Summer Kisses

by Sarah Morgan

  ‘Here you are, Mum. You take her. You’re good with kids. Probably because you’re old and motherly.’

  Ryan was about to laugh at the joke when he realised that no one was laughing.

  Old and motherly?

  Was that how Lexi saw her mother? Was that how Jenna saw herself?

  How old was she? Thirty-two? Thirty-three? She could have passed for ten years younger than that. She had a fresh, natural appeal that he found incredibly sexy. And, yes, she was different from Connie.

  His jaw hardened. Connie wouldn’t have paddled in the sea—nor would she have appeared in public with a face free of make-up. And he couldn’t remember a time when she’d giggled. But that might have been because Connie wasn’t spontaneous. She was a woman with a plan and nothing was going to stand in her way. Certainly not their marriage.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re brave enough to swim!’ Jenna was beaming at Kirsty, as if the child had done something incredibly clever. ‘I’m so cold I can barely stand in the water, let alone swim.’ She sneaked a glance after her daughter, who was walking away from them, Fraser by her side.

  ‘I swim with my daddy.’ Keen to demonstrate her skills, Kirsty wriggled in Jenna’s arms and plunged back into the water, thrashing her arms and kicking her legs.

  Drenched and shivering, Jenna laughed. ‘Kirsty, that’s fantastic. I couldn’t swim like that at your age. And never in sea this cold.’ The water had glued the skirt to her legs and Logan looked away, forcing himself to concentrate on something other than the shape of her body.

  A crowd of locals were playing volleyball, and he could see Evanna handing out plates of food. ‘I smell barbecue,’ he said mildly. ‘We should probably go and eat something. Sausages, Kirsty?’

  The child immediately held out her arms to Jenna, who scooped her out of the water and cuddled her, ignoring the damp limbs and soaking costume.

  Ryan felt his body tighten as he watched her with the child.

  It was such a painful moment that when the phone in his pocket buzzed he was grateful for the excuse to walk away.

  ‘I’m on call. I’d better take this.’ He strode out of the water and drew the phone from his pocket. Was he ever going to be able to look at a mother and child without feeling that degree of agony? He answered his phone with a violent stab of his finger. ‘McKinley.’ It took him less than five seconds to get the gist of the conversation. ‘I’ll be right there.’ Even as he dropped the phone into this pocket, he was running.

  * * *

  Cuddling a soaking wet Kirsty, Jenna watched as Ryan took off across the beach. It was obvious that there was some sort of emergency. Knowing he’d probably need help, she waded out of the water as fast as her soaked skirt and the bouncing child would allow. Once on the sand, she put the little girl down and ran, holding the child’s hand.

  ‘Let’s see how fast we can reach Mummy.’ At least an emergency might stop her thinking about that kiss. Nothing else had worked so far.

  They reached Evanna as she was handing Ryan a black bag.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Jenna handed Kirsty over to her mother. ‘Is it an emergency?’

  Ryan glanced at her briefly. ‘Ben who runs the Stag’s Head has a tourist who has collapsed. Logan—’ He raised his voice. ‘I’m going to the pub. Keep your phone switched on.’

  ‘I’ll come with you.’ Jenna glanced across at Evanna. ‘Lexi’s walked off with Fraser—will you keep an eye on her for me?’

  ‘Of course.’ Looking worried, Evanna held toddler Charlie on her hip and a serving spoon in her other hand. ‘I hope it turns out to be nothing. We’ll hold the fort here, but if you need reinforcements call.’

  Hampered by her wet skirt, Jenna sprinted after Logan and it was only when her feet touched tarmac that she realised she’d left her shoes back at the barbecue. ‘Ouch!’ Stupid, stupid. ‘I left my shoes—’

  The next minute she was scooped off the ground and Logan was carrying her across the road.

  She gave a gasp of shock. ‘Put me down! I weigh a ton!’

  ‘You don’t weigh anything, and it’s good for my ego to carry a helpless woman occasionally.’ He was still jogging, and she realised how fit he must be.

  ‘I’m not helpless, just shoeless.’

  ‘Cinderella.’ With a brief smile, he lowered her to the pavement and strode into the pub.

