by Lucy Clark
There was something about the way she spoke, about the way she’d said the word ‘protect’, that caused Sean to think there was a lot more she wasn’t saying. She would protect Spencer. Why would Jane think Spencer needed protecting?
Jane’s cellphone beeped and she checked the message. ‘It’s the child psychologist about Tessa. I might not be available for the ward round this morning.’
‘I’ll let Luc know.’
‘Thanks.’ Jane stood and gathered her files. ‘I hope we’re clearer about a few things now, Sean.’
He nodded and with that he watched her walk from the room, head held high, her long plait swishing from side to side as she moved. How was it possible her green eyes could look so…intense? Didn’t she have any idea just how passionate she looked when she was determined?
She’d been absolutely correct at guessing his response to her easygoing relationship with Luc. The way the two of them interacted so naturally—which, of course, they would do if, as she’d said, they’d spent a fair amount of time working with each other in the past—had indeed reminded him of the way Daina would flirt and tease with other men.
Jane had clearly realised the track his thoughts had taken and she’d called him on it, indicating she was not only intuitive but direct. From what he’d seen during the past month, she wasn’t anything like Daina but, then, Daina had done an excellent job of deceiving him for quite some time.
Jane hadn’t been deceptive, though. She hadn’t tried to go behind his back and find out information about Spencer. Instead, she’d told him directly that she was hoping for access to his son…and yet he was finding it difficult to trust her.
In fact, he found it difficult to trust any woman, especially one he was attracted to, after the way Daina had treated him.
Attracted? Was he attracted to Jane?
There was no doubt that she had a certain…style to her, one that he was sure many people had underestimated, just as he’d done. She’d shown herself to be highly intelligent as well as caring, two qualities he admired. She definitely didn’t tailor her wardrobe, as Daina had, his ex-wife often wearing outfits that he’d considered far too alluring out in public. Was that why Jane dressed the way she did? To prove to herself that she was the opposite of Daina?
As the day progressed, Sean found himself unable to stop thinking about what Jane had said about being all alone. Was it true? Did she really have no other family? None?
Daina had never really spoken of any other relatives, except Jane, and even then she’d almost ignored her younger sister’s existence, much preferring to concentrate on herself. The thought stayed with him at the back of his mind during outpatients, his sub-committee meetings and even while he was driving home. What was it like to be all alone?
When he pulled into the two-storey house where he lived with his parents and his son, Sean imagined what it might be like to arrive home to a dark, empty home with no one waiting inside. As he scooped Spencer into his arms and tickled the boy’s tummy, as he chatted with his parents, who had always been there to help him look after his son, Sean felt such enormous pangs of pain at the thought of all these wonderful people being taken from him.
How would he feel if that extended to his twin sisters and their families? His grandparents? His aunts, uncles and cousins? The emptiness, the void, the loneliness that would be left in his life would consume him. Was that what had happened to Jane?
‘Are you all right?’ his mother, Louise, asked him as she joined him in the bathroom while he checked his son’s teeth.
‘Hmm? Sure.’ He kept his attention off his mother and on his son. ‘There you go, bud. Rinse and spit, wipe your mouth and go and choose some stories for us to read.’
‘Yep. ’K, Dad.’ Spencer did as he was told while Sean tried not to let his mother see that anything was wrong. Even the briefest thought about losing the people he loved so very much was making him feel uneasy and as Spencer raced from the bathroom, Sean dipped his head and pressed a kiss to his mother’s cheek.
‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘For?’ she asked, a little surprised by his action.
‘Everything. Being a great mother and grandmother. Always supportive.’ He shrugged, feeling highly self-conscious but glad he was saying these words to her.
‘Of course.’ Louise eyed him cautiously. ‘Sean? What’s going on?’
Sean raked a hand through his hair and looked past her to make sure Spencer wasn’t within earshot. ‘Do you remember meeting Daina’s sister?’
‘Er…Jane?’
‘That’s it.’
‘I spoke to her at the funeral. It was odd. She didn’t seem all that upset about her sister’s death but at the same time she was very sad.’ Louise shook her head. ‘I can’t explain it.’
‘That’s probably because she and Daina didn’t exactly get along.’
‘Not surprising.’ His mother’s tone was flat, both of them clearly understanding what wasn’t being said—that it had been difficult for anyone to really get along with Daina.
‘Jane’s working at the hospital.’
‘Your hospital?’
He nodded. ‘She’s a paediatrician.’
‘Oh, yes. I remembered her saying she was a doctor.’ Louise frowned. ‘Why? What does she want?’
‘To see—’
‘Daddy!’ Spencer called out brightly. ‘I’m ready for stories now.’
‘Spencer?’ Louise guessed. ‘She wants to see Spencer?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you going to let her? Can you trust her?’
Sean shrugged as he headed towards his son’s room, the image of Jane seated beside Tessa’s bed, her sweet, angelic voice filling the air. He could recall the song she’d been singing and how it had made not only Tessa but the night staff feel. Surely someone whose intention it was to help others could be trusted just a little bit. Right? Besides, Jane would accept any time he would allow her to spend with Spencer. She was leaving it up to him decide and orchestrate. Surely that was a good thing. Right?
