Free Dr. White's Baby Wish by Sue MacKay Page B

tickets for that game. ‘I’ve booked you into a spa for a leg wax and facial.’
    â€˜She’s so funny this morning. That headache must’ve vamoosed completely.’ He tore the envelope open with all the finesse of a one-year-old. As he read the voucher, his eyes widened with delight. ‘Hey, Gemma, look at this. We’re getting a break from our brats. A weekend for two in Blenheim for the wine festival. And guess who’s brat-sitting?’
    Harper poured herself a coffee from the pot bubbling on the gas ring and eyed up the crumpets on the bench. Not only had her head cleared but her throat had settled back to near normal and her stomach was ravenous. Spending last night here with her family had been just the cure she’d needed. She and Jason had talked about the incident in the ED which, along with knowing Cody would be there as well, helped her feel she could go back to work tomorrow morning without any qualms about the patients.
    Last night Cody had texted to ask how she was. A simple message that had made her inordinately happy. But he hadn’t said any more about if he’d come to the party today. He’d been reticent right from when Gemma had invited him, and she should be grateful, but that annoying devilish side to her nature was hoping he’d turn up.
    â€˜What time are we cranking up this shindig?’ she asked Jason.
    â€˜First ball will be bowled at one-thirty, straight after lunch,’ he replied.
    â€˜Your mum and dad will be here for lunch,’ Gemma said.
    â€˜So any time soon,’ Harper guessed. It was barely gone eight but no one in the White family stuck to times. They just arrived when they were ready, usually early, and everyone helped out with the food and the games and whatever else needed doing.
    â€˜I told Cody to be here in time for the cricket,’ Gemma added with a wink.
    Harper’s mood wavered, hope warring with apprehension. Having Cody in the midst of her family was a little too close for comfort. They weren’t best friends, or lovers, or anything other than work colleagues who’d been through a bit of drama together. But he did make her feel different, alive in a way she hadn’t been for years. ‘I have no idea what he’ll do,’ she admitted. In reality, Cody probably wasn’t interested in attending her family celebrations. Why would he be?
    â€˜We need another fielder for the cricket.’ Gemma grinned and dropped two crumpets into the toaster. ‘While you need a big breakfast. You’ve hardly eaten a thing for two days.’
    Darn, but the woman was bossy. Well, she wasn’t getting the last word. ‘I could do with losing some weight. The shorts I tried on the other day looked hideous.’
    Jason laughed. ‘The shorts or you in them?’
    Brothers could be right pains in the backside. Harper swiped at Jason’s forearm. ‘Haven’t you got a barbecue to haul out and clean?’
    â€˜The kids are doing that.’ But he headed off to supervise, whistling tunelessly as he went.
    By one o’clock all her family was sitting around the enormous outdoor table munching on sandwiches and the savouries Gemma had had everyone who’d dared step into the kitchen make. The sun was high in the clear blue sky, the temperature rising by the minute.
    â€˜It will be too hot to play cricket soon,’ Harper commented.
    â€˜Never too hot,’ one of the boys shouted.
    â€˜Sunscreen all round, brats.’ Noah stood up and began stacking empty plates.
    The roar of a motorbike blasted through the hot air, sending prickles of apprehension up Harper’s spine. Cody had a motorbike.
    The sound got closer, then a large bike turned into the drive. Moments later comparative silence settled. The kids raced across the lawn to gape at the fascinating machine. Harper stared at the rider pulling his helmet off. It seemed Cody Brand wasn’t averse to joining