Dear Reader

I’m delighted to present my new story, DAREDEVIL AND DR KATE. Once again I have chosen to set a story in the glorious rural district of Mt Pryde in southeast Queensland. For those of you who have read and enjoyed my previous stories centred around the medical practice in Mt Pryde, you’ll be pleased to know that familiar characters will be popping up regularly in this new story.

In DAREDEVIL AND DR KATE we meet Kate Preston, the new doctor at the Mt Pryde practice. A widow with two young children, Kate just wants to pull her weight in the medical team and enjoy a settled life with her kids. She doesn’t bank on having her safe world rocked off its axis by roguish, out there Dr Aiden O’Connor! Kate thinks she can ignore his overtures, but Aiden thinks winning Kate is an enticing challenge—one he can’t ignore. It’s a bumpy ride—especially when Kate is torn between her role as a mother and her needs as a woman.

I hope you will enjoy DAREDEVIL AND DR KATE.

With warmest wishes

Leah Martyn

About the Author

LEAH MARTYN loves to create warm, believable characters for the Medical™ Romance series. She is grounded firmly in rural Australia, and the special qualities of the bush are reflected in her stories. For plots and possibilities, she bounces ideas off her husband on their early-morning walks. Browsing in bookshops and buying an armful of new releases is high on her list of enjoyable things to do.

Daredevil and Dr Kate

Leah Martyn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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CHAPTER ONE

KATE looked critically at her reflection in the full-length mirror. It was her first day flying solo in her new job at the Mt Pryde surgery and she wanted to look good. More than that, she wanted to feel good.

Stepping back from the mirror, she completed her inspection. Her dark pants and fitted pin-striped shirt looked just right. Professional. Her hair was neat, her make-up minimal but perfect.

And why was she preening like a teenager? Impatiently, Kate turned away from the mirror. She was a sole supporting parent with two dependent kids. If that didn’t keep her feet on the ground, nothing would. Pushing a wad of tissues into her shoulder bag, she zipped it closed.

‘Come on, kids,’ Kate called, as she left her bedroom. ‘Get your backpacks. We need to go.’

Within a couple of minutes, having done it a thousand times, she’d settled her children into the back seat of her silver-grey Lexus. As she started the engine her stomach began rolling and hitching like a hot-air balloon coming in for a landing. Don’t you cave on me, she warned the offending stomach silently as she reversed out of the driveway and drove towards the children’s primary school.

‘Mummy, are you a real doctor?’ six-year-old Mia asked as they drove.

Kate bit down on a smile. Her little daughter was so cute, her questions always out of left field. ‘Yes, darling. I’m a real doctor. Why do you ask?’

‘‘Cos I found a story book at Grammy’s an’ the doctor wore a long white coat. You don’t wear a long white coat.’

‘That’s probably a very old story book,’ Kate said. ‘Doctors don’t bother with white coats these days.’

‘Mum?’ Eight-year-old Luke’s voice rang with childish impatience. ‘Where can I practise my soccer?’

Kate racked her brains. ‘Honey, I don’t have an answer to that. Maybe we can find a park nearby, when we’ve time to look.’

‘There’s no room in the garden at home,’ Luke grumbled. ‘I wish we were still out at the farm with Grammy and Pa.’

Don’t we all. Kate suppressed a longing. It would have been so easy to move in with her parents and offload some of her responsibilities. But there were no choices here, no shorts cuts. She and the children had to live in town, her job and their schooling demanded it.

And, talking of schools, here they were. Kate pulled neatly into the kerb.

‘What if we don’t like the school?’ Luke asked anxiously as he trundled out of the car.

‘You will,’ Kate reassured him, helping Mia out of her safety seat. ‘Just do your best and you’ll be fine.’

With Luke and Mia having been welcomed by their teachers and shown their desks, Kate felt free to leave. It was only a short distance across town to the Mt Pryde Medical Centre. She began to reconnect with her own day. She’d been so fortunate to get this job with hours arranged more or less to fit in with the needs of her children. And with her parents being only twenty kilometres away, her decision to move to south east Queensland seemed a sound one.

Subconsciously, she braced herself as she turned her car into the designated parking space at the rear of the surgery. Oh, rats! I shouldn’t be feeling this nervous, she berated herself, trying for nonchalance as she crossed to the rear entrance of the building. Like she’d told Luke, she’d do her best and no one could ask for more than that.

Tapping out the security code that would admit her to the building, she made her way inside to what was now her consulting room, feeling a little sliver of pride to see her name, Dr Kate Preston, on the door.

Kate was taking the place of Jo McNeal who had just begun maternity leave. Kate had spent the last week working with her as she’d handed over her patient list. Jo’s husband Brady also worked at the practice, along with Angelo Kouras and Aiden O’Connor.

The medical team seemed like a good mix of personalities, Kate thought, arranging her own bits and pieces on the desk. Angelo rather serious, although Kate suspected he had a droll sense of humour bubbling away not too far from the surface. His wife, Penny, was the anaesthetist at the local hospital, and he’d been the longest in the practice.

Then there was Brady. Kate had felt at ease with him at once. ‘If you come up against an emergency with the kids at any time and need cover, just yell,’ he’d said kindly. ‘I know what it’s like to be a sole parent and trying to hold down a responsible job.’

He’d gone on then to tell Kate he’d had the care and custody of his infant son before he’d met and married Jo. Now little Andrew was almost three and he and Jo were expecting their own baby in a few weeks.

Then there was Aiden.

