by Sue MacKay
Lily sighed with relief. ‘His pulse is faint, he’s barely breathing.’
‘Onto it.’
‘Playing with his toys.’
‘What sort of toys?’ Lily asked as she placed Tommy on his back and pulled his top up to his chin to place the stethoscope over his lungs.
Max was feeling the boy’s throat, looking in his mouth. They weren’t about to discuss who did what, they got on with what had to be done.
It was Courtenay who answered. ‘He has small blocks he likes to stick in his mouth.’
‘How small?’ she demanded, reaching to sit Tommy upright.
Max had it under control with his hands under Tommy’s arms and holding him steady. He nodded at Lily. ‘Heimlich manoeuvre.’
Nodding, she slapped the small back. And again. And once more. Tommy shuddered and a feeble cough spewed over his lips.
‘Again,’ Max said.
Another, harder slap.
The boy’s cough was stronger.
‘Come on,’ Lily muttered. Her hand was ready for the next blow.
A small square of plastic shot out of Tommy’s mouth. Followed by more coughing and lots of slobber. Then he began crying.
Phew. Lily let out the breath she’d been holding. ‘There we go.’
Max was examining the boy’s mouth, cleaning away the mess inside. ‘You’re one lucky little guy, Tommy.’
Lily’s heart was racing with relief, and she lifted the boy up and handed him to his crying mother. ‘Here you are.’
Courtenay was crying, then Tommy joined in and Lily stepped back for a moment, Max standing beside her. ‘That was touch and go,’ he muttered.
She nodded, and watched the love pouring from the family. ‘Mrs Griffith.’ She waited until she had the woman’s attention. ‘I’m Lily Scott, the GP who’s replaced Sarah. Now, you mightn’t want to hear this, but those toy blocks are dangerous. You have to get rid of them.’
The woman’s face was white as she nodded. ‘I know. I’ll do it when we get home.’
‘No, Mum, I’m getting them out of the car and throwing them in the bin before we leave here.’ Courtenay wrapped an arm around her mother’s shoulders.
‘I’m going to examine Tommy’s throat, then I’m going to have him admitted to hospital overnight. There’s a strong possibility swelling will occur, which can affect his breathing.’
Max added his endorsement. ‘Go there immediately. Courtenay, you’re right about getting rid of the blocks, but your brother needs to get to hospital first. I know you won’t let him near those toys anyway.’
Lily felt a warm glow engulf her. Max was with her, all the way. Medically anyway. Now she had to make it work personally.
Suddenly her room was empty of everyone but Max. ‘Thank you for being here. It’s not that I wouldn’t have coped, but it’s always good to have back-up.’ Especially when it was this man.
‘You’re welcome.’ He dropped the softest of kisses on her forehead. ‘See you soon.’ And he disappeared.
After a few minutes, gathering her breath and steadying her nerves, Lily headed out to get her next patient. ‘Michelle? Hello, you’re looking a lot better than a week ago.’
Michelle smiled shyly as she hopped along beside Lily on her crutches. ‘I’m glad you talked me into going there. It was wonderful helping all those kids. They’re so positive despite their physical problems, and taught me a thing or two.’
‘That was the idea,’ Lily admitted as she closed her door behind Michelle and headed to her desk.
‘You set me up?’ Michelle laughed. ‘I like you, Doc. That was clever. Watching those teens getting on with having fun and being as good as they could made me think about my strengths, and realise one of them is about never giving up. I don’t understand why I got down this time, but I’m over it and working hard at getting back on my feet.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Lily brought up Michelle’s records on the screen. ‘So what can I do for you today?’
Shyness shone back at her. ‘Um, I’d like to go on the Pill.’
To put the woman at ease, Lily asked her questions even though the file had the answers. ‘Have you been on it before?’
‘Yes, about three years ago. I had no problems so I’d like the same one if possible.’
Lily looked at the file. ‘It’s a good one and I don’t think any of the newer brands would serve you any better so that’s a yes if your blood pressure’s normal.’
