by Sue MacKay
Picking up her top from the corner where she’d thrown it last night, she pounced, pressed the phone’s green button. ‘Morning, Ally Parker speaking.’
‘Morning, gorgeous,’ Flynn’s voice drawled in her ear. ‘Thought I’d make sure you’re wide-awake.’
‘And if I hadn’t been?’ The concern backed off a notch at the sound of his warm tone. ‘You’d have come around and hauled me out of bed?’
‘My oath I would.’
‘That does it. I’m sound asleep.’ What was wrong with her? Encouraging Flynn was not the way to go.
His laugh filled her with happiness. ‘Unfortunately I have a certain small individual with me this morning and I know he’d love nothing better than to try and pull you out of bed.’
‘So not a good look, considering I’m naked.’ She’d left her brain on the beach. Had to have.
Flynn growled. ‘I certainly wouldn’t be able to fault that.’
Then she saw the time. ‘Is it really eight o’clock? It can’t be. Got to go. I’m going to be late.’ She hung up before he could say anything else and ran for the bathroom. The left side of her left brain argued with the right side about what she was doing with Flynn.
‘Only five minutes late,’ she gasped, as she charged into the staffroom. A large coffee in a takeout mug stood on the table at the spot where she usually sat. ‘Black and strong,’ Flynn muttered, as he joined her.
‘You’re wonderful.’ She popped the lid off.
Jerome and Toby sauntered in. ‘What did you think of our local Italian?’ Jerome asked with a twinkle in his eye.
‘I’m hooked. Definitely going back there again.’ Her knee nudged Flynn’s under the table.
He pushed back as he continued to stare across at the other men. ‘She’s got Giuseppe eating out of her hand.’
I thought that was your hand. ‘He’s a sweetheart.’
‘Ally.’ Megan popped her head around the door. ‘You’ve got visitors. Chrissie and her mum.’
Back to earth with a thud. Reality kicked in. ‘Showtime.’ Ally stood up, sipped her coffee, found it cool enough to gulp some down. No way could she start her day without her fix, especially not this morning. Her stomach was complaining about the lack of breakfast, but it’d have to make do with caffeine. ‘Is it okay if I go and see Chrissie? Or would you prefer I stay for the meeting?’
‘Don’t worry about the meeting. One of us can fill you in later if there’s anything you need to know,’ Toby told her.
Flynn spoke up. ‘If you need me, just call. But I’m sure you’ll be fine.’
‘Chrissie’s mum would have to be dense not to know why her daughter has requested an appointment with a midwife, wouldn’t she?’
Flynn nodded. ‘And dense is not a word I’d use to describe Angela. She’s probably cottoned on but could be denying it.’
Angela didn’t deny it for any longer than it took for the three of them to be seated in Ally’s room with the door firmly shut. ‘You’re going to tell me Chrissie’s pregnant, aren’t you?’
‘Actually, I was hoping Chrissie might’ve told you.’ She looked at the girl and found nothing but despair blinking out at her. Dark shadows lined the skin beneath her sad eyes and her mouth was turned downwards, while her hands fidgeted on her thighs. ‘Chrissie, did you get any sleep last night?’
She shook her head. ‘I was thinking, you know? About everything.’ Her shoulders dropped even lower. ‘I’m sorry, Mum. I didn’t mean it to happen.’
‘Now, that I can understand.’ Angela might have been expecting the news but she still looked shocked. ‘All too well.’ She breathed deeply, her chest rising. ‘How far along are you, do you know?’ Her gaze shifted from her daughter to Ally and then back to Chrissie.
‘Nearly twelve weeks.’ Chrissie’s voice was little more than a whisper. ‘You’re disappointed in me, aren’t you?’
Angela sat ramrod straight. Her hands were clenched together, but her eyes were soft and there was gentleness in her next words. ‘No, sweetheart, I think you’re the one who’s going to be disappointed. You had so many plans for your future and none of them included a baby.’
‘But you managed. You’ve got a good job. You’re the best mum ever.’
‘Chrissie, love.’ Angela sniffed, and reached for one of her daughter’s hands. ‘A good job, yes, but not the career I’d planned on.’
