The Outback Doctor

by Lucy Clark

  So Dave had been ogling her! A small surge of feminine power shot through her but she focused her attention on the men before her.

  ‘So, what do you gentlemen do for a living?’

  ‘I’m a pastoralist, mainly cattle,’ Mick replied. ‘And this bloke is my best stockman.’ He clapped his friend on the shoulder.

  ‘And how long have you lived in Broken Hill?’

  ‘All our lives. Dave and I were born here but our old man got work in Melbourne and a couple of other places so we moved around a bit.’

  ‘Dave?’ Rose frowned as she looked at Mick.

  ‘Yeah. He’s my brother.’

  Now she could see the family resemblance. Their colouring was the same—both with dark hair, although Mick’s was a bit longer than his brother’s and had started to curl at the ends. Also, Mick’s eyes were brown, whereas Dave’s were as blue as the night sky. ‘I see.’ Rose put her knife and fork together on the plate, unable to finish her lunch. ‘So how long since you came back to Broken Hill?’

  ‘Ah…let’s see.’ Mick looked down at his hands, concentrating. ‘Dave moved back here after his marriage broke up, which was about six years ago, and then I came not long after that so, yeah, about five, six years.’

  Rose nodded slowly as she digested this information. He was divorced! Then that definitely meant he wasn’t her type because she wasn’t interested in divorced men. From her limited experience, they often had too much extra baggage, and if there were children involved—well, it just made matters worse. She didn’t need that type of aggravation in her life. Especially as Julian had supplied her with enough aggravation to recover from.

  ‘Food too much for you?’ Mick smiled. It wasn’t as engaging as his brother’s and didn’t make her heart race.

  ‘Yes. Delicious, though.’ Her mobile phone shrilled to life. ‘That will probably be your brother,’ she told him as she reached into her bag and pulled out the phone. ‘Dr Partridge,’ she said automatically.

  ‘I do need you, Rosie,’ Dave’s deep voice said down the line, and Rose felt goose bumps spread over her skin. For one fleeting moment she imagined he was saying those words in a different context, but thankfully she came to her senses.

  ‘I’ll be right there,’ she replied, and before he could say anything else, she disconnected the call.

  ‘So I take it Bob needs further surgery?’ Mick asked.

  ‘It looks that way.’ Rose collected her bag and slid from the stool before taking out her purse to pay for her meal.

  ‘Uh, allow me.’ Mick pulled his wallet from his shorts.

  ‘No, really. It’s fine,’ Rose insisted.

  ‘I’d let him if I were you,’ his mate added. ‘Mick and Dave have got a strong sense of um…what’s it called again? You know, that knight in shining armour thing?’

  ‘Chivalry,’ Mick supplied. ‘It’s called chivalry, mate.’

  ‘Yeah, that’s it.’

  Rose decided she could spend more time here arguing with the two men than it would take her to drive to the hospital. Conceding was the only way out. ‘Well, thank you very much. I appreciate it.’

  ‘My pleasure.’ Mick’s smile had a glint of teasing in it and Rose wondered whether there wasn’t something going on here that she didn’t know about.

  She headed for the door and was surprised when the rest of the men Dave had been with called goodbye to her. She smiled shyly and waved before almost bolting through the door into the heat.

  She was still smiling when she walked into the hospital.

  ‘You look…happy,’ Dave remarked as he met her in the corridor.

  ‘Thank you. And why shouldn’t I be? Your brother just bought me lunch.’

  ‘He what!’

  The smile vanished and Rose frowned at Dave’s attitude. ‘He bought me lunch. Insisted on it.’

  ‘I can imagine,’ Dave grumbled.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Rose eyed him suspiciously. ‘Is there some sort of bet or something going on that I don’t know about?’

  ‘Bet? No. Just Mick being Mick.’ He clenched his jaw tightly.

  ‘Well, he was very charming.’

  ‘He has a steady girlfriend.’ Dave’s voice was low and held a hint of warning. ‘In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they announced their engagement soon.’ It was stretching the truth a little but Rosie didn’t know that.

