A Mother's Secret

Maybe this was just a reaction to Isla’s out-of-the-blue drawing with the feature boyfriend.

Her stomach gave the strangest flutter. Or maybe this was just a reaction to the big blue eyes, surrounded by little weathered lines, currently staring at her across the table.

She took a deep breath. Were his thoughts really presumptions? He’d helped her unpack. He must have noticed the distinct lack of manly goods about the place.

She nodded her head. She was used to this. She was used to the single-parent question. She’d been fielding it for the last five years. ‘Yes, I’m a single parent, Logan. I hadn’t really expected to be called out at night on a frequent basis. That could cause me a number of problems.’ She was trying not to notice the fact he’d just told her he only had himself to think about.

She was trying to ignore the tiny flutter she’d felt when he’d revealed the possibility he might be unattached. She was trying not to notice the little flicker in her stomach that Logan wasn’t married with a whole family of his own. What on earth was wrong with her?

He lifted his hands. ‘Look, I’m sorry. But I’m desperate. I really need someone at the surgery right now. How about I cover some of your on-calls?’

She bit her lip. ‘That’s hardly fair, is it?’ She couldn’t figure out the wave of strange sensations crowding around her brain. Then something scrambled its way to the front and a smile danced across her face. ‘Don’t you have someone to go home to?’

There. She’d said it.

The quickest way to sort out the weird range of thoughts she was having. He may not wear a wedding ring but he was sure to have another half tucked away somewhere on the island.

Another woman. Simple. The easiest way to dismiss this man.

He smiled and leaned across the table towards her, the hairs on his tanned arm coming into contact with her pale, bare arm. She really needed to get a little sun.

‘You mean, apart from my mother?’ He was teasing her. She could tell by the sexy glint in his eye that he knew exactly why she’d asked the question.

She let out a laugh. ‘Oh, come on. Someone your age doesn’t stay with their mother. You certainly weren’t there when we arrived this morning.’

There was something in the air between them. Everything about this was wrong. He was a colleague. This was a small island.

She was here for a fresh start and some down time.

So why was her heart pitter-pattering against her chest?

It seemed that Arran was about to get very interesting.

CHAPTER THREE

LOGAN RAN HIS fingers through his hair. They’d finally reached a compromise.

He was going to cover as much of the on-call as possible, even though Gemma had been determined to do her share. She was feisty.

And so was her daughter.

He’d nipped back home after lunchtime and found his mother being ordered around by Isla. Granted, it was in a very polite manner—but the little girl clearly took after her mother.

But what had struck him most of all was the expression of joy on his mother’s face. She clearly loved the interactions with the little girl. His father had died ten years ago. Logan had settled back on the island once he’d completed his GP training and bought a house just along the road. His sister Claire had been battling infertility for seven years. And his mother had been patiently knitting and stashing tiny little cardigans in a cupboard in the back bedroom for just as long.

It was a nightmare. The one thing he’d never given much thought to during his medical career. Fertility.

Sure, he understood the science of it. And, of course, he always had empathy for his patients.

But to see the true, devastating effects of unexpected infertility and how it impacted on a family had been brought home to him in the past few years. The highs of being accepted for treatment and at the start of each attempt. The lows and desperation as each failure lessened the likelihood of future success. The slow, progressive withdrawal of his sister, along with the cracks that had subsequently appeared in her marriage.

At times, Logan had no idea how his brother-in-law managed to keep things on an even keel. Claire could be so volatile now. The slightest thing could set her off. The beautiful, healthy, lively young woman had turned into a skeletal, unconfident wreck.

And it affected every one of them.

And now he’d just given his mother a taste of being a grandmother.

It wasn’t as if his mum hadn’t stepped in before. She’d loved little Ben as much as he had and had watched him occasionally as he and Zoe had dated. But the connection with Isla was definitely stronger. Why, he wasn’t sure. But watching them together and hearing the way they spoke to each other made him laugh. It was like a pair of feisty older women, rather than a little girl and his mother. They were definitely kindred spirits.

Was he being unfair? Because his mother currently looked as if she were loving every minute of this. Isla too. And there was no question about the fact that Gemma needed trustworthy childcare.