Ally stood up and crossed to the window to give them some space. They didn’t need her there. Yet. Flynn had been right. This woman was a good mum. Why didn’t I have one like her? Why didn’t I have one at all? One who loved me from the day I was born?
Behind her the conversation became erratic as Chrissie and Angela worked their way through the minefield they were facing. At least they were facing it together.
‘Do you regret having me?’ Chrissie squeaked.
‘Never.’ A chair scratched over the surface of the floor and when Ally took a quick peek she saw Angela holding her daughter in her arms. ‘Never, ever. Not for one minute.’
‘I’m keeping my baby, Mum.’
Ally held her breath. This was the moment when Angela might finally crack. She fully understood the pitfalls of single parenthood. And the joys. But she’d want more for Chrissie.
Angela was strong. ‘I thought you’d say that. I hope your child will love its grandmother as much as you loved your grandfather, my girl, because we’re in this together. Understand?’
As Chrissie burst into long-overdue tears, Ally sneaked out the door, closing it softly behind her. In the storeroom she wiped her own eyes. Did that girl understand how loved she was? How lucky?
‘Hey, don’t tell me it was that bad in there.’ Flynn stood before her, holding the box of tissues she’d been groping for.
‘It was beautiful.’ Blow. ‘What an amazing mother Angela is. Chrissie will be, too, if that’s the example she’s got to follow.’
‘Told you.’ Did he have to sound so pleased with himself? His finger tipped her chin up so she had to meet his kind gaze. ‘Come and finish that coffee I bought you. We can zap it in the microwave.’
He’d be thinking she was a right idiot, hiding in the cupboard, crying, because her patient had just told her mother she was pregnant. ‘I’ll give them five minutes and then go and discuss pregnancy care and health.’
‘Make it ten. You’ll be feeling better and they’ll have run out of things to say to each other for a while.’ His hand on her elbow felt so right. And for the first time it wasn’t about heat and desire but warmth and care.
More stupid tears spurted from her eyes. Her third day here and he was being gentle and kind to her. Right now she liked this new scenario. Thank goodness Flynn would think these fresh tears were more of the same—all about Chrissie and her mother, not about him. And her.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE MOMENT FLYNN saw the clinic’s car turn into the parking lot on Friday night he couldn’t hold back a smile. A smile for no other reason than he was glad to see Ally. Her image was pinned up in his skull like a photo on a noticeboard. More than one photo. There was the one of Ally in those leg-hugging, butt-defining jeans and the red jersey that accentuated her breasts. Then the other: a naked version showing those shapely legs, slim hips and delicious breasts.
There was a third: tearful Ally, hiding away and looking lost and lonely. What was that about?
The front door crashed against the wall as she elbowed it wide and carried her bag in. ‘Hi, Flynn, you’re working late. Had an emergency?’
Yep, two hours without laying eyes on you definitely constitutes an emergency. ‘Do you want to join Adam and me for dinner? There’s a chicken casserole cooking as we speak. Nothing flash, but it should be tasty.’
‘A casserole’s not flash?’ Her smile warmed him right down to his toes. ‘My mouth’s watering already.’
‘Is that a yes, then?’ His lungs stopped functioning as he waited for her reply.
‘Are you sure there’ll be enough?’ As
he was about to answer in the affirmative, she asked, ‘Shall I stop in at the supermarket and get some garlic bread to go with the meal? Some wine?’
‘Good idea. I left the Merlot behind the other night. On the beach,’ he added with a grin.
‘You’re too easily distracted, that’s your problem.’ Her mouth stretched into a return smile. ‘Someone probably got lucky when they went for a walk that morning.’
A devilish look crossed his face and his eyes widened. ‘I got lucky that night.’
‘A dinner invitation will get me every time.’ She swatted his arm. ‘What’s your address? Better give me precise directions if you really want me to join you.’
‘The island’s not too large and most people know where to find me.’ Glancing at his watch, he added, ‘I’ll get home so Marie can leave.’
