NYA FELT THAT life was settling into a dangerous routine, but there was nothing she could do to change it—even had she wanted to.
Both she and Theo had taken on the responsibility of caring for Hope, and if that brought them together in a way Nya knew was dangerous to her peace of mind, what was she to do?
Over the following days Theo would appear at her door in the mornings and, depending on what each of them had planned, either picked up Hope or came with Nya to Carey House. Each lunchtime he would appear, either with a meal from the pub that they’d share at Nya’s desk or with a picnic if the weather looked nice enough for Hope to be outside.
In the evenings, he lingered at Nya’s cottage, helping her to feed and bathe Hope and invariably having dinner too. Some nights he seemed reluctant to leave, and Nya could understand that. Living alone, after being used to having his family around him, had to be difficult.
Making sure not to sit on the love-seat with him again—not because she didn’t want to invite his kisses, but because she worried she’d grab and kiss him—Nya would take out her knitting.
And that was when she had to forcefully remind herself how temporary all of this was. It felt so cosy and natural to have him there. They drank tea and discussed everything from world affairs to the doings around Carey Cove—like how Don Mitchell had fallen from a ladder while putting up more decorations.
‘I’m quite sure he was trying to outdo Kiara’s display,’ Nya told Theo with a shake of her head. ‘But all he’s accomplished is a broken leg and worrying his family. You know their daughter, Tara, is heavily pregnant, and I heard she’s insisting on coming from Milton Keynes to check on her dad.’
‘Poor Avis must be beside herself,’ he replied. ‘Now she’ll not only have Don and the kennels to worry about, but Tara too.’
So like him to be concerned about others. Moments like that just intensified Nya’s sense of him belonging in her cottage. In her life. By the third night, she almost found herself asking if he were ready for bed, as though he lived there, rather than had his own place to go to.
On the Tuesday, Nya took a few hours off, and they travelled together to Penzance to take Hope to her doctor’s appointment.
‘All seems well,’ Dr Miller told them, after a comprehensive examination. ‘She’s a bit on the smaller end of the height and weight scale, but not as though she was premature. You mentioned that over the last couple of days she’s been a bit stuffy, but her chest sounds clear. Because we don’t have any information on her mother, birth, or first days of life, I’d suggest keeping a sharp eye for any infections or illness. Otherwise, it seems as though, between you, you’re doing a marvellous job.’
She hadn’t been able to stop herself from grinning over at Theo, and when he grinned back, she was once more struck with the sense of family, and of rightness.
Dangerous indeed, she reminded herself later that night as she lay in bed, and even looking at Jim’s picture didn’t make the feeling fade.
‘You look like a couple,’ her mum said, thankfully quietly into Nya’s ear, as they were all together for the lighting of the village Christmas tree later in the week.
Nya thought about laughing but, realising she couldn’t manage to make it sound natural, she gave her mother a stern look instead, and a shake of the head.
‘We’re just friends, Mum. You know that. Please don’t do anything to make it awkward.’
That earned her a twist of her mother’s lips, and one of her high-handed glares. ‘I would never do anything inappropriate, Nya. I just made an observation.’
And, thankfully, Mum left it at that, although Nya was sure there was lots more she really wanted to say.
The night was surprisingly warm and dry, and the village green was filled with people. Davy and Darleen Trewelyn from The Dolphin Inn had set up a tent where they were dispensing mulled wine, hot chocolate and cider. Across the way, Kiara’s amazing Christmas display eclipsed every other attempt at decorations, and all the children lined up to have their pictures taken in Santa’s sleigh.
Hope, snug in the carrier against Nya’s chest, was awake and chewing on one fist, and Theo, who had gone to get them all drinks, was making his way slowly back towards them. Every few steps, someone would stop him for a chat, and Nya smiled to see how relaxed he looked.
How happy.
Even with her mother’s words still ringing in her ears, warning her again that she was getting into deep waters, Nya couldn’t help wishing that she’d been the one to bring that smile to his face.
Finally getting to them, Theo said, ‘Sorry it took so long. Hopefully your drinks aren’t cold.’
He handed Iona her mulled wine first, and then stepped close to Nya. So close that his arm rested against hers, and when he bent his head, he could speak right into her ear.
‘There’s a spirited, almost combative discussion happening near the tent regarding who put up the postbox cover near Carey House.’
