“Summer.” There was no point in lying any more. “It was Declan’s sister, Summer. She was staying there alone.”
Sean didn’t know her, but he knew of her, everyone knew of Summer Costello. “Doesn’t she live in London?”
“Normally. She decided to spend Christmas in their house. The power is still out—she’s staying with me for the time being.”
“Bummer.” Sean crouched in front of Fella. “That’s going to cramp your style. I know how you love your privacy.” It wasn’t that he loved his privacy, it was just that he hadn’t found anyone he liked enough to share it with. “Is she still staying for the Christmas party?”
The party. “Damn, I’d forgotten. When is that?” He seemed to have lost all sense of the date.
“Tomorrow night,” Sean said. “Everyone is looking forward to it.”
The annual Christmas party was in the local Italian restaurant, Buona Vita, with dancing afterwards at their nightclub, Arabellas. Everyone brought a date—everyone except him, he hadn’t had a chance to ask anyone yet.
“You should bring her,” Sean said. “I mean, you can hardly leave her on her own. I’d quite like to meet this Summer, anyway. Didn’t she leave to run her own restaurant in London? So she’s not married?”
Evie came in with a cup of coffee. “Thanks, Evie. You can’t know how much I appreciate it.” He sipped the hot liquid. “She’s not married.”
“Who’s not married?” Evie asked.
“Summer Costello.” Sean gathered supplies. “I guess we better get this dog up on the table and clean out his wound if he’s been swimming in the river.”
“Swimming in the river? Wow, this dog lives dangerously.” Evie’s eyes widened.
“Nick’s been swimming too.” Sean laid out a long strip of paper towel on the examination table. “Give me a hand.”
Together, they lifted Fella onto the table.
*****
Nick had said he would be late, and not to wait up, but she didn’t believe him. He would be exhausted after the day they’d had, and he must want to shower and change. She spent an hour in the bath, luxuriating in the hot water. After living without hot water and electricity she realized how she took them for granted. She changed her clothes, and put on a load of washing—her clothing and Nick’s, and the borrowed clothing Nick had been wearing when he dived into the river earlier.
When he came in, he’d be hungry. She had unpacked her groceries into his barren fridge, and set to making a casserole, using chicken pieces that she found in the freezer, and her stock of fresh vegetables. She turned the television on to keep her company while she worked, and opened a bottle of wine.
Things had got way out of hand while they were in the mountains. If Declan hadn’t rung, they would be eating there together, going upstairs to the bedroom she’d slept in since childhood, getting creative, and finally using the sole condom in the house. She swallowed a mouthful of wine. Thank goodness that hadn’t happened.
Her stomach hollowed out at the memory of his mouth, tracing down her neck.
It’s not a good idea. The memory of his body, long and lean squashed up against hers made her clench her thighs together in a vain attempt to quench the sensations that tingled through her, turning her muscles lax. Her nipples pressed against her clean bra as she remembered his touch, his scent, his feel.
If only they didn’t know each other, if their lives weren’t so intertwined that it was impossible to detach after intimacy.
She stirred the casserole and shoved it into the oven.
*****
Nick showered and shaved at the practice, and dressed in spare scrubs. He’d checked Fella’s stitches, cleaned his wound and bandaged it, and set Fella on a course of antibiotics, just in case. He’d put the dog in one of the cages in the surgery, but had already decided to take him home later, he didn’t need to be there, and they needed the room for any unexpected patients. He filled out a patient card, and charged medicine to his own account. No-one would be paying for Fella’s care, and even if someone tried to claim him, there was no way he’d hand the dog over to the person who’d treated him so badly.
Mid-afternoon, he received a call from Declan. “Is Summer with you?”
“No. I’m at work. The weather improved enough for us to make it back to Brookbridge. The power is still out at your parents’ house, so I brought Summer back with me—she’s staying in my apartment.”
“Good. I don’t like the idea of her at the house alone. I didn’t buy that story she was spinning for a moment. There’s something up. This time last year, she was rushed off her feet with bookings for the restaurant—I don’t understand how she can leave it during the busiest time of the year. There’s something off with her explanation of why Michael isn’t with her too. How is she? Is she depressed?”
Nick didn’t like keeping things from his oldest friend, but it wasn’t his place to reveal that Michael and Summer’s relationship was over, if indeed it was. “She doesn’t seem depressed. Tired, yes. But not depressed.”
“Can you keep an eye on her until Michael arrives?”
How could he refuse? “Of course. She can stay with me.”
“That’s great, mate.” Declan sounded happier. “Something is going on with her—I can’t work it out from a distance, but I’m relieved that you’re there in my place. You know Summer, she always wants people to think the best of her.”
Does she? It struck Nick that he didn’t know Summer at all if that was the case.
“I better let you get back to it.” They said their goodbyes.
When the last of the evening’s patients had been dealt with, he changed back into the borrowed clothes and turned to Sean. “You want to grab some dinner?”
“Sure.” If Sean thought it was strange that he wasn’t rushing back to see his house-guest, he didn’t say anything about it. “The Farmers?”
