A Daddy for Baby Zoe? by Fiona Lowe

Author:Fiona Lowe [Lowe, Fiona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-01-03T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

MEREDITH WAS EXPRESSING milk when her phone rang. She switched off the gentle burr-click-burr-click of the breast pump and accepted the call. ‘Hi, Linda, how are things?’

‘Hello, Meredith.’ There was a moment’s hesitation before her mother-in-law said, ‘Do you find that a hard question to answer some days?’

She glanced out the window at the turquoise waves and unconsciously played with the hearts on her necklace, moving them back and forth against the fine sterling-silver chain. Mario had presented the gift to her the day she’d arrived back on the island, saying it was from both him and Raf to commemorate Zoe’s birth. Their thoughtfulness had both touched and saddened her, merging together in a way that was now becoming a familiar part of her life.

It was the perfect gift—a beautiful representation of mother and child—and it had immediately sparked the question, if Richard had been alive would he have made her such a gift? Even in her grief she’d known that Richard and jewellery hadn’t gone together in any shape or form. He’d have been more likely to present her with a sturdy baby backpack so she and Zoe could join him on hikes.

Over the last five weeks the necklace had become a kind of stress-reliever—her fingers reaching for it whenever she needed to think. ‘I often lie,’ she finally replied. ‘People ask how you are but most of them are not really interested in the answer.’

For some reason she immediately thought of Raf who, from the very first time she’d met him on the wintery, windswept beach, had not only wanted an answer to that question, he’d wanted the truth.

‘How’s my lovely granddaughter?’ Linda asked, obviously wanting to change the topic. ‘It’s been two weeks since we’ve seen her.’

Meredith heard the slight censure and disappointment in Linda’s voice and guilt dug in. She knew she should take Zoe up to Melbourne to see Linda and Derek but the three-hour drive with a baby was daunting. Melbourne was daunting. ‘Zoe’s planning a football career. It doesn’t matter how well I swaddle her, she’s worked out how to kick her way out of her bunny rug and then kick off her quilt. It’s been a bit tricky keeping her warm at night.’

‘I saw these really cute drawstring nighties at the Prahran market,’ Linda said enthusiastically. ‘The bottom is like a little sleeping bag to keep her all warm and tucked in. I’ll buy some and bring them down on Thursday.’

‘Oh, I’m working at the Shearwater Clinic on Thursday afternoon. Would Wednesday or Friday suit you?’

‘You’re working?’

Linda’s surprise buzzed down the line and Meredith’s gaze travelled to the most recent letter from the bank and her solicitor. ‘Just a couple of sessions a week.’

‘When did this start?’

Meredith wanted to lie but couldn’t. ‘Two weeks ago.’

‘Two weeks! Who’s minding Zoe?’

‘Raf and Mario Camilleri.’

‘You’re letting two men mind my granddaughter?’ she asked, her tone incredulous.

Meredith’s fingers reached for the hearts. ‘Yes, because they’re very—’

‘Why didn’t you ask me?’

The hurt in Linda’s voice pierced her and she said gently, ‘You’re three hours away.

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