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discussing.  
    "Infection is the big one. Jordan's cell counts are so low , he's very susceptible to any stray bug."
    "What can you do?" She touched her tongue to parched lips.
    "Keep him in protective isolation until after a transplant and he begins making new blood cells."
    Veronica was appalled. What effect would that have on a ten-year-old boy? She glanced at Leon and saw the agony in his eyes he couldn't disguise.
    Her heart ached for him and a slow curl of anger wound through her distress.  
    Where was Julia?
    Why wasn't she here supporting Leon? Or was she with Jordan?
    "How does a transplant work?" she asked, desperate for information.  
    "To receive donated marrow, we need to kill off Jordan's diseased marrow with radiation and chemotherapy . " Professor Carey looked at her. "You're willing for us to set up the donor tests?"
    "Of course I am." She took a shocked breath. Did they think she would refuse? Until now, Jordan's illness had seemed vague. Now it assumed graphic proportions.
    "Good. We'll start immediately . A nurse will show you to your room." He pressed a buzzer.  
    A nurse entered and Leon stood, picked up Veronica's case and followed. He caught her hand and held it in a tight grip.
    She glanced at him and was shocked by his pallor and clasped his fingers in silent empathy.  
    The lift took them to a pale blue foyer, the walls one shade lighter than the carpet underfoot. Palms filtered green light through tall windows, pictures brightened walls, creating an ambience that belied the functionality of this exclusive clinic.
    "You're in here, Ms Langdon," the nurse preceded them into a room. "Unpack and I'll bring you a tea tray."
    Leon put her case on the rack and walked to the window standing with his back to her.
    "How can you bear it?" She burst out in deep distress.
    Leon didn't answer. She laid a hand on his arm, and looked up into his face. Those grey eyes glittered with tears. Her heart turned over. If she'd ever harboured any doubts about his love for her child, they vanished in that instant.  
    Impulsively, she hugged him.  
    Leon had been more than generous when she'd needed comfort. She could do no less now. For a moment he didn't respond then he crushed her against him, his cheek against her hair. He was trembling. Shudders wracked his large frame, and the dull, heavy beat of his heart beat against her breast.
    It was like coming home.
    Surrounded by his warmth, his vulnerability tore at her self-control. She inhaled deeply and her senses filled with a heady mix of cologne, honest sweat and something uniquely his own.   For long moments she savoured the passionless embrace before pushing him away, needing distance from temptation.  
    "It's lousy hearing how little chance Jordan has." Leon spread his hands, his grey eyes as bleak as a winter storm. "Just pray you're a match."
    She was almost paralysed by the same sense of helplessness. "I thought a transplant was a certain cure."  
    "You heard the doctor. No guarantees."
    Anguished words trembled on her tongue, but protest was useless. Anxiety for Jordan was as acute as was another tormenting question.  
    Had Julia abandoned Jordan in his hour of need?
    Veronica steeled herself to ask. "How's Julia coping? Why isn't she here with you?"  
    She made herself meet Leon's eyes.  
    An eerie silence settled. His expression was unreadable, as blank as new canvass.  
    "Julia is dead. I thought I'd told you."

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
    S hock robbed her of breath. Shaking her head in disbelief, she turned to face him. "Julia's dead?"
    Leon nodded as he watched her, his expression impassive.
    "How? When?" The scratchy questions scraped past vocal cords almost paralysed with shock. "And you know darn well you never told me."  
    "I didn't think it relevant." Leon shrugged.  
    Not relevant?  
    The shocking words hit her like a fist in the solar plexus.  
    "She died over two years ago after a long battle with