Wasn’t it better to sort out whatever his problem was before it developed into a bigger issue and caused more awkwardness? Otherwise she would soon be searching for another job. She refused to work in a bad atmosphere, with a man determined to keep her at a distance for some mysterious reason. She wasn’t eager to become his best friend, but surely politeness wasn’t impossible whenever they had to work together.

  ‘Pompous?’ he repeated, the faint Irish tones in his accent suddenly stronger as they rolled over the word, as though savouring it and not feeling sure whether he cared for the flavour.

  Frankly, she doubted it was the first time someone had accused him of being such a thing.

  ‘Yes, Alex. You’re acting like a moody child with a cob on. If you’d rather I didn’t work here then tell me and I’ll search for a position elsewhere. You offered me the job, remember?’

  Rolling off his gloves, Alex tossed them into a bin. He frowned before clearing his throat. ‘It’s not that—’

  Kiki didn’t give him a chance to continue, not interested in excuses. ‘All I know is since I arrived this morning you’ve behaved as though you wish me anywhere but here. If you’d just let me explain about last night, instead of bristling like a fractious cat...’

  He rotated his left shoulder as though it suddenly pained him. ‘I just feel...uncomfortable.’

  For a moment she thought he meant his shoulder, but then saw his expression. Good grief, could the man make it any clearer that he regretted asking to kiss her? What other reason explained his disagreeable attitude since her arrival? Was he scared she might take it into her head to embrace him in front of the other staff members? Or perhaps try and seduce him in a consultation room when no one was looking?

  She’d never attempted such behaviour in her life, and she didn’t plan to start with him.

  ‘With me?’ she asked, just to be certain.

  ‘I’m not sure how to act around you,’ he admitted. ‘But, seeing as we’re going to be working together, maybe we should just forget that last night I asked to...’

  ‘Kiss me?’ she taunted, unable to stop herself from reminding him. A perverse imp filled her with mischief. ‘And you held me snugly against your half naked body.’

  Alex cleared his throat. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Fine,’ she said brightly. ‘Because until you mentioned it I hadn’t considered it a big deal or wasted much thought over it.’

  Pleased she’d managed to keep her voice casual and indifferent throughout the lie, she resumed cleaning the area. No reason for Alex to know she’d relived that moment over and over for most of the night. Mentally rerunning each stimulating second until she’d wanted to scream with frustration and track him down to demand he give her the proposed kiss.

  He frowned at her reply. ‘Really?’

  She bit hard on her inner lip to prevent a smile. The man certainly didn’t like hearing that she found his romantic moves unmemorable.

  ‘If you want to forget what happened—or rather didn’t—then just be yourself when we’re in the same room. Otherwise people might start to notice and that would create talk.’

  ‘Are you sure I should?’ he asked, not sounding convinced.

  Unable to stop herself, she laughed. Alex’s self-consciousness was rather refreshing and endearing. Not that he was wimpy or lacklustre. No, every time the man forgot his stiff reserve passion smouldered from him. It intrigued her how his personality had two such different sides. Detached, sensible Alex on one, and fiery, nipple-ring-wearing Alex on the other.

  ‘I swear my hesitation had nothing to do with you or your request,’ she said. ‘It was all me—I promise. So I’ll help you on Saturday at the stud farm?’

  ‘Thanks. I’d appreciate it.’

  The door swung open and Anne reappeared, stopping any further conversation. Kiki turned back to the used instruments and continued to clear away.

  ‘Thought you’d want to know, Alex,’ Anne said as she prepared to wheel their patient out of the room, ‘Leah has phoned all the local guesthouses and hotels and none of them have any available rooms. Apparently they’re all booked, thanks to the local literary festival that’s on this week.’

  Alex tugged the mask from his face. ‘Not one?’

  ‘Nope. Your water tank could not have chosen a worse week to burst. If my daughter wasn’t over from New Zealand you could have stopped with us. But she and her two friends have taken up the spare bed and the two lounge sofas.’

  Alex scrunched the mask into a ball. ‘I guess I’ll be sleeping on that trolley for a while longer.’

