Cherry smiled, though her heart remained heavy. “Okay.”
Leaning down, he placed his mouth to her ear and said softly, “Okay nothing. You let her get to you, Cherry, and I swear I’ll paddle your backside.”
That really jolted her and her eyes widened, but more than aware that they were in a public place, she managed to keep a smile on her face even as she whispered back, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try it.”
Outrage surged through her and she glared at him when he lifted his head. His eyes were steady, determined, and when he saw the anger in her eyes, though she remained outwardly calm, he smiled slightly. “There’s my girl.”
Before she could retort, Tim walked up and greeted them. “Hey, Rick. Cherry. Lady, you look hot.” He winked at her.
She smiled at him, forcing her anger down to drag out later and confront Rick at a more suitable time. “Hi, Tim.”
“Saw The Barracuda over here, figured she was stirring some shit, so I thought I better come over and rescue you.” Tim grabbed a passing waiter and grimaced at his tray. “Champagne? Man, can you not do something a little more classy? Get me a can of beer, there’s a good fellow.”
“Very good, Sir.”
“Betcha arse.”
Cherry noticed that Tim was dressed in a good grey suit, but instead of a white shirt and tie, he wore a t-shirt with I’m a Vet and I have a thermometer. Be afraid…very afraid written on it. “Tim, what the…?”
He brushed his hand over his shirt and preened. “You like?”
“I’m flabbergasted. Why aren’t you in a proper shirt?”
“Just trying to add some class to the dinner.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Tim has a love/hate relationship with his mother,” Rick explained. “Fancy dinners like this bring out the bad boy in him.”
Tim grinned. “I’ll tell you all about it one day, honey. Probably when I’m drunk and looking for a shoulder to cry on.”
“So who is your date tonight?” Rick queried, his hand coming again to rest in the small of Cherry’s back.
Suspecting that he’d deliberately riled her up she didn’t step away, but she was still struggling with her emotions, so she focused on Tim’s answer.
“Nancy, my neighbour.”
“Nancy is sixty years old.”
“Yeah. That really pissed Mother off.”
“Your date is sixty years old?” Bewildered, Cherry stared at Tim.
“Nancy’s a good old stick. She’s always up for some good food and a good time. I promised to mow her lawn if she’d come with me tonight. I also had to clip her Chihuahua’s claws for free, which, come to think of it, I do anyway, so I got off lightly.” Tim rubbed his jaw musingly. “I think.”
A sprightly, purple-haired woman with tortoiseshell glasses came bounding up at that moment, a champagne glass in hand, her sparkling silver dress with the dangerously low neckline somehow suiting her perfectly.
“Tim, darling!” she cooed.
Tim leaned down and gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek.
“Cheeky boy.” She patted his cheek fondly and turned to Cherry and Rick. “Hello Rick. And you must be Cherry.” She hugged them both at the same time, squashing them together, before releasing them and saying brightly, “Isn’t this just a fab party? Where’s that waiter? The blonde one with the pierced eye brow.” She glanced around. “He’s yummy. I wonder if he’s into older women?”
“I think he might be into men,” Tim informed her. “If his giving me the eyeball was anything to go by.”
“Bet I could change his mind.” She leered, then looked at Cherry. “What a fabulous gown, my dear. Now someone with your figure can wear a gown like this. I saw another woman in the exact same gown, and I tell you, she looked like a stick that needing some padding. You gotta have a big bosom to pop that bodice out, and I have to say, you’ve got a great bosom. You lucky fellow.” She elbowed Rick in the ribs and winked. “Huh? Huh?”
Cherry couldn’t help but guffaw, slapping her hand almost instantly over her mouth and looking around, hoping no one had heard her.
Rick’s hand tightened on her waist. “The luckiest, Nancy, I do agree.”
And just like that, all lingering anger fled. Cherry smiled up at him, and he met her gaze with warmth and a touch of tenderness.
“That is so sweet.” Nancy wiped her eyes.
“How much have you had to drink?” Tim asked in amusement.
