Free The Surgeon's Fatherhood Surprise by Jennifer Taylor Page B

Freddie.’
    Alison nodded. ‘I agree. I know that everyone thinks it must be great to be really, really rich, but it must be a huge liability at times.’
    ‘I’m sure it is. Don’t get me wrong—money is important and I’m not decrying the fact. You need enough to live comfortably, but after that…’ He shrugged. ‘It can cause an awful lot of problems, from what I’ve seen. That’s why I don’t intend to touch any of Freddie’s money. I earn enough to keep us and that’s it.’
    Alison admired the stance he’d taken and said so. ‘Not many people would feel that way, Jack.’
    ‘Maybe not, but it’s how I feel. My only concession is this cottage. We needed a place to live, so I decided to rent it with a view to buying it in the future if it proves suitable for our needs.’
    ‘Which is why you don’t mind refurbishing the place?’ she suggested, and he grinned at her.
    ‘Got it one! So, come along, let’s hear your ideas for turning this place into a proper home.’
    The next hour flew past as Alison did exactly that. It was only when Sam came to find her because he was thirsty that she realised how late it was. She jumped to her feet, groaning as she glanced at her watch.
    ‘I got so carried away that I didn’t realise the time. You should have stopped me.’
    ‘No way. I need someone to set me on the right track.’ Jack stood up and smiled at her, a lazy, boyish smile that made her bones melt. ‘I’m not really strong on the homemaking scene, and it’s good to be able to crib your ideas.’
    Alison chuckled as she took Sam into the sitting room and put on his coat. ‘I’m no expert when it comes to interior design, so don’t go by me. I’m sure you can find someone better qualified to advise you.’
    ‘You mean a real interior designer?’ Jack said, making imaginary speech marks with his fingers. He shuddered. ‘No, thanks. I don’t want the place looking like something out of a trendy magazine. I want it to be proper home, a place where Freddie can play and not have to worry about making a mess.’
    ‘Well, you should get that all right. There’s a lot of mess when you have a three-year-old,’ she said, looking pointedly at the sitting-room floor, which was littered with toys.
    Jack laughed. ‘I don’t care so long as he’s happy.’ Helooked at his son and an expression of sadness crossed his face. ‘That’s all I want for him—to be happy.’
    ‘And he will be, Jack,’ Alison said quietly, moved by the sadness in his voice.
    ‘Let’s hope so.’
    He didn’t say anything else as he showed them out, but Alison knew that he was wondering if he would ever fulfil his wish to make his son’s life better. She wished she could help him but there was very little she could do.
    It would have been different if she and Jack had been seeing each other, she thought as she and Sam walked home, then inwardly recoiled. She could never get romantically involved with Jack. Apart from the fact that he wouldn’t be interested in someone like her, she wouldn’t risk her heart being broken a second time. She and Sam were better off on their own. And as for Jack—well, he would manage perfectly well without her help.

CHAPTER SIX
    J ACK had just dropped off to sleep when he heard the phone ringing. Rolling over, he grabbed hold of the receiver before the noise woke Freddie. ‘Jack Tremayne.’
    ‘Jack, it’s Alex Ross. I’m sorry to wake you but we have a full-scale alert on so we’re having to call in every available member of staff.’
    ‘What’s happened?’ Jack demanded, dragging himself out from under the duvet.
    ‘A light plane has crashed on Bodmin moor. The pilot declared an emergency and Air Traffic Control advised him to set down on the A30. Apparently the police were trying to clear the road when it happened.’
    Jack’s heart sank. ‘Do I take it the plane hit a car?’
    ‘A minibus bringing a group of sixth-formers back from a geography field trip.’ Alex said.