The Rebel Who Loved Her. Jennifer Taylor

was it more complicated than that?

      ‘Yes.’ He smiled. ‘I could be wrong, but I’ve a feeling you could do with a friend right now.’

      Becky felt a surge of emotion well up inside her when she heard the sympathy in his voice. She swallowed hard, desperately trying to hold back her tears. Ewan obviously realised her predicament because he bent down and smiled at Millie.

      ‘How about another go on the swing, poppet?’

      Becky watched as he led Millie back into the garden. How had he known that she didn’t want Millie to see her crying? she wondered. He had accused her of being a mind-reader the other day, but he appeared to be equally skilled in the art.

      It was a worrying thought in view of the fact that there was a lot she didn’t want him to know. Becky took her time, wanting to be sure that she had herself under control before she went to join him and Millie. The little girl was having the time of her life, kicking her legs up and down as Ewan pushed the swing.

      ‘’Gain! ’Gain!’ she shouted each time the swing slowed down.

      ‘That’s high enough, sweetie. We don’t want you flying right up into the sky, do we?’ Ewan said, laughing. He glanced at Becky and raised his brows. ‘All right?’

      ‘Fine.’ She shrugged, embarrassed about what had happened. Normally, she kept a rein on her emotions but she didn’t seem able to do that when Ewan was around. ‘Things just get on top of me at times, that’s all.’

      ‘It’s only to be expected after everything you’ve been through.’

      The kindness in his voice brought more tears to her eyes and she blinked them away. ‘Perhaps. But I try to hold it together for Millie’s sake.’

      ‘I can understand that, but you can’t be brave all the time. It won’t do you any good in the long run.’

      He touched her hand, his fingers lingering for just a moment before he turned to push the swing once more, but Becky felt a frisson of awareness race from her hand and travel through her entire body. It felt as though every cell was suddenly on fire, creating an immense amount of heat inside her. It had been ages since she had felt this way, she realised. Not since those first heady days when she had met Ewan at the hospital had a touch aroused her so swiftly, so completely. She had never felt this way with Steve, not even when they had made love.

      The thought was too unsettling to deal with. Becky summoned a smile, refusing to dwell on it. ‘Do you fancy a cup of coffee?’

      ‘I’d love one, but don’t go to any trouble on my account,’ Ewan said flatly. ‘I didn’t mean to intrude, Becky. I just wanted to check you were all right.’

      ‘I know.’ She looked into his eyes, feeling warmth envelop her again when she saw the concern they held. Despite the less than effusive reception he’d received, it was obvious that Ewan genuinely cared about her. She sighed, knowing that she owed him an apology. ‘I really do appreciate you coming here, Ewan, even if it didn’t seem like it.’

      ‘It doesn’t matter. So long as you’re all right, that’s the main thing.’

      He smiled at her, his face breaking into a heart-melting smile, and Becky’s heart did what was expected and melted. She turned away, afraid that if she didn’t put some distance between them she would do something really stupid. Hurrying into the kitchen, she filled the kettle, her mind racing. Tempting though it was, it wouldn’t be fair to pour out the whole story to Ewan and expect him to absolve her of any guilt. Maybe he wanted them to be friends, but how would he feel if he found out the truth about the accident and her part in it? Would he still want to be her friend then?

      Pain lanced her heart as she watched him pushing the swing. She wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t want anything to do with her when he found out that she was responsible for Steve’s death.