He sounded so amused Nya had to laugh too, as she took her hot chocolate from his hand. ‘Did they mention anyone you know?’
‘Several people, but not you.’
She laughed again, a little breathlessly now, because having him this close seemed to steal the air from her lungs.
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’
Someone called out to him, and Theo straightened and turned to answer. Nya was still smiling when she met her mother’s gaze, and Iona’s lifted eyebrows seemed to clearly say, Really? Just friends?
All Nya could do was throw her mum a narrow-eyed glare and turn away, hoping that the heat filling her cheeks wasn’t obvious.
The tree was lit, amidst cheers, and a round of carols was sung with gusto. At Theo’s insistence, they made their way over to Kiara’s display and climbed onto the sleigh to have their picture taken with Hope, Mum standing at the side, beaming.
When Hope began to fuss, Nya said, ‘Time to head home, I think. She’s been a doll but it’s getting too chilly for her to be out much longer, especially with that snuffy nose of hers.’
‘I’m going to stay a bit longer,’ Mum said. ‘Lisa has been wanting to start a book club over the winter, and I promised I’d give her some suggestions.’
‘Okay, Mum.’ Nya leaned in for her mother’s kiss, and wasn’t surprised when, after kissing her daughter’s cheek, Iona pressed her lips to the top of Hope’s head too.
As Mum walked away, Nya turned to Theo to say, ‘You can stay too, if you like. We’ll be fine walking back alone.’
Theo snorted, and didn’t bother to reply, unless you considered slinging an arm around her shoulders and guiding her away from the crowd an answer.
‘Actually, I wanted to ask you a favour,’ he said, when they were on the pavement and heading towards her cottage.
‘What is it?’
His arm was still around her shoulders, and although she thought she should pull away, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. It just felt so good.
‘I still haven’t put up my decorations. If I offer you dinner tomorrow evening, would you be willing to help? I’ll be the first to say decorating isn’t my forte.’
‘Sure,’ she replied, trying to match his casual tone, but inside already looking forward to it. ‘Instead of you bringing Hope to me, I’ll come over to yours after work.’
‘Excellent. I promise not to cook for you.’
‘Thank you,’ she teased. ‘I appreciate that.’
When his hand cupped the back of her neck, she swore his palm heated her nape, even through her coat collar and light scarf.
‘If you don’t behave,’ he growled, ‘I’ll be forced to break out my grill.’
She had to swallow against her suddenly dry throat and fight a threatening shiver, forcing herself to maintain the casual banter.
‘Oh, no! Anything but that!’
And somehow she kept the jovial atmosphere going all the way to her front door. When she unlocked the door and stepped inside, she was surprised to realise Theo had stopped on the threshold.
‘Aren’t you coming in?’ she asked, as she looked down to unbuckle the carrier, and then eased Hope out. When she looked up, the expression on Theo’s face made her freeze, the breath catching in her throat.
Then he looked down for a moment, and said, ‘Not tonight. I’m going to head home.’ With a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, along with a wave of his fingers, he turned away to stride off into the night.
Just as well, she thought a little shakily as she closed the door behind him. If he’d stayed, she might have been tempted to kiss him again, and she couldn’t afford to go down that road.
Not if she wanted to maintain their friendship, her pride and sanity.
Theo knew if he’d gone back into that warm, cosy cottage with Nya and Hope, spent another evening with them, as though they were family, he wouldn’t be able to resist.
Resist the draw of Nya’s smile, her shining gaze, her lush, sassy mouth.
The urge to pretend he could belong again and start over.
Walking away had been a wrench, but necessary, so as not to make a fool of himself, and risk the friendship he had with Nya. Yet, the following morning, as he looked out of his kitchen window at the light drizzle, he still regretted doing it, and wondered if inviting her over this evening was wise too.
He wanted her, with an intensity he found difficult to comprehend and was still trying to come to terms with and understand.
Was it just a case of rebound on his part?
Loneliness?
A result of his long sexual drought?
Or was there something more there? An emotional connection that went beyond that all-important friendship?
Until he could figure that out, he wouldn’t chance losing the relationship they did have, on a whim.
And, even if there was something more on his side, would Nya ever be willing to explore it?
