Her Very Special Baby

  ‘We’ll get him sorted,’ Nathan said, taking the bags through to the kitchen.

  Morena put her son on the floor on his play-mat; he was crying loudly. ‘I just need to get a few things from the car. Connor’s in an uncooperative mood, if you hadn’t guessed. Probably his teeth,’ she said, dashing outside again.

  Oh, Connor. If only he’d be happy and contented as usual, tonight of all nights. She was worried that Nathan was going to run off at any second, especially with a grumpy baby around.

  When she went back inside it was to find that Connor had stopped crying. Astounded, she stood in the doorway and stared. Nathan had picked him up and was cradling him in his arms, talking gently to him.

  ‘There, now. That’s better. Don’t go giving your mum a hard time, mate. She’s doing a terrific job, and she loves you so very much even I can see it. So don’t you go crying when you should be smiling at her. Got that?’ Nathan looked down at his charge, and Morena couldn’t believe the light which was shining in his brown eyes.

  It seemed that Connor had worked his magic over Nathan as well as everyone else he met.

  Dear Reader

  HER VERY SPECIAL BABY was such a joy to write. The seaside town isn’t too far from where we live, and it is full of such wonderful history—from the horse-drawn tram which initially began in 1894, to the hundred-year-old Town Hall which is still in use today. Although this little town isn’t as old as other amazing places in the world, its richness is personal to those who live there and in surrounding districts. History has the ability to set us up for who we can become, and to help us look forward into the future with determination and promise.

  This year Mills & Boon is also turning one hundred, and it all began with the determination and promise of two men—Gerald Mills and Charles Boon—who wanted to start their own publishing company. A century later we are proud to be a part of its continuing success.

  Being able to write engaging romantic stories for Mills & Boon is definitely a dream come true. Granted, it can be a challenge to find the right combination of ingredients—to find the mix of characters, emotional tension, internal conflict and that obligatory serving of love each story needs. But we know with determination and promise—combined with a lot of hard work—an inspirational story of encouragement and romance will always be created. Bringing joy to readers, receiving positive feedback and loving what we do makes our job the best in the world.

  With warmest centenary regards

  Lucy Clark

  HER VERY SPECIAL BABY

  BY

  LUCY CLARK

  Lucy Clark is actually a husband-and-wife writing team. They enjoy taking holidays with their children, during which they discuss and develop new ideas for their books using the fantastic Australian scenery. They use their daily walks to talk over characterisation and fine details of the wonderful stories they produce, and are avid movie buffs. They live on the edge of a popular wine district in South Australia with their two children, and enjoy spending family time together at weekends.

  Recent titles by the same author:

  HIS CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL

  THE EMERGENCY DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER

  THE SURGEON’S COURAGEOUS BRIDE

  IN HIS SPECIAL CARE

  A KNIGHT TO HOLD ON TO

  For John. Thanks, bro. James 3:17

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ONE

  ‘I HATE being late.’ Morena parked her car and headed for the general practice she’d inherited from her father. ‘Half an hour late for morning clinic,’ she muttered as she looked at her watch, wishing it was lying to her, but she knew it kept perfect time. ‘It’s not going to be a good day.’ Pasting on a smile, expecting the waiting room to be full, she entered the clinic.

  ‘Good morning, Morena.’ Sally greeted her from behind the orange laminated reception counter. In all the years Morena had come here, first as a child to visit her father then as a teenager to help with the clerical work then as an employee and now as the boss, the bright and cheery atmosphere never failed to lift her spirits—late or not. Today, however, things were different.

  ‘Sorry I’m late. Connor just wouldn’t settle properly for Mum.’

  ‘Not a problem. We’re running ahead of schedule.’

  ‘Oh.’ That wasn’t what Morena had expected. ‘New locum’s first day on the job and we’re ahead of schedule. A good beginning for him. A not-so-positive impression for me.’ Morena rolled her eyes and turned her attention from the blonde receptionist when the sound of the spare consulting-room door opened. Mrs Henderson came out of the room and she was smiling. Mrs Henderson never smiled at anyone and she was also chatting away like a sparrow.

