Playboy Doctor to Doting Dad (20 page)

Kieran dropped a kiss on her cheek and went to cook dinner.

From then on Abby’s days were busier than ever. The hours ticked by faster than a speeding train. There was always so much to do. Some varieties of peaches were beginning to come on and needed select picking, packing and getting to the markets. Some trees needed spraying, the grass between the rows needed mowing to make access to the trees easier; boom cannons had to be put in place to scare away the birds. She felt ashamed she hadn’t noticed earlier that those things hadn’t been done.

Too tied up with Kieran, that had been her problem. Too busy trying to get him to fit into the children’s lives to look out for her father. Well, from now on she’d make sure nothing got in the way of doing what was right for all of them. Obviously it was getting too much for her father. From now on she’d stop leaving the children with him so often.

Moving to Dublin would take care of that.
But moving to Dublin was no longer an option. She was needed here.

Max saw it differently when she questioned him about the situation on one of her many visits. ‘It’s time you had a life of your own, my girl. It’s not your responsibility to see that I’ve got everything under control. The fact that orchard workers are in short supply and can demand a lot more money is my problem, not yours.’

‘But, Dad, it is my concern. I don’t need protecting from anything that’s happening with you or the orchard.’

‘No, my girl, this is for me to sort out, once I’m out of here. You need to make a life for yourself, one that doesn’t involve running around after all of us.’

Abby felt something akin to panic rising in her throat. She loved doing that. It made her feel needed, gave her focus. ‘That’s me, who I am,’ she cried. Never mind that a few days ago she had decided to move to Dublin.

Max reached for her hand. ‘No, love. You are a mother first. Then a nurse, my daughter and a sister. But it’s time you found your own man to make a home with, to share life with.’

‘I’m happy where I am, doing what I do.’ Really happy? So happy there was nothing else she wanted in life? Well, she felt safe, at least.

Max studied her. ‘Kieran’s a good man, love.’

Kieran was a danger to her heart, that’s what Kieran was. She might admit to loving him, but that didn’t mean she’d risk all to be with him. ‘Dad, I suspect you’ve been hatching plans in your head, but they aren’t going to happen. Kieran would be the first to agree with me.’

Now, three days after the accident, Abby stood in her father’s office, stretching her back and rolling her head to ease a stiff neck. Where had the day gone? The hours zoomed past when there was so much to do.

The phone rang. ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ Kieran asked.

‘I’m good. Exhausted. But so is everyone, including you.’ Kieran had been out at the orchard helping as much as his job allowed. ‘I missed you when we came in to see Dad.’

‘I was in a meeting with the international interns.’ His sigh said it all.

‘That bad, huh?’ She knew one or two of the interns were hoping to stay on in New Zealand at the end of their contracts with the hospital board.

‘Enlightening would be more precise. Hamish also dropped by to tell me that Michael’s resigned due to his boy not improving. It’s going to be a long time before he’s ready to leave Brisbane.’

‘How dreadful. We’ll miss Michael in the department. He’s been an inspirational director. Always takes on the board over financial cuts and staff deployment.’ And he’d been good to
her when she’d first started in ED, understanding her problems as a single mum.

Kieran was still talking. ‘There’s some good news. Joey and his mum moved into the women’s refuge yesterday.’

‘That’s great. I am so glad for Joey. Let’s hope Dale sticks it out.’

‘She sounded pretty determined when I spoke to her. She said to tell you she was sorry about your father’s accident.’

‘Wow. I wouldn’t have thought she’d have noticed anything going on around her.’

Kieran changed the subject. ‘Want me to bring Olivia and Seamus out when I’m finished here?’

Charlie had dropped them off in the morning when she’d gone to see Dad. ‘That would be great. I know I shouldn’t put them in the crèche but how else do I get any work done here?’

‘Abby, we all understand. I’ll take them up to see Max before we come home.’

Home. If only it was home for Kieran. But that would never happen because he had a damned job in damned Dublin. Blast him. Anyway, her life was here, despite what Dad said. Despite the fact she’d briefly toyed with the idea of following Kieran.

By the time Kieran arrived with the children she’d put all that behind her, if only temporarily. ‘Hi, everyone.’ She kissed Olivia and hugged Seamus.

