trying to unravel a complex work of art. It made him feel restless, even groping a bit for the right approach. He didn’t want her feeling ill at ease around him. Suddenly and for reasons he couldn’t explain he felt right out of his comfort zone.
Flicking on the radio, he listened to the last of a sports broadcast, snorted at the final result and flicked it off again. Slackening his speed, he drove through the town centre and then picked up speed again as he headed for home.
Usually he felt a surge in his spirits as he took the rural scenic road to his property, Three Oaks. Today he felt restless, hardly noticing the colourful patchwork of cultivated crops on either side of the road. The multitude of lush colours and textures of the vegetation might have been a dull grey for all he noticed.
The white wooden gates of the McNeals’ place were coming up. Aiden thought for a second, then slowed and turned in. Jo was a sweetheart. She’d be sure to have the kettle on and he could murder a strong black coffee. And some uncomplicated company.
Jo had seen Aiden arrive and went out on to the verandah to greet him.
‘Sorry I missed your call.’ He leaned sideways and buzzed her cheek. ‘Any coffee going?’
‘As always.’ Jo chuckled and led the way along to the kitchen. ‘You’ve just missed Kate.’
Aiden feigned scant interest, better than trying to analyse his odd reaction at just hearing her name. ‘Kate Preston?’
Jo rolled her eyes. ‘Do we know another Kate?’ Jo slipped an expresso coffee bag into a mug. ‘I invited her and the kids for lunch. It’s got to be a bit lonely for her here at the moment. Don’t you think?’
‘Maybe. I hadn’t thought about it.’ Liar. ‘Where are Andrew and Brady?’ He changed tack swiftly and dropped on to a high kitchen stool.
Jo wasn’t fooled for a second. She’d seen the smear of colour redden his throat at the mention of Kate’s name. So that’s the way the land lay. Interesting. She handed Aiden his coffee. ‘Andrew wore himself out playing with Kate’s two and is having a nap. Brady’s folks are visiting. They’ve all gone for a bit of a wander down to the creek.’
Aiden nodded. ‘Coffee’s good, thanks.’
‘Nice weekend?’ Jo asked lightly.
‘On the whole, yes.’ And it has been, he thought, if you discounted the hash he’d made of things on Saturday morning. Oh, God, he was back to that and didn’t want to be. He finished his coffee, swung off his stool and rinsed his mug at the sink.
Kate was full of misgivings as she drove to work on Monday. Somehow she had to establish a manageable working relationship with Aiden. But would he respond?
She’d given herself a talking-to last night. She’d entirely overreacted on Saturday morning. When she should have acted cool and light, she’d been tense and awkward around him. I’m so out of practice, she wailed silently. God, I’ve been such heavy going!
In the staffroom, Kate sipped at a coffee she didn’t want and tried to join in the pre-work chatter. There was no sign of Aiden and every time the door opened her nerves shredded a little more. Yet he had to be here somewhere. She’d seen his Land Rover in the car park.
When Vicky headed off about her business, Kate seized her chance and exited discreetly after her. She caught up with Vicky in Reception. ‘Oh, Vic, is Aiden in? I need to check something with him.’
‘In his room.’ Vicky went through the hatch and began switching on computers and fax machine. ‘Catching up on paperwork apparently.’
Kate nodded, feeling the twist of nerves in her stomach. ‘How’s my list looking?’ she sidetracked quickly.
‘You’re booked wall to wall, Kate. Breanna Cassen is your first patient. Remember, we spoke about her on Friday when we were juggling appointments—mum with the poorly baby?’
‘Yes.’ Kate turned to leave. ‘I’ll bring myself up to date before she comes in. Thanks, Vic.’ Kate went directly to Aiden’s consulting room.
Standing outside his door, she took a deep, controlling breath, her heart a drumbeat in her chest. She lifted her hand and knocked. Hearing his gruff ‘Yes?’ she pushed open the door and went in.
‘Morning.’ She forced a tentative smile. ‘Do you have a minute?’
‘Kate.’ Aiden looked surprised. Even startled.
Kate watched as he quickly schooled his expression. He’d obviously been miles away, broodingly intent on something … or someone.
‘Have a seat,’ he offered, scooting his own chair back from the desk to a more informal setting.
‘I won’t, thanks. I just wanted to say …’ Kate licked her lips. ‘I realise we seem to have …’
Aiden couldn’t bear her discomfort. Swinging up from his chair, he leaned towards her, his hands planted firmly on the desk between them. ‘Kate, it’s OK.’
‘No, it’s not. I need to say this. I’ve been acting like a lunatic, feeling awkward …’
‘Around me?’
‘Yes … I guess.’ She felt the shallow tightness in her breathing, her voice petering away to nothing. She should say what she’d come to say and get out but something in his look, his manner held her motionless.
‘I see.’ Aiden’s eyes were like blue chips. He wasn’t letting her run from this. This awareness was mutual, whatever spin she chose to put on it. ‘What do you suggest we do about it, then?’
Kate sent him a beseeching look. Suddenly his office seemed too small, too intimate. She looked around jerkily for inspiration. ‘I’m not usually difficult to work with …’
‘Neither am I.’ Quite deliberately he moved around the corner of his desk, closer to her. ‘So we agree we don’t actually dislike each other, then?’
Far from it. Kate looked at him wordlessly. This was not how any of it was supposed to happen. Her heart tripped. ‘Aiden, I …’
‘Yes, Kate?’ He could see her chest rising and falling more quickly, hear the plaintive little catch in her breathing. And he’d never been more turned on in his life.
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