  ‘My favourites are ANZAC biscuits, especially when they’re a little soft.’ The deep masculine voice floated towards them all and Morena felt rather than saw the two women in the waiting room sigh. Goose bumps raged up and down Morena’s back and she quickly told herself it was because today was the locum’s first day and she’d wanted to make a good impression—which she’d obviously failed at by being so late. Of course, it had nothing to do with his smooth-as-silk voice.

  ‘Well, my dear boy,’ Mrs Henderson was saying as she fluttered her eyelashes at him. ‘I must bring you my special ANZAC biscuits.’ She leaned closer and touched his arm. ‘I put double the golden syrup in and that’s what makes them taste better than anyone else’s.’

  ‘I look forward to it, Mrs Henderson.’ As he spoke, the man in question came into view. It was strange, seeing someone else here in her father’s practice, but she had to admit Dr Nathan Young, who had applied for the job displaying excellent qualifications, looked good in the outdated décor of Victor Harbor’s family practice.

  He was tall, about six feet four inches, with dark brown hair and deep, deep brown eyes. This fact she registered as their gazes met. Time seemed to stand still for those few seconds, so much so that Morena was able to see the flecks of gold that sparked out from the pupil and the vibrant chocolate brown of the halo outlining the iris. As he turned his attention back to Mrs Henderson, Morena breathed in and was treated to subtle spicy scent which enveloped her. She liked it.

  Shaking her head as though to clear it from the daze he’d evoked, she forced a smile as Mrs Henderson made her way fully into the waiting room. The woman, who considered herself almost like royalty in these parts, given the fact that her husband had been mayor for many years until his retirement, looked down her nose at Morena.

  ‘Dr Camden.’ The dour and insolent glare was back as she breezed past her. ‘I must say I’m pleased to see this practice finally employing someone with breeding, stature and is, above all, a true professional.’ Her lips twitched a little as her eyes looked over Dr Young once more.

  Morena was more than used to Mrs Henderson’s opinion of the practice. ‘Yes. Thank you. I’m glad you approve.’

  ‘What’s not to approve of? Dr Young has been…delightful.’

  Morena glanced at Dr Young and saw him incline his head in a slight bow. ‘It was my pleasure, Mrs Henderson. Feel free to call me at any time if you need any further medical advice or assistance.’

  ‘There you are. Perfect breeding.’ Mrs Henderson made a grand sweeping gesture with her hand, indicating the two ladies who were sitting breathlessly ogling Dr Young. ‘Make your appointments with Dr Young if you require more than the basic care.’

  Morena tried hard not to roll her eyes and give the old battleaxe a piece
of her mind. All she had to do was control her temper for a few more minutes and then Mrs Henderson would leave—hopefully without comment on Morena’s personal situation.

  ‘Do you require another appointment, Mrs Henderson?’ Sally asked.

  ‘Dr Camden,’ Mrs Henderson said, ignoring the receptionist. ‘I see you’re running a little behind time this morning. Not at all the way this clinic should be run.’

  ‘Yes, Mrs Henderson.’

  ‘I trust Connor is in good health?’

  ‘Perfect health. And your husband? How has he been feeling?’

  ‘Staid as Granite Island as always, Dr Camden. My Hoban has never had a day of sickness in his life. Even in retirement, he is always up early and out of doors, enjoying himself in the community.’

  ‘Of course. Please, pass on my warmest regards to Mr Henderson.’

  All she received was a look of disdain and a cold shoulder. Clenching her jaw and working extremely hard at controlling her temper, Morena could feel herself about to bubble over.

  ‘Dr Camden? If you’re free for a moment, I have some questions.’ Dr Young indicated his consulting-room door. Morena looked at him again and when he angled his head slightly she seemed to snap out of whatever bond was holding her.