Flynn hummed all the way home, something he hadn’t done in for ever. Even without Tuesday night’s sexual encounters, the fact that Ally was coming to his place for a meal made him feel good. Mealtimes weren’t lonely because Adam was there, but sometimes he wished for adult conversation while he enjoyed his dinner. He’d also like an occasional break from Adam’s usual grizzles about what he was being made to eat. His boy was a picky eater. Just because his mother had wanted him to eat well, it didn’t mean Adam agreed.
Flynn shook his head. Where did Adam come into this? This hyper mood had nothing to do with him. Try Ally. And himself. Be honest, admit you want a repeat of Tuesday night’s sex.
Guilt hit hard and fast.
What was he thinking? How could he be having fun when Anna was gone? He didn’t deserve to. It had been his fault she hadn’t been happy with her life. He should’ve taken the time to listen to her when she’d tried to explain why it was so important to her to leave the city behind.
He’d loved his life in Melbourne, had thought he was well on the way to making a big name for himself in emergency medicine. Sure, he hadn’t always been there for Anna and Adam, had missed meals and some firsts, like Adam saying ‘Hello, Mummy’, but they’d agreed before Adam had been conceived that he’d be working long hours, getting established, and that it would take a few years before he backed off so they could enjoy the lifestyle they both had wanted.
Anna had quickly forgotten their agreement once Adam had arrived, instead becoming more demanding for him to give up his aspirations and move to family-orientated Phillip Island. What he hadn’t told Anna before she’d died was that he’d begun talks with the head of the ED to cut down his hours. It would’ve been a compromise. Too late. Anna had driven into an oncoming tram, and he and Adam had moved to her island full-time. Sometimes he had regrets about that—regrets that filled him with guilt. This was right for Adam. He should’ve done it for Anna while he could.
Turning into his drive, he automatically pressed the garage door opener and drove in, hauled on the handbrake and switched off the engine. He tipped his head back against the headrest. ‘Anna, I miss you.’
A lone tear tracked down his cheek.
Is it wrong to want to have some fun? To want to move on and forge a new life for me and our boy? Adam misses his mummy so much I’m afraid I’m getting it all wrong. I try to do things as you’d want, but sometimes I feel I’m living your life, not mine.
The engine creaked as it began cooling down. Sheba nudged her wet nose against his window and Flynn dragged himself out of the car. He didn’t have time to sit around feeling sorry for himself. Rightly or wrongly, Ally was coming to dinner.
After stopping off at the supermarket, Ally went back to the flat and had a quick shower, before changing into jeans and a clean shirt. She took a moment to brush her ponytail out, letting it fall onto her shoulders. If the way Flynn kept running his hands through it the other night was an indicator, he obviously liked her hair.
She checked her phone for texts. Nothing. Not even from Darcie. She quickly texted.
How’s things?
The reply was instant.
The usual. What r u doing 2night?
Having dinner with hot man.
You’re not wasting time.
Did I mention his 4-yr-old son?
Ally? That’s different for you.
Ally slipped her phone into her pocket without answering. What could she say? In one short message Darcie had underlined her unease.
Swiping mascara over her lashes, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Most of the day, even when busy with patients, a sense of restlessness had dogged her. Strange. Her first-day nerves weren’t going away.
Get over it. Coming to a new job’s nothing like starting over with a new family when you’re scared and wondering if they’ll love you enough to keep you past the end of the first week. Don’t let the worry bugs tip you off track. You’re in control these days.
She twisted the mascara stick into its holder so hard it snapped.
Thank goodness she had something to do tonight other than sit alone in that pokey lounge, eating takeaways and watching something boring on TV. She’d be with Flynn and his boy, and be able to have a conversation. What about didn’t matter, as long as she had company for a few hours. It would be an added bonus if she and Flynn ended up in bed. But she wasn’t sure if it would happen, with Adam being in the house, Flynn rightly being super-protective of him.
Then she laughed at herself. Since when did she put sex second to conversation? After one night with Flynn she hadn’t stopped wondering where he’d been all her life. What was happening? Had her regular hormones packed their bags and taken a hike, only to be replaced with a needier version?
