Snowbound: Miracle Marriage / Christmas Eve: Doorstep Delivery

by Sarah Morgan

  Stretched out in a chair in his office, exhausted after eleven hours with no break, Daniel stared blankly at the computer screen, his mind full of the night before.

  He never should have kissed her.

  What had possessed him to do such an utterly stupid thing?

  As if things hadn’t been hard enough before that.

  He still didn’t understand exactly why he’d lost control.

  One moment he’d been furiously angry, the next he’d been kissing her. Usually with women he choreographed every move—he was always in control. He made sure of it. He knew when he was going to ask them out, he knew where he was going to take them—control was part of the way he protected himself.

  Only with Stella there was no control. And there never had been.

  Sliding his hand over his face, he muttered a black oath.

  Nothing had changed between them. Except that they were no longer together.

  Dwelling on that uncomfortable truth, Daniel glanced up to see his brother standing in the doorway. ‘What are you doing here? Is someone giving birth in my department?’

  ‘No. I have some news. And I need a favour.’ Patrick frowned at him. ‘You look as though you’re in a filthy mood. What’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing.’ Somehow Daniel couldn’t bring himself to confess his thoughts about Stella. He waited while his brother sprawled in the only armchair in his office. ‘You don’t look so good yourself.’

  ‘Tired.’ Patrick closed his eyes and Daniel frowned slightly.

  ‘Is it the job or the kids?’ Out of the corner of his eye, Daniel surveyed his desk, barely visible beneath the piles of files and papers that people wanted him to read. For a brief moment he wondered what would happen if he just tipped the lot into the bin. Would anyone notice? He didn’t have time to deal with any of it all anyway, so it may as well be in the bin. His computer was telling him that he had seventy-two new messages in his inbox and he stifled the temptation to just switch the thing off at the mains. ‘What’s the problem?’ Apart from the fact your wife left you with two little kids.

  ‘I’m knackered.’ His brother opened his eyes briefly. ‘If the labour ward rings, you haven’t seen me.’

  ‘That bad, huh?’ Daniel gave a sympathetic grin and transferred the files on his desk to the floor. ‘Busy night?’

  ‘Not particularly.’ His brother’s eyes drifted shut again. ‘But I didn’t get any sleep, thanks to a certain woman in my life.’

  Daniel gave a slow smile of masculine approval. ‘Now, that is good news. I’ve been telling you for months that it’s time for you to get out there again. Tell me that she was incredible in bed, cooks like an angel and is dying to take on a single dad with two small children who spends most of his waking hours working.’

  Patrick opened his eyes. ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘The woman you spent last night with—I want the details. Blonde? Brunette? Redhead? God, I love redheads. My lawyer is a redhead.’

  ‘You always preferred blondes.’

  ‘Well, now I prefer redheads. Very dominant and assertive.’ Omitting to mention that he couldn’t help comparing every blonde to Stella, Daniel noticed more emails fly into his inbox and swivelled the chair so that he could no longer see the screen. ‘And we were talking about you, not me. Why don’t we grab a beer after work and you can give me the details?’

  ‘Can’t. I need to get home. And there isn’t a woman. At least, not the sort that you mean.’ Patrick ran a hand over his face. ‘It was Posy who kept me awake. I was talking about Posy.’

  The smile left Daniel’s face. ‘You’re exhausted because of your three-year-old daughter?’

  ‘That’s right.’ Patrick’s eyes closed again and his head dropped back against the chair. ‘I don’t know whether she’s teething or whether she has a cold coming but she’s really fractious at the moment. In the end she slept in my bed and it was hell. She always lies horizontally so her feet are in my—’

  ‘You know what?’ Daniel lifted a hand as he interrupted him. ‘This is too much detail. I honestly don’t need to know about the sleeping patterns of a three-year-old.’

  Patrick was silent for a moment and then he opened his eyes and looked straight at his brother. ‘You’re very fond of Posy. And of Alfie.’

  ‘Of course I am.’ Daniel waved a hand. ‘I’m a doting uncle. The job description for doting uncle is that I smother them with extravagant gifts on various important dates like birthdays and Christmas and as they grow up I take them on the odd climbing expedition and for rides in my fast sports car to impress their friends.’

