The Doctor's Double Trouble

by Lucy Clark

  ‘Here I am. I’m here,’ Mark called, and raced onto the plane, Joshua pulling the steps up as Mark removed his goggles and mask, trying not to spread too much dust around the interior of the plane.

  ‘Let’s go,’ Joshua instructed Morgan, and soon they were in the air, making the short journey to Yawonnadeere Creek’s main street. This time Morgan didn’t bother landing at the strip, having arranged for a few of the locals to shift their vehicles out of the way so he could land right on the main road.

  ‘The closer the better,’ he murmured, and Abbey had to smile.

  In a hospital setting, they would have had the backup support of being able to call on a surgeon in a particular speciality, to request X-rays, blood samples and anything else that needed to be done. Here, though, it was just the three of them and whilst the situation she now found herself in wasn’t an everyday occurrence, the fact of the matter remained—Terry would die without immediate surgery and for that she desperately needed Joshua and his many years of experience and expertise.

  When they finally arrived at the surgery, the three of them, with Morgan’s help, managed to get the stretcher into the operating bay, transferring Terry onto the operating table. Mark immediately started pulling out the equipment he would need to hook Terry up to a plasma drip, Abbey helping him by getting the IV saline organised on the opposite side. The sooner they could replace Terry’s fluids, the better chance the man would have coming through this alive.

  With Mark now taking care of Terry, administering the anaesthetic, Abbey turned her attention to Joshua, who had changed into a pair of scrubs and was at the sink, methodically washing his hands. Abbey followed suit and once she was changed, she stood beside him and scrubbed.

  ‘How are you holding up?’ she asked.

  ‘If you mean do I keep looking at Terry lying there and seeing Miriam’s lifeless body instead, the answer is yes.’

  ‘You can do this, Joshua. I know you can.’ Her words were imploring. ‘You are a remarkable man and I believe in you. I feel for you, for everything you’ve been through, but right now you desperately need to find a way to push all of that aside, put it in a box on a shelf in your mind and move forward.’

  They continued scrubbing in silence, Abbey hoping Joshua would listen to her words and push aside the traumatic circumstances that had stopped him from operating in the first place. She knew he was capable of great things, she’d known that sixteen years ago in medical school, but now that she was in love with him she wanted him to have as much faith in himself as she had in him.

  ‘And if he dies?’ Joshua asked as they pulled on gowns and gloves.

  Abbey took a deep breath and slowly let it out, meeting his gaze. ‘Then he dies and you and I will grieve together. Then we’ll move on. It’s the way of the world.’

  Finally, they were ready and standing next to their patient, ready to do whatever they could in order to save his life. Mark had managed to cut away Terry’s clothes and to prepare him for surgery.

  ‘Thanks for getting him ready, Mark,’ she said as she looked down at their patient, then met Joshua’s gaze. ‘Ready?’

  He was quiet, not saying a word, but Abbey waited. She could almost see his internal struggle and she silently cheered him on, willing him to realise that he could do this. He was a strong man who had become lost in the face of tragedy…but he was still a strong man.

  ‘What do we do first?’ she asked, and this time received a reply.

  Joshua slowly exhaled into his mask then put his hand out. ‘You hand me the scalpel.’

  Elation shot through Abbey and the smile beneath her mask was bright and encouraging but she damped down her emotions, knowing she needed to focus. She picked up the scalpel from the tray and placed it firmly into his outstretched hand.

  From then on Joshua was focused, issuing instructions so Abbey knew exactly what he needed and when. Usually this sort of operation would require more staff, given that instruments needed to be changed and the wound packed because the instant Joshua removed the obstruction from Terry’s abdomen, things had to move much faster.

  Still, between the two of them they managed. Mark worked wonders with the anaesthetic and kept a very close eye on the IV bags.

  ‘Pass me the locking forceps. I think I’ve got the last one,’ Joshua said, and Abbey did as she was asked. When he’d clamped the offending artery, she suctioned the area to ensure it was clear but a moment later blood was still pooling.

