One Night with Her Italian Doc

by Karin Baine

‘Hold on.’ Unable to hear anything now bar the rush of water, she had to lip-read his muffled words, but he’d hooked her under the arms and she grabbed his thick forearm like a lifeline. Together they fought against the current until they managed to get her back on her feet.

  Luciano manoeuvred her around until she was able to cling to the rail as he shielded her with his body.

  Sirens began to blare around the ship to let them know too late that they were in danger, along with an announcement for all passengers to return immediately to their cabins and remain there until further notification.

  ‘Wh-what’s g-going on?’ Her teeth were chattering as she coughed and spluttered, trying to catch her breath again.

  ‘I think we’ve been hit by a rogue wave. Hopefully that’s the worst of it over.’

  The violent movement was subsiding and the water level, though sloshing around her middle, wasn’t rising any faster.

  ‘Where did that come from?’ Still winded, she was draped over the handrail like a soggy ragdoll.

  ‘That’s why they call it a rogue wave. Sometimes they happen out of the blue when rough seas are nowhere to be seen. They can be anything up to a hundred feet high. I haven’t seen one before but I’ve heard about them.’

  ‘I thought I was a goner.’ Her life had actually flashed before her eyes when she’d thought she was about to be whisked off into the dark depths of the ocean or drowned on the lower decks—not in a montage of cinema-slick highlights, rather those past few wasted years and all the things she should have done.

  What if she had died? There was so much she hadn’t lived or experienced. Regardless of how minor this event might turn out to be, it had only fuelled her desire to grab onto life with both hands the way she’d done to Luciano’s arm.

  ‘You’re here. You’re here.’ Luciano rubbed her back with the same solid reassurance she had come to expect from him. He’d be there whenever she needed him. She’d have done the same for him if circumstances had dictated or if she’d been strong enough to hold him up against the current. She’d have done anything to keep him alive, even if it had meant risking herself.

  ‘I’m wet.’ Despite everything, she managed a laugh. Luciano was right. Thanks to him there was no real harm done. She’d hug him if she weren’t soaked through.

  ‘Let’s get you back to your cabin. You need to get warmed up and change your clothes.’ He prised her fingers from around the cold steel bar and curled his hand around hers.

  ‘You need to go and tend to your real patients. Although it might be an idea for you to get changed too. We don’t want any old ladies fainting at the sight of your entry into the wet T-shirt competition.’ His entire outfit was leaving little to the imagination.

  It wasn’t her intention to make him feel self-conscious but accepting all his attention seemed selfish. Besides, he was only making her want him more when he was being so protective towards her.

  ‘Will it be safe? We don’t know what’s happened down there.’ She couldn’t be sure the clothes in her cabin were any drier than the ones she was wearing. For all she knew, they might be safer up here.

  ‘Look at your feet. The water is only ankle-deep now. It was one wave.’

  ‘Rogue.’

  A single goodness-knew-how-high wave that had swamped the ship. She’d simply been standing in the wrong place at the wrong time, had got caught in it. They’d hit a pocket of turbulence at sea, which they’d hopefully now passed through. If there were no further incoming swells, they’d only have to mop up the mess this one had left behind.

  ‘A bit like you,’ he said with a grin. ‘It struck out of nowhere and caused chaos in the brief time it was on board.’

  ‘Charming.’ She wasn’t sure the comparison was complimentary but she was intrigued by the thought that he found her troubling. Perhaps his feelings about her weren’t entirely dealt with just yet.

  ‘One of nature’s fun surprises.’ Luciano charmed her back onside with a wink. ‘Now, let me escort you back to your cabin.’

  He took her arm and helped her wobbly legs make it down the puddled steps.

  ‘I’m sure I wasn’t the only one hurt. There was a lot of smashing and crashing going on there.’

  ‘Are you hurt? I could carry you back to your cabin.’

