Falling for the Foster Mom

by Karin Baine

  Quinn rounded the corner and vanished from sight. It had been a long day for all of them and he didn’t want to abandon her when she was so fragile. Instead, he turned his attention back to Rebecca to find her with her arms folded, eyebrows raised and her lips tilted into a half-smile.

  ‘I told Simon I’d show him how to do a few magic tricks before he went home. I thought cheering him up was more important than a few drinks with someone I hardly know.’

  ‘I believe you,’ she said, her voice dripping with enough sarcasm to force Matt to defend his presence here post-shift.

  ‘What? You think there’s something going on with me and Quinn? She’s having a nightmare of a time with Simon and he seems to respond better when I’m around. That’s all.’ He shut down any gossip fodder without the utterance of a lie. Anything remotely salacious resided entirely in his head. For now.

  ‘Uh-huh? It’s not like you to turn down a hot date for a charity case.’ Rebecca wasn’t about to let this drop and he knew why when he’d been enthusing about the date he’d lined up all week, only to have blown it off at the last minute. It was no wonder he’d developed something of a reputation due to his reluctance to settle down with one woman.

  It was true; there’d been a few female interests over the course of his time in London but that didn’t mean he jumped into bed with a different partner every week. Sometimes he simply enjoyed a little company. However, the slight against his character was nothing to the umbrage he took to Quinn being denigrated to a pity date. After two months of sparring and making up, he’d go as far as to say that they’d bonded as friends.

  He pursed his lips together so he wouldn’t defend her honour and give Rebecca any more ammunition to tease, or admonish, him.

  ‘You know me, I’m never short of female company.’ Generally he wasn’t big-headed about such matters but it was better to shrug it off as a non-event than turn it into a big deal. The girl he was supposed to be seeing tonight, Kelly—or was it Kerry?—was just someone he’d met the other day. It was nothing special and neither of them had been particularly put out when he’d phoned to call it off so he could meet with Quinn instead. He wasn’t a player and it wasn’t as if he was trying to keep his options open. There was a good chance he’d never see or speak to Kelly/Kerry again.

  ‘No, but it is quite uncharacteristic of you to be so...hands on, at work.’

  So she’d seen him with his arm around Quinn. He couldn’t even defend his actions there. There’d been no excuse for him to maintain that close contact after they’d exited the packed lift except for his own pleasure. He’d enjoyed the warmth of her pressed into him, her petite frame so delicate against his bulk and the scent of her freshly washed hair filling his nostrils until he didn’t want anything else to fill his lungs.

  ‘Simon’s a special boy. He’s in foster care and I guess I do have a soft spot for him. He’s one of the first patients I’ve been able to treat with spray-on skin, so I’m particularly interested in his progress for use in other cases.’ He didn’t delve into any other personal aspects of his affinity for the pair. Rebecca knew he had younger sisters, but as this was his new start, he hadn’t seen the need to divulge his personal struggles to reach this point. As far as anyone needed to know, he was simply escorting an anxious mother back to her son post-surgery.

  ‘It’s easy to get attached. I guess I was hoping for some juicy gossip to take my mind off things.’

  ‘Well, I’m not the one everyone’s talking about around here. The rumour mill’s gone into overdrive now Thomas is back.’

  Rebecca’s sigh echoed along the corridor at the mention of her ex-husband. It might have come across as a dirty trick to shift focus from one taboo subject to another but he was genuinely concerned for his friend too. By all accounts the end of her marriage had been traumatic. The car crash which had claimed the life of her young daughter had also proved too much for the marriage to survive. Now her ex, a cardiologist, was here on loan, it was bound to be awkward for both of them.

  Matt had seen grief rip apart many families in his line of work and in that respect he was lucky to have kept his own together. The alternative didn’t bear thinking about.

  ‘Me and Thomas? There’s no story to tell, I assure you. In fact, we haven’t exchanged a word since he got here. You’d never believe we knew each other, never mind that we were married once upon a time.’ Her smile faltered as she was forced to confront what were obviously unresolved issues with her ex.

