Sarah Morgan Summer Collection

‘You were amazing, Logan.’ She bit her lip, desperately wanting to comfort but not knowing how. ‘You saved Kirsty and look how bonny she is.’

‘Yes.’

Evanna hesitated. ‘You should go out more, Logan. I’ll babysit for you so that you can have dinner or something.’

He lifted an eyebrow, a flicker of humour in his blue eyes. ‘With whom, exactly?’

‘I don’t know.’ Evanna blushed, wishing that she’d never brought the subject up. It was bad enough thinking of Logan with another woman, without actually putting a face and name to someone. ‘I just think you need to get out. Have a social life.’

He frowned. ‘I have a social life. I see Kyla and Ethan. Meg and the cousins. You. We’re always eating together and spending time on the beach.’

Her heart skipped. ‘I know that. I was talking about. romance.’

‘I’m not interested in romance.’ His gaze was steady. ‘Maybe I will be one day, but not at the moment.’

‘Then that’s fine. I’m not pushing you. I’m just saying that whenever you’re ready, I’ll help. I just want you to know that I’ll babysit.’ She decided that it was time to change the subject. ‘You’ve been great with Lucy. She tells me that she’s always ringing you in a panic about something and that you’re incredibly patient.’

‘She’s a new mother. It’s natural to worry. I keep meaning to pop in and see her but Ethan and I have just been too busy.’ His eyes lingered on her face for a moment. ‘How’s she getting on?’

‘Fine.’ Evanna nodded. ‘Sweet, actually. She’s so in love with that baby.’

‘Lucy is a nice girl. No problems, then?’

‘No. The feeding is going well, the baby is starting to sleep a bit longer and I’ve seen Lucy out and about, pushing her in the pram, several times this week.’

‘Good.’ Logan glanced at his watch and stood up. ‘Right, then. I’ll get on with my house calls. It’s Wednesday.’ He frowned as if he’d only just realised that fact. ‘Are you all right to look after Kirsty again this afternoon?’

‘Of course. It’s what we agreed. I hadn’t forgotten. Believe me, it’s a relief to escape from the banging and the blaring radio in my house. Why do builders always need the radio on full blast? I’ve eaten my way through two packets of paracetamol since they started and I’m sick of making bacon sandwiches for hungry men.’

Logan picked up his bag. ‘You spoil people, that’s your problem. Most builders are lucky to be given a dry biscuit.’

‘I suppose I always feel that they’ll do a better job if I’ve fed them properly,’ Evanna said gloomily. ‘I still can’t quite believe that this bathroom is going to look nice when it’s finished. There’s dust everywhere and the walls are full of holes.’

‘Craig is a reliable guy. And if he messes up your bathroom, I won’t sign his repeat prescriptions.’ Logan walked towards the door and then turned. ‘By the way, the cleaner cancelled this morning so my house is going to be a complete mess, but just ignore it. Hopefully she’ll be able to make it tomorrow. Anyway, by the time Kirsty has finished throwing her toys around, you’d never know a cleaner had been near the place. It always strikes me as a complete waste of money.’

‘Spoken like a true man. I’ve bought a couple of new books for her. I thought I’d take her down to the beach for a picnic tea once it gets a bit cooler.’

‘Good idea. If I finish my surgery early enough, I might join you down there.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I’d better dash. Thanks, Evanna.’

‘You’re welcome.’

She watched him go and then lifted a hand to her ponytail. It was a good job he didn’t notice her as a woman, she thought wryly, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. She hadn’t been able to wash her hair for two days because Craig had turned the water off and now there was some problem with the plumbing that wasn’t likely to be fixed for at least another day.

She was desperate for a shower or a bath but Kyla had a houseful of guests so she hadn’t liked to ask.

And then a thought occurred to her.

What was stopping her having a shower at Logan’s? She had a change of clothes in her bag ready for the afternoon, and Kirsty would be perfectly happy to play in the bathroom for five minutes while she washed her hair and scrubbed off all the dust and dirt that seemed to have stuck itself to her during the bathroom renovation.

She walked through the door that connected the surgery to Logan’s house and smiled at Meg. ‘My shift.’

‘I don’t know how you manage her,’ Meg said wearily, handing over a wriggling Kirsty. ‘All I do is spend the morning pulling her away from danger. I had all sorts of plans for cleaning and ironing and I’ve done nothing except wrestle with her. And as for feeding her—I’d swear that girl doesn’t know where her mouth is. I had to change her twice during breakfast. There was porridge on the walls and the ceilings.’

