Caroline Anderson, Anne Fraser, Kate Hardy, Margaret McDonagh

by Brides of Penhally Bay Vol. 04 (lit)

  ‘He certainly cares about the baby,’ Annie said softly. ‘I’ve got the feeling he’s going to be my personal physician for the rest of my pregnancy.’

  ‘Would that be so bad?’ Kate said. ‘God knows, we can all do with support sometimes, no matter how strong we like to think we are inside.’

  Annie thought Kate looked sad for a moment, but before she could say anything the smile was back.

  ‘By the way, he said that your sister had phoned. Fiona, isn’t it? He told her you’d call her back. I’ll just make us some tea if you want to phone her now.’

  Annie searched her house, eventually finding her phone in the kitchen, which incidentally looked as if a bomb had hit it. Whatever talents Raphael had, domesticity wasn’t one of them. Leaving Kate in the kitchen, she wandered into her sitting room and dialled her sister’s number.

  After reassuring Fiona that, yes, she really was fine and, no, there was no need for her to leave her family and come to Penhally Bay and, yes, of course she would call if she changed her mind, Fiona asked about Raphael, agog to find he had come to work at St Piran’s.

  ‘I couldn’t believe it when he answered the phone,’ she said. ‘Then he told me what had happened, but that you and the baby were fine. So, Annie, what’s the deal? Why didn’t you tell me he had followed you? Are you two going to be together? I’m so excited for you.’

  ‘I can’t talk now,’ Annie told her sister. ‘I’ve visitors. I’ll call later. But don’t get too excited about Raphael being here. It’s not what you think. And, Fi, don’t tell Mum and Dad about last night. They’ll only worry and insist on coming home early. And there’s really nothing anyone can do.’

  Annie hung up when she heard Chloe talking to Kate. She went into her kitchen and the young midwife handed her a cup of tea.

  ‘How are you doing?’ she asked. ‘Kate says everything has settled down. She was good enough to phone me after she dropped you off, otherwise I wouldn’t have slept a wink, worrying.’

  Annie was grateful for the genuine concern in Chloe’s eyes, but hurried to reassure her.

  ‘And I understand our new doctor refused to leave your side.’

  Annie didn’t miss the teasing look she sent her way. She felt herself blush furiously.

  ‘Does everyone know?’ she asked.

  ‘What about?’ Chloe asked innocently.

  Annie could feel her face get warmer. ‘Do people know who the father is?’

  ‘There is gossip. You must know there was bound to be, but most of it is just kindly interest. However, I’m afraid the way that our Dr Castillo carried you off and refused to budge from your side was a bit of a give-away.’

  ‘I suppose it was inevitable that people put two and two together,’ Annie said.

  ‘Especially those who knew about your holiday in Spain. No one knew there was a vacancy at the hospital when, lo and behold, Dr Castillo turns up. Rumour has it that he called in every favour he was owed, to get the job. So, yes, I’m afraid the cat is well and truly out the bag. Do you mind very much?’

  ‘No, I guess not,’ Annie said quietly. ‘People were bound to find out sooner or later. He’s an experienced doctor, too. Anyway, St Piran’s is lucky to have someone with his experience.’

  ‘And what about you, Annie? How do you feel about him being here?’ Chloe asked quietly.

  How could she answer Chloe’s question when she didn’t know the answer herself? Annie knew she felt the same way about him as she had from the moment they had met. And that wasn’t good. He would never feel the same way about her. And what if he carried out his threat to claim his rights as a father and demanded shared access? She didn’t want her child to spend half its life away from her in Spain.

  ‘I’m not sure. I don’t really know that much about him,’ Annie said evasively. ‘I know he comes from a big extended Spanish family but that’s about it.’ She felt herself grow warm under their scrutiny. She wished she could at least say that they had been together the whole two weeks while she’d been in Spain, that their child had been conceived after spending time together, instead of it being obvious that she had spent very little time in the man’s company before jumping into bed with him. She just knew she couldn’t explain the instant, overwhelming attraction she had felt for Raphael.

