A Doctor Worth Waiting For

by Margaret McDonagh

  ‘Last Monday,’ Conor confirmed, getting his wrist slapped as he tried to help himself to a roast potato. Kate hid a smile as he winked at her. ‘We went walking.’

  ‘How is he?’

  ‘Low. The whole marriage and pregnancy thing has hit him hard on top of everything else.’ A disapproving frown darkened his face and Kate wondered what the story was with his friend, deflated by further evidence of Conor’s antipathy to lasting relationships and families.

  Nic returned, having changed into jeans and jumper. ‘Is Kyle coming to the charity dinner?’

  ‘I doubt it,’ Conor replied. ‘I don’t think he’s ready for anything like that. You’re both going, right?’

  Hannah nodded and smiled at her. ‘Are you coming, Kate?’

  ‘I don’t know anything about it,’ she admitted, feeling uncomfortable.

  ‘Of course she is,’ Conor protested.

  Kate glared at him. ‘I don’t think so.’

  ‘She will.’

  ‘Conor—’

  ‘Why not come and see the rest of the menagerie while we wait for lunch to be ready?’ Hannah suggested, and Kate was grateful for the change of subject.

  ‘We’ve had to separate them. The puppy is in the dining room—he and Wallace don’t get on. Sparky, Hoppity and Wally are in the living room.’

  Hannah opened the door to be greeted by an enthusiastic Border terrier and Kate looked around the spacious room, seeing an elegant ginger cat curled up on a cushion on the settee enjoying the sunshine that streamed through the window.

  ‘This is Wallace,’ Nic said, stroking the ginger cat who began purring like a road drill. Smiling, Nic moved across and picked up a small black and white cat which, to her surprise, was wearing a colourful jumper. Amused at her reaction, Nic cradled the little cat in his arms as he continued. ‘Meet Sparky. He was badly burned but is healing well. He is the proud owner of many woolly jumpers knitted for him by the local Women’s Rural! He must wear them until his skin settles and his hair begins to grow back.’

  As Hannah dropped to the floor to cuddle the energetic little dog, Kate turned to watch, listening as the story of how the sandy-haired terrier had come to them was recounted.

  ‘Hoppity had a horrible time with her injuries,’ Hannah began, gently stroking the dog’s rough coat as it climbed into her lap. ‘Nic found her quite by chance. She’d been caught fast in some fencing wire and several times we were scared she might die. She had to have her leg amputated, but it’s never slowed her down or stopped her doing anything.’ Hannah smiled but Kate felt familiar panic overwhelming her. ‘You’d never know, would you? She’s amazing.’

  Listening to the story of the brave little dog’s struggle for survival, Conor glanced at Kate, frowning as he found her staring into space, her face pale. Exchanging a puzzled glance with Hannah and Nic, he moved across to her.

  ‘You OK?’ he murmured, grateful that his friends continued to fuss over the animals and chat as if nothing unusual was happening.

  Kate, however, didn’t respond. She appeared to be in some kind of trance and he took her hand, finding it shaking and cold. Concerned, he gently squeezed her fingers. ‘Kate?’

  She blinked, slowly focusing on him, the trauma and hurt in her eyes making him want to take her in his arms and make everything better.

  ‘What’s wrong, sweetheart?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  That cool, stiff voice again. ‘Kate—’

  ‘I’m fine.’ She snatched her hand free and crouched down beside Hannah to make a fuss of Hoppity.

  He didn’t believe her for a second but under the circumstances, with Nic and Hannah looking on, there was little he could do about it at the moment. What had happened? Worried, he thought back over the conversation but nothing struck him as unusual or likely to have upset Kate to that extent. It was clearly nothing to do with being scared of the dog because she was now taking the wriggling body from Hannah and cuddling it against her. The first genuine smile he had seen from her curved her mouth as Hoppity nuzzled inside the long pale blue cardigan she had pulled on over her shirt and jeans and began licking her face, the stubby tail wagging furiously. He shoved his hands in his pockets, cursing himself as all kinds of fool for being jealous of a dog, for goodness’ sake! And the smile did crazy things to his insides. He’d waited all week for it and only wished she would look at him like that.

