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‘That’s my boy. Give it to Daddy.’
Kieran gasped. ‘What did you say?’
The air whooshed out of her lungs. Where had that come from? She’d intended discussing with Kieran what she should call him when talking to Seamus before she mentioned the D word. She stared at Kieran, aghast. He looked as shocked as she felt. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I—’
She spun around to the bench, staring at her shaking hands as she tried to pick up a knife to slice the tomatoes. He’d never talk to her again. At least not for the rest of the night—if he stayed now.
‘Abby, it’s all right.’ Kieran’s hand touched her shoulder, pressured her to turn to face him. ‘I should have a name, and I guess I am Seamus’ father.’
Seamus bumped between their legs, startling them both into looking down. He held the opener up to Kieran.
Shock drained the colour from Kieran’s cheeks. ‘Did he really understand you? Does he know I’m his father?’
Kieran stared at his son, speechless. Then slowly he crouched down and took the opener in one hand. He ran the other hand over Seamus’ head, and whispered, ‘Thanks, boyo.’
Dear Reader
Sunny Nelson is truly one of New Zealand’s gems. I moved there eighteen years ago and instantly felt at home. The city is small, but vibrant. It is picturesque, with a harbour at the front door and mountains in the background. I learnt to fly at Nelson’s airport—the one mentioned in this book. Hope does exist, and I have regularly bought fruit at the orchards lining the roads. I met my husband in Nelson, so for me it is the perfect setting for a romance.
Abby and Kieran have a lot to overcome when they come together. But they both have so much to give to each other—and to little Olivia and Seamus—that they can’t go wrong. If only they can put the past behind them …
I hope you enjoy following their journey as they move forward to a rewarding and loving life together.
Cheers!
Sue MacKay
www.suemackay.nz.co
About the Author
With a background working in medical laboratories, and a love of the romance genre, it is no surprise that SUE MACKAY writes Medical™ Romance stories. An avid reader all her life, she wrote her first story at age eight—about a prince, of course. She lives with her husband in beautiful Marlborough Sounds, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, where she can indulge her passions for the outdoors, the sea and cycling. She is currently training as a volunteer ambulance officer.
Recent titles by the same author:
THEIR MARRIAGE MIRACLE
To Louise Groarke, my wonderful critique partner.
And to Iona Jones, Barb Jeffcott Geris,
Margie Stewart, Deborah Shattock and Emily Gee— of the very supportive Blenheim Writers group.
PLAYBOY
DOCTOR TO DOTING DAD
SUE MACKAY
CHAPTER ONE
ABBY BROWN stared out of the window at the long, neat rows of nectarine trees with their small fruit that were just beginning to fill out. Her father’s orchard: the one constant in her life. Each season brought its own routine and, with summer officially starting this week, December meant spraying and crop thinning.
Stop procrastinating. This had to be done. On a long, indrawn breath, she pressed redial. The one phone call she did not want to make, had tried making for two years. She knew the number off by heart she’d rung it so often. But this time she actually had to let the phone ring. Had to wait for Kieran to answer. This time she could not hang up in a panic. She could no longer put off telling him.
This was her third attempt to reach him tonight, and the only reason she kept trying was because having this particular conversation face to face with him would be worse. A whole lot worse.
The ringing stopped as the phone was picked up somewhere in Dublin. ‘Kieran Flynn speaking.’
Words died on Abby’s tongue. That sweet Irish lilt reminded her exactly why she’d got into this situation in the first place.
‘Hello? Anyone there?’ Kieran asked, a smile in his voice.
She couldn’t do this.
She had to do it. Quickly, before she could slam the phone down, she answered, ‘It’s Abby Brown.’
‘Abigail? Really? Where are you? I mean, are you here? Or are you calling from New Zealand?’ Measured surprise lifted his voice.
‘I’m at home.’ How could she afford to travel to Ireland? ‘I thought it was about time I made contact with you.’
‘What a coincidence. I’m coming down your way in a few days.’ Kieran paused then added, ‘I’m working in your local hospital for two months, managing the emergency department.’
‘I heard. The hospital grapevine is in good working order. I had hoped you’d have been in touch before coming out.’
‘I thought I’d wait until I’d settled in, get to know my way around first, before giving you a call. I also wondered if I might possibly spend some time with Olivia.’
Yeah, sure. His niece. The little girl they had joint guardianship of. The child he barely remembered to send birthday and Christmas presents to. Had he really intended calling? Or did he think this was the right thing to say now that she’d contacted him? Obviously he hadn’t realised he’d see her at the hospital. Heaven help her. It wasn’t going to be easy if they didn’t get past the news she had for him. ‘We’ll be working together.’
‘We will? That’s fantastic. For some reason I thought you were nursing in Paediatrics.’ Charm thickened the lilt.
It also sent the muscles in her stomach into spasms, which was plain stupid because she didn’t hold any special feelings for this man. Really? ‘I transferred to ED nearly a year ago. I prefer it to Paediatrics.’ These days she didn’t like dealing with sick children all the time. It made her worry too much. At least in ED she worked with a variety of patients.
‘Then we’ll have plenty of time to see each other, and catch up on things. Should be fun.’
Things? A child was not a thing. ‘That will be great. Olivia needs to get to know her Irish family.’
‘I guess so.’ He sounded unsure. Backing off already?
‘Of course she does. It’s an important part of her heritage. I think I’m right in believing you’re the only living relative on her mother’s side.’
‘No, there is her grandfather, but I haven’t a clue where he is these days. I don’t think there’s any hurry for Olivia to meet him. In fact, she’s probably a whole lot better off never knowing him.’
‘That’s kind of sad.’ She couldn’t imagine not knowing where her father was, or any member of her family for that matter. ‘Olivia adores her Kiwi grandfather.’
‘Then she’s very lucky and we should leave the situation as it stands.’ His tone suggested she’d be wise not to argue.
Okay, so she could be patient, give him time to get to know Olivia better before raising the point again. But right now she was being sidetracked from the purpose of this call. Again