Single Father, Wife Needed

by Sarah Morgan

  ‘I suppose so. I doubt the air ambulance would have made it quickly enough to deliver the adrenaline. That’s why I decided that it was safer to take her to the surgery.’ Logan threw the empty water bottle into the recycling bin. ‘I’ll talk to the warden about looking at the path. If they have a nest there, we should try and move it. We don’t want a repeat of that, even though it was probably a one in a million chance. Is there anything to eat? I’m starving.’

  ‘I made a chicken salad for your tea, but you could eat it now if you like.’ Still with Kirsty on her hip, she walked to the fridge and pulled out a large white dish. ‘I probably made too much but I thought you might be starving, having missed breakfast and lunch.’

  ‘I am starving.’ He looked at the dish and his mouth started to water. ‘Is that your amazing chicken with the honey and lemon marinade?’

  ‘That’s the one.’

  ‘My favourite. Have I ever told you that you’re a genius in the kitchen, Evanna Duncan?’

  A strange expression flickered across her face. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Have you eaten?’

  Evanna put Kirsty down on the floor. ‘I should be going home. I still need to clear out my bathroom for Craig.’

  Why was it, Logan mused, that he always had the feeling she was trying to escape from him? ‘Share the salad with me.’

  She hesitated and then gave a gasp of horror as she saw Kirsty crawling towards the white cupboards. ‘No, angel. Not until I’ve washed your hands.’ Smiling, she scooped the toddler into her arms and held her hands under running water, which turned blue and yellow as the splodges of paint faded and then disappeared. ‘There. That’s better. Now you’re safe to have around. Just sit there a moment while I finish clearing up all the mess.’

  She popped Kirsty on her bottom on the floor, carefully placed the paintings on the kitchen table to dry and swiftly gathered up the newspaper and disposed of it. Then she turned. ‘Oh!’

  Something in her voice made Logan look and he saw that Kirsty was up on her feet. While they both watched, she took a faltering step and then sank back onto her bottom with a satisfied grin.

  ‘She walked!’ Evanna clapped her hands with delight. ‘Logan, she walked! You are a clever girl, Kirsty MacNeil. Let’s see if she’ll do it again.’ She sank onto her knees and held out her hands. ‘Walk to Evanna. Come on, Kirsty. Up you get!’

  Kirsty scrambled to her feet again, swayed perilously and then took two steps before plopping back onto her bottom with a beaming smile.

  ‘She’s so pleased with herself!’ Evanna grinned and scooped the child into her arms. ‘Clever girl.’

  ‘There’ll be no peace for any of us now,’ Logan predicted, captivated by the look of delight on Evanna’s face. She was such a generous friend, he thought to himself as he picked up the salad and two plates. It was her day off and yet she’d willingly sacrificed it to look after his child.

  And now she was eyeing the salad and the plates. ‘I really ought to get home.’

  ‘Not until you’ve eaten. Having given up your entire day for me, the least I can do is feed you, especially as you prepared the food.’

  ‘You’re the one who gave up your day, Logan,’ she said quietly, opening a drawer and pulling out cutlery. ‘I’ve been playing here with Kirsty. Hardly arduous. You’ve been working.’

  ‘You have to join us, that’s an order.’ He winked at her and then watched, intrigued, as colour seeped into her cheeks. Why was she blushing?

  ‘All right. You take the food out, I’ll bring the drinks.’

  They sat in the garden at the wooden table and Evanna held Kirsty on her lap and gave her breadsticks and chicken to eat. ‘She’s such a good eater. She loves my chicken.’

  ‘We all love your chicken. That was the other thing about Amy.’ Logan forked more salad onto his plate. ‘She had a very limited repertoire in the kitchen. All she could cook was fish fingers.’

  They ate in silence for a while and then Kirsty started to become fractious.

  ‘She needs an early night,’ Evanna murmured. ‘I tried to put her down for a nap earlier but she was too wound up to sleep. She’s tired.’

  ‘You look tired, too.’ Logan studied her face, noticing that her cheeks were paler than usual. ‘Is something wrong? Did you have a bad night or something?’

  ‘I’m fine.’ She fussed around Kirsty and Logan suddenly had a strong suspicion that she was avoiding eye contact.