‘Have you been a handful?’ Evanna kissed Kirsty’s cheek and popped her down on the floor. ‘Don’t worry about the house, Meg. She’ll probably have a nap in a minute. I’ll try and catch up on a few things while she sleeps.’

‘Don’t you go doing Logan’s cleaning.’ Meg frowned her disapproval as she gathered her things together. ‘It’s good of you to look after Kirsty, without sorting out his mess.’

‘I’m happy to help, Meg,’ Evanna said softly, smiling at Kirsty who giggled and clapped her hands. ‘I know it isn’t very fashionable to admit it, but I love cleaning and keeping house.’ Only she didn’t have anyone to do it for, except herself.

‘Well, if Kirsty lets you so much as lift a teatowel, it will be a miracle. I need to dash because apparently the cafе is heaving with tourists.’ Meg leaned towards Kirsty and waved a finger. ‘Now, you be a good girl!’

Kirsty beamed and waved. ‘Byee-ee.’

‘Oh!’ Evanna gasped with delight. ‘I didn’t know she’d learned that!’

‘Now, don’t you go being soppy about her—she’s a cheeky monkey. And she knows exactly how to get round you.’ Meg slipped her bag onto her shoulder and made for the door. ‘Have a good afternoon. Pop in for an ice cream if you feel like it. I’ll make her one of my specials.’

Evanna waited for the door to close behind her and then settled down on the floor next to Kirsty, who was rubbing her eyes. ‘You’ve had a busy morning. Are you tired, pickle? Where’s your blanket?’ She looked around for the little pink blanket that Kirsty always slept with and spotted it lying over the back of a chair. ‘Let’s take you up to bed and see if you feel like a nap.’

She changed Kirsty’s nappy, gave her a drink of milk and then settled her in the cot with her blanket. Immediately Kirsty’s eyes drifted shut.

‘Creating trouble for Meg obviously wore you out,’ Evanna murmured with amusement, creeping out of the room and leaving the door open a crack.

She glanced longingly at the bathroom but then decided she may as well tidy the house before she finally had the wash she’d been fantasising about for hours.

For the next hour she worked like a demon. She neatly stacked all Logan’s medical journals, she scooped clothes from the floor and put them in the washing machine, she tidied and scrubbed the kitchen until all the surfaces were gleaming, she mopped the floor, ran the dishwasher and emptied all the bins.

Then she threw open all the doors and windows to air the place. Logan’s house was lovely, she reflected as she plumped the cushions on his soft, comfortable sofa. So airy and light. It was a little further from the beach than hers, but she loved the space and all the windows and she adored his garden. As well as the weeping willow there were four huge apple trees that provided plenty of dappled shade. A large white hammock was strung between two of the trees and a children’s book and several toys were lying abandoned on the grass. Logan had obviously been out there with Kirsty. Evanna looked at the hammock longingly. Later, she promised herself. Maybe she and Kirsty would curl up in the hammock to read books.

She chopped vegetables ready to add to the casserole that she planned to make later and then looked at the clock. Kirsty had been asleep for an hour and a half.

Feeling horribly hot and sticky after her efforts on the house, Evanna dragged her forearm over her forehead and decided to check on the child.

She crept upstairs and peeped around the door but the little girl was still fast asleep, the tip of her thumb in her mouth.

Evanna closed the door again and decided that she just about had time for a quick shower before the toddler woke up. Then she’d make the casserole for supper. She could give it to Kirsty for tea and Logan would be able to eat the remains when he finished work.

She walked into the bathroom that she’d cleaned earlier. Oh, the bliss of not having to pick her way through rubble! Swiftly she stripped off her clothes and stepped under Logan’s state-of-the-art power shower. Five minutes. That was all it would take. And, by then, Kirsty should be ready to wake up.

Logan opened the front door and walked into his house. Bracing himself for the usual noise and activity, he was surprised to find the house silent. Then he remembered Evanna mentioning that she might take Kirsty to the beach.

The morning post was neatly stacked on the hall table and he could see at a glance that both the kitchen and the living room were immaculate. Meg had already called him to apologise for the fact that she hadn’t managed to touch any of the housework, thanks to the demands of his daughter, so he knew that only one person could be responsible for the sudden transformation of his house.

Evanna.

She must have cleaned for him. She was a born nurturer, he thought as he noticed the polished kitchen floor and the vegetables chopped ready for a casserole. Always caring for people whether she was on or off duty. Feeling a twist of guilt, he ignored the post and walked upstairs towards his bedroom. He’d just find the textbook he needed, make himself a cup of tea and then get back to the surgery and tackle the mountain of paperwork that awaited him.

As he reached the top of the stairs, the bathroom door opened and Evanna walked out.