Coming Home to Katoomba

by Lucy Clark

  She opened her mouth to speak but shut it again, knowing anything she said to defend her behaviour would be misconstrued. And why should she have to defend herself? He was just her boss and colleague.

  Instead, Stephanie shook her head and headed into the triage area, leaving Oliver to do whatever he wanted. At that moment she was past caring. Triage on a massive scale wasn't something Stephanie was used to but she dealt with each case in turn and slowly but surely, as the hours passed, the area started to clear. People were either referred to Katoomba hospital for further treatment, or treated and told to see their GP within the next few days or attend a hospital clinic. Most of them had left the actual accident site with the more serious patients transferred to Sydney.

  Between patients she just happened to glance over to where the resort had set up a tea and coffee area and saw Stephen and Nicolette talking to each other. They were smiling and getting along so well that a thrill of excitement coursed through her. Her brother was falling big time for the blonde doctor and Stephanie couldn't be happier. Nicolette headed back to her patients and Stephanie was about to go over and talk to her brother when she saw Oliver heading in his direction.

  If Oliver thought she was dating Stephen and that she'd been flirting with other men, would he actually say something or was he still trying to figure things out? She watched the two of them, Stephen's back going ramrod straight, and she realised he'd slipped into 'protective big brother' mode. Even though he was only a few minutes older, he still counted himself as her big brother.

  Neither of them offered a hand to shake in greeting and Stephanie had an immediate sense of apprehension as the two men appeared to be sizing each other up. She could see Stephen's expression more clearly than Oliver's and he was now speaking to her boss through gritted teeth. Stephanie bit her lip and stifled a nervous chuckle. Oh, this wasn't a good beginning at all. Perhaps she should have told Oliver the truth.

  A moment later Oliver shrugged and walked away, glancing in her direction. She quickly turned her head and tried to focus on the piece of paper in front of her. Her next patient was a young teenage boy.

  'Hi. I'm Stephanie. You must be Luke.'

  'Yeah. Cool hair.'

  'Thanks.' She sat next to him. 'I had it shaved off to raise money for cancer research.'

  'Man, that's awesome. I've always wanted to get my head shaved but my parents won't let me.' Luke was eyeing her hair. 'What does it feel like? Is it really spiky?'

  Stephanie laughed. 'Want to touch it?'

  Luke's eyes widened in delight. 'Can I?'

  'Sure.' Stephanie leaned forward and let him touch her short green spikes.

  'Feels like little prickles but still soft. My hand's all tingly.'

  'It's a few weeks since I had it shaved and it was more fuzzy before.'

  'It's so awesome. Next time they do it, I'm definitely joining in.'

  'You've got to raise the money, remember. That's what it's all about.'

  'Yeah. Cool.'

  'Anyway, Luke, what seems to be the problem tonight?'

  'Apart from sitting here for ages?'

  Stephanie chuckled. 'Sorry about that. Were you in the train?'

  'Yeah, but in the back carriage. I hit my head and was really dizzy when I got out and I sat on the platform for a while before I was told to come here.'

  Stephanie read his notes. He'd been assessed with a possible concussion and had been monitored during his time at the health resort. 'Well, it's certainly been a few hours since you bumped your head. How are you feeling now?'

  'Not dizzy.'

  'Are you here with anyone? Your parents?'

  'My dad's already been taken to the hospital and my mum went with him. She said she'd come back to pick me up and I was to stay here until she did. That man over there...' he pointed to Oliver '...told her that was OK.'

  'It's good to keep you quiet and still after a bump on the head. So were both your parents in the train?'

  'Nah. Just me and my dad. I have a soccer training week in Sydney that starts tomorrow. Can I still go? Mum said no.'

  'I don't think it's a good idea for you to be playing sport after a bad bump to your head. Let me have a look and we'll see what the situation is.' Stephanie took out the pen-light torch she'd nabbed not long after coming in the door. The hospital had sent down as many supplies as they could, but she knew if she put the torch down someone else would probably pick it up and she'd be left with nothing. 'I just want to look at your eyes, Luke.' She asked him to look in different directions as she performed his eye exam. 'Everything looks good there. Let's check your reflexes.' Again, he scored full marks.. 'Exactly where did you bump your head? Can you show me?'

