A Mother For His Family

Trust was dangerous.

He might find himself actually prepared to forgive her and risk further rejection of an interest he should never have revealed in the first place.

It would be a relief to finish this surgery. He should have sent Sarah away to rest. He was too aware of her standing so close. He could even smell a faint scent of her—an occasional waft of something fresh like a fruit-flavoured shampoo that cut through the clinical smell of the operating theatre.

He could sense every tiny movement she made, and when their hands touched, as they did now, with the passing of a fresh suture needle and thread, Ben could feel the astonishing tingle of her skin even through the gloves.

Or was it just his skin that tingled?

Dear Reader

Stories only work when the characters become real to both the writer and you, the reader. The characters’ pasts strongly influence the way they behave in the present, and some characters can be powerful enough to refuse to stay in the background for long. A MOTHER FOR HIS FAMILY is Sarah Mitchell’s story.

But Sarah’s foster-sister, Tori, refused to say in the background. She demanded a story of her own.

Emergency nurse Tori is just looking for fun! She hopes to have kids of her own one day, but not yet—and the idea of taking on somebody else’s? No way! So, no matter how gorgeous Dr Matthew Buchanan is, his four orphaned nieces and nephews are a big no-no—aren’t they…?

Sarah Mitchell and Tori Preston are foster-sisters, best friends and fellow nurses. They’re as different in personality as they are in looks. These two women shared so much in the past, but have very different issues now, affecting their lives and their relationships with the men they love.

I hope you enjoy their stories and share the happiness they both eventually find.

With love

Alison Roberts

A Mother for His Family

Alison Roberts

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER ONE

‘YES!’

Sarah Mitchell was only on page ten of the romantic saga she had found in the airport bookshop but already she was hooked. Her companion’s exclamation was startling, to say the least, and Sarah’s response was wary.

‘Yes, what?’

‘That’s him.’

‘Who?’

‘The father of my children.’

‘Oh, no!’ Reluctantly, Sarah closed her book. Her eyelids temporarily followed suit as she sighed. ‘Tori, it was your idea to come here for a break, remember?’

‘To have fun,’ Tori agreed happily. ‘Something you don’t get nearly enough of.’

‘A winter escape,’ Sarah continued. ‘Sun, sand and surf. Sex was not on the agenda. We agreed!’

‘That was before it climbed out of that boat.’

‘What climbed out?’ Sarah opened her eyes and pushed herself up on her elbows. It was only 10 a.m. but already hot enough for the turquoise expanse of the sea to look extremely inviting.

‘The most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life. Look!’

The landing jetty for the Fijian island resort was not too far down the beach. The man who had climbed out of the small boat was now standing in ankle-deep water with several small children hanging onto his hands.

‘He likes kids,’ Tori pronounced gleefully.

‘He’s probably got six of his own. Like Robert.’

‘Robert only had two.’

‘And a wife to go with them. One that he wasn’t going to bother telling you about, remember?’

‘Yeah...’ Tori sighed and then shook her head. ‘That was months ago. I’m over it.’ She flashed a grin at Sarah. ‘Life does go on, you know.’

The sparkle was irresistible and Sarah had to smile back. Heavens, they’d had little enough to smile about over the last year, hadn’t they? What harm could there be in enjoying a little eye candy?

They both watched as the man accepted a large hibiscus flower from an older child. He pushed the stalk of the vibrant orange bloom through thick waves of dark hair to anchor it behind his left ear.

‘The left ear,’ Tori breathed. ‘That’s supposed to signify availability, isn’t it?’

‘I think it only applies to women,’ Sarah countered. ‘And anyway he’s not an islander.’

‘He seems to know everyone. I wonder who he is?’

‘Looks like a pilot.’ Sarah had to admit it was hard to look away from the expanse of lean, tanned limbs showing around the uniform-like pale shorts and an open-necked, short-sleeved shirt that had a tropical pattern to rival the hibiscus bloom. ‘Or maybe he drives one of those tourist launches.’

‘I think we should book a day trip.’

‘We only just got here yesterday! I want to lie on the beach and soak up some sun.’ Sarah rolled to lean on one elbow and reached for the satisfyingly thick paperback beside her towel. ‘I’ll go for a swim every time I get too hot reading my book.’

