‘We have a patient—eight-year-old girl who’s developed a rash.’ Eden gave him the rundown on what medications the girl was taking and the other particulars he needed to know in order to help her out.
‘What about a straight course of antibiotics?’
‘Tried that. Worked for about two days and then the rash came back. Next?’
‘Steroidial ointment?’
‘Can’t get it for another two weeks. Next?’
‘Umm…Is she itching?’
‘Yes.’
‘I like your idea about zinc. Zinc is good for skin problems.’
‘Anything else you can think of? Think natural medicines if at all possible. It’s easier to get our hands on them than pharmaceutical products.’
‘Do you think the rash is food related? Drug related?’
Eden checked with Jett. ‘Possibility of both,’ she returned.
‘The problem might actually be with the gut rather than anything else. If it’s food related, check what she’s eaten, and if it’s drug related, the acids in her stomach might either be reacting to it or might not be able to break it down properly.’
‘Yes. Yes. Good idea.’ Eden related this information to Jett, and within another minute or two she was off the phone. ‘Thank you. I appreciate it, and so does Jett.’
‘Is he a colleague in the Ukraine?’
‘He is. He’s the one who speaks the language most fluently, so we all tend to fight over him when we need things translated.’ She smiled. ‘I mean literally fight over him. One time Lauren and I had an arm each, and we were tugging poor Jett in two different directions whilst arguing over who needed him first and why.’
‘Who won?’
‘Tarvon. He’s a doctor from Tarparnii. He’s absolutely huge and he just put both hands on Jett’s shoulders and practically lifted him off the floor. It shocked us all—especially poor Jett.’
Her grin was wide and bright, her eyes shining with the memory, and she looked stunning. For the first time since he’d seen her again she wasn’t wearing a skirt or dress. Instead she wore a pair of denim jeans and a pale pink knit top. The colour should be all wrong to wear with hair so deep and rich, yet Eden carried it off to perfection.
When he just stood there, looking at her, Eden’s smile started to change. ‘David?’
‘Hmm? Yes?’
‘Are you all right?’
He shifted and realised she’d caught him staring. It wasn’t the first time she’d caught him today, and he knew, as he found it difficult not to watch her every chance he got, it wouldn’t be the last.
‘Of course.’
‘You know, if you keep looking at me as though you want to eat me up, I might just have to let you.’
‘Now, Eden. Don’t sta—’
‘Start? Too late, David. This thing between us started over twelve years ago, and while we’ve both had our own experiences you have to admit it’s quite astonishing to find the chemistry between us still alive and kicking.’
‘It doesn’t mean we need to act upon it.’
‘We might if my heart-rate doesn’t settle down. Whenever I’m around you it’s as though it’s beating out a samba.’ She took a step towards him, closing the distance. ‘You wouldn’t want me to be having palpitations now, would you, Doctor?’
‘Eden.’
‘You’re a caring doctor. One who has his patients’ best interests at heart.’ She continued to advance slowly, her steps small but sure, until she came to stand before him. He wanted to step back, to put more space between them, but he knew she’d follow him around the small hotel room.
‘You’re not my patient.’ He looked down into her face, his voice deep and husky. If she’d had any doubts as to whether or not he wanted her to stop, they were dispelled in that instant. Hearing the repressed desire, seeing it in his eyes, noticing the way his hands were clenched into fists at his sides, as though he was trying desperately not to touch her, Eden knew he wanted to kiss her just as much as she wanted him to.
‘Do I need to make the first move?’ she whispered, her breath fanning over him, her alluring scent drawing him in. David placed his hands onto her shoulders, mainly to stop her from coming closer, to stop her from pressing her body against his—because if she did that, he knew he wouldn’t be able to resist. Holding her close last night when she’d been asleep had been torture enough. It was ten times more acute now that she was awake.
‘Eden. We can’t.’
‘Why not? You want to, David. I can see it in your eyes.’
