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‘So, how is Summer now?’

‘She’s doing good, thank you. Her last round of chemo finished a few months ago, and she’s making good progress.’

‘That’s great.’ Jake’s smile was so genuine that Evelyn felt a warm tingle that surprised her. ‘And how are you both settling in to Broclington? It must be strange coming home after so long.’

‘It is a bit,’ she admitted, again surprised and touched at Jake’s insight, ‘but as much as living with Mum again has taken some getting used to, it’s great to be here. And Summer loves it. She’s happier than she’s been in ages, and Mum absolutely dotes on her and spoils her.’

‘As every nanny should. My mother’s the same with my niece.’ He hesitated, then let the next words out in a rush. ‘You know, if ever you want someone to talk to – someone who isn’t family I mean – you know where to find me.’

Evelyn looked up, surprised at the offer and searched his blue eyes, but all she saw there was warmth and sincerity. The level of kindness that Jake had shown her already, and that he was still offering, was incredible. Here was someone she’d spent no more than a handful of hours with, and yet he was showing her more consideration – and kindness – than her ex had in months. She bit her lip as the tears that had been close all day threatened to overwhelm her resolve, this time driven by gratitude. She ducked her head and let her hair fall across her face while she tried to regain control.

‘Hey.’ Jake rested his fingers on hers, his large hand engulfing hers and falling across her knee as well. She was shocked at the heat through her denim and struggled to look away from the point where their skin connected. For a moment, her mind went somewhere completely inappropriate for a recently separated, still in the process of getting divorced, mother. But for a few seconds, Evelyn pictured that hand sliding higher, and touching other bare skin.

Jake drummed his fingers against hers, making her look up. ‘I meant what I said, Evelyn.’

She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.

‘Well don’t you two look cosy?’ Linda came in holding what looked like parts of a clothes airer with bits of ribbon woven through it, and toys hanging from the bars. She held up her construction. ‘What do you think? It was Summer’s idea to add the toys.’

‘I think it’s very clever.’ Jake grinned.

‘Well, if I had to stay in the corner all day I’d want my bestest toys,’ Summer explained from behind her nanny. ‘This is Monkey, and Teddy, and Squeaky, and Balley and Chewy.’ She pointed to each one of them in turn. ‘She knows all their names.’

‘She’s a very clever, well-behaved dog.’ Jake stood slowly to avoid disturbing Tilly. ‘Here, do you want me to take that? I’ll try to put it round her. Summer, maybe you can help?’

‘Yes. What should I do?’

‘Just come sit where I was, and talk to her. If you’re with her, she’ll know she’s safe and won’t think we’re locking her in a cage.’

‘OK.’ Summer raced to sit next to her furry friend, who shifted to rest her head in Summer’s lap. ‘Look, she’s pleased to see me.’ She leaned down to kiss the little ginger head. ‘I’m pleased to see you too, Tilly. Now, Jake is going to put your new super special toy holder round you, so you can see all your toys. It’s definitely a toy holder and not a cage and I know that coz I’m a kid, and kids know all about toys.’ She kept talking as the makeshift “toy holder” was lowered into place around them both.

Tilly looked around with worried eyes, and Evelyn held her breath and prayed that the idea would work and they wouldn’t have to sedate the little dog again. When Tilly snuffled sleepily at a toy and gave a tired, amused snort and flopped her head back down on Summer, Evelyn finally relaxed.

‘Well, that seems to be a success.’ Linda grabbed the kettle off the side. ‘Now who’s ready for a cuppa, and something to eat? Summer and I have been cooking most of the day.’

Jake looked up, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement as he met Evelyn’s gaze. She gave him a half-shrug – it was exactly what she’d predicted. But she hadn’t expected the butterflies that took flight in her stomach when Jake winked at her.

Without breaking her gaze, Jake smiled. ‘A cup of tea would be great, if it’s not too much trouble.’

Linda flicked the switch on the kettle. ‘If I had to row a boat to India, pick the tea myself and grind the leaves by hand – it wouldn’t be too much trouble. Not after what you’ve done for us today.’ She popped the lid off a metal tin. ‘Chocolate chip cookie? They’re all home-made.’

Jake waved goodnight for the third time and headed back to his car, his bag filled with more home baking and his heart warm. As she’d promised, Evelyn was completely competent in managing Tilly’s needs, and he had no concerns leaving the meds with her – along with his phone number. And he’d made her promise to call him in the morning. Though he’d never wish illness or injury on any living thing, he was glad of the excuse to swap numbers with Evelyn, and speak with her again. Soon.

As he climbed into his car, the curtains in the cottage window parted, flooding light out into the dark and highlighting Summer’s small frame as she waved happily. Jake held his hand up in farewell – for the fourth time. He had to admit, he’d had a really good evening – a far better ending to the day than he’d expected when Evelyn had raced in, clutching Tilly to her chest. He’d been shocked when he’d first seen Summer without a hat and was horrified and stunned to learn she’d been so ill, so recently. She was such a happy, outgoing little girl that it was painful to imagine what she’d been through in the past months – and all the more incredible that her nature was sunny and warm. Sunny, warm Summer. He smiled at the thought as he gave her another wave before pulling away.

But it was Evelyn who’d made him feel so at ease and at home. He had no difficulty talking to her like he did with a lot of people. His brother wasn’t wrong when he teased him that he dealt with animals better than he did people. But Evelyn made him feel so relaxed that his words tumbled out happily and his usual feelings of unease melted away. She really was amazing, and he was convinced that it was her positive, soothing nature that enabled Summer to be so cheerful in the face of everything she’d been through.

And yet, with levels of empathy that surprised Jake for anything without fur, feathers or scales, he could see a deep sadness and the weight of incredible worry darkening Evelyn’s beautiful green eyes. It was so unbearable to him that he’d immediately offered her a friendly shoulder whenever she needed one – and he really hoped that she’d take him up on his offer. Every time she smiled, it lit the room up a bit more, and he wanted to be responsible for making her smile that brightly as often as she’d give him the chance to.

He pulled into the Badger’s Hospital car park and went to check on the kittens who’d made such a noisy, chaotic entrance earlier that day. He spoke softly to them as he turned on the light and checked them over. The mother cat glared at him tiredly, but once he’d tucked all her kittens back where they belonged, she went back to ignoring him and returned to the important task of nuzzling and feeding her new family.

He smiled as he turned the light back off. The little guy whose arrival had been so dramatic was doing well, and would be going home with his brothers and sisters tomorrow. Between him and Summer’s little Shiba Inu, that was two good saves today, and Jake dearly loved the days when all his patients went home happy and with a positive prognosis.

He wished every day could be so positive, and filled with so much laughter.

Chapter Five

‘Are you sure you’re ready for this?’ Evelyn watched Summer with concern, wondering if she was looking a little pale, as she skipped up to the village school. Tilly trotted happily by her side, not showing a single ill effect from her adder adventures a few days before.