by Lucy Clark
‘In my honour?’ she asked sceptically, not believing a word he said.
‘Of course.’ Joss’s lips twitched.
‘And not the fact that it’s New Year’s Eve?’
He shrugged away her words. ‘Pure coincidence.’ He picked up her suitcases again and headed down the street. ‘Best get you out of this sun. Didn’t you bring a hat?’
Melissa watched him go, amazed at the way she really liked being in his company. This man, this stranger who was her boss. This man who had founded the clinic here in Didja, who had moved to this Outback land for some reason. Whilst she’d told him she wasn’t curious, that hadn’t been entirely true. What made a man—a general surgeon—come to the middle of nowhere and set up first-class medical facilities? And it wasn’t just Joss she was curious about but her brother as well. What had made Dex come here? Why had he stayed? Why was he so indifferent about meeting her? These were definitely top of the list in the questions department, and she hoped her time here would not only help her discover the answers but also to form some sort of relationship with Dex.
‘I’m guessing you’ll be wanting to find your room first and get settled in, rather than having a tour of the facilities.’
‘It would be nice to shower and change.’
‘No doubt.’ He headed down a small driveway beside the clinic, and it was then she realised that out at the back of the clinic was another building which looked just like a small block of flats. ‘It’s not much,’ he said, indicating the building with an incline of his head. ‘But it’s home. There are four apartments here—the end one is currently being used for storage, but we’re hoping to have a locum come on a regular basis and that’s where he or she will be accommodated.’
‘With three doctors here now, do you still need a locum?’
‘The mining company has just announced their expansion plans. Another two hundred workers will be in the area by the middle of next year. And we cover a huge area. Three doctors simply won’t be enough. If we could get a fourth on a permanent basis that would be fantastic, and if they could specialise in paediatrics it would be even better, but a man can only hope.’
Melissa had been watching him walk again, liking the firmness of his stride. When he stopped outside a door she almost careered into him, she’d been so intent on checking him out. ‘Uh…you know,’ she said quickly, hoping he hadn’t seen her looking so closely at his derierre, ‘I might be able to suggest a friend who’s a paediatrician. She’s been looking for somewhere different to work.’
‘Really? Well, I’d certainly be interested to learn more. In the meantime…’ He pointed to the door next to them. ‘Here’s your apartment. Number three. I’m next door in two if you need anything or have any questions.’ He set the suitcases down and pulled a set of keys from his pocket. He chose one and unlocked her door. ‘I’ll get your keys to you.’
‘That would be handy—otherwise I’d have to come and find you each time I needed my door unlocked.’
He chuckled at her statement. She was funny. She was relaxed. He only hoped she’d stay for the full twelve months of her contract. He knew she’d come here to find her brother, and he’d exploited the situation to his advantage by providing her with twelve long months to break through Dex’s defences. He only hoped the frustration she’d feel due to Dex’s indifference to the entire situation wouldn’t make her want to flee.
‘That wouldn’t be good—for either of us. I’ll also try and get you an up-to-date map of the town, so you don’t end up in places where a dilapidated building could fall down around you.’
‘I’d appreciate it.’ She went to pick up one of her suitcases but Joss waved her away. He pushed open her door and headed inside, his firm muscles rippling once again as he carried her bags. ‘Tell me, Joss. Why do you lock the doors? I thought here in the Outback there was no need?’
‘There never used to be. Of course I keep the clinic locked up tighter than Fort Knox, but as a general rule people are fairly relaxed when it comes to security. The town, though, has two full-time police officers.’
‘Impressive.’
‘Along with the growth of a town comes growth in crime, and unfortunately Didja isn’t the sleepy little town it used to be.’
‘The mining company changed all that?’
‘Not the mining company per se, but some of the people they’ve employed over the years.’
‘It happens.’
‘It does.’
Melissa hesitated for a second. She’d been looking forward to the opportunity of showering and changing for quite some time, but now she found herself wanting to prolong Joss’s little visit. He was a really nice man, and she was happy about that given that she’d be working with him for the next year. Until her arrival they’d only exchanged the odd e-mail after she’d been accepted for the position and signed the contracts, and even those e-mails had mostly been filled with instructions. Now, though, she found herself quite…intrigued by him. She’d spent the last fifteen or so minutes in his company and he’d definitely made an impact.
An impact which increased when he removed his hat and his sunglasses. His hair was dark brown, short, but slightly curling around the collar. It was as though he knew he needed a haircut but couldn’t be bothered. And those eyes. Those deep blue eyes which she’d only been given a hint of earlier on were now staring at her as though she was an enigma, a puzzle, and one he wasn’t sure he wanted to figure out.
‘So this is your apartment.’ He turned away, needing to look somewhere else—anywhere other than at the woman who was watching him with such concentrated intent. ‘Airconditioning controls are here. Ceiling fan controls are on the wall by the bed.’ He pointed, then shrugged. ‘I guess that’s the basics covered.’
Melissa smiled. ‘You’ve been a great tour guide so far.’
‘Tour guide?’ He smiled at the words. ‘I guess I have, and you’re welcome. You’ve got some time to have a few hours’ rest before the big festivities begin. Clinic—fingers crossed—should finish on time, and then it’s all about the party.’
