Children’s Doctor, Christmas Bride

by Lucy Clark

  Summer, however, was a doctor. Would she be able to accept laughter therapy as an alternative to general medicine? He hoped so. Tommy seemed enthusiastic and while Summer appeared highly reserved as she pulled her costume over her clothes, she didn’t object.

  They didn’t have a costume for Tommy but Monica’s parents managed to find some old clothes they adapted and even produced a funny hat with a flower sticking out of the middle.

  ‘Hey, Mum. I’m just like Mr Calvin.’

  Summer smiled. ‘Yes, you are.’

  ‘You totally have to take my photograph. I’m starting my collection today.’

  ‘Ready?’ Jason took Summer’s gloved hand in his and looked into her eyes, which now had yellow diamonds painted around them. In the true classic clown style, she’d opted for a white base, a wide red grin and a soft red nose.

  ‘I guess so, although I’m not quite sure what to do or say.’

  Jason adjusted the Santa hat he wore on his head. ‘Just let yourself go. Be happy. Remember, a smile can be contagious. So can laughter.’ He gave her hand a little squeeze before they headed into Monica’s room. She was half lying, half sitting on a specially designed bed, the sun coming in her window, the room painted brightly with pictures of clowns and balloons on the walls and ceiling.

  ‘Hey, hey, hey,’ Jason called, as he headed towards her. ‘Is this the room of the magnificent Monica?’

  Monica made a gurgling sound and slowly turned her head. Her face stretched into a bright smile and Summer’s heart instantly filled with not only compassion but hope. It was amazing that the doctors of this community were willing to go to such lengths for their patients. This woman had nothing, needed everything, yet all she wanted was someone to make her smile… And she was now lying there smiling—because of Jason.

  Tears were starting to gather in Summer’s eyes and she knew that crying wasn’t the order of the day. She pushed them aside and headed over to where both Jason and Tommy were doing their best to entertain Monica.

  Tommy was dancing in a silly fashion around the room. Jason was trying to follow him but kept tripping over his large clown feet and every time he did, Monica would gurgle her approval. Summer joined in, feeling highly self-conscious at first, but after a few moments of seeing the delight radiating in Monica’s eyes she threw caution to the wind and started telling jokes.

  They laughed and joked around, sometimes falling over each other—slapstick would never die, she realised—and had the most fantastic time. When Monica’s mother announced it was time for her midday nap, all three clowns were disappointed their routine was at an end.

  ‘That. Was. Totally—’

  ‘Buzzin’?’ Summer and Jason finished together as they climbed into the car, waving a hearty farewell to Monica’s parents.

  ‘Yeah.’

  After they’d changed out of their costumes and removed their make-up, Jason had shown Summer how to give Monica a check-up and what to specifically be aware of.

  ‘How many more calls, Mum?’ Tommy asked, completely animated.

  Summer checked the list. ‘Five left.’

  ‘Aw. Is that all? Hey, can we go and visit Monica another day and be a clown again?’

  Summer laughed. ‘We’ll see,’ she replied noncommittally. The atmosphere in the car was one of pure excitement as Jason drove them back towards town. The conversation was brighter, the laughter was deeper, and Summer couldn’t help but look at Jason with admiration.

  They worked their way through the remaining five house calls before heading back to their apartment. As they’d visited each patient, Jason had made notes on a pad which he now took inside.

  ‘Come in for a coffee?’ Summer suggested and he wasn’t about to say no. He didn’t want this day to end, the day when he’d realised that Summer was indeed an extraordinary woman and one he appeared to be attracted to on multiple levels. It wasn’t only her looks but her drive, her dedication and her delight in embracing her new life.

  As she realised the time, she invited Jason to stay for dinner and soon he found himself standing alongside her in the kitchen, stir-frying. Cameron had never cooked, never shown the slightest interest in the activity, but, then, Cameron hadn’t shown any inclination in spending time with his wife and son. As far as cooking went, it was something that had always helped Summer to relax and she could recall helping her mother prepare meals in their small kitchen at home. Of course, that had been before her father had made his fortune, a fortune forged through hard work as well as blood, sweat and tears. Cameron had inherited his wealth, as had his father before him. That had been the difference—inherited wealth versus earned wealth—and she knew she needed to find the right balance for Tommy. To give him a real inheritance, one built on friendships and trust.

