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‘No! You can’t do it, you have that—thing—you know…’ she waved a hand vaguely ‘…to fix for me. It needs doing—urgently.’
‘Thing?’ Logan looked confused, and Ryan gave a halfsmile and strolled to the door, scooping up his jacket on the way. If Evanna had hoped for help in her matchmaking attempts then she was going to be disappointed.
‘I don’t need a lift,’ Jenna said quickly. ‘I brought my bike. I’ll cycle.’
She was keeping her distance, just as he was. Which suited him.
Unfortunately it didn’t suit Evanna.
‘You can’t cycle! It’s late. You could be mugged, or you might fall into a ditch.’
‘It isn’t that late, and if I don’t cycle I won’t be able to get to work tomorrow. My bike won’t fit into Ryan’s car.’ Ever practical, Jenna s
tood up. ‘I hadn’t realised how late it was. Supper was delicious, Evanna. Are you sure I can’t wash up?’
‘No—the dishwasher does that bit…’ Evanna looked crestfallen, but Jenna appeared not to notice as she dropped to her knees to hand a toy to Charlie, the couple’s two-year-old son.
Catching the wistful look on her face, Ryan felt something tug inside him. He found her kindness as appealing as the length of her legs and the curve of her lips.
As she walked past him to the door he caught her eye and she blushed slightly, said another thank-you to Evanna and Logan and walked out of the house, leaving the scent of her hair trailing over his senses.
By the time Ryan had said his farewells and followed her out of the house Jenna was fiddling with her bike, head down. Something about the conversation had upset her, he knew that. He also knew that if he delved into the reason he’d probably upset her more. He strolled across to her, his feet crunching on the gravel. ‘Are you sure you don’t want a lift home?’
‘Positive. I’ll be fine, but thanks.’ She hooked her bag over the handlebars and Ryan noticed that her movements were always graceful, fluid. Like a dancer.
‘Mrs Parker was singing your praises this week.’
‘That’s good to hear.’ Smiling, she pushed a cycle helmet onto her head and settled onto the bike. ‘Under that fierce exterior she’s a sweet lady. Interesting past. Did you know she drove an ambulance during the war?’
‘No. Did she tell you that during one of your afternoon tea sessions?’
‘She told you about that?’ Jenna fastened the chin strap. ‘I call in sometimes, on my way home. I pass her front door.’
And he had a feeling she would have called in even if it hadn’t been on her way home. The fact that she had time for everyone hadn’t gone unnoticed among the islanders. ‘Her leg is looking better than it has for ages. I suspect it’s because you’re nagging her to wear her stockings.’
‘It isn’t easy when the weather is warm. She needs a little encouragement.’
‘So you’ve been stopping by several times a week, encouraging her?’
‘I like her.’
They were making conversation, but he knew she was as aware of him as he was of her.
Looking at her rose-pink mouth, he wondered if she’d had a relationship since her husband.
‘Evanna upset you this evening.’
Her gaze flew to his. Guarded. ‘Not at all. I was a little tired, that’s all. Rebel sometimes wakes me up at night, walking round the kitchen. I’m a light sleeper.’
Ryan didn’t push it. ‘I walk on the beach most mornings. If you want help with the dog-training, you could join me.’
‘I’ll remember that. Thanks.’ She dipped her head so that her face was in shadow, her expression unreadable. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Ryan.’
He was a breath away from stopping her. A heartbeat away from doing something about the chemistry they were both so carefully ignoring.
What would she do if he knocked her off her bike and tumbled her into the heather that bordered Evanna’s garden?
‘Goodnight.’ He spoke the word firmly and then watched as she cycled away, the bike wobbling slightly as she found her balance.
