Flying Doctors

by Fiona Lowe

  ‘I can do it, Daddy.’ Sasha turned to Kate, seeking confirmation. ‘Can’t I, Kate?’

  Her battered heart took another pummelling. ‘You can do whatever you put your mind to, sweetheart.’ Kate squeezed her hand. ‘And in a few hours, after your leg is all plastered, you’ll be sipping blue heaven milkshakes in hospital and thinking this was all a bad dream.’

  ‘Will you bring Kate up, too, Daddy?’

  Baden shook his head, his shuttered gaze catching Kate’s. ‘No. Kate will go out on foot.’

  Of course she would. She wasn’t injured and there were other medical personnel present. But none of that knowledge stopped a lump forming in her throat.

  She flicked into work mode. Pushing away every personal feeling she had, she supported Sasha while Baden’s strong and steady hands fitted the harness. Together they positioned Sasha against Baden and he crossed his legs over Sasha’s to hug her against him then gave the signal to James.

  The winch started to wind. Kate watched as the two people she loved most in the world moved upwards and away from her.

  The tears she’d been holding back for twelve hours spilled over.

  Kate’s head pounded. Daryl had harangued her from the moment he’d dropped the rope ladder down to her so she could climb off the ledge, he’d berated her as she’d walked up the fifty steps back to the car park and he’d lectured her as he’d driven her to Warragurra Base Hospital. Then he’d hugged her, thanked her and left her sitting in A and E drinking hot tea.

  ‘Warming up now?’ Linton stuck his head into the doctors’ lounge. He smiled his playboy grin. ‘I hear you’re being a difficult patient and have refused to sit in a cubicle.’

  She rolled her eyes. ‘That would be because I’m not a patient. I’m fine. Nothing that a hot shower and some sleep won’t cure.’ She warmed her hands around the mug as she rested back in the soft couch. ‘Besides, I look in better shape than you do. Big night last night, was it?’

  He looked sheepish as he spun a chair out from under a table and sat astride it. ‘I was merely being a good host as you’d instructed, and after the drive-in I introduced the newly arrived physio students to Warragurra’s night life.’

  Her tea almost spurted out of her mouth. ‘I only asked you to be the MC.’ She gave him a long look. ‘So now you’ve dated every nurse at the hospital, you’re moving on to students? Don’t you think they’re a bit young for you?’

  For a moment he looked affronted but then his expression smoothed into its usual urbane lines and he teased her. ‘Hey, you and I haven’t dated. I promise a fun time.’

  She laughed. ‘And a don’t-call-me,-I’ll-call-you policy. Thank you, but I think I’ll pass.’

  He stood up and swung the chair back under the table, his eyes dark with understanding. ‘Sasha Tremont is out of Theatre after a straightforward reduction and internal fixation of her left leg and she’s ready for visitors.’

  ‘Thanks, Linton.’ She ran her finger around the rim of the cup. Baden would be with her. She hadn’t seen him since he’d been winched away. ‘I’ll visit her a bit later. Hope A and E isn’t too busy for you today.’

  He grinned and disappeared back to the action.

  She should go home and have a shower. She should tie up all the loose ends after the drive-in. She should plan next week’s Guide activity. She should do a million things.

  But inertia claimed her and she just sat there.

  The door clicked open and she glanced up from her thoughts.

  ‘Linton said you were here.’ Baden’s hoarse voice spoke quietly. He looked like hell. His curls lay flat after being jammed under a hard hat and dark stubble covered his jaw while black smudges ringed his eyes—testament to the raw fear he’d lived with through the night.

  She smothered her overwhelming desire to wrap her arms around him and tell him it was over now. Guilt immediately surfaced, turning inside her. Four hours of his fear she could have alleviated if she’d planned before going to the gorge.

  He sat down next to her. ‘Sasha’s asleep.’

  She nodded, feeling the tension between them. ‘That’s the best thing for her.’

  ‘Yeah, it was one hell of night.’

  His sigh shuddered through him and she felt some of his dread as the memories came back.

