Chapter Fifty-One
“By the way, the bane of my existence will probably poke his nose in while I’m showing you around. Dr. Alexander Mackenzie is a lot like Dr. Albertson. Remember him?” Emma coaxed the car across the narrow stone bridge, tensing until they’d made it to the other side. Thank goodness, there wasn’t any oncoming traffic today. She’d never get used to the aggressive driving on the island.
“So, you’re telling me this guy’s rude beyond words and also a little bit nuts?” Laynie slammed her hand onto Emma’s over-stuffed backpack as it bounced across the seat. “Are you trying to hit every pothole in the road?”
“I can’t help it. You’ll get used to it after a while and learn when to hang on.” Emma swerved around a gaping fissure running down the center of the road and bounced them through several smaller craters. “And to answer your question, Dr. Mackenzie is definitely rude beyond words. The nuts part hasn’t displayed itself just yet.”
“Well, I hope we do get to see him. You know how I love a good battle.”
“You’re hopeless.” Emma laughed. Poor Dr. Alex. Emma’s money was on her sister. Guiding the car into her parking spot behind the clinic, Emma nodded toward a battered, dark-blue Renault. “Yep. My little friend is here. Better suit up your armor.”
As the car shuddered to a wheezing halt, Dr. Mackenzie emerged from the weathered hatchback. His black hair ruffled in the stiff breeze, whipping across his squinting eyes. A faded denim shirt strained across his chest; the soft cloth molded to his bulging muscles as though it was a second skin. A worn pair of jeans hugged him like a lover, accentuating the tempting package within.
“That is Dr. Jerk?” Laynie licked her lips. “Are you crazy? He’s a doll.”
“Yeah, he’s a doll all right. One of those head-spinning dolls possessed with demons like you see in the movies.” Emma plastered a polite smile across her face as she nodded to Alex. Great. He’d spotted Laynie and was headed toward them. What a predatory saunter. The man’s fluid motions brought to mind the image of a stalking panther. “Good morning, Alex.” Emma tried not to grit her teeth as she spoke but every time she dealt with Alex, it turned into a verbal sparring match.
“Good morning, Emma.” Alex jerked a stiff nod in her direction while keeping his gaze fixed on Laynie. “This lovely young woman must be your sister?” Extending his hand in Laynie’s direction, Alex flashed a rare beguiling smile.
Laynie slid her hand into his; the color on her cheeks flushed to a pleasing shade of pink as she slightly ducked her head. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
Kind, my ass. Emma cleared her throat. Had Laynie actually giggled? Laynie never giggled around men. Had she not listened to a single word about what a jerk Alex Mackenzie could be? “Alex, meet Laynie. Laynie, this is Dr. Alex Mackenzie. He’s the founder of the clinic.” She might as well be talking to the bench at the end of the pavement. Neither Alex nor Laynie acknowledged her presence. What was wrong with Laynie? Emma had never seen her go gaga over a man.
“Laynie? What a musical name for such a beautiful woman.” Alex brought her hand to his lips while keeping his gaze locked with hers.
Laynie giggled again, touching her other hand to her lips as if trying to hide from the attentive man in front of her.
“Alex.” Emma glanced from Laynie’s face to Alex’s focused stare. “Alex?” She raised her voice. Neither one of them looked her way. This was ridiculous. It reminded her of being back in high school and trying to fit in with the crowd. “Alex!”
“Yes, Emma?” Alex turned her way, speaking in a tone that sounded as if he and Emma were the best of friends.
“We don’t want to intrude on your busy schedule”—Emma couldn’t resist stressing the word intrude. Alex obsessed about keeping everything on track—“but Laynie wanted a tour of the clinic before I showed her the rest of the island.”
Alex tucked Laynie’s hand under his arm while pulling her closer to his side. “I’d consider it an honor to give Laynie a tour of the clinic. ’Tis no intrusion at all.”
Emma didn’t miss the slight narrowing of Alex’s eyes, nor the rippling of his jaw. Good. The real Alex still lived and breathed beneath the fawning man snuggled up to her sister. The only problem was she couldn’t tell if Alex was irritated because they’d interrupted his schedule or was fuming because she hadn’t sent Laynie to the clinic alone. The body language between the two clearly transmitted the message: three is a crowd.
“Where is your friend this morning, Emma? Torin. Yes, isn’t Torin his name?” Alex tore his admiring gaze from Laynie’s upturned face long enough to shoot an irritated glance in Emma’s direction.
Emma relaxed, biting her lip to hold back the laughter. She felt so much better now. Pain-in-the-ass Alex was also alive and well, simmering just below the surface of this newfound admirer of her sister. He’d had her worried there for a bit. She’d even started missing the irritating physician. “I’m not sure. He mentioned something about tying up some loose ends. As you’ve seen before, Torin’s just a little bit unpredictable.”
“Aye.” Alex’s mouth flattened into a disapproving line. “‘Unpredictable’ would be a word I’d use for such a man.” Patting Laynie’s hand, his expression softened. “Would ye allow me to give ye a tour of the clinic and then treat ye to a relaxing pot of tea at our favorite pub? Your sister is always fussing about her piles of paperwork. I’d be happy to give ye the grand tour. ’Twould give her a chance to get caught up on the chaos of her desk.”
What the heck was Alex doing? Laynie just got here and Alex was trying to shanghai her. “When have I ever fussed—”
“Were ye no’ saying just yesterday that ye would never unearth your desk?” Alex cut her off as he curled Laynie’s hand closer to his side.
“It’ll be all right, sis.” Laynie winked as she patted Alex’s arm. “I’ll get a better feel for your world if I hang out with one of the locals.”
“But you just got here.” Emma tried to ignore the fact that her own voice whined through the air like one of the children she tended every day. She didn’t want to share Laynie with anyone—especially not with Alex.
Laynie left Alex’s side long enough to peck a quick kiss against Emma’s cheek. “I’m going to be here a solid month, maybe even two. Get caught up on your paperwork then go find Torin. I’ll catch up with you later.”
She couldn’t believe Laynie dismissed her so easily. Hadn’t baby sister missed her at all? Uneasiness shaded with a good measure of jealousy gnawed its way around her heart. She forced her words through clenched teeth, glaring at Laynie in an attempt to silently guilt her into dumping Alex. “I don’t know where to begin looking for Torin. There’s no telling where he’s gone.”
“He told me that after he finished his errands, he might stop by the standing stones. You know how much he loves it up there. If he’s not there, it’s a sure bet he’ll show up either here or at the cottage.” Laynie coughed, widening her eyes as if to say, You know how to find him. Stop grousing and leave me alone.
“Fine.” Emma hissed. If Laynie wanted to spend her time with Alex, she wouldn’t stand in her way. So much for keeping baby sister to herself. What had happened to the old Laynie? The one who pouted about Emma’s long absences? The one who complained about being left alone? “I guess I’ll see the two of you later—after I’ve cleared up a few loose ends.”
“Great!” Laynie bobbed her head and beamed up at Alex. “Let’s get this show on the road.”