  Luke put his hand to the back of his head and she stood and walked around to take a closer look. 'Excellent bump,' she praised. 'When you bump your head you do a good job. Nice one.'

  Luke laughed a gawky teenage laugh. 'Cool.'

  'So how old are you?'

  'Thirteen and a half. Actually, I'm almost thirteen and three-quarters and the soccer clinic usually only takes boys who are fourteen and over, but my school coach said I'm talented so they accepted me early and now I'm not going to get to go.'

  'I'm sorry, Luke. After a bump on the head like you've had, we need to keep you quiet, at least for the next two weeks. You'll need to see your GP at that stage and even then you may need more time for your head to recover. I'm happy to write a note to the soccer clinic so they know it's not your fault, but how would you feel if you went down to play in the clinic and ended up having something else go wrong? You could end up in hospital for quite a few weeks and even need an operation.'

  'Really?' Luke was astounded.

  'I'm not trying to scare you but we treat head injuries very seriously. As I said, you've done an excellent job and you have quite a nice egg growing back there.'

  'It hurts to touch it.'

  'And it will. You'll also continue to get headaches for the next few weeks.'

  'I've got a killer one now.'

  'I'm not surprised.'

  Luke looked over her shoulder. 'Mum!'

  Stephanie turned around to see a woman, white-faced, rushing towards her son. 'Oh, darling, I'm sorry I've been so long. Are you all right?' She embraced her son and kissed him. Luke made a pathetic attempt to push her away, as all teenagers did, but Stephanie could see that he was relieved to have his mother back by his side again.

  'How's Dad?' Luke's voice wobbled a bit as he asked the question.

  'He's much better, darling. They've taken him to the ward as he's stable now.'

  Stephanie introduced herself to Luke's mother. 'Luke's been a very lucky boy. He's sustained a mild concussion. He has good cognitive function and is showing positive signs of making a full recovery. However, I'd like him to go to the hospital tonight for X-rays. I know it's probably bedlam there but if you could wait, it would be better.

  Chances are, the doctors will admit him even if it's just for observation overnight.'

  'But you said he'll be all right?'

  'Yes, but he needs to take it easy. No school for the next two weeks.'

  'All right,' Luke interjected.

  Stephanie turned and smiled at him. 'No music, no television, no games console, no computer, no mobile phone calls.' She ticked them off on her fingers. Luke's smile slid from his face. 'When I say take it easy for the next two weeks, I mean your brain needs a holiday. It needs time to heal.'

  'And what about the sports clinic?' his mother asked.

  'I've already discussed this with Luke. He's told me what an honour it was to be chosen, especially as he's not even fourteen.' Stephanie smiled at him. 'But strenuous activity after a concussion can have bad repercussions.'

  Luke's mother nodded. 'So I can take him to the hospital?'

  'Yes. If you require a medical certificate for the soccer clinic, let either myself or the doctor you see at the hospital know and we'll get that written out for you. Luke will also need to see your G
P within two weeks but again it depends on what the X-rays show and the treatment he receives at the hospital. I can't stress enough how important it is that he's followed up.'

  'I understand.' Luke's mother put her arm around her son and helped him up. 'Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you to the hospital. Thank you, Stephanie.'

  'My pleasure. You take care, Luke.'

  'I will.'

  Stephanie signed off on Luke's notes before giving them to his mother and telling her to hand them in at the hospital. She then spent another hour seeing one patient after the next. After gulping down a much-needed cup of coffee, Oliver came over.

  'I've just received word from the hospital that they need us back there. They're bursting at the seams with people, and as the crisis is now under control here it's time to go.'

  'OK.' She was still a little angry with him but it had mellowed a bit. That didn't mean she was ready to let him off the hook. 'How do we get back to the hospital?'

  'I've just spoken to one of the police officers and he'll give us a lift.'

  'Sounds like a plan. Are you ready to go now?'

  'Yes.'

