Harlequin Medical Romance December 2015, Box Set 1 of 2 (42 page)

‘Oh, no! I never phoned you, did I?' He slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. ‘I've been so busy moving my stuff into the cottage that it went straight out of my mind. Sorry!'

‘It's OK.' Molly shrugged, not wanting it to appear as though it mattered an iota. Nevertheless, the thought that she was so easily forgettable didn't exactly cheer her up. She pushed that foolish thought aside. ‘As you can see, I'm not ready so it's probably best if you go without me...'

‘Not at all,' Sean said quickly. ‘There's plenty of time for you to get changed.' He held up his hand when she started to speak. ‘I know for a fact that Bert and Doris will be very disappointed if you don't go tonight, Molly.' His voice dropped, sounding so deep and seductive that a shiver ran through her. ‘Me too. I've been looking forward to this evening all week.'

Molly knew that she should stand firm but the note of longing in his voice was her undoing. Stepping back, she ushered him into the sitting room, telling herself that it was ridiculous to imagine that Sean was so desperate for her company. It was probably one of his many ruses, she told herself as she hurried upstairs. A trick he had used umpteen times before to get his own way. However, despite all that, she simply couldn't find it in her heart to refuse to go with him and she sighed as she went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Where Sean was concerned, she was like putty in his hands—pliable, malleable and far too easily led astray!

CHAPTER ELEVEN

T
HE
G
REEN
M
AN
was crowded when they arrived. It appeared that Bert and Doris had invited every single person they knew to help them celebrate their marriage. Sean grabbed hold of Molly's hand as they made their way through the fray to where their hosts were seated, not wanting them to become separated. It had been pure good luck that he had managed to persuade her to come tonight after that mistake he had made and he didn't intend to waste a single precious second of her company.

He glanced at her, feeling his heart lift as once again he found himself thinking how lovely she looked. She had chosen a slim-fitting deep green dress for the occasion. If he'd been better versed in fashion-speak he would have been able to describe it in detail but all he knew was that the soft velvety fabric clung to every delectable curve. She was wearing high-heeled shoes and her legs looked fabulous—long and shapely—as she led the way through a gap in the crowd.

Sean swallowed a sigh as he forced his gaze away from the enticing curve of her calves. She looked gorgeous and, what was more, she
was
gorgeous inside and out. No wonder he was having the devil of a job behaving sensibly. One of the reasons why he had agreed to swap shifts was the fact that it would give him a breathing space. Taking some time out away from Molly had seemed propitious and it had worked too. Or it had done until she had opened the door tonight and he had found himself right back where he had started; right back where he had left off two years ago, if he was honest. It couldn't carry on this way—he couldn't cope! At some point he would have to make some decisions about what he intended to do, but not tonight. Tonight he was just going to enjoy being with her.

‘So you made it. That's grand, that is. We did wonder if you'd come as we know how busy you both must be, what with your work and everything.' Bert Feathers beamed in delight as he stood up to greet them and Sean hastily returned his thoughts to the reason why they were there. Bending, he kissed Doris's cheek.

‘We've been really looking forward to tonight, haven't we, Molly?' Sean said as he straightened up.

‘I...um... Yes, of course.' Molly bent and kissed Doris then gave Bert a kiss as well. ‘Congratulations to you both. I'm sure you'll be very happy together.'

‘Oh, there's no doubt about that!' Bert laughed as he sat down and squeezed Doris's hand. ‘We plan to make the most of whatever time we have left, don't we, love, starting tomorrow with our honeymoon.'

‘Where are you going?' Sean asked, trying to hide his chagrin at the way Molly had hesitated. He knew that he had railroaded her into coming with him so it shouldn't have been a surprise if she appeared less than thrilled about spending the evening with him; however, the thought that she would have preferred Humphreys' company to his didn't sit easily with him.

‘The Canary Islands. We're flying to Tenerife in the morning and spending Christmas and New Year there,' Bert informed them happily. ‘I've never been on a plane before, never even had a holiday, in fact, unless you count a day trip to Scarborough when I was a lad, so this will be a first for me. I'm right looking forward to it, too. So's Doris.'

‘How wonderful!' Sean exclaimed, genuinely delighted for them. Another couple of guests came over to speak to them at that moment so he and Molly moved aside. People were milling about, chatting to friends or sampling the buffet which had been arranged on long trestle tables at the far side of the room. Sean grimaced when his stomach rolled at the thought of the delicious-looking spread and he saw Molly look at him.