  Unspoken words spouted from her mouth. ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you I was going to the gorge. I could only think of Sasha and I’m so used to the satellite phone…’

  His blue eyes glittered when her words stalled. No matter what she said, he’d never forgive her.

  ‘Don’t you ever do anything so stupid ever again.’

  His harsh words slapped her hard, their sting sharp and tingling.

  She could understand his anger. She tossed her head to try and maintain her composure. She just had to keep it together a little bit longer.

  Suddenly his hands rested on her shoulders, his fingers digging into her skin, almost shaking her. ‘Do you hear me? I never, ever want to feel like that again.’

  A tickle of fear skated along her veins and then he pulled her hard against his chest, his arms vice-like around her. She could feel his heart pounding against her own.

  ‘What a crazy, stupid, wonderful thing you did, haring off into the bush to find Sasha. But you could have plunged off those steps and missed the ledge.’ His voice rose with distress. ‘You could have died.’

  ‘But I didn’t.’ She spoke softly, needing to reassure him, needing to reassure herself.

  He gently cupped her face with his hands and stared into her eyes, his own filled with emotion. ‘When I couldn’t contact you, I thought that some crazed person had abducted you and Sasha. I thought I’d lost you for ever and all I could think was that you were gone and you didn’t know that I love you.’

  I love you.

  Her breath whooshed from her lungs and her brain seized, trying to make sense of his words. ‘You love me?’ She couldn’t hide the bewilderment in her voice.

  He dropped his hands from her face, folding his hands over hers, holding them tight. ‘I love you with every part of me.’

  She wanted so desperately to believe him, to be in his arms, but she didn’t understand what was going on. She pulled her hands free and stood up, wrapping her arms around herself to prevent her shaking. ‘Last night you told me you couldn’t love me. That you’d made a promise and we couldn’t be together.’

  ‘I’ve been such a fool, Kate.’ He stood up and walked toward her, his face full of regret. He tried to reach for her but she spun out of his reach, needing the physical distance from him so she could order her thoughts.

  He stood still. ‘My world was rocked when Annie died and all I could think of was if I lived my life how we had planned, if I kept things the same, then that would give Sasha the security she needed so she could grow up feeling safe.’ He ploughed his hand through his hair.

  ‘But life doesn’t stand still, does it?’ She knew that only too well.

  He shook his head. ‘No, it doesn’t. Sasha realised that before I did but I was blind to her many attempts at pointing it out. And blind to yours.’ He sighed. ‘I thought that the promise I made meant never falling in love again and that would keep Sasha safe from being hurt. But that wasn’t what it meant at all and all I’ve done, as you so succinctly put it, is deny her a full and happy life.’ He gripped the back of a chair. ‘She loves you, Kate.’

  She bit her lip and asked the hardest question of her life. ‘Is that why you love me, because Sasha does?’

  ‘No!’ The word exploded over her as he strode to her side. He gently cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. ‘If I’m honest with myself, I’ve loved you from the moment I glimpsed your long, shapely legs leaning out of the storage unit in the plane on the first day we worked together.’

  He stroked a finger down the side of her face. ‘You’ve filled my dreams, my waking thoughts. You’ve made me laugh and cry, but most importantly you’ve woken me up. I don’t just
exist any more. With you I truly live.’

  His gaze dazzled her with love and at that precise moment she knew she wasn’t a consolation prize. He loved her and she belonged in his heart.

  ‘Will you marry me and be a mentor and friend to my daughter?’

  Her heart exploded with joy. ‘I think that is the most wonderful question I’ve ever been asked.’

  His eyes twinkled. ‘Yes, but do you have an answer?’

  She laughed and placed her lips against his, seeking entry to his mouth, giving her answer to him and part of herself.

  He kissed her back, long and hard, pledging love, friendship and security, all tied up with a swirling passionate heat.

  She reluctantly pulled away, catching her breath.

  He gave his wicked laugh. ‘We’ve got the rest of our lives for kisses like that in less public places.’ He grabbed her hand. ‘Come on, let’s go and celebrate our engagement with our daughter, and she can toast us with a blue heaven milkshake.’

