Rescued: Mother and Baby

by Anne Fraser

  ‘And now? How do you feel about being in a small aircraft now?’

  ‘I think the fear of the fear was worse—if that makes sense?’

  Logan nodded slowly. ‘It will probably take a few trips before it goes completely, but I reckon you’ll be okay.’

  Georgie relaxed, not even realising she’d been holding her breath.

  ‘Does that mean I’m still on the team?’

  ‘I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have.’ But as she smiled her relief he held up a hand. ‘But I’m warning you, if at any time I think your fear is getting the better of you, you’re off. I wouldn’t want to do it, but if I thought the safety of the team was being compromised, I’d do it in a flash.’

  Georgie nodded. Then she held out her hand. ‘It’s a deal,’ she said.

  Logan listened to the rhythmic sound of Georgie’s breathing. He was shocked at the way this woman had crept under his skin. He had meant it to be a casual affair, something to pass the time until he was called back to the army, but now he knew he had been fooling himself.

  She wasn’t his typical woman. Mostly he sought women out who wanted as little from him as he was prepared to give, and that suited him fine. But Georgie was different. She had opened her heart to him, let him see her vulnerability, her fear and, ultimately, her courage.

  He suppressed a groan. This wasn’t what he had intended. To become involved with a woman who could no more pretend to be something she wasn’t than he could walk on water. This was no casual affair for her. He was the first man she had slept with since her husband and that meant responsibility. What was he going to do?

  He knew one thing for sure. He didn’t want to let her go. Maybe Georgie could fill that missing place in his heart? The place that had been empty since he’d been two years old and his mother had left him. Maybe Georgie was what he had been waiting for all his life, without even knowing it?

  He recoiled from the thought. Marriage. Responsibility. A ready-made family. Could he do it? Did he even have it in him? He hadn’t been joking when he had told her that he was frightened of certain things. What she didn’t know was that it was commitment. Family life. Settling down. There wasn’t anything physically that frightened him as much as these words. What if he couldn’t stick it? What if he was like his mother?

  A couple of days ago she had rung him back. She had been polite but distant. She was glad to hear he was okay, but she had married and had a new family. None of them knew about him, and if he didn’t mind, could they keep it that way? She was sorry she’d had to give him up, but she had been young and unable to cope. She was sure he would understand.

  It hadn’t been the conversation he had imagined in his head, but somehow it had helped. How could he really blame her for giving him up? She had been young and alone. He was different. Georgie was different. And there was no way he was going to walk away from Georgie the way his mother had walked away from him. Not now. For once he was going to open his heart and see where it took him. He had to try. For better or for worse.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  WHEN Georgie woke up she had no idea at first where she was. Then it all came flooding back. She was here on an island with Logan. And they had made love. Several times. She blushed as the images played out in her head. Turning her head, the empty expanse of the bed told her Logan had already risen.

  She slid out of bed, wondering where he had got to. Seeing his discarded shirt on the floor, she slipped it over her head, inhaling the now familiar scent of him, and crossed to the window. Pulling the curtains open, she gasped with pleasure as the bright cloudless sky revealed a snow-white beach that seemed to stretch for miles. She flung the windows open and breathed in the smell of the sea. Waves lapped invitingly on the shore. Perhaps they would have time for a swim before they had to leave?

  Making herself a coffee from the hospitality tray, she returned to the window. How would Logan be feeling this morning? Would he already be regretting taking her to bed? Would he be thinking that it compromised their working relationship? She would put him at ease. Right now, this was all she wanted. An interlude in her life. He would leave, she knew that, and that would be okay. She would miss him unbearably, but what was the alternative?

  She caught sight of a figure on the beach. It was Logan running, bare-chested and barefoot. Her breath caught in her throat. Who was she kidding? She had fallen hook, line and sinker for this enigmatic man. It was as if she had, since Ian’s death, being daydreaming her way through life. Now every fibre of her being tingled with excitement and a heady joy, and she didn’t ever want to lose that feeling again. She would take every day with Logan as it came. And if it ended? Well, she would face that too. Sarah had been right. Far better to experience another wrenching loss than never to have experienced what the two of them had had last night.

