Rescued by the Single Dad

by Emily Forbes

  Falling in love...

  With her rescuer!

  When paramedic Patrick Reeves discovers Dr. Charli Lawson trapped after a landslide, he holds her hand until she’s freed. They will never forget the connection of that night, but Patrick is a single dad with a broken heart, and Charli has already lost everything! She tries to stay away but he slips past her defenses. Could her courageous but scarred rescuer—and his adorable three-year-old—help heal Charli’s lonely heart?

  “Hey, it’s all right. You’re okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  Patrick was beside her now, his voice confident and reassuring as he leaned over her and gathered her into his arms. Charli didn’t think she’d ever felt anything as wonderful as his embrace. After more than forty hours trapped and alone, to have someone close enough to touch, close enough to feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek, was overwhelming. “We’ll do this together, okay?”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  “We’re going to take it slow.”

  “I just want to get out of here.”

  “I know you do, and don’t worry, that’s the next thing on my list, but we don’t want to move you too quickly. Trust me.”

  He was still holding her hand, and his dark green eyes didn’t leave her face as he waited for her to agree.

  She nodded.

  Dear Reader,

  I can’t believe this is my thirtieth medical romance! I love the fact that my dreams and daydreams are still being published, and I thank you so much for choosing to read my books.

  This is a story that has been in my head for a while now and it’s a bit of a departure from the usual category romances, but I thought, after so many stories, maybe it was the right time to write this one.

  Like so many of my books, the inspiration for my characters came from a real-life story that became a “what if this happened next” idea in my head.

  If you remember the 1997 Thredbo landslide disaster in New South Wales, Australia, my hero and heroine have grown from the stories of the many people involved in the rescue efforts. Special ops paramedic Patrick Reeves is the perfect hero: tall, dark and handsome, he rescues people for a living, but it hasn’t stopped him from being touched by tragedy.

  I needed to find him a heroine, but he ended up finding her himself.

  Thanks to my editors, who let me take this one a little left of center!

  If you enjoy this story or have enjoyed any of my others, I’d love to hear from you. You can visit my website, emily-forbesauthor.com, or drop me a line at emilyforbes@internode.on.net.

  Emily

  Rescued by the Single Dad

  Emily Forbes

  Books by Emily Forbes

  Harlequin Medical Romance

  The Christmas Swap

  Waking Up to Dr. Gorgeous

  The Hollywood Hills Clinic

  Falling for the Single Dad

  Tempted & Tamed

  A Doctor by Day...

  Tamed by the Renegade

  A Mother to Make a Family

  A Kiss to Melt Her Heart

  His Little Christmas Miracle

  A Love Against All Odds

  One Night That Changed Her Life

  Falling for His Best Friend

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

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  For Beck

  Thank you for many years of fun, laughter and fabulous friendship. Wishing you a very happy and very big birthday! I look forward to celebrating this one and many others with you.

  Love,

  Emily

  10 March 2019

  Praise for Emily Forbes

  “A Mother to Make a Family is a lovely story about second chances with life and love.... A well written, solid tale of sweet love and charming family.”

  —Goodreads

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  EPILOGUE

  EXCERPT FROM THE DOCTOR'S MARRIAGE FOR A MONTH BY ANNIE O'NEIL

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHARLI SLID OUT from the booth as a waitress delivered pizzas to the table. She had only been in Australia for two days and was still suffering the effects of jet-lag after the long flight east. Her body clock was telling her she’d been up all night and her stomach heaved at the thought of pizza for breakfast, even though it was just a little after ten p.m.

  Her sister and her friends looked as though they were preparing to kick on and Charli needed something soft to drink if she was going to last any longer. Amy and her fellow ski instructors seemed to be able to hold their drinks far better than Charli ever could. She’d heard the Australians partied hard and she doubted she’d keep up even if she wasn’t exhausted.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a decent night’s sleep. It felt like years ago. She’d spent the past seven years studying hard and working part time in her hours off. While she’d had plenty of late nights, very few had been because she’d been out having fun. Medical school had been hugely demanding of both her time and effort, and her two years of Foundation Training had been even more exhausting. Sleep had been hard to come by for many years and, most recently, it had been thanks to her lousy ex, but she’d come to Australia to forget about him and she refused to waste any more time thinking about past mistakes. She’d make a trip to the bar and order a round of drinks and then maybe no one would notice if she sneaked away early.

  The bar was crowded, the crush of the après-ski crowd several people deep, and Charli could feel herself swaying on her feet as she waited to be served. Her eyes drifted closed, just briefly, but it was long enough to cause her to lose her balance and stumble. She staggered backwards, bumping into the person behind her. Large hands grabbed at her elbows, steadying her.

  ‘Whoa, are you okay?’

  She heard a deep voice in her ear. She turned around and looked up into a pair of very dark eyes.