Suddenly Kate’s throat felt as dry as dust. Meeting Aiden O’Connor had made her feel flustered for want of a better word. And an odd awareness that something was missing from her life had begun niggling and wouldn’t be ignored.

Damn. Kate moved to open the slatted blind to let in the clear morning light. Out of the blue, she felt her skin heat with just the thought of being in the same workplace as him. Day after day.

Kate began to sift through the mail their receptionist, Vicki, had left on her desk. Oh, good. She drew out the envelope containing the X-rays Jo and she had been waiting for. But now, of course, with Jo on leave, all decisions on patient care would be down to Kate. Thoughtfully, she placed the first of the X-ray films on the viewing screen.

She turned at the rat-a-tat on her door. ‘It’s open.’

‘Morning, Kate.’ Aiden poked his head in.

Kate felt her composure drain away, her stupid heart bouncing like a trampoline, juggling for space inside her chest. ‘Good morning.’

Aiden breezed in and parked himself on the edge of her desk. ‘I’ve been commissioned to tell you coffee’s up and to twist your arm if necessary.’ He ran teasing blue eyes over her. ‘You’re not a workaholic, are you, Dr Preston?’

Kate brought her small chin up. ‘No more than anyone has to be in a busy practice.’ She caught her lower lip between her teeth, exercising gentle pressure, trying anything to sideline her thoughts from savouring the detail of ‘Dr Distraction’, as she’d begun to call him in her head: the way his charcoal-grey shirt accentuated the broad sweep of his shoulders; the narrow hips in his black jeans; the fact that there was a lean athleticism beneath his well-fitting clothes.

Her gaze connected briefly with his clear blue eyes and flicked higher, lingering on his hair, short, toffee brown, spiked with gold, as if naturally streaked by the sun. She guessed his tan was an all-year-round attribute, enhancing the outdoorsy look of him. Well, that figured. Aiden O’Connor was sports mad according to the practice grapevine. Mountain-climbing, snow-boarding and extreme sports positively turned him on—the pursuits Kate had once enjoyed but now had serious reservations about. She released the pressure from her lip and swallowed. O’Connor was possibly the best-looking man she’d ever met. She’d not risked such thinking until now but it was the inescapable truth.

‘So, Kate.’ Aiden slid off his perch to peer over her shoulder. ‘Whose foot do we have here?’ He gestured to the skeletal framework thrown up by the X-ray.

‘Fifty-four-year-old male.’ Kate took a breath to steady herself. ‘He’s a processor worker. Stands on a cement floor for most of his working day. He complained of tenderness in his right instep.’

‘You were thinking of a spur, perhaps?’ The blue eye lit enquiringly.

‘Certainly a possibility.’

Aiden’s mouth went firm for a moment. ‘Well, clearly it’s not a spur from what we have here. No other bony lesion presenting either.’

‘Seems not.’ Kate’s unwilling gaze followed the stroke of his thumb as it moved rhythmically across his bottom lip in concentration. She whipped her gaze back to the viewing screen and told her heart to settle and her sensible head to reassert itself. ‘There are a couple of cysts in the first metatarsal head.’ She indicated the shaded outline. ‘But they shouldn’t present a problem.’

‘No.’ Aiden O’Connor gave a quick smile, the action cutting interesting grooves into his lean cheeks. ‘So, Kate, what treatment will you recommend for your patient?’

Miffed, Kate flicked off the X-ray light. She wasn’t aware she’d asked Dr O’Connor to consult with her. Her thoughts began scrambling. And she felt stifled by his nearness, the intimate whisper of peppermint on his breath.

She blinked, then swallowed, flying into professional jargon. ‘I’d recommend physio as a priority to try to regain some flexibility.’

‘Perhaps a change in the style of his regular work boots or at least some modification could be an option as well. Just suggestions,’ he added quickly, interpreting her less-than-impressed look by holding up his hands defensively. ‘I won’t step on your toes again.’

‘You might if we were dancing,’ Kate deadpanned. She winced inwardly. Had she really said that?

But O’Connor seemed highly amused. ‘Are you inferring I’m a rubbish dancer, Dr Preston?’

‘I don’t know. Are you?’

‘Maybe you’ll find out one day,’ he answered softly.

Kate wished she could control the odd feeling in her chest when he looked at her. What was it about him? Was it the tantalising stirrings of sexual attraction? The allure of possibility? Whatever it was, it felt different from merely the rush of hormones.

And decidedly uncomfortable.

‘We should get this coffee,’ she said stiltedly. ‘They’ll be wondering where we’ve got to.’

He smiled. ‘Let’s tell them we got sidetracked.’

Well, that was one explanation for what had just happened here, Kate thought as she stifled the complexity of her feelings and accompanied him along the corridor to the staffroom.

No doubt, she was a looker. Aiden allowed himself a few lazy seconds to observe Kate anew. She was slender, tallish, matching his stride easily. Her eyes were a deep brown, her skin peach perfect. And she was a natural brunette if he was any judge; hair so shiny he could almost see his face in it.

He shook his head as if impatient with his train of thought. He was staring and he’d better stop. He and Kate were colleagues—nothing more.

‘Welcome to the zoo,’ he said, stretching in front of her to open the door of the staffroom.

Kate’s ‘Good morning’ was met with an answering chorus from the other staff members. Vicki, began pouring coffee into a willow-patterned mug. ‘Kate, white with none, right?’

‘Thanks, Vic.’ Kate smiled. ‘But you don’t have to wait on me.’

‘It’s mandatory on your first day,’ Aiden quipped.

‘What is?’ Angelo’s dark head came up from the journal he was reading.

