A Mother for His Twins Read Online Free PDF Page A

private practices, but as Jasper’s main interest was in trauma medicine, working in the hospital full time gave him the opportunity to continue being an orthopaedic trauma specialist. Jennifer, however, was now in control of the department’s budget so he’d do well to remember that.
    He knew on a psychological level he should try to distance himself from her. He’d heard from his colleague in Melbourne that Jennifer Thorngate didn’t care about anything except her work. It was no wonder he’d been expecting the dragon lady, and he was still trying to get over his initial surprise at the way she’d smiled and laughed with him earlier that morning. He’d been even more surprised to discover he’d liked the way she looked, the way her eyes sparkled with mirth and the way he appeared instantly drawn to her.
    He’d been further intrigued to learn not only about the connection with Sara but that Sara was trying to get Jennifer to date again. Again? What had happened in Jennifer’s past to make that a necessity? Had she lost someone close to her? Was that why she lived only for the job and nothing else? He, of all people, knew what it was like to feel the agony of losing a loved one and relying on work to get you through, but he also knew it was important to get back into life or you could end up losing yourself . If he hadn’t had the twins, he wasn’t sure he would have survived Elisha’s death, but he’d had to go on living, raising his beautiful girls, and he was glad he had. Sure, it wasn’t easy but life was about the journey, not rushing to the end.
    However much he was intrigued by the new head of unit, he’d do well to keep the relationship strictly professional. She’d met his daughters. There was nothing he could do about that. He might even see her from time to time at the many barbecues and big family gatherings Sara loved to organize, andhe could deal with that, too. But that would be the extent of their personal contact and if she was going to freeze him out, well, he just might let her.
    They entered the clinic without another word spoken between them, as though they’d both been making firm resolutions and were now intent on keeping them. Jasper politely introduced her to the outpatient clerical staff as well as the nursing staff and then picked up a file and called his first patient through.
    Clinic was as busy as she’d expected and she was glad she’d been able to help rather than being stuck in a meeting. The only glimpse she had of Jasper was when he was escorting a patient into his consulting room while she’d been escorting one out.
    ‘Professional,’ she whispered to herself as she went to have her identification photograph taken. She could handle anything so long as she maintained her professional persona.
    It was well after seven o’clock when Jennifer finally swapped her white coat for her suit jacket and large winter coat. She had a briefcase full of work to keep her company that evening and was ready to head back to Sara’s place.
    As she walked to the front of the hospital, she heard someone call her name and turned around to see Jasper heading in her direction. She prepared herself for the next onslaught of what he called teasing. She hoped he wouldn’t. She was worn out and just wanted to be left alone. What she hadn’t expected were the tingles that assailed her body as he drew closer. She ignored them and went on the defensive instead.
    ‘Dr Edwards.’ She nodded curtly. ‘Forgot to say something else this morning? Perhaps an extra insult that you just wanted to get off your chest before you left for the night so you could sleep in peace?’
    ‘Ooh, and there’s that sarcasm of yours. Right in my face and making me want to say something to definitely rub you up the wrong way.’
    Jennifer stared defiantly at him for a moment then the tension seemed to flood out of both of them and they laughed. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, shaking her head.
    ‘I am, too. I guess I