Just One Kiss (Hearts of the Outback Book 1)

by Susanne Bellamy

  Desperate to know how Jeff was progressing but torn with the need to maintain control of his lifesaving flight, Amy settled for a glance over her shoulder. Dan looked up, as though he sensed her unspoken question.

  “He’s doing okay, Amy. Stable for now. Have you requested an ambulance to meet us at the plane yet?”

  Greg picked up the radio. “I’ll make the call.”

  Amy nodded. “Thanks. And if you don’t mind finishing the flight log, I’d like to go in the ambulance with him.” Amy had never left any detail undone in her capacity as pilot but there was no way she was letting Jeff go without her. Their father was probably even now making the five-hour drive to Mt. Isa, anxious about the bare facts relayed to the homestead. When would her mother arrive back from a visit to her sister’s at Caloundra?

  Preoccupied with her worries, time slipped away and before she knew it, the smokestack and airport came into view. Greg radioed in and requested priority clearance.

  The Tower’s reply was quick. “Romeo Foxtrot Delta cleared to land, runway 22, report clear of runway.”

  Amy concentrated, using all her skill to land as gently as possible. Her brother’s life was in her hands. Minutes later, they touched down and taxied to the ambulance. She powered down, and handed over control. “All yours, Greg. Thanks.”

  Dan oversaw Jeff’s transfer to the waiting ambulance and then turned to offer her a hand into the vehicle. “Come on, Amy. Sit here beside your brother and talk to him.”

  Amy shuffled past Dan and took a seat near Jeff’s head. She picked up her brother’s hand and squeezed gently. “Jeff? It’s Amy. We’ll be at the hospital soon. Dad’s driving in. He’ll be here soon. You know what Rory will say about you falling off your horse, don’t you? You’re never going to hear the end of it.”

  The ambulance doors closed and Dan seated himself facing the monitors attached to her brother. At regular intervals, Dan checked Jeff’s vital signs but somehow never intruded on Amy’s space as she talked about their family and the property.

  “Do you think he can hear me?”

  Dan’s gaze connected with hers and he nodded. “I believe it helps.”

  ##

  Dan glanced at the clock on his bedside table. Five-thirty on a muggy morning. He threw off the sheet, and rubbed his gritty eyes before heading to the kitchen for a cold milk drink. Last night’s plans to continue his study of breech births had been shelved the moment he realised his patient was Amy’s brother. Dimly, Dan recalled mention of her family living on a property. Wrapped in his own concerns, he hadn’t connected the call out location with the sparse details of Amy’s family home. In truth, they’d spoken little about their families, which suited Dan just fine. Leaving the past where it belonged meant he didn’t have to discuss Gosford.

  Jeff Alistair had been returned to a private room after surgery and Amy refused to leave his side until she knew he was stable. Dan had waited with her until her father texted to say that he’d arrived at the hospital. Leaving father and daughter to meet in private, Dan returned home. Sleep proved elusive as the memory of Amy’s white face and trembling fingers brushing her brother’s pale cheek played on loop, followed by the image of her conquering her fear to fly her brother to hospital. His admiration for both her skill, and her quiet strength had grown as she refused to give in to fear.

  Glancing at the time, he decided it was irrelevant. The sun was up and he doubted whether Amy or her dad had broken their vigil over their brother and son. He dressed quickly, grabbed his keys and headed out to find an open bakery.

  There was never a quiet time at a major hospital but, at this early hour, finding a parking spot was easier. He tapped on the door of the private room and pushed it open quietly. Amy and her father looked up, fatigue written on both faces.

  Dan placed the tray of takeaway coffee and a bag of fresh bakery croissants on the tray table. “Grab some caffeine. Has he woken yet?”

  Amy shook her head. “Dan, this is my dad, Gareth. Dad, Dan is the doctor who looked after our Jeff.” Her voice was husky from more than lack of sleep and Dan fought an urge to fold her in his arms.

  Gareth Alistair pushed to his feet. Tall and rangy, he looked Dan in the eye and held out his hand. “Dan, thanks for what you did for Jeff.”

  “Just doing my job, Gareth. I’ll check his chart.”

