AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘He’s five.’ Actually, he was nearly six but she was hoping she’d get away with being unspecific. At least until she’d had time to work out what she was going to do. Brooke knew what Jed was thinking and her heart started to race. Was he going to ask her a direct question?
‘Five.’ His eyes locked with hers and she could see him doing the sums. ‘So tell me, Brooke, was he born nine months after you spent the night with me?’
‘No.’ She managed to hold his gaze steadily. After all, she was telling the truth. ‘No, Jed, he wasn’t.’
For a moment he looked stunned and then his eyes hardened. ‘Which means he was born nine months after you spent the night with someone else…’
She flinched at his tone. ‘That’s none of your business.’
He stood still for a long time, his dark jaw rigid as he stared at the picture and then he glanced down at her, his blue eyes cold. ‘You may not have had any experience before you met me, but you certainly didn’t waste any time afterwards, did you? You’re right.’ The words were clipped. ‘It isn’t any of my business. You’re obviously not the woman I thought you were. Goodnight, Brooke.’
He turned on his heel and strode out of the cottage without a backward glance.
* * *
‘You look pale—are you all right?’ Gill frowned at Brooke who managed a smile.
‘I’m fine,’ she lied, wishing she’d spent longer on her make-up. She didn’t want everyone commenting on the fact that she’d had no sleep. ‘Where do you want me?’
‘Jed Matthews is in 2. Could you help him—?’
‘No!’ The words flew out before she could stop them and Brooke bit her lip. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—I just fancied doing a plain, ordinary delivery with no medical intervention.’
And no contact with Jed Matthews.
Gill gave her a keen look. ‘Well, they don’t seem to be very much in evidence at the moment, but you can swap with Suzie and take the woman in 5 if you like. Suzie, will you help Mr Matthews?’
‘Of course.’ Suzie gave a willing smile and tucked her pen in her pocket. ‘I’ll do my best not to drool all over him.’
‘Do that,’ Gill advised dryly, picking up the phone as soon as it rang. ‘Labour Ward, Sister speaking.’ She frowned slightly as she listened. ‘Oh, dear, I’m sorry to hear that, Mrs Duncan. Yes, you’d better come straight in.’
She replaced the receiver and pulled a face at Brooke. ‘Sorry. That was Jane Duncan who you looked after yesterday. She’s started to bleed so she’s coming straight back in. You’ll have to look after her, I’m afraid, and I’ll put the student in 5.’
Brooke licked
dry lips. ‘That’s fine, Gill, no problem.’
‘Good.’ The sister gave her a keen look. ‘I’ll warn Mr Matthews.’
Jane Duncan arrived ten minutes later, her face pale and anxious. ‘I’ve been bleeding—’
‘Just settle yourself on the bed and we’ll take a look at you,’ Brooke said gently, taking her bag from her and smiling at her husband. ‘Have a seat while I settle your wife, Mr Duncan.’
Jane flopped onto the bed, looking terrified. ‘Does the bleeding mean I’m in labour?’
‘Not necessarily.’ Brooke handed her a gown and drew the curtains round the bed. ‘Mr Matthews examined you internally yesterday and that can sometimes cause a bleed. How much was it?’
‘Quite a bit.’ Jane shifted as she pulled on the gown. ‘I kept the pad.’
‘Well done. Very sensible.’ Brooke helped her fold her clothes and checked her blood pressure and temperature. ‘That’s all fine, Jane. Try not to panic. I’ll go and tell Mr Matthews you’re here.’
‘Sister’s already told me.’ The deep male voice made her shoulders stiffen. ‘Hello, Jane.’ Jed’s eyes were kind as they flickered to the anxious woman. ‘Let’s take another look at you and see what’s going on, shall we? Brooke, I’ll need to examine her again, and can you do a trace, please?’
Brooke nodded and fetched him what he needed, at the same time giving herself a sharp talking-to. What did it matter if he was cold with her? If he believed that she’d—that she’d—
‘Brooke!’ His sharp tone cut through her thoughts and she realised that he’d been speaking to her.
‘I’m sorry…’