“Sounds great.” The Farmers Arms in the middle of the village served great home-cooked food, and right now he couldn’t think of anything better than a plate of steak and chips and a pint.
It was strange to be back in civilization. Disconcerting to hear the buzz of voices, when for the past couple of days the only voices he’d heard had been Summer’s and Fella’s. “I’ll go back and take Fella home with me tonight. He won’t get a home before Christmas.”
“It could be difficult to find him a home anytime—you know what people are like, they want cute puppies.” Sean gulped his pint. “Might you take him?”
“Maybe.” With all that Fella had been through he couldn’t stand the thought of him ending up in a pound. Sean was right, and Fella was a large dog with an unknown history—it was by no means certain that he’d fit into a family with kids. The easiest solution would be to give the dog a permanent home. He’d always avoided the possibility of owning a dog, but Fella could come in to work with him everyday. “I think I will.”
“Good.” Sean lifted his pint. “Here’s to the new member of your family then.”
“To Fella.” Their food arrived.
“So what’s the story with Summer Costello? You didn’t know she was staying in her parents’ house, did you?”
“No.” Nick had no secrets from Sean. “No one did. She was hiding out.”
Sean’s forehead creased. “I thought she was all set up in London.”
“She owns a restaurant, and is in a long-term relationship. At least, I think she does. I’m confused, to be honest. Last night she told me the relationship had been over for months, but today she told her family Michael was joining her here for Christmas. I don’t know what to think.” He attacked his steak with a vengeance.
“If she’s hiding out, it seems to me that she’s hiding something. Maybe something she’s ashamed of. Would the failure of a relationship be such a big deal?”
Summer was a success; everyone said so. Maybe confessing the truth, that her relationship had failed, would seem impossible?
“It shouldn’t be. I mean, what
is she going to do—pretend forever?”
“Or maybe it’s a temporary thing, they’re on a break, and she hopes they’ll get back together before she has to tell anyone,” Sean said.
“If that’s it, I don’t know why she’d tell me different.” The more he thought about it, the more likely it was that Summer was lying to her parents. That she didn’t want them to know that she and Michael were over. She’d said she didn’t want anything to spoil their holiday. And her parents would definitely be upset if they thought she was spending Christmas alone. “I guess I’ll have to talk to her. But not tonight. Tonight I’m so tired, I just want to eat and go home and crash.”
*****
After a night of broken sleep, Summer climbed out of bed and got dressed. She hadn’t bothered to unpack. The repair crew had said they expected to get the electricity back on within twenty-four hours, and once that was done, she’d go back home. It was six days before Christmas, and the thought of the long, lonely days stretching out before her held little appeal.
But she had things to do. She’d brought her laptop and a file of accounts from the restaurant, which she wanted to get square before she returned to London. It had been hard to accept the failure of the business that she’d poured all her hopes, and her money, into. She should have given up earlier, but she’d soldiered on, pouring good money after bad until she was so cash-strapped that she’d been forced to let staff go.
At that stage, there was no chance of crawling her way back.
She’d put the restaurant up for sale as a going concern, and hoped to find a buyer soon. At least the bank was being reasonable—for the moment.
But the collapse of the restaurant meant she no longer had anywhere to live in London too. She’d spent the previous week in a hotel, and then had to face facts. There was nothing keeping her in London any longer. Her savings had been depleted to such an extent that with no job she couldn’t afford to rent anywhere.
And long days and nights concentrating on the business meant she had acquaintances, but no friends—the friends she and Michael made together had been his friends before they moved in together, and remained his friends after they broke up.
Her best option was to return to Ireland, find a position as a head chef, and pay off the remainder of her debt from a distance.
Summer’s idea was to formulate a repayment plan. Find somewhere cheap to live, or failing that, move back in with her parents, and to find a job locally. Moving home was humiliating, but might be her only alternative. The money she would save on rent would go toward clearing her debt. Her parents had invested in the restaurant. It would take years to pay them back, but not doing so wasn’t an option.
Even though he had told her not to, she’d waited up for Nick the previous night—only giving up on him when her eyelids were drooping with fatigue. She’d turned off the oven, and crawled into bed. If he came in some time during the night, she hadn’t heard him.
She pushed open the door of the bedroom and stepped out.
A bark. “Fella!” The dog trotted over and shoved his nose into her outstretched hand. His tail whipped back and forth in a frenzy of delighted welcome. She crouched, and rubbed the dog’s head, crooning to him.
“Good morning.” Nick stood in the kitchen, holding a mug. “You want some coffee?” He looked different this morning. Less angry.
“I sure do.” She walked over, Fella at her side. “I thought he was staying in at the vets.”
“There’s no need. He doesn’t need any more medical attention—what he needs is a home, to gain weight, to become acclimatized to people. We don’t even know if he’s ever met any children, and it’s unlikely he’d fit into an average family. There are too many variables against him finding a home through normal channels.” He shrugged. “If he goes into the pound, he’ll end up on death row. I couldn’t face that so I’ve adopted him.” His mouth curved into a smile. “Darned dog snuck under my defenses.”
