you and Josh could join us later to try the horse-riding? We’ve marked out a route through the country lanes and across fields. It should be fun.’
