From Duty to Daddy (7 page)

Charlie nodded. ‘Sure.’ Like she cared. She doubted she’d taste a thing. Marshall had gone. At least he’d left an email address so she could contact him. Considering how much effort she’d put into trying to find an address, she should be grateful. She wasn’t. Not at all. They hadn’t talked through anything to do with Aimee. They hadn’t talked at all.

‘Charlotte.’ Dad sat down at the kitchen table beside her.

When he called her Charlotte she knew she should listen, but today she didn’t want to. What could Dad say that would make her feel any better? Raising one eyebrow, she grimaced.

‘He promised me he wouldn’t hurt you or Aimee.’

‘Goes to show how much his promises mean, doesn’t it?’ She shoved her chair back and went to get a glass of water.

‘I believed him. Still do. It wasn’t Marshall’s fault his flight was brought forward or that you had to fly to Waikato Hospital with your patient. Give him a break, love.’

Leaning back against the bench, she studied the inside of her glass. ‘I can do that. But can I expect to see him again? I haven’t told him everything. He needs to know why it’s important he stays in touch.’ She shouldn’t have avoided the issue when she’d had the chance during their walk into town. But it had seemed too soon, a huge information dump when he had still been coming to terms with Aimee’s existence.

‘I don’t believe you’ve seen or heard the last of him.’

‘I only hope you’re right.’ She poured the water down her throat, hoping her father didn’t see the threatening tears at the corners of her eyes. She’d stupidly admitted to herself that she loved Marshall and now she had to somehow forget that and get on with her life. The first time she’d done it, it had been hard enough. This time felt infinitely worse. They shared a child now. ‘I’ll take Aimee out to her paddling pool.’ And try to gain some semblance of control over these feelings of despair.

Aimee loved water. So much so it worried Charlie at times. Smacking the water so that it splashed everywhere made Aimee burst into shrieks of laughter. Despite her mood, Charlie couldn’t help smiling at her girl. ‘Go for it, sweetheart.’ She eased herself onto a garden chair by the small plastic pool.

‘She’s a water baby, just like her mom,’ drawled a familiar American accent.

She shot off the chair so fast she tripped and would’ve fallen on her butt if Marshall hadn’t caught her.

He laughed and said, ‘You’re obviously glad to see me.’ And then he kissed her. Thoroughly. So that her muscles and bones liquefied. So that she forgot everything except the man whose arms were holding her upright, whose hard, lean body supported her. A bubble of desire and need and love rolled up her throat and burst across her lips to be caught in his mouth.

He pulled his mouth away enough to utter, ‘God, Charlie, I’ve missed you,’ and then went back to kissing her.

He’d missed her? Yes. A mental fist went up in the air. For more than two years? Or a few hours? Whatever. He was back. For how long? Did it matter when he’d made the effort to return? She slid her hands behind his neck and held on for all she was worth.

‘Guess I should be getting the beers,’ Dad growled from somewhere behind them.

Marshall slowly lifted his head, withdrawing that delicious mouth as though reluctant to stop kissing her. ‘Yes, sir, that would be great.’ And then he kissed her again, a quick kiss on her lips before putting her down on her feet. ‘I like your dad.’

Dad probably felt a teeny bit smug right now, with Marshall’s sudden reappearance. She asked, ‘How far did you get?’

‘The turn-off for Auckland outside Hamilton.’

‘What happened? Did your flight get changed again?’

He took her hand and tugged her across to the lounger on the veranda where he sat and lifted her onto his lap, holding her there with an arm around her waist. He needn’t have worried. She wasn’t going anywhere.

‘I bailed. Told the guys I’ll find my own way back to the States later. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to hang around and get to know my daughter.’ Then he added, ‘Actually, I’d like to get to know her mom even better.’

Warmth flooded her. Yes, this was what she’d hoped for. ‘You can stay here.’ He would, wouldn’t he? It made sense.

His eyes narrowed. ‘Are you sure that’s a good idea? Hadn’t you better check with Brendon first?’

‘Check what with me?’ Dad asked as he strolled out, two beers in one hand.

‘Marshall’s staying for two weeks and I said he could bunk down here.’

‘I should think so.’ Then he added, ‘But don’t let us pressure you, lad. You might find you want time to yourself.’

‘Then I’ll go for a run, or have a beer at the hotel. Thank you both. That’s settled.’

