Next day he’d run out to the nearest shop to buy her something to wear as the virus ran its course and she went from hot to cold. He’d had a heart-stopping minute when he’d pulled back the bedclothes and seen the red rash all over her abdomen. But it had faded just as quickly as it had appeared and he’d pulled the pyjamas onto her.
Now she was awake and showering—and would probably want to leave. And he was struck by how sorry he was about that. He’d never shared this cottage with anyone. Since he’d moved to Arran he hadn’t brought anyone back to this space. Mac was watching carefully from the corner. He’d come over and sniffed at Kristie a few times, then nudged her in the hope she’d wake up and bring him food. When that hadn’t happened he’d slumped off to the corner again.
It had been over a year since Rhuaridh had lived with someone. The penthouse flat that he’d shared with Zoe in one of the central areas of Glasgow didn’t have the charm of this old cottage. Its plain white walls and sterile glass now seemed to Rhuaridh like some kind of indicator of their relationship. Zoe had liked living with a colleague who was doing well. Someone she thought might ‘go places’. Of course, that had all come to a resounding crash when he’d told her his intention to return home to Arran as a general practitioner.
He couldn’t remember the strength of his feelings back then. If Zoe had been sick, would she even have wanted Rhuaridh to take care of her—the way he had Kristie? It was likely not. There were no similarities between the two women. Zoe didn’t have the warmth that Kristie did. Even when Kristie was sick, she’d still occasionally reached out and squeezed his hand.
There was something about that connection. That taking care of someone. Letting them share the space that was essentially yours. Somehow with Kristie it didn’t feel intrusive. It just felt...right. He’d never experienced that with Zoe. Instead, he’d just felt like part of her grand plan. One that had come to a resounding halt when he’d said he was moving back to Arran. Rejection always hurt. That, and the feeling of not being ‘enough’ for someone. He had none of that from Kristie. Instead, it felt like they were pieces of the same puzzle—albeit from thousands of miles apart—that just seemed to fit together. And it didn’t matter that long term it all seemed impossible, because right now was all he wanted to think about.
Rhuaridh turned as Kristie came back down the stairs. Her damp hair was tied up, her cheeks looked a bit pinker and she’d changed into the clothes that Gerry had stuck in a bag and brought around yesterday. ‘Stole some of your deodorant,’ she said apologetically. ‘Gerry’s idea of toiletries seems to be only a toothbrush.’
‘No worries,’ he said casually. He pointed to the table. ‘I made some more tea. I thought you wouldn’t be ready for anything more sociable.’
She eyed the tea and accompanying plate of chocolate biscuits. ‘That’s about as sociable as I can manage,’ she said as she sat back on the sofa and tucked her legs underneath her. ‘Hey, Mac,’ she said, calling the dog over and rubbing his head, ‘I’m sorry, have I been ignoring you?’ She bent down and dropped a kiss on his head. ‘Promise you it wasn’t intentional.’
She let Rhuaridh pour the tea and hand her a cup before he sat down next to her again. The pink T-shirt she was wearing made her look more like herself.
‘I’m glad you’re feeling better,’ he said. And he meant it.
She sipped her tea. ‘I’m so sorry. I’ve really put you out. What about work?’
He looked at her and gave a gentle shake of his head. ‘It’s Sunday. You arrived late on Friday night and there’s been a locum on call at the hospital this weekend.’
Her eyes widened as she realised what those words meant. Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Your first weekend off? Oh, no. I’m so sorry. You must have had plans.’
He shrugged. ‘I guess you changed them for me.’
She blinked. Her eyes looked wet. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, her voice a bit croaky.
‘Don’t be. You brightened up our weekend. Mac’s getting bored with me anyhow. He likes the change of company.’