Watching her departure, Aiden felt as though an invisible punch had landed in his solar plexus, robbing him not just of oxygen but of plain common sense as well. His gaze stayed riveted on the sassy swing of her hips, her slender waist, the toss of her dark head as she pulled open the outer door to the car park.

Yanking his eyes off her neat little backside, he pushed back the zing in his bloodstream. Have you entirely lost your marbles, O’Connor? he asked himself. He shook his head as if to clear it. He had far more urgent things to do than to stand ogling Kate Preston.

CHAPTER TWO

KATE stabbed the key into the ignition. The ebb and flow of her first day swirled around her. For a second she leaned her head back against the seat and took stock. She thought she’d fitted in successfully with the practice partners—except for Aiden. Why did she seem to be having these little run-ins with him? She prided herself on the fact she wasn’t difficult to work with. But with him she felt continuously put on her mettle. Off balance.

Well, she had no time to analyse it now. In a defiant little twist, she started the engine and eased out of her parking space. She couldn’t wait to see her kids.

The school provided care for the students both before and after school. And nowadays, with most families juggling work and family commitments, the facility had become a necessity.

Kate had been well pleased with the set-up and the supervising staff had seemed both pleasant and clued in to the needs of the children. Luke and Mia would be safe and well looked after and that was all she could hope for.

‘Mummy! Mummy!’ Mia ran across the room and threw herself against her mother’s legs.

Kate bent to her small daughter’s level and hugged her tightly. Then she leaned back and cupped Mia’s chin. ‘Did you have a good day at school, baby?’

Mia’s little shrug went almost to her ears. ‘‘S OK. I looked and looked for you after school.’

Kate felt a lump in her throat and a pang of sadness that circumstances wouldn’t allow her to be a full-time mother. It would have been wonderful, at least until Mia was a little older. ‘I had to stay later at work. Didn’t your teacher explain?’

The little one nodded slowly. ‘But I still looked and looked.’

Of course she had. Young things always looked for their mothers. Kate uncurled upright, keeping Mia closely at her side. ‘Shall we find Lukie now? Then we’ll all be able to go home.’

Home was a pleasant cottage Kate was leasing. On the whole, it was serving their needs, at least for the present. After high-rise apartment living in Sydney, she’d yearned for a sense of peace, that had alluded her since she’d become a widow and returned from the United States. Peace, light and the outdoors, she affirmed now as she eased her car into the garage at the side of the house.

Ten minutes later, Kate had shucked off the trappings of her professional life, showered and pulled on baggy shorts and T-shirt. Gathering up the children, she went next door to her neighbours’, Patrick and Eileen Kelly.

The Kellys were friends of her parents and it was they who had let Kate know of the cottage’s availability.

‘Do we have to?’ Luke moaned, as they made their way along the path at the side of the Kelly’s house towards the back garden.

‘Yes, we do,’ Kate said calmly, ignoring her son’s stubborn, determined look. ‘You have to say sorry to Mr Kelly for almost maiming one of his chickens with your soccer ball.’

‘Those bantams are stupid,’ Luke maintained with childish candour.

‘Not to Mr Kelly.’ Kate realised she could have let the incident pass. Patrick and Eileen were grandparents themselves. They knew about little boys and footballs. But even at eight Luke was capable of learning about being responsible for his actions.

Kate stifled the recurring thoughts of the long road ahead as a sole parent. Everything, every decision was going to be down to her. She’d have to be disciplinarian, counsellor, role model but mostly, and more importantly, she needed always to be a loving mum.

Patrick and Eileen were sitting on their outdoor chairs under a shady tree. ‘Hello, you three.’ Eileen smiled at Kate and the children, raising a plump hand in greeting. ‘All done for the day?’

‘Here, sit down, love.’ Patrick got to his feet and beckoned Kate across the lawn. ‘I’m about to feed the bantams. You kids like to help?’ He looked keenly at Luke and Mia.

There was a bit of psychology going on here, Kate thought, and thanked heaven for Patrick’s insight. ‘Go on,’ she urged with a smile when Luke looked hesitant. ‘It’s good to learn new things.’

‘Is the bantam I hit with my ball OK?’

Kate heard Luke’s version of an apology as the trio made their way to the far end of the yard and the hen coop. ‘Thanks, Eileen,’ Kate said on a breathy sigh of relief.

The older woman looked perplexed. ‘For what, dear?’