‘It might’ve gone up a bit last week.’ Michelle glanced up at her, her cheeks burning. ‘Logan and I... We get along like a house on fire. He’s wonderful.’
It really had been a week of romance. Her niece and friend were closer than before. Michelle had found a man she obviously fancied like crazy. And she... Well, she’d started falling in love with Max. It didn’t add up when they never used to get on very well apart from the fling days. Self-protection? Had she always held herself back from totally giving herself over to men? If so, there was no apparent reason. Her family was loving and close, never let each down. It was more likely she’d hadn’t handed her heart over completely before.
‘I take it you’re going to keep seeing each other, hence the prescription.’ It mightn’t be how all doctors talked to their patients, but Michelle seemed open to chatting, might even need someone to talk to.
Lily filled in the prescription form on screen. ‘Anything else while you’re here?’
‘No, I’m good. Max is giving me physio this morning.’ She stood up, reached for her crutches. ‘Thanks for everything, including the camp. I’ve talked to Logan about helping out another time. I enjoyed it so much.’
‘I’m glad. Thank you.’
* * *
‘How’s your morning been?’ Max asked Lily as he strode into the tearoom well after midday. He’d barely managed one piece of toast for breakfast so to appease his stomach, which no longer ached, he’d dashed down to the bakery to buy a salmon and cream cheese bagel. Sighting Lily at the table, looking completely at ease, lightened his heavy heart. Did her hands just tighten around her mug? He looked again. Saw her fingers loosen. So he did get to her as easily as she got to him.
‘It’s been great. I’ve met some lovely people. Michelle saw me before she came to you for physio. She enjoyed her time at the camp and has asked to do more.’
‘She was a hit with all the kids. Not to mention Logan. Apparently they’ve got a thing going for each other.’
‘Quite a week, wasn’t it? These camps really do help people get over their disabilities.’
‘I agree,’ Devlin added from the corner, where he was reading a medical journal. ‘Max has been singing the camp’s praises all morning.’
‘I had an amazing time. My medical skills weren’t used much, but showing those teens ways to make moving easier, and giving them exercises to do, well, it was just as good as prescribing treatment for any other malady.’ He picked up his bagel. ‘I want to put my name down for more, too.’ The salmon flavour exploded across his tongue. Food, delicious food. Damn, he was hungry. For Lily. Swallow. Cough. Damn.
‘Done,’ said Lily and Devlin at the same time.
What’s done?
‘Devlin’s in charge of volunteers.’ Lily added, ‘In case you weren’t aware.’
‘I was.’ To hell with being hungry. Right now another stronger appetite was winding him up. Need for Lily clawed through him. She looked beautiful sitting there, being herself, not expecting anything from anyone. Heat exploded below his belt. She was gorgeous, and hot, and sweet, and every damned thing he wanted in a woman. His woman. His fears for the future annoyed him but were no longer beating him up. It might be unfair to ask Lily to join that ride with him, but hope was rocketing. Lily wanted to have a baby regardless of whether he was in her life or not. Why not mine?
He choked. Swallowed. Cough
ed, swallowed again, and finally downed the food his stomach had been waiting for.
‘You all right?’ the woman doing his head in asked with concern in her face.
Absolutely wonderful, thanks. ‘I’m fine. Lunch went down the wrong way.’ He yawned and rubbed his stomach.
Lily was staring at him really hard as though she saw exactly what was going on in his skull. She probably did. The damned woman could read people with her eyes shut. No, she did not know he wanted her to have his baby. She. Did. Not. But he could tell her.
Another choke. This time harder, and painful.
Hands banged him between the shoulder blades, strong fingers dug in. ‘Easy. What’s going on?’