“Not near enough. So saying, I’m going to look for that waiter. Come with me, son, if he’s got the hots for you, he’ll come to us like a bee to honey.” Waving a cheery goodbye, Nancy went back into the crowd towing a laughing Tim by the hand.
The rest of the evening went well, Cherry managing not to disgrace herself at the dinner. The amount of silverware was bewildering, but Rick unobtrusively touched his own silverware before every dish, so she knew before it came which spoon, knife or fork to use. Tim and Nancy sat opposite, and so she was able to talk and enjoy the meal.
After dinner, the guests were ushered into another room, where they sat or stood in small groups and talked.
Several people wandered outside to enjoy the cool night air, and Rick wasted no opportunity in whisking Cherry out of an open French door onto a small balcony that overlooked the lush gardens.
“How delightful.” She looked around. “Just like my garden.”
Rick gave a snort of laughter. “Would you like a tour, see if it meets your expectations?”
“You know the gardens that well?”
“Old friends, remember?”
“I somehow can’t see you and Tim tearing around these gardens like little hooligans.”
“When the cat’s away, etc.”
“Two sneaky little boys, now that I can see.” She slid her hand into his warm clasp. “Lead on.”
“Your wish is my command.”
They passed several couples wandering along the pathway that wound through the garden. One couple was a giggling Nancy and an older gentleman who was whispering into her ear.
“Looks like Nancy’s found a paramour.” Rick waved to them.
“What a delightfully old fashioned term.”
“I’m an old fashioned kind of fellow.” He squeezed her hand. “I believe in love, marriage, and the baby carriage.”
Of that Cherry had no doubt, especially when he’d spoken of courtship, but she wasn’t sure whether he was hinting at something, or whether it was just wishful thinking on her part. Contemplating love, marriage, and a baby carriage in conjunction with Rick… She glanced up at him from the corner of her eye.
This man was so loving, so caring, so patient and gentle and sensual. Any woman would be lucky to have him. It was hard to imagine that right now she was that woman. But would it – could it – lead to love, marriage, and a baby carriage? She knew she felt something for him, he sent delicious thrills down her spine, he made her blood heat with his caresses, he brought laughter to her lips so readily, he made her feel so special, and her self-consciousness was disappearing when in his presence. When Rick walked into her vision, she saw no-one else.
Was that love?
Before she could contemplate any further, he led her through an archway and into a brick-tiled area that was trellised for privacy. Lights glimmered softly overhead, their reflection sparkling in the blue waters of the swimming pool. Several comfortable chairs and lounges were spread around the poolside, and potted plants were placed strategically against the trellis. Titling her head up, she looked at the stars twinkling in the sky, then brought her gaze down once more to find Rick standing in front of her.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“It is.” He didn’t bother to even look around, his regard fixed on her. “But not as beautiful as you.”
And there it was, that flush of warmth that spread through her when he looked at her as though she was the only person in the world worth his attention. A little flustered, she glanced
down. “Sweet talker.”
“I mean it.” He took her hands in his.
There was something in his voice that made her look back up at him. Green eyes caught the light, the steadiness of them trained directly on her, capturing her gaze as surely as he’d captured her hands.
He squeezed her fingers gently and she felt the touch clear to her toes. One step forward and he was right against her, the heat of his body filtering into hers, his masculine scent infiltrating her senses. Such a welcome, familiar scent that she wanted to have filling her senses when she went to sleep and awoke again. The heat of his body, the steadiness of his very presence, she ached to have it beside her through her life.
When did I fall in love with you?
The thought rose unbidden as the emotion surged up and out of her heart to fill every part of her. The sudden sharp knowledge was almost overwhelming, and her fingers tightened convulsively around his. She felt as though her very breath had been sucked away, and the night seemed unexpectedly brighter, brilliant, though her sole focus was on the breathtakingly handsome man standing so close to her that only their clothes separated their skin. She could smell him, feel him—
“Cherry.” His voice wove through her like black velvet.