‘I never got chance to eat anything today. I was too busy putting things away into cupboards and drawers and forgot all about lunch.'

‘Why don't you get something now?' she suggested, leading the way to the buffet tables. Picking up a plate and some napkin-wrapped cutlery, she handed them to him, snatching her hand away when their fingers accidentally touched. ‘It all looks delicious,' she declared but Sean could hear the quaver in her voice and didn't know whether to be pleased or sorry. Obviously, Molly wasn't as indifferent to him as she was making out.

‘Aren't you having anything?' he asked, trying to batten down the rush of emotions that hit him at that idea. Did he want her to feel something for him or not? Quite frankly, he couldn't decide or, rather, he chose not to arrive at a conclusion. It was too risky to do that, to examine his feelings and come up with an answer that might only complicate matters even further.

‘How about some of this smoked salmon?' he suggested, spearing a morsel on the end of his fork. He offered it to her and smiled, praying that she couldn't tell how ambivalent he felt, how confused. He wanted her so much but he couldn't have her unless he broke his vow to Claire. And the thought tore him in two. ‘You always loved smoked salmon, didn't you?' he added inanely because he needed to keep talking, otherwise he might do something really stupid. He couldn't promise Molly the earth when it wasn't his to give.

‘Yes, I did.' She looked back at him and Sean could see a host of memories in her eyes, recollections of all the other times when they had eaten together, laughed together, got to know one another's likes and dislikes. When she leant forward and delicately closed her lips around the morsel of food Sean felt the blood surge through his veins. There in a room filled with people laughing and enjoying themselves, he and Molly stood alone, set apart from everyone else by their memories. He knew then that he would always remember this moment because it was when he realised that he wouldn't have changed what had happened between them even if he could have done. That time he had spent with Molly was far too precious; he needed the memory of it far too much. It was the one bright and shining period to come out of all these long years of darkness and despair.

Molly could taste the savoury tang of the salmon on her tongue and shuddered. She wasn't sure why she had done that—leant forward and accepted the treat Sean had offered her. The action smacked of an intimacy that she knew she shouldn't encourage and yet she had still done it, hadn't she? Why? Did she want to experience their former closeness once more when it would mean risking getting hurt all over again? Surely she wasn't so foolish as to imagine that this time it would be different, that this time Sean would want her to remain in his life for good? After what she had learned about Claire, the possibility of that happening was zero.

Picking up a plate, Molly started to fill it with delicacies even though the thought of actually eating any of it made her feel sick. However, it was something to do, something normal and stress-free, and that was what she needed desperately. Sean had loaded his plate with a selection of goodies and was looking round for somewhere to sit down; he nodded towards a couple of vacant chairs in the corner near the window.

‘Let's go over there while we eat this little lot,' he suggested, leading the way.

Molly followed him in silence, half afraid that all the thoughts whizzing around inside her head would somehow pop out into the open. It wasn't Sean's fault if he could never love her like he had loved Claire and it would be wrong to make him feel guilty about it. Sitting down, she spread the paper napkin over her lap then balanced her plate on her knees, hoping that she would manage to eat some of the food she had collected.

‘Mmm, this is delicious. Did you pick up one of these?'

Sean showed her a tiny pastry tart filled with cream cheese and prawns and Molly shook her head then swallowed as a wave of nausea suddenly struck her.

‘No? Then have this one. I picked up two, greedy guts that I am, so it's only fair that I share them with you.' He went to pop the tartlet on her plate but Molly pushed his hand away.

‘No! I...I don't like prawns,' she muttered, using the first excuse she could come up with to explain why she'd been so abrupt.

‘Really?' Sean frowned, his dark brows drawing together as he stared at her in surprise. ‘Since when? You used to love prawns. Why, they were your favourite sandwich filling. Whenever I asked you what you wanted from the canteen, it was always a prawn mayonnaise sandwich.'

‘I probably ate so many that I sickened myself of them,' Molly said snappily, wishing that he didn't have such excellent recall. Was he going to dredge up every itty-bitty scrap of information about her? she thought sourly, then realised how contrary she was being. The fact that Sean remembered which sandwiches she had liked should have been a boost to her ego. It proved that he hadn't simply dismissed her from his mind the minute he had left Dalverston, as she had imagined.