‘Nothing.’ Said like a teenager denying the truth. Max tossed the rest of the bagel on top of the bag it had come in. So much for being ravenous. Getting food where it was needed wasn’t working. Another need was growing exponentially the longer Lily’s hands were on his back. His skin was tightening, heating, and his groin was thickening. As for the rate his blood was pumping around his body, it would burst out of his skin any moment. He held his breath. And waited. Leaping up to get away from that sincere touch would be best, but would probably earn him so many demerit points he’d never see the light of day with Lily this side of Christmas.
At last she withdrew those tender, hot hands, which shouldn’t be allowed out, especially at work. ‘As long as you’re all right.’
‘Serves him right for gulping his food.’ Devlin laughed on his way out of the room.
She hadn’t cared they weren’t alone when she’d banged his back, pressed her fingers into his muscles. ‘Want a glass of water?’ Lily asked.
Did she not have a clue she’d just tipped him on his head? Looking at her, he knew she did. There was a glint of humour in those potent eyes, and the corners of her lush mouth kept lifting. ‘Yes, with lots of ice.’ He’d probably choke on a cube, but he needed her to look away for a few moments while he gathered some sense and got back to normal.
Except normal with Lily as he’d known it had flown the coop. Picking up his lunch, he tried for a third time to get some of it down where it was needed, and succeeded this time.
‘Here.’ Lily plonked a brimming glass in front of him and sat down again. ‘You have a busy morning?’
He nodded. ‘Seems half of Remuera’s come down with the flu over the weekend.’ Hopefully those patients he’d seen would keep their bugs to themselves. ‘It’s the last thing I want.’
‘Did you have the flu jab?’
Duh. He should have remembered that. ‘Yes, I did. It’s offered to anyone who’s had cancer in the past five years.’ Now he was mentioning his illness, something he never did, especially around work. Thank goodness the staffroom was unusually quiet. ‘Where is everyone?’
‘We’re both running late. Also Joanne and Suzie went down to the shops. There’s a sale on at Petal’s. I’d have joined them if I hadn’t been running behind in my schedule.’
‘I take it that’s a women’s clothing store.’
‘Not just any store. One of the best.’ She grinned. ‘My favourite. Classy, beautiful outfits any woman would give her eye teeth for.’
‘Or a small fortune.’
Lily laughed. ‘Got you.’
‘You’ll keep,’ he growled. She’d been winding him up. That’s exactly what he’d said to her once before, only that time she’d given him a blast about not being ashamed of her comfortable lifestyle. He’d been rude, but she’d seemed to relish not having to worry about how to fund her way through med school. Now he knew better.
That camp at Whangaparaoa would’ve put a massive hole in her bank account, and no doubt continued to do so. ‘Is there an annual fundraising event to put money into the camp coffers?’ He hadn’t found anything online about how other finances were raised.
Lily glanced around the empty room, as though checking no one had sneaked in while they’d been talking. ‘No, and it’s not necessary. It may become so in the future, but for now everything’s under control.’
‘You take donations, though?’
‘The board accepts them. I hope we never have to go public on fundraising. There are so many necessary charitable causes out there, I don’t want to add to the growing list. There’s not enough money to go around as it is.’
‘Anyone ever told you that you have a big heart, Lily?’ She really did. Sure, she wasn’t the only person out there supporting those in need, but he liked it that Lily did. It made her even more special. Made his hands tingle with warmth.
Picking up her sandwich, she took a bite, and chewed thoughtfully. He guessed she wasn’t going to answer.
Max followed her example, finally managing to eat his lunch without further discomfort. The silence between them turned comfortable. Until Lily stood up and he got an eyeful of a perfectly curved backside in fitted trousers as she crossed to the sink. At least he’d finished eating. And drinking the ice-cold water. But his heart pounded while his mouth dried. Snatching the paper bag, he screwed it up, threw it at the bin, and stood up. ‘I’ll see you later.’
He had things to think about before he made a move in any direction. Her need for a baby. His growing need to father one. What would she say if he offered to be the donor? Unless he got over his concerns about the future, she wasn’t going to get the opportunity to consider the idea.
He was halfway to his office when he heard her calling after him.
‘Max, wait a minute.’