  ‘Right. Of course. Have a nice day, Mrs Henderson.’ With that, Morena walked on, her bag still slung over her shoulder, into the assigned consulting room of Dr Young. She heard him make his farewells to the woman no one had ever been able to raise a smile from, and within another moment he was in the room with the door shut behind them.

  ‘Whew! That was close.’ He smiled at her and she felt her knees weaken. His teeth were white, his eyes were twinkling and she was certain he was laughing at her. Clutching the desk for support, she turned away from him and ordered herself to start behaving.

  ‘What was close?’

  ‘You—about to lose your temper with Mrs H.’

  ‘Mrs H.? Don’t let her hear you calling her that. She’ll have your head.’ Morena turned around as she spoke and watched as he looked at her inquisitively, his eyebrows raised.

  ‘Do you really think so?’

  ‘Hmm, probably not. You seem to have her wrapped around you little finger. I’m Morena, by the way.’ She held out her hand and her bag slipped down to her elbow. ‘Oops.’ It didn’t seem to matter because the instant he placed his warm hand in hers she forgot everything around her and once more found herself becoming lost in those rich, chocolaty depths.

  His smile was still dazzling her and she was sure he’d be perfect for a toothpaste advertisement, so natural was his appeal. The sounds outside the small room drifted away, leaving just the two of them, standing there, holding hands for longer than was required in a professional introduction such as this.

  ‘Nathan.’ He didn’t seem in any hurry to let her hand go and the realisation made her wonder about her own appearance. She hadn’t had time to check it before rushing out the door at the first available opportunity. Was her hair a mess? Did she have lipstick smeared on her teeth? She wouldn’t be surprised, given that she’d whacked her lipstick on while driving.

  ‘You weren’t able to make it to my interview,’ Nathan was saying, bringing her thoughts back to the present. He released her hand and as she let go, her bag slid from her arm and dropped to the floor. Quickly, and with a little nervous laugh, Morena hoisted it back onto her shoulder.

  ‘No. I wasn’t, but I trust my father’s judgement. He was, after all, choosing his replacement.’

  ‘Replacement? I understood he would still be practising part time.’

  ‘Two half-days per week and the odd emergency—if you or I are unavailable. If I had my way, he’d be retiring completely.’

  ‘You want him out of the picture so you can do things your way?’ Odd. She hadn’t struck him as that type of person. ‘Out with the old, in with the new?’

  ‘No!’ She seemed appalled. ‘Heavens, no. Not at all. I’d love it if he could stay on and work here for ever, but it’s his health. He has angina and the stress of running a busy family practice isn’t good for him. Mum’s been trying to get him to slow down for years but even after we started working here, things seemed to increase, rather than the opposite.’

  ‘We? I didn’t know your mother was a doctor.’

  ‘Hmm?’ Morena was confused. ‘She’s not.’

  ‘But you said we.’

  ‘Oh. Sorry. I keep forgetting you’re not from around here and therefore don’t know every ounce of gossip, although I’m sure you’ll hear more than enough in the course of the morning. No, the “we” I was referring to was my husband and I.’

  Nathan’s eyes flicked to her left hand but there was no ring there—although he could make out a very faint tan line.

  ‘I’m divorced now,’ she added quickly, wondering why she was so eager to impart that bit of information. She watched him closely but no new emotion crossed his face.

  ‘I take it all the patients gossip about it?’

  Morena laughed without humour. ‘I think you’ll hardly be able to avoid it, although it’s not such an interesting story when all is said and done.’

  ‘Why don’t you give me your side first, then?’

  ‘What? And spoil any fun you may get from being told the story over and over ad nauseam? Perish the thought, Dr Young.’

  ‘Spoilsport.’

  She chuckled. ‘I’ve been called that more than once.’

  Nathan’s smile was still there, his eyes twinkling at her, making her feel happy and smart—and she wanted it to continue. This easy, friendly banter, the way he looked at her, made her feel. Her eyes widened with the realisation that she’d been flirting with him. Flirting with her new colleague!