  ‘No! Only my pride was wounded. I can walk on my own, thank you.’ Being swept up in his arms as he carried her back to her suite wasn’t going to help put an end to her fantasies about him. Especially when she was jealous of the way his wet uniform was clinging to his body.

  ‘If you’re sure. I want to be certain you’re safe.’ He was entirely too chivalrous for his own good.

  The ship was no longer lurching and now that the danger seemed to have passed the whole place sparked back to life. The sudden sights and loud sounds were overwhelming as she was trying to get to grips with her own trauma. Horns were blaring, followed by further announcements for passengers to return to their cabins and a call for the crew to muster echoed around the hull.

  ‘At least we don’t have to go port side with our life jackets on.’ If she took Luciano’s word for it, the ship wasn’t going to sink to the bottom of the ocean regardless of how it sounded.

  ‘Trust me, if that was the case I’d have you deposited in the first available lifeboat by now,’ he muttered.

  ‘Doctor, I think you’re needed over here.’ A blur of uniform paused long enough to inform Luciano before hurtling away again.

  ‘If you’re sure you’re okay, I’m going to have to go.’ He dropped a light kiss on Sophie’s cheek and hurried off to don his Super Doc cape for whoever needed him next, leaving her daydreaming about turning her head to meet his lips for another bone-melting kiss.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE CREW WERE running around, splashing across the decks with buckets and mops on what seemed like an impossible clean-up operation.

  He knew there was another doctor on duty today along with the nurses who could take care of any incoming casualties to the clinic. It was those who couldn’t make it there on their own he was concerned about. Both he and Sophie had been lucky to avoid serious injury but not everyone had necessarily been as fortunate.

  His skin was clammy and not merely because of the soaking he’d endured but at Sophie’s near-miss as she’d almost been carried away by the wave right in front of his eyes. His only thought had been to save her. He hadn’t cared if he put himself in jeopardy, and he knew that if she’d gone overboard rather than down the stairwell, he’d have gone after her. Putting his own life on the line wasn’t something he’d do for just anyone. If he could have sacrificed himself to save Renata he would have, and the same was true for Sophie. Someone he’d only recently met.

  Driven by a need to remind himself that she’d survived intact, he’d kissed her again—only a peck on the cheek but he’d needed that physical contact, no matter how brief. He didn’t know if any of what had happened would change things between them. She was still going back to England in a matter of days. It already felt like a bereavement of sorts, knowing he might not see her ever again.

  Whatever lies his conscience had been telling him that putting her in touch with Edith would somehow remove him from the equation, the opposite was true. He’d known deep down that Sophie would seek him out to thank him, absolving him of the responsibility of seeking her out first.

  It was selfish, and he was hurting them both by continuing to deny his feelings towards her. Sophie was the one being honest. They both knew what this was between them and he couldn’t run away from it for ever. Probably not even for the few days left of her trip. Every moment he spent in her company brought them closer and closer to temptation.

  Luciano was beginning to find life on board stifling. He wasn’t any more in control of his life here than he had been back on dry land. The only place he felt confident was at work.

  ‘We
need some help over here, Doctor.’ He was beckoned over to the restaurant, Sophie following close behind, ignoring his instructions to go back to her cabin, ignoring her own bad experience and current discomfort.

  ‘Where do you think you’re going?’

  ‘You need all hands on deck. Pardon the pun.’ She gave an apologetic shrug for the ill-timed joke but he couldn’t deny any help would be gratefully received in the circumstances.

  He frowned, unwilling to put upon her but ultimately aware he had to for the good of any injured people.

  ‘I know you’re not going to take no for an answer.’ Even if he did reject her offer, he knew he’d be wasting his time.

  ‘Correct.’ Any potential argument was over before it began.