He watched her every step, the gentle, sexy swing of her hips, the light shining in her eyes as she focused on him. What was this about?
‘Have dinner with me tonight?’ she asked as she reached him.
As he drew a breath, he was zapped with a fragrance that was all Lily and nothing like the chemical air of the medical centre. ‘I’d li—’ No, try again. Be sensible. ‘Sorry, but I’m busy. All week.’
Annoyance, even anger sliced through him from those now not so shiny eyes. ‘Just because you’ve pulled the plug on what we started last week, it doesn’t mean we can’t be friendly and spend some time together.’
‘You think that’s wise? Given where we were when I...’ he flipped his fingers in the air ‘...pulled the plug? On a few kisses?’
Her throat moved upwards as she swallowed hard. ‘I like how we’ve been getting along on other levels.’
Her disappointment made him feel like a heel for being so blunt. But how could he sit across from her in a restaurant and pretend he didn’t want to take her to bed? Or deny he was considering having a baby with her? Or ignore she was giving his heart a damned hard shove in the direction he’d sworn off ever going?
‘Lily—’ Give her a break. She’d only said what he thought. ‘True.’ Could he do this? Without going completely bonkers? He gave in. ‘I can’t have dinner with you tonight, I do genuinely have something on. How about Thursday night? You’ll have done four days here and can download on me if you need to. And...’ he held his hand up as she started to say something ‘...we can continue getting to know each other and enjoying ourselves.’ There was merit in that. He’d be able to think some more about the baby idea. Why? Lily would be his pick if he wanted someone to have his children. The only question he had to ask himself was if he truly wanted to do this. It meant putting his fears aside, but in reality they’d been lessening since he’d met up with Lily again. ‘So, are you available Thursday night?’
The twinkle was back. The smallest of smiles, too. Which meant so was the heat in his aching gut. ‘I’ll make sure I am.’
Relief swamped his chest. ‘Talk more before then.’ He turned away before he came up with other reasons to stand talking in the hallway when he had patients waiting.
CHAPTER NINE
‘THE VIEW’S STUNNING.’ Max was standing with his hands in his pockets on the small deck, looking out towards the Harbou
r Bridge with all its lights.
Lily stood beside him. ‘During the day, seeing the boats in the marina is pretty too. Being on the lower level, I have a back yard as well, which I’m going to make into an outdoor entertaining area.’
‘Any trees to cut down?’
She laughed. ‘I don’t think the neighbours would be very friendly if I started up my saw.’ Her elbows dug into her sides and she did a little dance internally. Max was with her, in her home, and it felt right.
He turned just then and placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘I know I said no to furthering our relationship, but I’m not doing a great job of staying away from you.’ Bright eyes locked on hers. ‘I have to kiss you.’
Yes. Up on her toes, she leaned in and placed her lips on his before he could retract his words. Yes. Wow. His mouth opened, and his tongue explored hers, tasting her, driving her to the brink so fast her knees were knocking. Wrapping her arms around his waist she held on tight, and kissed him back, again and again.
A sharp, chilly gust of wind slammed into them.
Max lifted his head. ‘Inside?’
Lily pulled him and slid the door shut. And returned to his arms, his mouth, pressing up so that her hard peaks ached against his chest.
‘Max?’ she whispered. They couldn’t stop now. Her whole body was rippling with desire, the sparks he brought on with a smile were now burning out of control.
He leaned back, his arms still around her waist. Then he shoved one hand through his hair, staring at her as though he couldn’t get enough. He leaned down to kiss her forehead.
He’d changed his mind. He was leaving. This was goodnight. She held her breath, begging silently for him to stay.
‘Hell.’ Swinging her up into his arms, he asked, ‘Where’s your bedroom?’
Nodding towards the door on the right, she buried her face in his neck, breathing him in, soaking up his heat, absorbing the heat from his hands on her thigh and back. Yes. Max was with her. She’d make the most of tonight and wait to see what followed.