  Our daughter. Her dream had come true. ‘That sounds like a perfect idea.’

  His smile rained down on her like sunshine from a cloudless sky. ‘Oh, and by the way, good luck talking Sasha out of a pink or purple bridesmaid’s dress.’

  She raised her brows. ‘Pink saved us today so I think it should become our signature colour. Besides, a pink shirt under your tuxedo would look exceedingly good.’

  A look of horror streaked across his face. ‘There’s no way known that I’m—’

  She stole his argument with a kiss.

  And he didn’t object at all.

  THE PLAYBOY DOCTOR’S MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

  Fiona Lowe

  ‘I know what a huge step this has been for you.’ Linton tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

  The light touch sent ribbons of wonder through Emily, both his actions and words bolstering her fledgling confidence. She realised that, despite her misgivings, telling Linton her story had actually helped her. Trusting him had been the best thing she’d done in four long years.

  He was right. She had been hiding. She’d been holding back—holding back from life and keeping her attraction to him a secret. Scared of being a disappointment. But perhaps she didn’t have to hide any more.

  She gazed up at him, taking him in, glorying in the look of undisguised desire in his eyes. At that very moment she knew he wanted to kiss her.

  And she had no objection at all.

  To Heather—a young woman with a bright future

  who joins me on philosophical ramblings and

  enthusiastically provides help with A&E stories

  plus advice on all things radiological!

  And to Alison for her help with deciphering ECGs

  CHAPTER ONE

  THE med student gagged.

  ‘Out!’ Linton Gregory, emergency care specialist, vigorously thrust his left arm toward the door, his frustration rising. Using his right hand, he staunched the flow of blood pouring from the deep gash on his patient’s scalp. ‘And take deep breaths,’ he added as an afterthought, softening his terse tone. The last thing he needed today on top of everything else was a fainting student.

  Where was everyone? ‘Karen,’ he called out, breaking his own enforced rule of no yelling inA and E. ‘Room two, please, now!’ He ripped open a gauze pack. ‘Johnno, stick your hand here.’ He lifted his patient’s hand to his head. ‘Press hard.’

  ‘Right-o, Doc, I know the drill.’ Johnno gave a grimace.

  Linton shone his penlight into the man’s eyes, checking his pupils for reaction to light. The black discs contracted at the bright beam and enlarged when the light source was moved away. ‘They look OK. Did you black out?’

  ‘Don’t remember.’

  Linton sighed and started a head-injury chart. ‘This is the fourth Saturday in two months you’ve been in here. It’s time to think about hanging up your rugby boots.’

  Johnno cleared his throat. ‘Doc, now you’re starting to sound like the wife.’

  He shot the man an understanding look as the familiar ripple of relief trickled through him that he wasn’t tied down, that he was blessedly single again. And he intended to stay that way. He raised his brows. ‘And yet this time I agree with Donna. Your scalp is starting to look like a patchwork quilt.’ He lifted the gauze gingerly, examining the ragged skin edges. ‘You’re going to need more stitches.’

  ‘Linton?’ A nurse popped her head around the half-open door.

  ‘Karen.’ He smiled his winning smile. ‘Stellar nurse that you are, can you please organise a suture pack and ring X-Ray? Johnno’s got another deep scalp laceration. Oh, and check up on the student—he left looking pretty green.’

  Her brows drew together in consternation. ‘I’d love to, Linton, but the ambulance service just radioed and they’re bringing in a crushed arm, ETA five minutes. I’ve set up the resus room and now I’m chasing nursing staff. The roster is short and half the town is out at Bungarra Station for Debbie and Cameron’s inaugural dune-buggy race.’

  He swallowed the curse that rose to his lips. ‘Keep pressing on that gauze, Johnno, and I’ll send Donna in to sit with you until someone can stitch your head.’ Three weeks ago his department had been like a slick, well-oiled machine. Now his charge nurse was on unexpected adoption leave and her second-in-charge was on her honeymoon with his registrar. Marriage was a lousy idea, even when it didn’t actually involve him.

