While he didn’t want to become embroiled in practice politics or take sides in whatever dispute had occurred between Nick and Kate, he couldn’t deny that taking on the extra duties had an appeal. Saying yes would mean more time working closely with Chloe. And the more time he could spend with her, getting to know her, easing past her defences and deciding if there was something worth pursuing, the better as far as he was concerned.
‘No problem, Nick.’ There was no way he was going to turn down an opportunity to be near Chloe. ‘I’ll be happy to cover for you.’
The older man’s relief was evident. ‘Excellent. Thank you, Oliver. I’ll fill you in on things and if it’s not too short notice, perhaps you could start by attending the next meeting with the midwives?’
‘Sure.’ Oliver pulled his diary towards him and opened it. ‘When is it?’
‘Actually, it’s in about half an hour. I, um, have to leave early,’ he finished, having the grace to look uncomfortable at the lame explanation.
Hiding a smile, Oliver nodded. ‘Don’t worry about it.’
He listened and made notes as Nick went through the salient points he needed to know, a shiver of anticipation fluttering inside him at what lay ahead. The prospect of breaking the news to Chloe and Kate that he would be replacing Nick for the immediate future was an unappealing one. He imagined that each woman would have her own reasons to be unsettled by the change. But he wasn’t going to shy away from the challenge. This unexpected turn of events could work in his favour. He was wary about the timing, unsure where any relationship might go, but instinct told him there could be something interesting between them. And desiring her as he did, he now had the perfect chance to try to woo Chloe MacKinnon.
CHAPTER TWO
CHLOE watched Kate check her watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. Kate was quite a few years her senior but they had always got on well together. The friendship had deepened further since Kate had returned to work alongside her as a midwife after giving up her job as practice manager and taking a refresher course so she could resume her previous career.
‘Kate, are you all right?’
Uncharacteristically fidgety, her companion glanced up and attempted a half-hearted smile. ‘Fine. Fine.’
‘You realise you’re holding that file upside down?’ Chloe asked with calm concern.
‘Oh!’ Kate stared at the offending object in her hands and closed it, setting it on top of the pile in front of her. ‘Sorry, Chloe, I’m as jumpy as anything.’
‘Nick?’
‘Who else?’ Kate’s wry laugh was brief and without humour.
Chloe smiled in sympathy. Having only very recently been privy to details of the latest turmoil between Kate and the senior partner at Penhally, she was worried about her friend and couldn’t help but be annoyed at Nick’s behaviour. True, it had to come as a shock to learn by chance that he was the father of Kate’s nine-year-old-son, Jem, but to her mind his reaction had been excessive and his treatment of Kate inexcusable. Given the tension that now existed between the two of them, it was unsurprising that Kate was nervous at the prospect of their weekly antenatal meeting. The previous meetings since Nick had learned of Jem’s paternity had been fraught and awkward.
‘Would you rather I took the meeting on my own and brought you up to date on Monday?’ Chloe offered, wanting to spare her friend and colleague further distress.
Kate shook her head. ‘No, my love, thank you. I have to face him and I’m not going to run away. I’ve known him a long time and he has his own way of dealing with things. He can be so stubborn,’ she added with a sad, resigned smile.
‘If there’s anything I can do…’
‘Actually…’ Kate straightened, a frown of consideration creasing her brow. ‘I hate to impose, but are you busy tonight?’
‘No, I’ve nothing special planned.’
‘You’re not going out with the girls?’
Chloe shook her head. ‘Not this Friday. I’m meeting Lauren at the farmers’market tomorrow morning before my lunchtime parents’ class, then we’re getting together with Vicky in the evening. What did you have in mind?’
‘I think I should see Nick away from work, explain things from my point of view, and leave him to mull the situation over on his own.’ Kate paused as if uncertain of her plan. ‘It may not work, but I feel I have to try. If you don’t mind me dropping Jem off at your place for an hour or so—he does so love seeing you and playing with your cats—then I could go and talk to Nick.’
‘That would be fine,’ Chloe agreed as they arranged a convenient time.
Chloe hoped Kate knew what she was doing. As the older woman had rightly said, Nick could be extremely stubborn and difficult. She didn’t want to see Kate hurt even more. Before she could express her concerns, the door swung open and Chloe saw that Kate’s surprise matched her own when it was Oliver and not Nick who walked into the room. He was carrying a tray, and Kate hurried to clear a space on the desk so he could put it down.
‘I brought refreshments,’ he explained with a smile, handing around mugs of tea before passing Chloe the sugar bowl and a spoon, clearly having noted her sweet tooth. She wasn’t sure what to make of that. Removing the tray, he replaced it with a biscuit tin. ‘I snaffled the last of Hazel’s Cornish fairings, too!’
Kate smiled at him, ever gracious and polite. ‘Thank you, Oliver, this is very welcome.’
Hooking a spare chair towards him with one foot, Oliver sat and reached for his own mug. He was far too close. Her stomach tightening, her pulse racing alarmingly, Chloe drew in a ragged a breath and battled the urge to edge her own chair further away. What was he doing here? And why did he always make her feel so strange?
‘Any news on Avril?’ Oliver asked, opening the tin and taking out one of the delicious ginger spiced home-made biscuits.
‘Yes. I was going to tell you but you were still with patients.’ Chloe bit her lip cursing her defensiveness. Oliver’s gaze met hers, a smile playing around his mouth, and she looked away, setting her mug down to mask her trembling fingers. ‘They are monitoring Avril but it is looking increasingly likely that a Caesarean will be necessary. Probably on Monday…if she remains stable over the weekend. I’ll let you know when I hear anything.’
‘Thanks, I’d appreciate that. Let’s hope mother and baby are both fine.’
Chloe nodded, noting how Kate sipped her tea and glanced anxiously towards the door. Her friend met her gaze and then looked at Oliver. ‘Nick’s not coming, is he?’ she asked, undisguised hurt in her brown eyes.
‘No, Kate, I’m afraid he isn’t. I’m sorry.’ Oliver sounded sincere and understanding. ‘He’s asked me to stand in for him with the antenatal work for the next couple of weeks because he has extra responsibilities on the town twinning committee.’
‘I see.’
Kate’s smile was strained and Chloe wasn’t sure which she wanted to do more…hug her friend or give Nick a piece of her mind. This was a public slap in the face for Kate but Chloe had to admit she had been surprised by and grateful for