  ‘Good for them,’ Rose said without concern. ‘What’s that got to do with me?’

  ‘Don’t go getting any ideas on making moves on my baby brother, Rosie.’

  She took offence at that. ‘I never said I was going to.’

  ‘He’s not equipped to handle women like you.’

  ‘I beg your pardon! What’s that supposed to mean?’ Rose stopped outside the female changing rooms and glared at him. She was pleased to see he looked apologetic and watched as he raked an unsteady hand through his hair.

  ‘That didn’t come out right. Just that you’re, you know, a city slicker.’

  ‘I’m a what?’ Her voice was calm and controlled and he knew he was digging himself in deeper.

  ‘A city slicker.’

  ‘How would you know? You know nothing about me, David…’ Oh, how she wished she knew his last name. That way, when she told him off, it would carry more clout. It was starting to drive her insane but there was no way in the world she’d ask. She had too much pride to ask him that now.

  ‘So, are you trying to tell me that you’re not from Sydney? I read your résumé,’ he continued. He knew her credentials. Where she’d trained, what papers she’d written. That she was thirty-six and had never been married—but that was about it. It had said nothing about the way her smile could light up a room or that when her eyes were flaming with temper, as they were now, she looked vibrant.

  ‘I came here from Sydney but that doesn’t mean I’m a city slicker. So, before you start sticking labels on me, I suggest you check your facts first.’ With that, she turned and walked into the female changing rooms, glad he couldn’t follow her.

  She went to the locker she’d been assigned and wrenched it open, muttering to herself.

  ‘I’ll have you know…’ Dave’s voice boomed as he followed her.

  Rose jumped in fright. ‘What are you doing in here?’

  ‘I’m talking to you. I’ll have you know it’s considered rude to walk away from someone when you’re having a discussion.’

  ‘We’re not having a discussion,’ she all but yelled at him. ‘You’re in the female changing rooms and I want to get changed for surgery, or do I need to remind you that you have a patient waiting for your expert attention?’

  ‘Don’t you remind me of my responsibilities, girly.’

  ‘Don’t you “girly” me. My name is Rose. Not chick, bird, sheila or any other names men around here call women. Rose. R-O-S-E.’

  Dave looked at her. ‘Finished?’

  Rose lifted her chin in defiance. ‘For now.’ At least her temper was cooling but, ooh, that man could get her hot under the collar.

  ‘Right. Let’s get to Theatre and we can finish this discussion later.’ He paused before adding, ‘Rosie.’ There was a smirk on his face as he left her alone.

  Rose was so infuriated that for the first time in her life she wanted to throw something at someone. She scowled as she went through the motions of getting changed. She didn’t understand him. Not one little bit. First he was happy, then boiling mad and in the next instant he was as cool as a cucumber. Men!

  She counted to ten and then, deciding that wasn’t enough, counted to twenty, before leaving the changing rooms and heading to Pre-op. Bob was obviously still in pain and after Rose had spoken to him and read his chart to find out what analgesics he’d already had, she gave him a pre-med. They transported him to Theatre and started getting things set up. Dave walked in once Bob was anaesthetised and the operation began.

  After an hour, Dave was ready to close, satisfied that his patient shouldn’t have any fur
ther complications. He’d mentioned that the orthopaedic surgeon, Penny Hatfield, would be in Broken Hill the following morning and that Rose’s services would be needed.

  It was just after five o’clock when Rose headed out to her car, feeling exhausted. She frowned as she unlocked the door and climbed in, not exactly sure why she was feeling so tired.

  ‘Probably the heat,’ she mused as she started the engine and pulled out of the hospital car park. When she arrived home, she ran a warm bubble bath and sank gratefully into the tub. She rested her head back and closed her eyes.

  A startling pain in her abdomen woke her up. The water was cool and her fingers were wrinkly, indicating she’d been in the water for quite some time. Rose shifted and shivered as the water moved against her skin. She sat up and started to get out of the bath, only to find that the muscles in her arms were weak and lifeless.

