At the movement in the doorway, Kate looked up.

Arms laden with a mixed arrangement of pink carnations, Declan stood, watching. “Oh,” he said. “Kate. You’re here.”

Kate’s tongue grew leaden. For all the things she had thought to say to him while Tilly was in the shower, every cutting word she had ready and waiting, the intimidating sight of him struck her mute. Immediately, she slipped off the bed. She tied off the plait quickly. “Hi,” she managed politely, hating herself for it.

He crossed the room and laid the bouquet at the end of Tilly’s bed. Kate released the plait, her stomach bottoming out as, from the other side of the bed, she watched his large hand smooth between Tilly’s shoulder blades. He pressed a kiss to Tilly’s cheek, his touch so gentle that Kate had to look away. “Are you going home already?” he said softly.

“The nurse is working on my discharge papers.”

He nodded. “And how are you feeling?”

“I just showered,” Tilly deflected.

Chuckling he fell into the chair at Tilly’s bedside. Turning to return the cheap plastic comb to the pharmacy bag, Kate rolled her eyes. Hope I kept the seat warm for you, Vicar.

Unease crawled beneath Kate’s skin as he took Tilly’s hand in his. “Are you in pain?” As she folded Tilly’s still-warm gown, Kate could feel his eyes on her. Kate watched as Tilly shook her head.

“How is Lily?” Tilly asked. “I hope I didn’t frighten her.”

“She was very upset.”

Kate’s jaw set hard. Don’t bloody tell her that.

“Tell her that I’m completely fine,” Tilly said.

Yeah, Kate thought sarcastically, completely fine. Carefully, she folded the gown so the bloodstains weren’t visible.

“Lily would like to see you,” he said. “I promised I would bring her with me this afternoon to visit you. But now, I see that’s unlikely…”

Tilly smiled apologetically.

“Or,” he suggested, “if you think the discharge papers could still take a while, I could go back for the children. We could help you across on the ferry, back home…” Briefly, his gaze flickered to Kate. “I’d like to help, Tilly. I shouldn’t have left you earlier and I’d like to make up for it, make sure you’re comfortable. Please let me.”

At the clear lilt of manipulation in his tone, Kate’s eyes snapped up. She could feel the guilt radiating off Tilly, her incessant need to please. “Sounds like a bit too much excitement, Vicar,” Kate said bluntly. “She’s exhausted. I’m taking her home.”

“I think what Tilly wants is up to Tilly, Kate.”

Jaw tensing, Kate gathered the bag of toiletries. “Yeah, and she decided that’s what she wants about three hours ago.” Looking up, she fixed her gaze on him. “Back when you were across town giving mass.”

Tilly released a weak, nervous laugh. “Declan, I appreciate the offer. Really. But Kate’s already here. It would be silly for you to go to all that trouble.”

He nodded. “If you insist.” He turned his gaze to Kate. “She can’t teach. Don’t expect her to be up and about in a few days.”