Dear Reader
Iâve always loved reading continuity stories, so it was a thrill to be asked to write one, and an honour to be in the company of the other wonderful authors who have contributed to this series.
From the moment he came alive on the page for me I knew that Edward was going to be a challenge. Heâs one of those people whoâll shine whatever he turns his hand to. He might not be much of a team player, but give him a problem and heâll come up with a brilliant and imaginative solution. He has his work, his books and his music, and seems to want nothing and no one else. What can you give a man like that?
Well, you can give him Charlotte. Charlotte might not always understand the complexities of Edwardâs thought processes, but she understands people. And as she gets to know Edward it becomes obvious that thereâs something missing in his well-ordered life. But she and her son have been hurt once already, and the one thing that Edward needs is the thing that Charlotte has promised herself sheâll never give.
I hope that you enjoy Edward and Charlotteâs story. Iâm always delighted to hear from readers, and you can contact me via my website at www.annieclaydon.com
Annie x
âSO WHICH IS it, then?â
âEh?â Charlotte King was busy trying not to notice that Edward North was currently going through his pockets to find the key to his office, and she had lost the thread of the conversation that was going on around the nursesâ station.
âWhich do you think? Secret love-life, or no love-life?â Paula craned across the desk to get a better view. âWonder if he needs a hand with that?â
Charlotte swallowed a laugh. âWhat? You know where heâs left his keys?â
âNo. But Iâm really good at finding things.â Paulaâs smile left no doubt that she was contemplating a thorough investigation and possibly a body search.
âToo late. Heâs got them.â Allie grinned at Paula. âAnd I reckon heâs got a secret mistress somewhere.â
âWhen does he get to see her? In between here and the hospital, Iâd be surprised if he has much time for anything else.â
âHe has time to swim.â Allieâs blue eyes flashed mischievously.
âYeah?â Paulaâs attention was on Allie now.
âMmm-hmm. I left my trainers downstairs in the gym the other day and went to fetch them after work. He was in the pool, doing laps.â
âHmm. Perhaps Iâll go buy myself a swimming costume. Common interests can be very important in a relationship.â
âSo youâve thought this through, then?â Charlotte wished that Paula and Allie would keep their voices down. Not that the nurses were in any danger of being heard. It was difficult enough to get Edwardâs attention even when he was supposed to be listening to you. It just seemed somehow wrong to be talking like this.
âWho hasnât? I reckon he just needs a good woman. And Iâll apply for the position if no one else is interested.â
Allie laughed. âSteady, Paula. Remember thereâs a queue and Iâm in it. Charlotte, too, eh?â
Charlotte considered the prospect. She couldnât get away with a lie that big. âYeah, okay. Just to keep you two company, though. I donât have time for dating.â
Or the money. Or the inclination, most of the time. Apart from when Edward ⦠Her gaze wandered over to the glazed wall of his office. He was behind his desk now, deep in thought, a stack of papers and books in front of him.
âYeah, right.â Paula was laughing now. âGuess we could share him around.â
Oh, no. Edward wasnât for sharing. He was for being loved, nurtured by one woman, not passed around like a beautifully wrapped, enormously sexy parcel. He looked up, as if somehow the thought had penetrated the walls of his office, his eyes suddenly focussing in Charlotteâs direction.
She could feel the flush spreading up from the back of her neck to her cheeks. Edward might be for one woman, but that woman definitely wasnât her.
Charlotte turned, trying to pretend that he hadnât just caught her staring at him. âIâll leave you to do that. Iâve got to do my last ward round and my friend is bringing Isaac here soon.â
âReally?â Paula always made a particular fuss of Isaac. âWhat do we owe that pleasure to?â
âThereâs no school today and my friendâs been looking after him. Lucyâs got a date tonight so sheâs dropping him off here before she goes on to hit the town. If you see them, will you get them to wait here?â