by Lucy Clark
‘It’s fine, Julia,’ Jeffrey told her. ‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘I just need to get through morning clinic and then I can take my paperwork home and finish it there.’
‘All right,’ he said, and slapped his knee. ‘Mona’s going to spend the afternoon talking to that fellow from the bus crash so it’s all settled.’ Jeffrey stood up and puffed out his chest. ‘I’m always right,’ he said proudly.
‘And your ego is way too big,’ Julia jested.
‘Come on, gorgeous,’ Mona said as she bent to put Edward’s shoes back on. ‘I’m going to have a sleepover at your house.’
‘Wow!’ Edward said, and started tugging Mona out of the room.
‘Hey, don’t I get a kiss goodbye?’ Julia asked, but was pleased that Edward seemed so happy with the arrangements.
‘Silly-billy me,’ Edward said, and Julia laughed at the expression. He gave her a kiss and then another one. ‘Dat for Zac,’ he said seriously.
‘Oh.’ Julia tried not to meet Mona’s or Jeffrey’s gaze as she said, ‘I’ll make sure he gets it.’ She glanced up to see the other adults smiling.
‘I’ll just bet you do,’ Jeffrey murmured, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. He said goodbye to his wife and Edward, and when they were left alone he turned to Julia. ‘What’s going on between you and Zac?’
‘Who knows?’ she said, throwing her arms up in the air.
‘He has a lot of issues in the past that stop him from entering the present.’
‘You mean Cara and Zoe?’
Jeffrey seemed surprised. ‘He told you?’
Julia nodded. ‘He took me to the cemetery this morning.’
‘Whew! You have had a busy day.’
‘It’s been an emotional roller-coaster but I have the funny feeling that the ride isn’t over yet.’
‘Hang in there,’ Jeffrey advised. ‘The fact that he’s confided in you so soon means a lot, Julia.’
‘I know, but there’s something more coming. I don’t know what.’ She shrugged. ‘Woman’s intuition, I guess. Just like I knew something was wrong with Mum the instant I walked into the house tonight.’
‘Don’t you worry about Cassandra. That woman is as strong as steel. She’ll be fine.’ Jeffrey tenderly placed his arm around her shoulders. Julia rested her head against him and sighed. She wished it were Zac holding her, Zac offering his comfort, Zac taking charge.
‘I know.’
‘And don’t worry about Zac. No matter what happens, I know you two will work things out.’ Julia must have looked dubious because he smiled at her and said, ‘Trust me.’
As it turned out, Cassandra did need surgery on her shoulder. ‘It’s basic and straightforward,’ Zac said as he showed Julia and Jeffrey the X-rays.
‘How long will it take?’ Jeffrey asked.
‘About forty-five minutes.’ He took the radiographs down and returned them to the packet. ‘She’s about to have her pre-med so if you want to go and talk to her, now’s the time.’ Again Julia was getting the cold shoulder from Zac. There was definitely something wrong but what?
Julia went to see her mother and gave her a kiss as the anaesthetist came in. She stayed with Cassandra until they were ready to take her into Theatre. Feeling helpless, she returned to the tearoom to wait with Jeffrey.
Thankfully, the time didn’t pass too slowly and all too soon Zac was standing before them, a satisfied look on his face. ‘She’s in Recovery,’ he told her, and Julia smiled.
‘Thank you,’ she said, and regardless of whether or not he wanted her to touch him, she gave him a hug. ‘Thank you, Zac.’
‘Go see her,’ he advised, and Julia did just that. Cassandra looked fine and Julia eagerly read the operation notes that had been written in Zac’s handwriting. He’d always had quite neat and legible handwriting, which, for a doctor, was fairly rare. She smiled to herself as she remembered the countless times people had asked her to decipher her own scrawl. Nine times out of ten, she hadn’t even been able to do it!
‘He’s wonderful,’ Cassandra murmured as Julia quickly crossed to her mother’s side.
‘Hi. Are you feeling any pain?’
‘Ooh, no. Just as fine as fine can be. That Zac is a charmer,’ she told Julia with a silly schoolgirl grin on her face.
