by Anne Fraser
‘Explain,’ Daniel said.
Colleen quirked an eyebrow at him. ‘Is this how you cross-examine a witness?’
To his credit, Daniel looked abashed. ‘Sorry. What I should have said was, “Go on, tell me more”.’
‘I can’t remember not feeling happy as a child. At least until Cahil’s accident and Daddy became depressed. But before that there was always something to do. Help Daddy on the farm or play with my bothers—when they’d let me, of course. They used to tease me about being a girl, so I was always trying to show them how tough I was. Led to a few cuts and scrapes, I can tell you.’
‘Now why don’t I find that hard to imagine? I can just see the little girl you were. Hair flying in the wind as you ran barefoot over the hills.’
‘Come on,’ Colleen retorted. ‘We weren’t that poor. We had shoes like everyone else.’ When she saw him smile she knew she had been suckered.
‘No, up until Daddy sold the cattle for the horses we were comfortably off. But somehow he could never get the hang of breeding horses.’ Her heart ached as she remembered her father’s slip into depression. ‘I know he felt a failure, but it wasn’t all his fault. One of the brood mares became unwell suddenly and had to be put down, another foaled, but her colt died. And so it went on until he was left with only one of the five he had invested in. Believe me, high-quality brood mares are expensive to buy and even more expensive to keep.
‘We tried to help him, at least my older brothers did—I was too young and at school—but things got so bad that eventually my brothers had to stop helping him on the farm and find work in Dublin. My mother hated her sons leaving and my father felt it was his fault. And then Cahil had his accident. Daddy was never the same. It was as if he’d given up on life. Of course I know now that it was depression, but back then I couldn’t understand why Daddy had gone from this laughing man to someone who never smiled and just sat in his chair all day long. The family kind of broke apart then. My mother was distraught. She didn’t know how to help him.’
Colleen didn’t know why she was telling Daniel all this. Perhaps because it was late. Perhaps it was the semi-darkness, or perhaps it was because he had been through his own kind of hell.
‘I’m sorry. What happened to your brother? Can you talk about it?’
Colleen drew in a breath. ‘Cahil was the youngest. I was eleven when he was born. I think he was as much of a surprise to Mammy and Daddy as he was to me. But they were happy to have another child. By that time they were still well enough off and there was plenty of room on the farm for one more. But when Cahil was eight my other brothers were working off the farm and Daddy needed help to bring one of the horses in from the field. He wasn’t keeping so well by this time so Mammy suggested he wait until one of the older boys came back from work. Cahil must have been listening. He always wanted to be like the big boys. He went out to the field without telling my parents. But the horse wasn’t used to him. She had a bit of a temper and was about to foal, but whatever happened we can’t be sure. Mammy only noticed that Cahil was gone when she called him for his tea. They found him unconscious in the field. It looked as if the horse had reared up and kicked Cahil in the head. To cut a long story short, Cahil was in hospital for months. Mammy wanted him home. Just like you, she had no faith that the doctors and nurses would look after her baby as well as she could. Daddy was beside himself and no use. He could barely bring himself to look at Cahil. So every day after school, I helped Mammy care for Cahil. She was like a woman possessed. The doctors told her that it was unlikely that my little brother would ever be able to walk or talk or even feed himself. But she wasn’t having it. She bullied and coaxed my brother and slowly he began to learn to walk and talk all over again. You should see him now. He still has some short-term memory problems and mixes up his words, but as you know he plays for the local football team and helps my mother on the farm. You would never know just by looking at him that once the doctors held out little hope.’
‘So that’s why you do what you do,’ Daniel said. ‘I knew there must be a reason why you were so driven. Your patients are just like your brother all over again, aren’t they?’
She wriggled under his intense gaze, surprised by his perception.
‘I guess so. I know what the power of love can achieve and that’s why, no matter how much Harry pushes you away, you have to believe that right now he needs you more than ever.’
‘And your father? What happened to him?’