  Another pain had her closing her eyes and holding her breath until it passed. She waited a moment before trying to get out of the bath again and this time was successful. Rose wrapped herself up in a bathrobe, the effort sapping most of her energy. After a small rest, she stumbled out of her bathroom.

  She made slow progress and she leant against the wall for support, unable to believe how shaky and lifeless her legs were. What was wrong? Obviously something—but what? Rose slid down the wall onto the floor, glad her legs no longer needed to support her. Another pain gripped her and she tensed once more.

  She closed her eyes and rested her head on the soft carpet, letting fatigue claim her.

  ‘Rosie?’ The call came from a distance. A place far away. Rose could hear it but she couldn’t do anything about it. She was trapped. Her arms and legs were made of lead and there was nothing she could do about it.

  ‘Rosie?’ A pounding accompanied the voice and the next thing she knew she was being scooped up off the floor and placed on a comfortable bed.

  The comfort only lasted for a second as the pain engulfed her. Her arms were wrapped around her waist, her eyes closed in agony.

  ‘Rosie, here. Swallow these.’ She heard the voice and knew it was one she’d heard before. It wasn’t her father. It wasn’t Julian—Julian had never called her Rosie. It was familiar, one she’d dreamt about. She thought hard.

  ‘You’ve got food poisoning,’ the voice said, and this time she recognised it as Dave’s. Dave was here, taking care of her. Dave always called her Rosie.

  She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Instead, she concentrated on swallowing the pills, uncaring what they were. She trusted Dave. He was a doctor. He wouldn’t give her anything bad. Dave always called her Rosie—and she liked it.

  Dave sat by her bed, amazed at what she’d just mumbled. She liked it when he called her Rosie! Well, there was a turn-up for the books. He smiled to himself, feeling extremely pleased with this bit of information. And here he’d thought she didn’t like him.

  He stayed with her for the rest of the night, often just content to watch her sleep. She was beautiful. No doubt about that. Even though she was sick with food poisoning, she was still stunning.

  He reached out and touched her forehead. She was a lot cooler now and as she’d already had her second dose of paracetamol, he knew she was over the worst. Thank goodness she hadn’t been as bad as Mrs McGill, who was in hospital, her body still racked with spasms.

  When the first patient had arrived at the hospital, complaining of abdominal pain, the registrar on duty had asked Dave to check her out. Then the second and third had arrived not long after. They’d managed to trace the origin of the contaminated food and had discovered it had been the fish served at the pub that afternoon.

  The owner had been horrified. Dave knew he’d leave no stone unturned until he found out who was responsible for selling bad fish to him.

  Dave had been in his car, heading to Rose’s house, the instant they’d discovered the source. He knew she’d be all alone and his worst fears had been confirmed when he’d let himself into Reg’s house, thankfully knowing where the spare key was kept.

  His own stomach had lurched in anxiety when he’d seen her collapsed on the floor. He leaned over her bed and breathed in deeply, enjoying the floral scent that had wound itself around her from her bath.

  During the past five and a half hours that he’d been there, Dave had helped Rosie to the bathroom and had sponged her forehead until her temperature had broken, as well as ensuring her fluids were maintained.

  He’d gone into the kitchen and made himself a cup of tea and some toast, surprised to find that Reg didn’t have much in his cupboards. Then again, the man had had other things on his mind. Dave smiled to himself as he remembered how happy Reg had looked on Saturday. With that image came one of Rosie dressed in her bridesmaid outfit, and with that came a tightening in his gut.

  He glanced at her, sleeping peacefully. Her hair had dried all funny from lying on the pillow while still damp. Even still, she looked beautiful. Amazing. He was seeing this woman—a woman he’d known for only a few short days—at her worst and she was still beautiful.

  It brought back thoughts of the way her body had looked, naked and flushed from the fever. Twice he’d had to change her clothes. The first time had been to get her out of the bathrobe, which hadn’t helped in reducing her body temperature, and the second had been after the fever had broken and her body had stopped sweating.