  ‘How long has it been since you saw him last?’

  ‘Five years, but in some ways it feels like only yesterday.’ The hiccup in her voice exposed the raw grief still lingering beneath the surface.

  ‘I’m sure it’s not easy. For either of you.’ They’d both lost a child and it was important to remember they’d both been affected. He didn’t know Thomas but he knew Rebecca and she wouldn’t have given her heart away to someone who wasn’t worthy of her.

  ‘It’s brought a lot of memories back, good and bad. At some point I think we do need to have an honest conversation about what happened to clear the air, something we never managed when we were still together. Perhaps then we might both get some closure.’

  Given that they were going to be working together, they’d need it. According to the staff who’d seen them together, the tension was palpable, and it wasn’t like Rebecca not to speak her mind. As she’d just proved with this ambush. Thank goodness she hadn’t spotted them getting cosy in the pub or he’d really have had a job trying to explain himself.

  ‘I hope you sort things out. Life’s too short to stay mad.’

  ‘We’ll see. When all is said and done this isn’t about us. We’re only here to do our jobs.’ On cue, her pager went off and put an end to their impromptu heart-to-heart. She shrugged an apology as she pushed the call button for the elevator.

  ‘I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end.’

  Rebecca was a professional, the best in her field, and there was no way she’d let personal matters interfere with her patients’ welfare. That was one of the golden rules here and one he’d do well to remember himself.

  ‘We’ve all got to face our demons at some time, I guess. Right, duty calls. Stay out of trouble.’

  If he was going to do that, he wouldn’t be heading to Simon’s room, straight towards it.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ALTHOUGH SEEING SIMON had come through the surgery successfully was always a relief, his aftercare never got any easier. Each stage of the treatment was often punctuated with a decline in his behaviour once they left the hospital grounds. From the moment he opened his eyes it was as if they’d taken two steps backwards instead of forward.

  She’d stroked his hair, told him what a brave boy he was, promised him treats—all without the normal enthusiastic response of a child his age in return. Of course, they’d see the psychologists, who would do their best to get him to open up and help him work through the trauma, but the onus was still on her to get him past this. With a degree in child psychology herself, she really thought she’d make more progress with him. At least get him to look at her. She’d aced her written exams but the practical was killing her. Most kids would only be too glad to get out of here and go home—she knew she would be—but no amount of coaxing could get him to even acknowledge her.

  When Matt strolled into the room and instantly commanded his attention she had to move away from any items which could suddenly become airborne. Although, after their dinner chat, she was able to watch their interaction through new eyes.

  He’d had more experience in parenthood than her, his ease very apparent as he engaged Simon in his magic know-how. Perhaps that’s what made the difference. He was comfortable around children, whereas she’d had virtually no experience other than once being a child herself. Even then, she hadn’t socialised a great deal. Her mother had worked hard
to keep a roof over their heads and often that meant missing out on playdates and birthday parties to help her at her cleaning jobs.

  It could be that Simon’s unease was in direct correlation to hers and he was picking up on the what-the-hell-am-I-doing? vibes. In which case his lack of confidence in her was understandable. Unfortunately, the fostering classes she’d attended hadn’t fully equipped her to do the job. Unlike star pupil Matt, who was deep in conversation sitting on the end of Simon’s bed.

  ‘What’s with all of the whispering going on over there?’ She dared break up the cosy scene in an attempt to wedge herself in the middle of it.

  There was more whispering, followed by a childish giggle. A sound she thought she’d never hear coming from Simon and one which threatened to start her blubbing again. She was tempted to throw a blanket over Matt’s head and snatch him home with her to keep Simon entertained.

  ‘Can’t tell you. It’s a secret.’ Simon giggled again, his eyes bright in the midst of the dressings covering his face.

