Georgie sat down again. 'I'm all ears.'

'While I'm away, someone will need to step into my shoes as department manager. I thought you might fancy it.'

Georgie was dumbstruck. While Jess was at home, she hadn't really considered where her career was going. The role with the MERT team had been an unexpected challenge. One that she was loving. Maybe once she would have jumped at the chance. Now she wasn't so sure.

'I don't know, Lizzie. At one time I would have grabbed the opportunity with both hands, but it would mean giving up my place on the MERT team, wouldn't it?'

'I'm afraid so. The department manager is needed here.'

Conflicting emotions were surging through Georgie. On the one hand, what Lizzie was suggesting would mean a safe, steady job, a job without risk-the next logical step on the career ladder. On the other hand, as a member of the MERT team, she was having to face constant challenges every day. Alongside Logan. And now she knew that was what she had been born to do.

'I'm sorry, Lizzie. If I have a choice, it has to be to stay with the MERT team. I hope you understand.'

Lizzie looked at her thoughtfully, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. 'And a certain Dr Logan Harris has nothing to do with that decision?'

Heat flooded Georgie's cheeks. d.a.m.n. She made herself sit up tall and squared her shoulders.

'I have no idea what you're talking about, Lizzie,' she said with as much dignity as possible. 'So, if it's okay with you, I'd like to get back to work.'

But as she walked to the door Lizzie spoke, laughter in her voice. 'No idea what I'm talking about? Just who are you trying to kid? Anyone can see the pair of you are made for each other. Mark my words, Georgie McArthur. Your days of singledom are well and truly marked.'

Georgie didn't deign to answer. Let everyone think what they liked. None of them knew Logan the way she did-and how impossible a future was for them.

Towards the end of the week, Logan sought Georgie out.

'The forecast for Sat.u.r.day is good. I thought you might like to take another flight with me. I need to keep up my hours and I'd like the company.'

Georgie's pulse quickened. Innocent though the invitation appeared on the surface, the expression in Logan's eyes told her otherwise.

'I don't think that's a good idea,' she said softly. 'Besides, I promised Jess a day in the park on Sat.u.r.day. There's a fair with a bouncy castle and pony rides and all sorts of other things to delight a three-year-old. So, sorry. No can do.'

'In that case,' Logan replied, with that determined look back in his eye, 'why don't I come too?'

Georgie's heart thudded against her ribs. The last thing she'd expected was for Logan to want to spend time with her and her daughter.

'If you like,' she said casually. 'I can't see that it would be your cup of tea, however.'

Logan grinned at her and her heart beat faster. 'That's just it,' he said, his voice low. 'I don't think you have any idea what my cup of tea is. If the only way I can get you to go out with me is by going to a park, then so be it.' He groaned in mock despair. 'If my mates could hear what I just said, they'd never believe it.'

Georgie laughed. 'Okay, you're on. But I'm warning you, feeding the ducks is obligatory-as is everything else. Except perhaps the bouncy castle. Somehow I think you might be excused from that. I'll bring the picnic.'

The weather remained sunny and bright until Sat.u.r.day. Jess woke up Georgie by jumping into bed beside her.

'Come on, Mummy. Time to go.'

Georgie squinted at the clock. 6:00 a.m. Early even by Jess's standards. She hid a sigh, knowing there was no chance her daughter would let her sleep.

'Okay, I'm up,' she said, pushing the duvet aside and fumbling for her dressing gown. 'But you need to be quiet. We don't want to wake Gran, do we?'

By the time she was showered and dressed, Jess's excitement had almost reached fever pitch. Her daughter was standing by the door, holding her teddy in one hand and a juice in the other. She had attempted to get dressed herself, but had somehow managed to put her T-shirt on inside out and her shorts back to front. Something deep down in Georgie shifted as she looked at her little girl. She was her world and she would do anything to save her from heartache. In which case, was she being wise allowing Logan into their lives? Despite what everyone said, the more attached Jess-both of them-got to him, the harder it would be when he left.

It was too late to change her mind now. She could hardly phone Logan and tell him not to come-and she knew she didn't want to. She recalled her mother's advice and she was right. She had to stop thinking of what might happen and focus on the here and now. She couldn't hide from life any longer and she couldn't protect her daughter from disappointment and heartache either, no matter how much she might want to.

She re-dressed Jess and made her eat breakfast, and by then her mother was up. While Mary kept Jess occupied, Georgie slipped out to the delicatessen for their picnic. She loaded her basket with sun-ripened tomatoes and the deli's speciality-home-made quiches. She added crusty bread and cheese and some fruit smoothies. When she'd finished, she had enough food to feed an army. The thought made her wince before she pushed it away. She had promised herself she would enjoy the day and that's what she would do.

As she pulled up outside, she saw that Logan's car was already in the driveway. She glanced at her watch. It was just a little after nine. Her shopping had taken her much longer than expected and Logan must have turned up at nine on the dot.