‘Being nice to Kate on her first day,’ Vicki bubbled. ‘I brought in a chocolate cake as well.’

‘We are blessed.’ Angelo’s dark eyes behind the silver-framed spectacles glinted with dry humour. ‘You’ll be brilliant, Kate,’ he said, getting to his feet, collecting his journal and moving towards the door. ‘Anything you need to consult about, I’m available, as well as Brady and Aiden. Don’t hesitate to call on us.’

‘Thanks, Angelo. I appreciate that.’ Kate took a mouthful of her coffee, feeling it make a warming trail down her throat. They were all being so nice to her.

‘Kate, when you have a second, I’ll need to clarify one or two points on your personnel file, please?’ Monica Lowe, the practice manager, said. ‘Nothing urgent.’ She smiled, dropping a tea bag into a mug.

‘It’ll seem odd without Jo.’ Natalie Wellings, the practice nurse, said thoughtfully. ‘And speaking of your wife, how is she this morning, Brady?’

‘Supposedly taking it easy.’ Brady’s mouth quirked. ‘But she said something about rearranging the nursery and colour co-ordinating the baby stuff on the shelves.’

Vicki, who had a one year old tot herself, joked, ‘As if that’ll last long.’

‘Jo’s nesting,’ Kate came in quietly. ‘I remember feeling just like that before both of mine were born …’

Aiden felt something shift inside him as he saw another side of Kate’s personality. Suddenly she seemed in her element, her face alight as the baby reminiscences tumbled out. He shrugged inwardly. He didn’t have kids. He had nothing to contribute to the conversation. He exited the staffroom quietly.

Kate’s day settled into a rhythm, her confidence growing as each patient left, seemingly satisfied with their consultation. And the swarm of butterflies that had been stirring endlessly in her tummy had well and truly settled.

Swinging off her chair, she stretched and prepared to call it a day.

‘Oh, Kate?’ Vicki tapped and popped her head round the door. ‘I’ve a patient looking really ill. Simone Butler. Could you see her? She said she was due to go on shift at the supermarket but felt so ill she detoured here.’ Vicki paused for breath. ‘I know you have to pick up your kids soon and I wouldn’t ask, but Aiden is on hospital visitation and both Brady and Angelo are on long consults.’

‘Ah …’ Kate blinked and with the merest glance at her watch, saw her hopes for a reasonably early end to her first day fly out the window. But patients had to come first. ‘Of course I’ll see her, Vicki. Just give me a minute to call the school and rearrange things for the kids, then show Simone in.’

‘I think I’ve caught flu.’ Simone sagged into the chair beside Kate’s desk. ‘Feel so grotty …’

‘Well, if it’s flu, there’s not much we can do for you, Simone, except to prescribe the usual rest, paracetamol and fluids.’ Kate began a preliminary examination of the young woman. Her temperature was certainly raised and she looked flushed and uncomfortable.

‘I took a strong headache tablet at lunchtime,’ Simone said as Kate prepared to look down her throat.

‘Didn’t help?’ Kate asked.

‘No.’

‘Do you get migraines?’

‘Never.’

So scrap that theory, Kate thought. ‘How about aches and pains in your joints?’

‘Mmm. And my back. Feel so sick.’ Simone grimaced and scrunched up her eyes. ‘Could you close the blinds? Light is killing me …’

In a second, Kate’s watchful manner changed to red alert. Her mind reacted like quicksilver, spinning through her patient’s symptoms. There were no conclusions but, by heaven, there were some distinct markers.

Meningococcal?

Kate’s stomach clenched but her mind stayed clear and calm. There was no room for guessing games here. She needed to act and act quickly. ‘Simone, I’m going to give you an injection.’

Checking her patient wasn’t allergic, Kate moved with lightning speed across the corridor to the small dispensary. Kate hit the code that would unlock the drugs cabinet and whipped out a prepared dose of penicillin.

She was going by her gut instinct here. That was all she had. But it had never let her down. If Simone had indeed contracted the deadly virus, then vital minutes, even seconds may be all Kate had to save her life. She ran back to her patient.

‘I feel c-cold …’ Simone’s head had dipped forward like a rag doll’s.

‘Hang in there, honey.’ Kate quickly swabbed and plunged the lifesaving drug directly into the vein, knowing full well, they didn’t have a proper diagnosis yet. All she could do was buy Simone time. She prayed there was no sign of a rash. But she had to check.

Helping Simone out of her simple shirt-dress uniform, Kate’s examination was meticulous. She knew what she was looking for: a minute scratch mark, a blister, a purple pinprick, any or all of them indicating that bacteria was already present, multiplying by the second in the blood vessels under Simone’s skin. If they were there, then Simone’s entire body organs were in danger of collapsing.

With relief, Kate saw there was no evidence of a rash. Yet. But she wasn’t waiting for the possibility.

Instinctively, she began following protocol, snatching up the phone and pressing the key that would connect her with Reception. ‘Vicki, would you call an ambulance, please? Tell them we have an emergency hospital admission. And stress the patient is critical.’

‘Expect them within a few minutes,’ Vicki said. ‘I’ll run out and open the back doors so they can reverse in.’

‘Thanks. Is Natalie about? I could do with some help.’

‘She had to leave early,’ Vicki sounded dismayed. ‘Could I—?’

‘No, Vicki. It’s fine.’ Kate felt put on her mettle. But she’d cope. She needed a space blanket. Diving across the corridor to the treatment room, she searched blindly for a second until she located them. She pulled one from the stockpile and turned to retrace her steps.

