by Anne Fraser
The doctor straightened. ‘Your son is doing well,’ he said. ‘His speech is pretty much back to normal and, despite a continuing weakness in his right side, it looks like he’s making excellent progress.’
‘What do you think of our star boy, then?’ Colleen said, her grey eyes sparkling.
‘I think he’s amazing,’ Daniel said. He perched on the side of Harry’s bed and ruffled his hair.
‘Not a baby, Dad,’ Harry said.
The doctor packed his stethoscope away in his bag. ‘You should have a rest, Harry. You’ve had a busy day. Although you’re improving, don’t try and do too much too soon.’
‘We’ve been in the pool again this morning,’ Colleen added. ‘Nathan and Burton helped.’
Guilt coiled in Daniel’s chest. He should be the one helping his child. But over the coming weeks he’d be able to do just that.
‘I have a couple of days more in court, son,’ Daniel said. ‘But after that, I’m on holiday. We can go into the pool every day and maybe you and I could go to a cricket match?’
Harry looked at Colleen, anxiety darkening his green eyes. Daniel felt the look like a blow to his solar plexus.
‘Don’t worry, Harry. I’m not going anywhere,’ Colleen said quickly. ‘Not until you’re ready.’
‘I think I want to sleep now,’ Harry said.
Daniel stepped outside with the doctor, leaving Colleen to settle Harry.
‘Will he make a full recovery?’
‘It’s too early to say how much he’ll continue to improve, but, yes, if you all carry on doing what you’re doing, I see no reason why your son won’t be able to return to school after the summer. He may still require a wheelchair, but that in itself shouldn’t prevent him. I am warning you, however, that he may experience some lack of concentration and some mood swings for some time yet, so be prepared.’
Mood swings and a loss of concentration were nothing compared to the prospect of having his son permanently disabled. His decision to seek out Colleen had been the right one. Perhaps his son would have improved anyway, but he couldn’t help but believe his rapid progress was at least partly down to Colleen.
* * *
Daniel had waited outside until Colleen emerged, closing the door gently behind her.
She looked up at him and smiled. He loved her smile. It made it seem as if there were a thousand candles burning behind her eyes.
‘He’ll sleep for a couple of hours. I told him to press his buzzer when he wakes up.’
‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ Daniel said.
‘All in a day’s work,’ Colleen said breezily.
‘Don’t be modest, Colleen,’ Daniel said. ‘It doesn’t suit you. I know what Harry and I owe you; if there’s anything I can do to thank you, you only have to say the word.’
‘I’m being thanked well enough,’ she said. ‘You already pay me three times the going rate.’
‘That’s not what I meant.’
Colleen looked at him with her steady grey eyes. A man could happily drown in those eyes. How come he’d never noticed before?
‘It’s enough,’ she said. ‘It’s great, though, that you’ve taken time off. We can get Harry into the pool every day. We can take him places—to see you in court—to a cricket match—anywhere he fancies.’
‘Perhaps we could go somewhere this weekend?’ Daniel suggested.
‘You could go anywhere you like, but I’d like to go home this weekend. There are things I need to get sorted.’
A strange feeling coiled in Daniel’s chest. He didn’t want Colleen to go home—even for a weekend.
‘I’d prefer it if you could stay this weekend.’
‘I’m sorry. I would like to, but…’ She tailed off. ‘I really need to go home. I wouldn’t ask to go if it wasn’t important.’
Of course, she wanted to see her fiancé. The thought gave him no pleasure. He especially didn’t want to think of her with Ciaran. But he had no right to try to stop her.
Just then Dora appeared with a tray. ‘I have some sandwiches and cake. Where would you like it?’
‘No more cake.’ Colleen groaned. ‘Another couple of weeks of your baking and I won’t be able to fit into anything.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with the way you look,’ Daniel protested. ‘Nothing at all.’
To his delight, Colleen blushed. She was the only woman he knew that did. And it only made her more appealing to him. He’d choose Colleen McCulloch with her what-you-see-is-what-you-get manner over the superficially glamorous women he usually dated, any time.
