‘I don’t doubt that. You’ve been helping people for so long, Eden. Even when you were young you were helping those around you. But your family are a part of you. Your parents. Your brother. They’re in your heart and won’t ever leave, despite how long it’s been since you’ve seen each other.’
‘Is that how you feel about your parents?’
‘My parents had an indifferent attitude to their children. Being raised by nannies and housekeepers wasn’t all that bad. Sasha and I had every possible material possession we could need.’
‘But not your parents’ love?’
He nodded. ‘As an adult it’s easier to understand why our parents did what they did. They didn’t know any different. They both came from wealthy families, were raised by nannies and sent to boarding school at young ages themselves. They married because it was expected of them, and they produced offspring.’
‘And all that because of money—because of wealth.’ The sour taste which had made her flee her own house all those years ago rose in her mouth. ‘At least your parents have the excuse of being raised in that environment. They didn’t know any different. My parents did. They won the lottery when I was ten, moved to the upper north shore and changed our lives—for the worst.’
‘That was a long time ago, Eden. Perhaps this feeling you have now of missing something is because you’re ready to see them. Surely the possibility must have crossed your mind when you made the decision to come home?’
‘Of course it did. But Sasha is my first responsibility. She needs me and I’m here for her.’
‘For how long?’
‘You asked me that earlier today. As long as it takes.’
‘What if that’s months?’
‘Then I’ll be here for months.’
David was a little surprised at this. ‘I thought you’d just taken leave for a few weeks?’
Eden shook her head. ‘No.’
His eyes widened. ‘You’ve resigned?’
She smiled. ‘I’ve taken an indefinite leave of absence. In other words, I’ve asked PMA not to send me anywhere just now.’
‘That’s Pacific Medical Aid, right?’
‘Yes.’
‘I have a friend who’s done a lot of work with them over the years.’
Eden was surprised. ‘Who?’
‘Michael Hill. Do you know him?’
‘Yes. Of course. I’ve worked with both Michael and his wife, Chloe, on several occasions in Tarparnii. They have two absolutely gorgeous children.’
‘Two? I knew they had a little girl. She had one of those new-fangled strange names which seem to be so popular.’
‘Meeree is her name—and it’s not new-fangled. She was named after a very good friend of theirs. They’ve also adopted a little Tarparniian boy, Worf, who can climb trees faster than anyone else I’ve seen.’ She shook her head. ‘Wow! I can’t believe you know them.’
‘The world isn’t really that large. When you narrow your parameters it becomes quite small, quite intimate, and that’s why it’s a good idea to see your parents while you’re here.’
Eden listened to his words, watching his expression. The waiter came and cleared their plates, yet she kept her eyes on David. When they were alone again, she asked carefully, ‘Why are you so insistent that I should see my parents? Is something wrong? They’re both well, aren’t they? David, you would tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?’
‘They’re both fine, Eden.’
‘Which means you’re in contact with them.’
‘Yes. I wasn’t the one who ran away from home.’ He didn’t think it the right time to let her know that her father, Hal, was also his tennis partner. David had always respected Eden’s parents, and when he’d returned to Sydney he hadn’t seen any reason not to continue the friendship.
‘I didn’t run away. I was told to leave. My father kicked me out—remember?’
‘Actually, I don’t. I was in Melbourne at the time.’
‘You know, if you had been here in Sydney perhaps things wouldn’t have escalated so badly between my father and myself.’
‘Your rift is my fault now?’
‘No. It’s just that you were my sounding board. You were my voice of reason. I listened to you. I looked up to you—especially in your first year of medical school. Until then you were just Sasha’s big brother—my surrogate big brother—there to help us out when we needed you. But that year, David, when I helped you study, when we would talk about anything and everything long into the night, when we became friends—real friends in our own right and not just because of Sasha—that was one of the best years I’ve ever had.’ Tears touched her eyes for the second time that night. ‘And then you left me.’
She dragged in a breath, trying to keep her emotions under control. ‘I missed you so much, and not just because of our attraction. I missed our talks. I missed your voice of reason. Your clarity of mind. Your guidance. Your support.’
‘So are you saying if I’d stayed you wouldn’t have organised a protest march—a public protest march—against your father’s own company?’
‘He was in the wrong. The health of his factory employees was at stake. I’d tried to reason with him. I’d given him fair warning of what I thought, of what I had planned in the way of protest, and still he didn’t do anything about it. The protest was a success. His company was forced to take action. Nowadays there are occupational health and safety measures put in place by the government.’
‘A win?’
‘Politically, yes. Personally, no.’ She sighed. ‘I don’t know if I’d have done anything different. I just know you would have helped me to perhaps look more closely at the possible repercussions—because I would never have guessed that my father would ask me to leave his house.’
‘The past is the past and we can’t change it. I can’t change my parents and I don’t even bother trying. I see them twice a year at their Easter and Christmas parties, and I send an appropriately expensive gift on their birthdays. That’s it. I can’t change them, Eden, but your parents are different. They’ve changed themselves. There have been a lot of hard lessons for them to learn—for you all to learn. Surely it’s time to try and patch things up again?’
‘Do they know I’m in Sydney?’
