A Proposal to Remember

Anna nodded. Of course Sam would remember. He’d been brought up here, just like her. ‘He died six months ago. Had a massive heart attack just after Christmas.’

‘Not surprised with all the smoking, eating and drinking he usually did.’ Sam gave a rueful smile. ‘I think we can safely say that he lived life to the full. What was wrong with the cottage? Subsidence?’

Anna’s jaw fell. ‘How do you know?’

He shrugged. ‘Common sense. It was pretty old and the windows were wonky. Had to be something.’

Anna sighed. ‘I thought wonky windows gave a place character.’

‘And major structural problems,’ Sam said dryly. ‘So now you’re homeless.’

‘I completed on the flat two weeks ago. It was that or lose the sale. I was expecting to exchange and complete in two weeks. It never occurred to me that there’d be a problem that I couldn’t cope with. I was ready to buy it regardless.’

Sam shrugged broad shoulders. ‘So buy it.’

‘With what?’ Anna shot him an impatient look. ‘I need a mortgage and unfortunately people don’t lend you money on wrecks.’

‘Find somewhere new. Somewhere with straight windows.’

‘Given the fact your father has landed me with a dud locum, I won’t have the time to trawl estate agents. I’ll rent for now.’

He ignored the dig and lifted an eyebrow. ‘Rent? You’re kidding. How do you expect to find somewhere to rent at this time of year? Every inch of available bed space is already let out to tourists. You wouldn’t even find a stable.’

‘All right, well, I’ll sleep in the surgery if I have to,’ she said irritably, and he yawned.

‘Why would you need to? You can sleep here as far as I’m concerned. With six bedrooms, the house is big enough for both of us. You’ll just have to try and resist me.’

‘Believe me, no house would ever be big enough for both of us. Your ego takes up too much space.’

‘Don’t push your luck.’ He finished the beer. ‘I’m trying to be generous and giving here. If you’re going to argue, you can sleep on the damned beach.’

‘Sorry.’ Something that she couldn’t identify made her suddenly need to apologise. She ran a hand through her hair which had dried sleek and straight. It fell past her shoulders, halfway down her back. ‘I’m just disappointed about the house. Worried about your dad. Anxious about the practice.’

Unsettled.

‘Scared about the future.’ Sam’s gaze fixed on hers. ‘Safe Anna. Careful Anna. Anna the planner. So ballsy on the outside but on the inside you crave security.’

She bit her lip, hating the fact that he knew her so well.

‘Spare me the amateur psychology. Anyway, what’s wrong with planning? And what’s wrong with enjoying life and wanting it to stay the same?’

‘Nothing. But think what you could be missing.’

She frowned. ‘There’s nothing missing in my life.’

‘Apart from a social life.’

‘I have a perfectly satisfactory social life, thank you.’

He leaned against the balcony, the wet suit lovingly displaying every muscular curve of his body. ‘Bingo on a Friday, lobster night at the Dog and Duck. The beach barbecue. Take-away seafood from Hilda’s Kitchen. Wow.’

‘Never underestimate Hilda’s seafood.’ Anna clamped her jaw shut to prevent herself from rising to the bait. It was true that her social life was pathetically limited but that was as much because she was exhausted all the time as to lack of opportunity. By the time she finished work all she had the energy for was a date with a good book. But that was fine for now. She was busy establishing herself as a GP. Time for the rest later. It was all part of her life plan.

She leaned back in her chair and pretended to enjoy the view. ‘At least my social life doesn’t make the newspapers. Face it, McKenna, you just can’t settle down with one woman, can you?’

Every time she saw a picture of him, he had a different woman on his arm. Usually blonde. Usually extremely curvaceous. None of them looked like the marrying type.

‘Why would I want to?’