by Margaret Way
‘Did you admit Mr and Mrs Hawthorne?’
‘To be on the safe side.’ Jake’s blue gaze shimmered across her face. ‘I called the hospital while you were in the shower. They’ve had a reasonable night. I’ll check them over a bit later. Probably let them home this afternoon.’
‘I’ll come over to the hospital with you, then. I have to do Karryn’s massage.’
Jake looked at his watch. ‘Fifteen minutes?’
‘Fine.’ Maxi whirled to her feet. ‘I’ll wash up seeing you did breakfast.’
‘Shove everything in the dishwasher.’ Jake scooted his chair back and began to help gather up the dishes. ‘It’s supposed to use less water that way.’
‘At that rate, I guess we should just do one load every couple of days. Lord knows, there’s not much with just the two of us.’
‘Unlike back home?’ Jake gave full rein to a grin. He’d spent several weekends at her parents’ farm and had loved the warmth of her big extended family. And her mother’s cooking. ‘Are they all well?’ he asked now, coming up behind her as she began to stack the dishwasher.
Maxi went cold for a second. ‘Yes, they are.’ Now, she added silently. But she couldn’t go into any of that with Jake. Not yet, when they’d only just got their communication lines open again. ‘Miffy’s had pups.’
‘Little Miffy?’
Maxi choked a laugh. ‘Not so little these days. But there were only four and Mum’s found homes for them already. Well, that seems to be done.’ Closing the door of the dishwasher, she straightened and turned abruptly, almost spinning off balance.
In a reflex action Jake stuck out his hands to catch her, the impact of her soft femininity sending a thousand volts of electricity zapping through him. He brought his head up, his gaze darkening as her lips fell softly apart on a whispered little ‘Ooh.’
In a second they both knew what the other was thinking, stomach-churning awareness leaping between them. It went on and on, tightening until it seemed something would snap.
Jake swallowed the dryness in his throat and very slowly, as if already savouring the exquisite climax of his quest, he bent, his mouth touching one corner of hers, imprinting her skin with his taste and warmth. ‘Maxi …?’
‘Oh, yes …’ She made the tiny plea in her throat, sighing into his mouth. Oh, yes. She began evoking every fantasy she’d ever had about this moment, her knees almost buckling with the intensity of the avalanche of emotions that swept through her.
Her rapture already on a knife-edge, heightened as Jake deepened the kiss, the sweetest pain lancing downwards, conveying heat to the very core of her femininity. It had been so long …
Why hadn’t he known it would be like this? Jake was starving for the taste and feel of her, his arms wrapping her closer so that her breasts were pillowed against his chest and he could feel the beating of her heart through the fine cotton of her top.
Desire hammered into him, making the nerves low down in his belly tighten with erotic torture. He couldn’t believe he had his arms around her again, her taste in his mouth again, and it still almost overwhelmed him.
Just as it had two years ago.
But now everything was different. The thought catapulted its way into Jake’s head and he drew back sharply, his breath jerky and shallow.
What now? Maxi saw the beginnings of doubt in his eyes. Was he already regretting their kiss? Well, she wouldn’t let him. In just a few seconds they’d come a thousand miles. She wasn’t going back to square one. She’d defuse things anyway she could. It would kill her but she’d do it.
‘Hey …’ she said throatily. ‘It was just a kiss, Jacob.’
‘Was it?’ Was that what she really thought? Jake wasn’t prepared for the ball of disappointment that landed in his stomach. He tilted his head, brought his mouth to within a centimetre of hers. ‘I don’t think either of us believes that, Maxi,’ he refuted softly. ‘Let’s not kid ourselves.’
‘OK …’ She backed away from him to lean against the countertop, her breathing uneven. ‘Let’s not, then. It doesn’t need to change anything,’ she added.
And that was pie in the sky. So what should he do? Send her packing before they both got hurt all over again? His mouth kicked up in a self-mocking little twist. At least then his guts might return to something like normal. ‘Are you saying we shouldn’t start analysing it, then?’
Maxi made a huge effort towards rationalism. ‘It’s done and we can’t take it back. So … let’s just get on with our day and—’
‘Pretend it never happened? That’s not being very honest.’
