by Leah Martyn
‘Of course.’ Eventually. ‘Jack has far more experience than I do,’ Darcie said carefully.
Nodding almost absently, Louise glanced at her watch.
‘It’ll be a while yet, Lou,’ Darcie said gently. ‘Would you feel more comfortable over at the residence? I’d come and get you when Max is back from Theatre.’
‘No, I’m fine here. But thanks.’ Louise managed a small smile, looking around her at the array of up-to-date magazines, the colourful mugs and facilities for making a hot drink. She flicked hand. ‘Your little touches, I’d guess. Am I right?’
‘Nothing worse than sitting in a dreary hospital lounge, waiting for news of a loved one.’ Darcie offloaded the praise with a shrug.
‘You feel in tune here in Sunday Creek, don’t you.’
It was more a statement than a question. Darcie took a moment to answer. ‘Yes, I do,’ she said simply. And safer than she’d felt in her whole life. ‘The outback has touched something deep down inside me.’ Her downcast lashes fanned darkly across her cheekbones. ‘That must sound a bit...odd.’
‘Not odd at all.’ Louise’s green eyes grew soft. ‘It’s why most of us continue to live out here, through good times and bad. But don’t let me keep you, Darcie.’ Louise picked up one of the glossy magazines. ‘I’ll be fine. And you must have a hundred things to do.’
* * *
It was late afternoon. At the nurses’ station Darcie began writing up her notes on Emma Tynan. The thirteen-year-old had been admitted the previous night with an asthma attack. Thank heaven she was stabilising, Darcie noted, but not as quickly as she would have hoped. ‘You know, Nat,’ she said thoughtfully, ‘I have a feeling Kristy Tynan is still smoking around her daughter. But as usual Emma is totally loyal and noncommittal.’
Natalie shook her head. ‘I sometimes wonder who exactly is the mother in that family.’
‘Kristy works those awful shifts in the truckers’ café,’ Darcie said. ‘It can’t be easy for either of them. Do you know if there’s a dad anywhere about?’
‘Sorry, can’t help you there. Kristy and her daughter landed here a couple of years ago. They live in that block of flats near the bowls club.’
Darcie replaced the file. ‘Do you think Emma has to fend for herself, then?’
‘Well, she’d certainly be on her own a bit with her mother’s shiftwork.’
‘Poor little thing.’
Natalie gave a frustrated click. ‘I can’t understand why Kristy can’t just ditch the smokes and be done with them.’
‘Some folk find it very difficult,’ Darcie came in diplomatically. ‘It’s simply the drug they cling to when they’re constantly under stress.’
‘I guess so.’ Natalie’s sympathy showed. ‘I could up the percussion on Emma’s back if you think it would help. Just to keep an eye on how she’s recovering.’
‘Yes, it would, thanks, Nat.’
‘Oh, look...thank goodness...’ The nurse exhaled a relieved breath. ‘Here come the guys at last.’
Darcie swung round. Although neither she nor Natalie had voiced their thoughts, she knew they’d been waiting for news of Max’s surgery for the past hour. ‘Oh, Brad’s here!’ Darcie was smiling.
‘I thought you knew.’
Darcie shook her head. ‘Jack just said one of the flying doctors was going to gas for him.’
Natalie leaned forward confidentially. ‘Brad fancies you.’
‘Brad’s in love with life,’ Darcie dismissed, feeling her nerves tense slightly, her cheeks grow warm, as the doctors crossed to the station.
‘Hey, Dee-Dee!’ Brad almost quickstepped to Darcie’s side, flinging his arms around her in a bear hug. ‘Good to see you, babe.’
Dee-Dee? Arms folded, Jack’s gaze narrowed in speculation. What the hell was that about?
Feeling pink and flustered, Darcie disengaged herself from Brad’s arms. ‘I didn’t realise you were the escort bringing Heather back to us.’
‘You bet. I had to bribe someone to get the gig.’ Brad’s white smile flashed briefly. ‘Couldn’t miss the chance of seeing you. Harry’s here too.’
Darcie nodded. ‘I saw Harry earlier.’ Harry Liston was one of the regular pilots for the flying doctors. ‘Are you on turn-around or can you stay with us tonight?’
‘Counting on it.’ Brad did an impressive little drumroll with his fingers on the countertop. ‘Let’s have a party, huh? We’ve brought seafood. Maybe we could gas up the barbecue?’
‘Maybe...’ Darcie gave a breathless little laugh.
‘Natalie, you in?’ Brad turned teasing blue eyes on the RN.
‘Sorry, I’ll have to pass.’ Natalie propped her chin on her upturned hand and looked on amusedly. ‘I’ll be sharing dinner with my two-year-old.’
‘That’s too bad—’
‘Where’s Louise?’ Jack cut in, his voice tripwire-tight.
Darcie blinked uncertainly. ‘She’s here, in the lounge.’
‘Wouldn’t she have been more comfortable over at the residence?’
Darcie’s chin came up. He’d said it brusquely enough to sound like a reprimand. ‘I offered,’ she replied coolly. ‘Louise preferred to wait here. I gather Max’s surgery went well?’