  She blinked as she tried to clear her head. She felt foggy, disoriented and she focussed hard. Her first thought was that this man who had her by the elbows was cute. About her age, several inches taller than her, maybe a smidge over six feet, with messy dark hair to go with his dark eyes.

  ‘Are you okay?’

  She could see his lips moving, she could see his teeth, which were even and white in contrast to the shadow of a beard on his jaw. She heard him speak but the combination of jet-lag and his broad Australian accent meant it took her a few moments to translate his words into something she could make sense of. She nodded. ‘Yes, sorry about that.’

  ‘Are you sure you should be ordering more drinks?’

  ‘They’re for my friends.’

  He raised one dark eyebrow and she noticed he had a small scar just under his left eye. She must be standing way too close if she could notice that but the crowd around her, coupled with the fact that he was still holding onto her, meant she couldn’t move away. His hands were warm and gentle and she found she didn’t actually want to step away.

  ‘I promise,’ she said. ‘I’m having a lemonade. I’m just jet-lagged.’

 
‘In that case, let me order for you. What else can I get you?’

  ‘A jug of beer—’

  ‘And a lemonade,’ he added as he dropped his hands and turned towards the bar.

  Charli nodded as she pulled her purse from her handbag, wishing he hadn’t let go of her. She still felt a little unsteady but this time she didn’t think it was solely because of the jet-lag. She studied his back as he placed the order. Her eyes took in the breadth of his shoulders and the way his hair curled over the collar of his T-shirt. His shirt fit him snugly, showing off his muscular physique. She lifted her eyes up to his as he turned back from the bar. ‘How much will it be?’ she asked.

  ‘Twenty bucks should cover it.’

  ‘Twenty? What colour is that again?’

  ‘Orange.’

  ‘I’m still getting used to your money,’ she said as she fished in her purse for the colourful note. ‘It’s pretty.’

  ‘You’re English?’

  She nodded. ‘Just arrived. Hence the jet-lag,’ she said, holding out the note. He reached for the money with his left hand and her fingers tingled as she placed the note in his hand. She noticed he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Maybe her jet-lag wasn’t as bad as she’d thought.

  ‘Whereabouts are you from?’ he asked her.

  ‘London. Have you been there?’

  ‘I have.’

  ‘Did you like it?’

  ‘To be completely honest, I prefer it here. Fewer people, better weather.’ He smiled at her, softening his words, but she wasn’t offended. He’d probably be able to say anything that he liked without upsetting people as long as he said it with a smile. His smile was wide, making his eyes crinkle at the corners and his mouth turn up at the edges. It suited him.

  ‘In case you haven’t noticed,’ she said, ‘you’re in the snow. Snow is snow all around the world.’ Somehow, she managed to continue the conversation even though she was distracted.

  ‘Yes, but in Australia we choose to go to the snow, we don’t have to put up with it unless we want to, and even in the snow we get our fair share of sunny days. There’s nothing better than wearing a T-shirt and getting a sun tan while you ski.’

  ‘You ski in a T-shirt?’

  Her eyes roamed over him again, taking in the view from the front this time. It was even better than the back. His chest was broad, his stomach flat, his arms were tanned and muscular, lightly covered with dark hair—enough to be masculine, not enough to be off-putting—and his skin was olive. His T-shirt hugged his chest and abdominals and was tucked into a pair of red ski pants that had some official-looking emblem on them, but she couldn’t make out what it said in the dim lighting of the bar.

  ‘You bet.’ He spoke in the same laid-back, friendly manner that Amy’s friends used. Unhurried, relaxed. She’d have to get used to the Aussie way of speaking.

  He paid for their order but made no move to pick up his drinks and leave the bar.

  ‘Hey, Reeves, a man is not a camel!’

  Charli saw him turn his head at the comment. She followed the direction of his gaze and saw a group of men, all wearing the same navy and red uniform, standing around a tall round table. ‘Are they talking to you?’ she asked.

  ‘Afraid so.’

  ‘I’d better let you go,’ she said, hoping he’d say he’d stay. ‘Thank you for your help.’

  ‘It was my pleasure...’ He paused and she knew he was waiting for her name.

  ‘Charli.’

  ‘Charli,’ he repeated. She liked the way it sounded when he said it. ‘Maybe I’ll see you around.’

  She hoped so, she thought as she took the jug of beer and her lemonade back to the booth, sliding in next to her sister.

  ‘Who was that?’ Amy asked.

  ‘I don’t know,’ she said, realising belatedly that she had no idea. She had a name but no idea if it was his first or last.

  ‘I bet he could take your mind off your troubles for the next few days,’ her sister added.

  Charli smiled but shook her head. She’d decided she was a terrible judge of character but even she could tell he had trouble written all over him. He was cute and confident and his smile had made her knees wobble, but she suspected he had that effect on a lot of women and she wasn’t about to let him add her to his list. ‘I’m not looking for someone from ski patrol to take my mind off things.’

  ‘You should be, he was hot. But he’s not ski patrol, their uniform is red and white, not red and navy.’