Tori made a sound that could have been a growl. Then it turned into a squeak. ‘He’s coming this way! Help!’

‘Just smile and bat your eyelashes,’ Sarah muttered. ‘Seems to work for you most times.’

She wasn’t jealous. She loved Tori enough to be thankful that she was young and attractive, vivacious and determined to enjoy life. That courage had pulled Sarah away from some of the bleakness of the last few months. ‘Mum hated to see people unhappy,’ she had reminded Sarah gently. ‘I’ll bet she’s watching you right now and making those “tch-tch” noises.’

Sometimes a little of that bounce even rubbed off onto Sarah and let her do something expensively self-indulgent, like taking a week’s holiday on a tropical island in the middle of winter.

She hoped she hadn’t sounded jealous. Or older-sister crusty. But, for heaven’s sake, Tori needed someone to watch out for her. That romance with Robert had been a total disaster and just too much to handle on top of Mum’s death. The desire to see a little of Tori’s sparkle return had been the deciding factor to her agreeing to this holiday, but a sparkle associated with another man was the last thing Tori needed.

‘Morning, ladies. Lovely day for it.’

It would be too rude to keep pretending to read her book. Sarah peered over the top of her sunglasses and got the full blast of the man at very close quarters as he slowed his progress along the beach to a halt.

‘Perfect!’ Tori was smiling broadly and Sarah knew it wasn’t just the weather she was praising.

‘Just arrived?’

‘Yesterday.’

‘Enjoying yourselves?’

‘It just keeps getting better.’

Sarah disguised the twitch of her lips by smiling at the more serious-looking older boy who seemed to be guarding a large fishing-tackle kit.

‘Bula.’

She was rewarded for using the island greeting by a chorus of responses and gleaming grins on small, dark faces, but the girl holding one of the man’s hands in both of hers buried her face with its halo of fuzzy dark curls against the pale shorts.

Sarah’s smile softened and she glanced up, wondering if the man was aware of his small companion’s shyness. The instant answer she found in a pair of very dark eyes was disconcerting. The way he swung the child up into his arms and kissed her cheek gently as he gave her a cuddle was utterly charming. He settled her onto one hip and there was a slight scuffle as the other children raced to claim his free hand.

‘Better go,’ he said. ‘Have a great holiday.’

‘Thanks, we will,’ Sarah said politely.

‘You, too!’ Tori called after him.

He laughed. ‘Some of us are here to work, not play.’ He turned his head a few steps later and he was still smiling. ‘Tough job,’ he said sternly, ‘but, hey! Someone’s gotta do it.’

* * *

Water slid over her skin like the touch of satin sheets on an overly hot summer’s night. Waves, too lazy to break until they reached the shore, rocked her gently and tiny, brightly coloured fish darted through the crystal clarity of the shallows like jewels.

‘This is bliss,’ Sarah sighed happily. ‘Seven whole days of absolute paradise. I’m so glad you talked me into this, Tori.’

‘We should go and get some lunch.’

‘It’s only eleven o’clock. The restaurant won’t be open yet.’

‘You can get snacks any time and I’m starving!’

‘Get one of the islanders to knock a coconut down for you. Look, there’s someone near our bure right now.’

Sarah waved towards the thatched hut, set amongst the coconut palms only a stone’s throw from the beach, aware of yet another contented smile pulling at her lips. While the hut looked primitive and totally in keeping with the setting from the outside, the interior could only be described as luxurious. Even the huge gecko attached to their ceiling by its sticky feet hadn’t distracted them from admiring the furnishings and bathroom facilities or enjoying the champagne and basket of tropical fruit awaiting their arrival.

Tori stood up, water flowing from the red bikini that covered her curves. She shook her head, releasing a spray of droplets from her curly blonde hair.

‘He’d know, wouldn’t he?’

‘About coconuts? Sure.’

‘No, about that man. Who he is. He said he worked here, didn’t he?’

‘Well, he said he was here to work. I’m not sure that’s quite the same thing.’

‘Maybe he’s a film director checking out a new location.’

‘Or a novelist, trying to find a quiet spot to finish off his latest bestseller.’