  ‘Are you feeling ill? Because if you are then I can—’

  ‘I’m not feeling ill, Logan. I’m fine. Really.’ She stood up quickly, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes and giving him a quick smile. ‘If you’re all right with Kirsty, I really ought to be going.’

  He’d never known her so jumpy. ‘Evanna.’ He kept his voice gentle. ‘We’re friends, aren’t we? If there’s something that you need to talk about, I hope you know that I’ll always listen. You listen to my problems often enough. I hope you know that I’m here for you, too. This isn’t a one-sided relationship.’

  ‘I don’t have a problem. There’s nothing I want to talk about.’ She handed him Kirsty and picked up her little rucksack. ‘I’m going to make a move because I need to clear out the bathroom before Craig comes tomorrow.’

  Why was she in such a hurry to leave? ‘I’ll give you a lift home.’

  ‘You don’t need to do that, I can walk. The exercise will be good for me. I was out for a run this morning when we met that couple so I didn’t exactly finish my session.’

  Was she ill?

  Was she worried about something?

  Seriously concerned, Logan would have pursued the topic but Kirsty was wriggling in his arms and he lifted her and decided to have a word with Kyla. She was Evanna’s best friend. If something were wrong, Kyla would know. ‘So you’re happy to look after her on Wednesday afternoon?’

  ‘Of course. It will be a relief to escape from all the mess and banging that will be going on at my house.’ Evanna walked across the garden towards the gate. ‘See you in surgery, Logan.’

  She couldn’t even behave normally around him any more, Evanna thought helplessly as she lengthened her stride and ran the distance back to her house.

  All her life she’d felt more comfortable with Logan than any other person, but suddenly she felt awkward and uncomfortable in his company. It was becoming harder and harder to hide her feelings and obviously she wasn’t succeeding any longer. He’d guessed that something was wrong. And that was typical of Logan, because he was extremely intuitive when it came to people.

  Had he guessed how she felt about him?

  No, of course he hadn’t. Not yet.

  But if she wasn’t careful then he would, and then everything would change. She’d be mortified, he’d feel sorry for her—it would be completely hideous.

  She shouldn’t have stayed to eat with them. The moment he’d walked through the door she should have handed Kirsty to him and left. Playing house and getting cosy wasn’t going to help her rehabilitation one bit. She’d never wean herself off Logan if she carried on spending this much time with him.

  On Wednesday, things were going to be different, she promised herself as she let herself into her cottage. She’d stay with Kirsty until he arrived home and then she’d leave. No cosy chats. No supper in the garden.

  Dropping her keys on the kitchen table, she went straight up to the bathroom for a shower.

  She’d promised herself that she was going to build a life without Logan and that was what she was going to do.

  CHAPTER SIX

  ‘CAN you sign this prescription for me? I’ve changed Ann Carne’s inhaler. I think she’d be better controlled on this.’ Kyla stuck a prescription in front of her brother. ‘I gather you had a busy Sunday.’

  ‘Yes.’ Logan signed with a flourish. ‘Snake bite.’

  ‘Good job Evanna was there to help.’ Kyla took the prescription from him, her movements brisk and efficient. ‘Would have been hard handling that
on your own.’

  ‘Yes. She was brilliant, as always. And then she took Kirsty for me while I went to the hospital.’ Logan tucked his pen back in his pocket and looked at his sister. ‘I wanted to ask you about her. Is she all right?’

  ‘Why ask me? Why not ask her?’

  ‘I did. I got the distinct impression that she was hiding something.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Suddenly exasperated, Logan kept his eyes on his sister’s face. ‘Yesterday she looked pale. Tired. And she left the barbecue early. I just have a feeling that something is not right. She seems different. Jumpy.’

  Kyla’s gaze was direct. ‘Well, you’re the genius with women. I’m sure you’ll figure out what’s wrong.’

  ‘That’s why I’m asking you,’ Logan said patiently. ‘I thought you’d probably know. She’s your best friend after all.’

  ‘And best friends don’t betray confidences.’

  So there was something wrong. Logan sat back in his chair, genuinely concerned. ‘If you know something, tell me. You have a duty to the practice to inform me of anything that affects my staff.’