  Dave returned to the kitchen and made himself a cup of tea. It was almost two o’clock in the morning. Fatigue from his very long day was settling in and, after returning to Rosie’s room, he sat in the chair, stretched his long legs out and let his head rest against the wall. Although her bed was big enough to accommodate both of them, he didn’t want to risk raising her body temperature.

  The sound of coughing woke him and he sat up, instantly alert but taking a few seconds to figure out where he was. He turned his head and saw Rosie lying in the bed, and memories of the night before returned. He checked the time.

  ‘Eight o’clock!’

  The sound of his voice caused her to stir and he quickly reached out a hand to rest it on her forehead. Her temperature was normal.

  ‘Dave?’ she whispered brokenly, and he reached for the glass of water with a straw that he’d put by the bed.

  ‘I’m here, Rosie. Have a drink.’ He was glad that she was aware of her surroundings. It was a good sign.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, after swallowing a few small mouthfuls.

  ‘How do you feel?’

  ‘Like I’ve been hit by a Mack truck.’

  Dave chuckled and the sound washed over her, warming her insides. ‘Glad to hear it. I’m just going to ring the hospital,’ he said as he started out of the room. ‘I’ll be back in a moment.’

  Rose lay still and slowly opened her eyes. The few times she’d tried during the night, the room had been spinning on its axis. This time, though, everything seemed to be staying in its proper place.

  When Dave came back into the room, she ventured a smile. ‘How’s everything at the hospital?’

  ‘Settled. Five patients presented to A and E complaining of stomach pains and two of them were admitted with food poisoning.’

  ‘How are they?’ Rose asked with concern.

  ‘One is stable, the other lady, Mrs McGill, still has a temperature.’

  ‘Oh, dear.’ Rose shifted slightly and groaned.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Dave was instantly by her side.

  ‘My muscles ache.’

  He smiled sympathetically. ‘Normal, I’m afraid.’ He sat in the chair. ‘You were quite ill at one stage but once that passed you started to pick up.’

  ‘Would you mind helping me to sit up?’ she asked, and he was up on his feet again, assisting her. ‘Thanks,’ she said once she was propped up against the headboard of her four-poster bed.

  He was frowning at her

  ‘What?’ she asked cautiously.

  ‘You.’ He sat on the side of her bed and met her gaze. ‘I’d expected you to b
e…I don’t know, indignant at me being here.’

  Rose smiled. ‘That would be ungrateful and my father raised me with better manners than that. Last night I was sick and I needed someone to take care of me. I never would have been able to cope by myself and I am grateful to you for coming.’

  ‘You surprise me.’

  ‘Because most women would feel inferior for showing their weakness?’ When he nodded she continued, ‘Sickness such as food poisoning isn’t being weak, it’s being sick. I guess a lot of people don’t know the difference.’

  Dave smiled, a slow, sexy smile that had her heart beating double time. ‘So matter-of-fact. You’re not what I expected, Rosie Partridge.’ He leaned closer, placing one hand on the bed by her side.

  ‘Is that a good thing?’ Was that her voice so husky and seductive? She swallowed, the charged moment between them growing with each passing second.

  ‘I’m not sure but I’m willing to find out,’ Dave murmured, his lips only a hair’s breadth away from her own.

  ‘Are you going to kiss me?’ Rose whispered, her gaze flicking down to his lips that were still curved into a slight smile.

  ‘Any problems with that?’

  Rose’s heart was pounding so fiercely against her ribs she was certain he could hear it. She parted her lips, her breath coming out in a rush. ‘Um…’ Her tongue traced the contour of her lower lip, wetting it in anticipation. That brief kiss he’d pressed to her lips the other day was still firmly imprinted there. She wanted a repeat but…

  His nose touched the tip of her own. Dave was going to kiss her. Really kiss her, and she wanted it more than anything in the world. As his lips moved in closer she reluctantly lifted her fingers and held them between their mouths.

  Dave pulled back slightly, his gaze inquisitive.

  ‘Let me at least brush my teeth first,’ she whispered.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ROSE knew she had to get out of the shower sooner or later. She couldn’t hibernate in here for the entire six months of her contract, although that was exactly what she felt like doing. How could she have been so careless as to let things go so far?