‘You can always use the gym downstairs,’ Dora suggested. ‘Seeing as someone has spent a fortune on it.’
‘I hate the gym. It’s like a medieval form of torture,’ Colleen replied with a smile. ‘But I may well be forced to give it a go.’
‘We’ll take tea in the garden,’ Daniel said. ‘Please join me, Colleen. I could do with not having to think about my case for a couple of hours.’
‘I don’t suppose one little sandwich will hurt,’ Colleen replied. ‘And I was planning to take my book into the garden to read. If we sit near Harry’s room, we can hear him when he wakes up.’
Daniel took the tray from Dora. He knew he should ask the older woman to join them, but this was too good an opportunity to get Colleen to himself for a while. So they could talk about Harry, of course.
The wrought-iron table and chairs were only a short distance from Harry’s room and Daniel set down the tray and sat down.
‘It’s a beautiful day,’ Colleen said, picking up the bone china teapot. ‘I hope the weather stays like this for a while. How do you like your tea?’
‘Like my coffee. Black,’ Daniel replied and watched her through half-closed eyes as she poured the tea. She took a satisfied sip and closed her eyes, turning her face to the sun. ‘I wonder what they’re doing back in Ireland,’ she said. ‘No…wait…I know what they’ll be doing. Ciaran will be seeing to the horses with my brothers. Mammy will be in the kitchen, making dinner with the dogs at her feet.’
‘Do you miss them?’ Daniel asked.
‘I’ve never really been away from them for very long. I spend all my days off on the farm.’
‘I gather you’ve known Ciaran a long time.’
‘Since for ever, it seems. We were in high school together. He was friends with my oldest brother and used to hang about the farm. I can hardly remember a time when I didn’t know him.’ His chest tightened when some of the light went out of her grey eyes.
‘Do you love him?’ The question surprised even him.
‘Actually, Daniel, Ciaran and I have broken up. The other day—when he came to London.’
A wave of delight surged through Daniel. But why was she looking so sad?
‘Was it Ciaran who broke it off?’ If it was Ciaran and Colleen still loved him, that would account for the look in her eyes. His delight faded.
‘I’d really rather not discuss it, Daniel.’
That wasn’t good enough. He had to know how she felt.
‘Mum! Mum!’ The panicked cry came from Harry’s room and Colleen and Daniel were on their feet and running. ‘Colleen!’
They burst into Harry’s room. The boy was struggling to sit up, a look of terror on his face. ‘Where’s Mum?’ he cried. ‘I want her. Please, Colleen, I need her.’
Daniel was across the room and gathered his son into his arms, cradling the sobbing child against his chest.
‘Shh, Harry. It’s okay. I’m here. Dad’s here.’ He looked at Colleen for support. God, how often would this happen? Colleen didn’t move. Daniel continued to hold his son until the sobs quietened to only the occasional hiccups.
‘Mum. She’s dead, isn’t she?’ Harry said. ‘I keep dreaming she’s here next to me.’
‘She is next to you. She might be dead, Harry, but she’s looking over you from wherever she is. But I’m here.’
‘Don’t leave me, Daddy,’ Harry said.
Daniel hu
gged Harry tighter. ‘I’m never going to leave you, son. Not ever.’
* * *
Colleen had left Daniel comforting his son. She could have intervened, but it was Daniel that Harry ultimately needed. The sight of Daniel holding the son who looked so much like him made her heart twist. It would take time before the rift between them was completely healed, but if Daniel would keep his promise it was a start. It wouldn’t be long now before she could go home and leave this small family to get on with their lives. The thought made her heart ache even more. Damn it! Hadn’t she promised herself that she wouldn’t get overly emotionally involved with them? She was here to do a job and if that job was nearly done, she should be happy and not filled with dismay.
She went upstairs to change for dinner. As the evening was warm she would swap her usual jeans and T-shirt for a summer dress. She also decided to let her hair down. Peering at her reflection in the mirror, she was irked to see that there were shadows under her eyes. Maybe she should do as Dora suggested and spend some time in the gym? She’d spent so much time inside with Harry lately; no doubt all she needed was some fresh air and exercise.
