“But the thing is,” Ian said now, using his serious voice, which was even more worrying than his mischief-making voice, “we all love Jamie too much to see him spend the rest of his life with only three decrepit old bags of bones for company.”

“I’m fifty-six,” said Lucie indignantly. “I’m closer to Jamie’s age than yours! Watch who you’re calling a decrepit bag of bones.”

“More to the point,” said Ken, “we haven’t exactly told Mika everything, have we? How well do you think it’ll go over if you push them into a romantic relationship and she finds out he has secrets? Jamie doesn’t need to lose anyone else.”

There was a pause as Ken remembered, with a sudden, piercing pain, the very first time he’d met Jamie. He knew from the looks on Ian’s and Lucie’s faces that they were remembering it, too.

Lucie diverted them quickly. “Why is it you’re never concerned about my romantic life, or lack thereof?”

“Darling, you said it yourself, you’re fifty-six,” Ian said soothingly. “You’re an established spin—”

“If you say the word spinster, I’ll skewer you on a spit.”

“You’re an established spinner of stability and comfort,” Ian finished quickly, his eyes full of merriment. “We would all fall apart without you! For my own selfish reasons, I can’t have you going off on romantic adventures.”

Lucie rolled her eyes, clearly trying not to laugh. “Nicely saved.”

Outside, the girls were scrambling to their feet. They’d be in for a break and a snack any minute.

“Ian,” Ken said firmly, before the others could get within earshot. “I mean it. Don’t stick your nose in this.”

“Of course not, my love,” Ian said brightly.

Ken didn’t believe him.

CHAPTER NINE

Jamie stacked books with unwonted ferocity, hoping the satisfying thump of heavy, dusty volumes colliding would work out some of his ill temper.

Had it only been three days since she’d arrived? He felt like it had been months since he’d known peace.

(Now, admittedly, it had been months since he’d known peace. He hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep since that night in June. But that wasn’t what this was about. This was about her.)