Page 43 of A Mother for His Twins

‘She was teasing you, too.’

‘Was she?’ Jennifer couldn’t contain her surprise. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been teased by someone else’s mother before.’

‘Were you close to Arturo’s parents?’

‘It was just Art and his dad at the time but his father passed away about a year after Art’s death.’ She paused. ‘What about Elisha’s parents? Do you see them?’

‘The girls have only seen them once. They live in Canada so it’s a bit difficult for them to be a part of their lives, but they send birthday money and Christmas cards.’

‘A shame, really.’ Both looked over to where the girls were running around with Sara’s boys, giggling brightly.

‘It is.’ They were silent for a few minutes, both completely comfortable without feeling pressed to make conversation. It was a nice feeling. ‘Now, I’ve been meaning to ask, how is everything going in your new home?’

‘It’s…cosy.’

Jasper leaned his elbow on the armrest and came closer. ‘And the window-seat?’

Her smile increased. ‘Relaxing.’

He straightened. ‘Excellent. So when is it your turn to have us around for breakfast?’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘Well, you’ve been to my place for pancakes. A good neighbour always returns the invitation. It says so in the etiquette book.’

That made Jennifer laugh and he loved the way it seemed to brighten the entire marquee. ‘You’ve actually read an etiquette book?’

‘Well…no, but my mother has and that’s what she’s told me all my life.’

‘Oh, well, if it’s in the etiquette book, I guess we’d better sort out a date. Now, by “us” do you mean you and the girls or should I include your parents in this invitation? After all, your mother has dropped by a few times to visit on my days off.’

He nodded slowly. ‘She did mention that. As far as who to invite, personally I think you should have three different events. One with just me. Then one with myself and the girls and then one with the whole family.’

‘Just you, eh? The two of us? Eating breakfast alone?’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘I don’t honestly think the girls will let you, Jasper.’

‘You’re probably right.’

‘And I didn’t have breakfast alone with you last time—the girls were there as well.’

‘I know, I know.’ He shifted uneasily in his chair. ‘I guess I’m just impatient to get some time alone with you. To talk.’

‘We will. Tomorrow. You’re going to snatch ten minutes of my time between A and E cases, remember?’

‘Or we could have breakfast bright and early tomorrow morning before you go to work.’

Jennifer bit her lip at the suggestion, so desperately wanting to give in, to accept, but knowing once she was alone with Jasper in such a secluded environment, anything could happen.

‘Or I could just come to the hospital.’ He went back to his earlier suggestion. ‘I could power through some of your paperwork for you so that when Martha comes in on Monday morning, your reputation as a slave driver would remain intact.’

‘The poor woman would probably have a heart attack and I seriously don’t want that.’

‘I can still help and we can talk in between funding applications,’ he suggested, a teasing light in his eyes.

Jennifer chuckled. ‘How utterly romantic. And then once the paperwork’s done, I suppose we can talk between patients and mop-up lists.’

‘We could. At least I’d get to be with you.’

She looked into his eyes as he spoke and couldn’t stop her breath from catching in her throat at the repressed desire she saw there.

‘The sooner we talk, Jen, the better.’

‘For who?’ she whispered.

‘For both of us.’ He reached out and took her hand. ‘How about tonight?’

‘So, Jennifer.’ Megan barrelled in to the marquee and Jennifer instantly shifted, letting go of Jasper’s hand. Jasper could have cheerfully throttled his sister.

Megan sat in the seat her mother had recently vacated. ‘Jasper tells me you’re the new head of unit and you’re only the same age as me. You must have worked very hard.’

‘I have.’

‘Congrats on the dream job, then.’

‘Thanks.’

‘You could have been head of your unit long ago,’ Jasper felt compelled to point out to his sister, trying to hide his annoyance at her bad timing. ‘You’re a bright spark. Where do you think the girls get it from?’

‘Er…you. You’re no dummy, Jasp. Anyway, like you, big brother, I’m not one for administrative work. It takes a special kind of doctor to juggle both admin and medicine.’

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