A Family This Christmas

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‘That will be tomorrow at the earliest. If you had someone to take care of you I’d discharge you today, but I don’t want you tottering around on your own until you’ve got the hang of using crutches. Anyway, you shouldn’t be walking anywhere, even across a room, until the swelling’s gone down, and I suspect checking into a motel would involve more movement than I would be happy with.’

‘Give me all the gory details and then go and enjoy that round of golf. I’ll stay put. For now.’

The look he gave her suggested he didn’t trust her to behave. Neither did she, but she’d keep that to herself. By the time Angus had filled her in on the operation and written a prescription for painkillers she no longer had the energy to get out of bed. Round one to the surgeon.

The moment they got home Cam headed for the third, and rarely used, bedroom. He’d made his mind up. It was probably the dumbest thing he’d contemplated in a long line of dumb things but, hey, he’d do it anyway. ‘Guys, come and give me a hand.’

Marcus and Andrew appeared in the doorway in a flash. ‘What are you doing, Dad?’

‘I want you to take all these books and toys and store them in your bedroom. In the back of the wardrobe if necessary.’

‘Why?’ came the usual question.

Because he’d seen despair in Jenny Bostock’s eyes at the mention of sorting out what to do with her car tomorrow when she’d no doubt be feeling like hell on crutches. Plus because she seemed filled with sadness and loneliness, something he could understand. What he should be taking notice of was that restless expression that trawled through her gaze at times.

That expression he’d seen all too often in Margaret’s eyes in the months before she’d packed her bags and left them, except Margaret had been more of a caged lioness waiting to attack the world, whereas Jenny looked lost. A few days bunked down in Havelock wouldn’t hurt her. His heart sighed. As long as that didn’t hurt him.

There was something indefinable about Jenny that teased him. Beyond her physical attributes, that was. Despite that frailty he sensed a selflessness and a need to put things right. Would a woman like that walk out on her man after vowing to love him for ever?

‘Dad, why are we cleaning this room?’

‘Because I’m going to ask Jenny if she’d like to stay with us for a while.’

‘Yay, that’s cool.’ The boys leapt into the air and high-fived each other. ‘We like her.’

‘She didn’t tell us off or get mad or anything like that.’

That was the final reason he’d invite her. A thank-you and an apology. ‘You’re very lucky she’s such an understanding lady.’ He was curious why she hadn’t immediately revealed to him that she was a doctor. Had something gone wrong with a case that had led to that sadness leaking out of her eyes and dulling her face when she’d thought no one was watching her? It would have to be bad for her to stop practising, if that’s what she’d done. It was a rocky road at times, being a doctor.

Cam picked up a pile of books and handed them to Marcus. ‘Put those away.’

Andrew lifted an even bigger pile and staggered after his twin. Warmth stole through Cam. They really were great kids. If only he didn’t get so tired and busy, and forget that sometimes.

Within minutes they were back scooping up armloads of toys and traipsing out again. Getting ahead of him and what he had to do to make this room habitable for Jenny. Even as he pulled off the bedcovers and began spreading freshly laundered sheets the doubts nudged at the corner of his mind. What if he was making an idiot of himself? Jenny might think he was making a move on her and that would lead to all sorts of difficulties. But, seriously, the most likely scenario would be her laughing and telling him she could manage on her own.

She probably could, but her vulnerability had nudged him, made him sit up and take notice, had got him trying to read what was going on behind those beautiful big eyes she’d often turned on him. Eyes that turned him on. Talk about another reason not to invite her here.

‘Do I need this when I’ve already got more to cope with than I can manage?’ But guilt was a heavy taskmaster. He owed her. ‘You sure that’s what’s behind this mad idea?’

‘What did you say, Dad?’

‘Talking to myself. Sorry, mate.’ He might be overloaded with work and kids, but he couldn’t walk away from Jenny. He’d invite her to come to Havelock, and then it was up to her.

Lighten up, Cameron. You are entitled to some fun, too. Really? Really.

Note to self: ask Mrs Warner to do the grocery shopping earlier this week in case there’s an extra mouth to feed.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ Cam shoved his hands in his pockets and rested a shoulder against the doorframe of Jenny’s hospital room, watching as she leaned against the bed. So slim, yet physically as strong as a whippet. The frailty was in her eyes, not her body.

Her head shot up so fast he heard vertebrae click, saw her wince. ‘Don’t sneak up on me like that.’ Guilt darkened those green eyes glittering at him fiercely, reminding him of the sea when the kahawai were churning it up as they chased smaller fish.

‘You were so engrossed in being stealthy you didn’t hear me coming along the ward.’ He couldn’t hold back his smile any longer. It had been growing from the moment he’d seen her juggling her crutches and trying to pick up her bag from the chair. Which really should be a warning to hightail it out of there, instead of getting involved with her. He should be thinking apology here, not getting up close and interested in Jenny Bostock, pretty woman and sometime doctor.

