The Nurse's Special Delivery

by Louisa George

  She laughed and prodded his shoulder. ‘Don’t all men?’

  And now it was time to put all that darkness aside, and relish these fleeting moments. He dug deep and found her a smile, flexing his biceps. ‘I don’t think I’m Superman, I know I am.’

  ‘God, yes.’ She straddled him again, and his body reacted exactly as it always did when she was around. And for the next few minutes he showed her just exactly what he meant.

  * * *

  Afterwards, he brought coffee through to the bedroom and he could see by the dancing in her eyes that she was brewing an idea and her body was restless. He gave her a cup and perched on the bed next to her. ‘Ants in yer pants again?’

  She grinned. ‘I feel like I need to get out in the fresh air. Come for a walk with me?’

  ‘Are you sure that’s a good idea with your injured hand?’

  ‘I use my feet to walk. I’ll be fine.’ She put out her hand and rotated her wrist, clearly trying to mask the grimace. ‘It’s fine.’

  ‘It still hurts.’

  ‘Of course it does. I can’t use it properly, but if I just sit here ruminating I’ll focus on the pain. If I get outdoors I can focus on other things.’ She ran her good fingers over his chest. ‘Or... I can think of other things to focus on too.’

  There was nothing more he wanted than to stay here in bed, but every kiss, every stroke chipped away at his resolve and his heart. ‘Give a man a chance to recover.’

  ‘Oh? What’s happened to Superman all of a sudden?’

  ‘He needs some down time. Literally.’ Something purely physical, rather than emotional, might help his heart and head settle down a little. Now he understood why she kept on moving; it meant she didn’t have to dwell on what was really going on. ‘Okay, a walk sounds good. The lake path again?’

  She shook her head. ‘There are plenty of lovely walks around here. We can stop off and get a packed lunch and then decide.’

  It was only just past midday, but it felt like a lifetime ago that he’d turned up here with the tree. He looked down at his clothes strewn over the floor. ‘Okay, swing by my place and let me find some decent walking clothes.’

  She looked at him over the steam from her mug. ‘Yes, oh, and I mustn’t forget to feed Eric’s cats.’

  ‘And pick up Rosie? The play park?’

  ‘Not today. Emma’s picking her up after her shift, but I do have to be back in reasonable time because I promised them we’d put the cot together tonight.’

  For some reason this simple statement made Cal’s chest hurt. He imagined the two women screwing bits of wood together to make a whole lot more than a bed—it was a life. A life so full she definitely wouldn’t miss him. He almost offered to help, then realised he’d be butting in on something very intimate, something that didn’t involve him.

  So what kind of idiot would willingly walk this path when the reality was staring him in the face? There could be no future here; he could not stay. His responsibilities were to his brother, the village, another life.

  Finn would laugh and tell him to enjoy the ride. But when the ride became so addictive that you didn’t want to get off, what did you do?

  Finn. The thought of his brother and the accident gave Callum pause. He was trying to hang onto his emotions, but he felt as if he were watching himself go over the cliff. Like his brother, he was falling too hard and too fast and there was only one guarantee—he would hurt like hell when he landed.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ‘IF I DIDN’T know any better I’d think you were taking me up Ben Lomond.’

  ‘I thought we could do just go up in the gondola, maybe have a coffee and see how we feel.’ Yes, she was going to take him up Ben Lomond, because why the heck not? She liked the walk and he would too, if he ever gave her a chance. Although, she noticed his voice had an edge to it and she wasn’t entirely sure if she should push him.

  Abbie told him to pull the car into the gondola car park and tried to pretend everything was fine. It wasn’t. Something had happened during their lovemaking that had made her feel so totally connected to him and utterly bereft at him leaving.

  In her roundabout way, she’d asked him to stay and he’d again pointed out all the reasons he couldn’t. So now she wanted to exercise off the weird feelings running through her. She needed to protect herself and her heart from falling in love with him. That couldn’t happen.