Kieran grinned at her. ‘Do I get one?’

‘Kiss or hug?’ The moment the words had left her mouth she wished them back. She could certainly do with one or the other herself. But not the consequences to her heart.

‘Both,’ Kieran said as he looped his arms around her. Then his lips brushed hers before he withdrew, leaving her shaken and bemused.

And leaving her heart confused. How did he do that to
her? She had no control over her mind or body when Kieran touched her. Well, she’d better find some. The children needed baths.

Kieran was putting groceries away. ‘I bought chicken. Thought I’d do a leg of lamb for dinner.’

Abby stared at him, her heart melting. What a man. She loved it that he did this, taking a load off her. ‘Sounds wonderful. I know the others will be thrilled, too.’ Looking out the window she looked for any sign of the twins. Laughter bubbled up when she spotted Steph.

‘Look at this. Steph’s driving the tractor with the spray unit, and over the other side Charlie’s up a ladder, picking peaches.’

Kieran came to stand by her, too close, but she didn’t move away. He said, amusement lightening his voice, ‘Whatever happened to your glamorous sisters? They seemed to have traded smart suits for old clothes that a scarecrow would be ashamed to wear.’

Abby chuckled. ‘They’re really putting their hearts into helping.’ A yawn caught her.

‘They certainly are.’ Kieran cleared his throat. ‘How much sleep did you get last night?’

She was glad he’d asked, glad that he spent most of his spare time with her. He’d been there for her from the moment he’d learned about Dad’s accident. It felt wonderful to have someone at her side when she had all this to deal with.

Another yawn stretched her mouth wide. ‘Not a lot,’ she admitted. ‘Between Seamus waking up three times, me trying to work out what had to be done on the orchard, and wondering how I could get back to work by next Monday, not to mention worrying about Dad, the hours of darkness were riveting. But certainly not filled with sleep.’

‘Forget coming back to work on Monday. Sally’s already got your shift covered for the whole week.’

She opened her mouth to protest but Kieran cut in. ‘Don’t even think it. You’re on leave, full stop.’

‘Yes, sir. Bossy britches.’ She smiled wearily. If only everything else could be fixed so easily.

‘Now, how about you see to the kids’ baths while I crank up the barbeque? I’ll make dinner out on the deck. It’s too hot inside.’

‘Sounds wonderful. The others will finish in about an hour.’ She tapped his shoulder, and when he turned to gaze down at her she almost forgot what she had to say. Almost, but not quite. ‘Thanks for everything.’ And she kissed him, her lips touching his mouth lightly. She pulled back fast, aware of her need to kiss him thoroughly taking hold. She had to be strong, but as she turned away she saw surprise and warmth in those piercing eyes.

K
IERAN
leaned back against the railing, observing Abby’s family and friends, tiredness dragging at every muscle in his body. Thank goodness for Saturdays. This past week had been exhausting, with the department incredibly busy and his evenings spent out here, in Hope, helping wherever he could.

But happiness overrode his exhaustion. It felt good to have been a part of everything happening in the orchard and in the house. He’d been absorbed into the hustle and bustle as though he belonged. That was the part he liked best. Belonging, however temporarily. No special exceptions were made for him. He’d been treated like all the family.

He smiled, remembering Abby showing him how to use the ride-on mower and then leaving him to the job of mowing the whole orchard.

His eyes had been opened, his brain had finally assimilated what had been so close under his nose it was a wonder he’d been able to breathe these past weeks. This was where Abby belonged. He couldn’t ask her to join him in Dublin for his sake. That would be grossly unfair. If she’d even consider the idea.

He’d watched her taking charge, pulling her family together to keep the orchard running. She’d done it in a way that no one minded, although the twins were obviously used to toeing
the line with Abby. They gave her a lot of cheek about her bossiness. And to think she’d previously called him bossy.

‘Here, looks like you could do with one of these.’ Andrew handed him an icy-cold bottle.

‘It’s thirsty work, being out in the sun all day,’ Kieran acknowledged as he lifted the beer to his lips.

‘I reckon this is the best part of the day, with family and friends together for a drink and a meal.’

