by Anne Fraser
‘Were you ever going to let me know?’ Jamie asked.
‘Let you know what, exactly?’
‘That I had fathered a child?’
‘Are you so sure that it’s yours?’ Sarah bit back, and then immediately regretted the words. Of course he had to know it was his. Despite the fact he had made it clear that he’d never wanted children, he did have the right to know. Even if he wanted nothing to do with either of them.
‘Not mine?’ For a moment hope flared in his deep brown eyes. Sarah felt as if her heart had been squeezed.
Jamie strode towards her, his mouth set in a grim line. Involuntarily, Sarah stepped back, hugging Calum protectively. Jamie shot her a look of questioning anguish before gently moving aside the blanket covering the small body. The baby gazed up at him with solemn brown eyes. A tiny hand reached out and wrapped itself around one of Jamie’s fingers. The child pulled the finger into his mouth. Jamie’s heart lurched.
TOP-NOTCH DOCS
He’s not just the boss, he’s the best there is!
These heroes aren’t just doctors, they’re life-savers.
These heroes aren’t just surgeons, they’re skilled masters. Their talent and reputation are admired by all.
These heroes are devoted to their patients. They’ll hold the littlest babies in their arms, and melt the hearts of all who see.
These heroes aren’t just medical professionals. They’re the men of your dreams.
He’s not just the boss, he’s the best there is
DR. CAMPBELL’S SECRET SON
BY
ANNE FRASER
Anne Fraser was born in Scotland, but brought up in South Africa. After she left school she returned to the birthplace of her parents, the remote Western Islands of Scotland. She left there to train as a nurse before going on to university to study English Literature. After the birth of her first child, she and her doctor husband travelled the world, working in rural Africa, Australia and Northern Canada. DR. CAMPBELL’S SECRET SON is her first novel, and the hospital which has such a strong hold on Jamie’s loyalty is based on the place Anne and her husband lived and worked for a year and a half. It is also the setting for her next book. Anne still works in the health sector. To relax, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, walking and travelling.
This is Anne Fraser’s
debut Medical™ Romance!
To my sisters—
without whom this book
may never have been written!
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ONE
SARAH JANE CARRUTHERS took a deep breath before pushing open the double doors and entering the accident and emergency department.
‘You’ll be OK, girl,’ she told herself. After all, it was what she had been working for as long as she could remember. It was the culmination of years of hard work and personal sacrifice. And nobody, except perhaps her mother, knew just how much it had cost her to be here today. One of the youngest and most highly regarded accident and emergency consultants in the country.
Her mind flew back to her mother and baby. It was the first time she had left Calum for a whole day since he had been born six months ago. Although she had tried to prepare them both for this day, she had been surprised at how emotional she had felt leaving her baby. She had been close to tears as she’d handed the small bundle over to her mother.
‘We’ll be fine, Sarah Jane,’ her mother had attempted to comfort her. ‘I’ve got the milk in the fridge and, remember, I have done this once or twice before!’ She was the only person who ever called her by her full given name. Sarah preferred to leave out the ‘Jane’, especially professionally. It made her sound too young.
‘I know Mum. It’s just that he’s so small still. He needs me so much. Maybe I should have stayed off another couple of months. Just until he was a little bigger.’
‘It’s never going to get any easier, darling. Your work needs you, too. Oh, by the way, did I tell you? You look fantastic.’
Having spent the last few months in jeans and T-shirts, Sarah had taken a great deal of time over her appearance that morning, dressing carefully in a smartly tailored black suit that emphasised her slim figure. She had added a blouse of emerald green which perfectly matched her eyes and tied her thick blonde hair into a neat chignon at the nape of her neck.
Although she had the utmost confidence in her medical ability, this was the first time, as a new consultant, that the buck would stop with her. Her team would be looking to her to take the lead and to inspire confidence. At the very least, she thought with some satisfaction when she had checked her appearance in the mirror, she would look the part, even if she didn’t feel it.
However, the moment she stepped into the department it was as if she had never been away. The rush of adrenaline she had always felt coursed through her body, reminding her that despite her love for Calum she also loved being a doctor. And she knew she was a damn good one.
A red-haired nurse, who she recognised from her previous visit to the department, came rushing up to her.
‘Dr Carruthers. Welcome to the department. It’s good to have you on board. I’m not sure you remember from your visit, but I’m Sister Elizabeth York. My friends call me Lizzie.’
Lizzie’s bright smile was infectious and as Sarah smiled back she felt herself relax. ‘It’s good to be here,’ she replied, surprised to find herself really meaning it.
‘Dr MacDonald will be so sorry he can’t be here to help you settle in, but the locum who is covering for him is excellent.’
Sarah felt a small flicker of anxiety. Dr MacDonald was the senior consultant and Sarah had relied on him being there. Unfortunately he’d had a small stroke a couple of weeks before and was unlikely to be returning to work. There was nothing for it—she would just have to cope.
‘No problem. I’m sure we’ll manage. Perhaps you could show me around and introduce me to everyone?’
‘Of course, I’d love to. Er, just one thing before we get started,’ Lizzie said with a broad grin. ‘You have something suspect on the shoulder of your jacket.’