  Patrick was silent for a moment and it seemed to Daniel that his twin brother looked more exhausted than he’d ever seen him.

  ‘You need some time away.’

  Patrick gave a nod. ‘That’s what I’m planning.’

  ‘You are? Without the kids? Perfect. What’s the plan?’

  ‘Do you remember that lecture I gave in Chicago? Well, they’ve offered me a job. Part clinical-part academic. It would give me more time at home with the kids—’

  ‘A job in Chicago?’ Daniel frowned slightly, unsure how he felt about his brother relocating to the States. ‘You’re considering that?’

  ‘I thought it was worth a look. They want me to come across and meet them. Look around, interview…’ Patrick shrugged. ‘You know the score.’

  ‘Great. Go for it. Fresh start. Well, at least go and talk to them.’

  ‘I’d like to. And that brings me to the favour I need.’

  ‘Of course. I know your sweet ex-wife cost you a fortune. I don’t know how you’ve coped.’ Even when Patrick’s petulant, moody wife had finally stopped having tantrums and left him and the children, his brother had just gritted his teeth and got on with his life. He’d shifted his workload so that he could continue in his role as obs and gynae consultant and still spend time at home with the children. Daniel reached for his chequebook. ‘How much?’

  ‘I don’t need money. Money isn’t my problem. I need a different sort of favour.’

  ‘Name it.’ Daniel thought of the hell that his brother had been through since his wife had left and waved a hand expressively. ‘Anything. What do you need? A lift to the airport?’

  ‘I need you to look after the kids.’

  ‘What?’ Daniel stared at him with undisguised horror. ‘You have to be kidding. No. Absolutely no.’

  ‘You said anything.’

  ‘Anything but that.’ Daniel launched himself out of his chair, knocking pens and papers onto the floor. ‘Why would you even ask me that? I’m the last person in the world that any sane person would want looking after their kids. I’m terrible with kids. That’s why I don’t have any of my own.’

  ‘You’re my family. And you’re their family.’

  ‘That’s no reason to punish them! Or me.’ Daniel felt panic mingle with guilt. ‘Don’t ask me to do this, Ric.’

  ‘I’m asking. And it isn’t a punishment for the kids. They love you. You’ve been a constant in their lives since they were born.’

  Nervous now, Daniel paced around his office. ‘From a distance. I told you, I do the fun stuff. I don’t do any of the nitty-gritty practical stuff. I wouldn’t know how. What if they can’t sleep, or they fall over—well, actually the falling over bit would be about the only thing I’d be qualified to deal with, but…’ Daniel felt the prickle of sweat on his brow and ran a hand over his face. ‘Can’t you just take them with you?’

  ‘Posy is too little and I don’t want Alfie to miss school. And who would look after them while I’m looking around the hospital and talking to people? I don’t want some stranger caring for my kids. You’ll be fine. It’s another week until the Christmas holidays start.’

  ‘Why can’t Mrs Thornton do it?’

  ‘I can’t give her sole responsibility for the children.’

  ‘Stella?’

  ‘I can’t ask her to look after two kids that aren’t hers.’

>   ‘You’re asking me—’

  ‘Because you’re my brother.’ Patrick sank his hands into his hair. ‘Do you honestly think I’d be asking you if I had a choice? I know you’ll hate every minute, but I also know the kids will be safe with you.’

  Daniel’s heart was pounding. ‘Ask me anything else,’ he said hoarsely. ‘A horse for Posy. Anything. But don’t ask me to look after them.’

  ‘Posy is too young to need a horse.’

  ‘See?’ Daniel spread his hands. ‘I don’t even know that. I don’t know what children do at what age. I wouldn’t be safe with them. You’re mad even to ask me.’

  ‘You won’t have to do much,’ Patrick said wearily. ‘Just give them breakfast and get Alfie to school. Then you bring Posy here and drop her into the hospital crèche on your way to work.’

  ‘I can’t fit the kids in my sports car.’

  ‘We’ll swap cars. I’ll take the Porsche and you can use my four-wheel drive.’

