‘One of the nurses will see you again in seven days, Cathy, but call if you need us or if you have any wetness on the bandages,’ Kyle advised with another smile for the patient. Glancing up, he gave a brief nod before stepping away. ‘Thank you.’
To stop herself staring after him, Alex turned to fetch the items she needed, feeling the change in atmosphere, and an easing of her breathing as the door closed behind him. Readying herself, she smiled at Cathy. ‘Right, let’s set about making you comfortable.’
‘Dr Sinclair’s lovely, isn’t he?’ Her patient sighed.
Reluctant to gossip, Alex made a non-committal sound and concentrated on applying a non-adherent dressing to the cleaned site of the ulcer. ‘He seems to be a very good doctor.’
‘Yes, indeed,’ Cathy agreed. ‘Such a shame what happened. He hasn’t been the same since. It’s so sad. He was always such fun, and now he never smiles or laughs as he used to, just dedicates himself to his patients. It was such a shock to everyone when his marriage broke up the way it did. They seemed a contented couple.’
Alex found her mind buzzing at the information as she applied a soft bandage to protect ankle and shin bones. Kyle had been married? Was he divorced? What had happened to leave him so alone and cause those who knew him to be so sad for the man he had become? It seemed Kyle may not have come to terms with the breakdown of his marriage and she wondered, an ache in her heart, if he was still in love with his ex-wife. Alarmed at her thoughts, she concentrated on her task, applying the second layer in the form of a crêpe bandage. Usually she enjoyed bandaging, finding it therapeutic and rewarding, knowing she was bringing comfort to her patient. But today, with the revelations about Kyle, she felt on edge, restless. Frowning, she attended to the third layer, this time using an elasticated bandage to apply compression to the leg before the final layer, a further compression bandage, which also helped keep everything together.
‘All finished, Cathy. Does it feel all right for you?’
‘Perfect. You’ve been very kind to me, dear, and so gentle. It’s good to see another friendly face around the surgery. I hope I’ll be lucky enough to have more of my appointments with you.’
Touched, Alex smiled as she helped Cathy Parkin to her feet and accompanied her out to the waiting area to meet up with her husband. ‘Thank you. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything.’
‘I promise.’ The woman gave her hand a gentle pat, before adjusting her walking stick and linking her free arm through her husband’s. ‘I hope you’ll be happy here at Glenside.’
Returning to the treatment room to attend to the remainder of her afternoon list, Alex echoed the sentiment. Her thoughts again turned to Kyle and to the welter of unexpected, inconvenient and confused feelings he inspired in her—and she hoped she had not made a mistake, coming here and taking on this job.
‘I have the blood results, John, and I’m afraid there is a significant rise in the prostate-specific antigen level,’ Kyle explained, hating the need to break potentially worrying news to his patient about the PSA test.
John Archibald, a local solicitor in his late fifties, nodded with resignation. ‘Both my father and my uncle had prostate disease. Because of that I have always been aware what can happen.’
‘Have you been noticing other signs?’
‘I’ve had some discomfort, plus there are more nights when I need to use the bathroom, and I’m experiencing an increasing urgency to go…with some hesitation when I do.’
‘You can have difficulty passing urine because the prostate swells and puts pressure on the urethra,’ Kyle explained, making notes as John outlined his symptoms.
‘I knew it was best to see you right away.’
Prostate cancer was one of the commonest forms of cancer in men but John had presented early, and Kyle hoped that if he did have the disease they had caught it before it had spread. ‘Your symptoms don’t necessarily mean it is cancer, but it is always best to be cautious, especially with your family history.’
‘So what will happen now?’
‘I’ll be referring you to the urologist.’
‘Surgery?’
‘Not necessarily.’ Despite the man’s calm intelligence, Kyle knew he was anxious. ‘The urologist will be able to give you much clearer guidance when he’s done his own assessment. He’ll do more tests, an ultrasound, and a biopsy if required, then he can discuss with you what is the best course of action.’
John was silent for a moment. ‘I know there can be problems after surgery.’
