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This man went straight for the heart of the matter every time.
She pretended she hadn’t heard him. ‘Especially the older folk. They know their doctor and nurse, and they trust them to know their backgrounds without having to delve into files for an answer about who their son is or where their grandchildren live. That sort of thing distresses them.’
‘Except the current locum’s only been here three months and plans on leaving within the next three. Where’s the continuity in that?’
He didn’t miss a trick, which sucked big-time.
‘I won’t change my mind.’ Her voice was rising and she didn’t care. This man riled her.
‘I’m getting the picture.’ He folded his arms over his chest, the movement diverting her gaze from his inscrutable face to those muscles that underscored the polo-necked jersey he wore.
‘So am I,’ she muttered, not quite sure whether she was referring to his stubbornness or his mouth-watering chest.
Either of them was a problem. Logan was nothing like his brother in physical shape or appearance. James had been of average height and had carried a bit more weight than was healthy. But he’d had an open face and oodles of kindness and generosity. She wasn’t sure where Logan was with those characteristics.
‘Where are you staying while you’re in Motueka?’
‘Here. That’s if you don’t kick me out on the street. I like the spare room at the back of the house.’
Wanting to say no to that idea didn’t mean she could.
‘There’s no space to swing a cat in there.’ It was tiny and filled with cartons that needed to be gone through. ‘It’s also an ice box, being so far from the fire in the lounge and the heat pump in the hall.’
But she knew nothing about this man.
‘It will suit me perfectly.’
‘What’s wrong with the room next to Mickey’s? It’s bigger and warmer.’
Why make him comfortable? If he didn’t like the room he might leave earlier than planned.
‘I figure I’ll be out of your hair down there.’ His eyes zeroed in on the sandwich she was making. Avoiding eye contact? ‘I noticed all the cartons. I’ll shift them into the other bedroom after lunch.’
‘They’re full of James and Maria’s personal belongings. I haven’t had the gumption to go through them. Anyway, I thought you should be the one to deal with James’s stuff.’
And I’ll keep putting off sorting through Maria’s until finally I can do it without instantly bursting into tears. If only I could throw everything away untouched.
‘I probably should.’ Logan sounded equally reluctant to tackle that issue. Which she couldn’t fault.
‘I’ll try to get around to it before I head away again.’
Since Logan seemed intent on steamrollering her opposition to selling they’d be at loggerheads the whole time and he’d probably be glad to leave sooner rather than later. Behind her back she crossed her fingers.
‘The wardrobe’s locked. It’s the only way to keep the door from bursting open and spilling files and books across the room.’ She tried one last time. ‘You sure you don’t want the other room?’
Those smoky grey eyes roamed the kitchen before returning to her. ‘The small one’s fine. Better than some places I’ve been lately.’ He sucked a quick breath on that.
‘I’ll find some linen.’
‘Karina, I don’t expect you to run around after me. I’ll make my own bed.’
‘What do you expect of me, then?’
‘To seriously consider my proposal to sell. In fact, you might as well come with me to see the real estate salesperson.’
‘I what?’ The knife slid out of her fingers and clattered onto the floor. ‘Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve said?’
‘Have you listened to me?’ he asked, in a cool, calm tone.
What would rattle this man? Except for those moments when his eyes had looked everywhere except at her he’d remained in control, no matter what she’d said. Which was warning enough. She knew controlled and controlling men better than most.
‘I’ve heard every single crazy idea you’ve come up with so far!’ she yelled.
Get a grip. This is not the way to deal with him. Think about Mickey. That’s it. Sweet little man that he is, he needs you to bat for him, but sensibly, not like a shrew.
She tried to rein in her anger. ‘Maybe it would be better if you stayed in the motel down the road.’ It didn’t come out quite as calmly as she’d hoped, but it was an improvement.
Logan remained perched on the edge of the table, totally unperturbed at her outburst. ‘I want to have as much time as possible with Mickey before I head away again.’
She pounced. ‘And when might that be?’ Now she was repeating herself.
‘Probably not as soon as you’d like.’
Did his lips twitch? She’d swear they had, which was kind of deflating. If she wanted to be treated fairly then she had to do likewise.
‘I’m making one rule. We don’t talk about selling while you’re staying in this house.’
