the child he once was. In fact—and you should be prepared for this—it’s unlikely he’ll be the child he once was. A brain injury that kept Harry in a coma for a week must have been pretty severe.’
Daniel leaned across the table and fixed his startlingly coloured eyes on Colleen. ‘At least say you’ll think about it.’
God, she hated it when people put pressure on her. Despite her unease about the way this man chose to go about finding someone to look after his son, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. No one should have to go through what Daniel was going through. She knew that better than most. Ten years ago, her youngest brother, Cahil had been in the same situation as Harry. That’s why she did what she did. But however much compassion she felt for Harry, what Daniel was asking was impossible.
‘I’m sorry—the answer is still no.’ Colleen pushed the last piece of sausage around her plate and dunked it in tomato sauce. ‘Look, I’m sorry about your son, really I am. But I’ve got a job and I can’t just up and leave. And I’ve got a life here in Dublin—a fiancé, my family …’
‘Three brothers—’ Daniel’s green eyes bored into hers ‘—two of whom still live at home. Your youngest brother, Cahil, suffered a head injury ten years ago. I believe he’s now his school’s football-team star striker.’
For the first time in as long as she could remember, Colleen was speechless.
‘You’re engaged to your childhood sweetheart, Ciaran, but don’t live together,’ Daniel continued. ‘You’ve started to build your own house and when you have enough money to finish it then you’ll get married. Some may think that’s old fashioned …’ he paused ‘… unusual, even.’
Anger knotted in her stomach. To think she’d felt sorry for him! Research into her suitability as a nurse for his son was one thing—even if she hadn’t applied for the job—but digging into her personal life? That was too much.
‘How dare you snoop into my life …?’
‘I prefer to call it research and I dare because I want to do what is best for my son.’
‘No doubt you do—but it still doesn’t give you the right to—’
‘You could get a six-month sabbatical from your job. What I’m willing to pay you will be more than enough for you to finish building your house, with plenty left over for a wedding. In addition, I’m also prepared to make a substantial contribution to your rehab unit. I looked into their accounts and my donation would enable them to buy some much-needed equipment. I’ve spoken to your boss and he’s agreed to release you for up to six months—by the way, he has nothing but praise for your nursing skills. As far as being separated from your fiancé and your family is concerned, you’ll have as much time off as you need once Harry is on the mend and I’ll even arrange a private plane to fly you back to Dublin whenever you want.’
Colleen let out a whoosh of air and sat back in her seat. ‘You’ve thought of everything haven’t you?’
‘I’ve had to. For Harry’s sake, I will do whatever it takes to make him better.’ Daniel swallowed and for a second the mask slipped again and she saw such naked pain in his eyes that she sucked in a breath.
‘My son needs me,’ Daniel continued. ‘And I need you. Help me get my son back. Don’t think of doing it for me, if that makes it easier. Think of doing it for him.’ For a few seconds silence hung between them. ‘Please.’
Colleen studied him for a moment. She had the impression that this man wasn’t used to pleading. His insistent green eyes and his obvious distress about his son drew her in, making her want to help him, but still she hesitated. He was asking a great deal and she didn’t know enough about Harry to know whether she was the right person for the job.
Daniel pulled another photograph from his pocket. ‘This was taken three weeks ago.’
Colleen took the second photograph from him. Harry was lying in a hospital bed. Despite the tube running from his nostril he still looked beautiful with his silver-blond hair and smooth pale skin. Her stomach twisted at the blankness in his green eyes.
Her mind spiralled back to those early days when Cahil had been injured. He, too, had lain in a hospital bed, looking up at them with unseeing eyes. The doctors hadn’t held out much hope. But Mammy had refused to give up on her child. She had insisted on taking Cahil home and as a family they had worked around the clock to coax him back to health. It had taken months to get him to feed himself and even longer before he was walking and talking again, but now, as Daniel pointed out, he was recovered enough to play for the school football team.
Daniel must have seen her hesitation. ‘At least say you’ll meet him,’ he pressed. ‘Come to London with me. If, after you’ve met him, you still feel you can’t take up my offer, I promise you, there will be no hard feelings. Your unit will get its donation irrespective of what you decide.’
Before she had a chance to answer, Daniel’s mobile rang. He looked at it and frowned. ‘I’m sorry, but I really have to take this.’ He stood up and headed for the door. ‘I’ll just be a few minutes.’
As soon as he’d stepped outside, Trish scurried over to the table and sat down opposite Colleen.
‘Who the hell is that gorgeous hunk of flesh? Why haven’t you told me about him? God, Col, I didn’t know you had it in you!’
Colleen’s head was still full of images of Cahil and Harry. She shook her head to clear it and looked outside to where Daniel was talking on his phone.
‘What? Oh, that’s Daniel Frobisher. He wants me to go to London to be his son’s private nurse.’
Trish looked disappointed. ‘I thought he was your new lover.’
Colleen knew she shouldn’t really be shocked. Trish always said the first thing that came into her head. She glared at her best friend.
‘Have you forgotten I’m engaged?’ she said, indignant.
Trish let out a whoosh of air. ‘And have you forgotten about the doubts you’ve been having? That in itself is a good reason to go to London. It will give you space to make up your mind about how you really feel about Ciaran.’
Perhaps Trish was right. Ever since she and Ciaran had become engaged, Colleen had been feeling unsure. She should be on top of the world, instead of feeling as if she was being dragged towards a deep hole.
‘It’s only pre-wedding jitters,’ Colleen said, more emphatically than she felt. ‘I do love Ciaran, of course I do. I feel comfortable with him. Isn’t that what marriage is about? Mutual respect, shared interests …?’ She glanced towards where Daniel was standing, still talking into the phone. She couldn’t imagine anyone feeling comfortable with him. He was too intense, too restless, too … Just too much of everything!
‘Heavens to glory, girl!’ Trish said. ‘Feeling comfortable with someone is not a basis for marriage. If you want comfort, why don’t you buy yourself a pair of slippers? Oops, I forgot. You do have slippers. Those crazy things that look like you’re wearing two dead lambs on your feet. Where’s the excitement with you and Ciaran? The glamour? The passion? The can’t-keep-your-hands-off-each-other kind? Where’s the drinking champagne at lunch time?’
‘I don’t like champagne,’ Colleen said with another nervous glance