  When Hannah and Kate rose to their feet and moved out of the room to go and inspect the puppy they had come to collect for Charlie, Nic gave Sparky a final cuddle and set him back on the floor to play with a toy.

  ‘What was that about with Kate?’ he asked with concern.

  ‘I have no idea.’

  ‘She reminds me a little of Hannah when I first met her.’

  Interested, Conor glanced at Nic. ‘In what way?’

  ‘She is sad inside.’

  ‘I know.’

  Nic moved to the settee and made a fuss of Wallace. ‘I do not forget you, little man. Come, Conor, we go and see your puppy, yes?’ he suggested, leading the way out of the room and closing the door. ‘So what is Kate’s story?’

  ‘That I don’t know—yet.’ They paused in the dining-room doorway and his gaze settled on Kate where she fussed over a young tri-colour Border collie. ‘But I intend to find out.’

  Nic’s smile was amused. ‘That is the way of it?’

  ‘It is,’ Conor admitted ruefully. ‘Not that I’m getting very far. But I knew the second I first saw her. I shook her hand and it was like being plugged into the national grid.’

  ‘For me also.’ Nic’s dark eyes filled with love as he looked at his wife. ‘It just took us a while to get there.’

  ‘Kate’s worth waiting for. I’m just not sure what to do, how things will work out.’

  ‘Mmm!’

  He glanced at Nic and caught his grin. ‘What’s funny?’

  ‘The mysterious way these things work. Usually you are fighting women off with a stick.’

  ‘It’s not like that,’ Conor protested with an embarrassed laugh. ‘You make me sound like some kind of gigolo!’

  Nic’s expression sobered. ‘Not at all, my friend. They may chase you but I know you never encourage them and seldom follow up on the attention. But now, how do you say, the boot is on the other foot? For the first time you have to do the chasing, no?’ he teased in his lilting, accented voice.

  ‘Nic, could you bear to go and check on the chicken while I tell them about puppy?’ Hannah called, turning to smile at them and bringing their quiet talk to an end.

  ‘Of course, cara.’ Nic turned and rested a hand on Conor’s shoulder. ‘If it is meant to be, so it will be.’

  Nic left on his errand and Conor moved further into the room, eager not to be too far from Kate, doubt and uncertainty remaining despite his friend’s advice.

  ‘We’d keep him ourselves,’ Hannah was explaining and he tried to set his thoughts aside and concentrate on the puppy. ‘But aside from the fact that Wally hates him for some reason, working the hours we do and with the new orphan kittens we just don’t have the time needed to devote to another dog. And he’ll need much more attention than little Hoppity.’

  ‘What happened to him?’ Conor asked, as Kate knelt beside the shy young dog. He noticed how calm and gentle she was, taking care not to touch the healing wounds on the thin, gangly body.

  Hannah grimaced and looked up at him. ‘Believe me, you really don’t want to know.’

  ‘That bad?’

  ‘Worse. I’ve never seen Nic so angry.’ Hannah shook her head. ‘The puppy was a horrible mess when we first brought him home, Conor, but he has plenty of spirit and a strong will to live. He’s been under the care of Alistair Brown, the vet in Rigtownbrae. Alistair is happy for the puppy to go home now as it’s just a matter of healing. And time. And plenty of tender loving care.’

  ‘I think he’s going to give Charlie a whole new purpose in life,’ Conor commented, wishing his job allowed him
to keep the dog himself. ‘Is he still on medication?’

  ‘Yes, but he’s good to go. I’ve written everything out. Is Charlie going to be able to take him back to Alistair for a checkup in a couple of weeks before transferring to your local vet?’

  ‘I’ll take them both myself if necessary,’ Conor promised.

  ‘And if it doesn’t work with Charlie?’ Hannah worried. ‘What will happen to the puppy then?’

  ‘I’ll let you know every step of the way what happens. I have a plan B, but if it turns out Charlie doesn’t come round then I can always bring the puppy back to you if that’s what you choose.’

  Hannah nodded, her eyes misting. ‘I purposely didn’t name him because I knew he couldn’t stay, but I’m going to miss the little chap.’

  ‘Come and visit. You and Nic haven’t been over in a while. We’d love to see you.’