  Clearing her throat, she forced herself to look away and shifted the bag on her shoulder. ‘Anyway, you said you had some questions?’

  ‘Not really. I just said that to get you away from Mrs H. Victor Harbor seems like a nice place.’ He barely paused for breath before continuing, ‘Did you really kick your husband out?’

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘Mrs H. said you did the right thing by getting rid of him. She called him a wandering philanderer.’

  Morena found it impossible to keep her smile in place but she found it even harder to ignore the pang of failure that came every time someone mentioned her disastrous marriage. ‘I see your fun has already begun. How nice of Mrs Henderson to give her opinion.’ She looked down at her hands and forced herself to breathe.

  ‘It does bother you, then,’ he stated. ‘It’s not too late to give me your version.’

  She was silent for a moment, the ticking of the clock on the wall the only sound in the room. Shrugging, she decided she may as well. What harm could it do? ‘I married the wrong man. Simple as that. I’ve learnt a lot about life as well as myself along the way and should there ever be a next time, I’ll be doing things very differently.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘We don’t really have the time to go into it now and it’s all water over the bridge…or is it under the bridge? I always get that saying confused. Anyway, the tide has turned, the water has changed and that’s that.’

  ‘Hmm.’ He nodded, a very thoughtful expression on his face. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve upset you, Morena.’

  ‘No. It’s fine.’ She waved his words away but was secretly touched at the sincerity in his eyes.

  ‘It’s quite common, you know.’

  ‘Divorce? Yes, I know.’

  ‘No. I meant it’s common to be sensitive where affairs of the heart are concerned.’

  ‘Oh.’ That surprised her and it also made her realise that Nathan obviously had experience with emotional heart problems. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him what had happened in his life when she saw his expression change. It was as though he’d physically slipped a mask into place, warning her off. She also wondered if he’d regretted saying too much to a woman who was a relative stranger.

  ‘I didn’t
mean to pry. Forgive me?’

  She was taken aback at that, wondering if any man had ever asked her for forgiveness before. She was also desperate to get back to the easy banter they’d enjoyed a few minutes ago. That had been nice. Forcing a smile, she nodded slowly. ‘I guess I’m going to have to…but only this once, you understand. Don’t go making a habit out of it.’

  ‘Out of what? Asking for forgiveness?’

  She’d expected him to smile at her words, to realise she was teasing, to join in her attempt to lighten the atmosphere a little.

  Instead, he was quite stern as he said very softly, ‘I doubt I’ll ever stop.’ And there it was. For a fraction of a second, the mask slipped and she saw the pain, the anguish, the emptiness behind his eyes. It was clear he’d known true pain, true heartbreak and true bleakness.

  The intercom on the desk buzzed and Morena, slightly startled, spun around to look at it as Sally’s voice came through. ‘Morena? You still in there? Nathan? Can I send your next patient through?’

  ‘Work,’ Morena stated, as Nathan came around the desk.

  ‘Work,’ he echoed, as he pressed the button and told Sally to send his next patient through.

  Morena glanced at him again before leaving his room, but he didn’t meet her eyes, instead preferring to shuffle papers around on his desk. Once in her own consulting room, she closed the door behind her, leaning against it a second, thinking about everything that had just taken place. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she groaned and quickly tucked the wispy strands of strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. They always came loose, especially when Connor pulled at them with his chubby little hands. Thank goodness her lipstick wasn’t all over her face but she wished she’d looked better, especially after meeting her new colleague. She looked like a harried mother instead of a professional general practitioner.

  Not that it mattered now. Nathan had seen her all dishevelled and disorderly so there was nothing she could do about that, but for the first time since Bruce had left, she’d been acutely aware she was a woman. It was the way he’d held her hand that had caused a resurgence of the tinglings she hadn’t experienced in an awful long time. And the way he’d smiled at her! There was no denying that Nathan Young had reminded her that she wasn’t just a doctor, wasn’t just a daughter, wasn’t just a mother…she was a woman.