‘Maybe he owns this resort!’ Tori’s eyes widened dramatically as she considered the fabulous possibilities. Then she made a decisive move towards the beach, swooping to collect her towel and sunglasses. ‘I’ll find out,’ she announced. ‘Watch this space!’

The space didn’t stay empty for long. Tori was back within minutes, splashing excitedly through the shallows and then wading in to where Sarah was floating on her back.

‘He’s a doctor!’ she reported breathlessly. ‘“Doctor Ben”, they call him. He’s come to see one of the women in the village. Sounds like she’s having a baby any day now.’

‘So that’s why that boy was carrying the kit. I thought it was a bit odd to have fishing tackle and no rod.’

‘I asked if there was a “Mrs Ben”, but I don’t think he understood.’ Tori was frowning. ‘That was when he started talking about the “missus” in the village who’s having a baby.’

‘Why don’t you sprain your ankle or something? Just in time for when he comes back along the beach.’

Tori appeared to give the tongue-in-cheek suggestion serious thought but then laughed.

‘I think going to the restaurant is a much better idea. We can see the boats from the deck by that pool. He might even have lunch there himself.’ Tori was off again. ‘I’m going to get changed and do something with my hair!’

* * *

It didn’t matter what route they chose to take. Paths that meandered beneath the palms, between accommodation and service bures, past a chapel and even a tiny fire station, eventually all led to the central complex that was the resort’s hub. Neither did it matter how long it took to get there. They were on island time now and Sarah had actually taken off her watch and dropped it into her suitcase when she’d gone inside to shower after her swim.

The sense of escaping more than just a timetable was heady. The atmosphere of this tropical playground offered the promise of finding whatever they might be searching for. They could choose the peace of simply soaking up the sunshine, lazing in water just cool enough to be refreshing or strolling along walkways shaded by exotic trees. Or they could go for the excitement of scuba-diving, windsurfing or parasailing. Right now, peace was something Sarah craved. Time out after a tough year.

The cry that interrupted their ambling progress past the turtle nursery was anything but peaceful.

‘What on earth was that?’

‘Sounds like someone’s been hurt.’

‘Where did it come from?’

‘Just over there.’ Sarah was already moving, heading away from the path and through a thick clump of hibiscus bushes. ‘I think it’s the miniature golf course.’

An elderly woman was lying on the ground. Her companion was holding her hand.

‘Marjorie! Are you all right, darling?’

‘Hi. My name’s Sarah. I’m a nurse. Can I help?’

‘She fell over. Marjorie?’

‘I’m fine, Stanley. Don’t fuss.’ The woman was struggling to sit up.

‘Does anything hurt?’

‘I don’t think so. Help me up, Stanley.’ Marjorie held up her hands but cried out as she tried to stand up. ‘My ankle! Ah-h!’

‘Let’s sit her down,’ Sarah instructed. ‘On that turtle.’ She looked up to engage Tori’s assistance as she helped support the woman, but to her surprise she was alone with the elderly couple. Tori must have gone to find help, she decided. And suddenly her absence wasn’t so surprising. Sarah could guess precisely whose help she would be seeking.

The large concrete turtle crouching over one of the target holes for the golf course made an excellent seat. Sarah was pleased to see some colour returning to Marjorie’s cheeks.

‘Damn and blast!’ the woman exclaimed. ‘I knew these sandals were going to be trouble.’

‘Does anything else hurt?’ Sarah asked. ‘Did you hit your head when you fell?’

‘Would take more than concrete to knock Marj out,’ Stanley said.

Sarah smiled. ‘Can you remember what happened? Were you feeling unwell in any way before you fell?’

‘No, I’m as fit as a fiddle. It was these sandals. I came down that hill too fast and turned my foot.’

‘She was excited,’ Stanley explained. ‘She got a hole in one under that turtle.’

‘I did, didn’t I?’ Marjorie beamed at Stanley. ‘Not so dusty for an old girl, huh?’

Sarah’s smile widened. ‘How old are you, Marjorie?’

‘Seventy-seven.’ Marjorie leaned towards Sarah. ‘Stanley’s only sixty-eight. Take my advice, sweetie. Always go for a younger man.’

‘We’re on our honeymoon,’ Stanley added proudly. ‘We got married here, on the beach.’

‘Oh, how lovely! I’ve always thought that a tropical island wedding would be just perfect.’