‘Of course I want to kiss you, to see what it’s like, to see if the magic is still there, but I can’t.’ The grip of his hands on her shoulders intensified a little. ‘I can’t do that to you.’
‘I don’t understand. You admit you’re attracted, and we both want it. We like each other—we’re friends. We’ve been dreaming about this moment for a very long time, both eager for the command performance. I think we’re ready.’
‘I don’t.’
‘But you’ve just said that—’
David dropped his hands and stepped around her, making sure their bodies didn’t touch. He walked towards the door, putting space between them, his back to her.
‘David?’
He closed his eyes, hearing her confusion. It was just as it had been twelve years ago, when he’d been forced to break her heart. She’d said his name then, too. With the same tinge of hurt and confusion lacing that one word as it did now.
‘Talk to me. Tell me why we can’t at least see where this incredible thing between us might lead?’
‘Because I know where it will lead, Eden. I’ve been down that road and it wasn’t pretty.’
‘What road? Your parents aren’t involved in your life any more. They can’t control what you do.’
‘It’s not my parents I’m talking about. I’m talking about serious relationships.’ He turned then, looking at her, holding her gaze. ‘You’re too special to Sasha, too special to your family and too special to…’ He stopped and swallowed before continuing, his tone a little more intense. ‘You’re too special to me.’
‘For what? What are you talking about? It’s good that I’m special to you. Isn’t it?’
‘Eden, I’ve had one failed marriage.’
‘Marriage?’ Her eyes widened at the word.
‘I’m not a safe bet when it comes to serious relationships. We’re both better off right now if we just ignore whatever exists between us and leave it at that.’
‘David? You’re not talking sense.’
‘To kiss you would only draw us both in further. We know that. This thing between us is strong, stronger than anything I’ve ever felt before, and that in itself is reason enough why we shouldn’t pursue it.’ He laughed without humour and raked a hand through his hair. ‘If my feelings for you are greater than they were for my ex-wife, then we’re both in for a bucket-load of pain, and I don’t want to hurt you.’
‘I’m too special?’
‘Exactly.’
‘What happened in your marriage, David? Talk to me. Tell me. We’re friends first and foremost. Surely you can trust me?’
‘It’s not a matter of trust, Eden.’
‘I think it is. What went wrong? You know, it could have just been that you were married to the wrong person. You said yourself that you were sort of pressured into marriage by your parents, so it can’t have been right in the first place. I’m different. I’m special, and you have stronger feelings for me. That’s a good thing. Right?’ She took a step towards him, but he equalled it by taking one back. ‘And besides, your parents don’t even like me, so there’s no way they’ll ever pressure you to marry me.’ She shook her head. ‘Not that I’m suggesting we get married. Nor am I trying to pressure you into marriage—or anything else for that matter.’
‘You’re not? You’re not trying to pressure me into kissing you?’
She shook her head sadly and sighed. ‘No. I don’t want to pressure you to do anyt
hing, David. I would, however, prefer it if you wanted to kiss me. Or even if you wanted to talk to me, to tell me what happened to break up your marriage—because from what you’re saying I’m getting the feeling that it was much more than the reasons you’ve stated.’
He looked away and shook his head. ‘I should have remembered I’m with a woman who can read other people like a book.’
‘Hey—it’s instinctive. It’s like a gift. I didn’t ask for it. I’ve had it most of my life.’ She shrugged. ‘I just understand people.’ She smiled at him a little sadly. ‘Most of the time.’
‘Yet you’re still trying to find out who you are.’ His words were a statement of fact.
‘And it appears you have the gift too.’
‘No.’ David shook his head. ‘I just know you, Eden, and I see a lot of unhappiness behind your eyes.’
‘Then why not help me with that by kissing me? That would definitely make me happy.’
He was thankful the tension in the room had returned to a more reasonable level, and he gave her a lopsided grin. ‘This is you not pressuring me?’