‘I was not.’ Her turn to smile, though hers appeared very strained.

Shaking his head at her, he crossed to pick up her case himself. ‘Give up arguing with me. I live with two experts, remember?’

‘Where are you taking my case?’ All pretence of smiling disappeared. ‘Seriously, Cam, what do you think you’re doing?’

‘Taking you home.’ So much for finesse. That must’ve gone down the plughole with the dishwater that morning. Had he thought he could railroad her into coming along quietly? If he had then he needed a brain scan. ‘We have a spare bedroom available. You can hole up there for as long as you like. Once you’re mobile again, as in using those crutches with more aptitude, we have cafés and a bakery, jewellery and fudge shops, all for you get lost in for hours on end.’

‘I don’t do shops. Not lately, at any rate. Though the café could be a plus.’ Bewilderment etched her face. Maybe a bit of hope was in there, too. ‘Is there a motel in Havelock?’

Had he really expected her to be thrilled about this? ‘Backpackers’ accommodation only.’

‘Oh.’ Her gaze dropped from him to her case and then to her crutches. She seemed to be weighing up her options.

He helped her along with making up her mind. ‘The boys have got your room ready. They’re really excited about having a visitor, even a practically useless one who won’t be playing cricket on the front lawn any time soon.’

‘You play dirty.’ Her forefinger tapped the handle of one of the crutches.

Not normally, but he couldn’t walk out of here leaving Jenny to her own devices. She was ill prepared to go it alone for the next few days. ‘Trying to make it easier for you to accept. You can leave any time you like, straight after dinner if you want to.’

‘I see.’ Tap, tap, tap went her finger on the crutch. ‘What about your wife? Or did you bully her into this as well?’

Now who was playing dirty? ‘I’m divorced.’ Was he a slow learner, or what? Jenny was gorgeous, but she might not be any more trustworthy than his ex had been. So what? This was going to be a brief stay, not a lifelong one.

She sucked in air. ‘I’m sorry, but I needed to know. Not about your divorce but that I wasn’t treading on anyone’s toes.’

‘You’re not treading on anything at the moment,’ Cam quipped, in an effort to dispel his unease, but then thoughtlessly asked, ‘You heard the boys saying they’d seen their mother yesterday?’

‘Yes.’

‘They hadn’t. She lives in Auckland, last I heard.’ That’s all she needed to know. Probably out-of-date news anyway.

‘That must be hard for all of you. Do they make a habit of seeing their mum in places she’s not?’

‘Unfortunately, yes. Margaret—my ex—left rather abruptly two years ago.’ That’s definitely all he was saying. Jenny had cleverly sidetracked him from his mission. ‘Jenny, you are in a bind, partly due to my sons’ antics. I don’t know why you don’t want to go home, wherever that is, but I’m more than happy to help you out until you’re up and running again. That’s all I’m offering. Though be warned, life in our house is hectic and noisy, but during the day you’ll have peace and quiet while the boys are at school. Take it or leave it.’

He studied her small case. She travelled light, if this and what was in her car was anything to go by. His sisters would think Jenny needed lessons on what to take away on a trip, but then she’d need a truck, not a sports car.

She swung the crutches, took two wonky steps. Her eyes locked with his as she tipped her head to one side. Sizing him up?

He went for broke, lifted the case and headed for the door. ‘Coming?’

The silence was deafening. He kept walking, slowly so that if she decided to join him she wouldn’t feel compelled to hurry. Why so little luggage? Those medical journals in her boot were hardly scintillating reading for a trip.

Clump, thump. She was moving, hopping on those sticks. Clump, thump.

Cam relaxed and kept walking, slowing even more.

Clump, thump.

Warmth spread through him. Jenny was coming home with him. He hadn’t realised how much he wanted this until faced with the real possibility she’d turn him down. Being pushy had worked.

‘I guess Havelock is as good a place to be as Blenheim.’

‘Better, as far as I’m concerned. More community spirited.’ Something he’d come to appreciate. It had taken time for him to get used to living in such a small place after spending ten years in Wellington. Nowadays he doubted he’d cope with the stress of city living with two young boys to keep a firm hand on.

‘Only until I’ve got the hang of these damned things.’ Bang, bang, the crutches slammed down on the floor. ‘A couple of days at the most.’

‘Sure.’ The warmth spread. He’d asked out of guilt and yet now he was feeling good about the whole situation. Steady, boy, steady. You might’ve leapt into the deepest part of the pond and have no way of surviving.

‘There she is.’

‘Hello, Jenny. Are you coming to our house?’ The twins mobbed her, threatening her precarious balance.

But before Cam got a word out Jenny was laughing with them and saying, ‘How can I refuse that welcome?’

He hadn’t got a laugh, or even a thank you. Did he need to take lessons from his sons on how to get onside with a pretty woman?

