A Doctor to Remember by Joanna Neil Page A

That meant he was married—or at least involved with someone. It was like a blow to her stomach and she crumpled inside. Was this what he’d been trying to keep under wraps? No wonder she’d been guarded about her feelings towards him…her subconscious mind had been warning her off…but weren’t those warnings all too late?
    Ben was looking at Matt with wide-eyed innocence. ‘I do want to finish the moat. I was just talking to the lady.’
    ‘Hmm.’ Matt studied him thoughtfully. ‘You know what we’ve said about talking to strangers?’
    The boy nodded. ‘But she’s not a stranger, is she? I know her name. She’s Saffi.’
    Matt made a wry face, trying unsuccessfully not to smile at that marvellous piece of childish logic.
    He shook his head, looking at Saffi. ‘I guess I don’t need to introduce you to one another. Ben seems to have taken care of all that for me.’ He lightly ruffled the boy’s hair. ‘He’s going to be staying with me for a week or so.’
    ‘Oh, I see,’ she said slowly, and then with a dry mouth she added quietly, ‘I didn’t realise you had a child. You didn’t say anything about him.’
    He raised his brows in surprise. ‘You think I have a child? Heavens, no—that’s not going to happen any time soon. I’m not planning on getting involved in any deep, long-term relationships.’ He frowned. ‘Once bitten, as they say…’
    Saffi stared at him, feeling a mixture of relief and dismay at his words. He wasn’t married. That was something at least. But as to the rest, she didn’t know what to think. He’d spoken quickly, without giving the matter much thought, but it was clear his feelings were heartfelt. Once bitten, he’d said. Who had hurt him and made him feel that way?
    Matt seemed to give himself a shake to get back on track and said, ‘Ben’s my nephew, my sister’s child. I should have told you right away, but I think I was a little bit distracted with this talking-to-strangers business. I barely took my eyes off him while I finished off the drawbridge, yet he managed to wander off. I could see him, out of the corner of my eye, talking to someone, but you have to be so careful…It can be a bit of a nightmare, taking care of children.’
    ‘Well, yes. I can see that it must be worrying.’ She was still caught up in his comment about long-term relationships. So, when he flirted with her it was nothing more than a bit of fun, a light-hearted romance. Of course it was. Why would she have expected anything more? She barely knew him.
    At least it was out in the open, though, and she would be on her guard even more from now on. She didn’t think she was the sort of woman who would be content with a relationship that wasn’t meaningful. Or was she? Her mind was a blank where past boyfriends were concerned.
    Matt turned to Ben once more, crouching down so that he was at the boy’s level. ‘I think you and I need to have another serious chat some time, Ben. Do you remember we talked about strangers?’
    Ben nodded.
    ‘That’s good. So, what would you say if a stranger came up to you and asked if you’d like a sweet?’
    Ben thought about it. ‘Um…Yes…please?’ he answered in an overly polite voice, and Matt groaned.
    ‘I’ve a feeling it’s going to be a long conversation,’ he murmured, getting to his feet. ‘Do you want to sort through those pebbles in the other bucket, Ben? See if you can pick out the smallest.’
    ‘Okay.’ Ben went to do as Matt suggested.
    Saffi smiled. ‘How is it that you’re looking after him?’
    ‘Gemma’s ill—my sister, that is. She hasn’t been well for some time, but late last night she rang me and said she was feeling much worse. I went over there and decided she needed to be in hospital. She didn’t want to go, and kept saying it was just stress, but I insisted. At the very least, I thought she needed to have tests.’
    Saffi sucked in a quick breath. ‘I’m sorry. That must have been upsetting—for you and