Kate lifted a shoulder. ‘For being so understanding about the football. It was careless of Luke. It could so easily have been a window.’

‘Or someone’s head,’ Eileen cackled. ‘Kids will be kids, Kate. And there was no real harm done. Patrick and I were just saying what a grand job you’re doing, raising your two.’

A little half-smile flickered on Kate’s mouth. She didn’t want to admit to Eileen that sometimes the job felt almost crippling. But she had to look forward with hope. Nothing else would do. She regrouped quickly and got to her feet. ‘You know, I think I’ll go and join Patrick and the kids.’ She forced herself to sound bright and chirpy. ‘It’s years since I fed the chickens.’

Kate quickly caught up with the little group.

‘Luke says bantams are stupid.’

Kate cringed inside at her daughter’s bald statement. Kids had no idea of diplomacy.

Patrick seemed unconcerned. He turned his weathered face and sent Kate a wry half-smile before turning his attention back to Luke. ‘You know, young fella, a lot of folk think that about bantams. Reckon they’re silly and noisy. But my girls are just happy to scratch around and lay beautiful little eggs.’

‘So, they’re like real chickens?’ Luke showed a modicum of interest in the small black feathery birds.

‘Oh, yes.’ Patrick nodded wisely. ‘And now they’re about ready to turn in for the night.’ He moved towards the feed bin, allocating the children a small container each. With a flick of his hand, he showed them how to scatter the grain.

The bantams gobbled up the food and then one by one, in strict pecking order, began to wander off to their roost.

‘They have such tiny feet,’ Mia said in wonderment. ‘And they go to bed very early.’

Patrick smiled down at the beguiling little girl. ‘They get up very early as well. In the summertime, as early as four o’clock in the morning.’ Still smiling, he ushered the children from the chicken coop and closed the gate.

‘And we’d better get home too.’ Kate walked between the children, her hands resting on their small shoulders. ‘Thanks, Patrick,’ she added softly.

Several minutes later they were back at their front gate, the children each carefully carrying a perfect little brown egg for their tea.

Friday afternoon.

In an end-of-working-day gesture, Kate raised her arms and stretched. It had been a busy week and she was tired, yet at the same time exhilarated. She was holding her own. That thought gave her immense satisfaction.

In weekend mode, she got to her feet, collected her things and made her along the corridor to the doctors’ weekly staff meeting.

She was the last to arrive. Only four chairs had been placed at the table for the meeting. And the only one vacant was next to Aiden. A dozen disturbing thoughts collided in Kate’s head. Oh, for heaven’s sake. He was just a man, wasn’t he? And if there was chemistry, so what? So nothing. She took her place beside Aiden, vividly conscious of his body warmth, the faint drift of apple laundry softener on his shirt.

Aiden turned his head and smiled at her ‘Water?’

‘Sounds good.’ Kate smiled back at him and then wished she hadn’t. There was such an easiness about him, an almost arrogant sexiness that was a threat to her sensibilities.

‘Thanks.’ She took a sip from the glass and then placed it in front of her.

‘Right.’ Angelo settled his glasses more comfortably and looked expectantly around at his colleagues. ‘Who wants to be first cab off the rank? Kate, your patient with meningo? What’s her prognosis?’

‘So far she’s holding her own.’ Kate looked around at the practice team. ‘But it will be a long haul for her. And her family. They’ve only moved here recently to new jobs. Now their whole lives have been thrown into chaos.’

‘On the other hand,’ Angelo came in quietly, ‘they should be very thankful for your swift diagnosis. Community medicine at its best, Kate. Well done.’

‘Hear, hear,’ Brady and Aiden concurred.

‘Thanks.’ Kate felt a lift in her spirits, warmed by her colleagues’ approval. ‘We had an outbreak of meningococcal when I was working in the States,’ she offloaded modestly. ‘The symptoms are something you don’t forget in a hurry.’

‘I don’t know if I’d have jumped on it so quickly,’ Brady admitted candidly. ‘It’s been a long time since I saw a case.’

Aiden leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen end to end on the table. ‘Well, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and give the antibiotics anyway, as Kate did.’

‘I’m sure we’re all agreed on that.’ Angelo shuffled his notes into a neat pile.

The meeting eventually wound to a close.

‘OK, guys, if no one has any further business, that’s it.’ Angelo tucked his pen into his shirt pocket. ‘Kate, your caseload manageable?’