‘I’m not pressuring. I’m cajoling. They’re two very different things.’
David stood there for a second before sliding his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. She hadn’t missed the way he’d looked when he’d strolled into her room. Casual black jeans, white shirt and dark jacket. Simple, solid, and downright sexy. Even now her fingers itched to touch him, to feel the firm contours of his chest beneath her splayed hands.
‘Don’t look at me like that.’ His words were combined with a gravelly thread of want and desire, and it was then Eden realised she was giving him the once-over with her eyes.
‘Sorry. I can’t help it that I like looking at you.’
He clenched his jaw tightly. ‘We need to go. Your family is waiting.’
Eden closed her eyes. ‘Don’t remind me.’
‘If you don’t want to go, if you’re not ready yet, you can always cancel,’ he suggested, trying to be helpful.
‘No. I need to do this. It’s like ripping off a sticking plaster. The sooner I do it, the sooner it’s over and done with. It’s the right thing to do, regardless of the unwelcome reception I’ll no doubt receive. I need to do this for my sake, for my peace of mind.’
‘You won’t be unwelcome.’ He could see painful memories of the past wash over her, and his protective instinct reared its head again.
‘How do you know? I mean, I’m presuming you’ve told them I’m coming round, right? There would be no point in going to see them if they weren’t home.’
‘They know you’re coming and they want to see you, Eden. Your reception won’t be a cold one,’ he repeated.
‘How do you know?’ she asked again, even though she had an inkling of what the answer might be.
‘I see your father quite a bit.’
‘Is that so?’
David nodded. ‘We play tennis together once a week.’
‘Tennis? You play tennis?’ The image came of him in white shorts and shirt, running around on a court, his muscles bunched and rippling. No wonder he was so toned.
‘You’re missing the point.’
‘I hope you don’t,’ she joked, but he merely gave her a look which she knew of old meant that he wanted her to be serious. ‘Sorry. Nervous humour.’
‘They all miss you, Eden. Especially Todd. They’re all stuck in their daily grind and they need a little light in their lives. You can provide that.’
‘But you will stay with me the whole time, won’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Promise?’
‘I promise.’
‘Pinky swear?’ She held out her little finger to him and David couldn’t help but smile at the gesture. He’d seen her and Sasha do their ‘pinky swear’ promises for years. He slipped his little pinky around hers and squeezed, ignoring the way the simplest touch of his skin against hers made his heartbeat pound double-time.
‘Pinky swear,’ he repeated, before quickly letting go. ‘So…ready?’
Eden nodded. ‘As ready as I’ll ever be.’ She collected her purse, ensuring she had the hotel keycard inside, before David held the door open for her. They walked to his car in silence, Eden’s thoughts fixed on the memory of the last time she’d spoken to her father.
Before she’d packed her bags and left, there had been some harsh words spoken, some unforgivable things said. They’d often argued way back then, mainly about the lifestyle her parents had been sucked into and how she had the right to disagree with them. Then she’d been asked to leave.
So she’d squared her shoulders and marched forward into her life—alone. She’d paid for herself to go to medical school, the hard way—without help from Mummy and Daddy. She’d paid off her student loans and was now debt free, doing what she did best—helping other people.
She remained silent on the drive, feeling the warmth of David’s glance on her every now and then, pleased he wasn’t trying to force her into talking. As he turned into Cherry Tree Lane, the street she’d live on for eight years, Eden felt a tightening in the pit of her stomach. He slowed the car down, coming to a complete stop as he parked at the kerb. She looked over at number 17—her parents’ mansion—which was only partially visible due to the large brick wall and iron gates which ringed the property.
‘Eden? Are you OK?’
‘I think so.’ She kept on looking at the house. Funny, she remembered it being bigger. ‘It seems so strange being here.’
‘You know, I’ve never asked, but did you get along with your parents before their big lottery win? Was it just their instant multi-millionaire status which annoyed you?’