Marshall had returned. That’s all Charlie knew. And she was happy to accept that, to enjoy his company. At least she had time up her sleeve now. She could afford to give him some space. As long as they didn’t share too many of those hot kisses. Otherwise all her good intentions would combust.

Now, there was a thought. Her smile felt smug even to her.

CHAPTER SEVEN

M
ONDAY
MORNING
AND
the bedside alarm screeched into Charlie’s sleep-soaked brain. Six o’clock. She jerked upright. Something wasn’t right. Again Aimee hadn’t woken her. She used the alarm clock as back-up.

Leaping out of bed, she threw her robe around her shoulders as she raced down the hall to Aimee’s bedroom. What had happened? Was she okay? Her heart thudded hard against her ribs as she ran into the bedroom. She pulled up in a hurry. Aimee’s cot was empty.

That had to be good. Didn’t it? Had Marshall got Aimee up again? Back out in the hall Charlie strode fast to the kitchen. And slammed to a stop in the doorway.

Dressed in running shorts and a tight tee shirt, Marshall sat at the table with a mug of what looked like black coffee in one hand. Aimee bounced on his knee, held firmly in place with his other hand. The smile beaming out at Aimee from her father stopped Charlie’s heart. Filled with awe and happiness and care—or was that love?—his mouth curved into the sweetest smile she’d ever seen and his eyes glowed with emotion. He really had no problem accepting Aimee was his child. He’d embraced the concept, not once questioning if she was sure.

She opened her mouth to say something but the words stuck in her throat. Never in all the months of searching for this man had she believed he’d fall for his daughter so easily, so quickly.

‘Look who’s woken up.’ Marshall spoke to Aimee but his eyes had focused on Charlie. ‘Aimee was a wee bit grizzly so I figured it would be okay to get her up. But by the look on your face, I guess I did wrong.’

‘Not at all.’ She drew breath to get her emotions under control. No point giving him any clues as to how she felt about him yet. If ever. Now he was getting the hang of being a parent he might start thinking of wanting more kids, which would lead to even more problems. Her heart squeezed. She’d love more of Marshall’s babies. Gulp. Concentrate on what they were talking about, not the impossible.

On an indrawn breath she said, ‘Aimee usually wakes me up, so when the alarm went off I thought something had happened to her.’ Her mild panic sounded stupid, even over the top, now. Trying for a nonchalant shrug, she crossed to the hot kettle and flicked the switch to make tea. Then she plopped a kiss on Aimee’s grinning face. ‘Morning, sweetheart.’

‘Do I get one?’

‘Sure.’ She leaned closer, kissed Marshall’s stubbly chin. ‘Morning.’

The hand that had been holding his mug now gripped her arm and held her in place while his mouth reached for hers. ‘We can do better than that.’ And then he was kissing her. Again. This was getting to be a habit. A habit she enjoyed.

Aimee grabbed a handful of Charlie’s hair and pulled hard. ‘Mum, mum.’

‘Ouch.’ She stepped back a pace. ‘Careful, little one. Mummy’s head hurts when you do that.’ Her scalp had been tender since the day her hair had fallen out due to the chemo. Blinking rapidly, she turned away from Marshall’s all-seeing gaze and concentrated on making tea.

When she sat at the table with her drink, she’d got her emotions in order again. ‘You’re an early riser,’ she commented to Marshall.

‘Like to go for a run before it gets too hot.’ He jiggled Aimee on his knees and was rewarded with giggles. ‘But I got sidetracked this morning.’

‘I can understand that. She’s always been a great time-waster. But if you want to go out you can put her down. We’ll be showering as soon as I’ve had my tea. Aimee usually joins me.’ It was the fastest and easiest way to get her girl washed.

Marshall’s face lit up. ‘A family affair.’

Her cheeks heated up. ‘You needn’t think you’re joining us.’

He scowled exaggeratedly and held a hand over his heart. ‘Ow, she wounds so easily.’

‘Go on with you. I’m still getting used to you being here. I’m certainly not ready for anything more intimate yet.’

‘Yet? So there’s a possibility? If I behave?’ His grin turned wicked. As did the glint in his eyes.

‘You don’t know how to behave.’

‘Is that so? Talk about a challenge.’ His grin only widened. Any further and he was in danger of splitting the corners of that delectable mouth she so enjoyed kissing.

‘Go for your run. I haven’t got time to sit around talking nonsense at this hour of the day. I’ve got to get ready for work.’