‘Kate!’

Distracted momentarily from her mission, Kate’s head spun towards the voice and saw Aiden striding along the corridor towards her. She slipped back to her consulting room with Aiden on her heels.

‘What’s up?’ He demanded shortly.

‘Suspected meningococcal.’

Aiden swore under his breath. ‘Ambulance called?’

‘On its way.’ Kate began tucking the space blanket around her patient.

‘What can I do to help?’

‘I’ve done all I can for the moment. But I’ll need to scribble some notes for the admitting MO. Just keep an eye on Simone, if you would.’

‘I think she’d be more comfortable if we get her up onto the treatment couch.’ So saying, Aiden lifted the young girl as though she weighed no more than an armful of feathers and laid her down gently on her side. She moaned softly.

‘Would you recheck for any sign of a rash, please, Aiden?’ Kate was scribbling furiously.

‘Nothing.’ He replaced the space blanket. ‘She’ll need bloods taken on arrival.’

‘All requested.’ Kate slashed her signature at the bottom of the notes.

‘Ambulance is here, guys.’ Vicki appeared at the door.

‘Coming through.’ A male’s deep voice and the squeak of rubber-soled boots echoed along the corridor. Within a very few seconds Simone was loaded onto the trolley.

Kate briefed the paramedic and handed over her notes. ‘Thanks for responding so quickly.’

‘No worries, Doc. We’ll cane it to the hospital now. See you.’ The paramedic acknowledged both doctors briefly before heading off.

Kate looked lost for a second. She took a step towards her desk and faltered.

Aiden’s hand shot out to her shoulder, heavy and warm. ‘Not what you needed on your first day.’

‘I’m fine,’ Kate said, too quickly. She went to move away but his hand was still on her shoulder and her breath felt fluttery. ‘Really.’ She firmed her voice. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Sure?’

‘Yes.’ She moved from under the weight of his hand. Did he not think of her capable of handling an emergency? ‘I’ll need to chase up Simone’s recent contacts,’ she said, thinking aloud. ‘Her workplace, home and so on, and check their immunity.’ She saw the end of her working day slide further and further away.

‘I’ll do that.’

‘Are you saying I can’t do my job?’

Aiden frowned. Why was she so prickly? She looked pressured and he just wanted to help. ‘I’m merely suggesting you delegate. I have no patients booked for the rest of the day. Whereas, you’re needed elsewhere. You have children to collect from school, don’t you?’

Kate dipped her head. She couldn’t believe he’d remembered that small detail. And somehow, in ways she couldn’t explain, it made her feel vulnerable around him. ‘Take some jabs with you in case people’s immunity is in question,’ she reminded him.

‘Kate, I’ll handle it.’

Of course he would. She turned away, waiting for her computer to close down. ‘I just want Simone safely in isolation and under minute-by-minute observation.’

‘And thanks to your quick action, she’ll have that.’

‘It could still be too late …’

‘Don’t think like that.’ Aiden was firm. But they both knew the effects of the deadly virus. Circulation could fail in the body’s extremities—the fingers, toes even whole limbs. Amputations followed. And sometimes death. ‘And we don’t know for sure it is meningo.’

Kate knew. She’d seen enough cases in her time to be ninety-nine per cent certain. And now she just wanted to collect her kids and hug them to bits. Life was so precious.

Her eyes clouded. It had been an exacting first day and if she being honest she did feel drained, both physically and mentally, but that would pass as things both at work and home began settling into a rhythm …

What the hell was she still hanging around for? Aiden’s mouth compressed briefly. She seemed lost in thought, miles away. ‘Kate, there’s no more you can do here,’ he said. ‘Your children must be waiting for you.’

Kate pushed up from her desk. ‘They’re being well taken care of.’

Watching her face, Aiden saw her bottom lip pull into a tight little moue. What now? Did she think he was criticising her parenting? A muscle worked in his jaw. She’d wrong-footed him again. And he didn’t like the feeling one little bit.

Kate blinked uncertainly. Why was O’Connor staring at her like that—as if she’d grown an extra nose or something? She’d handed over to him and he should be gone. ‘Vicki will have Simone’s details.’

‘I’m on it. And I’ll brief Angelo and Brady. Want me to give you a call later and report my findings?’

‘If you wouldn’t mind.’ The doctors exchanged mobile numbers as a matter of course.

‘Why would I mind?’ He shrugged, the movement of his shoulders drawing attention to the interplay of muscles under his close-fitting shirt.

Kate looked down quickly, searching the bottom of her handbag for her keys. Locating them, she hitched up her medical case. ‘Thanks for your help.’

‘Yep.’ Their eyes met and he could see the wariness, the uncertain flicker in her gaze. He moved to the door with her. ‘Drive carefully.’

She gave him a taut smile. ‘Kids in the car. Always do’

Watching her departure, Aiden felt as though an invisible punch had landed in his solar plexus, robbing him not just of oxygen but of plain common sense as well. His gaze stayed riveted on the sassy swing of her hips, her slender waist, the toss of her dark head as she pulled open the outer door to the car park.

Yanking his eyes off her neat little backside, he pushed back the zing in his bloodstream. Have you entirely lost your marbles, O’Connor? he asked himself. He shook his head as if to clear it. He had far more urgent things to do than to stand ogling Kate Preston.

CHAPTER TWO

KATE stabbed the key into the ignition. The ebb and flow of her first day swirled around her. For a second she leaned her head back against the seat and took stock. She thought she’d fitted in successfully with the practice partners—except for Aiden. Why did she seem to be having these little run-ins with him? She prided herself on the fact she wasn’t difficult to work with. But with him she felt continuously put on her mettle. Off balance.

