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She smiled, and it was her mother’s smile in his own face. How did Becca think she could get away with it? Or had she counted on him never coming home? A sudden surge of anger closed his throat.
Gabby continued with a hushed tone. ‘It’s supposed to be a secret, I think. Except for Grandpa Ned and your mum.’ There was an almost wistful gleam in her eyes. ‘It could be our secret.’
A secret. He wanted to grab her and hold her tight, this child he’d never expected. Twelve years stood between any hope she’d accept that kind of affection from her absent father. Brought up with secrets that must have hurt.
Had his parents ever acknowledged their grandchild?
They were obviously close, being treated as grandchildren, without the formalities. Certainly the affection was there for Ned. Grace held herself back, and the children must have read her distance and treated her with a similar reticence.
He forced a smile, hiding the seething volcano of emotion bubbling underneath. ‘I guess we both need to talk to your mum.’
‘Are you angry?’
Her eyes were wide and unblinking, perhaps a little afraid of what she’d unleashed.
‘No, pumpkin. I’m surprised I wasn’t let in on the secret.’
‘Grace said …’ The girl stumbled to a halt, biting her bottom lip.
‘Yes?’
‘I wasn’t supposed to hear.’
‘If you think you shouldn’t repeat it, it’s all right. I can ask my mum.’
‘It was something about you being sick back then. That you should be allowed to get better. Are you very sick?’
Morgan debated how open to be to a child of her age, but she was too bright for evasions. He could give her a half-truth without compromising the past. ‘I was sick and I’m still not fully healed. Like a bad flu. Overall, I’m good. I need to take it easy and not do too much for a while.’
Her face fell.
‘I’m okay, Gabby.’
She screwed up her face. ‘It was just I had a favour to ask.’
Chapter 4
Morgan was in a strange mood. The grey suit with the narrow dark pinstripe screamed professional but also distant. It camouflaged the lean body that had shocked her the first day with its angularity and prominent bones.
Becca was constantly aware of the way he stared at her when he thought she wasn’t looking. She wondered if Morgan’s distraction was for the same reason she’d been studying him covertly. She’d been a fool to think she could keep her secrets once Morgan returned. Even Grace had been doubtful, speculating on what might happen. They still hadn’t come to an agreement about childcare and now it was too late. Grace seemed to think it better to let things go on as they were until Morgan asked. She still hadn’t released Becca from the agreement though she had to know Morgan wouldn’t let things lie. Not when he knew the truth, if Gabby’s report of their conversation was correct.
It was hard to concentrate but they’d still managed to get a lot done. He was a quick study on the computer system, and he’d brought his own laptop along to integrate it into the network. All he needed was some practice to learn the protocols and he could work on it in his own time. That was the least of her worries.
It was nearly lunchtime and he’d be gone, according to the arrangements he’d made with Doc Farrell. She shifted, ready to make her excuses and leave.
Morgan raised his eyes from the laptop screen. ‘I was wondering if you would have lunch with me. There are a few things I’d like to talk to you about.’
A chill kept her feet glued to the floor. ‘Lunch?’
He glanced at his watch. ‘It is lunchtime, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. But I don’t see …’
His pale eyes narrowed. ‘I’m not asking for a date. There are things I want to talk to you about the practice and I thought it would save time if we did it over a quick bite.’
Well, didn’t she feel stupid. ‘Of course. Where were you thinking?’
‘The Regal? If it’s still there.’