‘We got along fine before their win. Well, I was only ten. It was when we moved to this elite neighbourhood that things started going wrong. We didn’t fight, per se, but I guess I baffled them more than anything. There they were, giving me everything I’d ever wanted, everything money could buy, and they couldn’t understand why I wasn’t happy, or why I’d give half of the presents away to others who had nothing. Sometimes, especially during my teenage years, they’d look at me with such puzzlement—as though to say, “Where did she come from?” Todd, however, was more their mould. A real chip off the old block, with a tiny bit of my zaniness thrown in.’
Eden sighed. ‘I guess when I left, he saw that as total desertion.’ She shrugged. ‘But, to answer your question, for the most part even after the big win I thought I got along fine with my parents. They probably wouldn’t agree, as I think I caused them plenty of headaches.’
‘You caused me a few, too.’
She smiled at his words. ‘All I know is I was glad it was you who came down to the local police station to bail Sasha and I out after we were arrested for protesting and not my dad. I doubt I ever would have heard the end of it.’
‘You’re just lucky they were all out of town at a charity event and I knew the guy behind the desk at the police station.’ David shook his head, remembering. It had been a week before he’d left—a week before his father had decided to change their worlds. ‘Why were you arrested again?’
‘For chaining ourselves to the front of a heritage building they were going to knock down. And I’ll have you know that building still stands. I saw it when I came into town.’
‘Another one of Eden’s victories?’
‘Yes.’
‘So it was all worth it then?’
‘Absolutely. Although I think being put in a gaol cell was almost the final straw for poor Sasha. For years I’d been dragging her along with my crazy antics, but while we were sitting on the small bed in the cell she looked at me and said, quietly and calmly, “You’re my best friend, Eden, but being in here does upset me a little.”’ Eden laughed at the memory. ‘Poor Sasha. She wasn’t in tears or hysterical or anything, but she was mildly upset about being in there in the first place. After that she only came along to my protests when she agreed with them, and never again were we locked in a gao
l cell together.’
‘Well, that’s good news.’ She had her hands clasped together in her lap and he could tell by the way she was talking non-stop that she was nervous. ‘It’s time,’ he said softly. He’d given her a few minutes in the car, not wanting to rush her, but he knew if she had her way they might sit in the car all night long.
‘Yes.’ She nodded, but didn’t move.
David climbed from the car and came around to open her door. Still she didn’t move.
‘Eden?’
‘Hmm? Oh, right. Time to go in.’ She unclasped her seat belt and stepped from the car as childhood memories began to return. She looked up and down the street, noticing the size of the trees and how much the bricks in the wall had aged. ‘Don’t you think it’s odd that Cherry Tree Lane doesn’t actually have any cherry trees in it?’
‘I do,’ he replied as he shut the door after her and locked the car.
‘Who thinks up these street names?’
‘Someone who thought it sounded pretty.’
‘I suppose so.’ She stood on the footpath, noticing the oldfashioned street lamps shining bright beneath the starry sky which was starting to darken. Eden closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in deeply, the scents of her childhood returning.
‘All right, all right—enough stalling.’ David took her hand in his, giving it a small tug. ‘You’ve looked, you’ve smelt. Time to move.’
She opened her eyes and grimaced at him. ‘No fooling you, is there?’
‘No, and you’ll do well to remember that. Now, come on.’
Her legs felt like lead as she walked stiffly beside him. ‘Remember you promised to stay with me?’
‘I will.’
‘You won’t leave me alone with anyone?’
‘Not unless it’s what you want.’ They were almost at the gate, where she knew David would press the intercom button and announce their arrival.
‘What if they don’t let me in? Don’t tell them I’m here. Just say it’s you,’ she said quickly.
‘They know you’re coming, Eden.’
‘Fine.’
‘Can we please just make it to the other side of the gate?’ David pressed the button and announced his name. A moment later an electronic buzz sounded and the gate opened.
Bride on the Children's Ward / Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way Page 10