But what would Claire think if she found out her mother was acting as a surrogate gran? Would it hurt her even more? Because he really couldn’t bear that.

The phone rang on his desk. He picked it up swiftly. ‘Yes?’

‘Logan, we’ve had too many calls for emergency appointments this morning. We’re going to burst at the seams.’

He frowned. ‘Have you scheduled Dr Halliday to see any of the emergency patients?’

‘Well, no. You told us not to. She’s supposed to be doing the house calls this week to try and find her way around the island.’

‘Let’s leave that for next week.’ He couldn’t afford the time needed for Gemma to navigate her way around the outlying farms and crofts that he could find in his sleep. ‘Schedule her for some of the emergency GP surgeries this week, there’s just no way we can do without her.’

He couldn’t help shaking his head. Sam Allan might be in his seventies, but he was one of the most efficient doctors Logan had ever worked with. His were big shoes to fill and Gemma, with her lack of experience in a GP practice, would be struggling to keep up.

He was about to hang up but changed his mind. ‘Julie? Just a thought. Dr Halliday has said she’s happy to see any patients, but try and give her most of the kids, will you? She’s a paediatric expert and will probably be more confident with them.’

Julie murmured in agreement and he put his phone down. He wanted to be supportive to his new colleague. It made sense to develop a good relationship with the new paediatrician on the island. After all, it would be his patients he would be referring to her.

He could think of a few kids straight away who could do with some paediatric expertise. It wasn’t always easy for people on Arran to get to the mainland to see the paediatricians based at the nearest big hospital. The weather, the ferries, roadworks and even unsuitable hospital appointment times had caused numerous missed appointments. Having someone based on the island would be a real bonus for them, and would also ensure some continuity of care for their patients.

He glanced at his computer screen, checking his first patient. Rudy Sinclair. A prime candidate for a paediatrician. Maybe he should invite Gemma in and get her professional opinion?

His hand hesitated over the phone. Would she think he was testing her abilities? Because that was the last thing on his mind. He was almost relieved to think that someone else could offer a useful opinion on this little boy. He buzzed through to the nearby room. ‘Gemma? I’m about to see a little boy who

has frequent visits to the surgery. I would be interested if you could sit in and give me a professional opinion.’

She appeared at his door a few seconds later. ‘What’s it worth?’ she chirped back without hesitation. There was a cheeky grin on her face.

He started a little in his seat. He hadn’t expected that. There was more to Gemma Halliday than met the eye. He folded his arms across his chest. ‘Dr Halliday, I hope you’re not trying to hold me hostage over a child’s health?’

She shook her head. ‘Nope. I’m just trying to wangle out of you one of the strawberry tarts I spotted earlier.’

He laughed. ‘A strawberry tart? That’s your price?’

She nodded. ‘Absolutely.’ Then held out her hand towards him. ‘Deal?’ Her eyebrows were raised.

He reached over, his large hand encapsulating her small one. He tried not to let the expression on his face change as a little zing shot up his arm.

He was Logan Scott. He didn’t do zings. What on earth was wrong with him? ‘Deal,’ he said as he shook her hand firmly. ‘Now, let me go and get our patient.’

* * *

Rudy Sinclair had an impertinent look on his face as he strode into the surgery; his mother, juggling multiple bags, looked completely harassed. Gemma looked up from the computer. Logan hadn’t been kidding. Rudy had been to the surgery on multiple occasions.

She ran her eyes over the list. Bumps and bruises, chest infections, ear infections, the odd rash—nothing out of the ordinary for the average child. Except Rudy was here much more than the average child.

Logan made the introductions quickly. ‘Mrs Sinclair, this is Dr Halliday. She’s the new GP in the practice and also specialises in paediatrics. I hope you don’t mind her sitting in today. She’s learning all the new systems.’

‘What?’ The woman looked a little distracted as she juggled her bags and sat down in the chair opposite. Her eyes scanned over to Rudy, who seemed to be dismantling a coloured puzzle that was sitting on Logan’s desk. ‘Yes, that’s fine with me.’

* * *