  Logan opened the door. His chest was gleaming with perspiration, highlighting each individual muscle, and Georgie felt her abdomen clench. Forcing herself to remain casual, she smiled at him, nodding towards the kettle.

  ‘You were up early. Can I get you a coffee?

  Logan was looking at her, his dark eyes alight. Self-consciously she tugged the shirt down, but Logan took a step towards her and slipped his hands underneath.

  ‘I’m kind of sweaty after my run,’ he murmured in her ear. ‘How do you fancy taking a shower with me?’ And then, laughing, they were moving, still clinging to each other, towards the bathroom, tugging feverishly at each other’s clothes.

  Much later, it was time for them to leave. Georgie phoned home to check Jess was okay and to tell her mother they’d be back for lunch.

  ‘Did you have a good time, darling?’ her mother asked softly.

  Conscious of Logan watching her, a half-smile on his face, Georgie blushed to the tips of her toes.

  ‘Yes,’ she said softly. ‘I’ll tell you all about it when I see you.’ Perhaps not all about it.

  While Georgie was talking to her mother, Logan studied her. Her red hair was still damp from their shower and her cheeks glowed after their love-making. Something shifted inside him. He hadn’t planned this. Oh, he had wanted to make love to her, almost as soon as he had met her, but he hadn’t expected to feel this way. He had never imagined that she would take a hold on his heart. He closed his eyes. Images of their love-making flooded back. The way her body had responded to his, as if they were involved in a dance that only the two of them knew the tune to. And it wasn’t just physical attraction either. She was brave and funny and vulnerable and dedicated. Unlike any woman he’d had a relationship with before—if you could call what he’d had before in his life relationships, that was. None of the other woman had made him feel this kind of connection. Not to the extent he felt connected to Georgie. It was as if he’d been looking for her all his life. That she was the missing half of his soul.

  What now? This wasn’t what he had intended or expected. Last night he’d thought that he would be able to take a chance, open his heart and see what happened, but had that just been the after-effects of the closeness they’d shared? After all, he wasn’t into playing happy families and he knew without a shadow of doubt that Georgie wasn’t into anything less. He groaned under his breath. Already he was in deeper than he had been before. Perhaps he should call a halt now before he was in over his head? But as Georgie finished her phone call and looked at him mischievously from those spectacular grey-blue eyes, he knew it was too late.

  The sun was shining brightly by the time they were in the plane again and Logan was making his preparations for takeoff. Out of the corner of her eye, Georgie studied him as he concentrated on his final checks. A rush of happiness flowed through her, followed closely by a shiver of apprehension. What had she done? She could tell herself that it was just a casual fling until the cows came home, but she knew she’d be kidding herself. Somewhere along the way, she had fallen for this man. Fallen hard. And that definitely wasn’t in the plan. She had to remember that he was everything she refused to have in
her life…No. She was getting way ahead of herself. One night. That was it. And she would have to make sure it stayed that way. Far better to have some pain now then go through heartbreak later on.

  As the engines whirled into action, Logan turned to her and flashed his heart-stopping grin.

  ‘Nervous?’ he asked, his eyes turning serious

  ‘Not at all,’ Georgie replied truthfully. And it was the truth. Her fear of planes had left her, almost as if it had never existed, and in its place was a much deeper fear. Fear of losing someone all over again.

  As they drew up in front of her house, Georgie paused, her hand on the passenger door. Would he say anything? Or would they both pretend the night hadn’t happened?

  ‘Thank you for coming,’ he said formally. ‘I had a cool time.’

  ‘So did I,’ Georgie replied equally formally.

  ‘Will you come to dinner with me tonight? I hear there’s a new restaurant in merchant city that’s getting rave reviews.’