  So, not spending any more time with him would have been the best approach, but there was one thing she wanted to do, for him...and she didn’t want to think about anything past that. ‘It’s a lovely day, and there are wonderful views. And the gondola ride’s always fun. Hey, we could luge our way down.’

  ‘Or we could just luge all day and not go up the mountain.’ He grinned, although she could see the guarding in his eyes. He’d gone from being honest and open to closed off. ‘Be honest, Abbie, you’re pushing me again. I told you I didn’t want to do this with you. You know what I think about it.’

  She tucked her arm into his and smiled innocently. ‘Oh, come on, it’s a lovely day and we won’t go all the way to the top. Trust me.’

  He let out a heavy sigh. ‘It’s not you I have a problem with.’

  The gondola swung precariously in the wind as it inched up the mountain. It was a spectacular day of sunshine but there was still quite a breeze. In the big metal and glass cabin with them was a heavily pregnant woman and her husband. Abbie smiled. ‘When are you due?’

  ‘January.’ The woman ran her hand over her belly, but even though she looked thrilled at her condition she didn’t look particularly enamoured with the ride. Every time the wind blew she grabbed hold of her husband’s fist. ‘This is our babymoon. We’ve come down from Nelson for a few days. I wanted some down time before the chaos hits.’

  ‘First one?’

  She beamed. ‘Yes. I’m so excited. It’s our miracle baby, you see. We tried so hard for so long and now here I am. I never thought I’d hit forty-one and then get pregnant. To be honest, I’m a bit nervous about it all.’

  ‘Yes, I can imagine you would be. I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.’ Now was the time Abbie should have mentioned her own impending parenthood, but it would be too hard to explain. And she felt guilty that she was up here having a trip out when Emma was working.

  But she was due to go on leave at the end of the week, so Abbie would make a double fuss of her then. Instead, she pointed out the sights to the holidaymakers.

  As if reading her mind, Cal squeezed her hand and she squeezed back, glad that, even though they hadn’t discussed what was next for them, he still wanted to stay physically close at least.

  ‘Does it always swing like this?’ The woman stared out of the window, her hand moving from her belly to her mouth. ‘It makes me feel a bit sick.’

  It hardly appeared to be moving at all now to Abbie. ‘We’re nearly at the top. The fresh air will help you. Take a few deep breaths when you get off. I’m sure you’ll feel better.’

  But the woman still looked green a little later after Abbie and Cal had had their coffee overlooking the town. And her ankles were suspiciously swollen under her maxi dress. She was sitting in the café with her head in her hands. Her husband was telling her she’d be fine and that she just needed to rest.

  Abbie’s nursing instinct made her stop and check. Just in case, she told Cal. ‘Hi there, are you still not feeling great?’

  ‘I’m just a bit dizzy and out of breath, that’s all.’ The woman grimaced, red-faced, but Abbie didn’t think that was just from embarrassment.

  ‘She’s just been sick. I told her to try and eat something, but she doesn’t want to.’ The partner grimaced. ‘The minute she feels well enough, we’re heading back down and I’m going to make her go straight to bed.’

  ‘Good idea. Maybe a quick trip to the d
octor’s en route.’ Abbie smiled, knowing her face was a mask of friendliness, meanwhile assessing for any obvious signs and symptoms. ‘Your husband is probably right—some rest would be good.’

  Cal was also clearly a little concerned if his frown was anything to go by. ‘Headache?’

  The woman nodded. ‘I’ve had it for a few days and I can’t seem to get rid of it. I thought the fresh air would do me some good.’

  Pre-eclampsia. All well and good to deal with in a hospital setting, but not so great at the top of a huge hill with only a swinging box to get them back down again. ‘And the swelling in your feet, is that normal for you?’

  The woman looked down at her shoes. ‘No. It’s not. But then, I’ve never been pregnant before so I don’t know what normal is. I just thought that’s what happened. You get fat all over, right?’

  ‘Hey, well sometimes. My name is Abbie and I’m a nurse. Cal here is a paramedic. Is it okay if we sit with you for a while? Just to keep an eye on you until you feel better?’ Cutting short the walk was nothing compared to making sure she was okay.