  Daniel lifted an eyebrow. ‘If that’s supposed to be an incentive, you don’t know me very well,’ he drawled. ‘Listen. I’m the last person in the world that anyone would want looking after their kids. I don’t know anything about kids.’

  ‘You work in A and E. You know a great deal about kids.’

  ‘I know how to fix them when they’re broken!’ Daniel glared at him. ‘And I’m assuming you don’t want yours broken, which they will be if I look after them!’ He felt something close to panic rise inside him and then he looked at his brother—saw the dark shadows in his eyes.

  ‘You’re my brother,’ Patrick said softly. ‘That makes you suitable. You’re the only person I trust.’

  Daniel lifted his hand to his throat, feeling as though he was being strangled. ‘All right, I’ll do it.’ His mouth was moving even while his brain was still trying to refuse. ‘But you have to leave me some textbooks or something.’

  ‘They’re just kids, Dan,’ Patrick looked amused. ‘You don’t need books. They’ll tell you what they want.’

  ‘Posy is so little. How am I going to know what she wants?’

  ‘She’ll tell you. Alfie is good with her. He’ll help.’ Patrick glanced at the clock. ‘I’d better get back. Thanks. And stop worrying. It’s only for four days, Dan. What can possibly go wrong?’

  ‘I assume you don’t want me to answer that.’ Daniel strode back to his desk and delved under a pile of papers for his mobile. ‘The first thing I’m doing is calling Andrea.’

  ‘Your frosty lawyer? How’s that going?’

  ‘We’ve both been too busy for me to thaw her out,’ Daniel muttered. ‘One of the disadvantages of dating a career-woman is that they’re too involved in their career to see you. And when she’s available, I’m not. This place is death on a relationship, you know that.’ Seeing his brother’s face, he closed his eyes briefly. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘It’s all right. Carly didn’t leave because of the job—that was just her excuse. She left because she was Carly.’ Patrick rose to his feet. ‘Why would you call Andrea?’

  ‘Because she’s a woman. She’ll know what to do with a ten-year-old and a three-year-old.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that.’

  ‘Well, she’s going to know more than me.’ Daniel dialled the number. ‘When are you leaving?’

  ‘Saturday.’

  ‘That gives me four days to bring in reinforcements.’

  ‘If you get stuck, you can always bang on the stable door and ask Stella to help. The kids love her.’

  Daniel thought about the kiss and gritted his teeth. Stella had made it clear she didn’t want him anywhere near her, and he was in agreement.

  If last night had taught him anything, it was that the chemistry between them was still alive and well. And that could only lead to trouble.

  No way would he be banging on the stable door.

  Chapter Six

  IT SNOWED for the next four days and they were so busy in the emergency department that when she finally had a day off, Stella slept late.

  Relishing the thought of a whole weekend ahead of her, she decided to check whether Patrick needed any help preparing for his trip.

  Dressing in warm clothes, she picked her way gingerly across the snow-covered yard and banged on the door.

  Daniel yanked it open. One of the kittens shot past him and out of the door and Stella stooped and caught it. She was so shocked to see Daniel there that she was glad of a reason to hide her scarlet face.

  ‘Where do you think you’re going?’ She cuddled the kitten close and then looked at Daniel, trying to keep her expression neutral. ‘I didn’t know you were here. I was going to talk to Patrick…’ Her voice tailed off as she saw the red streak on his cheek. ‘What happened to you? Are you bleeding?’

  Daniel lifted a hand and scrubbed at the mark. ‘It’s probably paint. Posy is painting. She doesn’t appear to have a very good sense of direction with the brush. Thanks for catching the kitten. I keep forgetting I’m not supposed to open the door.’

  ‘Right.’ The situation felt horribly awkward. ‘Is Patrick around?’

  ‘He’s gone into town to get a few things for his trip. I’m having a practice run with the children.’

  Stella looked at the paint on his cheek. ‘And how’s that going?’

  ‘Both kids were still alive last time I looked.’ His lazy drawl was a contrast to the tension she saw in his eyes.

  ‘You’ll be fine.’ Stella’s eye caught movement behind him. ‘That red paint you mentioned—Posy appears to be painting on the wall. Is that what you had planned?’