‘All about the party?’ she repeated.
‘The community waits all year for this event. It’s big.’
‘Looks as though I came on the right day.’
‘Looks as though you did.’ He took a few steps towards the door.
‘So…how do I get to these festivities? I’m presuming they’re at the pub or somewhere central?’
‘Exactly. Everyone will be quitting work a little earlier today, so basically all you need to do is join the throng of people heading in that direction. The pub’s right in the centre of the town. That’s the Aussie way of doing things. You build the pub first, and the rest of the town sort of just takes shape around it.’
‘Sounds sensible—especially given how hot it is out here.’
‘And it’ll stay at these temperatures for the next six months. You’ll get used to it soon enough. The heat and the flies. A staple of Outback life.’
‘Careful. You might make me question my decision to stay.’
‘Ahh, you’re contracted for a whole twelve months, Dr Clarkson, and I’ll not be letting you go so easily.’ There was playfulness to his words, but also a hint of underlying seriousness.
‘I was just teasing. I’ll not be going anywhere. You can rest assured on that point.’
‘Good. That’s good to hear.’
Again there was a moment of silence as they stood there looking at each other. This time Melissa didn’t rush to fill the void, content just to look at him. She must have made him slightly uncomfortable, though, because he took the few remaining steps to her door and opened it, letting a bright beam of sunlight into the room. He looked good, standing there, his body half outlined by the light, all golden and shiny.
‘I’ll leave you to it.’
‘Yes. Thanks again. Much appreciated—you know, rescuing me from old buildings and the like.’
‘You’re welcome, Melissa.’
‘Lis,’ she ventured. ‘My friends call me Lis.’
‘Lis.’ He smiled down at her, pleased that she was opening up. This was a small and intimate community and there were no grounds for pomp and ceremony. ‘Listen, just to make sure you find your way about town and don’t run the risk of getting trampled by a throng of thirsty miners, why don’t I meet you here at around half past five?’
The instant the words were out of his mouth he regretted them. Why had he offered to do that? She was his colleague. The town wasn’t that big. She’d find her own way. Still, perhaps this was him being friendly. He raised his eyebrows at the thought. He hadn’t been friendly to a stranger in…he wasn’t sure how long.
She nodded, pleased she wouldn’t have to take her first steps into town life by herself. ‘Sounds good.’
‘OK. I guess I’ll see you then.’ He shoved his hands into the pockets of his shorts and took a half a step backwards. ‘I need to check on how many patients are left. Enjoy the break of not working, because from tomorrow, public holiday or not, you’ll be seeing patients.’
‘Starting me off in the manner in which you want me to continue?’
He chuckled. ‘Something like that. Remember, just sing out if you need any help or have any questions. Everyone’s very friendly and willing to help you settle in with as little fuss as possible.’
So she was beginning to realise—and also, she thought as she closed the door after he’d left, how great it was that her professional and personal lives had managed to interconnect so seamlessly for once. She wanted to spend time getting to know her biological brother, and the Didja clinic needed an OB/GYN. It was a win-win. At least, she hoped it was.
As Melissa shut the door after him Joss headed back to the clinic, his thoughts on his new employee. She was very pretty, and he hoped that didn’t cause too much of a stir within the community. Whilst forty percent of the miners were married, sixty percent weren’t, and that didn’t include a lot of the other young men who lived in the town but didn’t work for the mining company.
Ordinarily Dex—who had been voted bachelor of the year for the last two years running—would have been his biggest concern, but given the family connection Joss could strike him off the list.
He nodded to himself, pleased Melissa had accepted his invitation for this evening. He was determined not only to escort her to the celebration this evening but to make sure she returned safely to her apartment—alone. It had been difficult enough trying to get a female doctor to come and live here for more than a month. He wasn’t going to have one of the miners take her focus away from her work.
And there was no reason for him to be concerned about himself, because one of his main motivations for settling in Didja in the first place was to get away from women. No. His pretty colleague was just that. She was pretty and she was a colleague. Enough said.
At five-thirty Melissa was ready. More than ready, in fact. She’d had enough time to shower and refresh herself, but after that she hadn’t felt at all sleepy and so had walked the short block to where the hub of Didja existed—the pub.
She hadn’t felt comfortable going inside, but had instead found a store where she could purchase a sun-hat, some sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses—given that hers had broken on the train journey here. She’d also bought some groceries, adding to her pile the important insect repellent and fly swat. In Tasmania the flies only came out on hot days, and as those were few and far between she wasn’t at all used to the constant need to swat in front of her face and around her body.
She’d returned to her apartment, unpacked, found a home for everything and managed to get a full hour’s sleep before getting ready. She’d chosen a simple sun-dress in a pale pink colour she’d bought on impulse two days before she’d left Tasmania. She liked being on time, punctual whenever possible, which sometimes with clinics and a surgical list wasn’t always possible. Still, she’d been checking the peephole through her door on a regular basis for the past ten minutes, just in case Joss had been running early. As the clock ticked towards twenty minutes to six, she realised he was actually running late.