‘Can you trust her?’ Louise repeated, and Sean met his mother’s gaze.
‘I hope so.’
*
The next day, Sean had firmly decided he was going to allow Jane limited access to Spencer to begin with.
‘Are you sure?’ his mother had asked when he’d informed her of his decision.
‘Yes. Jane is very different to Daina and, besides, you’ve seen the gifts she’s sent Spencer every year for his birthday and at Christmas.’
‘They’re always his favourite,’ Louise agreed.
‘Although he has no idea who this “Aunty Jane” person is, he’s always enjoyed the presents she’s sent.’
‘What will you tell him?’
‘The truth. She’s his mother’s sister and she’s moved to Adelaide.’ With the decision firmly made, Sean started to imagine what Jane’s expression might be like when he told her the good news. Would she be excited? Happy? Apprehensive? Worried?
Ever since she’d told him about being so incredibly lonely, Sean had wanted to remove that forlorn look from her eyes. He hoped his affirmative answer would accomplish this. How could any person really be filled with sorrow and yet still have the strength to keep on going, to keep on forging ahead, making a difference in other people’s lives? The thought of him being able to make a difference in Jane’s life filled him with a sense of happiness he hadn’t felt in a very long time, and as he arrived at the hospital he decided to find Jane and tell her the news immediately.
He grinned to himself as he entered the ward, an extra spring in his step as he headed to the nurses’ station, but much to his chagrin Romana informed him that Jane had already been in to see her patients and had left.
‘Oh.’ Sean was disappointed. ‘Do you know where she is? We don’t have clinic today so I’m not quite sure where I can find her.’
‘Are you looking for Jane?’ Luc asked as he came onto the ward.
‘Yes.’
‘Huh.’ Sean frowned and Luc picked up the phone receiver on the desk and handed it to Sean.
‘Call her.’
Sean looked from his friend to the phone and back again, catching the very interested look in Luc’s eyes. ‘It’s OK. I’ll catch up with her later. It’s no big deal.’
But it was, he told himself as he sat in his small office and worked steadily through his pile of paperwork. He had news, important news that would make Jane smile. The longer he couldn’t pass on the news, the more urgent his need became. He had it in his power to see her green eyes shining with happiness rather than sadness.
Feeling as though the walls of his office were starting to close in on him, he stalked out of the department and out into the hot Adelaide sunshine. It was a scorcher of a day and he rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, immediately missing the air-conditioning, as he headed towards the North Adelaide shopping district.
It was only as he noticed the increase of people in the area that he realised it was lunchtime and as he hadn’t yet eaten he decided that would be next on his list. It might even improve his disposition. He wasn’t the sort of man who liked to be at odds with himself and he’d been that way far too often in the past.
Marrying Daina had most certainly taken him out of his comfort zone and although their marriage had been far from smooth, he’d gained a son from the union. Spencer was a constant source of delight and blessings and Sean knew how fortunate he was to have such a wonderful child.
‘Sean. Mate. Good to see you,’ came the friendly greeting from Ronan, the proprietor of the café Sean preferred to frequent. ‘Usual table?’ Ronan didn’t even bother to collect a menu as Sean knew the selection off by heart. ‘Oops. Sorry, mate. Looks as though someone’s already sitting at your table.’
‘Never mind. By the win—’ Sean stopped as he saw exactly who was seated at his table. His grin widened and he unconsciously straightened the knot of his tie. ‘Actually, Ronan, don’t worry about it. My usual table looks…just perfect.’
There, sipping a cup of coffee while reading a toy catalogue from a nearby toy shop, sat the one woman he’d spent all morning wanting to talk to.
CHAPTER FOUR
‘HELLO, JANE.’
Jane looked up from poring over the toy catalogue directly into the face of Sean Booke.
‘Sean?’
‘I’ve been looking for you,’ he remarked as he pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down. Jane shifted in her seat, sitting up a little straighter.
‘Oh?’ She immediately pulled her cellphone out of her pocket to check if she had any missed calls.
‘I didn’t leave a message. Luc said you were in the research labs so I didn’t want to bother you.’
‘But the patients are all right? Tessa?’
‘The patients are fine.’ He was impressed at just how much she really cared about them. ‘I hope you don’t mind me joining you.’ He was calm and polite. ‘Have you ordered any food yet?’
She frowned at him, unsure what he wanted. Why had he been looking for her? Had he reached a decision regarding Spencer? Did he have more questions?
‘Er…no.’
Sean put his arm in the air to get Ronan’s attention. The proprietor came over. ‘Ready to order?’
Sean looked at Jane. ‘Antipasto and another coffee?’ he asked, and before she could think what she was doing, Jane had nodded her consent, rationalising that if she was nibbling on some food, perhaps it might assist her with not being so distracted by every little move the man opposite her made.
‘Antipasto for two and coffees,’ Ronan confirmed, before nodding. ‘I’ll see to it immediately.’
‘Thank you, Sean,’ she said, once they were alone again. ‘I guess eating something isn’t such a bad idea, especially as I want to spend some time with Tessa this afternoon before the meeting to go over the medical students’ preliminary results.’