She’d always seemed happy—content—with her life. Safely ensconced behind the bastion of her widowhood. Remembering a love that would never age, or change, or wither.
In a strange and stupid way, he envied her that unwavering emotion.
The love that was trapped in amber for all time, never to disintegrate.
That never had to be questioned or held onto, so it wouldn’t slip away.
When his phone rang, still lost in thought, he picked it up without looking at the screen.
‘Theo.’ The sound of Nya’s brisk voice made his heart start to race. ‘I’m sorry to call so early, but can you come and pick up Hope at Carey House?’
‘Is there a problem?’
‘Hazel just called to let me know she’s not feeling well and won’t be in today. We have a full schedule, so I have to go in as soon as possible to try to keep everything flowing smoothly.’
‘I’ll be there in thirty minutes, at the outside.’
‘Thank you. I have to run.’
He was already halfway to his bedroom when she hung up, and it took him only a few minutes to change and be on his way.
It turned into one of those days that consisted of putting out one fire after another at the hospital. Theo was glad that, once he got there, he decided to just stay, rather than take Hope back to his house.
‘I’ve asked Lorna to fill in on Reception,’ Nya told him, looking totally calm, although the pulse at the base of her neck was thumping. ‘But she’s totally out of her depth. I’d ask Sophie to keep an eye, but she’s off doing home visits, and I need Kiara to see to patients. And I just got a call about a mum who’s fallen. A neighbour is bringing her in. I may have to ask you to consult, but then I don’t know who will look after Hope.’
‘Hey.’ He put a hand on her shoulder. ‘We’ll figure it out.’
She nodded tersely, and went off to supervise her domain.
‘Your auntie Nya’s not having a good day,’ he said to Hope, who kicked her legs in response.
And it got more muddled, as poor Lorna got some files confused, and Nya was trying to sort that out when Carla Nixon—the mum who’d fallen—came in.
Since Lucas Wilde was in with a patient, Nya asked Theo to examine her.
Luckily Hope was napping, and could be safely left with Lorna for a short time, while Nya came in to assist.
As it turned out, Carla had been alone at home when, on her way to the kitchen, she’d passed out. Luckily her neighbour had come by just after and found her. Frightened for both herself and her baby, she’d called through, and was told to come in.
‘Syncope—or fainting—isn’t uncommon during pregnancy,’ Theo said to the young mother-to-be, before explaining to her about the effects of hormones and increased blood flow coupled with the relaxation of blood vessels. ‘I want you to take your time when you stand up, in particular, since that can cause a rush of blood away from the brain.’
Checking her chart, he continued, ‘I also want you to make a note of any other instances of dizziness and tell your midwife when next you see her. If there are any other worrying signs, I’m going to make a note on your records that you see your assigned obstetrician.’
After Carla had left, while he was making notes in the computer and Nya was sanitising the room before the next patient, she said, ‘You’re worried about the possible effects of her syncope?’
‘There have been studies that seem to indicate that there may be a correlation between syncope and future medical issues for both mother and baby,’ he said. ‘While it’s not conclusive, and there’s no way to know if syncope is a symptom or causation, I always tell patients to advise their practitioners, especially if it happens often. In the past, women have been told it’s normal to get light-headed or faint during pregnancy, but I don’t subscribe to that way of thinking. Any physical symptoms should be documented.’
‘Agreed,’ she said, before bustling off again, no doubt to make sure Lorna hadn’t set the computer system on fire in her absence.
By the end of the day, Theo could see how tired Nya looked and, taking her aside, he said, ‘Listen, you don’t have to come by this evening. In fact, why don’t you let me keep Hope overnight, so you can get an uninterrupted night’s sleep?’
‘Don’t be silly,’ she scoffed. ‘I’m fine. Besides, we can’t have everyone saying you’re turning into Scrooge. Your house is the only one without any decorations visible. It’s time to remedy that. I just need a few minutes to speak to Lorna before I can leave.’ She gave him a rueful smile, adding, ‘I might have been a little abrupt with her today, and want to make sure she knows it wasn’t her fault.’
‘That’s fine,’ he said, thinking how wonderfully she managed her staff, making everyone feel comfortable and special. ‘There’s no rush.’
And as she walked away he once more asked himself if it really was wise to have her over to his house, but was honest enough to admit he didn’t care whether it was or not.
He was looking forward to it too much.