‘There can be, in some cases, but it depends on so many factors. Let’s take this a step at a time, and between us we’ll deal with any issues if and when they happen.’
‘You’re right. I’m getting ahead of myself,’ John admitted with a rueful smile. ‘Thanks, Doc.’
‘No problem. I’ll make that referral immediately but contact me at any time if there is anything you want to ask or you notice any change in your symptoms.’
‘I will. Thank you.’
After John Archibald had gone, and with his consultations over for the day, Kyle finished writing up the notes and made the request for a referral before leaning back in his chair with a sigh. He felt more weary than usual at the end of a busy week and, loath as he was to admit it, he suspected his edgy tiredness was as much due to the unsettling and disturbing presence of Alexandra Patterson as to his hectic work schedule. His brow knotted in a frown. What was it about the woman that made him so jumpy, so aware? Whatever it was, he didn’t want the feelings. He wanted them—and her—to go away. Thankfully he was out of the surgery until Monday, and tomorrow he was meeting up with his best friend, Conor Anderson, a GP at the rural practice in Glentown-on-Firth some miles west. Together they were joining Nic di Angelis in Lochanrig and spending the day walking out on the hills. The wide open spaces and the company of those he trusted always helped soothe his battered spirit, and he certainly felt in need of soothing after the jumble of unwanted feelings that had been churning inside him since meeting Alexandra.
The last eighteen months had been hellish. Who would have thought things could change so drastically in that time? One moment his life had been ordered, settled and content, the future lying ahead as planned, full of hope and promise—but then everything had unravelled around him. He had struggled to hold things together, but whatever he had done had seemed wrong and he had only made things worse. What had happened? How had everything gone so bad so quickly? Remembering didn’t seem to become any easier, and nothing eased the grief…nor the heavy weight of his guilt. He scrubbed his hands over his face, trying to shut it out, make it go away, praying for some kind of absolution he knew he didn’t deserve. Sometimes he felt as if he was struggling through quicksand, using up all his energy but unable to make any progress, held back from some unknown destination…a place he needed to reach but could never identify.
He had shut himself off emotionally, closed himself down, and he had never wavered in his determination to remain alone from now on, to guard his feelings. To concentrate all his energies on his work, spending his limited free time on his hobbies and doing extra shifts as a BASICS doctor, on call to attend local accidents or emergencies. He only had room in his life for his small circle of trusted friends. No one else was allowed close. So why had one glimpse of Alexandra started to awaken feelings he believed had frozen for ever? Why did the feelings get stronger every day, confusing and disturbing him, each moment with her becoming more of a test to his resolve, his very belief about what was best for him? He didn’t want to be awakened, thawed. He resented it. And he resented her for making it happen. He didn’t need Alexandra. He didn’t need anyone. Most importantly, he didn’t deserve anyone. There was nothing left of himself to give, and he certainly didn’t see anything within himself that anyone else could love. Not now.
‘You look grim.’
Kyle glanced up and saw district nurse Penny Collins leaning against the door of his consulting room, her uniform tunic and t
rousers tightly fitted to her petite frame, arms folded as she watched him. ‘Just thinking.’
‘You do far too much of that,’ she berated as she straightened and moved into the room. ‘As I keep telling you. And you’ve been more distracted lately. What’s wrong now?’
‘Nothing. I was concerned about a patient.’ It was a prevarication, but her impatient jibe had stung. He knew he had been more serious and brooding these last months but he felt as if all his insides had been painfully scraped out of him, leaving behind just a shell of the person he had once been.
‘Busy day?’
‘Aren’t they always?’ He tried to soften the words with a semblance of a smile. It wasn’t Penny’s fault he was so cranky. ‘At least it’s the weekend.’
Pale blue eyes regarded him thoughtfully and with a hint of calculation. ‘I’m off this weekend. Want to do something?’
‘Thanks, but I have plans. I’m out with Conor and Nic tomorrow, and I have BASICS duty on Sunday.’ Grateful for the excuse, he noted how Penny tossed her long braid over her shoulder, a gesture he knew indicated her displeasure.
Penny had been a loyal colleague since his problems had begun, always there with advice and willing to offer help, bringing him food when he wouldn’t have eaten. Maybe he’d taken too much advantage of that, or she had read more into it. She had been kind to him, protective when he had felt most vulnerable, although he didn’t view her in the same category as Conor, Nic and their wives—the four people closest to him and whom he most trusted.
‘Don’t worry about me.’ He rose to his feet, drawing on his jacket, ready to head for home. ‘I’m sure you have some hot date lined up.’
Something flared briefly in her eyes at his teasing, then it was gone and she sent him a cool smile. ‘You know me so well.’
As she turned towards the door, he picked up his things and went to follow her, anxious to get home.
‘Ouch!’
Kyle halted at Penny’s exclamation. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘It’s OK.’ She stopped in front of him, one hand raised to her face. ‘I just have something in my eye.’
‘Let me see.’
He set down his things as Penny stepped closer, and he brought her under the light, cupping her face as he tilted it to get a closer look. There was nothing obvious in either of Penny’s eyes, and he had to resist the urge to step back from the cloying fragrance as her heavy perfume assaulted his senses.
‘Oops, sorry. I didn’t meant to interrupt.’
Kyle jerked away at the sound of Alexandra’s voice, his hands dropping to his sides. He was furious at feeling he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t. ‘What is it?’ he asked with more curtness than he intended, regretting the flicker of hurt surprise in Alexandra’s smoky grey eyes, seeing her hand still raised in preparation to knock on the door.
‘Nothing important. It can wait.’ Her hand dropped, and her smile was coolly polite before she turned away. ‘Have a good weekend, both of you.’
Then she was gone, and Kyle was left feeling more out of sorts and in the wrong than ever.
‘I don’t know why you employed her, Kyle. I’ve been very unimpressed. I hope it is only on a trial basis.’
Penny’s words rang in Alex’s ears as she beat a hasty retreat to the staffroom. At least she hadn’t been close enough to hear Kyle’s reply. The image of Kyle holding Penny, his head bent to hers, was now imprinted on her brain—along with the triumphant, calculated look in ice-blue eyes as the other woman had sent her a penetrating glare. So that was the lie of the land. Kyle and Penny. She hated the stupid disappointment that crushed her insides at the realisation. Fixing a bright smile on her face, she chatted with Lisa, Sheena and other staff members preparing to leave for the evening, and gathered up her own belongings, anxious to get home and in private lick the wounds she had no right to feel.
The last to leave, she turned to find the door blocked by Penny, the woman who was swiftly putting a damper on her time at Glenside. Alex’s stomach clenched. In her early thirties, Penny had pale, milky skin with thick freckles across her cheeks which she tried to hide with an extra layer of already heavy make-up. Her ginger hair was worn scraped back from her angular face and restrained in a tight braid which fell down her back nearly to her waist. Tall and willowy, Penny was almost unnaturally thin, and was always immaculately turned out. Somehow Penny managed to make their nondescript nurses’ uniform appear classy and, even with her thinness, figure-forming. On Alex’s own lusher, more rounded body the clothes were loose, comfortable to work in but shapeless, and she often felt rumpled after a full day’s work. So Penny’s neat, petite perfection was galling. With eyes like shards of pale blue ice and a chilly personality to match, Penny was the coldest person Alex had ever met.
‘I don’t know what game you think you can play with Kyle,’ Penny remarked, every word dripping with contempt as she ran her gaze over Alex and clearly found her lacking in every way. ‘He is not available so I don’t advise you making eyes at him. He may think to enjoy a little dalliance now and again, but he always comes back to me. Remember that. Although I very much doubt you could give Kyle anything he needs. He isn’t into the homely, frumpy, unsophisticated type.’
Stunned at the attack, and decidedly miffed, Alex met Penny’s cold, threatening blue gaze without flinching. Aside from the fact she hadn’t been “making eyes” at Kyle, being described as homey, frumpy and unsophisticated rankled with her. Clearly, for whatever reason, Penny felt it necessary to stake her claim, and warn her off.
‘I have no designs on Kyle Sinclair,’ she informed her with a coolness she was far from feeling.
‘See that you don’t.’ Again the condescending, malevolent gaze swept over her. ‘Stay away from him…or I’ll make your life here very difficult.’
Alex was anxious to succeed in this job, to fit in and to avoid any trouble or unpleasantness, so she held her tongue, feeling it wisest to save locking horns at this point. She banked down her own temper, unwavering under Penny’s icy regard, only letting out a shaky breath when the other woman left without another word. No way would she allow Penny to browbeat her. But common sense told her that, whatever foolish notions nibbled at her, she should try very hard to avoid Kyle as much as possible and ignore her inappropriate attraction to him.
Kyle was clearly troubled and complicated, while she had enough changes and worries in her own life. She didn’t need more. True, she did miss male company—going out, having fun, cuddling up with someone—and she was just about beginning to feel ready to step back into life in all respects. But, even if Kyle were not already involved, he was a bit too much of a man for her to handle and too disturbing for her peace of mind. And yet, even knowing all that, there were shadows in his eyes, ones she wanted to understand and erase. He seemed…lonely, keeping himself detached and removed, burying himself in work. It wasn’t her business, but Alex felt instinctively drawn to him in a way she couldn’t begin to explain. And, although he was out of bounds, otherwise attached to the unpleasant Penny, she ached for his unhappiness. However, the last thing she wanted was to cause trouble for him—and if anyone was trouble it was surely Penny Collins.
Better by far that she concentrate on her goals: re-establishing her career and saving her home. To do those two things she needed this job to be a success. And that meant putting enigmatic, sexy Kyle Sinclair right out of her mind.
CHAPTER THREE
ALEX sat in the car after her final scheduled Saturday house call, and took a few moments to stare at the scenery she loved so much and had missed while she had been living in England. She was about to put the car in gear and head home for a late lunch when her mobile phone rang, the display showing the incoming call was from the out-of-hours service. She answered without delay.
‘Sorry to bother you, Alex. Are you nearing the end of your list?’
‘I’ve just finished,’ she replied, reaching for her notebook. ‘Is there a problem?’
&n
bsp; ‘I’m afraid so. I’ve had a call from the Campbells. They’re regulars. In fact, Mr Campbell had a nurse visit yesterday but his wife has rung to say he is very uncomfortable. She was worried about bothering us but sounded upset, and I don’t think it can wait until Monday,’ her contact explained. ‘Would you mind looking in on them?’
‘Of course not. Can you fill me in on the basics? I don’t have the notes and am not familiar with the patient.’
She was quiet for a few moments, taking down the details given to her about Mr Campbell’s condition, his wife’s call and the couple’s address. Never mind lunch or salvaging something of the afternoon to tackle the thousand-and-one chores that awaited her. Her patients always came first.
‘I’ll go there now,’ she promised once she had received the required information.
‘Thank you, Alex.’
As she drove towards her new destination, Alex frowned as she reviewed the details she had been given about her additional patient, wondering what could have happened since a regular visit the previous day to cause him such discomfort. Twenty minutes later, she drew up outside a well-kept bungalow on the outskirts of one of the outlying villages well north of Rigtownbrae. Collecting her bag, she walked up the path to be met at the door by an anxious, harassed looking woman in her early sixties.
‘Mrs Campbell?’ Alex smiled to put her at ease and held out her hand. ‘Hello, I’m Alexandra Patterson, the district nurse.’
‘You’re new here?’
‘Yes. I just started this week. I’ll be working part-time in the community and part-time at the surgery.’
A flash of relief lightened the concern in the woman’s hazel eyes. ‘Thank you so much for coming, I’m sorry to be such a bother.’
‘Not at all, that’s what we’re here for. Shall we go in?’
‘Of course.’ Flustered, the woman stepped back to allow her inside the warm, neat home. ‘Perhaps I should explain about my husband?’
Happy to take a few moments learning more of the history, Alex nodded in agreement. ‘Please.’
His Very Special Nurse Page 3