Sarah glanced down. She was aghast to find that Calum had left a little of his breakfast on her shoulder. So far her day wasn’t starting exactly as planned! ‘Oops. Must have happened when I gave my son a last cuddle on the way out.’
‘It’s a relief to know you’re not perfect after all. We’ve heard so much about the wonderful Dr Carruthers I was beginning to believe you couldn’t be human. One of those wonder-women, juggling a high-flying career and family while managing to look completely gorgeous and immaculate at the same time!’
Sarah laughed. She suspected that she had found a friend and ally in Lizzie. ‘Oh, I’m human all right—as you’re sure to find out. Give me a few minutes to clean up and then perhaps you can introduce me to the rest of the staff. And thanks. Wasn’t exactly the first impression I was hoping to create. I was going with the highflying immaculate career-woman.’
By the time Sarah returned, Lizzie had assembled the rest of the staff. ‘Everyone’s here, with the exception of the locum consultant. I’m a bit surprised—he’s usually the first to arrive. Perhaps he’s been delayed in the traffic. Mind you, it’s not quite nine o’clock yet.’
‘Well, first of all I’d like to say how pleased I am to be here and to meet you all. However, I do run a tight ship. I expect excellence from myself and all my staff. Professional conduct at all times.’
; Looking around the serious faces, Sarah noted a mixed reaction. Some looked pleased at her words, but there were one or two who shuffled their feet uncomfortably—an older female nurse and one of the plaster-room technicians. She made a mental note to keep an eye on them.
She smiled to soften the impact of her words. ‘On the other hand, if anyone has any problems, personal or professional, please, let me know. There’s bound to be times when we all need a bit of support.’ She saw a couple of staff nodding their heads in agreement.
‘I think you’ll find me very hands on,’ she went on. ‘I know some consultants leave a lot to their junior staff, but I like to keep up my clinical skills, so if you have any problems, let me know. Oh, and by the way, I take my coffee black.’ Her last comment, spoken lightly, elicited a smile from her colleagues.
As the staff went about their business, Sarah unclenched her fists, which she had hidden behind her back. She shrugged the tension out of her shoulders. It was important to get off to the right start and it would take time for the team to get to know and trust her. She knew that Dr MacDonald had been in the department for years and was well loved by staff and patients alike. She had been told, however, by the senior managers who had formed part of her interview committee that some of his practices were considered outmoded. She, together with the locum consultant, would be expected to bring the department up to date.
‘I’m getting a little long in the tooth for all this,’ Dr MacDonald had confided in her when she had gone to see him about the job. ‘I find it hard to keep up with the new technology that’s sweeping into emergency medicine. I worry sometimes that we depend on it too much. Forget the basic principles of medical practice and lose sight of the patient at the end of all these machines and monitors. Always remember, Dr Carruthers, there is nothing better than your intuition. You strike me as a sensible girl despite your impressive credentials. I’m due to retire about a month after you take up your post, so I’ll be there to help in the beginning. After that it will be up to you and whoever replaces me to make the department your own.’
Sarah had been grateful when she’d thought that Dr MacDonald would be around for a while. Regardless of what senior management thought, she knew him to be an excellent consultant with a national reputation. If only she could run the department half as well as he had, she would be happy.
‘Come on, then, Dr Carruthers.’ Lizzie interrupted her thoughts. ‘I’ll show you Resus first.’
‘Please, Lizzie, except when we’re in front of patients, call me Sarah.’
Lizzie showed Sarah around the department. She was pleased to see that everything was immaculate. All the equipment and drugs were stored neatly in the right places and the department was obviously kept well stocked. Lizzie was clearly a woman after her own heart.
‘It’s quiet so why don’t we grab a cup of coffee while we can? I can fill you in on the rest of the information,’ Lizzie suggested ‘We’re lucky enough to have a small staffroom right next to the duty room.’
Lizzie ushered Sarah into the staffroom. Painted in the ubiquitous hospital green, it was simply furnished with a couple of worn armchairs and a small coffee-table. A kettle and some mugs rested on top of a small fridge.
But it wasn’t the room that caught Sarah’s attention. Sitting in one of the armchairs, long legs stretched in front of him, was a figure that made Sarah’s heart bang painfully in her chest. Jamie! What on earth was he doing here? The last time Sarah had heard, he had still been in Africa.
Jamie stood up, uncoiling his lean frame. He seemed unsurprised to see her. She caught a flicker of wry amusement in his deep brown eyes.
‘Ah, our new consultant,’ he drawled in his deep gravelly voice that, to her dismay, still had the power to send shivers up her spine.
‘Sarah, may I introduce Dr Jamie Campbell, our locum consultant. He’s only been here a couple of weeks, but we’re all hoping he’ll take Dr MacDonald’s job when he officially retires. Jamie, this is Dr Sarah Carruthers—our new head of department.’
Sarah was speechless. He was the last person she had expected to meet. As Jamie engulfed her hand in his, feelings that she had thought she had managed to suppress came flooding back. He couldn’t be here. She wasn’t ready.
‘Jamie. What brings you to the Royal?’ she said, striving to keep her voice even.