‘Karina, apart from seeing Mickey and sorting out some legal stuff with the lawyers over James and Maria’s wills, the only purpose of my visit is to sell. See it from my point of view. I can’t do a thing to help you around the house when I’m overseas. If you’re living in a new home I won’t have to worry about that.’
‘I see.’
He sounded too darned reasonable. Didn’t mean she was prepared to change her mind, though. Was she being selfish? Not at all. For her, this wasn’t about repairs and maintenance—it was about having a home. Not a house; a home. She’d had houses, mansions, and she knew how cold and impersonal they could be. She’d come to Motueka to turn around her life and find out what she really wanted for herself, and she had created a little world right here that would suit her for years to come. The thought that Logan wanted to take that away frightened her.
‘I don’t want you worrying about me. I’m not your concern. Only Mickey is.’
‘The way I see it, if you’re happy then so is my nephew.’
‘Then you’ve nothing to worry about. I’m happy living right here.’
Her tummy tightened. Huh? It’s true. I am. Aren’t I? I was until this morning. And I will be again, the moment Logan understands he’s wrong about this.
‘And if you’re really worried about the medical centre and the house, why don’t you move here permanently? You could share in making Mickey happy. He’d love to have you around the place.’
Logan didn’t bat an eyelid, didn’t have a fit as he had earlier when she’d suggested the same thing. ‘Give me some time to catch up on what happened with James, and get to know Mickey properly, and I’ll postpone that appointment with the agent.’
‘You’re bribing me now?’ She found a small smile for him. ‘Stay one month and I’ll listen to you at the end of that. I’m not saying I’ll go along with your plans, but we’ll discuss them then.’
And I’ll spend that whole month showing you why you’re wrong. I’ll also be busy finding the funds to buy you out.
‘Fine.’
Another twitch of those lips. Had he read her mind as easily as that?
Leaning back against the bench, Karina fought the need to study him while he stared at his feet. The expression on his lean face was sad and worried, as if he didn’t know where to go with any of this after all. Well, blow me over, rover. This guy has some serious issues.
Folding her arms under her breasts, she tried to deny the compassion building up for him. She couldn’t let it rule her head. Instead she needed to focus on what was best for Mickey. And then for her.
One thing was for sure: Logan Pascale would not be good for her. At all. Yes, but he would be great for one little boy who struggled to understand why his mum and dad didn’t walk in through the door at the end of the day as they’d used to.
Logan wanted to laugh, which was a surprise in itself. Karina was as transparent as clear water. He knew he was going to be hounded over the coming weeks. He should go and book into a motel immediately. But he’d play the game. He’d only been in this house a couple of hours and already he didn’t want to leave. The building was old and draughty, the windows rattled when the wind gusted, there was a bucket in the laundry, catching drips, and the carpets were threadbare. But, as Karina had said, it was a home—not just a house with two people rattling around in the vast spaces.
‘Lunch is ready.’ Karina pushed a plate laden with sandwiches across the bench towards him.
‘Want me to get Mickey?’
She nodded. ‘And Jonty.’
‘Why am I not surprised?’
Filling the kettle, she shook her head at him, those curls flying around her face and causing his gut to clench.
‘He looks after my gardens and hens and I give him some meals. Green dollars.’
‘Yeah, sure. Nothing to do with a kind heart or friendship?’ He couldn’t resist winking as he stood up, ready to stride out of the kitchen.
What a woman. Too darned diverting for his own good. Mickey and his eager smiles had already caught at him, so throw in Karina with her exuberant, even fiery spirit and he was knocked off his feet. He hadn’t experienced anything so normal in a long time. He didn’t want to now.
In Africa he knew his role—understood that there were no long-term connections with his patients, the women he worked with, the places he lived and worked in. He was there simply to help people less fortunate than him who needed his medical skills. Plain and simple.
Apparently others had thought he could also provide a source of money for their militant operations. Their illegal activities. The militants had got the wrong end of things when they’d kidnapped him, believing he was the son of a wealthy English lord. That lucky guy had been whisked away to safety the moment the CEO of the African Health Organisation had realised what was going on.
No wonder this place felt like a slice of heaven with its everyday normality.
