Ryan’s face set. ‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning he’s my friend and he’s also my patient.’

Ryan frowned, thinking this through. And accepting, reluctantly, that she was right. She’d have to know his father better than he did. But Abbey as his father’s doctor? That took some getting used to.

‘Is there anything wrong with him?’ he asked.

‘Don’t you know how his health is?’ Abbey demanded. ‘He tells me you write to each other’

‘Of course we write.’

‘Hmm.’ Abbey compressed her lips and Ryan could see judgement, standing out a mile. And condemnation. ‘So,’ she asked, changing the subject, ‘where’s your bride, then, Dr Henry?’

‘In Hawaii.’

‘Oh.’ Abbey thought this through and then nodded wisely. A doctor-of-the-world nod. ‘I see. Separate honeymoons. That’s very… very modern.’

‘Abbey!’

Abbey hadn’t changed one bit, Ryan thought bitterly. Abbey had always said exactly what she’d thought. She’d always told him. And he’d loved her for it.

‘Did you get together for the wedding?’ Abbey continued, in a voice that was dispassionately interested. Nothing more. ‘Or can you do a wedding via teleconferencing these days? Or maybe via the Internet?’

Despite his darkening humour, Ryan couldn’t suppress a smile. A teleconferenced wedding! That would be just Felicity’s style. Now why hadn’t she thought of that?

Abbey’s bright eyes were watching him, gently mocking. His smile faded. He went into defence mode. With Abbey, defence had always been a good idea.

‘We haven’t married yet. We’ve organised to be married in Sapphire Cove when Felicity gets here.’

‘Oh.’ To Ryan’s surprise, Abbey’s face softened. ‘Oh, Ryan, your father will like that.’

‘I wouldn’t imagine he’d care very much.’

‘Oh, he’ll care,’ Abbey said grimly, almost to herself. ‘You can’t imagine how much.’ Then she leaned forward and pointed to a turn-off. ‘Here, Ryan. Turn here. This is where I live.’