Trying to thread her way through the warm shock of self-discovery, she smiled. “Yes?”
“Are you all right, love?” In a familiar move, he tucked a curl back behind her ears, his gaze both concerned and - her breath caught at the emotion she was afraid to name in case she was heartbreakingly wrong.
“I’m – I’m fine.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. Really.” Her heart fluttered while outwardly she maintained her composure. She hoped.
“Good.” His eyes crinkled at the corners in quiet amusement. “Because I don’t want any excuses later.”
“Excuses? This sounds intriguing.”
“You’re intriguing.” The amusement faded from his eyes as he regarded her seriously. “Cherry, I want you to listen to me, because I’m going to lay my—”
“Dr Reed!”
Rick looked up and over Cherry’s head towards the archway through which they’d entered. “Don’t answer.” There was a definite touch of annoyance in his tone.
“Dr Reed!” A man dressed in a suit and tie hurried through the archway. “Thank God. There’s an urgent call for you.”
“I’m not on-call for the hospital tonight—”
“The doctor is concerned about one of the patients you treated today.
“Which doctor?” Cherry felt the tension spiral through Rick.
“I don’t know his name, I’m just delivering the message.”
“I’ve got my mobile on me, why didn’t he ring me on it?” Rick glanced down at her ruefully. “I’m sorry, love, I’d better go in and take this call.”
“No problems. I’ll wait here for you.”
He dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head. “I won’t be long. Don’t leave without me.”
“Not likely.” She laughed. “You’ve got the car keys.”
Within seconds he was gone, and the man spared her a brief glance before following. Left alone, she turned and walked slowly over to the pool, stopping near the edge to gaze down into the shimmering water.
Whatever Rick had been about to say to her, it was important to him, and she wondered what it could have been.
“So, left all alone?” Annabelle appeared suddenly beside Cherry.
Surprised, Cherry took a step back. “Annabelle. Hello. I didn’t hear you arrive.”
“No doubt you were thinking silly little things.” The disdain in Annabelle’s tone was clear.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Do you really think anyone could care for someone like you?” Annabelle’s cold gaze raked up and down Cherry. “You need to miss a few feeds, Cherry, lose some weight. No one likes a fatty.”
Shocked, Cherry’s mouth fell open.
“Don’t look so surprised.” With a toss of her head, Annabelle continued. “You’ll always be a fat woman trying to impress a man who is far above you. Don’t kid yourself. Rick is just being nice to you. He’s too noble for his own good.”
“Annabelle, what on earth is wrong with you?” Cherry’s heart pounded a little faster at the direct attack, but she stood her ground.
The beautiful blonde folded her arms and looked coldly at her. “Look at you, pretending to be all pretty in that gown when you just look like a piece of fat rump steak shoved into a sleeve. You’re a pathetic excuse for a human, Cherry. Fat, undisciplined with her weight, disgusting people around you with your bloated figure.”
The words hurt. Cherry spun on her heel to stride away from the blonde’s poisonous words, only to stop when Annabelle snapped out, “Rick is mine.”
Heart thumping, Cherry moistened her dry lips, wincing as every cruel word tore into her.
“Rick’s mine, Cherry. He’s always been mine. He’s going places and he needs a wife who’s comfortable in the company he’s mingling with. He needs a wife who won’t embarrass him. A fat slut is not that kind of wife.”
“But you are?” The words hung in the air between them.
Annabelle’s laugh was cruel. “He deserves a beautiful wife with class. Yes, I am what he needs. Get your fat arse out of here, Cherry. Everyone’s laughing at you, no one wants you here. They only tolerate you because of Rick. He’ll soon see that you’re not who he wants, who he needs. Fat bitches belong in the gutter, they’re not fit to be seen in society.”
Teeth clenched, Cherry closed her eyes against the sting of tears. “Why are you saying this, Annabelle? Is it because you love him?”
“Good God, no. Love has no place in this. He’s perfect husband material, though, and he’s mine. So run along, fatso. Go hide in your little cave and shove more potato chips in your mouth.”
