‘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