Well, she had no time to analyse it now. In a defiant little twist, she started the engine and eased out of her parking space. She couldn’t wait to see her kids.

The school provided care for the students both before and after school. And nowadays, with most families juggling work and family commitments, the facility had become a necessity.

Kate had been well pleased with the set-up and the supervising staff had seemed both pleasant and clued in to the needs of the children. Luke and Mia would be safe and well looked after and that was all she could hope for.

‘Mummy! Mummy!’ Mia ran across the room and threw herself against her mother’s legs.

Kate bent to her small daughter’s level and hugged her tightly. Then she leaned back and cupped Mia’s chin. ‘Did you have a good day at school, baby?’

Mia’s little shrug went almost to her ears. ‘‘S OK. I looked and looked for you after school.’

Kate felt a lump in her throat and a pang of sadness that circumstances wouldn’t allow her to be a full-time mother. It would have been wonderful, at least until Mia was a little older. ‘I had to stay later at work. Didn’t your teacher explain?’

The little one nodded slowly. ‘But I still looked and looked.’

Of course she had. Young things always looked for their mothers. Kate uncurled upright, keeping Mia closely at her side. ‘Shall we find Lukie now? Then we’ll all be able to go home.’

Home was a pleasant cottage Kate was leasing. On the whole, it was serving their needs, at least for the present. After high-rise apartment living in Sydney, she’d yearned for a sense of peace, that had alluded her since she’d become a widow and returned from the United States. Peace, light and the outdoors, she affirmed now as she eased her car into the garage at the side of the house.

Ten minutes later, Kate had shucked off the trappings of her professional life, showered and pulled on baggy shorts and T-shirt. Gathering up the children, she went next door to her neighbours’, Patrick and Eileen Kelly.

The Kellys were friends of her parents and it was they who had let Kate know of the cottage’s availability.

‘Do we have to?’ Luke moaned, as they made their way along the path at the side of the Kelly’s house towards the back garden.

‘Yes, we do,’ Kate said calmly, ignoring her son’s stubborn, determined look. ‘You have to say sorry to Mr Kelly for almost maiming one of his chickens with your soccer ball.’

‘Those bantams are stupid,’ Luke maintained with childish candour.

‘Not to Mr Kelly.’ Kate realised she could have let the incident pass. Patrick and Eileen were grandparents themselves. They knew about little boys and footballs. But even at eight Luke was capable of learning about being responsible for his actions.

Kate stifled the recurring thoughts of the long road ahead as a sole parent. Everything, every decision was going to be down to her. She’d have to be disciplinarian, counsellor, role model but mostly, and more importantly, she needed always to be a loving mum.

Patrick and Eileen were sitting on their outdoor chairs under a shady tree. ‘Hello, you three.’ Eileen smiled at Kate and the children, raising a plump hand in greeting. ‘All done for the day?’

‘Here, sit down, love.’ Patrick got to his feet and beckoned Kate across the lawn. ‘I’m about to feed the bantams. You kids like to help?’ He looked keenly at Luke and Mia.

There was a bit of psychology going on here, Kate thought, and thanked heaven for Patrick’s insight. ‘Go on,’ she urged with a smile when Luke looked hesitant. ‘It’s good to learn new things.’

‘Is the bantam I hit with my ball OK?’

Kate heard Luke’s version of an apology as the trio made their way to the far end of the yard and the hen coop. ‘Thanks, Eileen,’ Kate said on a breathy sigh of relief.

The older woman looked perplexed. ‘For what, dear?’

Kate lifted a shoulder. ‘For being so understanding about the football. It was careless of Luke. It could so easily have been a window.’

‘Or someone’s head,’ Eileen cackled. ‘Kids will be kids, Kate. And there was no real harm done. Patrick and I were just saying what a grand job you’re doing, raising your two.’

A little half-smile flickered on Kate’s mouth. She didn’t want to admit to Eileen that sometimes the job felt almost crippling. But she had to look forward with hope. Nothing else would do. She regrouped quickly and got to her feet. ‘You know, I think I’ll go and join Patrick and the kids.’ She forced herself to sound bright and chirpy. ‘It’s years since I fed the chickens.’

Kate quickly caught up with the little group.

‘Luke says bantams are stupid.’

Kate cringed inside at her daughter’s bald statement. Kids had no idea of diplomacy.

Patrick seemed unconcerned. He turned his weathered face and sent Kate a wry half-smile before turning his attention back to Luke. ‘You know, young fella, a lot of folk think that about bantams. Reckon they’re silly and noisy. But my girls are just happy to scratch around and lay beautiful little eggs.’

‘So, they’re like real chickens?’ Luke showed a modicum of interest in the small black feathery birds.

‘Oh, yes.’ Patrick nodded wisely. ‘And now they’re about ready to turn in for the night.’ He moved towards the feed bin, allocating the children a small container each. With a flick of his hand, he showed them how to scatter the grain.

The bantams gobbled up the food and then one by one, in strict pecking order, began to wander off to their roost.

‘They have such tiny feet,’ Mia said in wonderment. ‘And they go to bed very early.’

Patrick smiled down at the beguiling little girl. ‘They get up very early as well. In the summertime, as early as four o’clock in the morning.’ Still smiling, he ushered the children from the chicken coop and closed the gate.

‘And we’d better get home too.’ Kate walked between the children, her hands resting on their small shoulders. ‘Thanks, Patrick,’ she added softly.

