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‘By all means. Becca will be your main man to get you up to speed. She runs the computer system and the business side of things. I’d have been still using the old filing system but she nagged me into upgrading.’ There was an element of satisfaction in the old boy’s expression. He had always been fond of Becca, letting her do work experience at the practice during her last few years at school. It meant Morgan would be stuck with her.
As if he’d read Morgan’s thoughts, Doc Farrell cleared his throat. ‘All the staff are excellent. I hope you aren’t planning any sweeping changes. Bert and Karen have been here for well-nigh twenty years and Becca’s been running the place for eight years or so. Young Laureen on reception is new, but she fits in with the team. They all need the work. Not too many jobs available locally unless you’re in agriculture and they mostly want backpackers for picking.’
‘I didn’t expect to see Becca still in town.’
There, he’d said it.
With a vague wave of a hand showing its age, the doctor smiled. ‘With two kiddies to look after, she needed the support of the community. She’d have been a fool to move to the city where she knew no-one and everything is dearer. She’s got her mother’s old place still, out your way.’
‘What about Dan?’ Surely he’d be helping out financially. With two children. She must have had another child later.
‘He’s there with her. Works in Bialga so you won’t see too much of him. Although you’ll be neighbours, so to speak. Local gossip tells me you bought the property next to your parents. I think your mother was hoping to take you back under her wing and get you fattened up again.’
‘I’m too old to go back to living with my parents. It’s been close to fifteen years without counting boarding school. I like being on my own.’
A small crease marred the plump smoothness of the older man’s forehead. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t bring a wife and family back with you.’
‘I’m sure my mother would have been happy to see me settled before this. I liked my work and it wasn’t conducive to relationships.’ He didn’t want to talk about himself, but his respect for the man he’d known all his life kept his resentment under control.
‘I suppose not.’ Doc Farrell steepled his fingers thoughtfully. ‘Yes, I suppose it must be close to thirteen years since you were last home. I don’t think I’ve seen you since the night of the tragedy.’
Something tightened in Morgan’s chest. ‘I did come back for the police interviews in Bialga, but only stayed overnight with my parents.’
‘And we haven’t seen you until today.’
‘There was no reason to come back. My career was elsewhere.’
‘Of course.’ Those shrewd eyes were delving into his soul again. ‘I think you’ll find a lot of things have changed. You missed a lot while you were away. Maybe you’ll find more than one reason to stay.’
Morgan wondered at the slow deliberation of the words. He couldn’t help feeling the other man was trying to tell him something. A shiver prickled his spine. He’d had good reasons to leave and some of those reasons still existed. What on earth did the doctor think would encourage him to stay? He was committed to the practice and the contract with the local hospital was for three years. Enough time to get his own health back up to scratch. Unless he was concerned about Morgan’s parents’ health. But he already knew about his father’s heart condition.
He had a feeling there was something else. An image of Becca flashed into his mind, the new Becca, so restrained and prim. He dismissed it. There was nothing here for him. Not anymore.
Chapter 2
It was a relief to climb on her bike and start peddling home, leaving Morgan to speak with Doctor Farrell. Morgan’s parents waited at their home for her to pick up the children. If she could reach there and take the children before their son arrived all the better. The last thing she needed was another run in with Morgan Cavanaugh.
Twenty minutes later she leaned the bike against the bottom of the front steps of the Cavanaugh homestead. She was used to the five-kilometre ride, as were the children. Quickly mounting the stairs she went through to the kitchen, led by the sound of happy chatter. Grace Cavanaugh spotted her first, her attention drawn from the homework books spread over the old pine kitchen table.
‘Rebecca? Home early for a change.’
The twins looked up with brows furrowed and she gave them a reassuring smile.
‘I got away right on time. Morgan arrived and helped out with an emergency.’
Grace’s taut expression showed her conflict. ‘You’ve seen Morgan? What did he say?’
‘He seemed surprised to see me. I thought he’d know.’
Grace flushed. ‘I haven’t mentioned you at all in my letters.’
Her husband stepped in, tipping the freshly peeled potatoes into the sink and frowned at his wife. ‘You mean Morgan had no idea he’d be working with Becca at the clinic?’
‘There never seemed the right time. I meant to tell him when he came here. It didn’t occur to me he’d go straight to the clinic when he arrived in town.’
‘Damn.’ Becca slumped onto the end of the table, ignoring Grace’s disapproving look at her language. ‘What if he doesn’t want me there? It’s his practice after all.’
Ned Cavanaugh shook his head. ‘Morgan wouldn’t put you out of work without good reason, Becca. Everyone knows what a good job you do at the clinic.’