Colleen sucked in a breath as pain lanced through her. ‘He died shortly after Cahil’s accident. He didn’t live long enough to know that his son made an almost complete recovery. He died feeling guilty and a failure. So you see, Daniel, I know all about what guilt can do to a man.’
The clock ticked into the silence. What Colleen had said surprised Daniel. He was certain there was more to her story—his job had given him an instinct for when people weren’t telling the whole truth—but if there was more, he would wait until she decided to tell him. If she ever told him. He studied her as she sipped the last of her drink. He would never have guessed that she had her own tragedy in her life. When she wasn’t challenging him, hands on hips and grey eyes blazing, her mouth was curved in an almost permanent smile.
With her dark hair tumbling in loose curls over her shoulders instead of clasped back in the usual ponytail, she looked younger, less severe. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, with an alluring sprinkling of freckles across the bridge of her nose that he found unbearably cute. In fact, there was a great deal about Colleen that he found cute. He liked the way her grey eyes sparked when she was in a temper. He liked the way her mouth twitched when she was trying not to laugh. He liked the way she stood up to him, he liked the way she treated his son and he even liked the way she looked, even in those ridiculous bunny slippers she was wearing on her feet and those childish pyjamas. Her dressing gown had fallen open slightly, revealing a spaghetti top, exposing creamy shoulders and just a hint of cleavage. On the bottom half she was wearing boxer shorts depicting cartoon characters. His brain saw all this, registered it logically and coolly, but there was nothing cool about the way his body was reacting. He hadn’t seen her legs before—they were usually hidden by the trousers she always wore, but who in their right mind would hide legs like that? They were slim and toned. The sort of legs that just begged a man to run his hands up their silky smoothness. When she’d leaned over him to place his milk on the table in front of him he’d caught a scent of vanilla and strawberries and he’d shifted in his chair to hide his sudden and immediate response to her. Perhaps it was the whisky or perhaps it was because he’d not been with a woman for a long time? But suddenly an image of Colleen lying underneath him, her body all sweet curves and softness, her grey eyes clouded with desire, filled his head. He shook the image away.
Maybe he was seeing her in a different light because she had allowed him to see the vulnerable side of her.
No wonder he was rattled. The last thing he’d expected was that he couldn’t get the Irish harridan out of his head. She was nothing like the women he usually dated. All of a sudden he wanted to see her at one of the dinners he attended—the looks on the other women’s faces as she outshone them with her simple beauty despite their designer dresses and hundred-pound haircuts. He bit back a groan. Great. That was all he needed right now. A developing case of the hots for his son’s nurse—a woman who just happened to be in love with another man.
CHAPTER TEN
COLLEEN stretched languorously as the sun poured in her bedroom window. For some reason this morning, she felt happier than she had since she took up the job here. She smiled to herself. Maybe it was because she had come to a decision about Ciaran and because some of the tension between her and Daniel had disappeared. After all, her job would be so much easier without the constant clashing of wills. Or maybe it was because she had talked to Daniel about her dad? No one in the family could bring themselves to talk about those final days. Not in front of their mother an
yway. They were all too scared that a mention of his name would send Mammy into another paroxysm of grieving. Perhaps it was time that they did talk about Daddy? When she was home next she would try.
She jumped out of bed before Dora could arrive with her tea. She couldn’t get used to being served her tea in bed by the housekeeper. It seemed so lazy.
* * *
By the time she came out of the shower the tea tray had been left on the table. Dora had even added a small vase of flowers. It seemed that Dora was beginning to thaw towards her. But when she bent to pour the tea, she noticed a small envelope addressed to her in unfamiliar handwriting.
Puzzled, she tore it open. It was from Daniel. It was brief and to the point. ‘Thanks for the warm milk. And for telling me about your brother. Most of all thank you for caring about my son.’
Something shifted behind her ribs. Daniel wasn’t so bad once you got to know him. They had got off on the wrong foot, that was all. And if her heart had done a crazy little pirouette when she’d seen the note was from him, well, that was just a sign of the pleasure she felt that they seemed to have reached an understanding.