  ‘There’s another one and we’ve missed it.’ Joshua shook his head and started a methodical search.

  ‘Changing the plasma bag again,’ Mark told them. ‘Guys, we only have two left.’

  ‘It’s OK, Mark. Joshua can do it. He’ll find that artery.’ Her words were firm and without question.

  Joshua kept working but his gaze locked with Abbey’s for a moment. ‘You believe in me that much?’

  ‘I do.’ Again, there was no hesitation in her tone.

  ‘Right. Let’s do this.’

  It wasn’t too long before he’d found that final ruptured artery and clamped it off. After another hour they were ready to insert the drains Terry would need. Abbey watched as Joshua continued to operate with steady hands and a clear head. After another hour Terry’s wound was stapled closed and Mark was starting to reverse the anaesthetic.

  Joshua stepped back from the table and looked at his handiwork. Abbey watched him closely, unsure what was going to happen next, but he simply nodded once before turning and walking over to the bin.

  She followed suit, stripping off her gown and gloves, disposing of them in the correct bins before walking back to the sink to wash her hands. She couldn’t believe the bubbling excitement she felt towards Joshua. He’d overcome his own fears. He’d pushed past his block of being unable to operate. He’d told her that every time he thought about operating, every time he stood next to a table, all he saw was his wife’s limp, lifeless body lying there.

  Today, however, he’d pushed through everything and he’d saved Terry’s life. Their patient would be facing a long, drawn-out recovery but he would live. Abbey turned round, wanting to talk to Joshua, but saw he’d left the room. She headed to the consulting rooms and found him on the phone, no doubt talking to the RFDS.

  She shifted from foot to foot, waiting for him to finish his calls. What had just happened, the breakthrough he’d made, was an event that needed to be celebrated. He needed to be aware that he’d just achieved an amazing feat.

  When he finally replaced the receiver, he looked over at her, still staying seated behind his desk.

  ‘That was Pierre. Giselle seems to have taken control of the situation out at the rig, and the wind has died right down so the dust is starting to settle.’

  ‘And the patients?’

  ‘Mostly whiplash injuries, cuts from the glass. Two people who she thinks might have minor concussion but apart from that, everyone’s been very lucky. The RFDS are on their way to pick up Terry and everyone else can be either flown to Adelaide on Morgan’s plane or wait until tomorrow to return home.’ His words were deep and filled with satisfaction.

  ‘All’s well that ends well?’

  He nodded. ‘It could have been a lot worse.’

  ‘Agreed.’

  ‘Terry?’

  ‘Stable. How about we check on him, then head next door to see your children and have a nice cool drink?’

  ‘Sounds good.’ Joshua stood and came around the desk. As proud of him as she was, it was clear he was having difficulty dealing with what he’d just accomplished. He held out his hand to her and she immediately took it. ‘I couldn’t have done that without you.’

  ‘I think you would have managed just fine,’ she said, secretly pleased with his words but unable to take the credit. ‘You’re quite a man, Joshua Ackles.’

  ‘And you are quite a woman, Abbey Bateman,’ he said, and tugged her into his arms. As there was no place on earth she’d rather be, she went willingly, her arms sliding past his w
aist and up his firm back. Abbey’s eyes closed in delight as she relaxed against him, holding him just as close, wanting to reassure him that she was there for him.

  She rested her head against his chest, the sounds of his heart beating its steady lub-dub filling her with happiness. His scent wound its way around her, filling her senses, and after a few breaths she sighed, feeling the stress of her own day melt away. Abbey felt a little guilty because she was supposed to be there for Joshua, to be supporting him, helping him, and yet with his warm arms around her, holding her close to his gorgeous body, it was her tension that seemed to be dissipating rather than his.

  They stood there for quite some time, neither one talking, content just to let the silence reign. He had no idea what sort of perfume she was wearing but it wasn’t overpowering and neither was it pretentious—just like Abbey herself. He liked to watch the way she moved, gracefully, with poise and purpose. He was so aware of her presence, no matter where they were, in clinic, at the pub, working in an emergency, and in every situation he seemed to want her more and more.