Logan knew he was being a pain in the proverbial by choosing a room that Karina obviously preferred him not to have, but it suited him perfectly. He might have explained that after sharing cramped quarters with his colleagues for as long as he had he relished the idea of having space to himself. What he wouldn’t tell her was that he had to have privacy at night.
Sweat popped on his brow. Karina was right in that he should find a motel, only not for the reasons she’d been espousing. One night here and she’d be kicking him out anyway. Not to mention the awkward questions she’d be asking if he had his usual problems.
He focused on the mundane, hoping the other, darker thoughts bothering him would fade for a while.
Instead of going to get Mickey to come for lunch, he said, ‘I was under the impression Mickey went to kindergarten all day?’
‘He usually does, but a sore tummy kept him at home this morning.’ Karina lifted one shoulder. ‘After that puddle-jumping I’d say he’s fit to go this afternoon.’
‘Want me to drop him off?’
‘Sure.’
‘What time do you finish work?’ he asked when he returned with Mickey and Jonty in tow.
‘Five-thirty, give or take.’
‘Then you come home to cook dinner?’
Karina nodded and smiled. That smile pushed the darkness inside him further back.
‘I hope you’re happy with risotto?’
‘Sounds good to me.’
‘Mickey usually gets dropped off at the surgery about four. If you want to spend time with him you can collect him then.’
Her smile expanded, sending a flood of heat right down to the tips of his toes, heating all parts of his body on the way.
‘He’d love that. You’re family, Uncle Logan.’
His head dipped up and down in agreement as he swallowed the crazy need for her she’d inadvertently cranked up all too easily even while she’d been so ruthless in her comments about what he wanted to do to her haven. Again, Karina hadn’t held back on pressuring him, but he was getting used to her forthrightness. If he used it wisely it could save them both a lot of the trouble that ducking and diving around their problems would cause.
‘Mickey mightn’t understand, but I’m right beside him all the way.’ His mouth lifted into a small smile. A rare occurrence recently. ‘But you have a point. I’m not used to small boys.’
‘I’d have thought many of your patients would be small boys. Boys of any size and age, really.’
‘I used to kick a football around in the dust with plenty of young lads, but somehow getting to know Mickey seems daunting.’
Terrifying, even. There wouldn’t be any second chances. He had to get everything right from the get-go. There was a lot riding on that—things like Mickey living a happy childhood despite losing his parents.
Karina laughed, and it was as though the sun were in the room with them. Her face had that cheeky, fun quality she did so well. That wild hair was a riot of curls now that it had dried. What would it feel like to run his fingers through those coils? To feel them spring against the palms of his hands?
‘Right,’ she said. ‘That’s you sorted. Unless you’d prefer Mickey gives kindergarten a miss and stays with you?’
‘What do four-year-olds like to do with their afternoons?’ Damn, he hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
‘Believe me, Mickey will order you around and run you ragged.’
Did she have to look so pleased?
Unfortunately Karina’s smug look had turned out to be justified. Logan grimaced as he sidestepped another spray of muddy water Mickey sent his way. What was it with small boys and puddles? The rain might have stopped hours ago, but the water swamping the lawns hadn’t drained away and didn’t look as if it would any time soon. Another problem that needed looking into. Like that hole in the driveway, which definitely had to be sorted.
‘I want to see Karina.’ Mickey stood before him, staring up with those eyes that reminded him so much of James.
James. His older brother. Logan’s heart squeezed tight. They hadn’t been close, but they’d always known the other was there if needed. Hence the guardianship thing. He’d been touched when James had asked him, yet he’d thought he should have asked Mum and Dad. Apparently they’d believed Mickey needed younger guardians. They also hadn’t been comfortable at the prospect of living on remote Stewart Island with Mickey.
If he ever needed urgent medical attention, getting off the island wasn’t as simple as getting on board a boat and starting the engine. Weather ruled down there. It was a place his parents had fallen in love with, and they’d moved there the moment he’d finished school. It wasn’t a place he’d ever thought of as home.
Logan sure as hell hadn’t expected to take up the role of guardian so soon, if ever. It was only supposed to be insurance—the kind you took out but never used. If he’d known what would happen only weeks later he’d have told James to find someone better suited. Not that his brother would have listened.
A small hand wrapped around his fingers. ‘Karina’s at work.’
‘Yeah, buddy, I know. So we’ll have to wait to see her.’