  Kiki concentrated on her task and purposely tuned out the conversation. Alex and his sleeping arrangements were not her concern. A few nights sleeping on a trolley wouldn’t hurt the man.

  He didn’t look comfortable, though, her conscience whispered, and she recalled the way his feet had dangled off the end. And a thin cotton sheet wasn’t adequate cover at this time of the year, when the nights still held a chill.

  ‘Leah has offered her parents’ sofa,’ Anne informed him.

  ‘Leah has?’ Alex repeated.

  The worried note in his voice drew Kiki’s interest.

  ‘It’s better than nothing,’ Anne said, fighting a smirk.

  ‘Doubtful. I think I’ll stick with the trolley. Less chance of waking up to discover myself sharing it with several members of her family.’

  Curious, Kiki asked, ‘What’s wrong with them?’

  ‘Everything,’ they replied in unison.

  ‘God knows what might happen if I spend the night there,’ Alex added.

  ‘They might take him hostage and never set him free.’ Anne giggled.

  ‘Leah’s a lovely girl, but her parents are overly friendly and welcoming. To the point that it’s rather uncomfortable, if not a touch creepy.’

  ‘Oh...’ Kiki said.

  ‘I’ll tell her you’ve managed to find alternative lodgings for the next few weeks. Just make sure no one catches you asleep again.’

  Relieved, Alex nodded. ‘Please do.’

  Kiki returned her attention to her chores, refusing to listen to the guilt rising through her. Alex had already admitted he felt awkward in her company, spending time with her under the same roof, even for a short time, would just lead to further discomfort for them both.

  Besides, she liked her own company. She hadn’t lived with anyone since her mum had passed away five years before. The thought of Alex being at the lodge any time she turned around just made her uneasy. What if she wanted to stroll about in just her knickers and a towel? Not that she made a habit of wandering around in so little, but on occasion it happened—like when she ran a bath and forgot something in her room and needed to fetch it.

  No, Alex Morsi was not her problem. He was a grown man. An adult capable of looking after himself. He could rough it for a few nights.

  But he did offer you a job when you needed one, her inner voice reminded.

  Kiki clenched her jaw, thrusting the reminder away as she concentrated on her chore. Yes, he had offered her a job, but it was obvious he now regretted it. But he had stayed over and prevented her from being attacked by the criminal who might have taken offence to her rescuing the dogs. A criminal whom they’d caught together.

  She stopped what she was doing and continued to struggle with her principles. A decent person would at the very least offer him a room. And it would show Alex that she really had no interest in him other than as a co-worker. Also it would prove to herself that she could ignore this stupid attraction and strengthen a work-only relationship between them. A few days faced with how bad they each looked first thing in the morning and they’d soon forget the almost-kiss.

  ‘Look, that bed in the spare room at the lodge is yours if you want it.’ Kiki turned to the other two, the words spoken before common sense had a chance to butt in. ‘I’m sure we can tolerate each other until your flat is back to normal.’

  Alex hesitated, his dark eyes searching her face.

  ‘Wonderful!’ Anne cried, looking relieved. ‘A perfect solution. And a far better offer than Leah’s over-enthusiastic parents’ sofa.’

  Alex’s smile was a mixture of relief and concern. ‘Thanks. That’s great. For Nix’s sake, of course.’

  ‘Of course.’ She nodded, then joked, ‘This way we won’t have to worry about raising a ransom for your safe return.’

  She waited until Alex had left the room with Anne and the collie before gripping the edge of the instrument trolley. Silently she willed her racing heart-rate to return to its normal gentle speed.

  She would indeed soon be searching for a different job—because if Alex’s smiles continued to send her light-headed and unsteady, a whole week of them at work and at home would physically crush her.

  And that was completely unacceptable at this stage in her life. Those stupid self-help books said so.

  CHAPTER SIX

  KIKI PROPPED HER arms against the top rail of the metal fence, her eyes riveted on Alex as he moved the chestnut mare in a wide circle inside the exercise pen at Merryhome Stud Farm. White sand flicked up from the horse’s hooves and her muscles moved with grace and beauty as he encouraged her through a slow walk and then into a trot.