Several minutes later they were back at their front gate, the children each carefully carrying a perfect little brown egg for their tea.

Friday afternoon.

In an end-of-working-day gesture, Kate raised her arms and stretched. It had been a busy week and she was tired, yet at the same time exhilarated. She was holding her own. That thought gave her immense satisfaction.

In weekend mode, she got to her feet, collected her things and made her along the corridor to the doctors’ weekly staff meeting.

She was the last to arrive. Only four chairs had been placed at the table for the meeting. And the only one vacant was next to Aiden. A dozen disturbing thoughts collided in Kate’s head. Oh, for heaven’s sake. He was just a man, wasn’t he? And if there was chemistry, so what? So nothing. She took her place beside Aiden, vividly conscious of his body warmth, the faint drift of apple laundry softener on his shirt.

Aiden turned his head and smiled at her ‘Water?’

‘Sounds good.’ Kate smiled back at him and then wished she hadn’t. There was such an easiness about him, an almost arrogant sexiness that was a threat to her sensibilities.

‘Thanks.’ She took a sip from the glass and then placed it in front of her.

‘Right.’ Angelo settled his glasses more comfortably and looked expectantly around at his colleagues. ‘Who wants to be first cab off the rank? Kate, your patient with meningo? What’s her prognosis?’

‘So far she’s holding her own.’ Kate looked around at the practice team. ‘But it will be a long haul for her. And her family. They’ve only moved here recently to new jobs. Now their whole lives have been thrown into chaos.’

‘On the other hand,’ Angelo came in quietly, ‘they should be very thankful for your swift diagnosis. Community medicine at its best, Kate. Well done.’

‘Hear, hear,’ Brady and Aiden concurred.

‘Thanks.’ Kate felt a lift in her spirits, warmed by her colleagues’ approval. ‘We had an outbreak of meningococcal when I was working in the States,’ she offloaded modestly. ‘The symptoms are something you don’t forget in a hurry.’

‘I don’t know if I’d have jumped on it so quickly,’ Brady admitted candidly. ‘It’s been a long time since I saw a case.’

Aiden leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen end to end on the table. ‘Well, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and give the antibiotics anyway, as Kate did.’

‘I’m sure we’re all agreed on that.’ Angelo shuffled his notes into a neat pile.

The meeting eventually wound to a close.

‘OK, guys, if no one has any further business, that’s it.’ Angelo tucked his pen into his shirt pocket. ‘Kate, your caseload manageable?’

Before Kate could answer, Aiden said, ‘I think we should make sure Kate’s patient list for the afternoon surgery doesn’t run over.’

Kate’s chin came up, disbelief widening her gaze. Dammit. What on earth did O’Connor think he was doing? She didn’t need him advocating for her. She could fight her own corner. ‘That happened only on Monday,’ she pointed out thinly. ‘And the circumstances were extraordinary.’

Aiden blinked. Her angry little thrust as she turned towards him revealed the creamy skin of her throat and upper chest. He felt his body grow hot, imagining the tip of his tongue traversing that same silky skin. He blinked the thought away as if it had the power to rear up and bite him. ‘I just think your special needs should take priority.’

Special needs? Kate pursed her lips disapprovingly. Where did he get off making a loaded comment like that? He’d made her sound like some kind of basket case.

‘I’m sure Kate will speak up if she needs any change in her surgery hours,’ Brady came in smoothly. ‘Right, Kate?’

Kate sent him a grateful nod, temporarily unable to find words.

‘Good, good.’ Always the mediator, Angelo was brisk, gathering up his notes. ‘I’m on call at the after-hours clinic over the weekend. What about the rest of you—Brady, any plans?’

‘Nah.’ Brady leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming a lazy tattoo on the tabletop. ‘Staying close to home.’

Aiden chuckled. ‘Figures.’ He arched back, raising his arms in a long stretch. ‘What about you, Kate? What kind of weekend do you have planned?’

As if he cared. And it was none of his business anyway. Kate felt like poking her tongue at him. But that would have been totally juvenile. She jerked a shoulder in a careless shrug. ‘Cleaning the house and doing the laundry will be high on my agenda.’

‘Riveting stuff, then,’ he said.

She shot him a look, certain she hadn’t imagined the trace of boredom in his tone. Well, nice for some. He didn’t have kids to consider when he made his weekend plans. ‘What about you, then, Dr O’Connor?’ she asked. Not that she cared.

‘I’m going sky-diving. Should be a good day for it.’

Kate’s insides froze. A good day for what—killing himself? She felt sick to the stomach, drowned in a thousand memories. Scooping up her notes, she got to her feet. ‘Um—excuse me. I have to collect my children.’ Suddenly she needed to fill her lungs with good, clean air.

Frowning, Aiden watched her almost run from the room. He gave a short humourless laugh and shot a wordless query at his male colleagues.

‘Kate’s husband was killed in a sky-diving accident,’ Brady supplied gruffly.

‘Oh, God …’ Aiden’s breath of disbelief hitched to a halt. ‘Why did no one tell me?’ He shot a pained look at the two men.

‘Kate and I had a quiet chat after her appointment had been confirmed,’ Angelo looked contrite. ‘She told me then.’

‘And I found out from Jo,’ Brady said. ‘She and Kate have become friends.’ He looked at Aiden and gave an apologetic open-handed shrug. ‘Sorry, mate. I thought you would have known.’

Saturday.

How long was a fair time to grieve? Kate wondered as she placed the last of the breakfast dishes in the drainer. It had been three years and surely now it was time to stop. A stray sunbeam burst through the open window, catching the fine gold of her wedding ring.