  ‘Your staff?’ Kyla gave him a look of ill-disguised impatience. ‘For goodness’ sake, Logan, don’t be so high and mighty! And try thinking about something other than work for five minutes, will you?’

  He felt his shoulders tense. ‘I’m not in the mood for a row, I just care about Evanna.’

  ‘Do you?’ Kyla looked at him, her gaze disturbingly direct. ‘Really?’

  Logan felt his own temper rise. ‘Well, what sort of a question is that? Of course I care about her. Evanna has lived on this island all her life. She’s a fantastic nurse and a really good friend. Frankly, I’m surprised you’re not more worried about her yourself.’

  ‘I’m worried,’ Kyla said flatly. ‘I’m very worried.’

  ‘So you do know something.’ Logan leaned forward, his voice a low growl. ‘Tell me what’s going on.’

  ‘I dare say if Evanna has something she wants you to know, she’ll tell you in good time. Thanks for the prescription.’ Kyla walked towards the door and Logan stood up, his expression grim.

  ‘Don’t you dare say something like that and then leave the room.’

  Kyla paused with her hand on the doorhandle. ‘There’s nothing I can tell you, Logan.’

  The week flew by and by Wednesday afternoon Evanna was ready for a rest.

  ‘I can’t believe he’s asked you to look after Kirsty,’ Kyla grumbled as they exchanged notes after a busy clinic. ‘What a nerve.’

  ‘It isn’t a nerve,’ Evanna said calmly, dropping a soiled dressing into the correct bin. ‘He needs someone that she’s comfortable with. And, frankly, looking after Kirsty will be a pleasant change from looking after the rest of the population of this island. My feet are killing me and if I have to look at another case of sunburn I’m going to scream. It’s the middle of August and it’s blazing hot! Why don’t people use sun block?’

  ‘Because they’re stupid,’ Kyla said cheerfully. ‘I’ve told Nick Hillier to arrest anyone who isn’t wearing at least a factor twenty-five and lock them up until the sun goes down. And stop changing the subject. You’re letting my brother take advantage of you.’

  Evanna washed her hands and dried them. ‘That’s not true,’ she said quietly, turning to face her friend. ‘Logan and I have been friends for as long as you and I. He needs help and that’s what friends are for. And anyway, if you saw the state of my house at the moment you’d understand why I’m only too happy to spend that afternoon at someone else’s place.’

  ‘You’re too generous.’

  ‘It isn’t Logan’s fault that I feel the way I do about him.’

  ‘He asked me what was wrong with you.’

  ‘Really?’ Evanna stopped what she was doing. ‘And what did you say?’

  ‘Relax, I didn’t tell him the truth, if that’s what’s worrying you, although I was very tempted. I told him that he should work it out himself. But obviously we’re not going to hold our breath on that one because you’ve been in love with him for twenty-six years and he hasn’t worked it out yet.’ Kyla suppressed a yawn and made for the door. ‘I’m still thinking about plan C.’

  ‘What’s plan C?’

  ‘Hitting him over the head with an extremely hard object. I thought it might bring him to his senses.’

  Evanna managed a smile. ‘I’m relieved he doesn’t know. Can you imagine how awkward it would be if he found out how I felt?’ She gave a shudder and Kyla looked at her thoughtfully.

  ‘Maybe it would just be a relief.’

  ‘I don’t think public rejection could ever be a relief,’ Evanna said flatly. ‘It’s bad enough loving him, without him knowing. At least spare me that.’

  ‘But if he knew, maybe he’d—’

  ‘Don’t.’ Evanna interrupted her with a lift of her hand. ‘Just don’t even go there! You can’t change a man’s feelings. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  She let herself through the door that connected with Logan’s house and relieved Meg, who had been looking after Kirsty all morning.

  The weather was stifling and Kirsty hot and short tempered and they spent the afternoon playing and reading books under the shade of the weeping willow.

  Once Logan arrived home, Evanna made for the door, ruthlessly squashing the temptation to linger and chat. And be with him.

  ‘Craig is tearing my bathroom to pieces so I need to go and scowl at him just to be sure he doesn’t get too carried away. Looking at the mess at the moment, I can’t believe it’s ever going to look even half-decent.’

