She froze.
‘I... What do you mean...?’
‘What I said.’ He huffed out a breath. ‘Make sure you and Imogen are packed. I’ll pick you up six o’clock tomorrow.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you’re both coming to live with me.’
For the second time in as many minutes Evie couldn’t make her vocal cords work. All she could do was shake her head in objection.
‘Don’t test me, Evangeline,’ Max warned. ‘This is best for you and for Imogen. You and your sister-in-law both need to heal after your operations and you need to be close to Silvertrees for the next three months or until your nephrology team clear you after the transplant. And at least at mine, you won’t risk hurting yourself clambering over your bed to get to Imogen’s cot.’
‘Live with you for three months? Why would you do that?’
And why was a weak part of her so tempted, in spite of everything?
‘Because I’m the baby’s father, Evangeline.’ He stuffed down his exasperation. ‘It’s my responsibility, too. Not some stranger’s.’
‘Annie’s family. Not some stranger. And you’re a surgeon who’s only interested in focusing on his career. You told me that yourself. You don’t have time to look after a baby.’
‘Then I’ll damn well make time. Just like I did to come down here. I’ll take holidays—I’m certainly owed them.’
Evie blinked in shock. This felt so unexpected. Max was always so careful, so measured. She’d thought she’d known him well enough to believe he would be responsible enough to be a distant father to Imogen, but not that he would take full responsibility for them both.
‘So, pack whatever clothes and belongings you and Imogen need, a few suitcases at most. I’ll be back tomorrow night to pick you up.’
‘Max—’
‘Six o’clock tomorrow evening, Evie. No arguments, no stalling, just be ready. Both of you.’
CHAPTER FOUR
‘WHAT HAPPENED TO your car?’ Evie blurted out as she followed Max down the front steps. Imogen was in her arms, their cases in his.
He suppressed a grim response, confining himself to the barest minimum of responses as he loaded the bags into the new car.
‘I traded it in last night.’
She didn’t even try to disguise her gasp of shock.
‘Who willingly swaps out his pride and joy sports car?’
He resisted the urge to tell her that it was a supercar, not merely a sports car. Buying his first one ten years ago had signified the moment he’d decided he’d arrived as a surgeon, and every time he’d driven it to and from the hospital it had been the payoff for everything else he would sacrifice for his career. Yet the truth was he’d never felt so ambivalent towards his car from the moment yesterday when he’d walked out of that suburban house—a father.
The satisfaction he’d got from driving the sleek car on his outbound journey hadn’t been with him on his homeward trek. In fact, from the moment he’d walked back out into the street and taken another look at all the family cars on the various driveways, he’d realised his whole life had been turned upside down and inside out.
He was a father. The life he’d grown up envisaging for himself was gone for ever.
And somehow, the thought hadn’t chagrined him the way he might have expected.
‘It was a matter of practicality.’ He offered a deliberately nonchalant shrug. ‘It wasn’t a car designed for a baby seat. Whereas this is a decent family car.’
‘Decent? It’s one of the most luxurious, top-of-the-range family cars I’ve ever seen. And you swapped it out overnight? Just like that?’ Evie sniffed but he refused to take the bait.
‘Just like that, yes. But don’t worry,’ he added sarcastically, ‘I’ve still made sure all optional extras are included. Any other questions?’
‘Plenty.’ She clicked her tongue nervously but he could see she was still disconcerted.