‘She is brave. Brave and beautiful.’ A strange look crossed Daniel’s face. ‘I never thought I’d feel this way, to be honest. Never thought I’d have the courage—never thought I’d feel this way about a woman.’
Patrick opened his mouth to deliver the usual onslaught of brotherly banter but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he found himself thinking of Hayley. ‘I’m pleased for you,’ he said gruffly. ‘And I’m sorry I’m giving you the children tonight. You must be looking forward to romance.’
‘Stella is thrilled to be having the children,’ Daniel said dryly. ‘You know what she’s like.’
‘Yes. You’re lucky.’
At that moment Stella bounced through the doors, her eyes shining. ‘Patrick! Has he told you our news?’
‘Alfie told him our news,’ Daniel drawled, and Stella giggled. She was about to speak when the door opened and Hayley entered.
‘Oh—I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had anyone with you.’ She coloured prettily and would have left but Patrick beckoned her into the room.
‘Hayley, this is my brother, Daniel, and Stella—his wife-to-be. The children are going to stay the night with them. Guys, this is Hayley—she’s Alfie’s housekeeper. And she just happens to be a midwife, too.’
‘She worked in America, isn’t that a coincidence?’ Alfie was bouncy and cheerful. ‘You should taste her turkey, Uncle Dan. I want Dad to keep her for ever. No more gluey pasta. No more burnt everything.’
Hayley’s face grew scarlet and she busied herself retrieving Posy’s toys from the floor. ‘I’m just here for two weeks, Alfie.’
Patrick’s eyes lingered on the curve of her bottom as she stooped. Then he started thinking about the tiny pair of silk knickers he’d found on the floor of his hotel bedroom…
Dragging his gaze from her curves, he discovered his brother watching him with amusement.
‘You look hot and bothered, Ric.’ Daniel’s eyes gleamed wickedly. ‘Something wrong?’
‘It’s always difficult juggling kids and work,’ Patrick said smoothly, and Daniel’s grin widened.
‘Well, we’re taking the kids off your hands for a night, so that should make things easier for you.’
Apparently oblivious to the byplay, Hayley zipped up the bag and Alfie hugged her.
‘Tomorrow can we play Monopoly? I want you to stay longer than two weeks, Hayley. Promise you will.’
‘Well, no…’ Flustered, Hayley hugged him back. ‘I can’t do that, Alfie, but—’
‘I know.’ Alfie looked crestfallen. ‘You have to track down the friend you met when you were in America.’
Seeing Hayley’s stricken expression, Patrick intervened. She’d had enough embarrassment for one day. ‘Alfie, get your things together. Posy needs to get to bed.’
‘It’s Christmas night, Dad. It doesn’t matter if she’s late.’
‘If she’s late she’ll be cranky in the morning.’
Patrick felt Stella’s eyes on his face, questioning. Clearly Alfie’s unguarded comment hadn’t passed unnoticed.
Damn. He wasn’t ready to field her questions—didn’t know what his answers would be.
‘So…’ He took the bag that Hayley had packed and thrust it towards Daniel. ‘I’m sure you want to go home and I have to get back to work.’
‘You were supposed to be off over Christmas,’ Stella murmured, and Patrick shrugged.
‘Sally went into labour.’
Stella gasped. ‘No. Really? I must go and see her for a minute. Which room is she in?’
‘She’s in the water.’
‘That’s what I came to talk to you about.’ Hayley pushed her hair behind her ears. ‘Tom wants her out of the water, but she’s refusing.’