Read Online Brought Together by Baby by MARGARET MCDONAGH - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: MARGARET MCDONAGH
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to do anything to protect her beautiful nephew, ‘Gus isn’t alone. He has a hospital full of friends who will rally round to help him in any way they can. And then there’s me.’ Feeling Gus’s gaze on her, she sucked in a breath and pressed ahead while she had the chance. ‘I’m family. I’ll do whatever is necessary to support Gus—including moving into his house to help care for the baby.’
‘What about work? Both of you have demanding jobs,’ theannoying woman pointed out, apparently determined only to see problems.
Holly wanted to stamp her foot in frustration. ‘It’s not rocket science! We’ll stagger our hours, ensuring that one of us is always there for the baby. And friends will willingly cover any occasional gaps. I doubt many new parents have such a well-qualified pool of babysitters to call on as Gus has.’
‘Well, you seem determined. I can see you’ve thought it all out.’ Alison Davison’s disappointment was evident, but thankfully she seemed ready to admit defeat. ‘I’ll leave you my card in case there’s anything I can do for you.’
Holly was unsurprised but secretly delighted when Gus threw the card away before the woman’s retreating figure had disappeared from view. Still wearing his scrubs, he looked rumpled and exhausted, a shadow of stubble darkening his jaw. His green gaze shifted, holding her own captive, and Holly swallowed, hoping she hadn’t overstepped the mark in her response to Alison Davison.
As the silence lengthened, and he continued to regard her with that brooding expression, her nervousness increased. What was he thinking? He looked wary and suspicious, and his lack of trust in her, proving again how far things had broken down between them, made her unutterably sad. It also made her anxious about how they would work together in the days and weeks ahead. Always assuming Gus was prepared to allow her a role in the baby’s life.
A sigh shuddered from her. However impossible it might prove to be for her to be around Gus so much, she had to set her personal issues aside and do what was best. Best for her nephew…and best for the man she had never been able to stop loving.‘Did you mean what you said?’ Gus queried, cautious and uncertain, taken aback by the way Holly had rushed into battle, giving him such vehement support. Again she had appeared genuine and sincere, leaving him even more confused. ‘About wanting to move in and be involved with the baby, I mean?’
* * *
Sky-blue eyes reflected a flicker of the fiery passion with which she’d faced down Alison Davison. ‘Of course I meant it! I know I rushed ahead without consulting you, but she just made me so mad.’
Gus couldn’t prevent an inner flash of amusement. Oh, had she been mad! He’d never seen her like that before.
‘You ought to report her for what she said, and the thoughtless timing of her visit. It’s early days,’ she continued, moderating her tone, ‘and you haven’t had time to think, but living in as I suggested makes sense, Gus…doesn’t it?’
Unfortunately it did make sense. He dragged the fingers of one hand through his hair, feeling tired and drained after the shocking events of the last hours. It seemed a lifetime ago that he’d first learned of the accident, and so much had happened since then…The terrifying wait for news of whether or not his baby was alive; meeting the neonatal consultant Mr Haggerty; confirmation that there was no hope for Julia; seeing his son for the first time. On top of all that had been various to-ings and fro-ings of doctors, nurses and policemen with their questions. The last thing he had needed was Alison Davison’s ill-advised visit.
In the days ahead there would be more on the investigation from the police liaison officer assigned to the case, and more from the doctors on the baby’s medical condition. For now, though, they were free of outside interventions. Apart from the dedicated nurses on duty it was just him and his
‘What about work? Both of you have demanding jobs,’ theannoying woman pointed out, apparently determined only to see problems.
Holly wanted to stamp her foot in frustration. ‘It’s not rocket science! We’ll stagger our hours, ensuring that one of us is always there for the baby. And friends will willingly cover any occasional gaps. I doubt many new parents have such a well-qualified pool of babysitters to call on as Gus has.’
‘Well, you seem determined. I can see you’ve thought it all out.’ Alison Davison’s disappointment was evident, but thankfully she seemed ready to admit defeat. ‘I’ll leave you my card in case there’s anything I can do for you.’
Holly was unsurprised but secretly delighted when Gus threw the card away before the woman’s retreating figure had disappeared from view. Still wearing his scrubs, he looked rumpled and exhausted, a shadow of stubble darkening his jaw. His green gaze shifted, holding her own captive, and Holly swallowed, hoping she hadn’t overstepped the mark in her response to Alison Davison.
As the silence lengthened, and he continued to regard her with that brooding expression, her nervousness increased. What was he thinking? He looked wary and suspicious, and his lack of trust in her, proving again how far things had broken down between them, made her unutterably sad. It also made her anxious about how they would work together in the days and weeks ahead. Always assuming Gus was prepared to allow her a role in the baby’s life.
A sigh shuddered from her. However impossible it might prove to be for her to be around Gus so much, she had to set her personal issues aside and do what was best. Best for her nephew…and best for the man she had never been able to stop loving.‘Did you mean what you said?’ Gus queried, cautious and uncertain, taken aback by the way Holly had rushed into battle, giving him such vehement support. Again she had appeared genuine and sincere, leaving him even more confused. ‘About wanting to move in and be involved with the baby, I mean?’
* * *
Sky-blue eyes reflected a flicker of the fiery passion with which she’d faced down Alison Davison. ‘Of course I meant it! I know I rushed ahead without consulting you, but she just made me so mad.’
Gus couldn’t prevent an inner flash of amusement. Oh, had she been mad! He’d never seen her like that before.
‘You ought to report her for what she said, and the thoughtless timing of her visit. It’s early days,’ she continued, moderating her tone, ‘and you haven’t had time to think, but living in as I suggested makes sense, Gus…doesn’t it?’
Unfortunately it did make sense. He dragged the fingers of one hand through his hair, feeling tired and drained after the shocking events of the last hours. It seemed a lifetime ago that he’d first learned of the accident, and so much had happened since then…The terrifying wait for news of whether or not his baby was alive; meeting the neonatal consultant Mr Haggerty; confirmation that there was no hope for Julia; seeing his son for the first time. On top of all that had been various to-ings and fro-ings of doctors, nurses and policemen with their questions. The last thing he had needed was Alison Davison’s ill-advised visit.
In the days ahead there would be more on the investigation from the police liaison officer assigned to the case, and more from the doctors on the baby’s medical condition. For now, though, they were free of outside interventions. Apart from the dedicated nurses on duty it was just him and his
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