His Christmas Bride-To-Be (Medical Romance)

by Abigail Gordon

  It had been amongst her mail one morning and she had badly needed Glenn to hold onto for support. But he was missing from the practice that day, having to be present at the monthly meeting of senior medical staff in the town that was held in the board room of its biggest hospital. Without him the day seemed never-ending.

  Glenn rang just as she was about to leave for home to see if she’d heard anything about her birth certificate. When she told him tearfully that she had, he told her to stay where she was at the practice, which was now empty as all the other staff had gone home. His meeting was over so he could be with her in minutes. Emma obeyed with the feeling that her life was keeping to its familiar pattern of emptiness.

  When Glenn came striding in he held out his arms and Emma wept out her disappointment as he stroked her hair gently and asked, ‘So what did it actually say?’ As if he didn’t know.

  ‘It said “unknown”,’ she told him wearily, and as she looked up at him he bent and kissed her, gently at first and then with kisses that made her forget everything except that she was where she wanted to be.

  When he released her from his hold and they locked up and went out into the dark street, it was as if the winter moon above was shining more brightly amongst a sky full of stars. Turning to her, Glenn asked softly, ‘Shall we find somewhere to eat, Emma?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, but when she looked up into his eyes she saw regret there and knew he was wishing they could be back to the way they had been before, which was not on kissing terms. Although there had been no lack of tenderness and desire while she’d been in his arms.

  There was a restaurant not far away and Glenn steered her towards it, devastated that the thing that Emma so much needed to know hadn’t been forthcoming. He was also cross with himself for allowing her to hope for something again.

  ‘Would you like to stay at my place tonight?’ he asked when they left the restaurant. ‘I don’t like to think of you all alone with such a disappointment to cope with.’

  The offer was tempting, but there was no way that she wanted to be so close to him yet out of bounds, so reluctantly she said with a catch in her voice, ‘Thanks for the offer, Glenn, but I’ll be fine. I might do some searching around the house to see if there is anything that might guide me to who my father was. I doubt it, though, because the last thing that Jeremy said after taking the ground from under my feet was that my mother had never told him the name of the man who had made her pregnant. So I don’t see her leaving any names or addresses around, do you?’

  Glenn sighed. ‘No, not really, I suppose, and are we really saying that she married Jeremy and put up with him for twenty-plus years so you would have a father?’

  ‘Yes, it seems to have been that way,’ said Emma sadly, ‘and I never knew anything different until Jeremy enlightened me.’

  ‘What did your mother die from, Emma?’

  ‘She was frail, probably from unhappiness that she never let me see, and had a heart problem that culminated in a sudden serious heart attack one day. She was rushed to hospital but it was too late to save her, which left Jeremy and me to jog along as best we could with nothing at all in common.’

  They had parked their cars not far from the place where they’d gone to order the birth certificate, and Glenn was only sorry that it had proved fruitless. There was nothing more to say, it was time to say goodbye, but he wasn’t willing to give up on it. He said, ‘If you don’t want to stay at my place, shall I stay with you at yours?’

  She flashed him a tired smile. ‘No, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.’

  ‘All right,’ he agreed. He couldn’t blame her if she wanted to hold him at bay, but he still couldn’t help feeling concerned. ‘I’ll go, but only if you promise that you will ring me if you need me at any time during the night, and that you will come to me for breakfast before we start at the practice. Otherwise I will come to your place to fetch you. Right? Understood?’

  ‘Yes,’ she replied. Despite her anxieties about their relationship, his concern on her behalf felt like healing balm. Feeling better, she drove off into the night.

  * * *

  Glenn stopped off at his parents’ house on the way home and asked if either of them knew of anyone who might have had an affair with Emma’s mother before she’d married Jeremy Chalmers.

  They both looked at him blankly, and Jonas said, ‘No, we don’t. Emma’s mum was local, while Jeremy came from somewhere near where she’d worked before Emma was born. Emma was just a toddler when he came as head of the practice.’

  And his mother chipped in with, ‘Why do you want to know something like that?’

  ‘It was just that I was curious,’ he told her, ‘because Emma tells me that she and Jeremy weren’t at all close.’

  Olivia laughed. ‘So aren’t you the lucky one to have people like us as your parents?’

  ‘I certainly am,’ he replied, holding her close, while his father’s comment was to the effect of when was he going to give them some grandchildren? At other times the question had irritated him because of his devotion to Serena’s memory, but this time it had its appeal as suddenly the thought of having a little girl or boy who looked like Emma was firing his imagination.

  * * *

  When Emma appeared at his door the next morning, geared up for the coming day amongst the sick folk of Glenminster, Glenn breathed a sigh of relief.

  He hadn’t slept well at all because he’d kept imagining her being sad and lonely in the night hours and now, observing Emma, she looked the more rested of the two of them.