She gave a short, almost tragic little laugh. ‘That’s rich, coming from you, Jacob. You’ve been running away from honesty from the moment I landed in your surgery.’
‘You’re right,’ he said, deadpan.
‘So, what do we do now?’ she blurted after an agonising beat of silence. ‘Start being honest with each other?’
‘OK.’ His jaw was suddenly hard and square. ‘Let’s do that. You first. Why did you come here?’
‘I’ve told you,’ she insisted.
She heard the hiss of his breath between his clenched teeth and an impatient mutter low in his throat. ‘That you decided to catch up with me, like we were never more than friends? I don’t buy that.’
Maxi could feel her control slipping by the second. She could hardly say, I’ve come to tell you I still love you. And to find out if there’s still a chance for us … Instead, she said abruptly, ‘Look, let’s save ourselves any more angst. Do you really want me to leave?’
‘Since we’re being honest …’ Jake gave a short, harsh laugh. Then added softly, ‘No, I don’t want you to leave.’
‘Oh …’ Maxi felt such relief at that point she could have cried. But managed not to. ‘So, when did you decide this?’
‘It’s just crept up on me,’ he said, and realised that here at least he was speaking honestly. ‘Already the town’s buzzing with news of your arrival. And for the women, at least, having a female doctor in the place is equivalent to winning the lotto. Well, as good as,’ he added with a twisted smile. ‘And as for me, I know you’re an excellent doctor so for that reason alone I’d be crazy not to keep you here to share the load.’
But not because he was still in love with her and wanted her in his life again? Was that what he was saying? Or not saying? Suddenly the terrible uncertainty of what she was about to take on materialised in a flood of nerves to her stomach, as though an entire aviary of hummingbirds had been let loose and were trying to escape.
But she couldn’t turn back now. She had Jake’s approval to stay and surely that was the biggest hurdle overcome?
She forced an off-key little laugh. ‘In that case, we should get over to the hospital, so I can start earning my salary.’
‘We’ll take my vehicle,’ Jake said. ‘I may have to drive the Hawthornes home. Our only ambulance is off the road for a service this morning.’
‘How do you keep track of all this?’ Maxi asked as they made their way outside to the garage.
Jake looked into her eyes and saw her confusion. A dry smile nipped his mouth. He’d have to keep reminding himself she was on a steep learning curve here. Practising medicine in outback Australia was light years away from what she was used to. ‘Ayleen keeps me up to date so I know what’s happening. Hop in,’ he directed.
‘So she’ll include me in the loop as well?
‘Of course.’ He put the four-by-four into gear and reversed out. ‘You’re part of the practice now. Like me to give you a rundown on the staff at the hospital?’
‘Please.’
‘Loretta you’ve already met and we’ve several assistants in nursing who rotate as the second person for each shift, as well as a couple of RNs who work on call and come in as needed. David and Bron Walker work as a team as joint nurse managers. Professionally they do an excellent job and personally they’re trusted friends.’
Maxi thought that over. ‘I guess that would me
an a great deal out here where you’re so isolated.’
‘Yes.’ Jake’s reply was muted.
‘Do they have children?’
‘A daughter, Katie. She’s fifteen. Presently away at boarding school for her higher education.’
‘Do most folks out here have to send their kids away?’
Jake shrugged. ‘Not necessarily. There is a high school here but obviously more choices are offered by schools and colleges in the city. And that aspect and the extra-curricular activities offered appeals to some parents. Especially if they’ve been away to school themselves. But it also costs money, of course. And recently some kids have had to be brought home because of the family’s changed circumstances in the big dry.’
So, stress upon stress piling up and affecting the children as well, Maxi thought, and understood more clearly now what Jake had meant by the domino effect of the drought. She sent him a sideways glance. ‘As the only doctor in town, you must feel like you’re carrying the weight of the whole place on your shoulders.’
He gave a twisted smile. ‘Lucky they’re broad, then, hmm?’
Maxi laced her fingers across her lap. ‘I’ll do everything I can to help, Jacob.’