Never one to react well to confrontation, Cherry trembled, but she didn’t back down because something deep inside her made her stand her ground. Something. Her voice shook a little. “And if I don’t?”
“You keep chasing him and I’ll destroy you,” Annabelle told her coldly. “I’ll destroy you, I’ll make your family ashamed of you. I’ll make your name mud. And I’ll get you deregistered as a nurse. That’s what I’ll do.”
Anger flared through Cherry and she turned back to face Annabelle. “You’d set me up? Blacken my name for something I didn’t do, just because you want the man I love?”
Annabelle stared at her for several seconds before bursting out laughing. “Love? Oh God, you pathetic fat slut! You fell in love with a man who only goes out with you because he pities you? You’re more stupid than I thought.” Sneering, she pushed her face close to Cherry’s. “Obviously you ate more junk food than brain food. Go on a diet and get a life, fatty.”
Something in Cherry snapped. The cruel words joined the whispers that she’d heard behind her back – and sometimes to her face – the whole time she’d been growing up. Words she’d heard as an adult. But this time – this time she wasn’t a crying child, an ashamed teenager, a mortified adult. This time she was furious.
This time she knew she was worth something.
In one fast movement she shoved out with both hands and pushed Annabelle backwards into the pool. There was a glimpse of Annabelle’s shocked face right before the water closed over her head.
Madder than she could ever remember being in her life, Cherry waited with her hands on her hips until Annabelle surfaced.
“You-you—“ began Annabelle angrily.
“No, you listen up,” Cherry snapped furiously. “I’ve had it with people like you thinking I’m not worth anything because of my weight! I’m a human, a woman, and I’ve saved lives, and let me tell you, no one cared about how fat I was when I was giving them CPR. No one cares how fat I am when I take care of them. I’m a decent person, I’m kind, I care about others, I have good friends, and I’m worth something, Annabelle. I’m worth something, and Rick showed me
that. I have Rick, you cold-hearted bitch, and I’m keeping him!”
Grabbing on to the edge of the pool, Annabelle snarled. “You take him and I’ll destroy him along with you!”
That did it. Cherry slammed her foot down on the edge of the pool between Annabelle’s hands, making her jerk them back with a yelp of angry surprise. Pointing one finger at her, Cherry snarled right back at her. “You listen to me, you skinny bitch, and you listen good. You leave Rick alone. You say one hint of anything against him and I’ll come after you. I’ll come after you and rip your emaciated body to pieces, and I’ll shove my fat foot so far up your skinny arse that I’ll have to paint my toe nails by going through your belly button. You hear me, Annabelle?”
“How dare you!” Annabelle gasped.
“Easy.” Cherry held out one hand and flipped her the middle finger.
Annabelle stared at her. “You bitch!”
“Gold-digging whore,” Cherry replied, well into her verbal battle stride, and she swung around, her heart beating, pride throughout her very being, and the exhilaration of battle singing in her veins.
And then she saw the people gathered silently in the courtyard. There was no doubt they’d heard every word. Dr Clarke and Mr. Shaw wore heavy frowns of disapproval, and shock was evident on the faces of General Surgeon Forbes and Mrs. Forbes. Mixed emotions were clear on the faces of a few of the guests who had also come upon the sordid scene. Tim stood at the side grinning widely, while Nancy clutched her hands to her bosom in glee.
But Cherry had eyes for one man only. He stood in front of the small group, his green eyes blazing angrily, his stance strong, his fists clenched. Rick looked from Annabelle struggling to get out of the pool, to Cherry who was now biting her lip while her bravado fled to be replaced with nerves and embarrassment.
Oh God, Rick was furious! She’d embarrassed him and she’d made a fool of herself. Clenching her fingers in the skirt of her gown and wringing it wildly didn’t stop the shaking.
Rick’s gaze locked with hers, and she could only watch as he walked forward, his every step deliberate and sure, his arms by his side. As he neared, his clenched fists opened.
Doctor's Delight Page 20
