The Consultant's Adopted Son

by Jennifer Taylor

  Everyone clapped as she cut into the cake, then Charlie put another record on the deck and people started to drift away. Rose took the cake into the kitchen and found a proper knife to finish slicing it up. She glanced round when she realised that someone had followed her and felt her pulse leap when she saw Owen standing in the doorway.

  ‘How about we make our escape after you’ve finished doing that?’

  ‘Fine by me.’ She quickly divided the cake into portions, then wiped her hands on a teatowel. ‘I’ll just tell Rob that I’m leaving first.’

  ‘I wouldn’t bother, if I were you. He and Suzanne seemed to be rather busy when I last saw them.’ He raised a meaningful brow, and she laughed.

  ‘I won’t interrupt them, then.’

  Rose fetched her coat and they left the flat together. Although it was gone midnight, there were a lot of people about when they reached the street. Owen frowned as he glanced along the road.

  ‘I’m almost sure you can get down to the Embankment from here. Fancy a stroll by the river to wind down?’

  ‘It sounds good to me,’ she agreed readily.

  It was just a ten-minute walk to the Embankment, and neither of them said anything on the way. Rose sensed that he was waiting until they were on their own before he raised the subject that was uppermost in both their minds. They walked down the steps and stopped by the safety rail, watching the Thames flowing past beneath them. There was an almost full moon that night and the water shimmered silver in its light.

  ‘I think I owe you an apology, Rose. I’ve behaved very badly towards you.’

  Owen’s tone was quiet, in keeping with the mood, and she tried to match it. ‘You did what you thought was right.’

  ‘But that doesn’t excuse the way I’ve treated you.’ He turned to her and his face looked stern in the moonlight. ‘I judged you without even attempting to get to know you, and that was wrong of me.’

  ‘You were worried about Daniel,’ she protested, hating to hear him blame himself.

  ‘I was, but I never tried to see the situation from your side. I just assumed that meeting you would be detrimental to him.’ He paused, and she could hear the pain in his voice when he carried on. ‘My fears weren’t solely on his behalf either. I was worried in case meeting you would affect how he felt about me. I…I couldn’t bear to lose him.’

  ‘Daniel loves you! I couldn’t take away what you two have even if I wanted to.’

  ‘I know that now, but I wasn’t thinking straight.’ He smiled tightly and she could see the emotion on his face. ‘I was scared of losing him as well as Laura. I wouldn’t have had anything worth living for then. I suppose it was the fear of being left on my own that made me behave so irrationally, especially after I was told that you are someone who avoids commitment.’

  ‘Who told you that?’ she exclaimed, and he shrugged.

  ‘Just someone who knew you when you worked at the Royal. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been listening to gossip.’

  ‘I understand why you wanted to find out more about me,’ she said quietly, turning to stare at the river. ‘And I suppose it’s true. I have always avoided getting too involved with anyone.’

  ‘Is there a reason for that?’

  ‘Yes.’ She took a quick breath, but there was no way that she was going to lie to him now. ‘I never wanted to take a chance on falling in love again after what I did.’

  ‘After what you did?’ he repeated uncertainly.

  ‘I gave Daniel away, and I’ve had to live with the guilt of that for all these years.’

  ‘But you did it to help him! You did it so he would have a better life than you could provide for him at the time!’

  ‘Yes, but—’

  ‘There are no buts, Rose,’ he said firmly. ‘You did what you thought was right for Daniel and you have nothing to blame yourself for.’

  ‘And neither do you. You were only trying to protect Daniel.’

  ‘Was I? Or was I trying to protect my own interests more?’

  ‘I don’t believe that,’ she said fiercely, grasping his hand. ‘The same as I don’t believe that Daniel would ever turn his back on you. You’re his father, Owen, and he loves you very much.’

  ‘And you’re his mother, Rose. You’re the reason he exists. If it hadn’t been for your bravery in giving birth to him, I wouldn’t have had the joy of watching him grow up.’