  Daniel turned swiftly, growled deep in his throat and made a dive for Posy. ‘How did she get there? I left her safely occupied at the table.’

  ‘Three-year-olds don’t always stay where you put them.’ It was impossible not to laugh. ‘How are your decorating skills?’

  ‘About the same as my childminding skills.’ Daniel prised the paintbrush out of Posy’s chubby hand. ‘On the paper, Posy, not on the wall. The paper.’

  Posy’s lip wobbled and Daniel scooped her up in his arms. ‘Don’t cry. No one cries on my shift. Understand?’

  In response to that rough command, Posy plopped her head on his shoulder, her blonde curls a stark contrast to Daniel’s dark masculinity. As the child curled her arm round his neck, Stella saw his mouth tighten and a muscle work in his lean, hard jaw. But his hand came up to steady her and he rubbed the child’s back awkwardly.

  ‘I don’t deserve that cuddle,’ he said gruffly, and Stella suddenly found it impossible to swallow. Emotion stung her eyes and pricked at her throat and she found herself thinking things she didn’t want to be thinking.

  Her thoughts were already dominated by Daniel the doctor and Daniel the lover—the last thing she needed was to be thinking of Daniel the father.

  He didn’t want to be a father, she reminded herself. He didn’t want that.

  The fact that little Posy was clinging to him adoringly didn’t change anything.

  ‘I’ll try and catch Patrick later.’ Her mind in turmoil, she backed away, still holding the kitten. ‘I just wanted to wish him luck. What time is his flight?’

  ‘He leaves for the airport just after lunch.’

  ‘Stella!’ Alfie walked across the yard, another two kittens in his arms. ‘Is Daddy back yet?’ His voice had a distinct wobble in it and Stella dropped into a crouch next to him.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Mary and Joseph escaped. I’m worried they’ve caught a cold.’

  Stella stooped and examined the kittens. ‘They seem happy enough.’

  ‘They’ve been outside in the snow.’

  ‘Well, take them back into the house and we’ll watch them.’

  ‘Why does Dad have to go?’ Alfie looked miserable. ‘What if the kittens are poorly when he’s gone?’

  ‘Then I’ll fix it,’ Daniel said firmly, still holding Posy.

  Alfie looked at him doubtfully. ‘You don’
t know anything about kids or kittens. I heard you telling Dad.’

  ‘Well, I…’ Daniel cleared his throat, ‘I don’t know much, that’s true, but I’m learning fast. In the last five minutes I’ve learned not to turn my back on Posy when she has a paintbrush in her hand.’

  ‘I could have told you that.’ Alfie looked at his sister. ‘And you can’t turn your back on her in the bath because she likes to splash all the water onto the floor.’

  ‘I’m expected to bath you?’ Daniel’s handsome face lost some of its colour. ‘That sounds complicated. Maybe we could skip that bit.’

  Alfie held the kittens against his chest. ‘Dad’s away for four days. We’ll be smelly.’

  ‘Smelly, but in one piece,’ Daniel muttered under his breath. ‘All right. Fine. I can lead a trauma team. I’m sure I can manage to bath two kids.’

  ‘I can bath myself. It’s just Posy that needs help.’

  ‘That’s what’s worrying me.’ But his hand was still stroking Posy’s back and his eyes were fixed on Alfie’s face. ‘How am I doing so far? Have I forgotten anything? Done anything wrong?’

  ‘You’re doing OK. For a beginner. You didn’t cook the pasta for long enough but I don’t mind it chewy.’ Alfie shrugged, but his eyes were just a little too bright. ‘Is Dad going to say goodbye before he goes?’

  ‘Of course he is.’ Daniel watched his nephew. ‘Are you worried about him going?’

  ‘No. I’m not a baby.’ Alfie’s tone was fierce. ‘It just feels a bit—weird, him leaving this close to Christmas. There’s stuff we should be doing. Stuff he should be here for.’

  ‘Stuff.’ Daniel looked out of his depth and cast a helpless glance at Stella. ‘What stuff?’

  ‘Christmas stuff.’ Alfie held onto the wriggling kittens. ‘Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to do it. I know you didn’t do much at Christmas when you were kids. Dad told me it was always a pretty rough time for you.’