‘Eight is late for any morning of the week, no matter what’s been going on.’ She grinned. She couldn’t help it. Cody did that to her, made her want to smile, grin, shout from the rooftop. Shout what? Um… No idea, but it probably wouldn’t make a lot of sense.
‘Want some breakfast? I popped out to the supermarket early on.’
The mouth-watering smell of bacon cooking tempted her. A lot. But she knew better than to give into temptation. ‘Dry toast and herbal tea will do for now.’ Though that bacon did smell delicious.
‘No fatty food after a migraine?’
‘I avoid it for a while.’ Did he have to look so comfortable at the stove too? Where didn’t he fit in? Her ultra-modern kitchen had never looked so good, although a bit cramped for space. He could have been on the poster for the kitchen company; they wouldn’t have been able to keep up with orders.
‘So, no tennis today. But you’ve got that birthday party and a game of cricket tomorrow.’
‘My cricket skills are no better than my tennis ones. I usually keep the score.’ A sportswoman she was not. But there had to be something out there she could get into and enjoy, some hobby or game that would keep her busy and her brain engaged when she wasn’t working, or looking after one or other of ‘the brat pack’, as she called her brothers’ broods. Glancing across at her dining table, she shrugged. The patchwork quilt she’d promised her mother hadn’t progressed past the first few blocks.
‘Nor are my sewing attempts. Though I can sew two pieces of fabric together, I get bored too soon. I must have the attention span of a gnat because the thought of making something Mum would be proud to have on her bed does my head in.’
Cody’s gaze followed the direction she was staring in. ‘I can’t quite see you at a sewing machine. Seems too…’
‘Dull? Simple?’ She gave him a quick smile. ‘Or complicated?’
He laughed, retrieved the pan off the hob, tipped the bacon onto a slice of toast, added pepper and slapped a second slice on top. ‘You can stitch up people. I trust you to stitch fabric. Just didn’t seem like your kind of hobby for some reason.’
‘You might be right about that. Did you make it to the bedroom for a sleep last night, or stay on the couch?’
‘I gave one of the beds a go. I slept on top. I’ve tidied up so the kids won’t know I’ve even been in there.’
‘To be honest they won’t care who’s been using their room.’ Digging in the pantry, she found a packet of tea bags and a mug. ‘As long as there’s ice-cream in the freezer and chocolate in the cupboard, they’re happy.’
‘How many children have you got?’
The children question. It got to her every time even when she was used to it. Cody wasn’t to know her history, so it was an innocuous question, or would be for most women.
‘I haven’t got any.’ For a brief while there she’d felt totally at ease with this man in her apartment and forgotten the usual reasons why she didn’t spend time with men who intrigued her. Now, though disappointment flared, she should be grateful to Cody once again—this time for reminding her that she was destined to remain single. Men wanted families as much as she did.
‘Got that wrong, didn’t I? Gemma mentioned kids yesterday, and that spare bedroom isn’t decorated for any adults I’ve ever met.’ He smiled softly.
And melted her heart just a weeny bit. ‘Gemma was referring to my seven nieces and nephews, known as “the brat pack”. There aren’t many weekends I don’t have some of them staying with me. This weekend is an exception, but then I’m going to be in Lowry Bay with them tomorrow. I might even head over tonight.’
‘Seven, eh? That explains the people-mover Gemma was driving. How many of those seven are hers?’
‘I’d say three. She’d say she’s got four. She counts my brother as a big kid. She’s right. He is.’ When it came to sick or distressed children at the ED, she’d noticed Cody was a bit like Jason, with how he cheered them up by having fun. He too acted like a big kid at times. Except Cody appeared far more tidy and organised.
‘Are you okay if I head away once I’ve cleaned up my cooking mess?’ The subject of her and children was obviously done and dusted and she hadn’t had to explain herself.
‘I’ll give you a ride to the hospital so you can collect your motorbike.’ She was past the blackout phase and felt almost as good as new. Almost. A quiet day mucking about around here would do the trick. She gave another glance at her table. If she tackled that pile of fabric triangles she might bore herself into a stupor and forget Cody and migraines and assailants. Forget why she was alone and desperate to find something to occupy herself with so she didn’t think about finding a man who’d love her regardless of her flaws.