He wiggled his eyebrows at her. ‘Nonsense? Did you hear that, Aimee? Your mom’s a hard woman. Take it from me.’ Then his face settled back to near normal. ‘Have you got time to join me on the run?’

Yes, she did but was she up to it? ‘I’ll be too slow.’

‘Let’s give it a shot. We can turn back any time you’ve had enough.’ Definitely a challenge twinkling out at her.

In the past she’d have taken him up on it, but now, after everything she’d been through? ‘I’ll be turning back. You can keep pounding the pavement for your usual time. I’ll tell Dad.’

‘What time do you leave for work?’

‘A little after eight. Aimee goes with me. We’ve got a crèche at the centre for staff families, as well as for patients’ children so they can have a more relaxed consultation.’

‘Exactly how little after eight?’

She shrugged. ‘Five, ten minutes, maybe more. I go when I’m ready.’

Annoyance battled with bewilderment in his face. ‘What time do you start work, then?’

‘When I get there.’ She chuckled as it dawned on her what Marshall’s problem was. ‘At the medical centre we aren’t regimented. It’s not a standing order to arrive exactly at eight-thirty. As long as we’re there on time for our first appointments at nine no one has any concerns. I like to spend half an hour or so looking up test results that have come in overnight, check who I’m seeing and going over their medical histories. But if I don’t have time before the day gets under way it’s not the end of the world. I do those things as I go.’ Draining her mug, she stood and reached for Aimee. ‘Come on, little one. Let’s find Granddad.’

‘But working to a strict timetable saves a lot of wasted time and many mistakes.’ Marshall also stood and gathered up their mugs, placing them in the sink.

‘Sounds too stifling for me.’

‘It works for the armed forces. There’d be no end of problems if we weren’t so controlled. Imagine telling the men to draw arms and have them doing it as it suited them.’ He shook his head. ‘Impossible.’

She smiled at his serious countenance. ‘Although there are times when it feels like it, the medical centre is not a war zone.’

‘I guess.’ Then he relaxed and his heart-wrenching smile returned. ‘You might even have a point. Yesterday at the airport it was amazing how everyone worked together without anyone issuing constant directions. People knew what had to be done and got on with it, helping each other, giving the patients the utmost in care.’

The smile turned wry. ‘I had to bite my tongue a couple of times when I was about to yell an order only to find whatever I thought needed doing was already being done. It wasn’t my place to say anything, but it wouldn’t have stopped me.’

No surprise there. ‘There’s more than one way of getting the best out of people.’ She headed for the door. ‘Sorry, but I haven’t got time to sit around talking all morning. I’m going for a run.’

‘Are you sure you’re up to this?’ Worry glinted out of Dad’s eyes. ‘Running’s hard on the body when you’re not used to it.’

‘I’ll only do about four or five k’s. If that.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘I’ll be fine. Promise.’ Dad had become overprotective. Who could blame him? He’d lost his beloved wife to cancer and lived in terror of losing her. But she couldn’t go on not trying to get back to being the fit person she’d once been.

* * *

The sun mightn’t be up to speed in its intensity but the morning was still hot. The sweat poured off Marshall as he pounded the footpath down to the lake. Glancing sideways, he got a shock to find Charlie hadn’t kept up with him. Slowing to jog on the spot, he waited for her to catch up. ‘You were serious about being out of practice.’

Her chest rose and fell rapidly. ‘Yes,’ she gasped. ‘I’ll turn back now.’ Her disappointment was obvious.

Stopping his jogging completely, Marshall took her hand and began walking along the path. ‘Deep breaths.’ When her fingers curled around his hand, warmth stole through him and settled around his heart. ‘You did fine for your first time out in a while.’ He doubted they’d come as far as she’d hoped but he wouldn’t put a dampener on her attempt. ‘Want to walk or run home?’

‘Definitely walk. I can’t believe how hard that was. To think I used to run for an hour and not feel too bad. You have no idea how angry that makes me feel.’

‘So why didn’t you get back into running once Aimee was born?’

‘Long story.’ Tugging her hand free, she added, ‘Talk to you later. I’ll be late if I don’t get a move on.’

‘I’ll come with you.’

Her hand came up in a stop signal. ‘No way. Carry on. I’ll see you soon.’ And she turned for home.

He wanted to go with her and demand an explanation because he got the impression there was a lot she hadn’t told him yet. A long story she’d said, with sadness creeping into her voice and eyes. Pushing her might get the answers he craved but could also make her tetchy with him. So he’d continue his run and try to talk to her later.