‘I’m counting on it,’ he said as he brought his Land Rover to a stop in the hospital car park.
‘So, in view of our new arrangement, is my status still that of a VMO?’ she enquired as they made their way along the brick path to the entrance.
Jake flexed a shoulder dismissively, dragging his attention from the fullness of her just-kissed mouth. ‘Does it matter, as long as we pay you properly?’
‘I suppose not …’
‘Maxi, it’s no big deal.’ Jake said, pushing open the heavy plate-glass door and ushering her through. ‘Folks here will just be glad to have a competent doctor. They really won’t be concerned with putting labels on you or worrying about your status, so relax, would you?’
Both David and Bron were at the nurses’ station, looking smart and professional in their navy trousers and crisp khaki shirts. Jake made the introductions, stating calmly that Maxi would be helping out for the next little while.
‘Welcome, Doctor.’ Bron smiled. ‘We heard you’d arrived.’
‘And from all accounts, the big fella here has had you working hard already,’ David added, as he shook hands, his laughing blue eyes magnified by silver-framed spectacles. ‘You’re a long way from home and family, Doc.’
‘Yes. And it’s Maxi, please.’ Maxi felt herself almost basking in the nurses’ warm welcome. ‘I’ve been blown away by the friendliness shown to me here already. Um, Jake tells me you have a daughter at boarding school. You must miss her.’
‘Oh, we do.’ Bron looked wistful. ‘But she won a scholarship to do her higher education in Sydney so we really couldn’t hold her back.’
Jake parked his elbows on the countertop. ‘She’ll be home soon for holidays, won’t she?’
‘Only for a week.’ David’s mouth turned down. ‘She’s been invited to spend some of the break with one of her friends from school. The family live at the beach so we decided to indulge her. Tangaratta at the moment can’t compare with Bondi,’ he finished with a rueful smile.
‘But we’ll try to do something special when she’s home,’ Bron enthused. ‘A nice big lunch party or something. You’ll both come, won’t you?’
Maxi looked instinctively at Jake. ‘I’m sure we’d love to.’
‘Barring emergencies as always,’ he replied, his drawled response careful and hard to read. ‘But right now I’d like to check on the Hawthornes, please.’
David pulled the charts. ‘Brian’s been beavering away on that. Violet and Trevor prepared their own lunch yesterday and he’s pretty certain it was some pre-packed chicken they ate on sandwiches. It was well past the use-by date.’
‘Oh, the poor things!’ Maxi put a hand to her stomach in sympathy. ‘So, is it sorted now?’
‘Let’s hope so. One of the staff at Lakeview has been through their fridge for any other possible culprits but there was nothing suspect apparently.’
‘I’ll check Violet and Trevor now,’ Jake said, handing the charts back. ‘If they’re fit to go home, I’ll drive them.’
‘And I’ll pop in on Karryn, if that’s OK?’ Maxi said, linking the two nurses with an expectant little smile.
‘I’ll accompany you,’ Bron offered, coming out from behind the station. ‘I’d like to observe your massage technique, if you’ve no objection.’
Maxi gave a quick smile. ‘None at all.’
‘Thanks. Oh, by the way, Karryn’s had a gorgeous basket of goodies delivered from the CWA. Bucked her up no end.’
So Liz had come through. Maxi basked in a sense of achievement as she fell in with Bron’s brisk nurse-stride along the corridor.
Watching the two women go, David turned to Jake, saying quietly, ‘Must be a hell of a relief for you, mate, having someone of Maxi’s calibre here.’
‘Uh, yes …’ Jake felt his heart rev uncomfortably. ‘We worked together in England.’
‘And the place is buzzing with speculation,’ David hinted knowingly.
‘It’s a small community.’ Jake resisted the urge to roll his eyes. ‘You and I both know anything out of the mundane is news.’
Yeah, right. David gave his friend a narrowed look. There was history between Jake and his new locum or he’d completely lost the plot. He decided to help things along. ‘The place is looking pretty quiet. Why don’t you show Maxi a bit of the district? Despite the drought, there’s still a decent picnic spot out at Wonga Springs.’