  “Thanks for breakfast.” Gareth carried his coffee and a croissant to the window and stood looking outside while he ate.

  Dan picked up the charts from the end of the bed and flipped through the night’s data. “He’s stable. That’s good. And the surgery report is encouraging. Has the doctor been around yet?”

  “No. Is that good or bad?” Dark shadows highlighted Amy’s fatigue and she swayed a little as she looked over his arm at the charts.

  “Neither. It just means he hasn’t done his rounds yet. Amy, how about you and your dad head into the visitors’ room for a break? There’s a couch and a comfortable armchair where you might grab an hour or two of sleep.”

  “I can’t leave Jeff. What if he wakes up and we’re not here?”

  “I’ll wait with him while you nap. If you like. Sorry, I don’t mean to intrude but you look like you’re out on your feet.”

  She touched his arm. “Thanks, Doctor Dan, but I need to stay with him. Talk to him. You were the one who said you believe it helps. If there’s nothing else I can do for him, I can at least sit and talk. I’m Tweety Bird, remember?” Her half smile didn’t quite reach her eyes and suddenly, the reason for her huskiness made sense.

  Dan covered her hand with his. “You talked to him all night, didn’t you? I can talk to him if you like. Tell him about the wonderful job you did. That was great flying, Just Amy. That landing strip was almost as scary as some I encountered in PNG.”

  “When were you in PNG?” Gareth pitched his empty coffee cup into the bin and joined them, folding his arms across his chest.

  Dan released Amy’s hand and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I did a term working in a mountain clinic inland from Rabaul. Do you know the area?” Few people Dan had met were keen to visit, let alone work in, the wild country on Australia’s northern border but he’d been drawn to the volunteer program over the uni summer break.

  “I spent a couple of years in the late seventies working with a friend of my father’s on his property on the east coast. They were experimenting with cross breeding cattle at the time. Beautiful country but dangerous in more ways than one. We had some hair-raising flights in those days.”

  A soft groan drew the three of them to Jeff’s bedside. Amy and her dad spoke his name together while Dan took his pulse and watched as his eyelids fluttered open. Jeff’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down and he licked dry lips. “Water.”

  “Use a straw.” Dan nodded to the tray on which a plastic water jug, glass and two straws sat.

  Amy poured half a glass and popped a straw from its paper covering before holding it close to her brother’s mouth.

  “Thanks, Ames.” Jeff flicked a glance at his sister before his eyelids closed again.

  “How are you feeling, son?” Gareth touched his son’s shoulder.

  With what was clearly an effort, Jeff turned his head and squinted at his father. “I’ve had worse days. Can’t think of one right now—”

  The door squeaked as it was pushed open and Dan turned as the surgeon walked in. “Dr Harper, good morning.”

  Harper greeted Jeff’s family then met Dan’s gaze. “How’s our patient this morning, Dr Middleton?”

  “He woke a few moments ago and recognised his family.” Unspoken, they shared the tacit knowledge that both had been concerned about the length of time Jeff Alistair had been out for the count.

  Laurence Harper checked the obs before conducting his own physical examination. He finished checking Jeff’s pupil dilation, before addressing Gareth Alistair. “With rest and time, I believe your son will make a complete recovery. He’s lucky Dr Middleton got to him so quickly. And tha
t your men didn’t attempt to move him after his horse threw him. If they had, I’m not sure he’d be with us now.”

  Amy choked back a gasp, her breath loud in the quiet room. “Oh, my God.” She slipped into the chair beside the bedside table, picked up her brother’s hand and raised it to her lips.

  A single tear slid down her cheek and she brushed it away with the back of her hand.

  Dan had never wanted to offer comfort so much as right now. To hold her in his arms and kiss away the tears he suspected she rarely allowed to fall. To let her know he was there for her.

  “It will be good if your brother sleeps now, Amy. Why don’t you and your father do the same?” Dr Harper replaced the clipboard on the hook at the end of Jeff’s bed. With a smile and a nod, he continued his rounds.