  Being aware of another woman in a physical, sexual capacity was wrong. He was destined to be alone, that much he’d realised after Miriam’s death. Now, right here, standing in his private haven with such an incredible woman in his arms, Joshua wasn’t so sure. His life had changed after his wife’s death and now it was changing again with the arrival of Abbey in his life.

  She might downgrade the role she’d played in Theatre but he’d stood there, looking down at that operating table, Terry’s anaesthetised body desperate for medical intervention, and all he’d seen had been Miriam’s lifeless body lying there. He’d wanted to pull back, to turn away from the situation, to get as far away from that room as possible, the stress, the memories, the pressure all assailing him.

  Then he’d heard Abbey’s soothing words. And looked into her mesmerising eyes. He’d seen the strength and belief she had in him. It was because of Abbey that he’d been able to hold out his hand and request the scalpel. It was because of Abbey that Terry was now alive and would, in time, make a full recovery. It was because of Abbey that he was now starting to see past the pain and terror that had plagued him in the past and look forward to a happier future.

  He’d been astounded at his reaction to Abbey, at the way she made him feel whenever she looked at him. There was hope in her eyes, hope for him. He angled back slightly and looked into those brown depths of hers and when she met his gaze, he could feel the faith she had in him. He had no idea what he’d done to deserve such trust but it was there and he felt it with a certainty he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Having someone believe in you was a powerful feeling and it was because of Abbey and Abbey alone that he’d been able to break down the barriers that had been binding him.

  She felt so perfect in his arms and he was so grateful she was allowing him to hold her. It was as though she was giving him an energy transfer, recharging him, and he had to admit the sensation was like an aphrodisiac. The least he could do was to thank her.

  ‘Abbey.’ As he spoke her name he felt her loosen her hold but he didn’t want her to go anywhere. He wanted to keep her close, to have her scent wash around him, to have her strength seeping into him so that he could continue his journey forward. ‘No. Stay, please?’

  Abbey’s answer was to link her arms around his body again and snuggle into him. The action was almost his undoing and the urge to press his mouth to hers, to sample the softness he knew she’d offer was becoming increasingly harder to fight. Now that he knew how incredible she tasted, how perfectly his mouth seemed to fit with hers, how delighted he was to hold her close to his heart, it seemed almost pointless to fight it.

  He wanted Abbey. He’d always wanted Abbey, he realised with a start. Long before he’d met and married Miriam, he’d wanted Abbey. Acknowledging this fact to himself helped him to say what he needed to say. She was a very special woman, dear to his heart, and she deserved to be treated in a special way.

  ‘Abbey,’ he started again, then stopped and cleared his throat, a little surprised to hear his own voice filled with desire. ‘I just wanted to thank you for today.’

  Abbey sighed and shifted her gorgeous body against his, her voice relaxed when she spoke. ‘You are most welcome, Joshua.’

  Joshua closed his eyes, trying to focus on his words rather than the way the woman in his arms was making him feel. He wondered if she understood the degree to which she’d helped. It was now becoming imperative that she comprehend how dear she was to him, how important her opinion was to him, how attracted he was to her. ‘You don’t understand, Abbey. I never thought I’d ever be able to operate again without going through the trauma of the past.’

  ‘I know,’ she murmured, her voice vibrating through his chest. The sensation only magnified the powerful need he had for her. ‘I could see the struggle inside you.’

  ‘Really?’

  She smiled and tightened her arms around him, gently caressing the muscles of his back through the cotton scrubs he still wore. ‘I know you, remember.’

  ‘People change.’

  ‘Sometimes they do but you haven’t, not in essentials. You were always honest, trustworthy, hard-working and focused. We were very similar, probably why we argued so much.’ She chuckled a little at her words and the sound reverberated through him, filling him with delight.