  She looked over at Jason, chopping vegetables as he talked about his own family, recalling with humour about how his sister had once thrown a butter knife at him after he’d been teasing her. Could she trust him? Was he a man who valued honesty? Family? Monogamy?

  From what he’d told her of his ex-wife, it was apparent he’d been badly burned in love once already. Had that made him bitter? Or, as she secretly hoped, had the ordeal made him stronger? Was he willing to explore this attraction that existed between them or was he simply stringing her along? She wasn’t sure.

  ‘How’s the meat? Almost ready to do a dance with the vegetables?’ he asked, his words bringing her back to the present.

  ‘They are.’

  ‘Smells fantastic.’ He was close, her kitchen seeming to shrink as they stood close together, the aromas from the sizzling food filling the air. She could feel the warmth from his body and a deep-seated need flooded her within. What would it be like to kiss him? It wasn’t the first time she’d asked herself that question and they’d certainly been close enough to have given it a go the other week but that was then…this was now. When his arm accidentally brushed hers, Summer gasped and placed her hand over the area as though burnt. She stepped away.

  ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘Sure. Uh…I’ll go get my son off the phone.’ She shook her head, forcing a smile. Tommy had asked to call Bradley the instant they’d arrived home and was still telling him about the totally buzzin’ day he’d had. ‘Not that I’m complaining, but since he’s ventured out of his shell a little, my phone bill has increased.’

  Jason chuckled at her remarks as she called to her son. ‘Off the phone, please, and come and set the table.’ A moment later Tommy bounded into the room, doing his clown dance as he gathered the place-mats and cutlery. Whatever tension had previously existed, it evaporated into the aroma.

  As they sat down to eat, she realised that where she had thought it might be a bit uncomfortable, having Jason sitting at her table, eating the food they’d prepared together, it wasn’t. It felt right and she wasn’t sure whether the clown therapy had helped wipe away her own inhibitions or whether it was an indication that Jason really did fit into her new world.

  After dessert of cold sweet dumplings, which somehow tasted just as amazing as when they’d been warm and freshly made, Tommy headed off to get ready for bed.

  ‘I’d best be going, too,’ Jason remarked as Summer closed the door on the dishwasher and turned it on.

  ‘Because, of course, you have such a long way to go home.’ Summer smiled at him and filled the kettle. ‘Stay for a cuppa.’ She didn’t wait for his answer but took two cups down from the cupboard.

  ‘I don’t think I should.’ He was finding it difficult to take his eyes from her as she moved comfortably around the kitchen which was the mirror image of his own.

  ‘It’s just a cup of tea, Jason.’

  ‘I know.’ Still, he was finding it difficult to move. She stopped and looked up at him, straightening as she withdrew the teapot from the cupboard and put it on the bench.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘There’s nothing wrong, Summer. It’s been an incredible day but…’ He shoved his hands into his po
ckets, the way she’d seen him do so many times before, but this time she realised he only did it when she was close, as though he was trying to stop himself from touching her.

  ‘Oh.’ At the dawning realisation in her eyes, he nodded.

  ‘Yes. Oh.’ His gaze dropped to her lips, so luscious, so full, so close. It would only take a few steps to close the distance between them, to haul her into his arms and press his mouth to hers, the way he’d been wanting to do for quite some time now. He’d managed to stop himself in the past but after such an incredible day, and with the way she was staring at him as though that was the only thing she wanted him to do, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to be the strong one this time.

  ‘You are an amazing woman, Summer Hoyts.’ At his words, she dipped her head and shook it slightly. ‘No.’ He stepped forward and lifted her chin so their eyes could meet. ‘Don’t brush my words aside. They’re true. You were brilliant today. You related magnificently to all of the patients, you encouraged your son, you supported me. You listened, you applied and you dressed up as a clown to make a very ill woman smile.’ His fingers stroked her cheek.