‘They know about Sasha’s accident. They’re smart enough to figure out the rest. And as you’re planning on staying for a while, the longer you leave it, the harder it will get.’
‘The voice of reason?’
David’s smile was small, but it radiated kindness. ‘If you like.’
‘I’ll sleep on it.’
‘Good—and speaking of sleep, how about I get you back to your hotel?’
‘Nice segue, Dr Montgomery.’
‘Thank you, Dr Caplan.’
As they left the restaurant, Eden realised the temperature had dropped. It still didn’t compare to the wintry weather in the Ukraine, but it was cool enough to make her shiver. Without a word, David slipped off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders.
‘Thank you.’ They’d taken but a few steps when Eden tripped, but David quickly steadied her. ‘Sorry. I told you I wasn’t too good at walking in high heels.’
‘I remember.’ He had his arm about her waist and decided it was probably easier to keep her warm and support her by leaving it there. Glad he’d found a logical reason to hold her close, to torture himself with her soft body against his, he started them on their way back to her hotel. When they stopped at a pedestrian crossing, Eden leaned against him, closing her eyes and breathing in deeply.
‘Mmm. You smell like you,’ she mumbled, and he realised she was getting sleepier by the minute…and more difficult to resist.
‘We’re almost there.’ He put his other arm around her, holding her firmly as they waited for the light to change. He closed his eyes and tucked her head farther into his chest, breathing her in. Eden. Gorgeous, impetuous, delectable Eden. He’d been hard pressed the whole night long to stop hims
elf from doing what he was doing now…holding her close.
He ignored the rational side of his mind—just this once—not wanting to be bothered about analysing exactly what this meant. Instead he allowed himself the luxury of simply enjoying her being this close, snuggled into him, resting sleepily against his chest. Even all those years ago he’d never held her like this, and although they were now surrounded by the sounds and colours of city life it didn’t seem to matter.
The fact that she fitted perfectly into his arms, that her body moulded against his as though they’d been made for each other, did matter—and it was something he knew he’d get used to far too quickly. He’d been surprised and then touched when she’d told him how much she’d missed him the year after he’d left Sydney.
Feeling jostled from behind, David opened his eyes and belatedly realised that they’d missed their turn at the lights. Eden was now dozing against him, her exceedingly long day finally catching up with her. The need to protect this woman surged within him once more, and as he watched the traffic flow by he knew the feelings he was trying to deny wouldn’t stay hidden for ever.
When the lights turned green, he managed to rouse her long enough to get her across the road, into her hotel and in the lift up to her room. ‘Where’s your key, Eden?’
She sighed as she leaned into him, and mumbled something which sounded like ‘purse’. He took it from her hands and found the swipe card to open the door. He managed to prop the door open, but by that time she was barely able to stand on her feet. It appeared jet lag had finally hit, and he sympathised with her.
Lifting her into his arms, he carried her over the threshold and into the room, thankful that the maids had been round to turn down the bed. He slipped his jacket from her shoulders, then laid her down before removing her shoes and the clip from her hair. She snuggled instantly into the pillow and David folded the bedcovers over her.
He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. ‘I missed you, too.’ He brushed her hair from her face, his fingers grazing the softness of her skin. The touch electrified him and he quickly stepped back, looking at the sleeping woman, his heart pounding out a tattoo.
Never had he felt this way about any woman, and that was a scary thought. She was Sasha’s best friend, she was Hal’s daughter and she would soon become a temporary hospital employee. To become more involved with Eden would not only hurt her…it would hurt him as well.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE next morning Eden woke to the incessant ringing of the phone beside her. Reaching out, she grabbed the receiver and lifted it to her ear.
‘Hello?’ she mumbled, her eyes still closed, the remnants of an incredible dream involving David Montgomery swirling around in her mind.
‘Wakey, wakey. Rise and shine,’ a deep, rich voice said down the line. It sounded just like David, and she snuggled deeper beneath the covers, thinking she was still dreaming.
‘Hmm. Instead of me rising, why don’t you come over and I’ll show you how we can both shine together.’
‘Eden!’
He lowered his voice, and she chuckled at the veiled desire she could hear threaded through his tone. She’d always been able to razz David up. It had been one of her favourite things to do, and she was enjoying the way he now seemed to be accepting her teasing and wanting her to continue. Mmm, this was a very good dream. A little more intricate than the ones she usually had about him, but still, she wasn’t going to quibble with her imagination.
Her laughter ended on a sigh. ‘I’ve missed you, David. Why do you have to be so far away? Come and cuddle me. I know you’ve always wanted to cuddle me, to hold me close in a nice big bed.’ She knew her bed in the PMA dorm wasn’t what you would call big, but they could squeeze in.
‘Eden…’
Her fuzzy mind started to wake a little, and she idly wondered when she’d had a phone installed beside her bed. There was the phone in the corridor outside her room. That was the one which usually rang at all hours. She frowned and opened one eye, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Where was she? Her mind frantically began to sift through the last memories she could recall as she moved in the bed, discovering that it was indeed big.
‘Sasha!’ She sat up suddenly, remembering where she was and why.