  Cal nodded and joined them at the table, his voice gentle but probing. He’d gone straight into professional mode and Abbie was glad there was something to buffer the weird atmosphere between them. Only, she wished it weren’t this: a potential emergency. ‘What’s your name?’

  ‘Ashley. And thank you, you don’t need to go to all this trouble. This is Mark, my partner.’

  Cal patted her arm. ‘It’s no trouble. I was just wondering, when did you last see a midwife or obstetrician?’

  ‘Oh, a few weeks ago. I should have gone last week, but I was too busy at work. Then we came here and I’ve been trying to relax, but I do feel a little strung out.’

  Alarm bells started ringing. She could have dangerously high blood pressure, be at risk of seizures and even a stroke. Death. The baby was at risk too. Abbie wasn’t going to panic her, but she’d have felt better dealing with her in the ED. At least she’d have the equipment there; here she had nothing except her observation skills. ‘I think it’s probably a good idea to just get yourself checked out when you get down to town. No harm in checking, right?’

  ‘Sur...’ But the woman’s words didn’t come out properly and she started to slump to the side, into Cal’s lap. He caught her and helped her back in the chair. ‘Ashley? Ashley? Hey, we should stop meeting like this.’

  Back to his black humour and Abbie loved him for it because it got a smile from both of the expectant parents. Although, Ashley’s was pretty weak.

  Mark grabbed Ashley’s hand. ‘Hey, girl. Hey. What’s happening?’ Then he looked over to Abbie, his voice rising. ‘What’s happening?’

  ‘I’m not one hundred per cent sure, but she may have pre-eclampsia, or just be dehydrated.’ Or a dozen things that they couldn’t deal with up here. Please don’t start fitting. Please, just don’t. ‘We need to get her down to the ED as quickly as possible.’ Trying not to look panicked, Abbie glanced over to Cal.

  ‘I’m going to call my mates and get them to bring some reinforcements.’ Cal fished his phone out of his pocket. ‘There’s a helicopter landing pad just outside. It shouldn’t take them long to get here.’

  But in the meantime there was little they could do apart from make her comfortable. Abbie moved her chair to be closer, stroked Ashley’s hand and smiled. ‘Got any names chosen yet?’

  ‘Jessica Rose,’ Mark answered when his girlfriend didn’t seem to be able to make the words she was clearly trying to find come out of her mouth.

  ‘Pretty. You know it’s a girl, then?’

  ‘Yes. Can’t wait to meet her.’

  ‘Not...yet...too...early.’ Ashley was groggy and suddenly inhaled sharply, her head jerking back.

  ‘She’s having a seizure.’ Abbie’s heart started to beat rapidly. No. No. No. No. This couldn’t happen.

  Abbie sent Mark to ask for some space to be cordoned off and for blankets, and to make a makeshift bed on the floor. She rolled Ashley onto her side to protect her airway and held her head gently in a safe position. Time for mum and bub was starting to run out.

  Meanwhile Cal had run outside at the sound of the chopper blades and was now reappearing with two of his colleagues.

  ‘I have never been so glad to see you,’ she whispered. Would she ever get sick of seeing that beautiful face? Of breathing him in? Right now she wanted to be in his arms in bed and not here facing this. She made it her priority not to get involved with men or patients, and yet here she was doing exactly that. She could barely breathe for worry about Ashley and that precious baby. And could barely look at Cal without the tug of desire and need.

  Within minutes, Ashley was in the helo with Mark and it was lifting from the ground, but keeping as low as it could carrying a patient with dangerously high blood pressure. The magnesium sulphate had been administered to manage the fitting and she’d been given something to sedate her.

  So, as they waved them off, Abbie should have been feeling more positive. She wasn’t. She felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

  Cal’s arm was loosely wrapped around her shoulder. ‘Hey, are you okay, Abbie?’