  ‘But anyway,’ she continued, ‘that is neither here nor there. As far as he is concerned, the baby is his and he is determined to stick around. Or so he says.’ Annie hesitated then decided to confide in Chloe and Kate, knowing that neither woman would ever break a confidence.

  ‘He tells me he intends to apply for legal access. What if he takes my baby to Spain for a visit and never brings him back?’

  Two pairs of eyes studied her sympathetically.

  ‘I don’t think he could do that,’ Kate said reassuringly. ‘Anyway, the mother usually wins—what do they call it now—rights of residence.’

  ‘But these days fathers have equal rights, don’t they?’ Annie tried to keep the panic out of her voice.

  ‘Why don’t you speak to him about it, Annie?’ Kate suggested. ‘It could be that you’re worried about nothing. Maybe he’ll put your mind at rest.’

  Kate was right, of course. Annie needed to face up to the situation like the grown woman she was. But she couldn’t help wondering whether she had done the right thing in letting Raphael know he was the father of her child. How much less complicated it would have been had she said nothing at all.

  Kate and Chloe left shortly after Raphael arrived back. He had showered, and dressed in a thin cashmere pullover with a pair of jeans, looking, Annie thought, sexy as hell. Every time Annie saw him she remembered how he had made her feel that first night. How the atmosphere between them had seemed charged with electricity. But so far he was still an enigma to her. One thing was for sure, though, if the baby inherited its father’s dark good looks it would be beautiful.

  ‘What are you doing out of bed?’ he growled at her. ‘I thought we agreed you were going to stay in bed for the weekend and let me look after you?’

  Once again Annie felt exasperated. While she welcomed his support, there was no way he was going to tell her how to live her life. Didn’t he know that she would do whatever she could to protect the life growing inside her?

  ‘Actually, no,’ Annie said firmly. ‘I agreed to nothing. As I said before, you and I both know that me staying in bed won’t change a thing.’

  ‘I had no idea you were so stubborn,’ he said, his mouth twitching. ‘But you will find out I am stubborn, too.’ Before she had a chance to protest he had crossed the room and scooped her up in his arms. Annie had no choice but to wrap her arms around his neck and cling on for dear life while he marched into the bedroom and laid her, as if she could break in two, gently on the bed.

  As he looked down at her, his eyes glowing, Annie felt her breath catch in her throat. For a second the world stood still and her treacherous body yearned to feel his hands on her once more. He bent over her and brushed a stray curl away from her face with a gentle finger. ‘Dios,’ he said hoarsely, ‘why do you have to look at me like that?’ And then, almost as if he couldn’t bear the sight of her, he straightened and moved to the other side of the room, apparently determined to put as much space as possible between them.

  ‘I have brought supplies from the shop as well as newspapers and magazines. I had no idea what you like, so I bought the lot. I will bring them to you.’

  By this time Annie had had enough. Raphael had to understand that she didn’t need him fussing over her like a mother hen. If he wanted to stick around she had to make him realise that she needed to do things her way. For all she knew, he could disappear back to Spain at any time, leaving her to get on with it on her own, and the last thing she wanted was to become reliant on somebody who might not stick around. She knew he was enamoured with the idea of becoming a father, any idiot could see that, but what about when the harsh realities of being a parent struck home? Would he be so keen then? She had fought
so hard for her independence, she was damned if she was going to give it all up now. Just because it suited him.

  ‘I’m going for a shower,’ she said. ‘Then I’m going to get dressed. You,’ she said crossly, ‘can do what you like.’ She felt a moment of pleasure as she saw the look of surprise on his face. Then she hopped out of bed and, wrapping the sheet around her as well as much of her dignity as she could salvage, she stalked off to the bathroom without a backward glance.

  By the time Annie came out of her deliberately long shower, Raphael was nowhere to be seen. She ignored the flash of disappointment and, selecting a dress that was loose around the waist, finished dressing. She dried her hair, taking her time over the ritual until her brown hair was tamed into a neat bob. Now she felt almost human again and ready to face the world. There was no more spotting and no cramping. Everything seemed to have settled down.