  “Amy, come on, love. We’ll catch a taxi home and catch some shut-eye. We won’t be any use to Jeff if we’re out on our feet.” Gareth gently urged his daughter to her feet.

  “I’ve got my car here. I’d be happy to drop you off, and, Amy, if you like, I can let work know you won’t be in today.” Dan opened the door as father and daughter left with backward glances at the man they’d almost lost.

  “That’s kind of you, Dan. Thanks.” Amy hooked her arm through her father’s and walked slowly along the corridor.

  He doubted they would wait for evening before they’d be back.

  ##

  Amy pulled her front door open and followed Dan onto the veranda. Inside, the microwave pinged as her father made a bowl of porridge. “Appreciate the ride home, Dan.”

  How could she let him know how grateful they were? Not for the ride but for the gift of her brother’s life. Without Dan’s skill and early intervention, Jeff might have been lost to them.

  Dan stood looking at her, his blue eyes dark like a stormy sea. As though he wanted to say something. With a slight shake of his head, he turned to leave.

  “Dan?” Maybe her guard was down, maybe it was fatigue talking, but she touched his arm and, when he turned back, reached up and kissed him.

  Only her aim was off. Or maybe it was her subconscious guiding her. Instead of his cheek, she kissed his lips. As kisses go, it was the merest brushing of lips, soft and light, and over in a second.

  So why had she forgotten how to breathe? Why couldn’t she release her hold on his arm?

  Why was Dan standing frozen to the spot like some clothed statue of David?

  And how could she deny herself the chance to taste him again? Coffee and cologne mingled as she leaned towards him and closed her eyes.

  “Amy? Breakfast’s ready, love.” Her father’s voice shattered the spell and the moment was gone. Her eyes opened and she dropped her hand as Dan stepped away.

  “I’ve got to get to work.” Dan jumped down the three steps onto her brick path and strode to his car. He drove off without looking back, merging with the morning traffic and disappearing even as her dad stepped onto the veranda.

  “Come on in, love. Porridge is on the table and then we’ll both try to sleep for a while.” He slung an arm around her shoulder and drew her into his side. “He’s an impressive young man, your Doctor Dan. I like him.”

  “He’s not my anything, Dad. You’ve got the wrong end of the stick.”

  Gareth gazed at his daughter before dropping a kiss on her forehead. “You could have fooled me, love. But, mum’s the word.”

  Chapter Six

  “You’ve got a pick up, Dan. Since Amy’s off, Greg will be your pilot.” Lizzy handed him the slip and leaned on the counter.

  “What about a co-pilot?” Dan glanced at the information and considered whether to add anything to his supplies.

  “Nothing unusual about the job, and it’s an easy run. Greg is up to it. So—how is Amy this morning?” There was something odd in the smirk on Lizzy’s face. Behind her, Tess covered a giggle with a fake cough.

  Dan frowned. What was he missing here? Clearly there was a subtext but for the life of him, he couldn’t work it out.

  Lizzy’s expression morphed into one of concern. “So awful about her brother’s accident, wasn’t it?”

  “It was touch and go for a while last night. Amy and her father spent the night at the hospital. I called in this morning and drove them home.”

  “They were? You did? I thought— I mean, that’s tough.” For the first time since he’d met her, Lizzy blushed and lowered her lashes. “Please tell her I’m thinking of her when you see her.”

  “Why don’t you drop in yourself and tell her. I expect she’d appreciate that.” Without waiting for a response, Dan headed out to meet Greg at the plane. It would be odd flying without Amy but after that kiss—that accidental kiss—he wasn’t sure he could face her today.

  “Hey, doc, ready to go?” Greg’s grin was wider than the hangar doors. “I’ll be your pilot today, captain of my own airship. Cool, huh?”

  “Yes, cool. Give me five minutes to grab some extras from Supply.”

  “Aren’t we fully stocked already?”

  “Just in case. We’re picking up an expectant mother. She’s not quite due but I want to be prepared for anything.” Dan’s study had given him a new appreciation of the many things that could go wrong in the late stages of pregnancy and peace of mind came with knowing he had everything covered. Well, almost everything.

  By the time he returned, Greg had completed his pre-flight checks and they taxied to the waiting area at the far end of the runway to wait for their clearance.

