The Family She Needs

Becca watched her far too closely. ‘Bringing him along for drinks again tonight?’

‘Drinks? Is it Friday already?’ She slapped her head. ‘How could I forget?’

‘This Logan’s seriously distracting you.’

‘He could look after Mickey while I join you. That’s why he’s here—to bond with his nephew, not to go out with me.’

His eyes were sometimes filled with laughter and happiness and at other times were bleak and desperate, but whenever he was with Mickey his expression was always bright. She wouldn’t think about that deep, hot look he wore around her.

A text message hit her phone. Digging deep in her bag, it took her a moment to find the phone amongst all the junk that somehow seemed to accumulate when she wasn’t looking.

Are you coming home for lunch? We’re missing you. Logan.

‘Got to go. Seems my men need me.’

Becca had the nerve to laugh. ‘You’re hooked! Your men? That’s brilliant.’

Karina opened her mouth to refute it, but snapped her lips shut. How could she explain that whatever affected Mickey affected her? Make that whoever had anything to do with her boy touched her. Nothing to do with her heart and Logan.

Tell that to the birds.

Saying, ‘I’ll text you about tonight,’ she left her friend, still laughing, and headed for the car to go to the supermarket. On the way she replied to Logan.

Why’s Mickey at home? He should still be at kindergarten.

Logan came back instantly.

The teacher called, said he was upset.

Why does my boy suddenly hate kindy when he’s always loved it? Is Logan playing the ‘Uncle’ card too hard? I should never have let him stay home that first day. She laughed softly. Listen to me, sounding like a mum—a mum in all but DNA. Cool.

When she let herself into the house thirty minutes later she found Logan and Mickey lying on the rollout bed in front of the fire. Her feet turned to lead even while her throat ached with emotion. Mickey’s small body was curled in against Logan, his cute face pale and his eyes closed. Logan’s arm was wrapped around his nephew’s body, holding him close, protecting him. They looked perfect together.

Slashing at the tears on her cheeks, she crossed to stand beside the bed. Whatever Mickey was unhappy about, she’d never forget this picture. He belonged in Logan’s arms.

When she opened her mouth Logan raised a finger to his lips. ‘Shh. He’s only just fallen asleep,’ he whispered.

Nodding, she quietly asked, ‘Want anything? A drink? Lunch?’

‘A cup of tea wouldn’t go amiss. And a sandwich.’

He looked so hopeful she wanted to laugh.

‘You eat like a horse, yet it doesn’t stick to you. If I ate half what you do I’d be enormous.’ She squinted at him. ‘Actually, your face has lost some of that gauntness.’

‘So I’m gaunt? Charming.’

Glancing at Mickey, she felt the fun go out of her. ‘He’s obviously tired, which isn’t normal.’

Logan winced. ‘He’s peed a lot this morning, so I’ve collected another specimen to send off.’

She shivered, forgot to whisper. ‘You don’t think this is the start of something worse? An underlying illness?’

Panic flared, rapidly drying her mouth, cranking up her heart-rate and crunching her stomach.

‘Karina, take a deep breath and listen to me.’ He no longer whispered either.

His calmness had her instantly taking that breath. ‘I know I worry too much, but I can’t help it.’

‘Despite the urinary frequency and tummy aches, I don’t believe he’s ill. He’s tired, but think of the energy he’s been expending in the snow and helping me and Jonty with the digging. There’s plenty of colour in his face. Nor is there too much,’ he added, when her mouth opened to ask exactly that.

Forcing the panic down, she acknowledged that Logan was more qualified medically than she’d ever be. If he wasn’t overly worried maybe she shouldn’t be either. ‘Is it because he’s getting close to you and will do anything to stay home with you?’

A rueful smile told her he knew the problems that he would cause when he left. ‘Sorry, but I admit I’m enjoying being with him.’

Good. And bad. Another person in Mickey’s life who would leave.

‘I’ll get that tea.’

‘And a sandwich?’

Placing the steaming mug and a plate stacked high with ham sandwiches on a stool within easy reach of Logan a few minutes later, she told him, ‘I’m due back at work. Anything else I can do before I go?’

Shaking his head, he whispered, ‘I’ve got it covered.’

‘I’ll pop over when I’m not busy.’ Then she couldn’t help herself. ‘You’re really bonding with the wee man.’

‘Not quite how I thought it would go down.’

The look of love he gave Mickey grabbed at her heart.

‘You must be doing it right if he’s relaxed enough to go to sleep with you.’

Usually if there was even a hint of distress the only person Mickey had wanted since he’d lost his parents was her. But that had been changing over the time Logan had been here. She should feel a twang of jealousy that he was so comfortable with Logan, but all she knew was relief. Things were looking up as far as this relationship was concerned.

* * *

Mickey and Logan were playing Snakes and Ladders when she got home. The dinner she’d prepared earlier was heating in the oven, and Jonty was watching the news.

Karina sighed. ‘That’s what I call domestic.’

Logan raised his head and locked eyes with her. ‘Are we going out for Friday night drinks?’

‘I guess...’ Honestly, she’d prefer to stay home and keep an eye on Mickey.

‘Jonty’s prepared to look after our boy.’

Our boy? That sounded as if they had a family thing going. ‘How’s Mickey now?’

‘I don’t want you to go out,’ Mickey answered her. ‘My tummy’s sore. And my head—’

Logan cut in. ‘Haven’t you spent the last thirty minutes complaining because you’re starving and don’t want to wait for dinner? Not to mention being a gymnast on the couc

h?’

‘Stay home with me.’

‘No. Karina and I are going out and you will be good for Mr Grumpy. Do you understand?’

‘Yes, Uncle Logan. But—’

‘Dinner’s ready!’

Karina cut him off and hurried to dish up for him and Jonty. She and Logan would eat when they returned.

But Logan changed that.

‘Is there a Thai restaurant around here?’ he asked as they finished their beers.

‘Just along the road,’ Karina informed him. ‘It’s really good, what’s more.’

‘I’m drooling at the thought of a hot red curry. Want to have a meal there?’

‘I’d love it, but what about Mickey?’

‘I’ll ring Jonty and see if he’s okay to stay on for a bit.’ He held his hand up in a stop sign. ‘I won’t be asking if Mickey’s well. Jonty’s raised his own kids. He’ll know if there’s anything we should be worrying about.’

‘Okay.’ She forced herself to relax by breathing deep yoga breaths, dragging the air all the way down to her tummy, where it mixed with the beer and sent bubbles up her throat. Great.

Becca did her usual elbow-nudge thing. ‘You’re going on a date! How long’s it been?’

‘For ever,’ she answered without thought. Wait up. ‘It’s not a date. We’re both hungry, so we’re doing something about it.’

‘The food warming in your oven at home would do that,’ Becca pointed out.

‘I guess...’ It was a date. Oh, my God. ‘I don’t do dating.’

‘You do now. And you couldn’t have picked a sexier guy if you’d checked out every male in Motueka.’ Becca grinned. ‘No, I’m not interested. He’s too brainy for me.’

Logan snapped his phone shut. ‘Sorted—let’s go.’

Becca wrapped her arm around Karina in a hug and whispered, ‘I want every detail.’

* * *

‘This satay is superb.’ Nearly an hour later, Karina licked her lips of every last dot of sauce. Becca was going to be annoyed when she told her that. And about the delicious entrée of crumbed squid rings and spring rolls. ‘How’s that curry?’