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‘I don’t think you are.’ The hurt in his voice was obvious. ‘But if you don’t want to tell me what’s wrong, then there’s nothing I can do to make you. But there’s also nothing I can do to help.’

Evelyn wavered, her resolve starting to crumble.

‘If it makes any difference, I really do want you to tell me.’

‘I don’t think you do.’ Evelyn flung the dishcloth back in the sink.

‘I really do.’

She searched his eyes for any hint of deception, but all she could see was honest concern. ‘I’m struggling to get my head around it all.’

‘That’s understandable.’ Jake rubbed her back in comforting motions. ‘Finding out Summer had relapsed must have been an incredible blow to you. It was shocking enough for me.’ He pressed his lips together tightly, his jaw clenched, and for the first time Evelyn considered how Summer’s illness had impacted him, and guilt flooded her.

‘It’s not just that,’ she admitted quietly. ‘I almost expected it. I dreaded it, feared it, and prayed every day and night that it wouldn’t happen, but it wasn’t really a surprise. But everything else? I’m struggling to believe it’s all real.’

‘How do you mean?’ He leaned back against the side, a few steps back, but still close enough to reach out easily.

‘That this is all happening. That you’ve found Hazelmire and his team, and that so many people want to help us.

‘You still don’t get it, do you?’ Jake shook his head. ‘You’re an important part of this village and community.’

‘Do you really think so?’

‘I know so. It’s just how people are round here, and it’s because of how you are.’

‘I’m just not used to anything like this,’ Evelyn shook her head, feeling tears well up again. She scrunched up her eyes to force them back. Lately, she felt raw with emotion and seemed to be crying at every little thing. ‘I’m not used to being able to rely on many people. Even Summer’s father let us down. Mum helped as much as she could, but her life was here, and mine wasn’t, so I just learned to get on with things. And now it seems everyone I’ve ever met – and more people I haven’t – want to help us. It’s a bit overwhelming, and it all seems so surreal that I worry I’m going to wake up tomorrow and it will have all gone away, and it will go back to being just me and Summer. And I’m not sure how I would cope with that now.’

‘You’re not going to be alone.’ He stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. It was an innocent gesture that could have just been friendly, but Evelyn sensed it could easily be much, much more. ‘As long as I have any choice in it, I won’t let you be alone.’

‘I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve any of this.’

‘You’re kind, you care about others, and you put them first. You’re a wonderful, wonderful person Evelyn.’ He answered honestly. ‘You know, Nick would say it’s karma. You put good energy into the universe and you get good back.’ He hesitated, giving her one of the looks that made her think he could read her mind. ‘Is that why you’ve been pulling away from me? Because you think you don’t deserve happiness? Don’t think I haven’t noticed.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘I don’t want you to be sorry.’ He waited until she turned to face him. ‘I want you to give me a chance to help fix whatever’s wrong.’

‘I don’t know that it can be fixed,’ Evelyn whispered, needing him to know her fears, and hoping Jake somehow had the answer that she didn’t.

‘I’m not going to let you down. I’m not your ex. For one thing, I’m not that bloody stupid. Or unkind.’ He tugged her hand, and she stepped into his arms. ‘I’ll say it again, Evelyn. I’m not going to let you down. Aren’t I proving that right now by being here even after you tried to chase me away? I want to be here for you, and for Summer, for as long as you’ll let me. Whatever happens. In whatever way you want. Even if you just want to have some fun with me for a while.’

Evelyn tucked her head against his shoulder, and breathed in his familiar, safe scent.

‘Does this mean you might be willing to let me try?’ She felt his breath catch while he waited for her answer.

She nodded against his chest. ‘I’d like that, but I’m scared. I only just survived what Charlie did to us. But you’re right, I do deserve some fun, and being with you is definitely making me happier.’

‘Will you please look at me.’ He waited until she did. ‘I’m not him. Frankly, he was a bastard and an idiot, and if I ever met him, I’d take great delight in telling him that.’ He stroked her hair back from her face. ‘Evelyn, I’m not going to make the mistakes he did. We were great together, and we could be again so easily. I really, really care about you. And Summer. And if you let me, I’ll spend every day trying to prove that. I can’t promise I’ll always be perfect – you know I can be a clumsy eejit at times – but I can promise to always try. But even if you say no, I’m still going to do everything I can to get Summer to Boston for the treatment she needs.’

‘Even if we’re just friends?’

‘I won’t lie. I’d like more than that, but my helping Summer isn’t contingent on what happens between us. I’d never put a condition like that on you. I want to be with you again Evelyn, but only if you want to be with me for me. If that makes sense.’

‘It does.’

‘I’m not asking you for an answer now. You need to take time to think about this. But’—he gave her a wicked grin that turned her knees to jelly—‘I’m not going to make it easy for you to say no. I hope you realise that. I’ll be in touch to talk about the fundraising, but I’m leaving you with this to think about.’ He cupped her face in his hands, stroking her cheeks as he slid his touch backwards and laced his fingers through her hair.

Her breath came on short, fast gasps of anticipation as he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, tasting her as if she was the most decadent of chocolate. He pulled her more tightly against him, and the heat and energy of his body thrummed against her, making her hot all over. His lips danced against hers, sending waves of pleasure pulsing through her body.