  Seated in the right hand seat in the cockpit, Dan tried to relax but the memory of Amy’s kiss thrummed through him. There was no point reading more into it than there was. Amy had been absolutely clear they were no more than friends. Colleagues and mates. Maybe she’d been about to kiss his cheek. Sleepless nights and fear for her brother must have thrown off her aim.

  And who could say whether his subconscious hadn’t tempted him to turn his head at the last moment so she connected with his mouth? But the brush of her lips on his had broken through the barrier he’d erected and left him wanting more. Much more.

  Desperately rationalising further, if he was honest, what they’d shared wasn’t truly a kiss. It was more like the promise of one. A sweet, soft temptation that he couldn’t—must not—give into. Not if he wanted to remain with the RFDS. And yet . . .

  Kissing Amy—properly kissing her—occupied his thoughts until Greg’s voice through the headset roused him from his internal debate. There could be no winners in the situation.

  Shelving further thoughts of Amy, Dan looked around as Greg landed on the graded strip and taxied towards a four-wheel drive parked near the end. He cut the engines and Dan climbed out to greet the man leaning against the vehicle.

  “G’day. Mr Campbell? Where’s our patient?” Dan glanced into the vehicle, expecting to see the woman sheltering in the shade.

  “She’s fine. She doesn’t need to go to hospital. Sorry for the inconvenience but she’s not going with you.” Unexpectedly surly, the man planted his feet wide and folded his arms across his chest.

  “There must be some mistake. Base received a request from”—Dan fished the slip of paper from his pocket and checked the name—“a Donna Campbell asking to be transported to Mt. Isa because she can’t travel by road. Is that your wife, sir?” Dan held the paper out but the man ignored it.

  “She’s my wife and she doesn’t need to go anywhere. Baby can be born here, just like all of us were. We don’t need the Flying Doctor.”

  “Sir, your wife called us to pick her up. Look, how about you take us up to the house and I can at least examine her?” Vibes pinging off the man raised the hairs on the back of Dan’s neck. Behind him, Dan could hear Greg clattering down the stairs.

  Campbell looked from Dan to the plane. His eyes narrowed. “Sure, why not come up to the house and check her out. You’ll see. She’s fine. Hop in.” He jerked a thumb at the four-wheel drive.

  “I’ll let my pilot know what’s happening.” Dan took a couple
of steps backwards. He’d eat his hat, as Grandpa said, if something wasn’t going on.

  “Tell him to come along. Might as well have a cuppa while he’s waiting.” Campbell got into his car and slowly rolled towards the plane, braking a few metres behind Dan.

  Greg sheltered in a sliver of shade cast by the plane. He glanced past Dan’s shoulder. “Where’s the patient?”

  “Radio base. The husband seems disinclined to allow his wife to come with us but she was the one who radioed for a pick up. We may be longer than expected.”

  “What do you want to do, doc?” Greg checked his watch. “Do you reckon we’ll be back before dinner? I’ve got a date I want to keep.”

  “I hope so, Greg. Let base know I’m going to make a house call and see what’s going on for now. I’ll assess how both baby and mother are and ascertain whether a home birth is the mother’s choice first. Tell them we’ll radio again after I’ve seen the patient.” Dan climbed aboard and collected his gear, and added the supplies he’d brought aboard as a precaution. The husband’s determination to put off the Flying Doctor raised a flag that Dan couldn’t ignore.

  Greg signed off from his call to base and joined Dan. “Hopefully the homestead isn’t far.”

  Dan handed over the second medi-container and led the way down the steps. “And hopefully our patient can clear up the miscommunication between her call to us and her husband’s unwillingness to let her fly.”

  A short drive along an unsealed track led to a sprawling cluster of old buildings. A wide veranda sheltered all four sides of the house, creating deep shadows beneath the glare of the midday sun. Behind the house, an ancient windmill clanked and turned in the occasional breeze. Campbell pulled up beside the house and a trio of working dogs barked from the other side of a high fence that surrounded the homestead garden. Of his wife, there was no sign.

  “Come on in.”