  Jenna followed, feeling ridiculous in a wet skirt and without shoes. But all self-consciousness faded as she saw the man lying on the floor. His lips and eyes were puffy, his breathing was laboured and noisy, and the woman next to him was shaking his shoulder and crying.

  ‘Pete? Pete?’

  ‘What happened?’ Ryan was down on the floor beside the patient, checking his airway. His fingers moved swiftly and skilfully, checking, eliminating, searching for clues.

  ‘One moment he was eating his supper,’ the landlord said, ‘and then he crashed down on the floor, holding his throat.’

  ‘He said he felt funny,’ his wife sobbed. ‘He had a strange feeling in his throat. All of a sudden. I’ve no idea why. We’ve been on the beach all afternoon and he was fine. Never said a thing about feeling ill or anything.’

  ‘Anaphylactic shock.’ Ryan’s mouth was grim and Jenna dropped to her knees beside him.

  ‘Is he allergic to anything?’ She glanced at the man’s wife. ‘Nuts? Could he have been stung? Wasp?’

  The woman’s eyes were wild with panic. ‘I don’t think he was stung and he’s not allergic to anything. He’s fine with nuts, all that sort of stuff—is he going to die?’

  Ryan had his hand in his bag. ‘He’s not going to die. Ben, call the air ambulance and fetch me that oxygen you keep round the back.’ Icy calm, he jabbed an injection of adrenaline into the man’s thigh, working with astonishing speed. ‘Pete? Can you hear me? I’m Dr McKinley.’

  Catching a glimpse of the role he’d played in a previous life, Jenna switched her focus back to the man’s wife. ‘What were you eating?’ She looked at the table. ‘Fish pie?’

  ‘Yes. But he’d only had a few mouthfuls.’

  ‘Are there prawns in that fish pie?’

  ‘Yes.’ Ben was back with the oxygen. ‘But they were fresh this morning.’

  ‘I’m not suggesting food poisoning,’ Jenna said quickly, ‘but maybe shellfish allergy?’

  Covering the man’s mouth and nose with the oxygen mask, Ryan looked at her for a moment, his eyes narrowed. Then he nodded. ‘Shellfish. That’s possible. That would explain it.’ He adjusted the flow of oxygen. ‘I’ll give him five minutes and then give him another shot of epinephrine. Can you find it?’

  Jenna delved in his bag and found the other drugs they were likely to need.

  ‘Shellfish allergy?’ The wife looked at them in horror. ‘But—this isn’t the first time he’s eaten shellfish—can you just develop an allergy like that? Out of nowhere?’

  ‘Jenna, can you squeeze his arm for me? I want to get a line in.’

  ‘Actually, yes.’ Jenna spoke to the woman as she handed Ryan a sterile cannula and then watched as he searched for a vein. ‘Some adults do develop an allergy to something that hasn’t harmed them before.’

  ‘The body just decides it doesn’t like it?’

  ‘The body sees it as an invader,’ Jenna explained, blinking at the speed with which Ryan obtained IV access. Her fingers over his, she taped down the cannula so that it wouldn’t be dislodged, the movements routine and familiar. ‘It basically overreacts and produces chemicals and antibodies. Dr McKinley has just given an injection to counter that reaction.’

  The woman’s face was paper-white. ‘Is it going to work?’

  ‘I hope so. This is quite a severe reaction, so I’m giving him another dose.’ Ryan took the syringe from Jenna. ‘And I’m going to give him some antihistamine and hydrocortisone.’

  ‘Air ambulance is on its way,’ Ben said, and at that moment Jenna noticed something. Leaning forward, she lifted the man’s tee shirt so that
she could get a better look.

  ‘He has a rash, Ryan.’

  ‘I think it’s safe to assume we’re dealing with a shellfish allergy—when you get to the mainland they’ll observe him overnight and then make an appointment for you to see an allergy consultant. Where do you live?’

  ‘We’re from London. We’re just here for a holiday. We have another week to go.’ The woman was staring at her husband’s chest in disbelief. ‘I’ve never seen a rash come on like that.’

  ‘It’s all part of the reaction,’ Jenna said quietly. ‘The drugs will help.’

  ‘How long do you think they’ll keep him in hospital?’

