‘She was debriefing with Dr McKinley,’ Evanna said smoothly, and Jenna jumped with shock because she hadn’t seen Evanna standing next to her daughter. Last time she’d looked Evanna had been serving sausages and salad. But somehow the other woman had materialised at the foot of the steps, Charlie in her arms. ‘I gather everything went smoothly, Jenna? Rapid response from the air ambulance? Did things go according to plan?’

Grateful as she was for Evanna’s focus on the professional, Jenna didn’t manage to respond.

Fortunately Ryan took over. ‘Things don’t always go according to plan,’ he said softly, ‘but that’s life, isn’t it? Ideally I would have liked to lose the audience, but you can’t choose where these things happen.’

Jenna couldn’t work out whether he was talking about the medical emergency or the fact she’d almost kissed him. They’d had an audience for both. and she was painfully aware that she’d embarrassed him as much as herself. These were his friends. His colleagues. No doubt he’d be on the receiving end of suggestive remarks for the rest of the summer. Yes, he’d kissed her on the beach, but that had been early in the morning with no one watching.

Because Lexi was still looking at her suspiciously, Jenna forced herself to join in the discussion. ‘I—it was a bit unexpected. I’m not used to dealing with emergencies.’ And she wasn’t used to being attracted to a man. She’d behaved like a crazed, desperate woman.

‘From what I’ve heard you were fantastic—a real Glenmore nurse.’ Evanna was generous with her praise. ‘We’re expected to be able to turn our hands to pretty much anything. People are already singing your praises all over the island.’ She tucked her hand through Jenna’s arm, leading her back across the beach as if they’d been friends for ever. ‘Word travels fast in this place. How are your feet?’

Jenna glanced down and realised that she’d forgotten she wasn’t wearing shoes. ‘Sore. I need to find my sandals.’ Her face was burning and she didn’t dare look round to see where Ryan was. Hiding, probably—afraid of the desperate divorcee who had tried to attack him. As for Lexi, she still wasn’t smiling, but the scowl had left her features. Which presumably meant that Evanna’s explanation had satisfied her.

‘Your Lexi is so brilliant with the children.’ Evanna led her back to the food and heaped potato salad on a plate. ‘Logan—find something delicious for Jenna. She’s earned it.’

Jenna accepted the food, even though the last thing she felt like was eating. She just wanted to go home and work out what she was going to say to Ryan next time she saw him on his own.