  ‘Magician’s code, I’m afraid. We can’t divulge our secrets to civilians outside our secret circle.’ Matt tapped the side of his nose and Simon slapped his hand over his mouth, clearly enjoying the game.

  Quinn didn’t care as long as he was talking again and having fun.

  ‘Hmm. As long as we’re not suddenly overrun with rabbits pulled out of hats, then I’ll just have to put up with it. Tell me, what do you have to do to be part of this prestigious group anyway?’ She perched on the bed beside Matt, getting a boost from sitting so close to him as much as from the easy-going atmosphere which had been lacking between her and Simon.

  ‘We’re a pretty new club so we’ll have to look into the rules and regulations. What do you say, Simon? What would it cost Quinn to join?’ Matt’s teasing was light relief now her green-eyed, monstrous alter ego had left the building. This wasn’t about one-upmanship; he was gaining Simon’s confidence and trust and gradually easing her in with him.

  ‘Chocolate ice cream!’ he shouted without hesitation.

  ‘We can do that.’ She was partial to it herself and something they could easily pick up on the way home. A small price to pay for a quiet night.

  ‘That should cover her joining fee...anything else?’ Matt wasn’t going to let her off so easily.

  ‘Umm...’ Simon took his time, milking her sympathy for all it was worth with Matt’s encouragement.

  He eventually came back with ‘The zoo!’ knowing he had her over a barrel.

  There was no way she could say no when they were making solid progress. Not that she was against the idea; it simply hadn’t crossed her mind that he would want to go.

  ‘Nice one.’ Matt high-fived his mini-conspirator and Quinn got the impression she’d walked straight into a trap.

  ‘A day at the zoo? I’ve never been myself, but if that’s the price I have to pay to join your club I’m in.’ It was worth it. He hadn’t expressed a desire to leave the house since the fire, unwilling to leave the shadows and venture out into the public domain, so this was a major breakthrough.

  It could also turn out to be an unmitigated disaster, depending on how he interacted with other visitors. He’d already endured much staring and pointing from the general public who didn’t understand how lucky he was just to survive the injuries, but it was a risk worth taking. If things went well it could bring them closer as well as give him a confidence boost.

  ‘You’ve never been to the zoo?’ Matt was still staring at her over that particular revelation.

  ‘We never got around to it. Mum was always working weekends and holidays to pay the bills and I tagged along with her.’ It wasn’t anyone’s fault; spending time together had simply been more important than expensive days out.

  ‘You don’t know what you’re missing. Lions, penguins, gorillas...they’re all amazing up close.’

  She couldn’t tell who was more excited, both big kids bouncing at the idea. Although she was loath to admit it, there was a fizz in her veins about sharing the experience with Simon for the first time too. As if somehow she could recapture her childhood and help him reconnect with his at the same time.

  ‘Matt has to come too!’ Simon tried to wedge it into the terms and conditions of the deal but he was pushing his luck now.

  ‘I’ve been before. This is something for you and your mum to do together.’ Matt turned and mouthed an apology to her and the penny dropped that he’d been trying to broker this deal for her benefit alone.

  ‘Matt has lots of other patients to treat and he’d never get any work done if he had to keep taking them all to the zoo whenever they demanded it. We’ll go, just the two of us, and make a day of it.’ Quinn could already sense him shrinking back into his shell. Negotiating with an infant was a bit like trying to juggle jelly—impossible and very messy.

  ‘You can take loads of photos and show me the next time you’re here.’

  Bless him, Matt was doing his best to keep his spirits up but the spark in Simon had definitely gone out now he knew his favourite surgeon wasn’t involved. She knew the feeling.

  ‘Right, mister, it’s getting late. We need to get you dressed and take you home.’ Any further arguments or tantrums could continue there, out of Matt’s earshot. She wouldn’t be surprised to find out he’d taken extended leave the next time they were due back to see him.

  ‘I don’t have a home!’ Simon yelled, and single-handedly pulled the sheet up over his head, his body shaking under the covers as he sobbed.