‘Sasha’s fine,’ David said down the line. ‘Are you all right?’ There was concern in his tone and Eden closed her eyes in embarrassment as she recalled exactly what she’d just said to him. Hopefully, though, he’d think she was just being her usual teasing self—yet in actual fact she’d been serious…seriously dreaming of him. Again.
‘Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I’m OK. So…what time is it?’ She turned to look at the digital display on the hotel clock. ‘After ten! My goodness. I didn’t realise it was as late as that. Poor Sasha. I said I’d have breakfast with her.’
David chuckled. ‘Perhaps you could make it lunch instead? At any rate, if you’re able to come in to the ward to sign a few papers, your VMO status can be finalised.’
‘That was quick.’
‘I need your expertise, Eden.’
‘Oh?’ She smiled, taking his words out of context. ‘Do you, now?’ Her tone was rich and saucy, and she heard him breathe heavily into the phone.
‘And then, later on today, I thought I might take you to see your family.’
She pouted. ‘You don’t play fair.’
‘Neither do you. How are you feeling? Still fuzzy from the jet lag?’
Eden thought for a moment, then looked down at what she was wearing. ‘I’m still in my dress.’ The words were said with total surprise.
‘Do you remember much about last night?’
‘Of course I do. Except for getting back to the hotel. That’s all a bit blurry.’
‘You were exhausted.’
‘I take it you were the one to tuck me safely up in bed?’
‘Well, it was a toss-up between myself and the night concierge, but he was a bit of a weakling and wasn’t strong enough to carry you.’
‘You carried me?’
‘It was either that or let you sleep in a puddle on the floor.’
‘I guess thanks are in order, then—both for not leaving me in a puddle and for tucking me safely into bed.’ She leaned back against the pillows. ‘Thank you, David.’
‘You’re welcome, Eden. Now, what time can I expect you in?’
‘You’re all business this morning.’
‘Some of us have to work.’ There was something in his tone which let her know that things might not be going the way he’d hoped.
‘Dart?’
‘No change. It’s so odd. I’m going to order the MRI.’
‘Can we get him put into a private room? If his symptoms are puzzling, then perhaps he should be isolated.’
‘Yes. I was thinking along those lines, too. If possible, I’d like you there for the MRI.’
‘Let me know what time and I’ll be there…Well, after you tell me where the MRI unit is situated, that is.’
‘Thank you, Eden.’
‘OK. I’d better ring Sasha and apologise for sleeping through our breakfast date.’
‘She’s at Physio at the moment, but I told her that you were exhausted last night.’
Eden raised her eyebrows at this news. ‘Sash knows we went out to dinner?’
‘Yes. Anything wrong with two old friends enjoying a meal together?’
She smiled at his words. ‘No. Nothing at all—so long as you don’t think it was only two old friends enjoying a meal together. From what I remember, there was quite a bit of flirting going on, too.’
‘You’re the expert.’
‘I am.’
‘So…I’ll see you soon?’
‘Give me half an hour and I’ll meet you on the ward.’
‘Half an hour? To get ready and walk to the hospital?’
‘I’m used to moving quickly,’ she supplied.
‘See you then.’ David replaced the receiver and leaned back in his c
hair. She was definitely moving quickly—moving quickly into his mind, into his heart, into his life. From the instant he’d laid eyes on her he’d found it increasingly difficult not to think about her. After holding her so close last night, feeling the softness of her skin, the silkiness of her hair…it had been impossible not to dream about her.
It was just the way it had been all those years ago—the way he’d thought about her, looked forward to spending time with her even though she’d been helping him study. Never before or since had study been so…evocative. Having her quiz him on the bones of the body whilst her scent had surrounded him. The way her laughter would mesmerise him if he got the answer wrong. How she’d lie on the floor with her sexy legs resting on his bed, medical textbooks surrounding her auburn locks as exhaustion started to set in.
Back then he would dream about her every night, which hadn’t helped with his concentration when it came to actually sitting the exam. Now, though, he and Eden were adults. They had no parental interference, they’d qualified, had their careers firmly on track. It should all seem so simple. But it wasn’t. He’d had one failed marriage and there was no point in even pursuing another one given that the outcome would be the same.
Women wanted children. Eden would want children. He couldn’t give them to her, which meant she was better off with someone else. The problem was he was having a difficult time following through on his own plan. How hard was it to keep his distance from her?
Apparently very hard, because right now he was watching the clock, waiting for the next half hour to pass as quickly as it possibly could. He was still stunned at how open she’d been with him last night, telling him about her darkest time overseas. What was gnawing at him now was that he’d had an equally dark point, which had changed his life, and there was no way he wanted her to know.
As it stood, Jacqueline was the only person who knew what had happened to him—and that was only because she’d been there when the verdict of his sterility had been passed. His parents, Sasha, none of his closest friends had any idea of the accident he’d been involved in almost seven years ago.
He’d dealt with it. He didn’t need to rehash old war wounds with Eden. Besides, despite what he was feeling for her, he knew deep down she wouldn’t stay in Sydney. She was a lone reed, blowing where the wind took her, helping people who needed help. Right now that was Sasha, but he was sure that once Sasha was back to her old self Eden would leave again.
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