Jake looked at his watch. He didn’t know how he felt about that at all. But, then, he could hardly leave Maxi to her own devices when she was so new to the place. He guessed in some way he’d made himself responsible for her well-being.
Seeing his hesitation, David came in persuasively, ‘It’s only a thirty-minute ride out there. If there’s an emergency, you’re on your mobile. How long is it since you’ve had a real day off? Even half a day?’
Oh, hell. Jake was tempted but his relationship with Maxi was still on a knife-edge. And a picnic in a secluded spot with just the two of them could lead to more complications. More than he was ready for.
‘Shove some food together and take off.’ David upped the pressure. ‘I’ll take the Hawthornes home, if you’re happy to release them. I’m not officially on duty, just here for a stocktake.’
‘OK, OK.’ Jake held up his hands in surrender, his mouth compressing on a wry grin. ‘You’ve sold me. Now, let’s hope we can spring Violet and Trevor out of here.’
‘I gather from Bron this is a bit of a turnaround for you—taking time off, I mean.’ Maxi gave a brittle laugh as she slid into the passenger seat once more.
‘She’s exaggerating.’ Jake sent her a moody look, reaching forward to start the engine. ‘I just don’t flag everything I do with my so-called leisure hours, that’s all.’
Feeling put in her place, Maxi felt her nerves tighten. Oh, lord … A new thought struck her. Did he have a girlfriend here? Someone the locals knew nothing about? Suddenly she felt awkward, almost in the way. ‘Whose idea was the picnic?’
‘David’s, actually. Does it matter?’
‘I think it does, if you felt pressured to—to spend time with me when you’d rather be seeing—that is, doing something else.’
He flashed her a mocking kind of look. ‘You’re way off target, Max. Anyway, what’s wrong with having a picnic together? You should see something of the place while you’re here. I saw parts of England I’d never have seen without you acting as my guide.’
‘I suppose so,’ she agreed, slightly mollified.
‘And just for the record, Maxi, while we’re on the subject of sightseeing, don’t ever go haring off on your own without telling someone where you’re going. Is that clear?’
She shot him a look. ‘I’m not devoid of common sense, Jacob. I have actually gathered something of the vastness of this
country.’
And yet she’d thrown caution to the winds and embarked on that horrendous drive from Sydney. To find him. And he hadn’t given her even the semblance of a welcome. A bolt of something like shame zapped through him.
‘Sorry, Max.’
A tiny frown notched her forehead. ‘For what?’
‘My lack of good manners, if nothing else. I want you to make the most of your time here.’
Maxi hadn’t expected that. A wild ripple sparked her veins, powering to a waterfall when he stretched out his hand to capture her fingers, carrying them all the way to his lips. ‘Forgiven?’
She nodded ruefully and he smiled. ‘For now let’s just enjoy our picnic, shall we?’
For a while they travelled in silence, Maxi a little amazed at how some inner part of her had already begun to respond almost unconsciously to the rich, bold colours of this huge landscape. ‘Drought and all, it’s really something special in the outback, isn’t it?’
‘Certainly is.’ Jake spun his head towards her and lifted an eyebrow. ‘Feel the quiet?’
‘I’m beginning to—especially at night. Do you have wolves here, Jake?’
‘What?’ He spluttered a laugh. ‘Who gave you that piece of misinformation—another English tourist?’
She poked her tongue at him. ‘Well, what makes that blood-curdling howl at night, then?’
‘Dingos—Australian wild dogs. They’re tawny-coloured, quite shy really.’
‘They didn’t sound too shy to me,’ Maxi countered. ‘In fact they sounded just outside my window.’
‘They probably weren’t,’ Jake said seriously. ‘But they are coming closer to town, probably because their natural food sources are diminishing with the drought.’
Maxi frowned a bit. ‘What do they normally eat?’
‘They’re carnivores for the most part. They’d normally be hunting smaller animals but in times like the present nature kicks in, urging those smaller animals to look for other more hospitable areas. Then the dingos start looking for kills amongst larger animals, like lambs. But we don’t graze sheep here so hunger will be driving the pack closer to civilisation as they hunt for food.’