  ‘Do you know what he does?’ She should have got more information, she thought, even as she tried to tell herself she wasn’t interested. The last thing she needed was a rebound fling with a hot stranger. But she couldn’t deny he’d caught her attention.

  Amy shook her head before she was dragged back into conversation with one of the other ski instructors, a handsome, blond Canadian. It looked as though Amy might get her own distraction tonight.

  Charli scanned the room but she couldn’t see the cute guy or his friends from where she sat, and she wasn’t about to go looking for him. She needed to clear her head, not complicate it, but if she had been looking she suspected he was just the type she would have fallen for. It would be safer if she just took herself back to Amy’s apartment and got a decent night’s sleep. Tomorrow was another day.

  She leant over to Amy. ‘I think I might call it a night,’ she said as she picked up her jacket.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘I’m tired.’

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ Amy said as she started to stand.

  ‘No, no, don’t leave on my account.’

  But Amy was already up and had tucked her arm through Charli’s elbow. ‘You’ve come all this way to see me, Canadian Dan will understand.’ She smiled and raised an eyebrow. ‘Unless you’re going to find that hot guy and don’t want me cramping your style?’

  Charli shook her head. ‘No, I’m going home to bed, alone. I’m tired of being disappointed by men, I’d rather just go to bed with my fantasies than find out that the reality isn’t what I hoped for.’

  ‘Oh, Charli.’ Amy sighed as she hugged her younger sister close. ‘I know Hugo hurt you but not all men are bastards.’

  ‘Maybe not, but I’m not game to find out tonight.’

  ‘Well, let me know if you change your mind. There are plenty of cute guys here who will happily let you try out your fantasies on them.’

  Charli laughed. ‘Seriously, I’m fine. I’ll go and tuck myself into bed and I’ll see you in the morning.’ She kissed her sister’s cheek and gently pushed her back into her seat. ‘There’s no need for both of us to have an early night. Stay, have fun.’

  She’d meant it when she’d said she wasn’t looking for a man to take her mind off things but, even so, she couldn’t resist one last glance around the bar on her way out.

  He was still there.

  He was leaning against the wall, surrounded by his mates, but he was watching her. Her heart skittered as his eyes locked onto hers. He straightened up and her step faltered as he put his glass on the table and moved towards her. Somehow she managed to keep walking but her eyes didn’t leave his. He weaved through the crowd, his path at an angle to hers, and she knew he would reach her before she got to the door.

  He waited for her and she stopped beside him, her feet deciding her course of action for her.

  ‘Are you leaving?’ His voice was calm and his dark eyes held her gaze, making her feel as though he could see into the depths of her soul.

  She nodded.

  ‘Will you stay and have a drink with me?’

  Should she? She wanted to but she really didn’t trust herself to make good decisions. Even when she wasn’t jet-lagged, she made terrible ones. ‘I don’t even know your name.’ She stalled for time.

  ‘It’s Patrick. Patrick Reeves.’

  He c
ontinued to watch her closely and the rest of the crowd faded into insignificance as she hugged the sound of his name to herself. It was a nice name and he had an even nicer face and a fabulous smile. She was tempted, very tempted, but she was also exhausted. ‘I don’t think I’ll be very good company,’ she said, barely able to string two words together, although whether that was the effect of jet-lag or Patrick’s intense gaze she wasn’t sure.

  ‘May I walk you home, then?’

  She hesitated, but only briefly. She knew she’d regret it if she walked out alone. She nodded. Decision made. ‘I’d like that.’

  He held her jacket for her, helping her into it. ‘Where are you staying?’ he asked as they left the bar and he shrugged into his insulated jacket.

  ‘At Snowgum Chalet, with my sister.’ Her boots slipped on the icy path and Patrick reached out to steady her, wrapping an arm around her waist, catching her before she could fall. He lifted her slightly, settling her back on her feet.

  ‘Thank you.’ He still had his arm around her and her tongue felt too big in her mouth, making her stumble over the words. ‘I seem to have trouble keeping my feet around you.’

  * * *

  He knew the feeling. She was looking up at him with big blue eyes. His heart missed a beat and he felt like he was falling too. ‘I’ll have to remember to watch out for you on the slopes,’ he said as he took her hand. It was small but fitted perfectly into his grip and he tucked it into his elbow. ‘I have a feeling you could be dangerous.’

  ‘I’m usually okay on skis,’ she replied, completely missing his meaning, ‘but I am very wobbly today. I’m sure I’ll be all right after a decent sleep. Are you skiing tomorrow?’

  He shook his head. ‘Unfortunately not.’

  ‘Do you work here? I saw your friends were all wearing the same uniform.’

  ‘Not exactly,’ he said as he changed direction, taking a path to the right that turned past Ironbark Lodge and headed down the hill to Snowgum Chalet. ‘We’re all paramedics, we’ve been doing alpine training exercises here. We’re part of the High Country Special Operations arm.’