Page 44 of The Healer

“I’m afraid so.” Ilona scanned the office, shoving the last bite into her mouth. “And a few more trips to Lover’s Point.”

Harriet rose, splaying her fingers on the desk to brace herself. “Then I’ll be off. I’ll have Dane or Rhys deliver your luggage to your house. In case you work late, or I miss seeing you tonight, come for coffee sometime.”

Ilona escorted the older woman to the front door. “Will do, and thanks again, Harriet. You’ve made this trip special for me.”

Harriet’s smile was sweet, yet her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “You’re a darling, Ilona.”

“Don’t overwhelm me with flattery. It will go straight to my head.” She gripped the handle, snapped the door shut, and sighed. Harriet meandered along the salted walkway in nothing but a cashmere cardigan for warmth.

With a shake of her head, Ilona faced the next section to clean—the reception area. But only after her cake. Grinning, she hurried to the office, slid into the still-warm chair, and flicked a finger through the dark chocolate icing sugar.

She closed her eyes, relishing the sweet, smoky taste before taking a huge bite of the cake. The clinic had been dirty for who knew how long. Half an hour longer wouldn’t matter when there was cake to devour.

That was how Dane found her, bent over a slice of cake like a crack addict, with icing on her nose, and a steaming cup of coffee beside her.

“I’m not sharing,” she mumbled while sucking on a thumb.

“Come between a woman and chocolate—are you insane? I like my face the way it is, thank you. Harriet has me doing another run to your house. Need anything?”

He was such a great bear of a man with the sweetest of hearts. Ilona put the spoon down with which she butchered the slice of cake and pushed herself out of her chair.

She spread her arms wide. “Gimme a hug, you bear.”

Dane threw out his hands to hold her back. “Um, no, not with chocolate all over you.”

“What? When I offer a hug, you run? That’s not very mayoral of you.” She grinned, but it faded. “You have my thanks for making the house occupiable.”

“Gotta keep the new doc happy. Just doing my mayoral duty.” He winked, wiped her nose, then sauntered out.

She was tempted to watch him leave, but there was cake. Dane was right. Chocolate came first, always.

She’d call him later about a little trip to Edison’s.

Fighting a slight case of despondency at finding himself alone at breakfast, Rhys strolled alongside Aiden, trying not to breathe too deeply. The feminine scent clinging to his jacket and Aiden’s had his pacing bear in an uproar. Rhys would have preferred Lona to return his jacket personally, but she had asked Harriet. He gritted his teeth, trying to force his tense muscles to relax. With each lashing wind, he caught the familiar scents of lavender and antiseptic.

“Who hugged you?” Unable to stay the question meant he was unable to look away from Aiden’s matching gaze. He dreaded the answer, with the vicious bite of jealousy lashing his chest.

“Doc.” Aiden grinned. “She didn’t want me to feel guilty about last night.”

Rhys pursed his lips. Last night, when Lona had been plastered against him, when she had filled his arms and relied on him to care for her. That last night? He forced one foot in front of the other, lest he spun on his heels and hurried to Cromwell’s. No, she was at the clinic.

He tilted his head and ended up eyeing the brown building uphill from Harriet’s. The urge to visit, to speak to Lona, to tease a smile to her pinched lips and to touch her, halted his footsteps.

“When are you thinking of going home?” Aiden’s question snapped Rhys out of his madness.

He shrugged, falling into step alongside him again. “I’m not sure.”

“It’s early afternoon, but I need a beer or a shot of whisky.” Aiden pointed to Tuesday’s.

So did Rhys, because how to woo Ilona was beyond him. No matter what approach he thought of, either he or his bear dismissed it. He slid onto the stool after hanging up his jacket and thrummed his fingers on the clean wooden counter.

Two regulars argued to one side, and desperate for the distraction, Rhys narrowed his hearing.

“She’s mean,” the old cougar said. “Today, she arrived on my doorstep and jabbed me.”

“You have mange, you old cat.” The wolf chuckled. “You’re lucky she cared after last night’s fiasco.”

“Now, Jillie, I said I was sorry.” The cougar growled. “But no, my apology meant nothing. She had Dane pin me to the ground like a common criminal. I had snow up my nose.” His cheeks flushed a ruddy red. “It was damn near embarrassing.”

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