Before Kate could answer, Aiden said, ‘I think we should make sure Kate’s patient list for the afternoon surgery doesn’t run over.’

Kate’s chin came up, disbelief widening her gaze. Dammit. What on earth did O’Connor think he was doing? She didn’t need him advocating for her. She could fight her own corner. ‘That happened only on Monday,’ she pointed out thinly. ‘And the circumstances were extraordinary.’

Aiden blinked. Her angry little thrust as she turned towards him revealed the creamy skin of her throat and upper chest. He felt his body grow hot, imagining the tip of his tongue traversing that same silky skin. He blinked the thought away as if it had the power to rear up and bite him. ‘I just think your special needs should take priority.’

Special needs? Kate pursed her lips disapprovingly. Where did he get off making a loaded comment like that? He’d made her sound like some kind of basket case.

‘I’m sure Kate will speak up if she needs any change in her surgery hours,’ Brady came in smoothly. ‘Right, Kate?’

Kate sent him a grateful nod, temporarily unable to find words.

‘Good, good.’ Always the mediator, Angelo was brisk, gathering up his notes. ‘I’m on call at the after-hours clinic over the weekend. What about the rest of you—Brady, any plans?’

‘Nah.’ Brady leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming a lazy tattoo on the tabletop. ‘Staying close to home.’

Aiden chuckled. ‘Figures.’ He arched back, raising his arms in a long stretch. ‘What about you, Kate? What kind of weekend do you have planned?’

As if he cared. And it was none of his business anyway. Kate felt like poking her tongue at him. But that would have been totally juvenile. She jerked a shoulder in a careless shrug. ‘Cleaning the house and doing the laundry will be high on my agenda.’

‘Riveting stuff, then,’ he said.

She shot him a look, certain she hadn’t imagined the trace of boredom in his tone. Well, nice for some. He didn’t have kids to consider when he made his weekend plans. ‘What about you, then, Dr O’Connor?’ she asked. Not that she cared.

‘I’m going sky-diving. Should be a good day for it.’

Kate’s insides froze. A good day for what—killing himself? She felt sick to the stomach, drowned in a thousand memories. Scooping up her notes, she got to her feet. ‘Um—excuse me. I have to collect my children.’ Suddenly she needed to fill her lungs with good, clean air.

Frowning, Aiden watched her almost run from the room. He gave a short humourless laugh and shot a wordless query at his male colleagues.

‘Kate’s husband was killed in a sky-diving accident,’ Brady supplied gruffly.

‘Oh, God …’ Aiden’s breath of disbelief hitched to a halt. ‘Why did no one tell me?’ He shot a pained look at the two men.

‘Kate and I had a quiet chat after her appointment had been confirmed,’ Angelo looked contrite. ‘She told me then.’

‘And I found out from Jo,’ Brady said. ‘She and Kate have become friends.’ He looked at Aiden and gave an apologetic open-handed shrug. ‘Sorry, mate. I thought you would have known.’

Saturday.

How long was a fair time to grieve? Kate wondered as she placed the last of the breakfast dishes in the drainer. It had been three years and surely now it was time to stop. A stray sunbeam burst through the open window, catching the fine gold of her wedding ring.

Was that a sign? she wondered. Perhaps, to be fully free so she could move forward, the ring had to go.

Her breath almost stilled as she eased the wedding band from her finger. Happy-go-lucky Cory. She’d loved him with all her heart. She couldn’t imagine falling in love again, let alone going to bed with someone other than Cory. She cast the rather desolate thought away. Hadn’t she just convinced herself it was time to move on?

Being outdoors seemed like a plan, she thought, going out onto the deck that overlooked the back garden. The kids were happily engaged. Luke was bouncing his soccer ball off the brick wall that separated the garage from the garden, while Mia had staked out a strip of the concrete path and was playing a game of hopscotch.

Well, she’d take a leaf out of her children’s book, Kate thought. She’d get cracking on the garden. She had some daisies she wanted to thin out and replant and there was bound to be some weeding that needed doing.

Ignoring the thump, thump of Luke’s ball, Kate got to work with her trowel. The smell in the air was simply glorious, she mused as she hacked her way through the clumps of daisies. A sweet pungency drifted up from the earth and while Kate worked, two leaves of gold and brown fluttered down beside her. Finally, she was done, stripping off her gloves and flexing her fingers thankfully.