  'Okey-doke. Lead on, boss.' She smiled at him then frowned. 'Oops. Was I flirting with you then? Hmm. No. I don't think so. I was just talking. Is that all right?'

  Oliver merely glowered at her and stalked out.

  *

  Stephanie walked over to the nurses' station to write up notes, surprised to find her brother sitting there, doing the same thing. She sank gratefully into a chair. 'What a night!'

  'Agreed. I could have done without it, though.'

  Stephanie brightened. 'Which reminds me, why were you and Nicolette first on the scene? Didn't Nic say you saw it happen?'

  He didn't break from what he was writing, methodically finishing his work. He didn't have to say anything, Stephanie could read him like a book.

  'You were going out, weren't you? The two of you. What was it? To celebrate her accepting the position as general practitioner in your new practice?'

  'Something like that.'

  'Ooh. How exciting.'

  'Now, Steph.' He put his pen down and swivelled in the chair to face her. 'Don't go getting all worked up about Nicolette and me. We're colleagues.'

  'Yes, darling. Of course you are,' she said pacifyingly, and pinched his cheek. 'My only dilemma is whether to be chief bridesmaid or best man...or should that be best sister?'

  'What's this best sister business? I only have one sister.'

  'Exactly.' She preened. 'And I'm the best.'

  Stephen laughed and stood, noticing Nicolette walking towards the nurses' station. 'Ready to go?' he asked.

  'Yes,' Nicolette replied. 'If we're allowed out of here, that is.'

  'Go,' Stephanie urged. 'Things are under control here...sort of.' She smiled tiredly at them. 'If we need you back, I'll call but for now, with the urgent cases being airlifted to Sydney and the majority of patients seen to, we're able to cope with what we have left.'

  Nicolette glanced up at the clock. 'Is that the time?' She checked her watch.

  Stephanie smiled. 'I've heard it flies when you're having fun.'

  'Three o'clock? It's really three o'clock?'

  'Time to at least get some sleep before you need to be at work later this morning,' Stephen said, indicating the door.

  Stephanie stood and hugged her friend, then turned to face her brother. He had that stern, overly concerned expression on his face again. He gave her a hug. 'As it's your day off tomorrow, I'll expect you around for brunch. Eleven o'clock at the latest.'

  Stephanie leaned her head on his shoulder for a second and then looked up at him. She drew so much strength from him and right now she needed all the reserves she could get. Not only to help her through the fatigue of the evening's events but also to deal with Oliver. 'I'll see you then.'

  Stephen kissed her forehead. 'You be safe.'

  'I will. Now go before something else happens.'

  *

  Oliver watched as Stephanie hugged first her friend, Nicolette, and then turned to face the man who had been uppermost in her mind all evening long. She hugged him close, resting her head on his shoulder, and Oliver was surprised at the tightening in his gut.

  He still wasn't sure why he was having such a strong reaction to a woman he'd only just met, but he'd learned long ago to trust his instincts and his instinct wanted to know Stephanie Brooks a lot better.

  When Stephen kissed her on the forehead, Oliver frowned. The least he'd expected had been a kiss on the lips—not some passionate clinch but more of a brief farewell before they parted. His gaze swung to Nicolette who was standing by the door, waiting for him. Come to think of it, the blonde doctor had stuck pretty closely to Stephen all night.

  Oliver closed his eyes, unsure what type of mess he'd landed himself in. What he needed was sleep. Sleep in a nice warm bed. They were almost done here and all he needed to do was collect his suitcase from Stephanie's office—or, more correctly, his office—find out exactly where the house he'd rented was and then hopefully find the key in the letterbox as the estate agent had promised. He also hoped the house had instant heating because he was in no mood for lighting fires.

  He opened his eyes and decided to get on with it. The sooner he was done, the sooner he could leave, and that meant taking a break from the beguiling presence of Stephanie Brooks. He headed over to the nurses' station and sat in the chair Stephen had recently vacated.

  Stephanie yawned.

  'Go home,' he ordered.

  'Really? You mean it?'

  'No. I'm joking,' he replied, deadpan.