  ‘With any luck they’ll let you go tomorrow and you can get on with your holiday—avoiding shellfish.’ Ryan examined the rash carefully. ‘The hospital should refer you for allergy testing so you can be sure what you’re dealing with. You may need to carry an Epipen.’ He checked the man’s pulse again. ‘His breathing is improving. That last injection seems to have done the trick.’

  ‘Thank goodness—’ The woman slumped slightly and Jenna slipped her arm round her.

  ‘You poor thing. Are you on your own here? Do you have any friends or family with you?’ She tried to imagine what it must be like going through this on holiday, far from home, with no support.

  ‘My sister and her husband, but they’ve gone to the beach barbecue.’

  ‘I’ll contact them for you,’ Ben said immediately, taking the details and sending one of the locals down to the beach to locate the woman’s family.

  Once again the islanders impressed Jenna, working together to solve the problem in a way that would never really happen in a big city.

  By the time the air ambulance arrived the man had regained consciousness and the woman had been reunited with her family. Jenna listened as Ryan exchanged information with the paramedics and masterminded the man’s transfer. As the helicopter lifted off for the short trip to the mainland, she turned to him.

  His face was tanned from the sun and the wind, his dark hair a surprising contrast to his ice-blue eyes.

  Trapped by his gaze, Jenna stood still, inexplicably drawn to him. She forgot about the small stones pressing into her bare feet; she forgot that she was confused about her feelings. She forgot everything except the astonishing bolt of chemistry that pulled her towards Ryan.

  She wanted to kiss him again.

  She wanted to kiss him now.

  Feeling like a teenager on her first date, she leaned towards him, melting like chocolate on a hot day. His hands came down on her shoulders and she heard the harshness of his breathing.

  Yes, now, she thought dreamily, feeling the strength of his fingers—

  ‘Mum!’

  The voice of a real teenager carried across the beach, and Jenna jumped as if she’d been shot as she recognised Lexi’s appalled tones. For a moment she stared into Ryan’s eyes, and then she turned her head and saw her daughter staring at her in undisguised horror.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  Her heart pounding and her mouth dry, Jenna was grateful for the distance, which ensured that at least her daughter couldn’t see her scarlet cheeks.

  What was she doing?

  She was a divorced mother of thirty-three and she’d been on the verge of kissing a man with virtually all the islanders watching.

  ‘We probably ought to get back to the barbecue…’ Ryan’s tone was level and she nodded, feeling numb.

  ‘Yes. Absolutely.’ If Lexi hadn’t shouted she would have put her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  And what would that have done for her relationship with her daughter, let alone her relationship with Ryan?

  This was her new life and she’d almost blown it. If Lexi hadn’t called out to her she would have risked everything. And all for what? A kiss?

  ‘If they’ve eaten all the food, I’ll kill someone.’Apparently suffering none of her torment, Ryan turned towards the steps that led down to the sand, as relaxed as if they’d been having a conversation about the weather. ‘How are things, Jim?’

  Jim?

  It took Jenna a moment to realise that the ferryman was standing by the steps, chatting to another islander. Had he been that close all the time? There could have been a fire, a flood and a hurricane, and all she would have noticed was Ryan.

  ‘Another life saved, Doc.’ Grinning, Jim scratched the back of his neck and looked up at the sky, where the helicopter was now no more than a tiny dot. ‘Another good holiday experience on Glenmore. They’ll be coming back. I overheard someone saying on the ferry this morning that they’d booked a short break here just so that they could ask a doctor about a skin rash, because you lot always know what you’re doing.’

  Ryan rolled his eyes. ‘I’ll mention it to Logan. We obviously need to make more of an effort to be useless.’

  Jenna produced a smile, pretending to listen, wondering whether she could just slink onto the ferry and take the first sailing back to the mainland in the morning. Maybe distance would make her forget the kiss, because nothing else was working—not even an emergency.

  Lexi was waiting for them at the bottom of the steps. ‘Mum? What were you doing?’

  ‘She was debriefing with Dr McKinley,’ Evanna said smoothly, and Jenna jumped with shock because she hadn’t seen Evanna standing next to her daughter. Last time she’d looked Evanna had been serving sausages and salad. But somehow the other woman had materialised at the foot of the steps, Charlie in her arms. ‘I gather everything went smoothly, Jenna? Rapid response from the air ambulance? Did things go according to plan?’