* * *
She found Daniel and Harry, who was sitting up in bed, watching a DVD. Although Harry wasn’t looking at Daniel, neither was he turning his head away.
‘Hello, you two,’ Colleen said. ‘What are you up to?’
‘It’s the test match between England and Pakistan. It’s almost finished. Do you want to watch it with us?’
‘Don’t understand the first thing about the game. Now if you were watching a rugby match that would be different.’
‘Not like cricket? Is she nuts, do you think, Harry?’
A small but unmistakable smile crossed Harry’s mouth. It seemed that more than physical progress was being made. Although his eyes were red rimmed, he seemed more settled than she’d seen him for a while.
‘Look, I’ve had an idea,’ Colleen said ‘I’m going home this weekend. But why don’t you both come too? One of our dogs has just had a litter of puppies and I’m sure you’d like to see them, Harry. You can also meet my brother Cahil. He had a head injury a few years ago and you might find it helpful to meet him. He’ll know exactly what you are going through. What do you say?’
The idea had just come to her, but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like a plan. She could see her family and be able to keep on top of Harry’s therapy.
A broad smile crossed Harry’s face. ‘Puppies! Could we have one, Dad?’
‘If Colleen can part with one, I don’t see why not.’ Daniel frowned and looked thoughtful. ‘But Harry and I couldn’t put your mother out. Doesn’t she have a pretty full house as it is?’
‘Oh, Mammy can always fit in another couple of bodies. She loves having people to stay and she’d love to fuss over Harry. Now her children are all almost grown up, she’s always asking when any of us are going to have kids so she can have children about the farm again.’
A shadow crossed Daniel’s face as if something she had said displeased him. Perhaps the thought of roughing it was a step too far? After all, this man was used to having a whole house to himself. He was more used to five-star hotels than a crowded farmhouse. ‘But…’ she went on hastily, ‘please don’t feel you have to come.’
‘I want to go,’ Harry said. ‘Please, Dad. I want to see the horses and the puppies.’ He looked anxious. ‘I want to stay with Colleen.’
It was only natural that the child didn’t want to be separated from her. He had got used to her being around. But as his relationship with his father improved, he’d need to become less reliant on her. If Daniel was upset that Harry didn’t seem keen to have him on his own for the weekend, he gave no indication of it.
‘If you’re sure your mother won’t mind a couple of extra guests, then we’d like to come,’ he said. ‘We could take the plane on Friday and come back on Sunday evening.’
‘That’s settled, then,’ Colleen said. ‘I’ll let Mammy know. Now, why don’t we all have dinner together?’
* * *
After dinner when Harry was back in bed and Daniel reading to him from one of the books they had brought back from Dorset, Colleen had phoned her mother to let her know there would be two extra guests at the weekend. She’d already told her that Ciaran and she had broken up, but her mother hadn’t seemed the least bit surprised. The phone call finished, Colleen let herself out of the door and into the garden. Although it was eight, the sun was still up. Harry had managed to feed himself pretty well after Colleen had cut up his food for him. It was another step in the right direction.
‘Can I join you?’ Daniel’s deep voice came from behind her. Her heart thumped.
‘Sure. I was just about to go exploring. Is Harry asleep?’
‘Yes. Why don’t we walk this way?’ Daniel took her elbow and an odd zinging sensation shot up her arm.
‘I want to thank you again,’ he said. ‘You’ve made such a difference to Harry and in such a short time.’
‘He’s a determined boy. Takes after his father, I suspect.’
‘Why don’t you ever take a compliment when it’s given to you?’
‘I’m happy to accept compliments any time,’ Colleen said. Annoyingly, she sounded breathless as if she’d been on a gallop on one of the horses.
‘In that case, you should know that you look beautiful tonight.’ His voice was easy, almost teasing, but there was an unmistakable undercurrent in his words. Was it possible Daniel Frobisher was flirting with her? Had Ciaran been right when he said Daniel was attracted to her? She immediately dismissed the thought. Daniel’s words were just the well-oiled ones of a man used to charming people.