‘Work.’ he said dryly. ‘I need to keep my skills up to date, so I agreed to fill in here for a few weeks. But I’m going back to Africa as soon as I can. So, don’t worry, whoever gets Dr MacDonald’s job, it won’t be me.’
Lizzie looked at Sarah, puzzlement furrowing her brow.
‘You two know each other?’
‘We’ve worked together before.’ Jamie answered before Sarah could respond. ‘I guess you could say we know each other pretty well.’ He smiled politely, but his eyes were hooded.
‘By the way, what happened to you this morning? We missed you at rounds.’ Lizzie rushed on, seemingly unaware of the tension between her two colleagues.
Jamie looked a little sheepish. ‘I was in early, so I took the opportunity to pop in to see Mrs MacLeod across the road. You remember, the old lady who broke her leg last week? I knew she had been discharged home yesterday and I just wanted to check up on her. She lives alone. And she’s a stubborn one. The nurses told me she’d refused home help. I think I’ve managed to talk her around.’
It was unusual—if not unheard of—for A and E doctors to make house calls. But as Sarah well knew, Jamie had never gone by the book. It was one of the things she loved—had loved, she corrected herself—about him. She had known that she would have to see him again, but she’d always imagined that it would be at a time of her choosing. A time when she was prepared, when she could face him cool, calm and collected. Not like this, when he still had the power to set her pulse racing, make her go weak at the knees and, worst of all, send her thoughts spinning in every direction, except the sane, sensible path that she needed to keep him at a distance.
His skin, tanned by the African sun, added to his rugged good looks, making him drop-dead gorgeous. He had changed into theatre greens in preparation for the day ahead and the V of the tunic top revealed the dark crisp hairs on his chest. The trousers were too short for his tall frame, stopping just above his ankles, the thin fabric clinging to the muscles of his legs and hugging his hips. Images of being held in his strong arms, her head against his muscular chest, came rushing back. He was still the most disgustingly attractive man Sarah had ever met.
Before Sarah could think of anything to say, a nurse rushed in. ‘Ambulance Control has just phoned. Multiple RTA—ETA five minutes.’
Sarah felt a jolt of adrenaline at the familiar words. Ambulances would be bringing in the casualties from a multiple traffic accident to the department within five minutes. Thinking about Jamie would have to wait.
‘How many casualties are we expecting?’
‘Three, the two drivers and one of the passengers—a child of about five.’
‘OK everyone, let’s get ready. Lizzie, could you let theatre know that we might need an emergency theatre? After you’ve done that, meet me at the entrance.’ Jamie was already moving. His laconic manner had disappeared, replaced with an intensity that Sarah knew well. Despite the turmoil he had raised within her, she was glad that he would be working beside her for her first real challenge as a consultant. Whatever else she might feel about him—And what would that be? a small voice whispered—Sarah knew that Jamie was one of the best A and E doctors around.
As Sarah and Jamie stood waiting for the casualties to arrive, Sarah turned to Jamie. ‘I had no idea you were back in the country.’
‘And I had no idea until a few days ago that you had been appointed as the new consultant here. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have taken the post. Well done, by the way. I know it’s what you always wanted.’
I wanted you, she thought bitterly. She was dismayed to find how much his words hurt. ‘I’m sure we can both manage to put the p
ast behind us,’ she said briskly. And then she thought of Calum. God—Calum. Jamie had no idea. How could they possibly put the past behind them?
‘We need to talk.’
Jamie narrowed his eyes. ‘I thought we had said everything that had to be said. But, sure. Name your time and place.’
The loud wail of sirens signalled the arrival of the road traffic victims, cutting off any further opportunity for discussion.
As the paramedics opened the doors of the ambulances, Jamie and Sarah swung into action. Sarah took the first ambulance, leaving Jamie and Lizzie the remaining two. Lying on a stretcher was a pale woman in her early thirties. She was unconscious. She had a large wound in her forehead which had bled copiously.
While Sarah bent to examine the patient, the paramedic rattled off all the information he had. ‘This is the driver of one of the cars. Her son was with her. He’s in one of the other ambulances. She’s been unconscious but breathing on her own, Glasgow coma scale of 7. Head wound looks superficial but she obviously hit her head quite hard—it was an older car so no airbag. She also has a broken leg. Not sure of other injuries. Pulse is 110 and blood pressure 110 over 50. Oh, and as you can see, she’s pregnant. Pretty far on, by the look of things.’
‘OK let’s get her into Resus.’ Sarah turned to one of the junior doctors she had been introduced to earlier. ‘Dr Thompson, could you take her in? I’ll be with you in just a tick, once I’ve assessed the other casualties.’
Sarah moved over to the other ambulances. The other driver, an elderly man in his seventies, was sitting up on his trolley, his face covered with an oxygen mask. Lizzie was talking to him reassuringly. She looked up as Sarah approached.
‘Mr James here is complaining of chest pain, but he doesn’t seem to have any injuries. I’m just taking him into Resus as a precaution. Jamie has already taken the child through.’
Sarah bent over Mr James and listened to his chest. ‘Thanks, Lizzie. Could you organise an ECG? I’ll be along in a minute.’