  No. She wanted to lean against his chest and tell him about her fears. That the baby might not survive, and neither might Ashley. That she felt bad about being here, fit and well and not pregnant. For the first time ever, she was glad she wasn’t pregnant and that made her feel very strange indeed.

  She wanted to admit she was lonely and that he was the best thing that had happened to her in a very long time and that she didn’t want him to leave. But couldn’t ask him to stay either.

  What man wanted to take on a woman and a baby and an almost co-dependent friendship set-up? Especially if that man had other reasons to go back to Scotland. Good, honourable reasons that she had no argument with.

  ‘More, now than ever, I need to get rid of the adrenalin. I need to walk. Or run.’ Or sex. Yes, sex would definitely bring her blood pressure right down. But she dragged on her backpack as best she could with one hand in a cast. ‘Come on, let’s get going before it gets too late.’

  She started to hike, hard and fast, trying to put distance between them, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other for as long and as fast as she could. Trying to wipe away the images of him in her bed and the hurt in her heart.

  Soon her heart began pounding with the exercise and her head began to clear as the endorphins kicked in and she thought less and less about all the things pressing into her brain and more about just breathing.

  After a good hour of pushing up and up and up through tussock grass and along thin gravel paths edged by tiny alpine plants, she heard his voice behind her. ‘Abbie! Abbie, stop. For God’s sake. Stop.’

  She dropped her bag to the floor and grabbed a drink bottle from the side pocket, waiting for him to catch up. ‘What’s wrong? Can’t keep up?’

  ‘I just wanted to stop and admire the view. You know...smell the roses...instead of marching up to the top of the hill and marching down again.’

  ‘Oh. Yes, of course.’ That had been the reason to bring him in the first place—to show him how lovely it could be instead of worrying about danger and disaster and search and rescue. And his brother. ‘Stunning, yes? And no issues, you see? Neither of us have fallen over or off and it hasn’t snowed. We’re not lost—the path is pretty easy to follow. We’re fine. We’re absolutely fine.’

  They weren’t fine, she knew that. But neither of them was prepared to talk about it. His eyebrows rose. ‘I suppose.’

  ‘How do you feel?’

  He took a long deep breath and looked over the panoramic view of mountains and valleys and the bluest of blue lakes. His hair was tousled in the breeze and there wasn’t a drip of sweat on him. It was as if he’d just gone for a stroll instead of scaling a peak. ‘Great. Pretty
damned good.’

  ‘It’s always good to face your demons.’

  ‘Ach, how can I not when you’re around?’ He winked and then looked across the exposed terrain. Wind sliced through them and the grass bowed and swayed in one direction and then another. ‘I admit, I was playing it cautious, but I’m learning. Live and let live. Give support and don’t overpower. Right?’

  ‘Right. And learn to trust in other people’s ideas and dreams.’

  ‘It’s harder than you think.’ He tilted her chin so he could look at her. ‘But thanks for that, Abbie.’

  ‘Oh, you’re absolutely welcome. But who am I to give advice? I don’t have any kids....yet.’ She couldn’t help but press her good palm to his cheek. It was cold from the fresh southerly breeze, but his eyes were warm and she stood for a moment basking in their heat.

  ‘Not long though.’

  He smiled and her heart melted all over again. He was a good man. A damned fine man, with demons. But then, didn’t everyone have something? It just meant he had faced and fought and lived. Scars, even mental ones, were proof of survival.

  ‘You did well back there, with Ashley.’

  ‘We both did. I mean, it wasn’t as if there was a lot we could do to actually help, but I hope we made them less panicked at least. I could tell you were thinking the same thing as me—get her the hell down the mountain.’

  ‘Aye. We did good.’

  ‘Yes.’ She ran her fingers down his cheek. ‘Here’s to us.’

  ‘To us.’ Then his lips were on hers and all the emotion of the last few hours was infused in his kiss. He hauled her against him, not gently but with a need her body matched. There was no denying this. She was his and she wanted him to be hers. Everything they did together seemed to deepen the connection between them; she was falling harder and faster.