Read Online Brought Together by Baby by MARGARET MCDONAGH - Free Book Online

except learn from her mistakes of placing her trust in people who let her down and hurt her so badly. She had to look to the future—especially the future of her nephew. The reality of his existence brought back the painful ache of emptinessthat had never really left her, along with a deep sense of loss that made part of her want to run away and never see Gus or his baby again.
    But the other part of her had experienced a deep welling of love and protectiveness the instant she had seen the tiny bruised baby—emotions that had only intensified once she’d held him. There had been an instinctive and powerful sense of bonding. And, however difficult and painful life was going to be, she knew in her fractured heart that she could never turn her back on her precious, motherless nephew.
    How was Gus going to manage the tiny baby on his own? That question had sparked a range of ideas that had been brewing in her mind since they had first learned of Julia’s tragic death and the baby’s miraculous fight for life. What she didn’t know was how her suggestions might be received—or even, given the bad blood between them, if Gus would listen to her, let alone allow her any kind of role in his son’s life.
    Leaving the restroom and returning to the main unit, Holly squared her shoulders and sucked in a deep, steadying breath. The days and weeks ahead were not going to be easy, she knew that—both because of the anger and resentment she still felt towards Gus and because of the bittersweet emotions the baby aroused within her. But, whatever the cost to herself, fighting for her nephew was one battle she was determined not to lose.
    As she approached the section of PICU that housed baby Buchanan she saw that Gus was not alone. One of the nurses was writing up notes while an older woman, who wasn’t wearing a uniform, was talking to Gus. Judging from the expression on his face he was far from pleased with what she was saying. Concerned, Holly joined them, ready to help if she could.
    ‘Is there a problem?’ she asked, keeping her voice calm and neutral.
    Gus’s stormy green gaze met hers. ‘Holly, this is Alison Davison. She works here in the hospital and liaises with the social workers and health visitors.’
    ‘Ms Davison,’ she greeted her politely, setting down her bag and shaking the woman’s hand. Alison Davison was in her late forties, Holly guessed; tall and solid-looking, with short dark hair and brown eyes devoid of warmth. ‘I’m Holly Tait.’
    ‘You’re a relative?’ the woman queried.
    ‘I’m the baby’s aunt.’
    It was the simplest explanation—she couldn’t force out the words sister-in-law to describe her link to Gus. Still unsure why Alison Davison was there, what had been discussed, and why Gus was looking so furious, Holly instinctively moved closer to him, wanting to present a united front.
    ‘Ms Davison is questioning my ability to care for my son,’ Gus explained, his voice carefully controlled but no less lethal for it. ‘She wants to know if I’m giving him up for adoption.’

CHAPTER FIVE
    ‘I’ VE never heard anything so ridiculous!’ Outraged, both at the woman’s question and at the insensitive timing of her visit, Holly turned more fully to face her adversary. ‘ Of course the baby is going to stay with his father. There’s no one better able to care for his son than Gus. How could you ever think he would give up his child?’
    Ms Davison crossed her arms defensively across her chest. ‘I merely commented that it isn’t easy for a man on his own—’ she began, but the words only fuelled Holly’s anger.
    ‘It’s not easy for a woman alone, either, but I don’t suppose you go along to visit them within hours of their babies arriving and ask if they’ve thought about adoption.’
    ‘No, of course not, and this isn’t an official visit. My intention was only to introduce myself. But—’
    ‘Be that as it may,’ Holly persisted, warming to her argument and prepared