  He turned her hand over so that he could lift it to his mouth. Rose closed her eyes when she felt him press his lips to her palm. The kiss was both a tender acknowledgement of her status as Daniel’s mother and the most erotic stimulant she’d ever experienced. Already she could feel her blood heating, her body quickening, her desire growing, and it was a shock to feel the enormity of her need.

  She had never felt like this before—eager and hungry for his kisses, wanting everything he could give her yet wanting to give him even more. What did it mean? Was it possible that she was falling in love with him, the father of her son? And, if it was true, what effect would it have on Daniel?

  She knew how vulnerable Daniel was. He was still grieving for Laura and he might not take kindly to the idea of his father having a relationship with his birth mother. Was she prepared to take that risk, to harm him in any way at all?

  A cold chill enveloped her. She knew the answer to that question without having to think about it. She would never hurt Daniel, certainly wouldn’t put her needs before his. Even though she knew this attraction she felt for Owen was something very special, she would never jeopardise her son’s happiness. If she had to choose between father and son then she would choose Daniel, even though her heart ached at the thought of what she might be giving up.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  OWEN could sense Rose’s withdrawal even though he had no idea what he’d done to prompt it. When she removed her hand from his he didn’t try to stop her.

  He turned to stare at the river, wondering what had happened to change the mood. He wasn’t stupid—he’d felt her response when he’d kissed her palm. She’d been as aroused by the tender caress as he had been so what had made her draw back? Was he going too fast for her, trying to change the direction of their relationship too quickly?

  His heart raced as he considered which way he wanted it to go, before he quickly erased the thought. He wasn’t going to spoil things by rushing when he had all the time in the world to get this right. He turned to her, deliberately keeping his tone light because he could see how troubled she looked.

  ‘It’s beautiful down here at this time of the night, isn’t it? It’s the best time to really appreciate the city.’

  ‘Yes, it is.’ She gave him a tentative smile in return but he could see the worry in her eyes and it was all he could do not to ask her what was wrong. However, he’d made up his mind that he wasn’t going to rush her and he would stick to that—unlike all the other decisions he’d made recently.

  His stomach clenched as he recalled all the things he’d sworn he would do. Keeping Rose out of Daniel’s life had been at the very top of his list but he’d not achieved it. He’d also failed to keep his distance from her, too. It was as though he no sooner made up his mind than he changed it again, and it wasn’t like him to vacillate. All of a sudden he was beset by doubts again. Was he right to make such a drastic switch of direction, or did he need to think things through before he went any further?

  ‘I’d better go home. It’s late and I have to get up early in the morning.’

  ‘Of course.’

  Owen straightened, not sorry to have a reason to bring the evening to an end. There was no point risking everything on a whim. ‘I’ll see if I can find us a taxi,’ he offered, closing his mind to the insidious little voice which was mocking his attempts to behave sensibly. The way he felt about Rose wasn’t a whim! He was just backpedalling because he was scared of getting hurt…

  ‘Ah, there’s one now.’ He ran up the steps and flagged down the cab, using actions to blot out the taunts. Rose followed
him up to the road, but she didn’t get into the taxi when he opened the door.

  ‘You take this one and I’ll find another one. After all, we’re going in completely different directions.’

  ‘I’m not leaving you here on your own,’ he replied firmly. ‘I can drop you off first and then carry on home.’

  ‘Well, if you’re sure…’

  She hesitated a moment longer, then got into the cab. Owen told the driver her address, then climbed in after her and closed the door. He wasn’t sure why she seemed so reluctant to let him see her home.

  Unless she was afraid that he might expect to be invited in?

  Blood rushed to his head at the thought and it was the devil of a job to calm himself down. However, there was no way that he was going to be spending the night in her bed so he’d better put that idea right out of his mind!

  They made desultory conversation as the taxi drove across the city. Rose seemed loath to engage in any talk of a personal nature and he was wary of saying something out of turn. It was a relief to both of them when the cab drew up outside the block of flats where she lived.

  ‘Thank you for the lift,’ she said politely, reaching for the doorhandle.

