by Fiona Lowe
Jenny tentatively approached the examination table where Sarah lay white and still. Her hand flew to her mouth and she stifled a sob before reaching out and holding her child’s hand.
‘Once she’s in ICU in Melbourne, I’ll be a lot happier. She’s a very sick little girl.’ For the umpteenth time, Will rubbed the back of his neck.
They all fell silent, waiting for the sound of the helicopter, willing it to arrive. All words seemed inadequate.
For the second time in weeks, Meg found herself in the Laurelton pub’s car park, walking away from the emergency helicopter with Will by her side. This time his pensive mood pervaded her, dragging at her, heightening her misery.
As she turned toward the clinic his hand caught her arm. ‘Could we go and sit in the park for a bit?’
She sighed. Did it really matter where their relationship officially ended? ‘OK.’ She stepped away from his hand, needing the space, determined to avoid the contact, knowing his touch would completely undermine her determination to stay detached.
The tulips’ bright and cheery heads stood tall, turning the park from winter browns into a vibrant rainbow of colour. A wooden park bench with a decorative back sat nestled between two large magnolia trees. The perfume from the large flowers wafted past on the gentle breeze.
Normally the park made her heart sing. Today it was the antithesis of her feelings. She sat on the far end of the bench.
Will sat at the other end, leaning forward and lacing his fingers as his hands rested between his knees. His gaze appeared to pass the fountain in the middle of the park and look out toward the mountain range, the jagged peak of Mt Hume being the highest point. He sighed, a long shuddering breath.
Finally he moved around and stared at her, the brown and green of his eyes swirling with a myriad of emotions. He spoke quietly in the same serious tone he’d used with Jenny. ‘Meg, there’s a few things we need to work out.’
Her jaw stiffened. So this was it. This was the businessman’s son reducing their child to a commodity, the one thing he’d once said a child should never be. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t send a Cameron Enterprises lawyer.’
Confusion washed over his face and then understanding dawned. ‘I said my lawyer would be in touch, didn’t I?’ He ran his hand through his hair. ‘I also said a lot of other unforgivable things.’
The supplication in his voice tore at her. ‘You did.’ She forced herself to stay aloof. She had to stay strong for the baby.
‘Hell, Meg, if I could take back those words I hurled at you, I would.’ He reached for her hand. ‘I’m so incredibly sorry.’
She stiffened, letting her hand rest impassively in his, trying to disconnect from his touch.
‘I’ve spent years avoiding women, and you walked into my life with your enthusiasm, your convictions, and you didn’t want anything from me. I’d never experienced that before, couldn’t believe it was possible.’
He swallowed hard. ‘You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met and I let my past ruin the best thing that has ever happened to me. I wanted to run after you almost as soon as you left and ask you to forgive me, but I knew I had to make some changes in my life first.’
His thumb caressed her hand in delicate circles, sending showers of delicious longing cascading through her. He’d wanted to run after her. Her heart skipped but common sense sent it back into its normal rhythm.
With superhuman effort she concentrated on his words. ‘What changes?’
‘You rightfully levelled some home truths at me. Working down here with you, I realised how much I missed hands-on medicine. But I was torn. Working beside my father had given me a closeness with him that I’d never had and his illness scared me. What if this time was the only time I had with him? So I let it drag on, convincing myself that KKC was still medicine. I lost my sense of purpose.’
He smiled at her. ‘It took you to point that out. I’m going back to finish paediatrics.’
Surprise followed by joy for him tumbled through her. She squeezed his hand. ‘That’s wonderful. I’m really pleased for you. It’s where you belong.’
She tried to hold off the sadness that slid instantly over the joy. He was organising his life. Getting back on track. A separate life from her and the baby.
‘How did your dad react to the news?’
‘He thanked me for stepping in and avoiding Camerons being taken over by a rival company and giving him the help when he needed it. He told me he loved me very much but I’d never make a businessman.’ Will laughed. ‘He was waiting for me to say I’d had enough and I was waiting for him to step back in.’ His fingertips stroked the back of her hand with a feather-like touch.
She tried to steel herself against the flood of sensation that swept through her body.
Will continued. ‘He’s accepted my suggestion that my cousin, Anthony, is the future for Camerons.’ His intent gaze scanned her face. ‘You were right, we needed to talk. How did you get to be so wise?’
She pulled her hand away from his. She couldn’t do this much longer. ‘Will, I’m really pleased you’ve sorted out your life and got back on track. But I can’t be your life coach. You started this conversation with “We’ve got a few things to sort out”, and we do. Between us we have a child and—’
‘Meg, I love you.’
The words thudded into her, turning her breath solid in her chest. ‘What?’
‘Hell, I’m stuffing this up, too.’ He moved toward her and gathered her close. ‘I love you. I love our child that is growing inside you and I love the idea that we’re a family.’
Her heart hammered while her brain tried to absorb the news. She put her hand up and touched his face. ‘I’ve loved you since you held me and kept me warm in a snow cave on Mt Hume.’
He squeezed her against him. ‘You give me what I need. You’re my friend, my lover and my guide. I want to be with you every day of my life.’ Sorrow filled his eyes. ‘But I can’t be in Laurelton and I can’t ask you to leave here.’
‘Why not?’ She’d come this far, she wasn’t going to lose him now.
‘Because you belong in Laurelton, your family’s heritage is here, your mother is here and so is your job.’