  Quinn genuinely didn’t know what to do; her own heart shattered into a million pieces at his outburst. He didn’t count her as his mum, didn’t even think of her house as a place of safety, despite everything she’d tried to do for him.

  She was too numb to cry and stood open-mouthed, staring at Matt, willing him to tell her what to do next. It wasn’t as if she could leave him here until he calmed down; he was her foster child, her responsibility, and it was down to her to provide a home he’d rather be in instead of here.

  The foster authorities would certainly form that opinion and it was soul-crushing to learn he’d take a hospital bed on a noisy ward over the boy-friendly bedroom she’d painstakingly decorated in anticipation of his arrival.

  She’d been happy to have one parent—why couldn’t he?

  ‘You’re being daft now. I know for a fact you and Quinn live in the same house. I bet you’ve even got a football-themed room.’ As usual Matt was the one to coax him back out of his cotton cocoon.

  ‘I’ve got space stuff.’ Simon sniffed.

  ‘Wow! You’re one lucky wee man. I had to share a room with my sisters so it was all flowers and pink mushy stuff when I was growing up.’

  ‘Yuck!’

  ‘Yuck indeed.’ Matt gave an exaggerated shudder at the memory but it gave Quinn a snapshot of his early life, outnumbered by girls.

  ‘Do you wanna come see?’ He peeked his head above the cover to witness the fallout of his latest demand.

  This time Matt turned to her for answers.

  They were stuffed.

  If she said no, she hadn’t a hope of getting Simon home without a struggle and she was too exhausted to face it. A ‘yes’ meant inviting Matt further into their personal lives and they couldn’t keep relying on him to solve their problems. He’d made it clear he didn’t want to be part of any family apart from the one he’d already raised. In her head she knew it was asking for trouble but her heart said, ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ So far, he’d been the one blazing ember of hope in the dark ashes of the fire.

  She gave a noncommittal shrug, leaving the final decision with him. It was a cop out on her behalf, but if he wanted out, now was the time to do it. She was putting her faith in him but his hesitation was more comforting than it should’ve been. At least she wasn’t the only one being put on the spot and it
proved some things were beyond even his control. His mind wasn’t made up one way or the other about getting further entangled in this mess and that had to be more promising than a firm no.

  ‘My apartment isn’t too far away... I suppose I could get my car, drop you two home and take a quick peek at your room...’ The confidence had definitely left his voice.

  A five-year-old had got the better of both of them.

  ‘I really couldn’t ask you to—’

  ‘Cool!’ Simon cut off the polite refusal she was trying to make so Matt didn’t feel obligated, even though she didn’t mean it. Inside, she was happy-dancing with her foster son.

  ‘Well, it would save us a taxi fare.’ She folded easily. A ride home would be so much less stressful than the Tube or a black cab. As efficient as the London transport system was, it wasn’t traumatised-child-friendly. The fewer strangers Simon had to encounter straight after his surgery, the better.

  ‘I’ll go get the car and meet you out front in about thirty minutes. That should give you plenty of time to get ready.’ He bolted from the room as soon as she gave the green light. It was impossible to tell whether he wanted to put some distance between them as soon as possible, or whether he intended to get the job done before he changed his mind. Whatever his motives, she was eternally grateful.

  For the first night in weeks, she wasn’t dreading going home.

  * * *

  Matt stopped swearing at himself the moment he clocked the two figures huddled at the hospital entrance waiting for him. He’d been beating himself up about getting roped into this, but seeing them clutching each other’s hands like two lost bodies in the fog, he knew he’d done the right thing. He wouldn’t have slept if he’d gone home and left Quinn wrestling a clearly agitated child into the back of a taxi. For some reason his presence was enough to diffuse the tension between the two and, as Simon’s healthcare provider, it was his duty to ease him back to normality after his surgery. Besides, it was only a lift, something he would do for any of his friends in need.