‘Is your family as close as the Brown clan?’ Kieran asked.

‘Not quite. We don’t have an Abby to keep us all together.’

‘She’s certainly been a tower of strength for everyone since Max’s accident.’ She’d amazed Kieran with her practical approach to the problems facing her once she’d got over her initial shock of finding there were no workers.

He hadn’t forgotten her tears for her father either, her fear for his life. And how distressed she’d been on finding out how badly situated financially this place had become. Another problem Max had kept from her. The past days had taken it out of Abby more than any of them. She constantly yawned. Occasionally she’d even been grumpy.

‘From what I’ve seen and heard, Abby’s always been a strong one,’ Andrew added.

‘The twins would’ve managed without her. People do when there’s no choice.’ He didn’t want to think of Abby having to be strong for everyone again. Not on her own, anyway. He wanted to be there for her, to stand by her, support her, look out for her. From a distance?
How would that work, boyo?

Abby pushed the accounts aside and stretched out in her father’s office chair. Another day nearly done, nothing else needing urgent attention. Everything was working out a lot
better than she’d have believed possible on the day of the accident.

Unless he had a setback, her father would be coming home in two days’ time. On the orchard front Andrew had been a surprise. He thrived on all the physical work, had even hinted that he’d like to give up his job as an accountant and get into the orchard business. It would certainly solve a lot of problems for her father if he did.

She could hear him out on the deck chatting with Kieran. The twins were in the kitchen, creating dinner. Scary thought. But it gave her the warm fuzzies the way they’d pulled together with her during this crisis.

Through the window she studied the rows of fruit trees. The afternoon offshore breeze had died away. The air was still and hot. Her favourite time of the day. She should join the others. She would. In a minute. First she wanted a moment to herself.

To think about Kieran.

Now, there was another surprise. Not once had he put his hands up and said no to anything asked of him over the last few days. And he’d been outside his comfort zone many times. That hadn’t been the surprise, but more the fact that he’d jumped in to do anything he’d seen that had needing to be done. From cooking meals to changing Seamus’s diapers to mowing the orchard.

Her fingers curled tightly. Acting like someone who cared what happened to her family. Like a man who cared what happened to her. She gasped. Did he care for her? Maybe even love her? He hadn’t said as much, but hadn’t he spent the last few weeks showing her? Kieran had been there for her from the moment Dad had had his accident. Easing her through the horror of seeing Dad smashed up, cooking endless meals for her and her family? If that wasn’t showing her, then what was? But did Kieran know that? Did he understand his feelings?

He hadn’t shown any characteristics of the playboy he was reputed to be. Sure, he’d been friendly to everyone aged from naught to ninety, not just the females.

She’d wanted to believe the playboy image. It saved her from having to face the truth. Phillip had needed the constant gratification of different women to lift his self-confidence. Another part of Phillip’s insecurities meant that he continuously put her down, told her she was unattractive, and that she should’ve been grateful he’d wanted to marry her. He’d shouted at her that no one else would as she’d tossed her bags into her car the day she’d left him.

Kieran had proved him wrong. He’d been loyal to her, helped her out when no one else had even thought to offer a hand. The reputation her brother had warned her about years ago seemed to be a thing of the past. Kieran had probably dated a lot of different women because of his aversion to settling down. And that, she knew, came from his belief that he wouldn’t be a good husband or father. He mightn’t have had a good role model for either of those roles but somewhere in his life he’d learned anyway. Or was it just an intrinsic part of his make-up to be caring and loving and loyal?

Olivia bounced into the office, Seamus toddling along behind. ‘Abby, come and see what I’ve done for you.’

‘You’ve done something for me?’ Abby leaned forward and hugged Olivia to her. The kids. Where would she be without them? She loved them so much.

She loved Kieran so much. And she’d have to learn to live without him being around.

Olivia squirmed in her arms. ‘You were sad so I drawed some flowers.’

‘Flowers? For me? Sweetheart, that’s lovely. Where is this picture?’

‘Seamus scribbled on one flower. Bad boy.’ Olivia grabbed
her hand and tugged her out to the hall, where she stopped and pointed proudly. ‘See? Aren’t they pretty?’