  * * *

  As they walked back up across the deck, he couldn’t help but be aware of the utter devastation caused during that short demonstration of Mother Nature’s power. The crew were doing their best to sweep up broken glass, which was ebbing and flowing at the will of the remaining water. The smell of alcohol around the outdoor bar was strong. The bottles had been whipped from the shelves and dashed to the deck in the melee. Sun loungers were strewn around, some broken and some floating in the overflowing pool.

  At least there didn’t appear to have been anyone swimming at the time of impact, given the lack of abandoned towels around the area. A squad of crew were like worker bees, stacking up damaged furniture at the side like a soggy bonfire. When they walked into the restaurant, he could see areas of the ceiling tiles had been broken or shifted out of place. It was going to take a great deal of work to get the ship back the way it had been but it could have been so much worse.

  ‘I need you and whoever else you can get to help. Go down to the medical bay and get wheelchairs for us to transport anyone seriously injured.’ He sequestered the assistance of a porter he recognised and issued his orders, remembering at the last second to add, ‘Please. I’ll need whatever medical supplies you have available.’ One of the chefs who appeared through the galley double doors was promptly despatched back inside by Luciano. It was the area most likely to have a first-aid kit for emergencies. Kitchens were notorious places for all manner of accidents and injury.

  Officially, he wasn’t the man in charge. That was the captain. But in this instance he felt equally responsible for the souls on board and therefore justified in organising help for the casualties. After all, the captain would be onto him if he thought he wasn’t doing his job well enough by putting passengers’ safety first.

  Whilst he’d been issuing orders, Sophie had set up a triage system using the tables and chairs usually occupied by hungry diners. Those who’d been caught up in the carnage or been hit by falling debris were marked by scarlet stains on their usually pristine uniforms.

  ‘What’s the initial impression of casualties?’

  ‘Mostly abrasions and lacerations. A few possible broken limbs in those knocked off their feet or slammed against the wall with the force but we’ll need X-rays to confirm.’

  Again, Luciano was reminded how fortunate he and Sophie had been not to have suffered more than a few knocks.

  The chef returned with the medical supplies that would be needed to patch up the walking wounded. Sophie flipped open the first-aid kit and set to work cleaning and dressing the most serious injuries.

  ‘If you could point out the possible fractures, I’ll have them transported down to the clinic for further assessment.’

  She separated the casualties into priority groups so Luciano attended those who were most critically injured.

  He assessed the injuries himself, coming to the same conclusions as his colleague. Once the wheelchairs arrived, he delegated transportation to the clinic by the more able-bodied among them.

  ‘Careful not to jolt that leg,’ he said, helping a porter to lift a young female attendant into a wheelchair, kicking out the stand so she could keep the limb straight. ‘Tell them to X-ray that and I’ll be down as soon as I can.’

  ‘What do need me to do?’

  ‘You’re supposed to be resting.’ Her hair still hung damply around her shoulders. He could tell she was one of those selfless people who never thought of themselves. It didn’t matter what adventure she craved, she deserved to have someone to look after her too. She didn’t seem to have that loving support from family that he’d found overwhelming but was now beginning to appreciate. If he didn’t have a clinic full of patients to treat, he’d be tempted to do it himself.

  For a start, he’d dry her hair for her. It would be uncomfortable soaking into her supposedly dry clothes. He’d make sure she was tucked up in bed for some much-needed rest after her ordeal and he’d stay to keep an eye on her.

  However, any pampering would have to wait until they’d finished with the emergency cases. That had to take priority over his concern for Sophie.

  ‘What I would like to do is take a further look below decks to see if there’s anyone else in need of assistance.’

  ‘Lead the way.’ Sophie stood aside to let him pass just as the captain made his presence known. Immediately the rest of the crew stood to attention, ready to receive any further orders.

  ‘Doctor, I’d like a full report on casualties, please.’ Usually an affable presence on board, the captain’s face was stony, no doubt anticipating the bad news he would have to report back to the company and the coastguard regarding the incident. It was the sort of freak event that, although no one’s fault, would bring negative publicity and a stack of paperwork. If that was the extent of their worries, Luciano would be grateful.

