He’d been there for her at the hospital when she was bandaged and feeling sorry for herself. The staff had demanded to know her next of kin and she’d felt shockingly vulnerable, admitting she had none. She’d finally given Conall’s number. Her relief when he’d arrived, bringing a sense of normality, had been overwhelming.
She’d never told him much about her background, just as she never commented on the beautiful women he escorted to high-profile events. He didn’t talk about his family either, though she’d had the dubious honour of meeting his father, Fraser Abercrombie. The man was lauded as a titan of Australian industry but she hadn’t warmed to him.
‘Greer?’
‘Matt’s a friend.’
‘A friend? From back in Perth?’
She was going to tell him it wasn’t his business but kept the words in. He’d done so much for her after the accident. He’d organised groceries and ferried her to checkups, despite her insistence that he needn’t bother. He’d even, she’d been stunned to discover the next morning, spent her first night out of hospital sleeping on her sofa so she wasn’t alone.
It had been a relief to return to work and their usual routine. To feel the pieces of her life sliding back into place.
She released a pent-up breath. ‘No, he’s from Sydney.’
‘And he told you you’re close?’ His voice sharpened. ‘It’s only been weeks—’
‘Since that crane knocked a hoarding onto me. I know.’ The accident, where a building site edged a busy city street, was well documented.
‘You only have his word for it that you’re friends.’
Greer shook her head. ‘Don’t worry. He’s not trying to con me, if that’s what you’re worried about.’
Much as she appreciated his concern, she didn’t need a minder. She was doing fine, if she discounted the feelings of melancholy and loss. ‘He’s a neighbour. He just moved in a fortnight ago.’
Conall’s frown didn’t ease. ‘That’s not long.’
She sat straighter in her chair. ‘Was there anything else? Anythingwork-related?’
She watched his eyebrows rise. But it was time to remind him she wasn’t an invalid.
‘Only I know you want this report before your next meeting, and I need to make amendments. Some of the figures have changed.’
Those gleaming dark eyes narrowed and she felt the whump of her pulse thud through her body, quickening. But she wouldn’t back down.
‘Listen, Conall. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me since the accident. You’ve been marvellous. I can’t tell you how much that means.’
Her throat closed as she remembered that horrible feeling of isolation when she’d woken in hospital, brain-fogged and reeling from the enormity of what had happened.
‘But I’m well now. I’ve lost a few months’ memory but that’s all.’ What courage it took to say that when that gap felt like a yawning abyss. When the idea of not knowing what she’d done in that time haunted her, making her feel vulnerable and, if she let it, fearful. ‘If I can run your schedule,’ and they both knew it was far more than just his schedule, ‘I can manage my own life.’
His gaze bored into hers for the longest time. Then his mouth tipped up at the corner and he raised his hands as if to ward her off.
It was the same rueful half smile he gave when she called him on setting an impossible deadline. Or growing impatient if a new staff member hadn’t read his mind and delivered everything he expected, including the things he hadn’t specifically mentioned.
‘Okay, okay.’ His expression turned serious. ‘Sorry. It must have been the shock of seeing my invincible Greer knocked off her feet. But I get the message. You can stand up for yourself now.’
For another second their gazes held. Then he turned on his heel, saying over his shoulder, ‘Get me that revised report as soon as you can. Meanwhile…’ He pulled out his ringing phone. ‘Ah, at last. News on the Singapore options.’
Greer watched him take the call and cross his office. Phone to his ear, he stood looking out over the harbour, all thought of their conversation banished as he became completely focused on the call.
She’d never met anyone with such phenomenal drive or the ability to absorb himself totally in business, to the exclusion of all else.
She knew from his decisive nod that she didn’t have to worry about him overstepping the mark again. It was a familiar gesture, one that signalled acceptance of a situation and his readiness to move on. When he did that, Conall didn’t look back. He always looked to the future.
Exhaling slowly, she spun around to her desktop computer. But instead of pulling up the new figures, she paused, unsettled.
Not unsettled. Disappointed.