  She arrived home to find her cottage in chaos. The front door was open and half her old bathroom was lying in the front garden.

  ‘Remind me never to contemplate having anything more adventurous than the bathroom done.’ She picked her way through a pile of dust and rubble. ‘Craig, tell me that this is going to look good when you’ve finished. Please, tell me that.’

  He pushed his hair out of his eyes with a grubby hand and grinned. ‘It’s going to be stunning. The taps arrived today. They’re great. You’ve got good taste, Nurse Duncan.’

  Evanna sighed and tried not to look at the mess. ‘So how long am I going to be without a bath?’

  ‘A few days. I hear the helicopter was out twice on Sunday.’

  ‘Yes.’ Evanna tried not to look at the mess. ‘Typical August, really.’

  ‘And you’ve been helping Dr MacNeil with the little one.’ Craig rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand. ‘The man needs a wife. I dare say he’ll meet someone else soon enough.’

  Was it her imagination or was he giving her a funny look? ‘Very possibly, but in the meantime he’s managing perfectly well on his own.’ Evanna remembered what Logan had said about everyone telling him he’d meet someone else. ‘He’s doing fine.’

  ‘Still—nice of you to help him.’

  ‘I’ve known Logan since I was born,’ Evanna said evenly. ‘He’s one of my closest friends.’

  ‘Of course he is. And you and Kyla have been thick as thieves since you were both in nappies.’ Craig stared out across her garden. ‘Sometimes you don’t notice something when it’s been in your face all your life.’

  Was it that obvious to everyone? ‘Craig—’

  ‘He’s single. You’re single. Seems perfect to me.’

  Evanna stared at him with a mixture of exasperation and embarrassment. Was everyone thinking the same as Craig? ‘Anna Brice is single, too, Craig,’ she said in a tart voice. ‘Why not just pair her up with him.’

  ‘Possibly because she’s eighty-six on her next birthday.’ Craig scratched his arm. ‘It isn’t just because you’re both single that I think you’d be good together. You’re friends. Everyone can see that.’

  ‘Marriage is about far more than just friendship,’ Evanna said briskly, and Craig gave a nod.

  ‘Perhaps. But it’s a good start.’

  Evanna thought of th
e passion that Kyla and Ethan shared. She thought of the looks they exchanged and the way that they touched all the time. It was as if they couldn’t be near each other and not be joined.

  She wouldn’t settle for less.

  ‘I need to get on, Craig.’

  ‘Of course you do, what with a busy morning in the surgery and a busy afternoon at Dr MacNeil’s. I’ll just finish up here and get out of your way.’ He beamed at her. ‘Is seven too early to start tomorrow? I like to get the heavy stuff done before the sun comes up.’

  ‘Seven is fine. Thanks, Craig.’

  One of the problems of living in a small community, Evanna reflected as she stepped over the rubble and walked into her kitchen, was that everyone was far too interested in everyone else.

  She just hoped that no one said the same thing to Logan.

  The next week passed in a blur as the surgery handled an unprecedented number of tourists.

  ‘I feel as though I’m running an A and E department,’ Logan grumbled as he and Evanna cleared up after stitching yet another child who had slipped on the rocks. ‘That was a nasty cut.’

  ‘He was rock-pooling and he should have been wearing shoes and not flip-flops. I suppose he just didn’t have any grip, which was why he slipped.’ Evanna dropped the stitch cutter into the sharps box. She’d been making a supreme effort to behave naturally with Logan and it seemed to be working. At least he’d stopped asking her if anything was wrong.

  ‘People leave their brains behind when they’re on holiday. I heard from the hospital today about Alison Winchester. They kept her in for a night and then followed her up before she went back down to London. She was still suffering aches and pains but no other effects that they can see. They’ve written to her GP.’

  ‘That will be a first for him. I bet a GP in London would know even less about an adder bite than I did.’ Evanna walked across the room and washed her hands. ‘Did they manage to find the snake, by the way?’

  ‘Funnily enough, yes. The park ranger rang me last week. They’ve relocated the family.’

  ‘Mr and Mrs Adder.’ Evanna laughed, yanking paper towels out of the holder. ‘Somewhere homely with a nice view, I hope. Hot and cold running water.’