Summer’s heart felt as though it had swelled in her chest. She couldn’t stop smiling. “That’s brilliant.” She rubbed Fella’s ears. “I can’t think of a better person for him to live with.”
They’d brought the basket with them; it sat against the wall in the kitchen. “So I guess I’ll have to beg another lift from you. Up the mountain. The repair crew is probably fixing the electricity today.”
Nick leaned back against the counter. His gaze met hers and held. “Would you stay for a while longer? The practice are having their Christmas party tonight, I’d like you to come.”
“You would?” She thought he wouldn’t want anything to do with her after yesterday—he’d been so angry after overhearing the stupid lies she’d told her parents.
“Yeah, I would.” He picked up his coat from the chair. “We need to talk. But right now, I have to go in to work. Can I leave Fella here with you?”
Chapter Eleven
The entire staff of Brookbridge Veterinary filled one huge table at Buona Vita, and all of them had dressed up for the occasion. Nick and Summer were last to arrive; heads swiveled at their entrance. After a quick introduction, they took their seats. Evie was sitting on Summer’s right, and before long they were deep in conversation.
The small Italian restaurant was packed full; it had become a much-loved place to eat in the couple of years since it opened. The murmur of muted conversation and low lighting soothed away the cares of the day as Nick reviewed the menu and made his selection.
“Hi, Nick.” He’d taken the waitress, Elaine, out a couple of times the previous summer. She was tall, slender and blonde—great fun, but they’d both realized fairly quickly that there wasn’t enough of a spark between them, so they settled on being friends. “Long time no see.” She rested a hand on his shoulder. “Have you decided?” She leaned over and pointed at the menu. “We’ve added a few things since you were last here. I know you love fish—the salmon ravioli is to die for.”
“I’m divided between that and the beef medallions.”
She shook her head, flirting for real now. “You need to get out of your comfort zone. You always have the beef. How about calamari deep fried, with tomato and garlic?”
“Take everyone else’s order first, Elaine. I’ll think on it.”
She went around the table taking everyone’s orders, then returned to him. “Okay, boss, what’s it to be?” Her hand rested on his shoulder again.
“You sold me on the salmon.” He grinned.
Sean had ordered wine for the table so he filled his glass then turned to Summer. “White or red?”
She was looking at Elaine, who was scribbling down his order. And she didn’t look happy. “White, please.”
He filled her glass.
She lowered her voice. “You must come here often, if the waitress knows your favorites.”
“Elaine and I dated a couple of times.”
“Nick has dated most of the women in Brookbridge,” Evie teased. “Except me. My husband wouldn’t approve.”
“Oh yeah, he’s a real heartbreaker,” one of the vets, Alison, said. “I think I’ve only been safe because we work together.” She leaned over to Summer. “Or maybe it’s because I don’t go for his type.”
“Type?” Summer’s voice sounded faint, as though she couldn’t believe she’d fallen into the middle of this discussion.
“You’re making it sound as though I’m a man-whore,” Nick said. Sure, he’d dated most of the single women in Brookbridge, but he’d lived here forever. And there weren’t that many of them anyway.
“What type is Nick, then?” Summer asked again, looking more than interested in Alison’s answer.
“Male.” Alison grinned. “I only date women.”
“So you’re not married?” Evie tilted her head to the side as she quizzed Summer. She always had to know everything about everyone—was obviously keen to rip away the veil of secrecy and find out what exactly Summer was doing in Brookbridge.
“No. I’m just out of a relationship.”
“You’re staying with Nick?” Interest sparkled in Evie’s eyes.
“For tonight, yes.” Her gaze flickered up to his, then returned to Evie. “My house—my parents’ house—has no power at the moment.”
“You were lucky to be out of the office,” Alison said. “We had Mrs. Malarky’s poodle in again.”
“Oh no. Not again.” The dog had a penchant for chocolate, and on two previous occasions had arrived at the practice and had to have its stomach pumped. “The usual?”
Alison’s nose wrinkled. “I caught that one. You owe me.”
“Nick did great work with the dog I found in the woodshed.” Summer took a sip of her wine. “If he hadn’t come out, I think Fella might well have died. I can’t believe the difference in him now compared to when I found him. He growled every time I came near, he wouldn’t even let me touch him, but when Nick tried...”
“Aw, we don’t call him the pet whisperer for nothing,” Sean said.
“Fella ran off after a rabbit yesterday,” Summer continued.
Oh no, she wasn’t going to tell this story was she? “Summer…”
She glanced his direction. One eyebrow rose.
“I don’t think everyone needs to know that story.” His behavior had been reckless. He’d be teased about that escapade forever…would never hear the end of it...
“What story?” Evie’s eyes rounded. “Tell!”
*****
Most people at her end of the table had stopped talking when Evie spoke, but she wouldn’t continue without Nick’s agreement, so Summer waited.
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