  Georgie shook her head regretfully. ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. Apart from anything else, I’ve just spent a night away from my daughter. It wouldn’t be fair to ask Mum to look after her again.’ She licked dry lips. She was being evasive when she owed it to him to be direct.

  He frowned. ‘What about tomorrow night? Or the night after that? Or I can wait until the weekend if you’d prefer? It will be a long week, but I’m a patient man—when I need to be.’

  ‘I don’t know. This has taken me by surprise. It’s all happened so fast. I think we should step back for a bit.’ She touched his hand. ‘Give me some time, okay?’

  His eyes locked on to hers. She saw surprise there, and determination.

  He brought his hand to his forehead in a mock salute. ‘Sure thing, ma’am,’ he said lightly. ‘But I’m not going to give up easily. As long as you understand that.’

  CHAPTER NINE

  BACK at the hospital, the days passed much as they had done before. To her chagrin—and hurt—Logan treated her as if the night on the island never happened. He was friendly, but no more or less than he was to his other colleagues. What else did she expect? She had told him she didn’t want to be rushed, and all he had done was take her at her word. However, she couldn’t quite convince herself. Perhaps he was relieved she had pulled away? Perhaps, having had time to reflect, he was glad she had been the one to call a halt?

  Whatever. It was better this way. She would get over him. He would move on and she would return to her predictable, happy, safe life.

  One afternoon, Lizzie asked if she could have a private word. She took her into the office and closed the door. She waited until Georgie had sat down.

  ‘I haven’t really told anyone yet, apart from close friends, but I’m pregnant, Georgie,’ Lizzie said, smiling widely.

  Georgie jumped up and hugged her. She had guessed that Lizzie would be hoping to start a family sooner than later. ‘That’s wonderful news! You must be so excited!’

  Lizzie’s grin grew wider. ‘If you think I’m excited, you should see Stewart. He’s already bought the cot.’

  ‘How far on are you? Are you feeling okay?’

  ‘I’m just past the twelve-week mark. And, yes, I’m feeling fine. I had a bit of morning sickness early on, but it’s settled down now. Obviously I’m going to be taking time off—at least a year, maybe more—and that’s why I wanted to talk to you.’

  Georgie sat down again. ‘I’m all ears.’

  ‘While I’m away, someone will need to step into my shoes as department manager. I thought you might fancy it.’

  Georgie was dumbstruck. While Jess was at home, she hadn’t really considered where her career was going. The role with the MERT team had been an unexpected challenge. One that she was loving. Maybe once she would have jumped at the chance. Now she wasn’t so sure.

  ‘I don’t know, Lizzie. At one time I would have grabbed the opportunity with both hands, but it would mean giving up my place on the MERT team, wouldn’t it?’

  ‘I’m afraid so. The department manager is needed here.’

  Conflicting emotions were surging through Georgie. On the one hand, what Lizzie was suggesting would mean a safe, steady job, a job without risk—the next logical step on the career ladder. On the other hand, as a member of the MERT team, she was having to face constant challenges every day. Alongside Logan. And now she knew that was what she had been born to do.

  ‘I’m sorry, Lizzie. If I have a choice, it has to be to stay with the MERT team. I hope you understand.’

  Lizzie looked at her thoughtfully, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. ‘And a certain Dr Logan Harris has nothing to do with that decision?’

  Heat flooded Georgie’s cheeks. Damn. She made herself sit up tall and squared her shoulders.

  ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, Lizzie,’ she said with as much dignity as possible. ‘So, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to get back to work.’

  But as she walked to the door Lizzie spoke, laughter in her voice. ‘No idea what I’m talking about? Just who are you trying to kid? Anyone can see the pair of you are made for each other. Mark my words, Georgie McArthur. Your days of singledom are well and truly marked.’

  Georgie didn’t deign to answer. Let everyone think what they liked. None of them knew Logan the way she did—and how impossible a future was for them.

  Towards the end of the week, Logan sought Georgie out.