  The staff at the farm had expressed concern that the horse, named Brandy, was showing signs of lameness. Alex had wanted to observe the animal in motion, and had already had Kiki trotting the mare back and forth on hard terrain to determine which leg had the problem. Now he wanted to assess Brandy on a soft surface.

  A sharp bitter wind gusted through the yard, blowing around Kiki and setting off a violent shiver through her body. Hunching further into her thick coat, she prayed the rain would hold off until they’d finished examining all the horses, but the metallic grey sky hinted at it being unlikely. At some point in the next hour she was going to get soaked.

  ‘She’s a nice horse, don’t you think?’

  Startled, Kiki turned to find a silver-haired man standing at her side. The lime-green jumper he wore, carrying the farm’s blue horse logo, marked him as a staff member.

  She smiled and nodded. ‘She seems easy to handle.’

  ‘Don’t suppose you’re interested in buying her?’ the man asked. ‘She’s as gentle as fluff, but smart like Einstein. A real gem of a horse, she is. I’m not lying when I say if she were a woman I’d consider divorcing my wife and marrying her. Fast over jumps, too. Unfortunately, my daughter’s ex-boyfriend is forcing her to sell.’

  Kiki smiled at the first part of his statement, but shook her head. While she enjoyed working with horses, she had no dreams of owning one. The responsibility was the last complication she needed. ‘Sorry, I’m here to work, not to study the livestock.’

  The man raised his thick grey eyebrows. ‘You work with Alex, do you? Not seen you before, so I thought you were his girlfriend.’

  Kiki turned her attention back to the pair in the ring. Alex’s girlfriend? They were barely friends. Though hopefully by the time he returned to his flat in a few weeks they might be. Besides, Alex had made it plain he wasn’t interested in her sexually or romantically on her first day, and it suited Kiki fine. Friendship was best between them—less complicated than anything else.

  ‘I’m taking my turn to help out at the weekend,’ she explained, gripping the rail. Her frozen hands barely noticed the cold temperature of the metal. ‘Being the new girl, I thought it only right.’

  Although at this moment she regretted having offered, after waking with a headache and heavy cold. Standing in this open yard, with the wind battering against her back, was stealing any chance of her finding warmth or shelter. She’d stopped feeling her feet ten minutes ago and her cheeks were going the same way. Winter was definitely fighting spring’s claim on the weather today.

  ‘I’m Fred. I own this place. Don’t suppose you fancy adopting a dog, then? Wife’s spaniel’s just given birth to six puppies. Already got homes for four—just another two to go.’

  As much as Kiki loved animals, her life was too unsettled to take on the obligation of caring for one. Not when she didn’t know if she’d be living in the area for longer than a few months. She’d promised to tidy the lodge, but after that her plans were unknown. And until she decided which direction she intended to go with her life, and where she wanted to finally settle, she preferred to stay pet-free. She loved Fingle Lodge, but her godmother wanted to sell it, and paying a mortgage on Kiki’s wages was impossible.

  ‘No, thanks.’

  ‘Well, what’s the verdict?’ Fred asked, his attention shifting to Alex who was now walking towards the gate.

  The mare trailed happily at his side, looking keen to return to the shelter of her stable. Kiki understood her eagerness and wished she could join her. Sinking into a mound of straw to thaw out sounded a wonderful idea.

  ‘She’s showing lameness when she’s in trot,’ Alex confirmed, stopping next to them. He patted the mare on the neck. ‘And there’s heat and swelling in her lower right foreleg.’

  ‘Treat it in the usual way?’ Fred asked.

  Alex nodded and handed the horse over to a hovering groom. ‘To start with. If there’s no improvement after a few days, then give the practice a ring and I’ll come out and see her again.’

  Fred nodded. ‘Will do. Just talking to your girl, here.’

  Kiki opened her mouth to correct the man again, but before she could utter a word a coughing fit struck. Bending over, she covered her mouth with her hand as it shook her body for several minutes.