  ‘Jason?’ she whispered, and he could see the pain and confusion in her eyes.

  He shook his head. ‘What did that husband of yours do to you? How can you have no idea of how beautiful you are? Did he not appreciate you? Did he not want you?’

  Summer knew he wasn’t asking the questions to find the answers as he appeared more astonished to even have the questions in his mind in the first place. His eyes held a hint of wonderment mixed with confusion. She knew because it was exactly the way she felt.

  ‘Whatever he said, you shouldn’t believe him. Don’t let anyone cut you down, Summer. That’s the main thing I’ve learnt from my bad marriage. Believe in yourself. You are incredible.’

  She’d heard words which had cut her down time and time again but she’d never received words that could build her up, as Jason’s words were doing now. She was a person of worth and he was reiterating that. Her lips had parted at his intimate touch and her tongue slid out to wet her suddenly dry mouth.

  ‘Oh, Summer, don’t do that. You’re difficult enough to resist as it is.’

  Summer watched his mouth as he spoke, his words washing over her like a warm and comfortable blanket, making her feel both cherished and secure. Slowly, she raised her eyes until they met his. The desire was there. The need was there and Summer realised she didn’t want him to walk away this time.

  ‘Then don’t,’ she whispered, and slid her arms around his waist.

  CHAPTER SIX

  THE action was so out of the ordinary. So unlike her. Summer felt a wave of rebellious freedom wash over her. Never would she have ever dared to invite a man’s attentions, even when she’d been married to Cameron. He had called the shots and after Tommy’s birth those shots had vanished.

  She closed her eyes for a second, not wanting to think about Cameron at all but wanting instead to focus on the man before her, the man who was helping her to come alive…in more ways than one. He not only supported her at work but the simple fact that he found her desirable—a desire she could see quite clearly in his rich, dark eyes—boosted her self-confidence as well as her self-worth.

  Her fingers were lightly touching his back, their bodies were close, as close as they’d been the other week, but this time the conclusion seemed inevitable. They may have been fighting the attraction since they’d met but Summer had a blinding moment of clarity that whatever it was that existed between herself and Jason, it was imperative she discover exactly what it was. She was meant to do this. Add to the fact that she wanted to do this and it only made her need for Jason far more acute.

  ‘Summer.’ Her name was a caress on his lips as he traced the outline of her mouth with his thumb. She trembled and it produced a powerful protective reaction within him. He didn’t want to hurt her. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Just kiss me, Jason. Please? Make me feel like a woman as only you seem to be able to do.’

  That was a telling statement and one he promised himself he’d reflect on at a later time, but right now, when he had the woman who’d played a starring role in his dreams willing and pliant in his arms, he wasn’t going to spend time worrying about anything else except doing exactly as she’d asked.

  He brought his other hand up to cup her face and lowered his head to brush his mouth tantalisingly over hers. She trembled. She actually trembled at the touch and the effect was highly intoxicating, more so than anything he’d ever experienced before. Who was this woman and how did she seem to be able to tie him up in knots he had no hope of untying?

  He tried it again, pressing his mouth to hers, accepting the sweetness she offered. The lightness of the touch was equally as powerful and although part of him wanted to rush ahead, to deepen the kiss, to hold her more firmly against his body while he plundered her mouth, another part of him wanted to savour this exquisite, tremulous moment.

  She seemed to have invaded his thoughts and while they’d only known each other just over a month, it was as though they’d been designed for each other. The kiss would have only lasted the briefest of seconds but as time seemed to have stopped for the two of them, it felt like for ever. Half expecting him to want more, to take advantage of what was right in front of him, Summer was surprised when Jason seemed more than content to simply brush his lips lightly across hers again and again as though savouring the experience.

  She wasn’t immune to the charms of such an action, of the gentleness of his touch. In fact, it was more powerful than anything else she’d felt in her life. Soft. Feminine. Cherished. That was how his delicate touch made her feel and she couldn’t help but shiver with anticipation.