‘So I’ve noticed. I never thought he’d get you, though,’ she confessed.
‘Sorry, dear, but he has. I like him a lot and would be more than proud to call him my son-in-law.’
‘Whoa, Mum. You’re jumping the gun here.’
‘You will be. He loves you, Julia. I’m sure of it.’
‘It’s the medication talking,’ Julia rationalised. What was with everyone tonight? First Jeffrey and now her mother. Both declaring a happy and solid future for Zac and herself.
Cassandra mumbled something else that wasn’t quite coherent and Julia realised that she’d slipped back into a peaceful slumber. ‘I’d better get home to Edward,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll be back to see you tomorrow morning. I love you, Mum.’
‘Huh? Oh, yes. Love you, too, dear. Kiss Edward for me.’ Cassandra roused, her speech slurred. Nevertheless, the words had been said and Julia felt better. It was nice to know she had people around her who loved and cared for her, but how she desperately wanted Zac to be one of them.
Right now, she was exhausted. She arranged for Jeffrey to take her home and for Zac to keep her car.
‘We can swap back tomorrow,’ she told him, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. He smiled—a real smile. The first one she’d seen for what seemed like an eternity.
‘You just want a chance to drive my Jag, don’t you?’
‘You’d better believe it. Night, Zac.’ She blew him a kiss and laughed as she and Jeffrey walked out the door. It was a nice way to end the night and she realised that just a small, genuine smile from him did so much for her. Ah, such was love.
CHAPTER TEN
THE next morning, Julia arrived at the hospital bright and early, driving Zac’s Jaguar, oh, so carefully. She parked it in the doctors’ car park next to her own car, which looked like a sensible family car compared to Zac’s two seater, soft top. Even in the choice of their cars, they seemed to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. Was that how it was always going to be?
She shook her head and went inside to see her mother before the ward round began.
‘How are you feeling?’
‘As though I’ve been hit by a truck.’
Julia smiled. ‘Edward made you this,’ she said as she pulled a picture from her briefcase. ‘Mona will bring him around to see you later this morning. I’ve got ward round and then clinic.’
‘And this afternoon?’ Cassandra asked as she accepted the colourful picture her grandson had drawn.
‘Paperwork. I can do that at home.’
‘I feel so awful about this, dear.’
‘Mum, it couldn’t have been helped.’
‘I suppose I could have driven Zac’s car to the shops but it just didn’t feel right and, besides, it’s not that far on the bus. Only ten minutes. It was just…just…’ Tears sprang into Cassandra’s eyes and Julia was stunned. She hadn’t seen her mother cry since her father’s death. It took a lot to faze Cassandra Bolton yet, seeing her like this, Julia realised that her mother was a lot more shaken up than she had previously led her to believe.
‘Oh, Mum.’ Julia hugged her mother on the left side and gave her a kiss. ‘We’ll get through this. None of this is your fault. We’ll be fine. We always have been.’
‘Sorry to interrupt, Julia,’ Tess said quietly from behind her. ‘The rest of the staff have gathered in the ward briefing room and are waiting for you.’
‘Thanks, Tess,’ Julia replied, and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.
‘Off you go, dear. I want to rest a bit before the ward round gets to me. All those prying eyes—ugh.’ Cassandra shuddered.
Julia smiled. ‘You’ll be fine.’
Julia entered the briefing
room and put her bag and briefcase in the corner. She glanced up at Zac and realised he was staring at her legs. She’d worn a cream skirt today, with a navy silk shirt and a matching cream vest. She’d dressed purely for Zac, knowing he’d always liked her legs.
His gaze flicked to meet hers as she straightened, but he merely nodded and began the briefing. During ward round he was the consummate professional and Julia followed his example. The feeling she’d had last night that something wasn’t right still irked her, but she brushed it aside until they were finished.
Aki was slowly progressing and Julia felt it wouldn’t be too much longer before they knew what was troubling him. Bianca Hayden, on the other hand, was a changed woman. She was more co-operative and working hard at her rehabilitation. Medically, her pelvis was stabilised and healing nicely with no complications.