‘Brad will fill you in. I need to speak with Louise,’ he muttered, before striding off.
Watching his retreating back, Darcie fancied she was dodging the invisible bullets he’d fired. But dropping innuendos was not Jack’s style. If he had an issue with anyone or anything, he was upfront about it. So what was suddenly bugging him? She turned to Brad for enlightenment. ‘There wasn’t a problem in surgery, was there?’
Brad pursed his lips as if reluctant to get into it. ‘Bit of a glitch when we were halfway through. But we were on it. Max will be just fine,’ he confirmed.
Darcie couldn’t help the relief she felt, both for Max and Louise but for Jack as well.
A beat of silence, until Brad continued quietly, ‘It seems today’s surgery was something of a litmus test for the viability of the OR.’ He saw her tight little nod and added, ‘Jack knows what he’s doing, Dee. Trust me. I know a good surgeon when I see one.’
* * *
Jack swore silently and darkly as he headed towards the hospital lounge. Did Darcie have something going with Kitto?
Was she sleeping with him?’
He tried the shattering thought on for size. Did it fit?
He hissed a rebuttal through tight lips. That seemed inconceivable. Only a few hours ago they’d been as close as any two people could be without actually making love.
Something in Jack’s heart scrunched tight.
Surely she wasn’t playing him...
Pausing outside the door of the lounge, he took a deep breath, knocked and went in. It took a herculean effort to force his lips into a smile. But his eyes were unable to hide the mixed emotions that stalked him.
* * *
Deep in thought, Jack almost collided with Darcie as they made their way from opposite ends of the corridor some time later. He pulled up short. ‘What are you still doing here?’
Darcie all but rolled her eyes. What did he think she was doing there? ‘Maggie has to get off. We were just ensuring cover is in place for the night shift.’
‘Shouldn’t you be over at the residence, looking after our visitors?’
Darcie took a calming breath. There was that innuendo again. She had to be professional here. It was obvious he wasn’t capable of it. ‘They’re well able to look after themselves. Lauren’s there anyway and I imagine a few more folk will turn up if a party’s in the offing. You look like you could do with an evening off yourself.’
Two frown lines jumped into sharp relief between his eyes. ‘I need to be here to keep an eye on Max post-op.’
&
nbsp; ‘If you’re needed, you’re two minutes away at the house.’
‘It’s fine.’ His mouth drew in. ‘I’d like to stick around for Louise as well.’
Darcie took a step back as if to regain her space. This was getting too petty for words. ‘Why are you being like this?’
Jack folded his arms, leaning back against the wall, challenge like a gathering storm sending his eyes to darkest blue. ‘Like what?’
She raised a shoulder uncertainly. ‘So...cross.’
‘Cross?’ The storm broke into harmless little showers and he looked amused.
Darcie sucked in her breath. ‘You know what I mean. You’re offside with me and with Brad as well. Surely, you should be thanking him for stepping up today.’
‘We’ve debriefed,’ Jack said shortly. ‘I have no problem with Brad’s medical skills.’
Darcie’s thoughts were churning but this conversation was going nowhere. ‘Lou will want to stay in town tonight. We’re a bit full up at the residence...’
‘She’s made arrangements to stay at the motel. She knows the managers. They’ll make her comfortable. In any event, she’ll want to stay here with Max for a while longer.’
‘Then what?’ Darcie pressed determinedly. ‘You’ll come home and share a meal with the rest of us?’
In other words, pretend to be sociable? Pretend he was oblivious? ‘No offence, Darcie, but as the senior doctor I should be here. Today’s circumstances were...unusual to put it mildly. But we coped.’
But at what cost? Darcie wondered. Already there was an air of tension emanating from him. Her mouth thinned. If he’d allow her, she could massage his stress away in a second. But the way he was acting around her, he’d probably prefer a one-way conversation with Capone than let her anywhere near him. Instead, she held her head high and said clearly, so there would be no mistake, ‘Since you’ve elected to remain on duty, I’ll be here first thing in the morning to check on Max. Feel free to catch up on some sleep.’
* * *
Jack completed a final ward round and found nothing untoward with any of the patients. Max’s status was stable and he’d been placed in the hospital’s only private room. Ursula Cabot was a competent night sister so why wasn’t he over at the residence, partying with the rest of the team?
Because he was being plain stubborn, wallowing in a pool of self-induced jealousy.
Jack passed sentence on himself, ploughing a hand through his hair in frustration as he made his way along to the hospital kitchen. Ten minutes later he was half-heartedly forking his way through yesterday’s casserole, trying to ignore the tantalising aroma of garlic prawns wafting through the window. The seafood barbecue was obviously in full swing.
‘Fool,’ he muttered, giving up on the casserole and consigning it to the waste bin. He’d acted like a jerk towards Darcie earlier. But the fact was he’d hated to see her wrapped in another man’s arms Hated it.
He wandered back to the nurses’ station, realising the soft hush of night had crept over the hospital without him even noticing.
Ursula Cabot sat under the subdued lighting at the station, her blonde-grey head bent over a crossword puzzle. She looked up as Jack leaned across the counter.
‘Would you like a cup of tea, