The Australian's Bride
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He felt the girl stiffen as he injected the local anaesthetic and he heard her whimper. He could also feel the change in the firmness of the hold of his assistants. Jill was still talking to Lily but he couldn’t hear what she was saying.
Alex picked up the needle and stylet. Angling the needle in the direction of the umbilicus, he advanced it slowly, withdrawing the stylet often to check for the drip of any cerebrospinal fluid. He knew precisely when he was in the right place, however, with that familiar decrease in the resistance to the needle. Clear fluid dripped easily and Beth had the required three serial tubes ready. Then the stylet was replaced, the whole system withdrawn and a sterile swab pressed to the puncture site.
‘All over,’ Alex said. ‘You were a very brave girl, Lily. Well done.’
‘Well done, you,’ Susie murmured. ‘I barely heard a squeak.’ She helped Jill roll Lily over again. ‘You’re a wee champion, Lily, aren’t you?’
‘What about blood tests?’ Charles asked.
Alex stopped watching Susie smiling. ‘Let’s get an IV line in and collect the bloods at the same time.’
‘Antibiotic of choice?’
‘Benzylpenicillin. IV. She’s going to need half- hourly neurological checks. Response to light and verbal commands, hand grip on both sides—you know the drill. Fluid restriction for the moment, as well, until we get a better idea of what we’re dealing with.’
‘We’ll get the samples away on the next ferry or flight,’ Beth confirmed.
‘Mike can take them now.’ The command was issued with a vehemence that made everybody look at Charles, and his grin was a little embarrassed. ‘I know. But this is my kid. I help fund the service—it cares for my kid.’
Beth was smiling. ‘That’s great. It’ll mean we should get the first results back later today.’
Susie was still helping Jill settle Lily so Alex got her to keep the girl’s arm still while he slipped a small IV cannula into place. Again, Beth had the tubes ready. Lily barely noticed the procedure and seemed to be listening to what Beth was saying to Jill.
‘It’s so good you got over to be with Lily. Poor little Robbie Henderson’s come in with a bug and his mother’s a single mum and there’s no way she can leave four other children to be here.’
‘What’s wrong with Robbie?’ Lily asked. ‘Is he sick like me?’
‘Kind of. Susie, do you know Robbie? Is he one of your patients?’
‘Robbie? Ten-year-old with dark hair? Cerebral palsy?’
‘That’s him.’
Alex had the line secure and the giving set attached. The necessary blood samples had been drawn and the antibiotics started. There was no reason for him to stay and listen to this conversation but he didn’t want to leave quite yet. Was that because of the sound of Susie’s voice? The way her ponytail swung when she shook her head?
‘I do know him,’ Susie said. ‘There were no requests for any special programme for him. He did join in with my swimming pool group once but camp activities have been enough to keep his joints mobile. Has he got flu?’
‘He started vomiting in the night. He’s running a temperature and complaining of a headache and sore eyes.’
‘I’ve got sore eyes,’ Lily said. ‘But I haven’t vomited.’
Charles was moving away from the bedside. ‘You probably won’t,’ he reassured her. ‘I’ll see you later, Lily. I’ve got to go and get things ready for our big opening this afternoon. Jill’s going to stay with you, aren’t you, Jill?’
‘Of course.’
Alex had been listening to the exchange about the new inpatient. ‘Maybe it’s the same thing. You want me to take a look?’
‘If it gets any worse, yes, please,’ Beth responded.
‘If you have an influenza virus doing the rounds, it’s not that uncommon to get meningoencephalitis. It should be self-limiting and only require supportive measures.’
‘But I want to know straight away if we have any more cases,’ Charles instructed. ‘There’s been a couple of staff off colour over the last two days. If there’s a flu bug…’
‘The last thing we want is for it to spread to our sick kids,’ Beth added.
Alex nodded at the array of samples Marcia had finished packaging. ‘We’ve done everything we can to find out what this is. It’s a matter of waiting and watching for a while.’
But Charles didn’t seem to be listening any longer. He rolled over to the bed, gave Lily a kiss and whispered something to her.
Susie followed Charles, Alex and Beth out of the room a minute later.
‘Perhaps I should see Robbie now,’ Alex said. ‘While I’m here.’
‘Busman’s holiday,’ Susie commented, but Alex could see approval in her eyes.
He liked that. Almost worth giving up a morning on a glorious tropical beach for.
‘Leave it with me at the moment,’ Beth decided. ‘Hopefully I won’t need to call you but at least we’ll give you a party tonight to make up for it if I do.’
Alex was careful not to look directly at Susie. To make his query general. ‘Is everybody going to the gala dinner?’
‘Of course,’ Susie said. ‘We never miss a good party in this neck of the woods, do we, Charles?’
‘No.’ But Charles sounded as though enjoying himself was the last thing he was thinking about, which was hardly surprising given Lily’s illness. ‘And that reminds me, I’ve got a meeting with the restaurant staff to talk about seating arrangements. You want to have a look around the resort, Alex?’
Alex shook his head. ‘I’ll see it at lunchtime. I might go and see what Stella’s up to as soon as I’ve got a free moment.’
‘I think she’ll be on the beach,’ Susie told him. ‘She’s been roped in to help judge a sandcastle competition later.’
‘Oh!’ Beth checked her watch. ‘Are you going in to see Jack, Susie?’
‘On my way. He needs a good physio session to get his lungs clear.’
‘Remind Miranda of the time. She wants to go and admire Josh’s sandcastle.’
Alex paused for a moment as he left the medical centre, pulling his sunglasses off his head to cover his eyes and enjoying the touch of sunshine on his bare legs and arms. Funny that it didn’t seem remotely unprofessional to be dressed in casual summer clothing here, even when seeing a patient.
The warmth was as sensuous as the heady smell of some tropical flowers growing nearby and Alex found himself stretching, letting his muscles go as he took a deep, appreciative sniff before setting off on what felt like a lazy ramble.
The spell of island magic had caught him. This was a place where senses were heightened and the ones he normally relied on, like sight and sound, were strangely less important than taste or smell or touch. A seductive environment that stirred all sorts of desires to explore those senses further.
Alex let his breath out in a contented sigh as he entered the shade of the forest walk. He had a few minutes to himself, which was a rare pleasure. He had most of the rest of the day to spend focused on the most important person in his life—his daughter. For the duration of this walk, however, there was no harm in letting his thoughts drift back to where they were being irresistibly drawn, was there?
No.
It couldn’t hurt to think about Susie.
As he had been, rather a lot, since last night.
She couldn’t have known how desperate he’d been. Desperate enough to ask for help for the first time in his adult life.
He’d never done it before. He hadn’t done it when his world had turned upside down with his young wife dying so suddenly and tragically, leaving him with an infant daughter. Help had been offered, of course. Too much help, but Alex had needed to deal with his grief by taking control. Using instinct and sheer willpower to learn to care for a baby and to try and put his life back together.
He hadn’t asked for help even when a second, potentially lethal blow had been delivered by fate and his beloved daughter had been diagnosed with cancer. It had been easy to take control then. To use his knowledge and contacts to put together the best possible medical management.
But last night he’d lost it. There had been no way to win by force or willpower, and instinct had completely deserted him. He’d had to ask for help from someone he wasn’t sure he could trust. He’d handed an alarming amount of power to a woman who could have used it to pay him back for his rudeness on their introduction. Or to strike a cruel blow to his confidence as a parent. But she hadn’t used that power for anything other than the benefit of Stella.
In fact, Alex was quite sure Susie would be incapable of cruelty. He had seen her concern. Her understanding. Her willingness to help.
Somehow, magically, as they’d shared that glass of wine, she’d slipped through a barrier he’d considered impenetrable. Mistrust had evaporated and it was possible to see her as a genuine person with no personal agenda. A very beautiful person.
Yes. Susie was part of the magic.
A temptation to his senses. All of them. She was beautiful to look at. The sound of her voice and laughter a pleasure. If he, say, kissed her, he would know what she tasted like, wouldn’t he? Whether her hair or skin smelt of any tropical scents. At the very least, if there was any dancing involved with this gala dinner tonight, he could take her in his arms and he would know what it felt like to touch her…
Alex changed direction abruptly, taking a fork of the track that had to lead to the beach.
A dip in the ocean was what was needed here.
He could only hope it would be cool enough.
CHAPTER FOUR
‘MORE champagne, Susie?’
‘Go on, then.’ Susie held her glass out. ‘It’s not as if I have to walk home, is it?’
‘You don’t even have to ride your bike. We can just pour you into the lift. Star’s dad did us a favour, really, didn’t he?’
‘You and Mike should have had the penthouse suite. It’s ridiculous having me rattling around in there by myself.’
‘We’ve got a room that opens into the pool complex. It’s perfect. We went swimming in the dark last night. Very romantic. There was no one else around. We could have swum naked if we’d wanted to.’
‘And did you?’ Susie gave her best friend a suspicious glance and then her jaw dropped. ‘You did! You’re a wicked woman, Emily Poulos.’
‘It was Mike’s idea.’
Susie felt the need to change the subject from romantic midnight swimming. ‘This place is enormous, isn’t it? We must have a hundred people at this function and it’s completely separate from the rest of the guests.’
‘I hear a bit of juggling went on. This room is the hub of the convention centre and there’s a medical conference on this weekend.’
This was a nice, neutral topic. ‘Anyone from Crocodile Creek at the conference?’
Emily shook her head. ‘It’s very specialised. Epidemiology.’
Susie smiled. ‘Skin…right?’
Emily laughed. ‘No. Causes of diseases and stuff. Hey, you made a joke!’
‘What’s so unusual about that? You trying to tell me I’m no fun to be around?’
‘No.’ Emily touched her arm in a gesture that spoke of long familiarity and close friendship. ‘It’s just…I don’t know…I got the feeling something was bothering you yesterday. You were very quiet when we were coming over to the resort.’
‘I was still steaming over the way Alex had been treating his daughter, that’s all. I thought he was a complete jerk.’
‘Was?’ Emily eyed her over the rim of her water glass. ‘Past tense?’
Susie shrugged. ‘I guess I was wrong. He’s OK.’
Emily’s eyebrows shot up. ‘OK? He’s gorgeous!’ She turned her head to give the top table a deliberate stare and her sigh was wistful. ‘Maybe it’s being Greek that does it. They do the tall, dark and handsome thing so well, don’t they?’
‘Hmm. Don’t try and set me up, Em. The man lives in Sydney. If he’s not already spoken for, he probably has every single socialite in the city after him. And he already has a family. I want my own kids, remember?’
Emily made a sound that suggested she understood. She would, too. Susie knew she had spent her share of time considering all the reasons why nothing would happen between herself and Mike. Plus, she was a woman. What was it about being a woman that could make you feel attracted to a man and then get a sudden insight into all the pitfalls a future together could produce? It was crazy.
Mind you, it had worked out rather well for Emily and Mike, hadn’t it?
The two women were silent for a minute, watching the gathering. The other people at their table were all engrossed in their own conversations and the noise level was growing steadily as coffee and exquisite petits fours were being served to mark the end of the dinner. Around them, people were leaving their allocated table seating and starting to mix. A five-piece band was setting up at one side of a small dance floor.
The subdued lighting did nothing to dampen the glitter of this occasion. Silverware and crystal caught the light and sparkled on the white linen tablecloths. The women sparkled in their gorgeous dresses and jewellery and the men were all in black tie, which always seemed to automatically increase their attractiveness. Or maybe it was the champagne. Whatever. Susie couldn’t help sneaking another glance at the front table herself.
Charles was there, of course. So was the mayor of Crocodile Creek, their member of parliament and George Poulos, who had spearheaded the huge support that had come from local businesses for the building of the new medical centre. Partners were also present…or supposed to be. There was an empty seat beside Charles.
‘Where’s Jill?’ Emily wondered aloud.
‘She’ll be with Lily. Did you hear she had to have a lumbar puncture this morning?’
‘Yes. I flew back to Crocodile Creek with Mike when he took those urgent samples.’
‘I thought you didn’t like helicopters?’
‘I don’t.’
Susie grinned. ‘But you like Mike enough to get over it, right?’
‘Right.’ But Emily’s smile faded. ‘Lily couldn’t really have meningitis, could she? It’s too awful to imagine.’
‘I hope not. Alex seemed to think he was just being careful and doing the test to rule it out, but she looked pretty sick.’
‘You’ve seen her?’
‘I had to help with the lumbar puncture. Alex asked me to.’
‘Did he, now?’
Susie had to steer the conversation away from Alex. Why did everything seem to get pulled back to that man? ‘Did you know that Jill and Charles are officially engaged now?’
‘Sophia said something but she’s always trying to marry people off. I didn’t take too much notice.’
‘She’s got this gorgeous ring. Really unusual. An opal instead of a diamond.’
‘I’m really pleased. Just a bit surprised, I guess.’
‘Why? I think they’re perfect for each other.’
‘Yes, but do they think that?’
Susie sighed. ‘Charles did say it was just a marriage of convenience. For Lily’s sake.’
‘Maybe they think it’s the sensible thing to do, seeing as they’re practically living together.’
Susie drank another mouthful of her wine. ‘God, I hope I never get married because it’s the “sensible” thing to do.’
‘You won’t,’ Emily promised. ‘The right guy is going to come along and you’ll get married because you’re hopelessly in love. You’ll see.’
Susie’s gaze strayed back to the top table again.
Alex, like Charles, was alone as far as female companionship went.
Alone… Available?
Susie drained her glass of champagne and eyed the bottle in the silver ice bucket. It was still more than half- full. She looked at Emily’s glass. The flute didn’t appear to have been touched.
‘You’re not keeping up with me, here, Em. What’s the story?’
‘I just don’t feel much like drinking alcohol tonight.’
The sinking feeling in Susie’s gut was too intense to ignore. ‘Oh, my God…you’re pregnant, aren’t you?’
‘I’m not sure.’ Emily’s eyes shone with joy. ‘Maybe. Hey, what’s the matter?’
Susie shook her head, trying to blink back stupid, stupid tears. She had got this out of her system the other night, hadn’t she?
‘I was going to tell you.’ Emily was frowning now, her joy replaced by concern for her friend. ‘Honestly, you were going to be the first person to know. It’s just that I haven’t even done a test yet. I’m only a couple of days late and…’
Susie blinked harder. She tried to smile. ‘It’s great news, Em. I’m so happy for you.’
‘Could have fooled me.’
Susie tried again, stretching her smile. ‘You’re not going to believe this, but Hannah’s pregnant, too. She rang the other night. Tuesday it was…’ Susie sucked in a breath to try and stop herself babbling. ‘She’d only just done the test. You’ll probably be due at the same time. They’ll be like…like twins…’ The effort of sounding happy was too much. Susie picked up the starched linen napkin that matched the tablecloth, screwed it into a ball and pressed it against her mouth.
Emily had been listening quietly, her eyes huge. Then she put her arm around Susie. ‘Oh, hell! I didn’t even think. You’re the one that’s always wanted a family. Hannah’s the career girl. And now it’s me.’ Her arm tightened. ‘Do you want to escape for a bit? Go for a walk or something?’
‘No. I’m fine.’
‘Your nose is dripping. Have you got a hanky?’
‘No.’ Susie sniffed inelegantly.
‘Use the napkin.’
‘Ooh, gross!’ But it made Susie smile. ‘I’m OK, really,’ she said a moment later. ‘I just feel a bit left out, that’s all.’ She took another deep breath. ‘OK, so I’m jealous. I’m sorry, Em.’
‘Don’t be stupid. It’s me who should be sorry. It’ll happen for you, you know. Like I said, some gorgeous guy is going to come along and before you know it, you’ll be knee deep in nappies.’
‘Ha! I haven’t even met anyone I’d want to date in months, let alone marry.’
‘Alex looks perfectly datable to me.’
‘There’s no point in dating when it’s got no chance of going anywhere. I’m getting too old for games like that.’
‘What’s happened to that girl who persuaded her twin to have her first-ever one-night stand—to see what having the best sex in her life might be like? To try a playboy because they’re the ones who’ve had the most practice?’
‘She’s grown up,’ Susie said sadly.
Or maybe she’d just been hurt too many times. You got carried away by physical attraction and the next thing you knew you were in love with some guy who had never had any intention of making a relationship permanent. Or even long term. No wonder she had a personal crystal ball that revealed the future so easily when it came to men. Especially men like…Alex.
‘Best thing that Hannah ever did, though, wasn’t it?’ Emily persisted. ‘She let herself go enough to have a fling with someone she fancied, and look where she is now. Married to him. Having his baby.’
‘Don’t remind me. I’m going to be everybody’s aunt. They’ll all come to visit mad Aunty Susie who lives all by herself with a zillion cats.’
Emily’s nudge was not gentle. ‘Get a grip,’ she instructed. ‘Distraction is what you need, and don’t try and tell me that Alex Vavunis couldn’t distract you. I’ve noticed how often you’ve been looking at that table.’
‘I’ve been watching Charles. He’s looking a bit stressed, don’t you think?’
‘Liar!’
Susie had to smile back but it was disturbing to think it might have been so obvious. She’d tried to stop but her eyes had simply refused to obey instructions and kept travelling to catch another glimpse. Eye candy.
And this particular variety seemed to be addictive.
Had Alex noticed? The thought made her cringe. It also made her drag her gaze away from Emily to look over her shoulder. To her horror, Alex was a lot closer than the last time she’d seen him.
‘He’s coming over.’ Emily’s stage whisper was delighted. ‘The music’s started. I’ll bet he’s going to ask you to dance.’
It was the last thing Susie needed right now.
Or was it?
With every step he took towards her, she could feel the curl of that overwhelming attraction increase. By the time he was ten feet away, it was hot enough to be melting something deep within her. If she danced with Alex, she would be closer than she’d been to him so far. Dancing involved touching. A lot of touching.
Almost as much touching as…
Oh, help!
Susie didn’t need to consider using the starched napkin as a handkerchief any more. She needed a fan!
The threat of tears was long gone. So was any thought of feeling sorry for herself. Maybe Emily had been right and she needed the distraction that dancing with Alex would provide.
It would be fun. Exciting. A chance to remind herself how much pleasure life had to offer instead of crying in a corner, feeling as if it was all passing her by.
Susie found herself rising to her feet.
Smiling at Alex.
Wordlessly taking his outstretched hand in her response to the invitation to dance.
Letting him lead her, hand in hand, onto the dance floor.
He’d been waiting for this moment for what seemed like for ever.
Alex had spotted Susie the moment she’d arrived for this function. Somewhat to his surprise, the whole room full of people hadn’t stopped enjoying their pre-dinner cocktails and introduction session and turned to stare at her. She certainly looked stunning enough to stop traffic.
Soft waves of golden blonde hair, loose and shining under the artificial lights. A delphinium blue dress that was a perfect match for her eyes and made of some soft, clingy fabric that emphasised every delicious curve of her body. Tiny shoulder straps looked like blue spaghetti and the hem of the dress was uneven. It had pointy bits that hung below her knees, but when she moved it swirled, revealing tantalising glimpses of those long, tanned legs.
He couldn’t get near her, dammit! At first he’d been stuck in an excruciatingly boring conversation with a self-important politician.
‘The cyclone damage was in the millions. Made sure I got out and inspected every bit of it myself. Plenty of photos in the papers to prove that.’
Alex had caught a hint of blue between the black suits surrounding him. He’d put a finger under his bow- tie and loosened it just a little.
‘I saw pictures of what happened to the medical centre here,’ he’d murmured. ‘Devastating.’
‘Nearly destroyed the old bridge and cut the main hospital off from the town and the rest of Australia, for that matter. I’ve made a pledge to the people to get a new bridge built. Have to see if I can get old George on side. His business would go down the drain if the bridge went west.’
The mayor of Crocodile Creek was still wearing his gold medallion, although he’d discarded the rest of his official robes in the wake of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches of the afternoon. He seemed to want to repeat his speech, verbatim, to Alex.
‘We might be in the far north and outside the location of what many people consider civilisation, but if you’re unfortunate enough to get sick or injured in these parts, you can be sure of getting the best care that medicine has to offer. Even if it happens when you’re on a tropical island holiday.’
People were starting to move towards their allocated tables. Susie was going with her friends, Mike and Emily and another two couples. It seemed like one of the only tables with an uneven number. Was she here alone? Was she, in fact, single and…available?
Was it too soon to consider taking his jacket off? Did anyone else in this room feel that it was far too warm despite the air-conditioning?
Introductions to his other table companions, George and Sophia Poulos, spelt the end of any chance in the very near future of getting near Susie. Sophia was in transports of delight on discovering his nationality.