  Glenn had gone to the trouble of making a cooked breakfast with all the trimmings, which was the last thing he would ever normally contemplate on a working day. When she saw what was on offer Emma said, ‘Glenn, this is delightful. I will enjoy every mouthful.’ How great it would be if they could have breakfast together every day after sleeping in the same bed, she thought. Her colour rose at the idea, and then their glances held. He smiled across at her and said, ‘We must do this again some time.’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, glowing at the thought, ‘that would be lovely.’ And suddenly the misery of the previous day seemed far away. That was until they got to work and Lydia told them that on arriving at the practice she had seen an abundance of fresh flowers on the grave. And the same question about who the mysterious person who had known her mother could possibly be haunted Emma once more.

  Glenn was close behind her and as he watched the colour fade from her face the determination within him to solve the mystery once and for all hardened. Anything to take away the hurt Emma felt every time it happened, even if he had to stay up all night.

  There had to be a reason why the flowers were always cream roses, especially when golden daffodils and hyacinths were in bloom and there was cherry blossom on the trees. These roses were hothouse-grown, and if they were chosen for a special reason Emma had no knowledge of it.

  Observing the number of blooms that had been put there only minutes ago it seemed logical to expect that it would be some time before the phantom mourner came again. When he or she did Glenn was determined he was going to be ready.

  ‘Who can it possibly be, Glenn?’ Emma said as they went inside the practice together. ‘I know all my mother’s friends and none of them frequent the graveyard or relieve the florists of most of their stock in one go.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Glenn said grimly, ‘but I’m going to find out, and when I do they will have some explaining to do.’ His voice softened. ‘You don’t deserve this, Emma. I want you to be happy and carefree.’ She stared at him doubtfully, and he added, ‘Yes, I know I haven’t been helping that along much, but I have the matter in hand.’

  It was only as they separated, each to their own consulting room, that Emma wondered what that meant.

  * * *

  It was half-term and quite a few parents were there
with their young ones for various reasons. As ever on days like this the sound of young voices and small feet came from the play area of the practice, put there to keep the young patients happy until their names were called.

  There was also the sound of fretful crying from one little one who had just arrived with worried parents. Glenn must have heard it as he came out of his consulting room as the patient he’d just seen was leaving and told them to take their little girl inside immediately.

  Not long after he came out and told Reception in a low voice, ‘We need an ambulance fast.’ He turned to Emma, who was nearby and had heard the little one’s crying. ‘I suspect meningitis. The dreaded red rash is there and the other symptoms also make it look likely.’

  His comments brought a sudden hush amongst those who were near enough to have heard what he’d said. After the ambulance had been and gone, with siren blaring as it sped on its way, a sombre silence hung over those who were still waiting to be seen.

  * * *

  After the dreadful beginning the day settled into a more normal routine and as the ills of winter became the main topic of conversation in the waiting room someone who had been absent for a while turned up in the form of James Prentice. He had been on a two-month course up north in a hospital there and was back with a new girlfriend in tow and expecting everyone to be as bowled over by her as he was.

  With just a momentary lull following his arrival and a few quick handshakes for the new woman in his life because everyone was so busy, James left after announcing that they were getting engaged and would be in the Barrington Bar that evening if anyone would like to join them for a drink.

  * * *

  ‘That would seem to be a whirlwind romance,’ Glenn said whimsically, as he and Emma were about to leave the practice at the end of what had been a very busy day. ‘Are you intending to go to this evening’s get-together? I shall go for a while to represent the practice but won’t be staying long as I’ve got paperwork to deal with. I never seem to have the time to get to it during the day. So I can give you a lift there but can’t promise to be able to bring you back.’

  ‘Thanks for the offer,’ she told him. ‘I would appreciate it as my car is due for servicing. I can get a taxi to take me home if you’ve gone when I’m ready to leave. So what time will you pick me up?’

  ‘Is seven o’clock all right?’

  ‘Er...yes,’ she replied absently with her mind elsewhere. ‘Have we any report yet on the little girl with suspected meningitis?’

  ‘It came through just a few moments ago,’ Glenn said. ‘She does have it, but they are hopeful that it was caught in time, so she should avoid any serious complications and she’ll recover.’

  ‘Poor little one,’ Emma said sadly. ‘I hate to hear of a child suffering.’

  ‘I’m afraid that goes with the job,’ Glenn said, ‘but there is the other side to what we do for sick children—we make them well again in most cases because of our treatment and care.’ Suddenly feeling that he was walking on eggshells, he said, ‘Do you ever want children, Emma?’

  She swivelled to face him. ‘Yes, of course,’ she said immediately. ‘To have someone that I belong to and who belongs to me would be a dream come true. But I can’t produce them without some assistance, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Were you and Serena planning on having a family?’ she asked with a casual sort of interest that was meant to preclude any kind of offence.

  He took her breath away with his response.

  ‘Yes, we wanted children,’ Glenn told her, ‘and we’d already done something towards that end. Serena was four months pregnant when that tsunami came out of nowhere. Mine was a double loss, so can you blame me for doing nothing about it when my parents bemoan their lack of grandchildren? I never told them about the pregnancy. I felt they had enough to cope with with the loss of their daughter-in-law.’