  Joshua smiled at her as though he was unable to believe he was allowed to hold her so close. He was also coming to realise that the sensations he was feeling weren’t just lust or desire. It was more than that. He wanted Abbey, of that there was no doubt, but it wasn’t temporary want, it was permanent.

  Ordinarily, that should have scared him but for some strange reason it didn’t. He looked down into her upturned face, seeing the glow of happiness, the glow of belief, the glow of pride in him flow through her. ‘You are one very special lady,’ he murmured, and then, as though he was unable to restrain himself any longer, Joshua bent and brushed his lips across hers. It was the briefest of kisses and he’d initially intended it to be just a way of saying thank you but the instant they touched, everything around them changed.

  The room seemed to melt away, the problems of the world disappeared, there was only the two of them, standing there, arms entwined, faces alive with wonderment at the energetic awareness passing through both of them.

  All rational thought had fled from his mind the instant he’d brushed his lips over hers. Now all he was aware of was Abbey and how incredible she was making him feel. He didn’t deserve it. He didn’t deserve it at all.

  ‘Abbey. You are so beautiful.’

  His words came out in a rush, his breath fanning her face, his words causing her heart to pound even more fiercely against her chest. It wasn’t the first time he’d called her that but she would never grow tired of hearing him say it. Given that she had so much pain, that she didn’t feel like a whole woman any more, hearing him call her beautiful gave her hope. Hope that one day, maybe with Joshua’s help, she might feel more ‘normal’, more like a true woman.

  ‘I can’t stop thinking about you and it’s starting to drive me crazy,’ he ground out, his voice filled with repressed desire.

  ‘I know…the feeling.’ Abbey’s breathing was still increasing, becoming more erratic with each passing moment they stood there in each other’s arms, intent on looking deeply into each other’s eyes. ‘I think about you all the time.’

  ‘You do?’ He cupped her cheek with one hand, his warmth flooding through her.

  ‘I dream about you every night, wanting to be in your arms again, wanting to feel your lips against mine.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ she breathed. Her words, mixed with the desire he saw in her eyes, was enough for him to bury his face in her neck, nuzzling the skin, pressing kisses to her sweet, soft flesh. Abbey angled her head, granting him further access, pleased her hair was still pulled back in a ponytail from their impromptu operating session.

&nb
sp; He worked his way back towards her mouth, taking his sweet, tantalising time. ‘I’ve wanted to kiss you, to touch you like this, for so long, Abbey. You taste like…’

  Abbey waited, hypnotised by his words, by his touch. Never had a man spoken to her like this before. Joshua made her feel so cherished, so special, so feminine. The way he was feathering her neck and cheeks with kisses, the way one hand slid into her hair, freeing her brunette locks from the clips that still bound them, allowing the silky tresses to bounce around her face. The way his other arm was gathering her closer, drawing their bodies together…Everything about him was making her lightheaded with passionate pleasure…and she wanted more.

  ‘Sugar and spice.’

  A small smile twitched at her lips at his words.

  ‘And all things very, very nice,’ he breathed as he pulled back just a smidgen to look into her eyes. It was as though he was seeking her permission, to be able to take the next step without fear of repercussions, and Abbey’s answer was to slide her hands up his firm, muscled back, loving the feel of his body beneath her fingers.

  She arched towards him, urging him to close the gap between them. ‘Kiss me, Joshua. Please?’

  Even though she’d said the words, even though he’d felt the reaction of her body against his, it was only in that moment that he realised Abbey wanted him every bit as much as he wanted her.

  As though finally sure, as though realising this kiss would definitely mean more, that the stakes had been raised, that she was becoming way too important in his life, Joshua did as she’d asked and put his mouth firmly on hers.

  Both of them sighed into the embrace, holding tight as the eagerness, the need to explore spread over both of them. She half expected the kisses to be hot and heavy, as they’d been last time, but he surprised her yet again by starting off slowly, not wanting to rush but rather to explore. He was a surgeon and he knew the advantages of being thorough in explorations.