made?’ He scowled. ‘Listen, Taylor, you’ve been a silent partner in this firm for the best part of six years. Don’t think you can waltz back here and start quizzing me on how I run the company!’
‘I...I never meant to imply...’ She paused and tried again. ‘I was only making conversation—’
‘Ah! Sorry I didn’t realize your interest was only superficial!’
‘It’s not!’ she protested, angry at his accusation. Once Adams Relief had been as much the focus of her life as his. When they’d started the temporary-staffing business, a year after their marriage, they’d only listed replacement office staff on their books, but within eight months they had several highly qualified people capable of stepping into managerial positions. Three years from the inception of the business, Craig had seen an opportunity for expansion. Himself a qualified mechanic who’d completed his business-management degree at night, he saw the need for qualified tradesmen to be provided on a relief basis and so Adams Relief stretched its services to cater for this demand, also.
Taylor had to admit that for a long time, like Craig, she had regarded Adams Relief as their ‘child’ and had delighted in watching it grow and develop under their guidance. But unexpectedly her maternal instincts started to surface and she became less and less satisfied with the idea of being solely career orientated. Craig, however, had been so completely opposed to amending their original decision to never have children, Taylor hadn’t raised the issue a second time and pushed the idea from her mind. At least she tried.
Perhaps it was some sort of trick of her subconscious that allowed her to fall pregnant. Perhaps it was a case of wishing too hard and too often, but regardless of what quirk of nature saw her get pregnant while using contraceptives, the fact was she did.
Thinking of her precious daughter, she was eternally grateful the decision had been taken from her hands.
‘Rest assured, Craig,’ she said, ‘I have no desire to try to interfere with the way you’ve been running the firm.’
‘Too busy overseeing the Radcliffe family fortunes, are we?’
‘I won’t even dignify that remark with an answer!’
‘You’re right. That was uncalled for.’ He presented her with an apologetic look. ‘I really was sorry to hear about your parents. A hotel fire is a tragic way to die. It can’t have been easy for you to deal with.’
‘I coped. And at least they went together.’ She gave a small ironic smile. ‘I doubt either of them could have survived without the other. Or wanted to.’
Craig recognized the flash of pain in her face. He knew that as a child, Taylor had spent her life on the outside, looking in at parents too wrapped up in themselves to notice their little girl. She’d always claimed if she ever loved anyone as completely as her parents loved each other, she’d never have children. Six years into their marriage, she’d changed her mind.
‘They were quite different once my father retired and Mel and I moved to Adelaide,’ she said softly as if reading his thoughts. ‘Father especially was quite taken with Melanie, and Mother showed me dozens of albums full of photographs of me as a baby.’ She gave a brittle laugh. ‘Of course, there aren’t many of me from the age of five onwards. Boarding-schools aren’t big on taking snaps of pupils.’
‘So how come you’re so keen to send Melanie to St Catherine’s?’
‘Because it’s an excellent school.’
‘Well, I think she’s far too young for boarding-school—’
‘You think!’ Taylor practically spat the words. ‘For your information, she’ll be a day pupil not a boarder! And besides,’ she said tersely, ‘you’ve been a silent partner where Mel’s concerned for the past five years! I’ve managed to make all the right decisions thus far—’
‘Have you?’ His interjection was ignored.
‘And I don’t need your two cents’ worth now!’
‘I’m back!’ The reappearance of Melanie interrupted them.
‘Good girl,’ Taylor said, rising to her feet and gathering up her handbag, ‘because we have to leave now.’
‘Ohhh.’ The protest was the universal whine of a five-year-old. Taylor ignored it not because of anything she’d read in a good-parenting manual, but because self-preservation demanded she end this fiasco as quickly as possible.
Craig caught her by the elbow. ‘Have dinner with me tonight.’ It wasn’t a question but his tone stopped it short of being a command.
‘Can we, Mummy?’ Melanie pleaded, tugging Taylor’s hand.
‘I’m sorry, but I play basketball on Friday nights,’ Taylor said, grateful for the excuse.
‘You still play basketball?’
‘I happen to believe in staying in shape and keeping fit.’
‘Well,’ he whispered, ‘there’s no denying you’re in great shape, but I’d like to test out your fitness for myself. How about tomorrow night, say eight o’clock?’ He smiled at her blushing confusion.
‘Nnnoo...I don’t like to have Melanie out late two nights in a row,’ she said, dislodging his grip and hurrying to the street. He kept pace with her.
‘I wasn’t suggesting you bring Melanie,’ he muttered.
If she’d hoped the fresh air would help clear her mind and soothe her jumbled nerves, she was wrong. The warm, early-February breeze seemed determined to sweep the musky scent of his favourite aftershave into her nostrils and into every cell of her memory. Sensual panic rushed through her, partly created by his scent and the tone of his voice, and partly by the feel of his breath on her neck. Her stride faltered and he grasped her elbow with lightning reflexes to prevent her stumbling. She jerked free as if scalded.
‘I...I can’t get a sitter. I’ve lost touch with most of my old friends,’ she said.
‘Even your old school pal, Dr Liz O’Shea?’
‘Liz plays on the team with me when she’s not on duty.’
‘Well, then, hire a professional.’ Her look of outraged horror told Craig he’d made a tactical mistake.
‘I will not leave Melanie with strangers! The answer is no!’
He shoved his hands into his pockets, pondering the idea of hauling her into his arms and kissing her into agreement, but one look at her determined features crushed the egotistical belief he could do it. But he wasn’t prepared to let her walk away without knowing for sure he was going to see her again. Soon.
He was struggling with a solution when he caught sight of the childish smile being beamed up at him. Well, he thought, returning the little girl’s grin, All’s fair in love and war.
‘Hey, Melanie,’ he said, ‘how would you feel if I called over one night next week to check how you were doing at school?’
‘Craig!’ Taylor’s blurted anger was drowned out by her daughter.
