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His parents had been the besthim feel wanted, needed He’d loved theh naturally he’d pushed every button they’d had and soht when he’d been ten years old

He’d been staying with his best friend down the road in Bloo It had been so loud and shrill in the quiet evening that he’d felt a chill up his back He’d never been able to explain why he’d known soht and that it involved hi on the doorstep, and the news had been grim

His parents were dead, killed in a car accident, and from then on he was to live with his uncle and aunt and cousins It was a lie because within three one back to the house for those school holidays when he hadn’t gone to his friend’s ho for love like that that had been stolen from him, but he’d always been afraid that if he found it, it would once again be whipped away

Yet he’d fallen for Christine andshe’d been friendly, and keen to have two children, though he’d learned after the wedding thatlove was only for ovulation days Oh, and the fortune he’d inherited from his father was necessary to keep her happy, and the London house equally i to realise that the deep, abiding love his parents had had and which he’d been looking for wasn’t happening with Christine so he’d filed for divorce Thanks to the pre-nup he still hadhis father down on that aspect would’ve deci sure Christine didn’t go without

Ping ‘What floor do you want?’ a young woman asked

‘Two, thanks’ Better let her press the button That way he ht arrive where he needed to be

Not where he wanted to be Which was in a café with coffees on the table between him and Anastasia If she even liked coffee He’d better start calling her Stacey, in front of staff at least That’d keep everyone else away froht also help hiht later regret

To think he’d woken thata nor with other people’s proble up to speed with the staff and this hospital and how different it was to work in London compared to Auckland, where everyone wasto know his cousin fro to stay but the sense of unfinished business back in London had nagged

Anastasia had also always popped into his head at those retted returning home, but responsibilities had called in the forlect duty Even when it involved people who’d neglected him So here he was, and he’d make the most of the situation

His thoughts returned to Anastasia Her ready shter full of happiness Her hourglass figure, and those dance moves

His gut clenched, his heart flipped, and a sigh trickled over his lips Should’ve stayed in Auckland It would’ve been easier, safer, and a whole lot ain

CHAPTER TWO

STACEY HELPED JONATHON into a clean gown ‘The porter will be here shortly to take you down to Theatre Mr Kennedy has put you first on his list and is waiting for you’

He’d prioritised Jonathon when she’d called with the lab results, said he’d already decided he was going to operate because so, and he believed it was appendicitis And he’d acknowledged Anastasia’s opinion Yep They did have an unexplainable link between them

Just listening to that deep gravelly voice gave her the shivers in the nicest, warmest way possible, and reminded her of what lay ahead before she could even consider anything else He was the father of her daughter That would be a gaer Whether he liked her or not Whether he wanted to spend tiain other than on the ward

Another thought stopped her in her tracks What if he turned against her when she told hi? All very well being able to prove his parenthood, but that didn’t ht have to apply for a new position She loved this job, was so proud of being head nurse, and changing jobs would hurt like hell

So don’t even consider it Stand your ground You’ve done nothing wrong

‘The doc doesn’t muck around, does he?’ her patient said

‘It appears that way’ Was Noah like that in all his endeavours, or just with patients requiring urgent care? Hoould he take her news? It’d knock him for sure But hoould he react? She doubted he’d procrastinate He’d taken her into the centre of the dance floor thewith him, and when she’d asked him to kiss her he hadn’t hesitated A man who knew his own mind Another point in his favour was that he hadn’t been pushy or deentle Yes, and hot and wonderful She flapped a hand in front of her face ‘It’s warm in here’

‘Can’t say I’,’ Jonathon commented

‘That’s probably nerves I’ll get you a blanket Oh, hi, Jim Jonathon, your porter’s here’