Inside, Jess was hopping from foot to foot while Logan and her mother chatted. Georgie's heart started its familiar rat-a-tat when she saw him. He looked delicious in a T-shirt and black, thigh-hugging jeans. His closely cropped hair had grown in the time he had been in Glasgow and it suited him longer. He had nicked himself shaving and Georgie had to stop herself from leaning across and touching his face.

When Logan saw her, he got to his feet.

'Sorry. I arrived a bit early.' He said. 'Your mother's been entertaining me.'

'No, you're bang on time. It's me that's running late. Don't quite know how as my beloved daughter had me up at six.' She ruffled Jess's hair.

'Can we go now, Mummy?' Jess asked plaintively. 'I've been waiting for ever.'

'I just have to pack the cool bag with our picnic, then I'm ready.'

Georgie was grateful she had something to occupy herself with. She needed to get her heart rate under control. How was she going to manage a day without giving herself away?

Logan stooped and placed the backpack he always carried on the table. 'I brought something too,' he said. He fished around in his bag and brought out a couple of books. They were the same series he had been reading to Jess that first day back in Fort William. Georgie was surprised and touched he had remembered.

'You can look at them in the car,' Logan promised Jess, before pulling out a large box of chocolates. 'And these are for your granny. We can't leave her without anything, can we?'

Georgie's mother accepted the gift. 'My favourites,' she said warmly. She turned to her daughter, 'Darling, it's such perfect weather to do some gardening. I want to get the lobelia planted before it's too late and this afternoon there's an old movie I've always wanted to see but managed to miss every time on the television. It'll be such a treat to finally watch it and-' her eyes sparkled happily '-enjoy these chocolates at the same time.'

Georgie felt a brief pang of guilt. Her mother should be able to put her feet up whenever she wanted to, not just as a special treat. Maybe it was time she seriously pressurised Mary to go back to Fort William and her own life? She and Jess would cope. She decided to discuss it with her mother later that evening.

'Okay,' Logan said. 'Let's get the troops on the move. Quick march to the car.'

The park was reasonably quiet when they arrived and they found a parking spot easily. It would be much busier in an hour or so, Georgie knew from experience.

Jess was in a frenzy as she tried to decide what to do first. In the end she decided on the bouncy castle, telling Logan and Georgie firmly that they had to watch her as she bounced.

Georgie slid a look in Logan's direction.

'I hope you aren't going to be bored out of your mind,' she said. 'This must be as far away from your usual life as it's possible to get.'

Logan looked into the distance, his eyes hooded. Then he smiled.

'You could say that. But it's great. Makes me realise what I've been missing.'

The expression in his eyes caused Georgie's heart to falter. What was he suggesting? Could he possibly mean that he was getting tired of his nomadic existence in the army?

Before he could say anything else, Jess was off the bouncy castle and had grabbed Georgie and Logan by the hand.

'I want to go on a ride now,' she said. 'I want to go on the train and I want to go on the horses and I want to go on the big wheel and the boat on the lake. After that I want-'

'Hold on.' Georgie laughed. 'One thing at a time. Why don't we go on the boat, then you can go on the carousel? After that we can have our picnic lunch and do some of the other rides. Okay?'

There was no queue as yet for the boats so they were able to get out on the lake quickly. Logan picked up the oars and began to row.

'Hey,' Georgie protested. 'How do you know I didn't want to row?'

Logan looked at her in surprise. 'Do you?' he said.

'No, not really. I just want you to know I could, if I wanted to.'

Logan's eyes travelled the length of her body. Georgie was convinced that the temperature had risen a couple of degrees in the last ten seconds, and she knew he was also remembering their day on the island.

'I'm sure you could,' he drawled, looking unconvinced.

'I'll have you know I've been at the gym four times in the last week,' Georgie said defensively. Then, catching the laughter in his brown eyes, she flushed. 'Okay, maybe three times, but I am getting fitter. Another few months and I'll be back to the same weight and level of fitness I was before Jess was born.'

'I like you just the way you are,' Logan responded lazily. 'Far too many women think being stick thin is the only way to be. I prefer a few curves myself.' This time Georgie knew it wasn't the heat of the sun that was making her temperature rise. The look in his eyes told her that he too was thinking of their love-making and the way he had explored every inch of her with his eyes then his lips. A delicious shiver coursed through her body.

'Don't you think your mummy is perfect the way she is, Jess?' he asked.

Jess, who had been listening to the adults, confusion written all over her face, giggled. 'I think she's the beautifulest mummy in the whole wide world.'

Logan's grin grew wider. 'And I agree with you,' he said.

After their boat trip, they watched in companionable silence as Jess rode on the carousel. Logan showed no sign of impatience or boredom despite Jess insisting on staying on for several goes.

Eventually, Georgie managed to extract her daughter from the ride. The park was beginning to fill up as people continued to pour in.