‘What’s your gut telling you?’ he asked.
Jane shrugged. ‘A few different things.’
‘Do you trust your instincts or do you prefer to deal with cold data and facts to make your decisions?’
‘Both.’
Sean grinned. ‘Me too.’
They continued to discuss a few more patients, Jane determined to keep the conversation nice and professional for the moment so she could regain control over her wayward senses. Sean had the ability to shatter her usual calm. It wasn’t just his good looks and charm, it was the way he genuinely seemed to care for others, not only the patients but the staff as well. In fact, just last week she’d overheard him talking to Romana, reassuring the nurse, who’d been upset because her dog had been ill.
‘Did you take him to the vet I recommended?’ Sean had asked gently.
‘Yes. He was very nice, very caring.’
‘He’s a good vet.’
‘I know. I’m just worried.’
‘He’ll take care of little Kelad,’ he’d promised, his tone so absolute there was no way even Jane had doubted him and, thankfully, Romana had come in just a few days later and announced that little Kelad was much better.
With the arrival of their food and drinks, she was glad, not only of the delicious morsels before her, only then realising just how hungry she was, but also the welcome distraction eating provided. Sitting opposite Sean, seeing him away from the hospital setting, sharing a plate of food with him, Jane found herself becoming more and more intrigued by him. With his dark hair and blue eyes, he was still as incredibly handsome as she remembered and she wondered whether he had a girlfriend or partner. Had he been able to move on to a more successful and healthy relationship after his disastrous marriage?
If she knew he was involved with someone else, it might help her to curb the increasing desire she felt for him…but how did she ask him such a thing without it becoming awkward, especially when they seemed to have only just found a more even footing to build on?
Sean pointed to the toy catalogue beside her on the table as he swallowed his mouthful. ‘Looking at investing in some new toys?’
Jane flicked her fingers over the pages and smiled. ‘Actually, I was hoping to get some ideas for Spencer. It’s only seven weeks until his birthday.’
‘Yes, but you don’t have to factor in posting time this year. You can give him your present in person.’
‘I can?’ Jane shifted in her seat, sitting up a little straighter at this news.
‘Jane.’ He put his knife and fork down before looking at her. ‘First of all, I’d like to apologise for questioning you about Luc. Even if anything was going on, it still wouldn’t have been any of my business.’
Jane stared at him, blinking once then twice.
‘What is it?’ he asked, when he realised she was looking at him with a confused expression.
‘I…just hadn’t expected you to be so—’ She quickly stopped what she saying and looked down at her hands.
‘To be so…what?’ he probed, the small curve returning to the edge of his mouth. ‘So…gracious?’ Jane stared at him. ‘So…reasonable?’ Jane’s lips began to twitch into the beginnings of a smile. ‘So…perfunctory?’
Jane’s smile increased as she slowly shook her head from side to side. ‘So honest.’ Good heavens. When this man turned on the charm, he turned on the charm!
Sean gave her a quizzical look. ‘You hadn’t expected me to be honest?’
Jane spread her hands wide. ‘Our few dealings in the past haven’t always been the most straightforward.’
‘True, but hopefully we’ve managed to clear the air a little.’ He gestured to the empty plates before them. ‘As well as clearing the plates,’ he continued with a chuckle. The warm sound washed over her and she sighed out loud. ‘I think today’s been a good start.’ Plus it had helped to solidify his decision in allowing her to visit Spencer. The fact that she was poring over toy catalogues, wanting to find the perfect present for a little boy
she didn’t even know, gave him some indication that she did have Spencer’s best interests at heart.
Jane smiled shyly, bring her hair forward to hide her face a little. The action on some women might look coy and practised, but on Jane it only made her appear more genuine. ‘So do I,’ she told him.
‘Jane, I want you to meet Spencer. I want him to get to know you and for you to spend time with him.’ For what seemed like an eternity Jane didn’t say a word, only stared at him across the table.
Finally, she managed to clear her throat and ask, ‘Are you sure?’ She needed to check, needed to make sure because she’d been let down too many times in the past. She had to double-check before she allowed her elation to burst forth. ‘I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you into this.’
Sean closed his eyes for a second, trying not to be disappointed that she hadn’t instantly exploded with happiness, hugging him and smiling brightly up at him with those rich, green eyes of hers.
‘That’s not the case, Jane. I really do want you to know your nephew. Family is important. I understand that. Spencer is your family so it shouldn’t matter whether we’re friends or colleagues or…whatever.’
Whatever? Jane wondered what he might mean by that comment. Whatever?
‘Jane?’
‘Huh?’ She blinked quickly, clearing her wayward thoughts. ‘Sorry. You were saying?’
‘I was saying I think it’s only right for you to have access to Spencer.’
‘And you’re really sure?’
Jane stared at him for a moment, his words slowly sinking in. Sean was going to allow her to get to know Spencer! It was as though all her dreams had come true. Slowly, very slowly, she allowed her emotions to shine out.
‘That’s…’ She sighed with relief as the smile continued to spread over her face. ‘That’s very good news. Thank you, Sean. Thank you.’