Her heart sang at his love and consideration for her. ‘Three months ago I would have thought the same thing. I’ve been hiding behind the farm and, as you pointed out, it wasn’t a viable dream. This last week has shown me that life without you isn’t life at all.’
He kissed her so hard stars exploded in her head.
She pulled back, laughing. ‘Hey, don’t deprive the baby of oxygen.’
He grinned, but just as quickly his face became serious. ‘I have a plan I want to discuss with you. Do you remember I talked to the Minister about Laurelton’s health-care needs?’
‘Vaguely. More Cameron strings?’ She raised her brows.
He looked sheepish. ‘Call it networking. Anyway, based on current data, the growth of the region and of the township of Winston, there is a need for a paediatrician. I have to do one more year in Melbourne but after that you, the baby and I can live in Winston and be close to your mother. This baby can have a country upbringing. I know it’s not Laurelton but it’s the country and—’
She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him hard. She sat back, a thought coming to her. ‘How does that work in with KKC?’
‘We’ll have to go to Melbourne for some fundraising but we’re going to get our local community involved down here. I envisage satellite groups all over the country working to raise funds. The true spirit of the country will drive KKC.’
He’d thought it all through, worked it all out. Guilt slithered through her. ‘What about Laurelton? I can’t just leave them without any health care at all.’
‘You won’t be. We’ll sort it out. Your reliever might be interested in full-time work for a year until you’re back in the region, and we’ll also lobby for a GP. The type of medical scenarios we’ve had in the last few weeks gives plenty of amm
unition to prove a case. I promise you, Laurelton will be looked after. I have a vested interest after all.’
‘You do?’ Surprise trickled through her.
‘I do. My holiday house is here.’ His eyes sparkled with mischief.
She didn’t know whether to be happy or worried. ‘What other changes have you made?’
He picked up both her hands. ‘I know how devastated you are about losing the farm and I am so sorry that I ever said that you—’
She raised her finger to his lips. ‘Shh, that’s over.’
He kissed her hand. ‘I’ve spoken to Eleanor and she’s arranging for the house and the home paddock to be on a different title prior to sale. I can’t give you the farm but I can give you the house.’
Stunned amazement washed over her. Big Hill Farm homestead, with all its memories and all its stories, was still part of her. Tears welled in her eyes and she had no power to stop them. She tried to speak but the words caught against the surge of love she had for this wonderful man.
‘Meg, I want to grow old with you. Please, will you marry me in a field of silken daisies on the side of Mt Hume?’
She threw herself against him, feeling his hard chest against hers and his loving arms around her body. He loved her. He understood her and he wanted their child. ‘Yes. A thousand times yes.’
EPILOGUE
BABY Thomas John Richard Cameron lay in his mother’s arms replete, a belly full of nature’s gold—breast milk. Meg cuddled him close as she rocked in the double rocker, back and forth, on the veranda of Big Hill homestead. Her gaze drifted from her son to the christening guests enjoying their afternoon tea on the lawn.
September sunshine shone over the party and Meg couldn’t believe how blessed she was. She smiled down at little Tom as he snuffled in his milk-dream sleep and straightened the train of the christening gown. The Cameron christening gown.
Hilary, Will’s mother, stepped up to the veranda, clutching two glasses of champagne in her hands. ‘How’s my grandson doing?’
Meg smiled at her mother-in-law, whose maternal instincts had finally surfaced with the arrival of her grandson. ‘He’s fine. Is that glass for me?’
‘No, it’s for your mother. She’s good but she can’t juggle crutches and a champagne flute.’
Meg laughed. Hilary had not only embraced her new daughter-in-law into the family, she’d also formed a close friendship with Eleanor. Hilary and Richard would often fly down to visit and stay at Big Hill Farm.
As Hilary wandered off, Will’s father, Richard, sat down next to Meg. He ran his fingers over his grandson’s downy head. ‘So how old does this little one have to be before I can take him fishing?’
Meg smiled. Will and his dad often disappeared to fish. Their relationship, firmed by working together, hadn’t faltered, as Will had feared. ‘I think as soon as he can walk he’ll want to be tagging along with his dad and his pa-pa.’
‘Excellent. I can teach him to fish but Will can teach him to ski. I think my skiing days have finished.’ He spied the food and stood up. ‘I think I might just go and grab a plate of those tempting sandwiches. There’s something about fresh air and country food.’
‘It’s good to see you with an appetite again.’ Richard’s health had continued to improve, much to everyone’s delight.
Will slid into the rocker next to Meg, dropping his arm around her shoulder and stroking his son’s cheek. ‘Happy?’
She nodded and snuggled in close to him, welcoming the pressure of his leg against her own, his heat mixing with hers, marvelling at how her body responded to him every time he touched her. Glorying in the knowledge of how much she was loved.
‘Having the christening here in my family’s home, and having little Tom wearing your family’s christening gown, well, it completes the circle, doesn’t it?’
Love flared in his eyes. ‘We’re trailblazing new traditions. I don’t expect my son to be a doctor or a businessman.’
She smiled. ‘Or even a nurse or a farmer.’
His expression sobered. ‘They say children take you to places you never expected to go.’
She stroked his cheek. ‘True, but it will be a journey we’ll all take together. With you by my side I can’t wait.’
He captured her lips in a kiss filled with promise. ‘Neither can I.’
ISBN: 978-1-4603-5890-0
HER MIRACLE BABY
First North American Publication 2006
Copyright © 2006 by Fiona Lowe
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