'Let's find a spot for our picnic before the best are all taken,' Georgie suggested.

They found a place in the shade under an oak tree, a reasonable distance from the rest of the picnickers.

Georgie spread the thick tartan rug she had brought from home on the ground and tossed a few cushions on it. A short distance away, a miniature train was making its way round a track, towing several carriages with children.

'Can Uncle Logan take me on the train before we have our picnic, Mummy?'

'I'm not sure he'll fit on that train.' Georgie laughed. 'He's a bit big.'

'There's other daddies on the train,' Jess persisted. 'Look!' She pointed her finger, and, sure enough, several fathers as well as mothers were perched on the train, holding their children. But Georgie wasn't really looking. Her daughter's words were ringing in her ears. The other daddies. Oh, no. Her worst fears were being realised. Jess had latched onto Logan and had clearly decided that Logan was the nearest thing to a daddy she had. Georgie slid a horrified glance at Logan. Sure enough, he looked dismayed. All this was probably more than he had bargained for when he had agreed to the day out. Georgie wondered if, after today, he would be in full retreat. Well, there was nothing she could do about it. She and Jess were a package and she had never pretended otherwise.

Logan recovered quickly. 'Sure, I'll go with you,' he said. Jess squealed with delight and Logan took her by the waist and swung her onto his shoulders. Georgie's heart stumbled as she watched them move towards the train. Anyone watching would a.s.sume they were father and daughter.

As she unpacked their picnic she continued to watch them with half an eye. She saw them get on the train, Logan placing Jess carefully in front and then climbing on behind her. She had to laugh. His legs were so long that bent they were practically up to his ears. He looked as awkward as she had ever seen him and when the child-sized train puffed its way past her, he raised his hand in a wave and smiled wryly. Jess had no such qualms. She yelled and waved vigorously at her mother, clearly having the time of her life.

Georgie had their picnic laid out, the bread b.u.t.tered and the salad tossed, when Jess and Logan returned.

'You should have come too, Mummy. It was so much fun. You liked it too, didn't you, Uncle Logan?'

'Sure did, honey. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.' His smile was wide. 'But next time's Mummy's turn.'

As they ate, Jess chattered non-stop. 'I'm having so-o-o much fun. I wish we could do this every day.'

'Me too,' Logan said quietly. This time his eyes were serious. Georgie's world tilted as he held her gaze. She knew she had been kidding herself. She didn't want a short-term relationship with this man. She loved him. Heart and soul. Whatever fears she still had and whatever the future held in store, she knew that she would rather face it all than a life without this man.

By the time they left the park, Jess was flagging. She had done so much running around she had exhausted herself. Logan picked her up and she buried her face in his neck and promptly fell asleep.

She was still dead to the world when they reached Georgie's house. Logan carried the sleeping child inside.

'Where do you want her?' he asked softly.

'I think I'll just put her to bed. She was up so early, she'll be out for the count until morning.'

She led the way to Jess's bedroom, peeling back the pink duvet so that Logan could lay her down. She quickly removed her daughter's outer clothes, covered her up and tiptoed out of the room.

Georgie peeped into the sitting room. Her mother was dozing in front of the television, the open box of chocolates by her arm.

Silently, she slipped into the kitchen. Logan was leaning against the counter. He reached out and pulled her against him. She revelled in the feel of his hard body against the length of hers, and warmth spread from her lower abdomen.

Logan brushed a hand along her jaw down to her neck. Shivers of desire coursed through her body.

'Come home with me,' he whispered into her ear.

'I can't,' she pleaded softly, turning her face up to his. His lips came down on hers and he kissed her hungrily as if it were the first and last time.

'I've been thinking about making love to you all day.' He groaned against her mouth.

A sound from the sitting room alerted Georgie and she jerked away from Logan, hoping desperately her flushed cheeks wouldn't betray her.

Her mother came into the kitchen, blinking sleepily.

'I didn't hear you come in.' She yawned. 'You should have woken me.'

'We haven't been back very long.' Georgie struggled to keep her voice steady. 'Anyway, you looked so peaceful, Mum, I couldn't bear to wake you.'

'Where's Jess?'

'She's in bed. Absolutely exhausted. I think that will be her until morning.'

'In which case, what are you two still doing here? Away the pair of you go and have some fun while you can.'

Georgie felt her face grow even redder, if that were possible. 'I don't think...'

Logan grinned wolfishly, before flashing a smile at her mother.

'I was just trying to persuade your daughter to do just that. Are you sure you don't mind babysitting?'

'Goodness, no. Jess is in bed and I've had the whole day relaxing. You two youngsters should make the most of the opportunity to have some adult time.'

Georgie hid a smile at her mother's choice of words. Until today when she had seen him on the train, she couldn't have imagined anyone thinking of him as a youngster. She bent and kissed her mother's cheek.