‘Display starting in ten minutes,’ Jack said, glancing at his watch and then the crowd gathering around the bonfire.
‘Good turnout, Jack.’ Molly wrapped her scarf more securely round her throat and smiled at Ally. ‘How are you getting on with Sean, dear? I gather he’s living with you now.’
‘They work very well together,’ Will interjected swiftly, taking Ally’s arm and guiding her slightly to one side. ‘OK, young lady, what’s happened?’
Ally gave him a mulish look. This was all his fault. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Ally…?’ Will gave her a gentle smile and she sagged slightly, her eyes bleak as she stared at the blaze of the bonfire.
‘We just don’t seem to see eye to eye on anything.’
Will raised an eyebrow in disbelief. ‘That isn’t how it seems from where I’m standing.’
‘Then maybe you’re standing in the wrong place.’ Ally huddled deeper inside her jacket. ‘Stop matchmaking, Will. It just causes trouble. I irritate Sean and he drives me totally nuts! Hardly the basis for a harmonious relationship.’
Will gave her a thoughtful look. ‘I disagree. Just now, when he was driving you nuts, wasn’t he protecting you?’
Ally swallowed and stared across the field at the bonfire surrounded by bobbing figures. ‘I suppose so…’
‘And when you were walking in the fells on your own—wasn’t he protecting you then, too?’
‘I don’t know.’ Ally shrugged and frowned. ‘Well, yes, I suppose so, but I don’t—’
‘You can’t blame a man for wanting to protect his woman.’
Oh, for goodness’ sake, first her mother and now Will! ‘I’m not his woman and I never will be! I’m not the sort of person who can have a quick fling and then wave goodbye while they ride off into the sunset.’
Will gazed at her thoughtfully. ‘And you think Sean would do that?’
She gave him an impatient look. ‘Of course he would! Sean has never stayed in one place for more than five minutes, has he?’
‘That’s the legacy of his childhood, I’m afraid. He takes what he can get, never trusts anyone. And, quite frankly, I can’t blame him.’ Will rubbed his chin slowly and Ally snuggled deeper into her scarf to escape from the biting wind.
‘Well, he won’t change now.’
Will glanced at her. ‘I disagree. What he needs is to fall in love so completely that he has no choice but to change.’
‘You’ve been reading fairy tales, Will.’
For a long moment Ally stared at the crackling bonfire, seeing Sean’s face as clearly as if it were in front of her. The arrogant tilt of his jaw, those incredible dark eyes—was there a woman he could fall in love with?
‘He’s so controlled, Will. I can’t see him ever letting go of his emotions.’
Will gave a wry smile. ‘Oh, I can. What I can’t see is getting him to admit it.’
Ally glanced up and caught the intense look in his eyes. ‘Don’t look at me, Will. I’m not the right person for Sean.’
Will gave a snort. ‘Well, I think you probably are. I can feel the tension between the two of you a mile away.’
Ally shook her head, blushing slightly. ‘I admit he probably fancies me, but that’s all. Sean wants a compliant woman who’ll stay at home and take care of him, not someone who works and goes off walking in the fells on her own. He thinks I’m impulsive and that I take risks. I’m just not his type.’
Will gave a short laugh. ‘Oh, don’t kid yourself. You’re exactly his type.’
Ally swallowed, her voice barely a whisper. ‘He’d really hurt me…’
Will gave a small shrug. ‘Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe it’s worth the risk.’
Worth the risk. That was what Sean had said. But it wasn’t a risk she fancied taking. She frowned suddenly. But why not? She took other risks, as Sean was always quick to point out. Why not this one? Casting a glance over her shoulder, her eyes fastened on Sean who was at the farthest end of the field, laughing with one of the mountain rescue team. Even at this distance he looked powerful and male. And very, very attractive.
The sound of her name being shouted made her turn, and she smiled as she saw Jenny Monroe, complete with husband and twins, walking towards her.
‘Oh, Dr McGuire, I’m so glad we bumped into you. I just wanted to say thanks for arranging that babysitting for Thursday.’
Ally dragged her blonde hair over one shoulder. ‘No problem at all. Were you able to have a good chat with the consultant?’