  He stripped off his gloves. ‘Ring Maternity, they’re quiet, and get a nurse down from there to help us.’

  ‘But we’re still short—’

  ‘We’ve got two medical students. Let’s see if they’ve got what it takes.’ He strode into the resus room as the screaming wail of an ambulance siren broke the languid peace of a Warragurra winter’s Saturday afternoon, the volume quickly increasing, bringing their patient ever closer.

  Linton flicked on the monitors and took a brief moment to savour the quiet of the room. In about thirty seconds organised chaos would explode when their patient arrived.

  Anticipatory acid fizzed in his stomach. Emergency medicine meant total patient unpredictability and he usually thrived on every stimulating moment. But today he didn’t have his reliable team and the random grouping of today’s staff worried him.

  Andrew, the senior paramedic, walked quickly into the room, ahead of the stretcher, his mouth a flat, grim line. ‘Hey, Linton. If Jeremy Fallon is at the game, you’d better page him now.’

  Linton nodded on hearing the orthopaedic surgeon’s name. ‘We’ve done that already.’ He inclined his head. ‘Anyone we know?’

  Andrew nodded as a voice sounded behind him.

  ‘Can we triage and talk at the same time? His pressure is lousy.’

  A flash of colour accompanied the words and suddenly a petite woman with bright pink hair appeared behind the stretcher, her friendly smile for her colleagues struggling with concern for her patient. ‘We need Haemaccel, his BP’s seventy on not much.’

  ‘Emily?’ Delighted surprise thundered through Linton, unexpectedly warming a usually cold place under his ribs.

  She grinned. ‘I know, I belong in a Flying Doctors’ plane rather than an ambulance, although today I don’t belong in either.’

  ‘Ben’s lucky Emily was driving into town on her day off.’ Andrew’s voice wavered before he cleared his throat and spoke in his usual professional tones. ‘Ben McCreedy, age twenty-one, right arm crushed by a truck. Analgesia administered in the field, patient conscious but drowsy.’

  Linton sucked in his breath as he swung his stethoscope from around his neck and into his ears, checking his patient’s heartbeat. Ben McCreedy was Warragurra’s rugby union hero. He’d just been accepted into the national league and today was to have been his last local game.

  The young man lay pallid and still on the stretcher, his legs and torso covered in a blanket. His right arm lay at a weird angle with a large tourniquet strapped high and close to his right shoulder.

  ‘He’s tac
hycardic. What’s his estimated blood loss?’ Linton snapped out the words, trying for professional detachment, something he found increasingly difficult the longer he worked in Warragurra.

  ‘Too much.’ Emily’s almost whispered words held an unjust truth as she assisted Andrew with moving Ben from the stretcher onto the hospital trolley.

  Two medical students sidled into the room. ‘Um, Dr Gregory, is this where we should be?’

  Linton rolled his eyes. Give me strength. ‘Attach the patient to the cardiac monitor and start a fluid balance chart. Where’s Sister Haigh?’

  Jason, the student who’d almost fainted, looked nervously around him. ‘She said to tell you that Maternity now has, um, three labouring women.’

  ‘And?’ Linton’s hands tensed as he tried to keep his voice calm against a rising tide of apprehension.

  ‘And…’ He stared at his feet for a moment before raising his eyes. ‘And she said I wasn’t to stuff up because she had a croupy baby to deal with before she could get here.’

  Linton suppressed the urge to throttle him. How was he supposed to run an emergency with two wet-behind-the-ears students?

  He swung his head around to meet a questioning pair of grey eyes with strands of silver shimmering in their depths. Eyes that remained fixed on him while the rest of her body moved, including her hands which deftly readjusted the female student’s misapplied cardiac-monitor dots.

  He recognised that look. That ‘no nonsense, you’ve got to be kidding me’ look. Twice a year he spent a fortnight with the Flying Doctors, strengthening ties between that organisation and the Warragurra Base Hospital. Both times Emily had been his assigned flight nurse.

  ‘Emily.’ The young man on the stretcher lifted his head, his voice wobbly and anxious. ‘Can you stay?’