  ‘That sounds bad,’ Alex murmured with concern.

  Kiki straightened and coughed one last time. Fetching a tissue from her pocket, she blew her nose, conscious of the two men watching.

  ‘It’s just a cold. Leah was sneezing all day yesterday, and Anne complained several times of a sore throat. I’ve obviously picked it up from them.’

  ‘Flu’s doing the rounds this year,’ Fred remarked, shaking his head. ‘Can be nasty if you’re not careful. Several of the lads who work for me have gone down with it.’

  ‘It’s a cold,’ Kiki insisted, wishing the two men would turn their attention to a different subject. The urge to cough again tickled the back of her throat, but she swallowed hard, reluctant to give in to it.

  Alex frowned, not looking pleased. ‘Are you sure you’re well enough to be here? We’ve several horses to check over yet and it’s freezing. If you want to go home I can call a taxi for you. I don’t mind.’

  She waved a hand in refusal, annoyed when the prickle in her throat started her coughing again. ‘I’m fine...honestly.’

  Unconvinced, Alex stared at her. ‘That cough sounds terrible.’

  For a moment Kiki thought he was going to pull out his stethoscope and insist on examining her right there in the yard. If he came near her she would shove the instrument somewhere dark and unpleasant. The cough did sound chesty, but a silly cold wasn’t going to stop her from doing her job.

  ‘Are you worried over my health or concerned I’ll pass it on to you?’

  ‘I rarely catch colds,’ he replied arrogantly. ‘Or flu. I have a very good immune system. I can’t recall the last time I was ill.’

  She glared at him. Of course he was germ-resistant. No illness would dare to infect him. ‘Lucky you.’

  Fred chuckled at their exchange. ‘I guess it’s time to see Horace—or perhaps you’d prefer to visit him last?’

  Alex pulled a face. ‘What’s wrong with the old boy?’

  Fred stroked a hand over his chin, concern etched over his wrinkled face. ‘Hasn’t acted like himself since yesterday morning. Think it’s best if you check him over—especially as he’s getting on in years. My oldest girl will be distraught if anything happens to that old boy. She won her first gymkhana on him. He’s the farm’s lucky charm.’

  ‘Anything in particular concerning you?’ Alex probed.

  ‘Not exactly. Nothing solid. Just a feeling that he’s not right. He refused to eat his breakfast this morning. Not like him. Tipped his bucket over every time we offered it. He’s playing up like a right grump.’

  Alex nodded. ‘I’ve learnt to trust those feelings of yours over the years. They’re rarely wrong. But I’m going to require my fingers before Horace can attempt to remove them, so let’s deal with the other horses first and leave him to last.’

  ‘The staff will have them all ready for you,’ Fred said.

  Alex glanced at Kiki, concern still shadowing his gaze. ‘Ready?’

  She nodded, relieved he didn’t mention her leaving again. Hopefully her cough would settle for the rest of the time they were there.

  Wriggling her fingers to encourage some life back into them, she soon accepted that it was hopeless. An iced-over pond had more warmth than her body. She pulled her grey bobble hat further down over her ears.

  ‘Why don’t you head over to the stables,’ Fred suggested, ‘while I go and mix this young lady some of my mother’s special remedy. It will soon warm her through. Works every time for flu.’

  Kiki was touched by the old man’s offer. A hot drink sounded perfect for keeping away the chills and the tremors that now ran through her along with the odd ache. ‘It’s just a cold.’

  Fred placed a hand to the corner of his mouth as if to tell her a secret. ‘Here’s the thing, missy. It works for colds, too.’

  Alex gave Kiki another worried glance once Fred left. ‘You look peaky. Are you sure you want to stay?’

  For someone with a reputation for being uncaring towards his staff, he was showing a lot of unwanted and unnecessary interest in her. She’d prefer he returned to his normal indifference.

  ‘I’ll be fine. It’s years since I did any work with horses. Besides, I can’t wait to meet Horace. He sounds like a real character.’

  ‘He’s more like the devil’s charger.’

 

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