Summer on Lovers' Island (Jewell Cove 3)

He gave a cursory look at the cottage. “Wow. This is really roughing it for you.”

She forced a smile. “You think? I mean, it’s simple, but it’s got all the amenities and a gorgeous claw-foot tub. I’ve been very comfortable this summer. Plus the breeze off the ocean is fabulous.”

“Yes, you do have quite a view. I was enjoying it as I waited for you to come home.”

“Can I get you something to drink, Ian? Then we can go out on the deck and you can tell me what brought you all the way to Jewell Cove.”

“A gin and tonic if you’ve got it.”

Lizzie blinked. Right. G&T was Ian’s preferred drink, and in her condo she’d always had some on hand in the liquor cabinet. “I’m afraid I don’t,” she apologized. “But I can offer you a glass of wine or a beer. And I think I have a few sodas in the fridge.”

Ian’s eyebrows rose. “I guess I’ll have a soda. I’m not much of a beer man.”

She went to the kitchen, aware that Ian was behind her.

“Wow, there’s not much room in here.”

She shrugged, more annoyed by the second. “There’s just me, and you know I’ve never been much of a cook. I don’t need a big kitchen.”

Which reminded her that her pasta was still on the counter and she was damned hungry. What was he doing here that he couldn’t say with a phone call, anyway?

She took out a can of soda and handed it to him, then took the bottle of open pinot grigio and poured herself a glass. She was dying to ask him why he was here but wanted to be patient. Cool.

In control. Resigned, she put her food in the fridge.

“Shall we sit on the deck?” she asked. “It’s nice out there, and I’ve been inside most of the day.”

“Sure,” he answered, and she led the way back outside. From the way he was looking at the cottage, she could tell it wasn’t quite up to his standards. Maybe it was a bit rustic, but it was cozy. She’d thought so from the beginning.

They settled into a pair of chairs and Lizzie let out a sigh. This was her favorite time of day, really. At the end of the summer the sun was mellow, the ocean beautiful, and the breeze fresh.

“Tired?” Ian asked, tipping up his can. She realized she hadn’t even bothered to offer him a glass with ice. She wondered why she cared so little. Ian was her boss. Or had been, until her leave of absence. He was the one in the position of making things right again. He might have news of the lawsuit. And right now she was more concerned with her pasta and empty stomach. It made no sense, because with things being awkward between her and Josh her position at the hospital was more important than ever.

“Not really tired,” Lizzie replied, taking a sip of the crisp wine. “Just chilling out. My schedule’s a dream here, really.” She chuckled a little. “I just had some crotchety patients today. I earned my wine.”

“I never thought I’d see you at a family practice. Especially not in a small town.”

“Life is full of surprises,” she answered dryly. “I had to do something. I didn’t have a job, Ian. I wasn’t about to sit in my condo and take up basket weaving or macramé or something.” Bam. If he thought she was going to avoid the subject, he was sorely mistaken. It was what it was and she wouldn’t pretend otherwise.

“About that…,” Ian started the subject, then halted a little.

“Is that why you drove all the way out here, Ian? What is it? Do I not have a job to go back to? Is it something to do with the lawsuit? Because you haven’t called once all summer. Not that I expected you to, but finding you on my doorstep is a bit of a surprise.”

He put his soda can down on a small table, then turned his chair so he was facing her. “It’s good news, actually. The hospital is settling the suit. You don’t need to worry about that.”

It surprised her that she didn’t really react to his news. Truthfully, she hadn’t been worried—much. She’d spent far more time wondering about the family affected than any civil litigation. She wondered, as she looked into Ian’s handsome face, if he ever felt the same sort of qualms or fits of conscience.

“I made a mistake, Ian. It cost that family their baby. I really wasn’t thinking too much about a lawsuit.”

“Of course.” His eyes softened. “I understand that, Lizzie. You’ve got a good heart. You always did.”

“Is that why you came? To tell me about the lawsuit, tell me what a good person I am?”

His gaze held hers. “Partly. I understand you’re angry with me. I hope you believe me when I say I was trying to do what was best. It wasn’t all in the interest of the hospital. I’m worried about you, too.”

“I was angry at first,” she admitted. “But I did need the break. I was on the verge of burnout. I stopped resenting you for that part of it a while ago.”

It was true, she realized. It bugged her that Ian had been right, because she didn’t like to be wrong. She wasn’t blind to her faults. But her time here hadn’t been so bad. Jewell Cove was a nice town with nice people.