Olivia beamed at her.“Dad does thebestsausages.Mum doesn’t like sausages, so we don’t have them often but they’re very good.”
Rhys shook his head, embarrassed, but there was something in his eyes, in his expression that made Cat’s heart flip again.
“Hungry?”he asked.
She nodded, the morning light coming through the steamy kitchen window, casting a soft glow in the small old kitchen.
Rhys handed her a plate with what appeared to be a pretty impressive version of the traditional English breakfast.Eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms and tomatoes, and toast.Even the beans.
“Thanks, Rhys,” Cat said, as she took her usual place at the table.“But you shouldn’t have stayed to make us breakfast.You have work to do.”
“I’ve been making good progress,” he said.“And I know I’ve been spending more time working than I anticipated, but I can finally see the end in sight.”
“That must be a huge relief,” she said as he filled her coffee cup.
“Enormous,” he agreed.“When you arrived, I wasn’t sure I was going to pull it off but now… now I’m feeling pretty good.You’ve made it possible for me to get caught up.I appreciate it more than you know.”
Cat caught Jillian’s eye roll but didn’t let it bother her this morning.Cat had slept well, very well, and the rest had restored her equilibrium as well.
Rhys carried his plate to the table and joined them, sitting across from her with his girls on either side.He handed Cat the salt and pepper, his fingers brushing hers and just that light touch made her breath catch.
But just that quick breath drew Jillian’s attention, and she was staring at her, eyes narrowed, lips compressed, smile gone.
“What are you working on today?”Cat asked, trying to keep her tone friendly, non-threatening, since Jillian was still acting so sensitive.
“Sample chapters to go with the outline.The publisher is wanting to put together a sales package that marketing can also use.”
“It’s an academic book, isn’t it?”
“Clinical reference book, yes.”
“So, your audience would primarily be medical schools and teaching hospitals?”
“Precisely.”He nodded and stabbed one of his sausage bites.“Libraries at major universities have indicated an interest in carrying it, and then there are my colleagues and fellows in my field, surgical residents and specialists.”
“So, no pressure,” she said, smiling at him.
His laugh was low and husky, and it warmed her as much as the hot breakfast and coffee.“No pressure at all.”
Again, his gaze met hers, but this time it held, and Cat’s heart did an extra hard thump.There was so much not being said that the unspoken made her pulse race.She wished there could be more, wished she had a life like this, one where she was loved and she could love in return.But, at the moment, it was all impractical.But still.A girl could dream.
“If I have another good day, I was thinking tonight we should go out again.Have another holiday excursion,” Rhys said, smiling at his girls and then Cat.“There are lots of things happening in the area, and with no rain forecast for a few days, I think we should take advantage of the fine weather and explore some more.”
“You mean us,” Jillian said brightly, eyes wide, hopeful, as she focused on her father.“The three of us.Ourfamily.”
“Yes, our family,” he said, “and Cat.”
“I thought you wanted to be with us,” Jillian said, her voice dropping a little, her tone hardening.
“We can’t leave Cat here, love—”
Jillian clenched her hand.“Why not?You don’t take Charlotte everywhere.”
Silence engulfed the table, a silence that made Cat feel as if she was drowning.Because Jillian was right.This wasn’t her family.Cat didn’t have a family but that was nothing new, and she couldn’t pretend the Harmons were her people.
“I’m good staying home,” Cat said, rising to go refresh her coffee.“I have so much work to do.I’m getting responses to my queries and I should answer, before everyone unplugs for Christmas.”
“Oh, but do come, Cat, I love it when you go with us,” Olivia said, unaware of the tension.“You make everything extra fun.”