  ‘Don’t mention it.’ He summoned a smile, wishing the evening didn’t have to end this way even though he knew it was safer. He needed a bit more time to make sure that he knew what he was doing—for his sake as well as for Daniel’s. ‘I’ll see you at work next week.’

  ‘I expect so.’

  One last smile and then she got out. Owen glanced back as the cab sped away but she had already gone inside. He turned around, fighting the urge to ask the driver to go back. He mustn’t make the mistake of rushing into something he could regret, he reminded himself sternly. However, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was leaving part of himself behind as the taxi drove along the road. Rose had taken a bit of his heart with him when she’d left.

  Rose had planned on visiting her father the following day, so she got up early to catch the train. She’d spent a restless night, and when she had slept her dreams had been full of Owen. She knew that she was on the verge of falling in love with him and the idea scared her after what had happened all those years ago. However, her biggest fear was the effect it might have on Daniel. That was why it was so important that she made the right decision.

  She spent a couple of hours at the nursing-home, then travelled back to London. Although her father had no idea who she was, he seemed to enjoy her visits and that made the long journey worthwhile. It was after seven when she let herself into the flat and there was a message from Daniel on her answering-machine, suggesting they meet for lunch the following Saturday.

  Once again he’d chosen somewhere in the city where they could meet, and it seemed to point towards the fact that he didn’t want her visiting his home. He wanted to keep his home life separate from her, so maybe she should take that as a warning of how he would feel if she became involved with his father. When she went to bed that night Rose was more unsure than ever. The only thing she was certain about was that she wouldn’t do anything to hurt Daniel.

  The main topic of conversation at work the following morning seemed to be Rob and Suzanne. There was a great deal of speculation about whether the two registrars were now officially an ‘item’. Rose laughed when she was asked for her views.

  ‘Pass! I’m the world’s worst when it comes to pairing people off. Why do you think I’m still single?’

  ‘Not because of a lack of offers, I don’t imagine.’ Angie gave her a speaking look as she stowed her coat in her locker. ‘I saw you and Owen leaving the party together, so is there anything you want to tell us?’

  ‘Of course not!’ She flushed when everyone laughed. ‘Honestly, there’s nothing going on between me and Owen. I don’t even like him!’ she added in a desperate attempt to put a stop to any gossip.

  ‘Excuse me. Can I have a word with you, Angie?’

  She swung round when a familiar voice interrupted their conversation, and her heart sank when she realised that Owen had come into the room without them noticing. She couldn’t imagine what he must have made of her comment, but she saw the sympathetic looks the rest of the staff gave her as they left.

  Rose followed them out and went straight to Reception to fetch her first patient. She would have to apologise to him later for what she’d said. Hopefully, he would understand why she’d felt it necessary to squash any rumours. Her heart lurched, because she and Owen didn’t have a good track record when it came to explaining things, did they?

  Owen knew it was ridiculous to feel hurt because of what he’d overheard but he couldn’t help it. Rose had stated quite categorically that she didn’t like him and it had been painful to hear. He tried to put it out of his mind as he ran through the previous week’s statistics with Angie. A couple of times they had exceeded the allotted waiting time and he knew there would be questions from management when they saw the figures.

  ‘It happened when you were dealing with that major incident,’ the charge nurse explained. ‘We sent some patients home but a lot of people decided to wait. The ones who stayed took us over the time limit.’

  ‘Right, that’s fine. So long as I know the reason then I’ll be able to sort it out. Waiting-time limits sound fine in principle, but they can’t always be adhered to.’

  ‘I expect there’ll be some grumbling from on high but we did our best,’ Angie assured him, then rushed on. ‘I’m sorry about what happened earlier. It was my fault because I was teasing Rose about you and her disappearing together on Saturday night. I expect that’s why she said what she did—I’d backed her into a corner.’

  ‘I’m sure you’re right,’ he agreed coolly, making it clear that he didn’t intend to discuss the matter. Fortunately, Angie took the hint, but it was unsettling to know that the staff had been talking about him and Rose. Maybe it wasn’t a bad thing that she’d claimed not to like him if it had stopped the gossip, he thought.