‘It was.’ Marjorie nodded. ‘Until now.’ She groaned. ‘Do you think I’ve broken it?’

‘Let’s have a look.’ Sarah eased a sandal with a high cork sole from Marjorie’s foot.

Stanley was holding Marjorie’s hand again and looking very anxious. They both watched as Sarah carefully examined the foot and ankle.

‘Can you wiggle your toes?’

Brightly painted toenails waggled a little feebly.

‘Try moving the whole foot.’

‘Ouch!’ Marjorie exclaimed. Then she tried again. ‘It’s not so bad,’ she decided.

‘I don’t think anything’s broken,’ Sarah told her finally. ‘It looks like a sprain to me. What we need is some ice and a bandage and somewhere for Marjorie to put her foot up for a while.’

Marjorie’s face creased with disappointment. ‘But we were going to go snorkelling this afternoon.’

‘See how it feels a bit later.’ Sarah stood up. ‘I’ll see if I can find someone to help. I believe there’s a doctor on the island at the moment, in fact.’

‘That wouldn’t be him, would it?’

Stanley pointed past her shoulder in the direction of the turtle pond and it didn’t really surprise Sarah at all to see Tori coming towards them with ‘Doctor Ben’ in tow. The boy carrying the kit was still with him but the other children had vanished.

Tori looked very happy. ‘This is Ben Dawson, Sarah. He’s a doctor. Wasn’t it lucky I spotted him after we heard that screaming?’

‘I didn’t scream,’ Marjorie protested. ‘I never scream, do I, Stanley?’

‘You came pretty close the other night,’ Stanley murmured.

‘Stanley!’

‘This is Marjorie, Dr Dawson.’ Sarah was struggling to keep a straight face and Tori’s smothering of a giggle was not entirely successful. ‘She tripped over and turned her ankle. No prior symptoms and she doesn’t appear to have injured anything else.’

‘Call me Ben.’ Dark eyes were twinkling as Ben made no serious attempt to hide his enjoyment of this scene. ‘You got married the other day, didn’t you, Marjorie?’

‘Sure did, Doctor. Best thing that’s happened to me in a few decades.’

‘I saw the wedding from a distance,’ Ben said. ‘Gorgeous dress.’ He smiled at Stanley. ‘I liked the white suit, too. Perfect choice for a beach wedding.’

‘We’ve only got two days of our honeymoon left,’ Marjorie told him. ‘Sarah says my ankle’s not broken and she’s a nurse so she should know, shouldn’t she?’

‘Absolutely.’ Ben smiled at Sarah and then turned to include Tori in the group. ‘This is Sarah’s friend, Tori, and she’s a nurse as well. You’ve just about got a whole emergency department here. Isn’t that lucky?’

Marjorie didn’t seem overly impressed. ‘I don’t need a department. I need to know that I can go snorkelling this afternoon.

‘I suggested ice,’ Sarah said. ‘And a bandage and elevation—at least for a while.’

‘Sounds like good advice to me. How ’bout I check that ankle out?’ His glance at Sarah looked suspiciously like a wink. ‘A second opinion can’t hurt, can it?’

Oh, he was charming all right. How many doctors would be prepared to simply back up the diagnosis of a nurse? He was doing exactly what he should be doing as a more highly qualified professional but he was managing to make it seem like an unnecessary formality.

‘RICE,’ he pronounced a short time later. ‘Rest, ice, compression and elevation.’

‘Exactly what Sarah said.’ Stanley nodded. ‘Except for that compression bit.’

‘That’s the bandage,’ Ben told him. ‘And I expect my assistant, Josefa, knows just where to find one.’

The lanky teenager’s face lit up in a grin. The kit was open in a flash and three sizes of bandage were produced for Ben to choose from. Josefa ran off just as eagerly when Ben explained the need for an ice pack. Tori supported Marjorie’s ankle while Ben did an expert job of the bandaging. Sarah wondered if he noticed, as she did, how often Tori’s hand seemed to get just a little in the way.

‘Now, let’s get you back to your bure for a rest,’ Ben declared finally. To Marjorie’s evident delight, he effortlessly picked the elderly woman up in his arms.

‘I’ve been swept off my feet,’ she cried happily.

‘I thought I did that,’ Stanley grumbled.