The thought was unsettling, far too unsettling to explore at that moment. Molly concentrated on her supper and managed to eat at least some of the food on her plate. Sean was tucking in with gusto and sighed with contentment when the last morsel had disappeared.

‘That was delicious. Best food I've eaten in days. I love living in the cottage but I haven't quite got to grips with the Aga yet.' He groaned. ‘I didn't think it was possible to burn water but I managed it. Or rather I burnt the potatoes that were supposed to be boiling in it!'

Molly laughed as well, thinking how handsome he looked as he sat there, his deep blue eyes filled with self-mocking laughter. Sean had never taken himself too seriously. He had such an easy manner about him that both staff and patients alike were always comfortable when he was around. He was very different in that respect from Adam Humphreys. Adam tended to stand very much on ceremony—he was the doctor and he wanted everyone to remember it too. She couldn't imagine Adam laughing at himself like that and it was the last thought she needed when, every time she compared the two men, Sean came out on top.

‘You need some lessons,' she said, hurriedly steering her thoughts down a less dangerous track.

‘If that's an offer, then yes, please. Both me and my poor stomach would be eternally grateful if you could give me a few tips on how to master the wretched thing.'

‘Oh, I...um...' Molly floundered, caught completely off-guard by the suggestion.

‘How about tomorrow morning? You're off this weekend and I'm on a late on Saturday so it would be perfect.'

He looked so hopeful that Molly found the refusal dying on her lips. After all, what harm could there be in giving him some pointers about the art of Aga cooking?

‘All right. Around ten, shall we say?'

‘Brilliant!' He rolled his eyes lasciviously. ‘Oh, I can't wait to cook myself a meal that doesn't taste—or smell—as though it's been cremated!'

Molly laughed. Even though he was hamming it up for all he was worth, it was good to know that she could help him at least with regard to his cooking skills. As for the rest, well, there was very little she could do about that.

Thankfully, there was no time to dwell on that thought as the best man called for silence just then and asked everyone to raise their glasses to toast the happy couple. Once that was done, music began to play and Bert and Doris took to the floor in a stately and surprisingly accomplished waltz. Other people started to join in and Molly jumped when Sean touched her lightly on the arm.

‘Fancy a go?' He grinned at her. ‘I can't promise not to tread on your toes but I'll give it my best shot.'

‘Why not?' she said because it seemed churlish to refuse when everyone else was dancing. She followed him onto the dance floor, steeling herself when he took her in his arms. Even though he was holding her at arm's length, it wasn't easy to ignore the powerful attraction of his body. They completed a full circuit of the floor, their steps fitting so perfectly that there was no danger of him trampling on her toes. Tossing back her hair, Molly treated him to a mock-fierce stare.

‘I think you were spinning me a line, Sean Fitzgerald. You're an excellent dancer so what was that rubbish about not treading on my toes all about?'

‘Because on the few occasions when I've attempted to dance like this before, I've left my partner with multiple bruises.' He twirled her round, bending her backwards over his arm and leering comically down at her like some fifth-rate gigolo. ‘You, my lovely, have inspired me!'

Molly laughed as he pulled her back up. It was such a load of nonsense and yet she couldn't help enjoying the way he made everything seem like such fun. When the music changed to a much faster rhythm this time, they remained on the floor, simply enjoying the chance to be together in such an undemanding fashion. They were having fun: it was as simple as that. And if she was having more fun because she was with Sean then Molly refused to think about it. It was easier this way. Less complicated. Less painful.

* * *

Sean collected Molly's coat from the cloakroom, wishing that the evening didn't have to end. It had been a wonderful night and he wanted it to carry on but everything had to come to an end at some point. Just for a second he found himself refuting that idea. It didn't need to end if he didn't choose to let it. Tonight could be the start of a whole lot more wonderful nights. All he had to do was make the decision and the future could be his. He could move on with Molly at his side...

If he left Claire behind.

The thought sent a stab of guilt through his guts. It was hard to hide how upset he felt as he went back to find Molly and helped her on with her coat. Bert and Doris were standing by the door, seeing their guests out, and he and Molly kissed them both and wished them well before they left. It was freezing cold outside, their breath clouding like cartoon speech bubbles as they hurried to his car. Sean zapped the locks then turned to help Molly into the seat, cursing softly when the car keys slipped out of his numb fingers.

‘I'll get them.' Molly bent down to retrieve the keys at the same moment as he did and their heads collided. ‘Ouch!' she exclaimed, straightening up.