Was that a sign? she wondered. Perhaps, to be fully free so she could move forward, the ring had to go.

Her breath almost stilled as she eased the wedding band from her finger. Happy-go-lucky Cory. She’d loved him with all her heart. She couldn’t imagine falling in love again, let alone going to bed with someone other than Cory. She cast the rather desolate thought away. Hadn’t she just convinced herself it was time to move on?

Being outdoors seemed like a plan, she thought, going out onto the deck that overlooked the back garden. The kids were happily engaged. Luke was bouncing his soccer ball off the brick wall that separated the garage from the garden, while Mia had staked out a strip of the concrete path and was playing a game of hopscotch.

Well, she’d take a leaf out of her children’s book, Kate thought. She’d get cracking on the garden. She had some daisies she wanted to thin out and replant and there was bound to be some weeding that needed doing.

Ignoring the thump, thump of Luke’s ball, Kate got to work with her trowel. The smell in the air was simply glorious, she mused as she hacked her way through the clumps of daisies. A sweet pungency drifted up from the earth and while Kate worked, two leaves of gold and brown fluttered down beside her. Finally, she was done, stripping off her gloves and flexing her fingers thankfully.

But there was still one more job she had to do. The lower hinge on the lattice gate of the little fern house was hanging by a thread.

Exhaling a small sigh of resignation, she inspected her meagre supply of tools, finally selecting a screwdriver that might do the job. Squatting beside the gate, she began to work on replacing the screw. ‘Oh, blast!’ she muttered as the recalcitrant bit of metal fell sideways onto the grass.

‘What are you trying to do?’

Kate felt a ripple along her spine, like a bird sensing a predator. She’d have known that voice anywhere. She didn’t look up. ‘What brings you by, Aiden?’

‘Just passing. Thought I’d call in.’

And if she believed that, she’d believe there was a practical use for chocolate teapots.

‘Here give it to me,’ he said, hunkering down beside her and holding out a long-fingered hand.

Kate gritted her teeth, slapping the screwdriver into his palm like a surgical instrument. She jerked upright, her eyes fixed on his broad shoulders under the black T-shirt as they flexed to give his arms more impetus, putting the final twist on the large metal screw.

‘General maintenance should be part of your lease,’ Aiden said, uncoiling upwards beside her. ‘Where’s your landlord?’

Kate huffed a derogatory laugh. ‘Out of the country mostly.’

‘Bummer.’

He chuckled softly and Kate felt as though she’d been dipped in a vat of warm, rich chocolate. Her heart did a few skips and she looked away hastily. ‘I thought you were going sky-diving’.

‘That was at five o’clock this morning,’ he dismissed. ‘I’ve been up for ages.’ A beat of silence. ‘Are you OK?’

She looked at him then, caught by the sincerity of his tone. ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

His blue eyes hazed for a moment. ‘Yesterday … after the meeting. You were upset. My fault, I think. My remarks were thoughtless.’ He gave a self-deprecating half-smile. ‘Anyway … my sincere apologies.’

‘It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. You weren’t to know. Perhaps I overreacted anyway.’ Agitatedly, she lifted a hand and scooped a strand of hair away from her shirt collar.

‘I don’t want things to be awkward between us, Kate.’

‘They won’t be,’ she affirmed quickly.

Aiden felt a weird tightening in his chest. So far, so good but now there seemed nowhere for the conversation to go. That was until the children, curious about their mother’s visitor, nudged in beside her.

Kate gathered them in, her smiling mouth soft and pretty. ‘Aiden, these are my children, Luke and Mia. Kids, this is Dr O’Connor from the surgery.’

‘Luke. Mia.’ O’Connor greeted them almost formally. ‘I’m Aiden.’

‘Can you play soccer?’ Luke asked hopefully.

‘You bet I can. Can you?’

‘A bit. But there’s no room to practise here.’ Luke looked dolefully around the back garden.

‘Ah …’ Aiden rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He turned to Kate. ‘There’s a great park near the showgrounds. Have you not found it yet?’

‘There’s hardly been time. Perhaps we could go across later.’ She tried to placate Luke with the promise.

‘I could take him for a kick-about now,’ Aiden said before he knew he was going to say it.

‘Thanks, but I can’t let you do that,’ Kate protested quietly. She made a small face. Oh, lord, this was awkward.

‘Of course. I understand.’ Aiden spread his hands in mute acceptance. ‘You hardly know me after all.’

It wasn’t just that. Kate battled with conflicting emotions. Was it wise to allow Aiden to become involved in their lives so quickly? Or at all, for that matter? But on the other hand, it would be so good for Luke to have some male company. Her dad did his best but now in his late-sixties, understandably, his energy levels were flagging. And Aiden was young. More like a real dad.

Kate felt discomfort flood her. Too far. Too fast. She dithered a second too long.

‘Can I, Mum?’ Luke piped up, his tone wheedling, his big brown eyes pleading.

‘Why don’t we all go to the park?’ Aiden suggested, forcing himself not to reach out, not to touch Kate. He wanted to reassure her that he, Aiden O’Connor, was trustworthy. He wanted to see her relax, make her laugh.

Stop her acting so uptight around him. He wanted to get to know her a whole lot better. A whole lot. And away from from the constraints of the surgery.

‘All of us?’ Kate said, and frowned a bit.

‘Seems sensible.’

Kate’s heart twitched and kept on twitching while Aiden’s smile warmed, deepened, drawing her in. ‘OK, then.’ She flapped her hands in an airy motion of acceptance. ‘I’ll put together a few snacks and things. We may as well make a morning of it.’

