‘The patients are refusing to see you?’ She sounded affronted. ‘That’s awful.’
‘Don’t worry about it. I’m allergic to hard work and it gives me more time to spend on the internet.’
‘You’re just saying that, but you must feel terrible about it.’
‘I don’t give a damn.’
She gave a faint gasp and blinked several times. ‘You don’t need to pretend with me. I’m sure you’re upset. How could you not be?’
‘Flora,’ he interrupted her, amused by her misinterpretation of the facts, ‘don’t endow me with qualities that I don’t possess. To feel terrible I’d have to care, and I think we both know that my relationship with the islanders is hardly one of lasting affection.’
‘You’re very hard on them and perhaps that’s justified, but you need to see it from their point of view. Everyone’s a bit shocked, that’s all. No one was expecting you because Logan didn’t say anything to anyone.’
‘Given that this is Glenmore, I expect he’ll be struck off for respecting confidentiality.’
Her sudden smile caught him by surprise. ‘They do gossip, don’t they? Everything takes three times as long here because of the conversation. I can’t get used to it.’ Her smile faded. ‘Logan told me about what you’ve done—your training. That’s amazing. I had no idea.’
Conner sat in silence and she spread her hands, visibly uncomfortable with the situation.
‘I’m trying to apologise. I didn’t mean to be rude. It was just that…’ She gave an awkward shrug. ‘Anyway, I really am sorry.’
‘Never apologise, Flora.’
‘If I’m wrong, then I apologise,’ she said firmly. ‘Don’t you?’
‘I don’t know.’ Enjoying himself, he smiled. ‘I’ve never been wrong.’
Derailed by the banter, she backed away slightly and then stopped. ‘I’m apologising for assuming that you weren’t qualified for the job. For thinking that you being here would just cause trouble.’
‘It will cause trouble,’ Conner drawled softly, ‘so you weren’t wrong.’
‘You knew it would cause trouble?’
‘Of course.’
His answer brought a puzzled frown to her face. ‘If you knew that, why did you come back?’
‘I thrive on trouble, Flora. Trouble is the fuel the drives my engine.’
This time, instead of backing away, she looked at him. Properly. Her eyes focused on his, as if she was searching for something. ‘You’re angry with us, aren’t you? Is that why you’re here?’ She fiddled with her glasses again, as if she wasn’t used to having them on her nose. ‘To level a score?’
‘You think I became a doctor so that I could return to my roots and exterminate the inhabitants of Glenmore, one by one?’
‘Of course not. But I know you’re angry. I can feel it.’
Then she was more intuitive than he’d thought. Raising his guard, Conner watched her. ‘I’m not angry. If people would rather wait a week to see Logan, that’s fine by me.’
‘But it must hurt your feelings.’
‘I don’t have feelings, Flora. Providing I still get paid, I don’t care whether the patients see me or not. It’s Logan’s problem.’ He could tell she didn’t like his answer because she frowned and shook her head slightly.
‘I can’t believe that you’re not at all sensitive about the way people react to you.’
‘That’s because you’re a woman and women think differently to men.’ This time his smile was genuine. ‘Do I look sensitive?’ He watched as her eyes drifted to his shoulders and then lifted to his jaw line.
‘No.’Her voice was hoarse. ‘You don’t.’ And then her eyes lifted to his and the atmosphere snapped taut.
Conner felt his body stir.
Well, well, he thought. How interesting. Sexual chemistry with a woman who probably didn’t know the meaning of the phrase. His gaze lowered to her mouth and he saw that her lips were soft and bare of make-up. He had a sudden impulse to be unforgivably shocking and kiss her.
‘Well, if you’re sure you’re fine…’ She was flustered. He could tell she was flustered.
Normally he had no qualms about making a woman flustered but somehow with Flora it seemed unsporting. She might be older but she obviously wasn’t any more experienced. With an inner sigh and lingering regret, he backed off. ‘I’m fine,’ he said gently. ‘But thank you for asking.’
He wondered idly if she’d ever had sex.
A boyfriend?
‘My consulting room is next door.’ Apparently unaware of what had just happened between them, she suddenly became brisk and efficient. ‘Evanna is still doing a morning clinic, but if you need a nurse to do a home visit then ask me because she’s too pregnant to be dashing around the island. You know your way around, so that shouldn’t be a problem. If there’s anything you’re not sure of, ask.’
‘I’ll do that.’
If she had a boyfriend, it was someone tame and safe, he decided. Someone who hadn’t taught her the meaning of passion.
‘Well—I’ve held you up long enough. Morning surgery can be a long one.’ Her gaze slid to his legs, encased in black leather. ‘You know, people might feel more comfortable with you if you changed.’
‘I am who I am, Flora.’
‘I meant your clothes.’ She pushed her glasses onto the bridge of her nose. ‘You could change your clothes.’
‘Why would I want to do that?’
‘Because the patients expect a doctor to look like a doctor.’
‘Flora.’ He failed to keep the amusement out of his voice. ‘It wouldn’t matter whether I was wearing a set of theatre scrubs or a white coat, the inhabitants of Glenmore would still struggle to believe that Bad Conner is a doctor. Just as you’re struggling.’
‘I’m not. Not any more. But I don’t see why you should confirm their prejudices by dressing like a biker.’ She flushed. ‘Do you always have to antagonise people? Break the rules?’
‘Yes. I think I probably do.’ Conner watched her. ‘Just as you always like to please people and do everything that is expected of you. In our own ways we’re the same, you and I. We’re both working hard to meet society’s expectations of us.’
She looked at him, her dark eyes reproachful. ‘There’s nothing wrong in being part of a community.’
‘True.