  'Oh. OK. What's next, then?'

  'Stephanie, I was teasing. Yes, I mean it. Go home.' The sooner she was out of his way, the better he'd cope, and right now he wasn't coping. How could his body react to her nearness at three o'clock in the morning? She had green hair, a lovely smile, a lovelier laugh and flirted with perfection. She was also taken, and if there was one thing he respected, it was monogamy. Pity his ex-wife hadn't had the same respect.

  'Are you sure? I don't want you to think I'm leaving you in the lurch on your first day here.'

  'It's not my first official day.'

  'Yes, it is. It started three hours ago.' She pointed up at the clock.

  'It's three o'clock?' he groaned. 'No wonder I feel so exhausted.'

  'If anyone should go home, it should be you. You've travelled up from Sydney today.'

  'Melbourne,' he corrected. 'I flew from Melbourne to Sydney, hired a car and drove here.'

  'I rest my case—and now so should you. Go, Oliver. I think I can manage to hold the fort for a little longer.'

  He nodded, deciding to let her win this round. When he went to stand up, she put out her hand to stop him. 'Before you go, though, there's something I need to clear up.'

  He settled back into the chair, not sure he wanted to hear what she had to say. Now that he had permission to unwind, his mind was starting to shut down. Still, he waited patiently for her to speak.

  'You seem to think Stephen and I are dating.'

  'Believe me, the impression came across loud and clear.'

  She smiled and he immediately felt the effect in his gut. Yes, even at three o'clock in the morning, she was dazzling.

  'We're not dating.'

  'I find that hard to bel—'

  'Stephen's my brother.'

  CHAPTER FOUR

  If she'd planned on shocking him, she'd done it. Scenes from the evening replayed through Oliver's mind. The way she'd spoken of him with love and fondness, the way Stephen had championed her talents, the way he'd been highly protective.

  'We're twins, actually, which is why—'

  'You felt claustrophobic when he was trapped.' Oliver nodded as the mental fog in his mind started to clear. 'I take it that means you're the type of twins who can sense each other.'

  Stephanie nodded. 'It's a real pain sometimes.'

  'The brother who buys you the earrings?'

/>   She smiled, surprised—after everything that had happened—he'd remembered that inconsequential piece of information. 'That's right. He's also the only brother I have. My only sibling, actually.'

  She wasn't dating Stephen. She wasn't dating Stephen! •The words kept repeating themselves over and over in his dulled mind. 'Are you dating anyone else? You never did answer that question earlier.'

  Butterflies churned in her stomach. Did that mean he was interested? She swallowed, feeling a little nervous. 'Uh... no. I'm currently unattached.'

  Oliver nodded again, nice and slow, his gaze never leaving hers. 'So what's the story with Nicolette?'

  'Nic?' Did he like the pretty blonde doctor? Stephanie swallowed the lump that had suddenly appeared in her throat. 'Nic is as interested in Stephen as he is in her. At the moment, he's having a hard time admitting that, though.'

  'Playing matchmaker?'

  He didn't seemed bothered by the information and the lump began to vanish. Stephanie smiled. 'Moi? Never!'

  He returned her smile and stood looking down at her. 'Hmm. Why don't I completely believe you?'

  She laughed. 'I have no idea, especially as you hardly know me.'

  'I don't know if that's completely true,' he mumbled.

  'Pardon?'

  He shook his head. 'Nothing.' How could he possibly explain this...sense he seemed to have about her? Although it had been a very long night and he'd certainly learned many things about her, it didn't account for the feeling that he knew her a lot better.

  Oliver put his hands in his pockets to stop himself from touching her, which is what he was becoming desperate to do. He'd seen young Luke touching her spiky hair and had felt a little jealous, wanting to reach out and touch it himself. He was also curious to find out what she'd looked like before she'd had her head shaved. Hadn't the CEO said she'd had red curls? He tried to picture her with hair like that but couldn't. Little green spikes and earrings. That was the picture that clearly defined Stephanie in his mind. That, mixed with the mild scent of vanilla. Together they made quite a heady combination.