‘Ah, the magic of Mona,’ Julia said after they left Bianca’s room and headed up to clinic. She took her bag and briefcase with her, telling herself to remember to swap keys with Zac.
The clinic was full and absolutely hectic. Timmy Jones, the seven-year-old boy who’d fractured his arm, came into the clinic and was reviewed by Zac. He called Julia over as Timmy had brought some more of his cars in for her to see. She spent a few minutes chatting with him and admiring his cars before it was time for him to go.
‘That’s what I like to see,’ she said once the boy had gone. ‘Young children without a fear of doctors or hospitals.’
‘Agreed.’ Zac didn’t say anything more, so Julia turned and left.
Dorothy stopped Julia as she came out to ask her a question about a patient. When they were done, the clinic sister said, ‘I understand from Zac that you and your son spent the weekend with Vanessa. Did you have a good time?’
‘Oh, it was fantastic, seeing her again. She hasn’t changed a bit.’ Julia didn’t miss the reference to her son. After last night, when she’d come into A and E with Edward, she had expected this.
‘Good. I’m glad.’ Dorothy nodded, and when she didn’t move Julia frowned.
‘Something else?’
‘I had no idea you had a son,’ Dorothy said softly. ‘And are you really related to Jeffrey McArthur?’
Julia’s frown disappeared and she smiled. ‘I see the grapevine has been hard at work. Yes, I have a son. His name is Edward and he’s three years old. As for the other matter, well, Jeffrey and I are kind of related but not really.’
It was Dorothy’s turn to frown. ‘I don’t follow.’
‘My ex-husband is Jeffrey’s cousin.’
‘I see.’ Dorothy nodded slowly. ‘So there’s…no…man in your life?’
‘Ah. That’s what the problem is. Just because I have a child, it automatically means I’m married. Well, no. I’m divorced. I’m a single, working mother. That’s all there is to it.’
‘How does Zac feel about this?’ Dorothy had lowered her voice considerably.
‘It shouldn’t be anyone’s business how Zac feels.’
‘Oh, Julia. Believe me, the hospital is on tenterhooks, wondering when that man will get married and settle down. Of course, there have been rumours that he’s already been married.’ The clinic sister eyed her hopefully and Dorothy shrank dramatically in Julia’s opinion. ‘I don’t suppose you know anything about that?’
‘All I know is,’ Julia said as she took another file off the stack of case-notes, ‘that I’m ready for my next patient. Show them in, please.’ She walked off, hoping that Dorothy would get the message!
Once she’d seen her last patient, Julia returned to her office to quickly pack her bag. She’d told Jeffrey that she’d pick Edward up as soon as clinic had finished.
There was a tap at her door and Julia looked up. Zac’s secretary poked her head around. ‘Hi, Julia.’
‘What’s up?’
‘Zac would like to see you in five minutes if that suits you.’
Oh, gosh—his keys. She’d forgotten again. Julia consulted her watch as she took his keys from her bag. She was already fifteen minutes behind schedule, but what was another five? ‘Sure,’ she replied, and the secretary left. Julia quickly rang Jeffrey’s office to let him know.
‘Of course you must see Zac. Edward’s fine,’ he said. ‘Get yourself some lunch from the cafeteria before coming here. I know you too well, Julia Bolton, and chances are you probably won’t get around to eating lunch today.’
‘Probably,’ she agreed. ‘Thanks, Jeffrey. I shouldn’t be too much longer.’
She raced to the cafeteria and bought a salad roll, which she tossed into her briefcase before going to Zac’s office.
‘He’s just finishing off a meeting with a registrar,’ his secretary told her. ‘Just knock and go right in. He’s expecting you.’
Julia did as she was told.
‘Promise me you’ll think carefully about everything I’ve said,’ Zac was saying to the registrar who was sitting opposite him. He didn’t look up or acknowledge her. ‘I admire your dedication and drive but you’ve got to know and accept the risks of working in a Third World country. Promise me you’ll think about it again.’
The registrar promised.
‘Good. We’ll talk in a few weeks’ time.’ With that, he dismissed the registrar, who walked past Julia with only a brief nod.
‘Everything all right?’ she asked. Now that she knew about Zac’s past, she could understand his cautionary words to the young doctor.