‘Boys, wait here with Jenny while I bring the car to the door. Mind those crutches, will you?’

As he stepped out into the sunshine he heard Marcus asking, ‘Can we have a go on the crutches later? They’re cool.’

Unfortunately the doors slid shut before he heard Jenny’s reply, but something told him she’d have agreed. She got on with the boys so easily. As long as she didn’t get too close and they got hurt when she left. He’d knew too well the devastation their mother had caused them when she’d walked away. But what were the odds Jenny would stay more than a night, two at the most? How attached could Marcus and Andrew get in that short time?

How attached would he get? He so wasn’t ready to trust his heart again. Doubted he ever would be.

No getting away from the fact this had definitely been the dumbest idea he’d ever come up with. Not once had he factored the boys’ hearts into the equation, let alone his own. Blast you, Margaret, for doing this to us. How long did it take for youngsters to truly understand what being abandoned by their mother meant? Or did they already get it and this searching for her was just part of the acceptance process?

Note to self: go see a shrink and get my head space tidied up so I understand my boys and don’t make stupid mistakes about a woman with beautiful eyes that I could drown in.

CHAPTER FOUR (#u1f59fae2-6dbf-58a6-a68d-234b42b5378e)

‘I’VE NEVER BEEN treated like royalty before.’ Jenny smiled at the twins as a glass of chilled water slid onto the top of the small table beside the chair she’d been banished to. At least the lounge, dining area and kitchen all ran together so she didn’t feel isolated from what everyone was up to. ‘I could get used to this.’

‘Dad said we had to make you—’

‘Comfortable and get anything you need.’

Cam spoke from behind the kitchen counter. ‘That also means not bothering Jenny all the time.’

Jenny spoke up before an argument ensued. ‘Guys, maybe we could play a game on the computer or something later?’

The boys high-fived each other and shouted ‘Yes’ at the tops of their voices.

Cam nodded at them. ‘That means you can go outside to play now.’

She watched them scrambling over each other in their haste to go out into the yard, then asked Cam, ‘Do they ever slow down?’

‘Exhausting to watch, aren’t they?’ That half smile appeared as his gaze followed his sons. ‘You look sleepy. Do you want to go to bed for a while?’

That had to be the most uninviting invitation to bed she’d ever had. How would that deep, gravelly voice sound if he was really asking her to take a romp in bed? And why did she even want to know? Shaking her head abruptly, she looked up into the steadiest brown gaze she’d seen in a long time. A hint of amusement shone out at her. Had he picked up on her reaction to his question? Probably. Ouch.

‘Jenny? You’re space tripping.’ His gaze was still locked with hers. Odd, really. Usually people who knew her and what had happened tended to look away. But, then, Cam hadn’t a clue about her life up until yesterday.

‘If it’s all the same to you I’ll stay right where I am. If I do nod off, don’t insist on the boys being quiet. That’d make me feel bad.’ She’d caused enough trouble for this family already.

‘We’re having a barbecue. Steak all right with you?’

‘Perfect. Can I make the salad?’ Though right at this moment telling the difference between a tomato and a cucumber might be difficult.

Her question got her a small smile. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘Had to offer.’ Actually, she felt glad he’d turned her down. Those crutches were turning out to be a little trickier to master than she’d have believed. His kitchen was safer without her clunking around in there.

‘Is there anything you don’t like to eat?’ Cam asked.

‘Tripe, Brussels sprouts and broad beans.’

‘You’re more than safe here.’

As Cam dug around in the pantry she studied his back view and found it still very delectable now her brain was clear of drugs and post-op fog. But, of course, finding herself here with a man she barely knew, she was bound to be overreacting to all sorts of things. Then Cam turned to place bottles of sauces on the counter and caught her staring.

‘Yes?’ His eyebrows rose, and that smile hovered on his mouth.

Definitely ouch. Heat crept up her throat and spread across her cheeks. Caught, like a teenager ogling the teacher as he wrote on the board. ‘Nothing.’ Glancing around, she hurried to find something neutral to talk about. ‘You’ve got a lovely home. Spacious and light, warm and cosy.’ Home and Garden reporter she was not. ‘Been here long?’

‘Two and a half years. I was looking for a less hectic work schedule. On a holiday at the family farm out in the sounds, someone mentioned Havelock needed a GP. So here we are.’

‘Is there enough work for a full-time doctor?’ The town was less than small.

‘I do mornings here four days a week and the rest of my time in Blenheim at the practice this one’s linked to.’

‘How do you manage? A GP’s life is never quiet. Then there are your kids.’

‘Solo parenting is a balancing act but I wouldn’t swap it for anything.’ He sprinkled oil onto the steaks and reached for the pepper grinder.

As she watched those strong hands twisting the utensil, her stomach did a wee shake. Long, strong fingers. It didn’t take any effort to imagine them tripping over her skin. Her cheeks burned like a furnace. In fact, her whole body had come alive.