Free The Surgeon's Family Wish by Abigail Gordon Page A

uncomfortable.
    â€˜Can you spare a moment?’ she asked as her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him.
    â€˜Of course. Come in. You look very solemn. Is something wrong?’
    She was wearing a sheepskin jacket, tight-fitting beige trousers and soft leather boots to keep out winter’s chill, and looked every inch the career-woman who was keeping him at bay.
    â€˜Is your mother in?’ she asked in a low voice.
    â€˜No. She’s gone to her bridge club. Why? Did you want to see her?’
    She shook her head. ‘No. It’s you I came to see.’
    â€˜Really? Then let me take your coat.’
    He sensed that she was feeling awkward and wondered what had brought her to his home. He was pretty sure that it wasn’t as a follow-up to that night at her flat.
    When Annabel was seated Aaron stood with his back to the fireplace, looking down at her, and when she didn’t speak he said, ‘So, to what do I owe the honour of your presence?’
    The remark was meant to be jokey but she felt that there was sarcasm behind it.
    â€˜I’ve come to tell you something that was told to metoday,’ she said levelly. ‘I may be making too much of it, but I think it’s something you ought to know. If I’m speaking out of turn, I hope you will forgive me.’
    â€˜You sound very mysterious. I’m all agog. What is it that you have to say?’
    She wished she could say, I’ve come to tell you that I’m in love with you. Would he be ‘agog’ to hear that?
    â€˜A cardiac consultant from the Infirmary came to Barnaby’s just after you left this evening. He’s new and wanted to have a look at what we were offering in paediatric care. I take it that you didn’t know he was coming.’
    Aaron frowned. ‘No, I didn’t, otherwise I would have been there.’
    â€˜He remarked that his secretary left much to be desired, which I took to mean she’d forgotten to tell you he was coming. He said he would get back to you and only stayed a few minutes.’
    Aaron still wasn’t pleased. ‘I take it that there is a purpose to what you’re saying.’
    â€˜Yes,’ she said quietly, wishing that there wasn’t. ‘The cardiologist said that he was looking forward to meeting you and that he’d had the pleasure of making your mother’s acquaintance some weeks ago...at his room.
    â€˜You may already be aware of that and I’m making a nuisance of myself. But I thought that she might have some concerns about her health that could be at the root of her worries on your behalf. Obviously I didn’t question him at all, and if I had I’m sure he would have reminded me about patient confidentiality.’
    Aaron had been listening to what she was saying in amazement. It fitted in, he thought incredulously. Why hadn’t his mother told him if she had health problems? And what were they.
    A few weeks ago she’d complained of pain in her arms and general tiredness. So he’d employed a cleaner as well as the housekeeper who came in each day to assist.
    He’d taken note that her colour was good and that she was eating well, and he hadn’t made a fuss when she hadn’t let him examine her, but this was something totally unexpected and it was no wonder that Annabel was embarrassed at having to point him towards what was under his nose.
    â€˜Did you know your mother was seeing a heart specialist?’ she asked hesitantly.
    â€˜No. I didn’t,’ he said tersely. ‘It explains why she’s been trying to marry me off, bless her. She’s thinking that if anything happens to her it won’t be easy for me with the sort of job I’ve got and Lucy to care for. That’s what my mother is like. Always putting Lucy and me before herself. Hence what she said to you and her comments about Lucy’s teacher. I hope there aren’t any more that I don’t know