  Luciano gave him a briefing of what he’d seen so far. ‘I’ll know more once I get down to the medical centre.’

  ‘I’m going down there now myself if you have everything in hand here.’ The captain was going to have his work cut out for him on all levels and Luciano didn’t want to hold him back.

  ‘We have. Sophie, one of our passengers and a qualified nurse, has already triaged casualties here.’

  It wasn’t a favourable look the captain shot at Sophie. More as though she was an added complication he could do without, but he couldn’t deny that they needed her.

  He took Luciano aside where Sophie couldn’t hear. ‘Can we get a temporary work contract sorted out? I don’t want us getting sued for medical negligence on top of everything else.’

  ‘Of course. I’ll get it sorted with head office as soon as I have some free time.’ He was keeping his tone courteous, professional. All the while Luciano’s jaw was like a steel trap, ready to snap. They were lucky to have Sophie here in a professional capacity. Not everyone would be stepping up like this during their holiday. Sadly, there weren’t enough Sophies in the world. Even if she hadn’t been medically qualified, he could see she was the sort of person to volunteer her help in a crisis. Captain Superior wouldn’t be reluctant to let her get her hands dirty if she’d grabbed a mop to assist with the general clean-up.

  There was an abrupt nod before the captain took his leave, apparently not entirely satisfied by what he’d found.

  ‘What was all that about?’ Sophie waited until he strode off before enquiring.

  ‘The neurosis of a man who knows he has serious paperwork to fill out. Speaking of which, he wants you to sign something official if you’re going to be working in a professional capacity with us for a while. Everyone needs to cover their backs in the world of liability claims.’

  ‘Understandable. I’ll provide references and copies of my qualifications too if you need to check them out. You shouldn’t just take my word for it that I’m a nurse.’

  ‘Yet I do.’ Although, it was more than that. He’d seen that caring nature of hers enough to know the empathy and kindness that was clearly in the marrow of her bones. What she was capable of could never be adequately expressed on a mere slip of paper.

  ‘Doc, I don’t feel so good.’ Pavel, the chef
who’d supplied the first-aid kit, was leaning heavily on Luciano’s shoulder and clutching his side.

  ‘Here, sit down.’ Sophie was on the other side of the hefty cook, escorting him towards a seat before his full weight crushed Luciano.

  Once Pavel was seated, Luciano knelt beside him on the wet carpet, checking his pulse, whilst Sophie opened the top button on his chef’s whites. His pulse was rapid and Luciano could see sweat forming on the man’s skin. Luciano held his hand to his forehead and could feel fever burning through his body.

  ‘I need you to tell me exactly where it hurts.’

  ‘Here,’ he gasped, and pointed to his lower right-hand side.

  Sophie unbuttoned the rest of his shirt to uncover his torso, letting Luciano get a clearer look at his abdomen.

  ‘Did you fall or get hit by anything during the storm?’ Luciano pictured solid steel industrial appliances in the kitchen and the force with which Pavel could have been flung against any of it.

  ‘I was ill before the wave hit. I thought perhaps it was too much drink.’ He gave Luciano a sheepish look as though he didn’t know the crew sometimes partied too much below decks after hours.

  It was unsurprising that they let their hair down when they worked so hard with scant free time. Luciano was the exception to the rule.

  ‘When did the pain start?’ Luciano applied pressure to the area Pavel had pointed out, causing him to draw a sharp intake of breath.

  ‘Couple of days ago.’

  ‘Do you have any other pre-existing medical conditions I should know about?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Why on earth didn’t you visit the medical centre?’ They were there to treat the crew as well as the passengers. Any sign of illness was important to address, especially in someone who worked in the kitchens. He would’ve been treated straightaway. With so many people in an enclosed space, good hygiene was the only way to prevent illness spreading throughout the ship. Pavel really should’ve known better than to leave his health to chance.