Mia jigged in excitement. ‘Are there any swings?’ she asked Aiden.

‘And monkey bars.’

Kate felt her heart turn over, watching Aiden hunker down beside her daughter, diminishing the impact of his height. ‘And rope ladders,’ he told Mia seriously. ‘Even a flying fox.’

‘She’s too little for that,’ Luke chimed in importantly.

‘Am not.’ Mia’s fierce little look told him what she thought of that.

‘Perhaps if I hold onto Mia, she could manage the flying fox.’ Aiden pursed his lips as if considering the problem. ‘What do you think, Luke?’

‘Yeah, I s’pose.’ Luke gave grudging approval.

Good grief, he was a natural. Kate ran up the steps to the deck. Her heart felt as though it might burst. They looked so right together, Aiden O’Connor and her kids. She shouldn’t think it, but she did.

Kate couldn’t believe how fast the morning had flown. True to his promise, Aiden had put Luke through his paces. He’d been patient, encouraging and Luke had responded, his little face lit with happiness as Aiden showed him how to kick with the side of his boot and not the toe, as Luke had been doing. The results had been spectacular. Well, at least to his mother.

Kate thanked Aiden again as they took a breather. They were sitting on the wooden bench seat, their backs resting against the picnic table while the children played nearby. ‘This has been absolutely wonderful for Luke,’ Kate said. ‘I wouldn’t have had a clue about any of that technique stuff.’

‘Horses for courses, Kate.’ Aiden took a bite from the apple she’d tossed to him. ‘I coach for the local juniors. Would you consider allowing Luke to join one of our teams?’

Kate took her time answering. ‘I guess it would be good for him.’

‘I wouldn’t be coaching his age group,’ Aiden said casually. ‘I coach A level.’

‘Oh.’

‘But all the coaches are accredited. Luke would be in good hands. He’d have fun with his peers. And at his young age, playing sport should be about having fun. Don’t you agree?’

Aiden watched her thoughtful reaction to the concept. She tilted her face towards him, her hair brushing against his shoulder, a mess of wind-blown waves, long, shiny and smelling of citrus. Fabulous. He breathed in deeply to stop himself leaning into her and closing the space between them. Touching his mouth to hers.

But one touch would never be enough.

Kate tilted her chin. Aiden O’Connor had given up a whole morning to spend time with her children and yet he hadn’t seemed bored or indifferent. Well, if he was, he hadn’t let it show. In fact, he’d been unassuming and nice. And now he was smiling at her, his mouth tilting quizzically. He seemed in no hurry to leave, his tanned legs in their cargo shorts stretched out in front of him, his trainer-clad feet crossed at the ankles.

Avoiding his gaze, Kate dipped her head, locking her fingers around the edge of the bench seat. What was the question again? Oh, yes, having fun. There hadn’t been much fun in her own life recently but her kids deserved a truckload. She swallowed hard and then said huskily, ‘Childhood should all be about fun.’

‘I’ll let you know when sign-on day is happening, then, and you can bring Luke along.’ Aiden glanced at his watch. ‘And talking about fun, I should make tracks. Party in Brisbane tonight I can’t possibly miss.’

‘I won’t hold you up, then.’ Kate rocked to her feet. She felt sick with embarrassment. For just a little while she’d allowed herself to relax around Aiden O’Connor, to edge closer to him, mentally as well as physically. But he obviously had personal ties she knew nothing about. And it was none of her business anyway.

Aiden got to his feet slowly. What had he said? She’d already bolted, rounding up Luke and Mia as if she couldn’t wait to be shot of him.

‘Say, thank you to Dr O’Connor, kids.’ Kate tightened all the bits of herself that had seemed to have loosened, almost presenting the children to him for inspection. She felt such a fool. Letting herself be lulled by the sheer sexiness of the man. Letting herself begin to want things …

‘Kate.’ Aiden dismissed the children’s thanks gently. ‘What’s wrong?’

Kate’s heart flipped and her throat went dry. ‘What makes you think something’s wrong?’

‘Your body language for starters.’

A soft breeze had whipped up, almost adding to the tension. Aiden watched as a tendril of hair flickered across Kate’s cheek and hung. On a reflex action he reached out and pleated it back. Her hair was as soft as he’d imagined. Silken. ‘Going to tell me?’

His blue eyes glinted, demanding an answer.

Kate’s heart hammered, her lips parted, her brown eyes burned like simmering coals. She wanted to reach up and place her hand against his. Increase the pressure against her skin. Connect with him. But that was madness. And it was as if a sign came up in front of her saying, No through road. ‘You’re imagining things.’ Her voice was barely there.

‘You know I’m not.’ Aiden pressed his shoes into the ground, anchoring himself. His throat convulsed in a dry deep swallow. ‘Kate …’

‘Just leave it, Aiden.’ She ducked away out of reach and shepherded the children towards the car.

Frowning, Aiden picked up the picnic basket and followed.

Luke and Mia had already scrambled into the rear seat and buckled their seat belts. Kate held the boot open, waiting for him. ‘Thanks,’ she said gruffly, almost slamming the lid on his fingers. ‘See you at work on Monday.’

She fled before he could answer, throwing herself into the driver’s seat, and was away within seconds, while his thought processes drew to a screaming halt. His mouth twisted into a grim line. What was with her?

Oh, hell. Shaking his head at the complexities of it all, he wandered across to his off-road vehicle. Would he ever get it right around Kate Preston?

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