CHAPTER FOUR
‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG BROTHER.’ Harper stretched onto her toes and kissed Jason’s cheek, then handed him an envelope.
‘What’s this? Tickets to the one-day cricket match at the Cake Tin?’ Jason was referring to the sports arena in central Wellington, so named for its resemblance to said tin.
‘In your dreams, buster.’ She knew their brother Noah was giving him tickets for that game. ‘I’ve booked you into a spa for a leg wax and facial.’
‘She’s so funny this morning. That headache must’ve vamoosed completely.’ He tore the envelope open with all the finesse of a one-year-old. As he read the voucher, his eyes widened with delight. ‘Hey, Gemma, look at this. We’re getting a break from our brats. A weekend for two in Blenheim for the wine festival. And guess who’s brat-sitting?’
Harper poured herself a coffee from the pot bubbling on the gas ring and eyed up the crumpets on the bench. Not only had her head cleared but her throat had settled back to near normal and her stomach was ravenous. Spending last night here with her family had been just the cure she’d needed. She and Jason had talked about the incident in the ED which, along with knowing Cody would be there as well, helped her feel she could go back to work tomorrow morning without any qualms about the patients.
Last night Cody had texted to ask how she was. A simple message that had made her inordinately happy. But he hadn’t said any more about if he’d come to the party today. He’d been reticent right from when Gemma had invited him, and she should be grateful, but that annoying devilish side to her nature was hoping he’d turn up.
‘What time are we cranking up this shindig?’ she asked Jason.
‘First ball will be bowled at one-thirty, straight after lunch,’ he replied.
‘Your mum and dad will be here for lunch,’ Gemma said.
‘So any time soon,’ Harper guessed. It was barely gone eight but no one in the White family stuck to times. They just arrived when they were ready, usually early, and everyone helped out with the food and the games and whatever else needed doing.
‘I told Cody to be here in time for the cricket,’ Gemma added with a wink.
Harper’s mood wavered, hope warring with apprehension. Having Cody in the midst of her family was a little too close for comfort. They weren’t best friends, or lovers, or anything other than work colleagues who’d been through a bit of drama together. But he did make her feel different, alive in a way she hadn’t been for years. ‘I have no idea
what he’ll do,’ she admitted. In reality, Cody probably wasn’t interested in attending her family celebrations. Why would he be?
‘We need another fielder for the cricket.’ Gemma grinned and dropped two crumpets into the toaster. ‘While you need a big breakfast. You’ve hardly eaten a thing for two days.’
Darn, but the woman was bossy. Well, she wasn’t getting the last word. ‘I could do with losing some weight. The shorts I tried on the other day looked hideous.’
Jason laughed. ‘The shorts or you in them?’
Brothers could be right pains in the backside. Harper swiped at Jason’s forearm. ‘Haven’t you got a barbecue to haul out and clean?’
‘The kids are doing that.’ But he headed off to supervise, whistling tunelessly as he went.
By one o’clock all her family was sitting around the enormous outdoor table munching on sandwiches and the savouries Gemma had had everyone who’d dared step into the kitchen make. The sun was high in the clear blue sky, the temperature rising by the minute.
‘It will be too hot to play cricket soon,’ Harper commented.
‘Never too hot,’ one of the boys shouted.
‘Sunscreen all round, brats.’ Noah stood up and began stacking empty plates.
The roar of a motorbike blasted through the hot air, sending prickles of apprehension up Harper’s spine. Cody had a motorbike.
The sound got closer, then a large bike turned into the drive. Moments later comparative silence settled. The kids raced across the lawn to gape at the fascinating machine. Harper stared at the rider pulling his helmet off. It seemed Cody Brand wasn’t averse to joining her family after all.
Harper didn’t know how to feel about this development. She hadn’t prepared for it. She wasn’t ready for the man now swinging a leg over the bike to join her family. Black leather suited him perfectly. Her heart fluttered roughly against her ribs. Settle, girl. Settle.
Cody looked around, locked eyes with her and nodded, a cheeky grin on his face.
Harper headed in his direction. Even if it turned out she didn’t want him here, she wouldn’t be rude enough to ignore him. ‘Hey, this is a surprise.’