Rory is sitting on the sofa, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, his boots waiting near the door. When he sees us, he rises, smiling at Callie. “Hello again.”
Well, that’s enough of that. “How’s Rhona?”
“She’s sprained her wrist.”
I suck in a breath through my teeth. Given the enormity ofher job and responsibilities, this is not good. Combine that with her stubborn nature, and we’re all in for a world of fun. “How bad is it then?”
“Mild to moderate. Time will tell, but I imagine it won’t be healed for six weeks or so.”
“I’ll head over there and sort a schedule.”
Rory nods. “Thought you might. Between us, we can find a solution.”
“Not to be nosy,” Callie says, “but is there a reason this sprained wrist is a big deal?”
“Rhona won’t be able to feed and care for all of her animals without help,” Rory says.
“Oh.” Callie nods. “You guys are like Avengers, you know that? A storm comes in, and you go out like Captain Scotland and Highland Hulk and care for all the neighbors who need help. Fixing broken pipes and lighting boilers and feeding animals. It’s like aLifetimemovie.”
Rory glances at me, the slightest lift to his eyebrows, and internally I’mbegginghim not to say anything. My face is probably screaming the words “don’t give me away.” I really don’t want Callie to get the lowdown on me, nor on why my friends take turns checking in on me every single day.
He clears his throat. “We take care of each other around here.”
Bless that man.
“Want to stay for some hot chocolate?” I ask.
Rory looks at Callie and hesitation plays over his face, sending a twinge of jealousy through me that is entirely unwarranted. But it makes me wish I hadn’t extended the invitation. The man is my best mate and a total catch. If he was to hit it off with this woman, I should be happy for him, not regretting the fact they’ve now met.
Not that it matters. She doesn’t live here. She’s going to be on the other side of the world again in just a few weeks. Givenhow casually Callie looks at physical relationships, I’m not sure I love seeing any sort of connection between the two of them. Rory is as casual as she is. It isn’t a promising combination.
“I’d better not.” Rory gestures toward the front door. “I should return to my rounds.”
“In this weather?” Callie asks.
“That’s what the snowmobile is for.” He gives her a wide grin. “I hope we see you at the party. Angus is working on the roads now, so it shouldn’t be too bad by this afternoon.”
“Doesn’t he have a bad hip?”
We both look at Callie. How does she know that?
“Yes. But he can still drive,” I say.
Rory looks slightly bewildered as he makes his way to the door to pull on his boots again. “Cheers.”
We watch him leave. “Nice guy,” Callie says.
That jealousy surges again, like a hot wave climbing through my chest. I need to go roll in the snow and douse it at once. Why am I acting like a child? I sweep past her to go into the kitchen. “He’s a good man.”
Now I need to say three positive things about Rory to cancel out the jealousy, don’t I? Is that the appropriate penance for wishing your best friend wasn’t as great as he is?
“Grand, really,” I continue, looking through the cupboard for the hot cocoa mix.
“Yeah,” she follows me into the kitchen and leans against the counter, hands resting on the edge of it behind her. “He seems like it.”
Okay, this isn’t helping. I’m going to choose not to pursue this conversation, and I’m actively going to choose not to analyze why I care so much about it. I’m the one who stopped the kiss that night. I’m the one who pushed her away. I don’t get to act jealous that she said a few minor friendly things about my eligible doctor mate.
I’m actually losing my mind.