Anyway, he needed the exercise. Nothing like a hard run to loosen his muscles and get him ready for the day. Not that he knew how he’d fill in the hours until Charlie came home from the medical centre.

Unless he offered to take care of Aimee for a while. Get to know his little girl. She fascinated him, so cute and small. He could take photos. Mom and Dad might like to see them. Yeah, right. If they hadn’t had time for him it was very unlikely they’d be bothered about Aimee. Especially as she lived halfway round the world from their usual haunts.

They’d be the losers. Not him. Even if he didn’t become a regular feature in his child’s life he’d make sure she knew he loved her. Like how? Emails, computer video calls, phone calls when she was older, birthday and Christmas presents. It didn’t sound like enough. Would he have been satisfied with that when he’d been growing up? Hell, he’d got the presents and phone calls and, no, he hadn’t been at all happy.

Marshall shivered. Balancing this parenting lark with his army life wasn’t going to be easy. It didn’t help that he lived in a different country from Charlie and Aimee. Would Charlie consider moving to the States? Not fair to ask her. She’d be lonely and miss her support network of Brendon and friends. Besides, she had her career here, was set up for life really.

He increased his pace, trying to outrun his thoughts, and for a while he succeeded. Finally he turned for home. Damn. Turned for Charlie’s home. They were sucking him in with their kindness, openness and honesty. No pressure about what he wanted to do now he knew he was a dad. Nothing like that at all. Just make himself at home and go with the flow. So alien for him. Yet he kind of liked it. Could even get used to it.

At the gate into the large section where Charlie’s home stood he flicked the childproof lock and walked through as though he’d always done this. As if coming home to a wonderful woman and his child was normal.

Hell, turn around and run away, fast. But no. His feet kept moving in the direction of the front door. He’d shower and have breakfast before taking over looking after Aimee for a while. How hard could that be?

* * *

Charlie laughed fit to bust. ‘I think you’ll have to try a more hands-on approach.’

Marshall looked from Aimee to her and back again, confusion gleaming in his eyes. ‘Hands on?’

Slipping the strap of her laptop case over her shoulder, she reached for the car keys hanging on the hook just inside the kitchen door. Still laughing, she told him, ‘You can’t insist that Aimee goes pee pee. Learning to use the potty is still a bit of a mystery to her.’

‘Truly?’ He looked stunned.

She couldn’t help adding, ‘She’s not an army recruit. You have to take her to the bathroom, remove her pants and sit her down on the pot.’

‘You don’t think I can do this, do you?’ The smile returned but didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was seeing this as a challenge. Not good for either him or Aimee.

Stepping over to him, she placed a hand on his arm, squeezed gently. ‘I would never leave my daughter with someone I didn’t believe capable of caring for her. Not even her father.’

He glowered at her. ‘You’re trying to con me, babe.’

‘Yep. Totally.’ Up on tiptoe she planted a kiss on his now clean-shaven chin. ‘See you both later at the centre.’ As she strode away she added quietly, ‘All clean and tidy with big smiles on your faces.’

‘I heard that.’ Marshall stood at the kitchen door, Aimee on his hip. ‘You are so in for a surprise, Charlotte Lang.’

She hoped so. Waving her hand over her shoulder in his direction, she headed outside. Another glorious day and Marshall was here. Still here. He’d shocked her when he’d returned last night. Not to mention warming her from the bottom of her stomach right through to her heart. He certainly didn’t shy away from responsibilities, even those he’d had dumped on him only the day before.

It felt weird going into work without Aimee accompanying her. But within minutes of parking at the back of the building she’d explained to the girl running the crèche that Aimee would be in later and quickly became absorbed in laboratory results and radiology findings. Aimee and Marshall were firmly at the back of her mind by the time she read an abnormal mammogram result for a patient of hers. Keisha Harris was in her mid-thirties and had two gorgeous boys she adored. She’d gone to school with Charlie, been in the same netball team, gone out clubbing with the same friends.

And now she might have the same bloody disease. If further tests came back positive then, despite a different part of Keisha’s body being affected, it would still disrupt Keisha’s life as badly as it had hers.

With a heavy heart Charlie picked up the phone and dialled Keisha’s home number. When the answering-machine picked up she went to ask Molly, ‘Do you know if Keisha’s working during the school holidays? I need to speak to her.’ As soon as possible.