‘It’s OK, Stanley.’ Ben grinned. ‘I’m not half as handsome as you and I promise I’ll give her back. Now, which direction is your bure?’

‘Oh, no, you don’t,’ Marjorie said firmly. ‘I might have to sit but I’m not going to waste the rest of my day. I want to sit by the pool where I can look at something more interesting than my foot.’

‘We could have some lunch.’

‘And champagne, Stanley. Don’t forget we’re on our honeymoon.’

‘Lunch sounds like an excellent idea,’ Ben said. ‘I’m heading that way myself so I’ll be able to keep an eye on you, Marjorie. I don’t want to see you dancing on any of those tables.’

Marjorie actually giggled and Sarah fell back behind the group as she shook her head imperceptibly. Ben Dawson was clearly a hit with ladies of all ages. If she had been feeling unkind she would have labelled him a flirt but it was hard to feel unkind with the sunshine and warmth and laughter all around her.

Tori fell back to keep step with Sarah. ‘Lunch,’ she murmured. ‘Told you my idea was the best.’

‘It was the sprained ankle that worked,’ Sarah whispered back. ‘Just lucky it didn’t have to be yours.’

‘Yeah.’ Tori laughed and her voice rose unconsciously. ‘Nothing to stop me dancing on a table or two, is there?’

Stanley and Ben both turned. Both men had an identical appreciative expression and Sarah almost groaned aloud.

‘I sincerely hope you won’t,’ she muttered.

‘Don’t worry.’ Tori ducked to sweep up some hibiscus blooms lying beneath a nearby bush. ‘I’m far too hungry.’ She handed one of the flowers to Sarah and then poked another behind her ear.

‘Is it the left ear if you’re single?’ she asked nobody in particular.

‘Couldn’t say for sure,’ Ben responded. ‘But I think that’s how it goes.’

‘You’ve lost yours,’ Tori told him. ‘Would you like another?’

‘Sure.’ Ben’s pause allowed Tori to stand on tiptoe and position the flower.

‘On the left for you, too?’

‘Absolutely.’

He turned to cast a meaningful look at the flower Sarah held. She blushed, trying to wipe off any ‘here we go again’ expression she had been unconsciously adopting as she watched Tori. She poked the stalk of her bloom through a buttonhole on her soft shirt, the tails of which she had knotted loosely around her waist.

‘Ah...a woman of mystery,’ Ben said.

‘Keep it that way, honey,’ Marjorie piped up from his arms. ‘Keep ’em guessing and you’ll keep ’em interested.’

The laughter covered what could have been an embarrassing moment and then they were in the main complex. Josefa was waiting, having gathered a bag of ice from the bar. A lounge chair was found, as well as cushions to raise Marjorie’s foot, a matching chair for Stanley and a bottle of complimentary champagne from a resort manager who was upset to learn of the accident.

Finally Sarah and Tori were settled at a table shaded by a bougainvillea-draped pergola, plates piled high with samples of the chargrilled chicken and fish from the outdoor barbecues and a range of the most delicious-looking salads. The view was just as enticing, with the pergola framing a section of the lagoon where a group of new arrivals was being welcomed with necklaces of tropical flowers and a traditional song with a guitar accompaniment.

‘Mind if I join you?’

Tori, her mouth full of chicken, kicked Sarah under the table.

‘Please, do,’ she said politely to Ben.

He sat down, immediately spearing a mouthful of perfectly grilled fish from his plate. ‘Mmm,’ he said, seconds later. ‘You made the right choice of resort. They have the best cooks here.’

‘Do you cover all the resorts?’ Tori queried.

Ben shook his head. ‘I happen to live quite close to this one so I’ve become a kind of honorary GP. I do visit a few islands that have larger villages to run the occasional clinic and I’m on call for emergencies, of course.’

‘Like sunburn?’ Sarah wished she had kept her mouth shut as Ben flicked her a surprised glance.

‘It’s quite easy to get seriously burnt in this climate,’ he said. ‘I hope you’re both being careful.’

‘You weren’t here for an emergency today, though, were you?’ Tori was clearly making an effort to distract Ben from any acidity Sarah’s comment might have contained.

‘No. I’m popping in every day to keep an eye on a patient whose blood pressure needs monitoring.’