  ‘Hey, you,’ she said softly laying a hand on her belly, ‘you just keep fighting in there.You have a mummy who wants you more than anything in the world and who already loves you more than she can say.’ As if in response to her encouragement the baby moved and Annie felt a surge of relief. It was a fighter, this little one. It was a miracle it was here in the first place.

  She padded through to her sitting room. As he’d promised, Raphael had left enough magazines and newspapers to keep her occupied for the rest of her pregnancy, never mind the weekend. She frowned in confusion as she leafed through the pile. He had even included a copy of Biker’s Weekly! She smiled, imagining him in the newsagent’s, grabbing the first magazines that came to hand, unsure what she liked to read and in too much of a hurry to get back to check up on her to think about it. Her smile faded as another thought hit her—or did it show how little they knew of about one another? And yet they were going to parent the same child. She picked up a well-known travel magazine with a four-page spread on the part of Spain he came from. Now, was that deliberate? she wondered. Was he determined to persuade her to bring their baby to Spain? She couldn’t make up her mind whether to be amused or angry. In fact, everything about Raphael confused her. She had been content on her own, and as soon as she’d known she was going to have a baby, her life had been complete. But now that he was back in her life again, all testosterone, making her go weak at the knees every time she saw him, he had gone and upset everything all over again. In many ways it would have been better if he had stayed out of her life.

  Looking out the window, she saw that the sun was shining. It was a perfect early summer day and Annie felt restless. Maybe she should practise some yoga? That always calmed her and no one could say it counted as vigorous exercise. She felt her cheeks grow warm as she remembered what else Dr Gibson had said. No penetrative sex. As if! There was no worry on that score! It was clear that any desire Raphael might have had for her had long since vanished. Although when he had raised an eyebrow at her, back there in the hospital room, she had seen from his eyes that he had been thinking of the night they’d conceived the baby. She crossed over to the window and opened it, letting the gentle breeze cool her cheeks. It was a lovely day. Perhaps she would go for the walk she had threatened, but she didn’t feel confident enough to go on her own. Whatever she had told Raphael, she was still scared—no, terrified—that she could yet lose her baby.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  ANNIE was beginning to feel hungry when there was a tap on the door. She opened it to find Raphael standing there, holding another bunch of flowers. For a moment she was taken aback. It was almost as if he was wooing her. Despite everything she had told herself, she couldn’t help a tiny spurt of pleasure at the gesture. But she needed to remember that this man would do anything to make sure he was kept in her baby’s life. She mustn’t let his little-boy grin get to her.

  In addition to the flowers, Raphael was laden with cardboard boxes that smelled delicious.

  ‘I had a look in your fridge earlier,’ he said, ‘but there was nothing. Don’t you know you have to eat? To stay strong?’

  ‘I know. For the baby,’ Annie retorted.

  ‘Isn’t that what we both want?’ He looked puzzled.

  ‘Yes. Of course.’ Annie was suddenly aghast. What was she thinking? That she wanted him to see her as more than the mother of his child? That she wanted him to see her as a woman? But she didn’t. She would never have a relationship with a man who threatened her with lawyers. But he still hadn’t actually told her what he was planning to do when the baby arrived. She should take Kate’s advice and talk to him about it.

  ‘We need to talk,’ he said, as if he’d read her mind. ‘But first we need to eat. I for one cannot think on an empty stomach. I was going to cook for us, but I don’t know what you like—except seafood. But best not to chance that while you’re pregnant. So I got a selection of other things I thought you might like from the restaurant on the main street.’

  He emptied the contents of the boxes onto plates he had fetched from the kitchen.

  ‘Remembering the way you cook,’ Annie said, smiling, ‘I think you did the right thing.’

  Raphael pretended to look hurt for a moment. Then he grinned and Annie’s heart somersaulted.

  ‘I thought about going for a walk later,’ Annie said. ‘I hate being cooped up inside. Especially when the weather is so perfect.’

  Raphael’s smile was replaced by a frown. ‘I thought we agreed you were going to rest—at least for a day or two.’