  There was no time to dwell on it, however, because just then Sharon knocked on the office door and told him they had a casualty being rushed in. He went straight to Resus and was ready to receive the patient when the paramedics arrived. The casualty was a thirteen-year-old boy called Andrew Davenport. He’d been walking to school when some older boys had attacked him and stolen his mobile phone. He’d been stabbed in the back and he’d lost a lot of blood.

  ‘Hello, Andrew, I’m Dr Gallagher.’ Owen introduced himself as they lifted the boy onto a bed. ‘I’m going to check you over and make you more comfortable.’

  ‘I didn’t do anything,’ the boy whispered, his eyes welling with tears. ‘They just stabbed me when I said I wouldn’t give them my phone.’

  ‘Let’s not worry about that now. It’s more important that we get you sorted out.’

  Owen glanced up as Angie rattled out the boy’s BP, heart-rate and sats levels. Andrew had been put on a drip by the paramedics and at the moment that was compensating for all the blood he’d lost. If more than ten per cent of the total volume of blood was lost from the circulatory system, a patient would lapse into shock, and that was why they were put on a drip. However, it was only a temporary measure, and the boy would need a blood transfusion soon.

  ‘Can you cross-match him for three litres of blood?’ he instructed. ‘And we’ll need some O neg while we’re waiting.’

  ‘My blood group is B positive,’ Andrew whispered.

  ‘Is it indeed?’ Owen grinned as he moved around the bed so he could examine the stab wound. He nodded to Angie and she helped him roll Andrew over onto his side so Owen could see what he was doing. ‘I’m impressed. It’s not often we get a patient who knows his own blood group.’

  ‘I asked the doctor what it was when I had to have a blood test last year,’ Andrew explained.

  ‘I see. Are you interested in medicine, then?’ Owen carefully probed the wound. It was roughly one centimetre across and appeared slightly wider at one end than the other. He
guessed it had been made with some sort of small kitchen knife—like a paring knife, for instance.

  ‘Yes. I want to be a doctor when I leave school.’

  ‘Excellent! We need bright young lads like you.’

  He glanced round when Suzanne appeared, and nodded when she offered to help. She’d been very subdued since he’d told her off and he couldn’t help noticing how much more confident she seemed that day. It was amazing the effect love could have, he thought wryly.

  But he couldn’t think about that now when he had a job to do. He gently explored the area around the stab wound, frowning in consternation when he realised how swollen it was. If he wasn’t mistaken there was heavy internal bleeding, and that pointed towards there being damage to the major organs. The knife had entered the body near the left kidney, so there could be damage to the kidney or to the spleen, which lay just above it. Either event was potentially life-threatening, so he called Beth over and asked her to take X-rays.

  Five minutes later Owen had his answer, and he sighed when he saw the shadow on the X-ray which indicated heavy bleeding in the area. He looked round when Suzanne came to take a look. ‘Doesn’t look too good, does it?’

  ‘Looks like the kidney has been damaged,’ she said, leaning closer. ‘There might even be some damage to the spleen—maybe it was nicked when the blade entered.’

  ‘You could be right.’ He checked the screen again and nodded. ‘We’ll send him straight to Theatre, if you could do the honours. I don’t want there to be any delay with this one.’

  ‘Okey-dokey!’

  Suzanne hurried away and he smiled to himself when he saw there was a definite bounce in her step that day. If it was love making such an improvement to her attitude then long might it last!

  ‘Excuse me.’

  ‘Sorry.’ He stepped aside so Rose could put some soiled dressings in the bio-hazard container, feeling his heart sink. Love wasn’t always all positives and no negatives, though. That was why he needed to think everything through very carefully: him and Rose; him and Daniel; him, Daniel and Rose—the permutations were endless. It wasn’t going to be easy to work out what he should do, and he grimaced as he went to tell Andrew that he would be going to Theatre. Trusting his instincts wasn’t an option in this instance, because they would definitely lead him astray!