Free A Mother for His Twins by Lucy Clark Page B

jostling each other out of the way as they raced from the room towards the phone.
    ‘How about if I get it,’ Jasper said, and stalked after them, shaking his head. ‘At least that will stop World War Three,’ he muttered, and Jennifer couldn’t help but smile.
    ‘They argue over who should answer the phone every time it rings at Sara’s place,’ Jennifer pointed out as Iris still stared at her. When the woman didn’t stop, Jennifer shifted in her seat, beginning to feel rather uncomfortable. ‘Is something wrong?’ she couldn’t help but ask again.
    ‘Wrong?’ Iris pulled back as though she wasn’t aware she’d been staring. ‘No. Nothing is wrong. So, you work…closely with Jasper?’
    ‘We’re both the only orthopods employed full time by the hospital so I guess you could say that. He’s been great at helping me get settled in.’
    ‘And you’ve just been in Theatre all night long, right?’
    ‘Pretty much. Bad motor vehicle accidents. Lots of casualties.’
    ‘And you’ve obviously met the girls before now. They appear quite comfortable with you.’
    ‘They do?’
    ‘Oh, yes. Usually when they meet a new friend of their father’s…If they ever get to meet them, of course, they normally hide behind his legs until they get to know them better. Naturally, though, they don’t get to know them better because Jasper’s far too fussy.’
    ‘Fussy?’ Jennifer wasn’t quite sure she was on the same track as Iris but decided to go with it.
    ‘When he dates!’ Iris seemed surprised that Jennifer wasn’t sure what she was talking about. ‘He doesn’t introduce his dates to the girls, which is fair enough because he wants to protect them as any father would, and I’m in complete agreement, but you’d think that after a few times of seeing the same woman he’d eventually introduce them, but no.’
    ‘Jasper’s dating someone?’ Jennifer wasn’t quite sure why the news made her feel instantly miserable.
    ‘No, no.’ Iris waved her words away. ‘I’m talking about in the past but now here you are, as plain as day, invited over for breakfast, and he’s only been working with you for a few weeks.’
    Jennifer wasn’t sure what that meant but as Jasper came back in to the room she had no time to contemplate it further.
    ‘Was that the hospital?’
    ‘No. It was Megan.’
    ‘Oh?’ Iris was instantly concerned.
    ‘Megan’s my sister,’ Jasper informed Jennifer.
    ‘Is everything all right?’ Iris was on her feet, getting ready to head for the stairs. ‘Why is she calling you and why so early?’
    ‘Relax, Mum. She was just ringing to see if the girls’ dresses had arrived yet.’
    ‘And have they?’
    ‘No.’
    Iris shook her head and took another step towards the stairs. ‘I’d best go call her. She’ll be fretting over that.’ Iris started off then stopped and turned to Jennifer. ‘It was really nice to meet you.’
    ‘And you, too.’ As Iris left, Jennifer turned to watch Jasper flipping the first pancake. ‘You’re quite good at that.’
    ‘One of my many talents. I’m thinking of adding it to my résumé.’
    She smiled at that. ‘I’d certainly hire you.’ She paused then asked, ‘Why is your mother so concerned about your sister?’
    ‘Megan’s getting married in three weeks’ time. Lilly and Lola are her flower girls.’
    ‘And the dresses haven’t arrived.’ Jennifer nodded as though everything now made perfect sense. ‘That should be enough to make a bride go completely berserk.’
    ‘You’ve got that right and Megan’s stress levels are already at an all-time high.’ He frowned a little. ‘Problem is, Mum and Dad don’t approve of her husband-to-be. He hasn’t done anything to help plan the wedding, not that that’s totally unusual but whenever Megan’s asked him, he’s flatly refused. It’s made things more burdensome for her. Add to that fact that she’s due in Theatre in another hour and she’s one mega-stressed