  ‘Jason.’ She murmured his name against his lips and he accepted it, brushing on another kiss.

  ‘Mmm.’

  ‘Jason,’ she whispered again as his hand slid around her neck towards her silky, soft hair. His feather-light kisses followed the path across her cheeks and down to nuzzle her neck. Summer’s eyes were closed, her head had dipped back slightly and the feel of his fingers in her hair, the gentle massage at the base of her neck filled her body with a flood of tingles.

  Her hands slid up his back as she brought her body into closer contact with his, her chest pressed against his, and he gasped, easing back slightly.

  Summer instantly stilled. Had she done something wrong? She couldn’t help it. It had felt right to want to have her body close to his but she was positive he’d moved away because she’d come closer. ‘I’m sorry,’ she murmured, and this time he drew back far enough so he could look down into her face.

  ‘Sorry?’ His voice was husky and filled with repressed emotion. ‘What for?’

  ‘Uh…’ Her confusion increased. ‘Because I…um…came closer.’

  ‘Yeah. I know.’ He nodded with approval.

  She frowned a little more. ‘But you moved away. I felt you.’

  Jason could hear the uncertainty in her tone, could see mild fear in her eyes, and it was that which made him exercise even more self-control in order to ease his hold on her. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘I don’t want to…disappoint you.’

  Now Jason was the one who was confused. ‘Disappoint me? Summer, that’s an impossibility. You are…dynamite, lady. Addictive dynamite at that.’

  ‘Dynamite? Isn’t that a bad thing?’

  Jason laughed, the sound washing over her and offering up a smidgen of reassurance. ‘What does dynamite do?’

  ‘Explodes.’

  ‘Exactly.’ He looked at her for a moment and watched as dawning realisation crossed her face.

  ‘Oh.’ Her eyes were wide, her lips were parted, puckered into a little ‘O’, and Jason couldn’t help but press his mouth to hers once again.

  ‘Mummy?’ At the sound of Tommy’s voice both Jason and Summer shifted quickly apart and looked over towards the doorway where her son stood in his pyjamas, ready for bed. ‘What are you doing?’

>   ‘Er…um…Jason and I were just…ah…talking.’

  ‘I thought that was called kissing.’

  ‘Uh…yes. It is. Jason was just saying goodbye.’

  Tommy thought about that for a moment, then nodded his head. ‘Yep. I remember. Sometimes people kiss when they say goodbye.’ He was still thinking, though. ‘But my father never used to do that. Not for you. Not for me.’ His words were matter-of-fact, without a hint of concern, but even that, as far as Jason was concerned was wrong. When a child spoke about his father, it should be with joy and happiness, not with apathy. ‘He was too busy.’

  It was the first time Tommy had mentioned his father and Summer wasn’t at all sure how to react, especially given that she’d just been kissing Jason. Her mind was in a spin, her lips were still tingling and her heart was pounding wildly against her ribs. She cleared her throat. ‘Yes. Your father was a busy man.’ Summer wasn’t sure what to say next so she simply asked, ‘So, teeth all brushed? Ready for bed?’

  ‘Yep. Ready for a story.’

  ‘OK. I’ll just walk Jason to the door and then I’ll be in.’

  Tommy nodded, indicating he’d heard her, but he didn’t move. ‘Actually, Mum…’

  She tried not to smile at the way he spoke because it sounded so very grown-up. That was Tommy. Seven going on seventy. Or at least, that had been Tommy. Since their move from Sydney, he was starting to be much more of a seven-year-old and that was worth everything. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Could…um…?’ He was nervous. Summer could tell. It was how he used to get whenever he’d wanted his father’s attention. Usually, if he’d asked Cameron a question, it had been brushed aside with a wave of a hand and the child had been told to go and ask his mother. Then Tommy had stopped asking anything at all.

  ‘What is it?’ she encouraged.

  ‘Can JD read me a story tonight?’ The words came out in a rush and Tommy edged a little closer to Summer, as though needing her as a barrier or shield in case Jason refused.