Sighing, she decided to put the kettle on and have a soothing cup of tea. No sooner had she filled the kettle than the knock came at her door. Melissa abandoned her relaxation efforts, picked up her hat and opened the door. There he was. Her new boss. Dressed in freshly laundered shorts and cotton short-sleeve shirt, his blue eyes twinkling happily, he stood before her looking—really silly.
‘What…?’ A laugh bubbled up as she shook her head. ‘What are you wearing?’
Joss flicked at a cork that swung around from the hat on his head. ‘What? This old thing?’ He shrugged and moved his head slightly from side to side. The little corks which were dangling down on strings from his bush hat jangled around. ‘I wear it every New Year’s Eve.’
‘You do? What on earth for?’ She came out of her apartment and shut the door behind her, placing her new hat firmly on her head. Although it was getting on for six o’clock, due to daylight saving the sun wouldn’t go down for at least another three hours, and it was still rather sticky and very warm.
‘To remind me not to make any New Year’s resolutions.’
‘You don’t believe in them?’ They started walking down the street and Melissa was surprised to see so many people out and about. For a sleepy little Outback town it looked as if they were sure about to have one major humdinger of a party.
‘Not really. I just don’t see why people only think they can change at New Year. Anyone can change at any time in their life. You don’t need to wait for a change in the calendar to make a difference to your life—especially if it’s a difference that’s going to make you happier.’
‘Good point. But I’m still not getting the hat.’
Joss chuckled. ‘The hat—due to the pure silliness of it—reminds me that New Year’s resolutions are just as silly.’
‘For you?’
‘Yes. For me. Sorry. I guess I sound all judgemental and the like. Perhaps some people need the push of a New Year to help them to change.’
‘Perhaps they do.’
Joss glanced at her through the swinging corks. ‘Have you already made your resolution? Is coming here to Didja your change?’
‘It is.’
‘To get to know your brother?’
‘Yes.’
‘But you didn’t wait until the New Year arrived to make the decision?’
‘No.’
‘With or without the changing of the calendar you still would have pursued Dex. Am I right?’
‘You are.’
‘So you’re the same as me, then. A person of action. A person who sets themselves a goal, then figures out the best route to get there.’
‘I guess.’ Melissa pondered on his words for a moment. ‘Although sometimes the way I choose to go doesn’t always come about.’
‘Sounds as though there’s a story there. Bad relationship?’
‘Everyone has one.’ She shrugged. It was true that she liked her new boss, liked him a great deal in fact, but he was also a stranger—and telling a stranger of her broken engagement wasn’t something she was about to do.
‘Yes, they do. But tonight—tonight is for celebrating. To say goodbye to the old and hello to the new.’
‘Yes.’
‘You are going to meet so many people tonight and no doubt remember next to none of them.’
‘Yes,’ she repeated, with absolute gusto.
‘It’s going to be a great night, ending with some brilliant fireworks.’
‘Fireworks? Really?’
‘Well…’ Joss shrugged. ‘Nev and Kev are setting them up, so goodness knows what will eventuate.’
‘Let’s hope it’s not a long night in Theatre.’
‘My sentiments exactly.’ Joss smiled down at her. ‘Do you know something, Dr Clarkson?’
‘What, Dr Lawson?’
‘I think you’re going to fit into Didja quite nicely.’
&
nbsp; ‘It’s kind of you to say so.’ And she hoped he was right. The only thing was she hadn’t yet met Dex, and goodness only knew how he’d take to having a big sister in town—a big sister he seemed less then keen to meet.
As the evening progressed, Melissa was indeed introduced to all and sundry. She gave up trying to remember names, except those of the nurses and other clinical staff Joss introduced her to. He played the polite host and stuck by her side the entire time, and she was grateful to be able to use him as a sort of anchor for her first night in town.
Finally, though, the moment she’d been both waiting for and silently dreading arrived, and it was once again Joss who performed the introductions.
‘Melissa. This is Dex.’
Melissa smiled brightly up at the man who had almost reluctantly sauntered over to them. Her heart was pounding with excitement and trepidation. Here he was. Her brother. Standing before her. For two years she’d been searching for him and now here he was. It wasn’t exactly the TV show reunion she’d been hoping for, but it didn’t really matter any more. They were now in the same place at the same time. The brother she’d never had the chance to know. Tears pricked behind her eyes but she pushed them away.
‘Welcome to Didja.’ Dex’s words were deep, his tone polite, and she realised it was just as if he was greeting a normal colleague.
Melissa looked him up and down, searching unconsciously for some sort of resemblance. It appeared that he was doing the same as they stood there, just staring at each other. He had brown hair, a bit longer than Joss’s, and he had brown eyes. Brown eyes which were the exact same shade and shape as her own. His nose wasn’t straight, indicating a break at some point, and his lips weren’t smiling at all.
Joss watched them both, picking up on the similarities and dismissing any doubt he might have had about Melissa’s claims. He could tell Dex was nervous, but it was something only he would pick up on because they’d known each other for so long. This was a big moment for his friend, and he was glad he could be there to support him.
‘So you’re my sister?’ Dex finally broke the silence.