  ‘That would be good.’ Hannah brightened. ‘We’ll organise something. Are you going to cook?’

  Conor smiled. ‘If you’re nice to me.’

  ‘Your fish pie?’

  ‘If that’s what you want!’

  ‘Has Conor cooked for you yet?’ Hannah asked Kate, and he watched as Kate shook her head, concentrating on the dog.

  ‘I’m just here to work.’

  ‘You have to eat!’ Hannah exclaimed, brushing the protest aside and glancing up at him with a querying frown. ‘And you haven’t lived if you haven’t tasted Conor’s food.’

  Kate looked up then and he smiled at her surprise. Clearly, being able to cook was something else that didn’t fit with the distorted image she had of him, along with cuddling babies and rehoming animals. ‘I’ll be pleased to display my culinary skills any time, Kate.’

  Kate kept her eyes averted, not wanting to think about Conor’s skills, culinary or otherwise. It was far too dangerous. She was relieved when Nic called them from the kitchen and Conor sauntered off ahead to join him.

  ‘Conor’s great, isn’t he?’ Hannah smiled, casting her a inquisitive glance.

  ‘I don’t really know him.’ Flustered, Kate focused on the puppy. ‘He’s a good doctor.’

  ‘That’s for sure. The best.’

  Her own curiosity getting the better of her, Kate risked some probing of her own. ‘Did the two of you date or something?’

  ‘Goodness, no! Whatever gave you that idea?’

  ‘You just seem…close,’ she murmured, embarrassed and wishing she hadn’t asked.

  Hannah sat back on her heels, her expression sobering. ‘I didn’t date anyone. I wouldn’t even have been able to hug Conor a year or two ago,’ she told her, and Kate listened in growing horror as the other woman gave her a brief account of what had happened to her at medical school.

  ‘That’s appalling, Hannah.’

  ‘It seems another life away now.

  Thanks to Nic.’ A loving, satisfied smile curved her mouth and her green eyes twinkled. ‘I was so scared and I put up a fight but he won me round in the end. Thank goodness!’ Hannah paused a moment as she settled the puppy back in his large open pen full of toys then turned to smile at her. ‘Conor’s very like Nic that way.’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘The need to care for anyone or anything they see hurting.’ Hannah’s words were direct as they both rose to their feet. ‘Take it from one who knows, Kate. Don’t run too hard: it is so worth being caught. I never imagined I could be this happy, this whole.’

  Kate looked away from the other woman’s understanding smile, feeling uncomfortable as they walked back to the kitchen. She couldn’t imagine ever feeling whole again. As she took her place next to Conor at the table in the kitchen she sensed him looking at her, nervous when his hand reached for hers, warm and gentle as he gave her fingers a brief squeeze.

  ‘OK?’

  ‘Fine,’ she fibbed.

  She heard his sigh but was thankful that he released her hand, although she remained tinglingly conscious of his presence close beside her.

  Lunch was delicious. She listened more than she talked as the conversation and laughter flowed around her, unable to get Hannah’s words and experiences out of her mind. As they lingered over coffee after the meal, she met Nic’s kind but knowing gaze, seeing the speculation in his dark eyes, relieved when Conor drew the Italian’s attention, chatting to him about motorbikes as he flipped through the latest copy of Performance Bikes magazine that sat on top of a pile of medical journals at one end of the table.

  ‘You haven’t got the new Ducatti?’ Conor exclaimed, awe and envy in his tone.

  ‘I have. You want to come and see it?’ Conor was already on his feet and Nic laughed as he turned to Hannah. ‘You do not mind, do you, cara?’

  Hannah rolled her eyes in mock despair. ‘Bloody motor-bikes. And typical men. Leave us poor women to do the washing-up!’

  ‘My wife jokes with you.’ Nic smiled with amused indulgence. ‘She has turned into something of a biker chick herself.’

  ‘I have not!’ Hannah protested at his teasing.

  ‘No? You do not beg to share a ride with me, innamorata?’

  Kate saw Hannah’s cheeks warm in response to her husband’s suggestive murmur, the look passing between them leaving her in little doubt at the hidden meanings and sexy undertones.

  ‘Go and look at the damn bike.’ Hannah laughed, pushing him towards the door.

