Sheltered by Her Top-Notch Boss

Downstairs, she cleared away Jayden’s toys and tidied the kitchen, and just as she was thinking about making herself a well-earned cup of coffee, the doorbell rang. She frowned. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Could it be Noah, in more trouble? Feeling apprehensive, she went to the door and found James standing there.

‘Oh … I … um …’

He’d changed out of his suit, into casual, stylish clothes, stone-coloured chinos and a navy long-sleeved shirt, but there was still that air of authority about him. Somehow she sensed he wasn’t there for a social visit. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘In a manner of speaking. Would it be all right if I come in? I don’t mean to disturb you, but I need to talk to you about something and I’d prefer not to do it at the hospital.’

‘Yes, of course.’ He seemed serious, and she was troubled now, wondering what was so important that he’d come to see her at home. ‘We’ll go through to the kitchen and I’ll put the coffee on.’

She led the way and waved him to a chair by the oak and granite topped table. ‘It sounds as though I should be worried,’ she said as she prepared the coffee. ‘What’s happened?’ She put some freshly made fruit scones on a plate and passed it to him. ‘Help yourself. There’s butter and some strawberry jam.’

He looked at the golden-topped scones and smiled. ‘A sample of your home baking? I thought there was a wonderful smell in the kitchen.’ He sent her a quick, appreciative glance. ‘How could I resist? Thanks. I haven’t eaten yet this evening, so these will fill a hole.’

She raised her brows. ‘You’ve not eaten? How did that come about?’

He shrugged. ‘I was busy. I had a difficult case to deal with—a perforated appendix—and there were a couple of meetings I had to attend—one of them straight after my shift finished. It happens like that sometimes.’ He cut a scone in half, spreading butter on each portion, and then added a spoonful of jam.

‘Hmm. Perhaps you could introduce a snacks trolley so staff can grab a bite to eat if they can’t make time to go to the restaurant. It shouldn’t cost much and we could all chip in to fund it.’ She poured coffee and slid a cup towards him. She wasn’t going to sit down. That would be too much like supping with the enemy.

‘That’s a good idea … a very good idea.’ He bit into the scone and for a moment, as he chewed, a look of absorbed bliss came over his face. Ellie’s breath caught in her throat. There was a boyish look about him that tugged at her heart and for a moment or two she floundered. ‘These are delicious,’ he said, smiling his satisfaction.

‘Hmm.’ She pulled herself together and studied him. ‘Does that mean I get to keep my job?’

His brows met in puzzlement and she added, ‘There was something you needed to tell me?’

‘Ah.’ He finished off the scone and swallowed some of the coffee. ‘I wish I didn’t have to tell you this, but …’ He paused. ‘Amelia Holt came into the hospital today and made a formal complaint. She believes her aunt didn’t receive the proper care and attention she needed, resulting in her death.’

‘Oh, no.’ Ellie went pale, and felt for a seat opposite him, sitting down as her legs seemed to give way. ‘I know she was upset, but what does she think I should have done?’

‘She says you should have done a pericardiectomy. She’s obviously been looking things up or talking to someone who knows a bit about medicine.’

‘But that kind of surgery is usually a last resort.’ Her mouth was dry and her heart had suddenly begun to thump heavily against her rib cage. She swallowed hard. ‘Removing the pericardium is a risky procedure, and her aunt’s heart was already weak.’

‘I agree. It wouldn’t have been the first course of action I’d have taken, but we have to acknowledge the complaint, I’m afraid.’

‘So what happens now?’ Ellie’s palms were clammy, and she rubbed them against her jeans. Inside she was shaking.

‘We have to set up a meeting with her to discuss the issue. If she accepts your viewpoint, there won’t be anything more to be said, but if not, we have to take it through an independent review procedure.’

‘All right. I understand. I … I just have to wait and see how … how things …’

He reached for her hand and captured it between his. ‘Ellie, it’s going to be all right. You’ve done nothing wrong.’

‘I know, but …’ The warmth of his caress comforted her, and for a while she lost herself in that gentle, yet firm, grasp. ‘I still …’

‘I’ll go with you to the meeting, if that will help. You don’t need to worry about this. I’m on your side.’

She nodded. ‘Yes. I’d appreciate that. Thank you.’

He held her hand for a while longer, until she seemed to have calmed down. She let out a soft, shuddery sigh.

‘Okay, then,’ he said, gently releasing her. ‘I’ll arrange everything. Don’t think about it again until the meeting.’ His gaze meshed with hers. ‘Promise me you’ll cast it from your mind?’

‘I’ll try.’ In spite of herself, she was already missing that warm embrace. Of course, she should never have let him comfort her—she didn’t want to get close to the man whose father had destroyed her family. And yet …

‘Good. I’m sorry I had to bring bad news.’

She nodded. ‘I suppose we all have troubles to bear.’ She glanced at him. ‘I hear that things aren’t so good for you back home. I know you said your father was unwell, but it’s quite serious, isn’t it?’

‘His heart is failing, so life is difficult for him.’ He braced his shoulders. ‘It’s not as bad as it sounds—as you know, people can live for years with heart failure. It’s more a matter of quality of life that needs to be addressed.’

‘Yes.’ When someone’s heart began to fail, it meant that the heart couldn’t cope with pumping blood around the body, resulting in breathlessness, discomfort and fatigue.

‘Still,’ she said, ‘he must be glad to have you back home. Are you living at the manor house?’

‘I am.’

‘And is that working out all right? You get on well with him, don’t you?’

‘Yes, I do.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘I’m his only son and he’s relying on me to take care of things and secure the family’s heritage.’

She thought about that. ‘I suppose you’ve had your career to keep you busy up till now. Becoming a consultant is a huge step.’

‘It is.’ He might have said something more, except that a small sound alerted them to the fact that they were no longer alone in the kitchen. They turned round.

Jayden stood in the doorway, clutching his teddy bear in the crook of his arm and rubbing his eye sleepily with his free hand. ‘You putted the light out,’ he said accusingly, looking at Ellie. ‘I has to have the light on.’

Ellie hurried over to him and crouched down, bringing herself to his level. ‘Oh, Jayden, sweetheart, I’m sorry.’

She’d turned the lamp out in case the light disturbed him. ‘Let me take you back to bed. I’ll leave your bedroom door open a little and put the hall light on. Will that be all right?’

The little boy nodded, and Ellie took hold of his hand to gently lead him back upstairs. She glanced back at James. ‘I won’t be long.’

‘That’s okay.’ He said it slowly and she saw that he was staring at Jayden in some kind of shock, his eyes wide, and a small frown creased his brow. Then he seemed to get himself together. ‘Actually, uh … no need to rush. I should go. I have to go on to a dinner party.’

‘Oh, I see. Of course … if you must.’

Jayden looked up at him. ‘Who that?’ he asked, holding onto Ellie’s leg for protection as she stood up.

‘I work with him at the hospital,’ she told him quietly.

James made an effort to relax and said with a smile, ‘Hello, Jayden.’

Jayden didn’t answer, but gave him a cautious look from under his lashes.

‘Come on,’ Ellie murmured. ‘Let’s take you back to bed. You have to get up for school in the morning.’ She glanced at James once more. ‘Give me a minute and I’ll see you out.’

‘That’s all right. I can see myself out. You go ahead.’ He walked towards the door. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’