  Emma’s eyes were big and tears hung on her lashes as she turned to face him, stunned to hear that Glenn had been carrying around an even bigger burden than she’d known. Reaching out, she stroked the hard line of his jaw tenderly and with a groan he pulled her into his arms and held her close. And in that moment Emma knew that if he should never want her to be permanently in his life she would abide by it. That there would never be any other man that she would love as she loved him.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  WHEN GLENN CALLED for her, as promised, at seven o’clock Emma was ready but showing little enthusiasm for the unexpected get-together that James had arranged. Observing her expression, he said wryly, ‘Something tells me that we’re not going to be the life and soul of the party tonight.

  ‘I’m sorry, Emma, I would never have told you about the baby if the subject hadn’t come up, and I don’t want it to put a blight on your life too. I’ve learned to live with it. In these kinds of situations one has no choice. At least there’s one bright side to tonight’s event.’

  ‘And what’s that?’ she questioned.

  ‘Now he’s engaged, Prentice will stop hanging around you. One day the right man will come along and you will find the happiness that you deserve.’

  ‘Don’t preach to me, Glenn,’ Emma said tightly. ‘You’ve made it clear that I’m not part of your agenda. And as I’ve already had the unpleasant experience of being told I wasn’t wanted by my stepfather, the two together are enough to make me shy away from any future relationships on a permanent basis.’

  ‘Wow! What did I do to deserve that?’ he asked, swivelling to face her. ‘I was merely referring to the many surprises that life always has in store and thinking how much Jeremy hurt you. I don’t want to follow it with something similar.’

  When there was no reply forthcoming, he asked, ‘So, are you coming or not? Like I said, I’m going but not for long, and the night will be gone if we don’t make a move.’

  ‘Yes, I’m coming,’ Emma told him, not willing to miss spending some time with Glenn regardless of what she’d said before. So soon they were amongst the rest of the staff, drinking champagne and toasting the newly betrothed couple with smiles that gave no hint of any inward turmoil.

  An hour later, when Glenn said reluctantly that he was ready for the off and reminded her to travel home by taxi, with no detours near the church, he added, ‘I am determined to find this mysterious person who puts the flowers on your mother’s grave so frequently. In the meantime, Emma, don’t let it upset you.

  ‘You’ll be the first to know when I solve the mystery and I think you will feel better if you keep away from it for a while.’

  Emma nodded, ashamed of her earlier outburst, and with that, Glenn was gone.

  As he drove the short distance home Glenn was remembering what he’d said to Emma about the grave. It was true that so far he was clueless, and a graveyard wasn’t the best place to hang out, but he had to sort it out for her sake.

  He felt sure he was missing something that was staring him in the face. And somehow it had to be connected with Emma—but what? Was it from her past, or her mother’s? And if it was, how did he unravel the mystery? There must still be people around in Glenminster who had known Emma’s mother and who she was seeing before she fell pregnant.

  What about his parents, for instance? He’d already tried to sound them out, to no avail. But they’d lived in Glenminster as long as he could remember and his father had always socialised a lot. Maybe he should have another go at sounding him out and seeing if he came up with anything of interest? Mind you, knowing his dad, Jonas would have said if there was anything that he, Glenn, ought to know in connection with his friendship with Emma. Besides, his parents didn’t know about the cream roses that graced the grave so regularly.

  When he arrived home Glenn put the problem to the back of his mind while he attended to the demands of the practice. But once that was done it was there again, the niggling worry that there might be something tha
t was going to cause Emma pain one day if he didn’t pin it down for her.

  From the size of the floral display it could be two to three weeks before the next visit from the mystery mourner. Whoever it was must have had a great deal of regard for the woman buried there, and would surely come back. Hopefully, by then he might have a plan ready that would bring the person into the open.

  In the meantime, there was a severe cough doing the rounds that had some of the patients barking in the waiting room, and amongst the elderly, who were only just warming up after winter’s chill, there were cases of bronchitis, while for the rest there was a virus here and there, and always a full list.

  But during each busy day Glenn could rely on Emma and the practice team with their skills and dedication to their professions. He was more content than he had been for a long time, until the cream roses began to droop and he knew the time was approaching when he might come face to face with the person who might somehow be connected with Emma. He really hoped he could come up with a solution to the problem.

  But would Emma want to meet the person who must have known her mother so well that they brought flowers so often and in such a secretive manner? Would he if it were him? Whoever it was, they had given Emma no means of discovering his or her identity.

  Having no wish to spend twenty-four hours of every day in the churchyard, Glenn had changed his consulting room with that of one of the other doctors because it overlooked the grave in question. He’d also asked the vicar to keep an eye open for anyone bringing flowers to it around the time he thought they were due.

  But as the days went by no one went anywhere near the grave for any reason whatsoever. The only folks around seemed to be just local people taking the same short cut that he did when he went to visit his elderly patient on the road that led past the church. In the end Glenn had to accept that maybe the strange behaviour of the person he sought had just been a joke or a fad, and that there was no cause for concern on his part.