  Kate discovered that Hannah wasn’t the least bothered about clearing the table, turning her attention instead to the kittens who had woken up from their nap. ‘Want to hold them?’ she invited, and Kate nodded enthusiastically.

  ‘May I?’

  ‘Of course! Take your pick.’

  Unable to resist, she chose two grey kittens that appealed to her, one of which had a tiny white patch on its chest. Cuddling them close, she wished she could take them home. They were so beautiful. She glanced up, embarrassed to find the men had returned and Conor was watching her from the doorway. Her heart skittered as he closed the gap between them, perching on the edge of the table as he helped tease one of the kitten’s claws free from her cardigan, cradling the tiny body in the palm of one hand. Kate swallowed and dragged her gaze away.

  ‘Hannah, if you and Nic do decide to rehome some of the kittens, I’d like to take these two girls when they are old enough to leave,’ Conor announced, and Kate’s eyes widened in astonishment.

  ‘That’s great!’ Hannah looked delighted. ‘I knew I’d tempt you one day!’

  Kate’s stomach tightened when Conor looked at her, his smile private and warm. ‘I’m tempted. Perhaps you could bring them over in a few weeks.’

  ‘A good idea, my friend,’ Nic agreed. ‘Then we can see you, Kate and the puppy at the same time, no?’

  Conor nodded, moving across the room, and after a final cuddle handed the kitten back to Hannah. ‘We’ll look forward to it. Now, I’m afraid, we ought to be getting back so we have time to call in to Charlie’s and put plan A into action. And if that tin contains some of your coconut and lime cake, please can I take a piece home?’ he added with a boyish grin.

  As a laughing Nic went off to get the puppy ready for his journey and collect up his toys, food and medication, Hannah shook her head, reaching for a knife and a couple of food bags. ‘Conor, you are terrible. Don’t you ever think of anything but food?’

  ‘Sometimes.’ Kate saw the wicked glint of amusement and hot desire appear in those arresting green eyes. ‘Quite often of late.’

  She couldn’t halt her blush, scared she knew just what he was thinking…because she was thinking it, too. And she shouldn’t be. Because it was never going to happen. Not with things the way they were in her life. No matter what Hannah said about him, however seductive his appeal, Conor was not for her.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ‘I CAN’T believe how well that went,’ Conor exclaimed with relief. ‘For one awful moment I thought it wasn’t going to work. Charlie was resistant at first but you were brilliant, Kate, bringing him round,’ he praised,
glancing at her sitting beside him in the car as they headed back to Glentown-on-Firth at dusk. ‘Charlie hasn’t been so animated in a long time.’

  ‘The puppy’s story affected him,’ Kate agreed, and he could hear surprise in her voice, see the appealing glow of pleasure on her face.

  It had worked perfectly, the shy little dog and the lonely man who had lost his purpose gravitating towards each other as if each recognised the other’s need. As he himself recognised a need in Kate and desperately wanted to take care of her. She hadn’t wanted to be drawn into conversation on the journey back from Lochanrig, her attention devoted to the puppy she’d had cradled on the back seat. As much as he longed to talk to her, especially about what had happened during that strange moment in Nic and Hannah’s living room, the time wasn’t right. Again. It was frustrating but he had to be patient if he wanted to unravel her mysteries and find answers to his ever-growing list of questions about this woman.

  ‘Thank you, Kate.’ Parking the car at the surgery, he turned to look at her. ‘I’ve fretted over Charlie for so long.’

  ‘Let’s hope it works out. I’m glad he took the puppy or I’d have been horribly tempted myself and it wouldn’t be possible for me to have him.’

  He heard the wistful note in her voice and smiled. ‘Me, too. Have you always loved animals?’

  ‘Yes. There were dogs, cats, guinea pigs and all sorts at home when I was young.’

  ‘You had a good childhood?’ he probed gently, welcoming the opportunity to keep her talking about herself.

  ‘Very much so.’

  Her reminiscent smile made his stomach turn over. She was so beautiful. And he ached to see her smile more, to hear her laugh, to strip that inner sadness away. He was delighted her home life had been so contented but he couldn’t help envying her, too, wishing he had known a settled childhood.

  ‘Where are your family from, Kate?’