She froze, stared into the mirror, found only the same face she’d been covering with make-up for years. No drastic changes had occurred. The same old wariness mixed with a don’t-mess-with-me glint blinked out of her eyes. And behind that the one emotion she hoped no one ever saw—her need to be loved.
Dropping her head, she planted her hands wide on the bathroom counter, stared into the basin and concentrated on forcing that old, childish yearning away.
Sex with Flynn and now this? Why now? Here? What was it about him that had the locks turning on her tightly sealed box of needs and longings?
She couldn’t visit him. Throwing the mascara wand at the bin, she grimaced. She had to, then she’d see that he was just an everyday man working to raise his son and not someone to get in a stew over. If he was wise he’d never want a woman as mixed up as her in Adam’s life.
A quick glance in the mirror and she dredged up a smile.
Attagirl. You’re doing good. She kissed her fingertips and waved them at her image. But right now she’d love a hug.
Ally got her hug within seconds of stepping inside Flynn’s house.
‘Hey, there.’ His eyes were sombre and his mouth not smiling as he wrapped her in his arms. Her cheek automatically nestled against his chest. Her determination to be Ally the aloof midwife wobbled. Should’ve stayed away. At least until this weird phase passes.
Then Adam leapt at her, nearly knocking her off her feet and winding his arms around her waist.
‘Is this a family thing?’ she asked, as she staggered back against the wall. She dredged up a smile for Adam.
‘Easy, Adam, not so hard. You’re hurting Ally.’
‘No, I’m not,’ he answered. Then he was racing down the hall to where light spilled from a room. ‘Now we can eat.’
‘There’s an honest welcome.’ Kind of heart-warming. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve kept you waiting.’
Flynn shook his head. ‘You’re not late. You could’ve got here by midday and Adam would’ve been waiting for dinner. He’s a bottomless pit when it comes to his favourite food.’
‘I bought him a wee treat at the supermarket. I hope that’s all right.’ The house was abnormally quiet. No blaring TV, she realised.
‘The occasional one’s fine, but I try not to spoil him with too much sugar and fatty foods. His mother held strong beliefs about giving children the right foods early on to establish a good lifesty
le for growing up healthy. Healthy body, healthy mind was a saying close to her heart.’
He was trying to implement his late wife’s beliefs. ‘Fair enough.’ Ally had no idea what it must be like to be suddenly left as a solo parent to a two-year-old, especially while juggling a demanding career. ‘Have you always worked on Phillip Island?’
‘Only since Anna died.’ Flynn found matching glasses and poured the Chardonnay she’d brought. ‘I was an emergency consultant in Melbourne. Being a GP is relatively new for me, and vastly different from my previous life.’
‘So you had to re-specialise?’ Why the drastic change?
‘It was a formality really as my specialty leant itself to general practice.’ He lifted his glass and tapped the rim to hers. ‘Cheers. Thanks for this.’
The wine was delicious, and from the way Flynn’s mouth finally tipped up into a smile after he’d tasted it, he thought so, too.
‘Thanks for feeding me.’ She pulled out a bar stool from under the bench and arranged herself on it to watch Flynn put the finishing touches to dinner. Looking for the everyday man?
As he chopped parsley he continued the conversation in a more relaxed tone. ‘Anna grew up here and it had always been her intention to return once she had a family.’ His finger slid along the flat of the knife to remove tiny pieces of the herb and add them to the small pile he’d created. ‘I wasn’t ready to give up my career in the city. I was doing well, making a name for myself, working every hour available and more. We lived in a big house in the right suburb, had Adam registered for the best schools before he was born. It was the life I’d dreamed of having.’
She sensed a deep well of sadness in Flynn as he sprinkled the parsley on the casserole and rinsed his hands under the tap. Not quite the definition of an everyday man. Hadn’t he and Anna discussed where they wanted to live and work before they’d married? Before they’d started a family? ‘Yet here you are, everyone’s favourite GP, living in a quiet suburban neighbourhood, seemingly quite happy with it all. Apart from what happened to your wife, of course,’ she added hurriedly.