But there was still one more job she had to do. The lower hinge on the lattice gate of the little fern house was hanging by a thread.

Exhaling a small sigh of resignation, she inspected her meagre supply of tools, finally selecting a screwdriver that might do the job. Squatting beside the gate, she began to work on replacing the screw. ‘Oh, blast!’ she muttered as the recalcitrant bit of metal fell sideways onto the grass.

‘What are you trying to do?’

Kate felt a ripple along her spine, like a bird sensing a predator. She’d have known that voice anywhere. She didn’t look up. ‘What brings you by, Aiden?’

‘Just passing. Thought I’d call in.’

And if she believed that, she’d believe there was a practical use for chocolate teapots.

‘Here give it to me,’ he said, hunkering down beside her and holding out a long-fingered hand.

Kate gritted her teeth, slapping the screwdriver into his palm like a surgical instrument. She jerked upright, her eyes fixed on his broad shoulders under the black T-shirt as they flexed to give his arms more impetus, putting the final twist on the large metal screw.

‘General maintenance should be part of your lease,’ Aiden said, uncoiling upwards beside her. ‘Where’s your landlord?’

Kate huffed a derogatory laugh. ‘Out of the country mostly.’

‘Bummer.’

He chuckled softly and Kate felt as though she’d been dipped in a vat of warm, rich chocolate. Her heart did a few skips and she looked away hastily. ‘I thought you were going sky-diving’.

‘That was at five o’clock this morning,’ he dismissed. ‘I’ve been up for ages.’ A beat of silence. ‘Are you OK?’

She looked at him then, caught by the sincerity of his tone. ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

His blue eyes hazed for a moment. ‘Yesterday … after the meeting. You were upset. My fault, I think. My remarks were thoughtless.’ He gave a self-deprecating half-smile. ‘Anyway … my sincere apologies.’

‘It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. You weren’t to know. Perhaps I overreacted anyway.’ Agitatedly, she lifted a hand and scooped a strand of hair away from her shirt collar.

‘I don’t want things to be awkward between us, Kate.’

‘They won’t be,’ she affirmed quickly.

Aiden felt a weird tightening in his chest. So far, so good but now there seemed nowhere for the conversation to go. That was until the children, curious about their mother’s visitor, nudged in beside her.

Kate gathered them in, her smiling mouth soft and pretty. ‘Aiden, these are my children, Luke and Mia. Kids, this is Dr O’Connor from the surgery.’

‘Luke. Mia.’ O’Connor greeted them almost formally. ‘I’m Aiden.’

‘Can you play soccer?’ Luke asked hopefully.

‘You bet I can. Can you?’

‘A bit. But there’s no room to practise here.’ Luke looked dolefully around the back garden.

‘Ah …’ Aiden rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He turned to Kate. ‘There’s a great park near the showgrounds. Have you not found it yet?’

‘There’s hardly been time. Perhaps we could go across later.’ She tried to placate Luke with the promise.

‘I could take him for a kick-about now,’ Aiden said before he knew he was going to say it.

‘Thanks, but I can’t let you do that,’ Kate protested quietly. She made a small face. Oh, lord, this was awkward.

‘Of course. I understand.’ Aiden spread his hands in mute acceptance. ‘You hardly know me after all.’

It wasn’t just that. Kate battled with conflicting emotions. Was it wise to allow Aiden to become involved in their lives so quickly? Or at all, for that matter? But on the other hand, it would be so good for Luke to have some male company. Her dad did his best but now in his late-sixties, understandably, his energy levels were flagging. And Aiden was young. More like a real dad.

Kate felt discomfort flood her. Too far. Too fast. She dithered a second too long.

‘Can I, Mum?’ Luke piped up, his tone wheedling, his big brown eyes pleading.

‘Why don’t we all go to the park?’ Aiden suggested, forcing himself not to reach out, not to touch Kate. He wanted to reassure her that he, Aiden O’Connor, was trustworthy. He wanted to see her relax, make her laugh.

Stop her acting so uptight around him. He wanted to get to know her a whole lot better. A whole lot. And away from from the constraints of the surgery.

‘All of us?’ Kate said, and frowned a bit.

‘Seems sensible.’

Kate’s heart twitched and kept on twitching while Aiden’s smile warmed, deepened, drawing her in. ‘OK, then.’ She flapped her hands in an airy motion of acceptance. ‘I’ll put together a few snacks and things. We may as well make a morning of it.’

