A Family This Christmas. Sue MacKay

balance.

      But before Cam got a word out Jenny was laughing with them and saying, ‘How can I refuse that welcome?’

      He hadn’t got a laugh, or even a thank you. Did he need to take lessons from his sons on how to get onside with a pretty woman?

      ‘Boys, wait here with Jenny while I bring the car to the door. Mind those crutches, will you?’

      As he stepped out into the sunshine he heard Marcus asking, ‘Can we have a go on the crutches later? They’re cool.’

      Unfortunately the doors slid shut before he heard Jenny’s reply, but something told him she’d have agreed. She got on with the boys so easily. As long as she didn’t get too close and they got hurt when she left. He’d knew too well the devastation their mother had caused them when she’d walked away. But what were the odds Jenny would stay more than a night, two at the most? How attached could Marcus and Andrew get in that short time?

      How attached would he get? He so wasn’t ready to trust his heart again. Doubted he ever would be.

      No getting away from the fact this had definitely been the dumbest idea he’d ever come up with. Not once had he factored the boys’ hearts into the equation, let alone his own. Blast you, Margaret, for doing this to us. How long did it take for youngsters to truly understand what being abandoned by their mother meant? Or did they already get it and this searching for her was just part of the acceptance process?

      Note to self: go see a shrink and get my head space tidied up so I understand my boys and don’t make stupid mistakes about a woman with beautiful eyes that I could drown in.

       CHAPTER FOUR

      ‘I’VE NEVER BEEN treated like royalty before.’ Jenny smiled at the twins as a glass of chilled water slid onto the top of the small table beside the chair she’d been banished to. At least the lounge, dining area and kitchen all ran together so she didn’t feel isolated from what everyone was up to. ‘I could get used to this.’

      ‘Dad said we had to make you—’

      ‘Comfortable and get anything you need.’

      Cam spoke from behind the kitchen counter. ‘That also means not bothering Jenny all the time.’

      Jenny spoke up before an argument ensued. ‘Guys, maybe we could play a game on the computer or something later?’

      The boys high-fived each other and shouted ‘Yes’ at the tops of their voices.

      Cam nodded at them. ‘That means you can go outside to play now.’

      She watched them scrambling over each other in their haste to go out into the yard, then asked Cam, ‘Do they ever slow down?’

      ‘Exhausting to watch, aren’t they?’ That half smile appeared as his gaze followed his sons. ‘You look sleepy. Do you want to go to bed for a while?’

      That had to be the most uninviting invitation to bed she’d ever had. How would that deep, gravelly voice sound if he was really asking her to take a romp in bed? And why did she even want to know? Shaking her head abruptly, she looked up into the steadiest brown gaze she’d seen in a long time. A hint of amusement shone out at her. Had he picked up on her reaction to his question? Probably. Ouch.

      ‘Jenny? You’re space tripping.’ His gaze was still locked with hers. Odd, really. Usually people who knew her and what had happened tended to look away. But, then, Cam hadn’t a clue about her life up until yesterday.

      ‘If it’s all the same to you I’ll stay right where I am. If I do nod off, don’t insist on the boys being quiet. That’d make me feel bad.’ She’d caused enough trouble for this family already.

      ‘We’re having a barbecue. Steak all right with you?’

      ‘Perfect. Can I make the salad?’ Though right at this moment telling the difference between a tomato and a cucumber might be difficult.

      Her question got her a small smile. ‘I don’t think so.’

      ‘Had to offer.’ Actually, she felt glad he’d turned her down. Those crutches were turning out to be a little trickier to master than she’d have believed. His kitchen was safer without her clunking around in there.

      ‘Is there anything you don’t like to eat?’ Cam asked.

      ‘Tripe, Brussels sprouts and broad beans.’

      ‘You’re more than safe here.’

      As Cam dug around in the pantry she studied his back view and found it still very delectable now her brain was clear of drugs and post-op fog. But, of course, finding herself here with a man she barely knew, she was bound to be overreacting to all sorts of things. Then Cam turned to place bottles of sauces on the counter and caught her staring.

      ‘Yes?’ His eyebrows rose, and that smile hovered on his mouth.

      Definitely ouch. Heat crept up her throat and spread across her cheeks. Caught, like a teenager ogling the teacher as he wrote on the board. ‘Nothing.’ Glancing around, she hurried to find something neutral to talk about. ‘You’ve got a lovely home. Spacious and light, warm and cosy.’ Home and Garden reporter she was not. ‘Been here long?’

      ‘Two and a half years. I was looking for a less hectic work schedule. On a holiday at the family farm out in the sounds, someone mentioned Havelock needed a GP. So here we are.’

      ‘Is there enough work for a full-time doctor?’ The town was less than small.

      ‘I do mornings here four days a week and the rest of my time in Blenheim at the practice this one’s linked to.’

      ‘How do you manage? A GP’s life is never quiet. Then there are your kids.’

      ‘Solo parenting is a balancing act but I wouldn’t swap it for anything.’ He sprinkled oil onto the steaks and reached for the pepper grinder.

      As she watched those strong hands twisting the utensil, her stomach did a wee shake. Long, strong fingers. It didn’t take any effort to imagine them tripping over her skin. Her cheeks burned like a furnace. In fact, her whole body had come alive.