* * *
As soon as she was dressed she went to Harry’s room. After their chat last night, she’d half-expected to find Daniel by his son’s bedside and not just the night nurse. Colleen tried to ignore the thud of disappointment—which was, of course, on behalf of Harry, wasn’t it?
‘Morning, sunshine,’ she chirped.
Harry turned his head at the sound of her voice and smiled. Colleen felt her heart melt—what would happen the day that devastating grin finally reached his emerald eyes? Then she’d be a goner, that was for sure. She was getting far too fond of Harry already, but there was something so special about this young man that she couldn’t help herself.
The night nurse gave Colleen a quick handover before she left. ‘Has Mr Frobisher been in to see Harry this morning?’ Colleen asked softly, so that Harry couldn’t hear.
The nurse—Sheena—nodded. ‘An hour ago. Harry was still asleep. Mr Frobisher didn’t stay long, though, said he’d an important meeting to go to and wouldn’t be back till later.’
Colleen closed the door behind Sheena. So much for thinking she’d got through to Daniel last night. It was all she could do to stop herself from marching to the nearest telephone and telling Daniel Frobisher exactly what she thought of him! But she had Harry to concentrate on and that was far more important. Instead, she pulled open the curtains and flung the patio doors wide before turning back to her charge.
‘Oh, Harry, it’s such a beautiful day—too good for staying indoors. Are you up for some fresh air?’
Harry nodded his head slowly and moved his mouth. ‘Yes. Outside. Nice.’
Colleen laughed in delight. ‘Excellent, Harry—you’re doing it! You’re almost there—before you know it you’ll be chatting twenty to the dozen, giving me a run for my money, eh?’
His grin widened and Colleen put her hands on her hips in mock horror. ‘Are you trying to say I talk too much, young man?’
A sound of delight bubbled from Harry. It was the nearest she’d seen him come to laughing properly. Oh, why wasn’t Daniel here to see his son take these tiny, but oh-so-significant steps forwards? Despite his protestations of love, words, after all, were easy to say—acts of love were much harder to do. If only he could understand how much he was missing out on.
She tilted her head to the side. ‘You know, Harry, I think you’re ready to try something new this morning.’ Suddenly his eyes widened in fear and his smile faded. Colleen sat on his bed and reached for his hands, stroking them gently. ‘No, no, don’t worry. Trust me, Harry. I won’t do anything to harm or frighten you, you know that, don’t you?’
When Harry didn’t reply, she continued, keeping her tone light and soothing. ‘Your dad told me how much you used to love swimming, especially when you were little. Well, I think we should try swimming today; it will really help your arms and legs rebuild their muscles. What do you think?’
Still he gazed back at her. ‘I know you’re not sure about it, Harry, but I promise I’ll look after you. You’ll be safe with me, you know that, don’t you, sweetheart?’
Harry nodded slowly.
Colleen didn’t want to let him see how relieved she felt. If he’d refused or become agitated, there was no way she could have forced him. It was vital that Harry trusted her completely so that he would feel safe in the water and hydrotherapy would bring on his mobility in leaps and bounds. Colleen ruffled his har. ‘You’re my trooper, aren’t you? A brave young man, that’s what you are! And it’ll be fun, you’ll see.’ With expert practice she dressed him in a pair of boxer shorts and, using the hoist, manoeuvred him into his wheelchair, chatting all the while. Despite her best jokes and quips, Harry didn’t smile once. Colleen could sense his apprehension.
She knelt down in front of him. ‘I know you’re still unsure, Harry, so I’ll tell you what. Will it make you feel better if I ask Burton to help?’ Colleen grinned. ‘Hey, maybe I should ask him to put on a costume and come swimming with us. He might have one of those one-piece bathing suits that goes to his knees.’
She was rewarded with a smile. Now all she had to do was persuade Burton!
‘You wait there, now. Give me a minute while I put my costume on and give Burton the good news.’
* * *
To give him credit, Burton didn’t put up as much resistance as she’d expected. Perhaps he was too used to Daniel’s extravagant requests that nothing much fazed him any more—not that she could imagine what those would be. Who knew how the rich and priviliged lived?