  Annie replied, not even attempting to hide her frustration, ‘Dr Gibson said no vigorous exercise. I hardly think a stroll falls into that category.’ She blushed, remembering what else Dr Gibson had said. ‘You can hardly stand guard over me for the rest of the pregnancy, Raphael!’

  Raphael put his fork down and, reaching across the table, took Annie’s hand.

  ‘Cariño,’ he said softly. ‘If I thought standing guard over you would help, I wouldn’t leave your side, but as you are determined to go for a walk, there is nothing for it except that I go too!’

  Before Annie could protest, he dropped her hand and touched her lips with his finger. Annie swallowed a moan as her body thrilled to his touch.

  ‘No more arguments,’ he continued, tracing the line of her lips. ‘You will find I can be as stubborn as you. Now—’ he looked at her with mock severity, thankfully unaware of Annie’s furiously beating heart ‘—let’s finish eating. Or make no mistake—you won’t be leaving this house.’

  After they had eaten, they followed the road down towards the shore. The early evening was warm and the scent of flowers and sea filled the air. Annie loved this time of year in Penhally Bay. Soon she would need to make a start on converting the spare room into a nursery and had already decided she would paint it buttercup yellow.

  They followed the road until they came to the lighthouse.

  They stood in companionable silence for a moment, watching as the sun turned the sky to strips of red, gold and lilac. Eventually Raphael turned molten brown eyes on her.

  ‘I owe you an apology and an explanation,’ he said. ‘I should never have doubted you and I cannot have you worrying about me taking the baby from you. You must understand I would never do that. It is not easy for me to tell you why I went to a lawyer, but I feel I must. Can I ask you not to tell anyone else—do I have your word?’

  ‘I can keep a confidence,’ Annie said.

  Raphael took a deep breath before speaking. ‘I was married. Until last year.’

  Annie felt her heart thump. Was he going to tell her he was still in love with his wife?

  ‘My wife and I had a child. Sebastian. He is three now.’ Raphael smiled grimly before continuing, ‘I love that little boy. He is my life.’

  Annie drew in a breath. The pain in his voice was evident. She hadn’t known he had a child. Where was he? And what was Raphael doing so far away from his him? If he loved him, and it was evident he did, how could he bear to be away from him?

  She waited quietly for him to continue. It was obvious he was having difficulty keep
ing his emotions in check. His eyes were dark and Annie had to sit on her hands to prevent herself leaning towards him and brushing the stray lock of hair from his eyes.

  ‘My wife left me,’ he said baldly. ‘And she took my son with her. Only it turned out that Sebastian wasn’t my son after all. He belonged to the man she ran off with.’

  Annie was appalled. But in that instant she knew more about Raphael than she had thought possible. His hurt was written all over his face.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘That must have been hard.’ She longed to reach out and comfort him, but something in the way he held himself, in his forbidding expression, warned her that he wouldn’t welcome her touch.

  ‘She wouldn’t let me see him. So I went to the court and asked for access. But it was denied. They said that I wasn’t the biological father, so I had no rights.’

  The bitterness and pain in his voice shook Annie. No wonder he was so determined to have some legal rights to their child.

  ‘It didn’t matter that I was the only father he had ever known, that he loved me and I loved him. None of that counted when it came to access. She took him away to another part of Spain. I don’t know how he is, if he is missing me. I know nothing about my child’s life. And he is my child. Even if I am not the biological father.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, Raphael. I can only imagine what that must be like for you. Not to be able to see him. Not to have any contact whatsoever.’

  He stood up and turned away as if he couldn’t bear to look at her. ‘I don’t want your sympathy,’ he said roughly. ‘I just need to be certain that the same thing won’t happen again.’

  Annie’s blood chilled. But it must be difficult for this proud man to admit that he had been deceived.

  ‘Did you love her very much?’ she said quietly. ‘Your exwife?’

  ‘Ruth? I told myself I loved her. When she told me she was pregnant with my child, I asked her to marry me. I thought we could make it work. For the sake of the child. But we were never really happy, and eventually she met with the real father again.’ His voice was bitter with the memory. ‘She started seeing him again while she was still married to me. I was such a fool.’