  ‘The forecast for Saturday is good. I thought you might like to take another flight with me. I need to keep up my hours and I’d like the company.’

  Georgie’s pulse quickened. Innocent though the invitation appeared on the surface, the expression in Logan’s eyes told her otherwise.

  ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea,’ she said softly. ‘Besides, I promised Jess a day in the park on Saturday. There’s a fair with a bouncy castle and pony rides and all sorts of other things to delight a three-year-old. So, sorry. No can do.’

  ‘In that case,’ Logan replied, with that determined look back in his eye, ‘why don’t I come too?’

  Georgie’s heart thudded against her ribs. The last thing she’d expected was for Logan to want to spend time with her and her daughter.

  ‘If you like,’ she said casually. ‘I can’t see that it would be your cup of tea, however.’

  Logan grinned at her and her heart beat faster. ‘That’s just it,’ he said, his voice low. ‘I don’t think you have any idea what my cup of tea is. If the only way I can get you to go out with me is by going to a park, then so be it.’ He groaned in mock despair. ‘If my mates could hear what I just said, they’d never believe it.’

  Georgie laughed. ‘Okay, you’re on. But I’m warning you, feeding the ducks is obligatory—as is everything else. Except perhaps the bouncy castle. Somehow I think you might be excused from that. I’ll bring the picnic.’

  The weather remained sunny and bright until Saturday. Jess woke up Georgie by jumping into bed beside her.

  ‘Come on, Mummy. Time to go.’

  Georgie squinted at the clock. 6:00 a.m. Early even by Jess’s standards. She hid a sigh, knowing there was no chance her daughter would let her sleep.

  ‘Okay, I’m up,’ she said, pushing the duvet aside and fumbling for her dressing gown. ‘But you need to be quiet. We don’t want to wake Gran, do we?’

  By the time she was showered and dressed, Jess’s excitement had almost reached fever pitch. Her daughter was standing by the door, holding her teddy in one hand and a juice in the other. She had attempted to get dressed herself, but had somehow managed to put her T-shirt on inside out and her shorts back to front. Something deep down in Georgie shifted as she looked at her little girl. She was her world and she would do anything to save her from heartache. In which case, was she being wise allowing Logan into their lives? Despite what everyone said, the more attached Jess—both of them—got to him, the harder it would be when he left.

  It was too late to change her mind now
. She could hardly phone Logan and tell him not to come—and she knew she didn’t want to. She recalled her mother’s advice and she was right. She had to stop thinking of what might happen and focus on the here and now. She couldn’t hide from life any longer and she couldn’t protect her daughter from disappointment and heartache either, no matter how much she might want to.

  She re-dressed Jess and made her eat breakfast, and by then her mother was up. While Mary kept Jess occupied, Georgie slipped out to the delicatessen for their picnic. She loaded her basket with sun-ripened tomatoes and the deli’s speciality—home-made quiches. She added crusty bread and cheese and some fruit smoothies. When she’d finished, she had enough food to feed an army. The thought made her wince before she pushed it away. She had promised herself she would enjoy the day and that’s what she would do.

  As she pulled up outside, she saw that Logan’s car was already in the driveway. She glanced at her watch. It was just a little after nine. Her shopping had taken her much longer than expected and Logan must have turned up at nine on the dot.

  Inside, Jess was hopping from foot to foot while Logan and her mother chatted. Georgie’s heart started its familiar rat-a-tat when she saw him. He looked delicious in a T-shirt and black, thigh-hugging jeans. His closely cropped hair had grown in the time he had been in Glasgow and it suited him longer. He had nicked himself shaving and Georgie had to stop herself from leaning across and touching his face.

  When Logan saw her, he got to his feet.

  ‘Sorry. I arrived a bit early.’ He said. ‘Your mother’s been entertaining me.’

  ‘No, you’re bang on time. It’s me that’s running late. Don’t quite know how as my beloved daughter had me up at six.’ She ruffled Jess’s hair.