Still, she felt a bit guilty laughing at him behind his back. But it had been worth it to have made Harry smile, she thought.
To her surprise, Burton was already there waiting for them and she almost pushed the wheelchair into one of the elaborate marble columns when she saw him. What in all that was holy was he wearing! Far from the old-fashioned costume she’d half-expected, the older man was dressed in the skimpiest briefs she’d ever seen in her entire life. If he’d worn a wig and a false moustache, she couldn’t have been more taken aback.
Colleen averted her eyes from his expanse of bare chest and hairy back, although it took a huge amount of will power to keep her gaze from straying away from his. It was as if her eyes had a sudden will of their own. Thank God they had to concentrate on getting the hoist round Harry and lowering him on to the sling at the side of the pool. When he was secure, Colleen slipped into the warm water and between them they lowered Harry in.
Whilst Burton sat on the side, Colleen slipped her arms under Harry’s back and eased him free. His eyes cast round desperately and she tilted him towards her, so that he could see her face.
‘Well done,’ she soothed. ‘I’ve got you and I’m going to let you go, Harry. Just try to let the water swirl around you.’
It took a fair amount of cajoling and encouragement, but within ten minutes she felt her young patient begin to relax. ‘You’re doing really well, sweetheart.’
Suddenly she noticed his gaze slip from hers to over her shoulder and he tensed. Colleen turned round in the water so she could see what had caught his attention.
It wasn’t what—it was who. Daniel stood uncertainly at the side of the pool. Thankfully he didn’t shop in the same store that Buton did and his swimming shorts were far more modest. She couldn’t help noticing that they somehow accentuated his tanned, smooth chest and broad shoulders and didn’t make his muscular legs look too shabby either.
‘Can I join you?’ Daniel asked.
‘What do you think, Harry? Can your dad swim with us?’ Colleen gazed down at the young lad, willing him to relax. She looked up and caught Daniel’s eye. Almost imperceptibly, she nodded.
Daniel nodded to Burton. ‘That’s okay, Burton, I’ll take over from here.’
‘Very well, sir.’ There was no mistaking the look of relief in Burton’s eyes. Colleen caught Daniel’s eyes and for a
moment his lips twitched. Clearly he found the sight of Burton in his swimwear as amusing as she did. Colleen’s heart skipped a beat.
With a graceful ease belying his size, Daniel dived in at the deep end and swam towards them. Harry’s eyes widened and he flailed his body, pressing himself as close as possible to her. The arm around her neck tightened and his fingers grasped her hair. Ignoring the sharp pain, Colleen kept her tone even. ‘Remember when I said you could trust me, darling? Remember when I promised I wouldn’t let any harm come to you? Well, it’s the same with your daddy. He only wants to help, Harry.’
Harry tore his eyes away from his father and looked at her. His deep-green eyes searched her face, looking for the slightest hint that she wasn’t telling the truth, and in that moment she knew that if Daniel let him down now, made one wrong move, the tiny delicate thread holding father and son together would be broken—maybe forever.
‘How about letting your dad hold you? That way I could move your arms and legs about a bit in the water?’
‘No.’ Harry shook his head.
Colleen met Daniel’s gaze over Harry’s blond curls. His anguish was unmistakable, but yet he didn’t move away from them.
She brushed her lips against Harry’s cheeks. ‘Your dad is a big strong man, darling, and he’s going to hold on to you tight.’
Finally Daniel spoke. ‘I won’t let you go, son. I promise you.’
Gently Colleen untangled Harry’s arms from around her neck and eased him towards his father. Between the two of them they held the too thin child, until Colleen felt his under-used muscles finally relax.
Signalling to Daniel with a nod of her head, she again reassured Harry, ‘I’m going to let go now, but just so I can move your legs, okay? Your dad’s got you safe.’
As Colleen moved away, Daniel eased himself down into the shallow water, cradling his son in his arms. She watched as, ever so slowly, Harry’s arms snaked around his father’s neck and clasped on to him tightly.
