Sarah Morgan Summer Collection

‘Well, he was only ever a locum, wasn’t he? He was reminding me of that this morning when I was trying to persuade him to stay, but I don’t understand it really. The man fits in here. I mean, why leave?’

‘I expect he’s leaving because we can’t offer him what he needs.’ On impulse Kyla stood up and walked towards the door. ‘I’m glad Fraser is on the mend, Aisla. Call us any time if you’re worried.’

She saw Aisla out and then walked into Ethan’s room. ‘What exactly is it that you need?’

He was seated at his desk and he looked up, his dark eyes guarded. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I don’t understand what it is that you need.’ Restless and boiling up with emotions that she couldn’t control, Kyla paced the floor of his consulting room. ‘I mean, it’s all here if you look for it. You love to run and you won’t find better anywhere. Or do you prefer fumes and tarmac to sea breezes and sand? You like to swim and we have a whole ocean waiting for you, or do you prefer chlorine and public pools?’

‘Kyla—’

‘Or is it the medicine?’ she continued breathlessly, turning around and pacing back again. ‘Because I can tell you now that you won’t find greater variety anywhere. This island is like a small world. We have births and deaths and in between we have all the things that are part of life. And we handle most of it ourselves because we can’t refer someone to the hospital every time things get slightly complicated. You’ll get more hands-on experience here than you ever would in a London teaching hospital, and it’s probably just as much of a challenge as Africa in its own way.’

He opened his mouth and she plunged on, afraid to let him speak in case he said something that she couldn’t bear to hear.

‘Or is it the people?’ she said, finally standing still and daring to look at him. He was unnaturally still as he watched her, his eyes fixed on her face. ‘It’s true that everyone on this island is interested in everyone else, but that’s because we’re a community. We’re not just a bunch of faceless individuals living isolated lives that never interconnect. We care, Ethan. We care in a way that you’re never going to find in a city. We mind what happens to people. We care about each other and we care about you. I care about you. I love you, actually—’ Suddenly awkward and embarrassed, she broke off, suddenly wishing she’d been born with some of his natural reticence because she knew that she’d given away far too much. She’d given away everything.

But then she decided that he’d probably guessed anyway, and remembered Evanna’s words.

Pride isn’t going to keep you warm on those long winter nights, Kyla.

He rose to his feet and walked round the desk towards her, and she felt the steady, rhythmic bump of her heart against her chest.

‘You love me?’ His voice was deep and she felt herself backing away.

‘Yes, but that doesn’t have to be a problem. You can stay on the island and not have a relationship with me. We could—’

‘Can we start from the beginning? What makes you think I’m leaving?’

‘Something Aisla just said, about your post only ever being temporary. I know that this island is different to everything you’re used to. I know that you’re used to living your life very much on your own. You say it’s the only way you know, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a different way if you want to. Catherine did it.’

‘Kyla—’

‘You feel it, I know you do. The magic of this place. I’ve seen your face when you run on the sand in the morning. I’ve seen the tension melt away from you when you breathe in the sea air. I know you love it here. And you care about the patients. You cared enough to dangle off the end of a rope to save a little boy from a dark dungeon.’

He brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her hard.

Her head spun, her knees sagged and she gave a little murmur of shock as his hands slid into her hair and he held her firmly, exploring her mouth with feverish intent.

When he finally lifted his head she blinked and tried to focus. ‘That isn’t fair. You shouldn’t do that when I’m trying to concentrate. W-why did you do that?’

‘I was showing you that I care about the inhabitants of the island.’

She swallowed hard, her hands still clutching the jacket of his suit for support. ‘I’m just one inhabitant.’

‘But the most important one,’ he said softly, the hint of a smile touching his mouth as he studied her face. ‘I had no idea that you loved me. That changes a lot of things.’

‘You didn’t know?’ She felt her cheeks colour. ‘You think I strip naked in the ruins of the castle for every man?’

‘I certainly hope not.’ He stroked his fingers through her hair. ‘But I thought the fact that I kept a secret from you damaged what we had.’

‘I was angry with you and hurt that you didn’t trust me.’

He drew in a breath and his eyes narrowed questioningly. ‘And now? How do you feel now?’

‘Now I just feel miserable that you’re leaving.’

He released her then and walked over to the window, staring out across the fields that stretched from Logan’s house towards the sea. ‘When I first arrived here, I wasn’t even sure why I’d come. It was too late for Catherine and me, but I suppose a part of me wanted to identify the last few pieces of the puzzle. I wanted to understand what it was that had changed her and now I do, because it’s changed me, too. This place restores your faith in humanity. This place doesn’t allow selfishness because it’s all about sharing. The island only works because people share.’

‘I think that’s what Catherine discovered. She said that she suddenly felt as though she belonged somewhere.’

‘Yes.’ He turned to look at her and her heart pounded.

‘I thought you were going to walk away from me,’ she whispered, trapped by the look in his eyes. ‘I thought you were going to walk away from what we have.’

‘Never.’

‘But—’

He walked towards her and put a hand over her lips, humour dancing in his eyes. ‘I think when we’re married I’m going to have to gag you for part of the day or I’ll never get a chance to speak and then you’ll accuse me of being hopeless at communicating.’

Her heart almost stopped and she wanted to ask him to repeat what he’d just said, but his fingers were still covering her mouth so she was only able to make a ‘mmm’ sound.

His fingers brushed her lips. ‘You’re right that I love Glenmore island. You’re right that I love sea breezes and soft sand. You’re right that I love to swim in the ocean, and it’s certainly true that there’s more than enough of a medical challenge here to keep me satisfied. And, of course, I love Kirsty and want to watch her grow up. But none of those are the reasons that I’ll be staying here.’ His gaze was gentle. ‘I’ll be staying here because of you. Because I love you, Kyla. I love everything about you. I love your warmth and generosity and the way you care for everyone. I love your slightly wicked streak and the way you love your family. And I want to be part of that family.’

He moved his hand from her mouth and looked at her expectantly, but now that he’d given her the opportunity to speak she discovered that the words were stuck behind the giant lump in her throat.

‘Kyla?’ His gentle prompt made her open her mouth and croak something incoherent.

‘I didn’t—You said …’

He lifted an eyebrow. ‘I said?’

‘A few sentences ago you mentioned …’

‘I mentioned …?’

‘Marriage.’

‘Yes, I did.’ He looked around his consulting room and rolled his eyes. ‘I’m thirty-two years old and when I finally propose to a woman we’re surrounded by medical equipment.’

‘I don’t care about the surroundings,’ she murmured, hardly daring to believe what was happening. ‘I haven’t even noticed them.’

‘Good. So is the answer yes?’

‘You came here to find Kirsty—’

‘I came here because I was drawn by the letter that Catherine wrote. Because I wanted to see this place.’ His ran a finger over her cheek. ‘But I’m staying because of you.’