‘Close the door, please,’ he said, and waited for her to do just that. Zac stood and walked towards her. His action surprised Julia and she stopped in the middle of the room, unsure what was going to happen next.
‘You wanted to see me?’ she asked. He was standing close. Very close. The scent of his cologne teased at her senses and Julia felt her heart rate increase.
‘Uh-huh.’ He gazed down at her. It was the old magic that she saw in his eyes. The unmistakable look of desire. Her breathing became rapid and she parted her lips, surprised at his attitude but not willing to stop it.
Slowly his hands caressed her arms, sliding up and down and up and down. Julia closed her eyes and sighed. She felt herself begin to sway as his hands cupped her face. Ever so slightly, Zac brushed his lips against hers and Julia groaned with wanting.
‘You’re very beautiful,’ he told her, and dropped his hands. Julia opened her eyes, completely confused, and watched as he took a step away.
‘Zachary?’
For five, long, excruciatingly slow seconds, neither of them moved. The world seemed to stand still and then all of a sudden Julia found herself being hauled against him, his mouth pressed firmly to hers in one swift movement.
Julia wasn’t about to pass this opportunity up. As far as she was concerned, it had been far too long since Zac had kissed her, and who knew when the next one would be? She wound her arms about his neck and matched his passion.
When he pulled back to look down into her eyes, his breathing was as uneven as her own. She wasn’t sure what he was looking for but he’d obviously found it as he returned his mouth to hers once more. This time, though, his mouth moved over hers at a more sedate pace, teasing yet testing.
Julia’s knees started to buckle and her head began to swoon as the drug she called Zac filled her senses. His arms tightened, holding her against him, and she was grateful for his support.
Finally, when they parted, Julia rested her head on his chest, panting as though she’d just run a marathon.
‘It’s so…intense,’ he groaned.
‘Mmm,’ she agreed, unable to form whole words. He continued to hold her until she at last felt as though her legs would support her weight again. Julia edged back and looked up at him. ‘You look so sexy when your hair is all ruffled like that,’ she whispered.
Zac crushed her to him and groaned. ‘When you say things like that, it only makes me want to kiss you some more.’
Julia gazed at him in complete surprise. ‘Zac?’
He put her from him and walked to his desk. ‘T
his past weekend with Vanessa was…fun, Jules. It’s the first time in, well, years since I’ve felt that…happy. Telling you about my family was good for me. It’s helped to lay a lot of inner turmoil to rest.’
‘Oh, Zac…’ She took a few steps towards him but he held up his hand.
‘It has also made the…areas quite hazy. Working professionally with you. Cara and Zoe. Edward. I’m not sure that everything…’ He clasped his hands together, his fingers interlocking.
‘Fits together’ she finished with a nod.
‘Therefore, I’d like to ask you a favour.’
‘Name it.’ Julia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
‘I need a few days, just to think things through. I’ve spoken to Jeffrey and he’s agreed to giving me the next three days off. One of the orthopods from Brisbane is going to come and help out during that time.’
If Julia had been surprised before, it was nothing compared to now. She simply stared at him. Zac smiled slightly and nodded.
‘I know what you’re thinking. Ten years ago we went our separate ways because I didn’t give it enough thought. Well, I’m not going to make the same mistake twice, Julia. Give me the next few days and on Friday night I’d like the two of us to go out to dinner.’
‘You mean…like a…date?’
His smile increased at her incredulity. ‘Yes, Jules.’
‘Well…all right, then.’ The phone on his desk shrilled to life but he made no move to pick it up. It was enough, however, to snap Julia out of her amazement. ‘I’ll let you get that and I’ll…um…see you.’
‘Wait,’ he said, and snatched the receiver up. ‘Zac Carmichael. Already?’ He listened. ‘Give me five minutes.’ He hung the phone up and walked towards her. ‘I have a meeting to get to.’
‘Oh, and I have Jeffrey and Edward waiting. I’d completely forgotten.’
‘So…’ Zac placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘I’ll see you on Friday?’
Julia smiled up at him and nodded. ‘Most definitely.’
