Found: A Father For Her Child

‘Do you mind? Will it wake Dana?’

Carrie dragged her gaze away from his jaw. She laughed. ‘She slept through a car smashing into us, four sirens and a helicopter.’

He chuckled. ‘Good point.’

Charlie was grateful for the music to distract them from conversation. At the accident scene Carrie had been easy to dismiss as a blood-phobic, hyperventilating tie-dye flake. But seeing her now, free of the stress of the accident, she was a different woman altogether. One that appealed to him immensely. She had teased him about his car, sympathised over his divorce and told him about her little girl. Suddenly she was three-dimensional. Complex.

Desirable even. The thought slid insidiously into his head. No. No way. She was a single mother. You didn’t mess with them. Honourable men knew that. Especially not when his life was such a mess. A separation, a divorce and an almost year-long health crisis. In two weeks he’d have some closure, but until then his life was on hold.

And after that? There were things to do. Big things. A major project that had been shelved for too long was a priority. He wouldn’t have time for an exotic single mother and her cute child. Relationships were going to be light from now on. Nothing heavy. His life had weighed a tonne for years. And women with children deserved more than that.

They passed the rest of the trip listening to the music and indulging in occasional light conversation. Charlie was grateful when he pulled up outside her apartment block. Her laughter and her scent had filled the car. He couldn’t hear the squeak of the back tyre any more or smell the slight aroma of rust. And he liked those things about his car. OK, it was probably a guy thing—heaven knew, Veronica had hated every inch of it—but he liked them a lot. And it was disturbing to think this woman could completely obliterate them.

‘Thanks for the lift, Charlie. And for…you know…snapping me out of it back there.’ Now she was home she didn’t want to get out. Strangely she felt like staying in the car, chatting with him. They’d shared an experience tonight that few strangers shared. They’d saved a man’s life. She felt a weird kind of connection.

‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘I know that wasn’t easy for you. You did good. Really.’ Charlie wanted her to go as desperately as he wanted her to stay. It was an unsettling feeling. It was as if they’d developed a strange kind of bond. ‘I’ll help you with Dana.’

They got out of the car and Carrie ducked her head to unbuckle Dana. She managed to pick her up without disturbing her.

‘I’ll get the seat,’ Charlie said.

Being unfamiliar with children’s safety seats, he made a real hash of it. ‘How do you get the blasted thing out?’

Carrie laughed. ‘Here.’ She gently passed Dana to him. ‘Move aside I’ll do it.’

Charlie felt a funny tightening in his chest as Dana murmured and wriggled in his arms, trying to find the most comfortable position. Her blonde head snuggled into his neck and her hair smelt like toffee-apples.

Carrie removed the seat easily and he indicated for her to precede him. Carrie placed the seat on the ground and opened the front door. She turned and held her arms out for Dana. Charlie passed her over gently.

It was such a domestic scene Charlie couldn’t quite believe he was in it. Or how…nice it felt. It had an odd kind of pull. But his life was complicated, his head was messed up and she had a child. And he’d probably never see her ever again. They were hardly compatible.

‘Well, thanks for this, Charlie. I really appreciate it. It was nice meeting you. I just wish it had been under different circumstances.’

He chuckled. ‘Amen to that.’

Carrie walked through the door and closed it without looking back. She put Dana to bed, trying not to think about the sense of intimacy she’d had when Charlie had handed Dana back. It was insane to think that way. Charlie was gone. The book had shut on their brief encounter. She had a daughter to raise and a career to forge.

She didn’t need any Charlies in her life.

CHAPTER TWO

CHARLIE sat at his desk on Monday morning and drummed his fingers impatiently. He’d slept badly and his first appointment was late. He was annoyed. Just because he ran a drop-in centre, it didn’t mean he had time to wait around for nosy hospital administrators.

He picked up the phone and dialled Joe’s number. His best friend answered with his usual jovial greeting.

‘Deep, philosophical question for you. Is it insane to fantasise about a woman who nearly vomited over you and you had to talk out of a panic attack?’

‘And this couldn’t wait half an hour?’

‘Nope.’

‘Is she hot?’

‘Hell, Joe, I said deep.’ Charlie laughed. ‘We saved a life together. Well…actually, she was a mess but…I can’t stop thinking about her.’

‘OK, buddy, back up. Tell me the story.’

Charlie relayed the details of the previous night’s incident. ‘She’s so not my type. She looked like a gypsy. She was wearing tie-dye, for God’s sake. You know I prefer pinstripes.’

‘Like vile Veronica?’

‘Well…yes.’

‘Oh, yeah, that turned out so well.’

‘Well, it should have.’

‘Your ex-wife was a stuck-up cow. Strikes me you could do with a little tie-dye.’

‘She has a child. A little girl.’

‘OK, stop right there.’

‘I know, I know. It’s crazy. I shouldn’t be thinking like this.’

Joe laughed. ‘Relax, Charlie. It’s just the celibacy talking, man. In two weeks’ time the tests will come back negative and you can get back on the horse. No man can think straight after a year of no sex.’

Charlie nodded. His friend made a very good point. ‘Right.’

‘Right. So…see you soon?’

‘Right.’

Charlie hung up the phone and checked his watch, his thoughts returning once again to Carrie. Damn it! He drummed his fingers more loudly.

Carrie was late. It was unprofessional and rude. She tried the number again but was blocked by yet another busy signal. Last night’s accident had sure thrown a spanner into the works. Having to arrange insurance and quotes and organise a hire car this morning had not been conducive to punctuality. And she’d slept badly, tossing and turning and thinking about Charlie all night.

She stood in front of the drab-looking building that she’d been assigned to and felt uncharacteristically depressed. A faded sign on the front announced it was the Valley Drop-In Centre. God, I’m tired. She pushed through the mesh reinforced glass doors and looked around the room.

‘Dr Wentworth?’ she asked a couple of bored, tatty-looking teenagers. They pointed to a closed door and she approached it briskly. She had a job to do and regardless of her near-death experience last night, she needed to put it aside and concentrate on today. Concentrate. The chipped nameplate said ‘Dr Charles Wentworth’. She thought of Charlie and then shook her head disgustedly. Concentrate, damn it!

She gave a brisk rap.

‘Come in.’

Carrie took a deep breath, pushed the door open and walked into the office. She stopped in mid-stride, knowing instantly who the tall rangy man with the shaggy downcast head sitting behind the desk was and gave a startled gasp.

Charlie looked up at the noise, his pen stilling in surprise. ‘Carrie?’