  Grateful as she was for Evanna’s focus on the professional, Jenna didn’t manage to respond.

  Fortunately Ryan took over. ‘Things don’t always go according to plan,’ he said softly, ‘but that’s life, isn’t it? Ideally I would have liked to lose the audience, but you can’t choose where these things happen.’

  Jenna couldn’t work out whether he was talking about the medical emergency or the fact she’d almost kissed him. They’d had an audience for both. and she was painfully aware that she’d embarrassed him as much as herself. These were his friends. His colleagues. No doubt he’d be on the receiving end of suggestive remarks for the rest of the summer. Yes, he’d kissed her on the beach, but that had been early in the morning with no one watching.

  Because Lexi was still looking at her suspiciously, Jenna forced herself to join in the discussion. ‘I—it was a bit unexpected. I’m not used to dealing with emergencies.’ And she wasn’t used to being attracted to a man. She’d behaved like a crazed, desperate woman.

  ‘From what I’ve heard you were fantastic—a real Glenmore nurse.’ Evanna was generous with her praise. ‘We’re expected to be able to turn our hands to pretty much anything. People are already singing your praises all over the island.’ She tucked her hand through Jenna’s arm, leading her back across the beach as if they’d been friends for ever. ‘Word travels fast in this place. How are your feet?’

  Jenna glanced down and realised that she’d forgotten she wasn’t wearing shoes. ‘Sore. I need to find my sandals.’ Her face was burning and she didn’t dare look round to see where Ryan was. Hiding, probably—afraid of the desperate divorcee who had tried to attack him. As for Lexi, she still wasn’t smiling, but the scowl had left her features. Which presumably meant that Evanna’s explanation had satisfied her.

  ‘Your Lexi is so brilliant with the children.’ Evanna led her back to the food and heaped potato salad on a plate. ‘Logan—find something delicious for Jenna. She’s earned it.’

  Jenna accepted the food, even though the last thing she felt like was eating. She just wanted to go home and work out what she was going to say to Ryan next time she saw him on his own.

  She had to apologise. She had to explain that she had absolutely no idea what had happened to her. Yes, she’d got a dog, she ate fish three times a week and she’d drunk beer from a bottle, but kissing a man in public…

  Lexi flic
ked her hair away from her face. ‘I’m off to play volleyball.’ With a final glance in her direction, her daughter sauntered off across the sand towards Fraser, who was laughing with a friend, a can of cola in his hand. ‘See you later.’

  Jenna wanted to leave, but she knew that would draw attention to herself, and she’d already attracted far too much attention for one evening. Even without turning her head she was painfully aware of Ryan talking to Logan, discussing the air ambulance.

  She wondered whether she should request that the air ambulance come back for her when they’d finished. She felt as though she needed it.

  ‘Have a drink.’ Clearly reading her mind, Evanna pushed a large glass of wine into her hand. ‘And don’t look so worried. Everything is fine. You and Ryan were a great team.’

  Jenna managed a smile, but all she could think was, Why am I feeling like this?

  She had to forget him. She had to forget that kiss.

  Thank goodness tomorrow was Sunday and she didn’t have to work. She had a whole day to talk some sense into herself.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  10 reasons why I shouldn’t fall in love with Ryan:

  I’ve been divorced less than a year

  I am too old

  I’m ordinary and he is a sex god

  Being with him puts me off my food

  I have Lexi to think of

  I need to act my age

  I have to work with the man

  He’ll hurt me

  I’m not his type

  ‘MUM?’

  Jenna dropped the pen before number ten and flipped the envelope over. ‘I’m in the kitchen. You’re up early.’ Too early. Deciding that she couldn’t hide the envelope without looking suspicious, Jenna slammed her mug of tea on it and smiled brightly. ‘I was expecting you to sleep in.’

  ‘I was hungry, and anyway I’m meeting the gang.’ Yawning, Lexi tipped cereal into a bowl and added milk. ‘You’re up early, too.’

  ‘I had things to do.’ Like making a list of reasons why she shouldn’t be thinking of Ryan.

  Her head throbbing and her eyelids burning from lack of sleep, Jenna stood up and filled the kettle, bracing herself for the awkward questions she’d been dreading all night. ‘You normally want to lie in bed.’