Daniel reached across and touched her gently on the cheek. ‘Do you know two dimples appear just here when you smile?’
The touch of his fingers made it difficult for her to breathe. Okay, so he was definitely flirting.
‘Have you kissed the Blarney stone recently?’ she asked, striving to keep her voice light.
He laughed. She liked it when he laughed. It made his face soften and his green eyes glint. Good God, what was she thinking? And her just recently unengaged? It wasn’t as if she and Daniel had anything in common—apart from Harry, of course.
‘Maybe you should be a lawyer. You always have a ready answer. I’m going to miss you when you leave.’
She felt a pang of loss at his words. The faint scent of his aftershave drifted on the still evening air.
‘I won’t be leaving for a while,’ she said. Again she felt that hollow sensation in the pit of her stomach. One day she would be back in Ireland, her time here a distant dream.
‘What’s wrong, Colleen?’ he asked. ‘Are you okay?’
She shook her head. ‘Now what could be wrong? My patient is getting better. His father is taking time off to be with him. Soon I won’t be needed here.’
‘Harry will miss you terribly,’ Daniel said. ‘And so will I. We’ve got used to having you around.’
Used to having her around. Like a friend. Her heart sank. Maybe it was because she was tired. She didn’t want Daniel to be her friend. It felt unsatisfactory, yet…dangerous.
‘I’m tired,’ she said. ‘If you don’t mind, I think I’ll turn in for the night.’
Suddenly his hand was in her hair and he leant down and kissed her lightly on the lips. For a moment the world spun. ‘Good night then, Colleen. I’ll see you in the morning.’
* * *
After a night spent more awake than asleep, Colleen gave up trying to sleep and slipped out of bed. She glanced at her watch. It was only six. Too early to wake Harry. She supposed she could go for a walk, but it was raining hard outside.
But she needed to get rid of this restless feeling somehow. Making up her mind, she pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt and headed down to the gym. Exercise would help.
The gym had weights, which she ignored, a treadmill and another machine Colleen hadn’t seen before. She decided tha
t half an hour on the treadmill would do the trick. If only she could remember how to use it. The last time she’d been to the gym was with Trish a couple of years ago. But how difficult could it be?
There was a quick-start button so Colleen pressed that. The treadmill started to roll beneath her at a rapid–but-doable walking speed. This was okay.
But then, to her consternation, the running machine started to speed up. She broke into a jog, but the machine kept increasing speed until she was practically sprinting. She glanced around frantically for a stop button, but before she could reach it, she stumbled and, before she knew it, the machine had thrown her off as if it were a badly behaved horse.
She lay in a crumpled heap on the floor, wondering what had just happened and trying to get her breath back.
‘Are you having a nap down there?’ an amused voice came from above her.
She looked up to find Daniel looking down at her, grinning. Slowly her eyes travelled down from his face. He was wearing a sleeveless T-shirt that emphasised the muscles in his arms and a pair of low-slung tracksuit bottoms. What little breath she had caught in her throat. She closed her eyes as her cheeks burned.
He crouched next to her. ‘Normally people stay on the machine,’ he said.
‘Very funny,’ she gasped. Hopefully he’d put her shortness of breath down to being on the machine. She struggled into a sitting position. ‘I don’t know what happened. One minute I was going along just fine. The next the damn thing was trying to make me do a seven-minute mile.’
‘It’s programmed to go to twelve mph after a two-minute warm-up,’ Daniel said. ‘That’s the setting I always use. You needed to set it manually for your speed.’
His jade eyes were alight with mirth.
‘You might have told me,’ she said huffily.
‘I would have, had you asked. Did you hurt yourself?’ His hands were on her ankles, gently pressing.
A flash of heat ran up Colleen’s legs all the way to her pelvis. ‘I’m fine,’ she said.
‘Hey, relax. Let me just make sure.’
She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the way her body was overheating from the touch of his deft fingers on her skin. What was the matter with her? How could her body be responding this way? It had never behaved like this when Ciaran had touched her.