Mia jigged in excitement. ‘Are there any swings?’ she asked Aiden.

‘And monkey bars.’

Kate felt her heart turn over, watching Aiden hunker down beside her daughter, diminishing the impact of his height. ‘And rope ladders,’ he told Mia seriously. ‘Even a flying fox.’

‘She’s too little for that,’ Luke chimed in importantly.

‘Am not.’ Mia’s fierce little look told him what she thought of that.

‘Perhaps if I hold onto Mia, she could manage the flying fox.’ Aiden pursed his lips as if considering the problem. ‘What do you think, Luke?’

‘Yeah, I s’pose.’ Luke gave grudging approval.

Good grief, he was a natural. Kate ran up the steps to the deck. Her heart felt as though it might burst. They looked so right together, Aiden O’Connor and her kids. She shouldn’t think it, but she did.

Kate couldn’t believe how fast the morning had flown. True to his promise, Aiden had put Luke through his paces. He’d been patient, encouraging and Luke had responded, his little face lit with happiness as Aiden showed him how to kick with the side of his boot and not the toe, as Luke had been doing. The results had been spectacular. Well, at least to his mother.

Kate thanked Aiden again as they took a breather. They were sitting on the wooden bench seat, their backs resting against the picnic table while the children played nearby. ‘This has been absolutely wonderful for Luke,’ Kate said. ‘I wouldn’t have had a clue about any of that technique stuff.’

‘Horses for courses, Kate.’ Aiden took a bite from the apple she’d tossed to him. ‘I coach for the local juniors. Would you consider allowing Luke to join one of our teams?’

Kate took her time answering. ‘I guess it would be good for him.’

‘I wouldn’t be coaching his age group,’ Aiden said casually. ‘I coach A level.’

‘Oh.’

‘But all the coaches are accredited. Luke would be in good hands. He’d have fun with his peers. And at his young age, playing sport should be about having fun. Don’t you agree?’

Aiden watched her thoughtful reaction to the concept. She tilted her face towards him, her hair brushing against his shoulder, a mess of wind-blown waves, long, shiny and smelling of citrus. Fabulous. He breathed in deeply to stop himself leaning into her and closing the space between them. Touching his mouth to hers.

But one touch would never be enough.

Kate tilted her chin. Aiden O’Connor had given up a whole morning to spend time with her children and yet he hadn’t seemed bored or indifferent. Well, if he was, he hadn’t let it show. In fact, he’d been unassuming and nice. And now he was smiling at her, his mouth tilting quizzically. He seemed in no hurry to leave, his tanned legs in their cargo shorts stretched out in front of him, his trainer-clad feet crossed at the ankles.

Avoiding his gaze, Kate dipped her head, locking her fingers around the edge of the bench seat. What was the question again? Oh, yes, having fun. There hadn’t been much fun in her own life recently but her kids deserved a truckload. She swallowed hard and then said huskily, ‘Childhood should all be about fun.’

‘I’ll let you know when sign-on day is happening, then, and you can bring Luke along.’ Aiden glanced at his watch. ‘And talking about fun, I should make tracks. Party in Brisbane tonight I can’t possibly miss.’

‘I won’t hold you up, then.’ Kate rocked to her feet. She felt sick with embarrassment. For just a little while she’d allowed herself to relax around Aiden O’Connor, to edge closer to him, mentally as well as physically. But he obviously had personal ties she knew nothing about. And it was none of her business anyway.

Aiden got to his feet slowly. What had he said? She’d already bolted, rounding up Luke and Mia as if she couldn’t wait to be shot of him.

‘Say, thank you to Dr O’Connor, kids.’ Kate tightened all the bits of herself that had seemed to have loosened, almost presenting the children to him for inspection. She felt such a fool. Letting herself be lulled by the sheer sexiness of the man. Letting herself begin to want things …

‘Kate.’ Aiden dismissed the children’s thanks gently. ‘What’s wrong?’

Kate’s heart flipped and her throat went dry. ‘What makes you think something’s wrong?’

‘Your body language for starters.’

A soft breeze had whipped up, almost adding to the tension. Aiden watched as a tendril of hair flickered across Kate’s cheek and hung. On a reflex action he reached out and pleated it back. Her hair was as soft as he’d imagined. Silken. ‘Going to tell me?’

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