Cat wrapped her hands around her teacup, grateful for the heat.Her fingers trembled, more from nerves than cold, and she didn’t know why she was suddenly nervous.Maybe because she’d been hired sight unseen, she felt extra pressure to make a first impression, or maybe it was because he was nothing like she’d imagined.She thought of doctors, especially surgeons, as intense and a little nerdy, but Dr.Harmon looked as if he’d stepped straight out of a glossy London magazine spread.
It wasn’t just his height, either, but his broad shoulders, his upper body strongly defined in the tailored dress shirt.His features were appealing and strong, almost classically handsome, but it was his light hazel eyes, and his focused, intent expression, that made her feel prickly and sensitive.It struck her that he was nobody’s fool, and unless he was a beast to work for, she didn’t understand why he’d found it so challenging finding a caregiver for two young girls.
“I know it was a bit of a rush for you to take the morning train,” he said, “but I appreciate it.I need to make progress on my book, and the fact that I haven’t is testing my patience.”He stirred his tea once, efficiently, then set the spoon down in precise alignment with the saucer’s rim.His voice was deep, low, authoritative, the kind of voice that could calm a patient or quickly silence an argument.
“A medical book?”
“I’m turning a research project and paper into a book.Hospitals like that sort of thing.Makes them look good and all that.”
“My father was a doctor, but he didn’t do projects, papers, or books.He was a family practice doctor in Ypsilanti, just outside Ann Arbor.”
“The best kind of doctor,” Rhys answered.“Takes care of not just the whole family, but the community.”
“I never thought of it that way, but yes.Seemed like everyone knew him.”
“I sometimes wish I’d gone that direction.”
“We need great surgeons too.”
“I wouldn’t call myself great.”
“You don’t have to.I did some research and the experts in your field called you great.”
He shrugged, clearly uncomfortable with praise.“As I said on the phone, Jillian is going through a challenging phase, and she holds considerable influence over her sister Olivia.Olivia very much wants to remain in her sister’s good grace, so she tends to do whatever Jillian says.But don’t be fooled.Olivia is a softie, and she won’t enjoy hurting your feelings.”
“But Jillian will.”
His expression didn’t outwardly change but something that looked like weariness flickered in his eyes.“She will.Or at least she’ll try.”He fell silent, drumming his fingers briefly on the table.“She succeeded with our last careminder—the poor woman didn’t even last a week with us.Which means Jillian is feeling rather powerful at the moment.The first few days might be hard.I don’t want you to take anything personally.I don’t know how one wouldn’t, but if you can remember this isn’t about you, that would help.”
“You mentioned she’s twelve?”
“Yes.”He hesitated.“She’s bright.Sensitive.But this year…” His jaw tightened slightly.“This is the first Christmas for the girls without their mum with them.Olivia misses her, but Jillian is taking it far harder.She’s making it far harder.She’s angry, and confused, and she’s going to push you, and test you.But it’s not just you.She’s not happy with me, either.”
“Because…”
“I’m not forcing her mother to spend the holidays with us.I haven’t trapped her in the cottage against her will.”
Cat fought to check her smile.Rhys Harmon was quite dry, as well as very engaging.“So, you’ve still been celebrating Christmas together all these years?”
“It’s beenfour.”He gave her a look as if daring her to challenge him.“We thought it best when we separated to continue celebrating special occasions like birthdays and Christmas together.”
“It is a big change, not having your parents with you for Christmas.I can see why she’s upset.”
“Even though I’m here and not heading to the Caribbean.”
“Is that where their mother is?”
“Soon.She’s still in London, packing and wrapping up whatever she needs to wrap up, and then she’ll be flying to St.Bart’s for Christmas and New Year’s.”
“So, the girls won’t see her at all for Christmas?”
“No.”His brow creased and then he glanced up at her.“She suggested they have a celebration when she returns.But that didn’t go over particularly well.I thought maybe they could have an early Christmas together, but she hadn’t done any shopping yet and needed to focus on her trip.”
“No wonder your daughters are struggling.It’s one thing to spend Christmas Day with you, and then Christmas Eve with her, or vice versa, but to go all of the holiday without being together?At least your oldest, Jillian, feels safe enough with you to let you know she’s mad.That’s a positive.”
“Is it?”he asked, doubtfully.
“I was very hard on my grandmother after—” Cat broke off, shifted in her chair, uncomfortable.“After things changed at home.It’s hard to feel safe after big changes.Hard to trust.”
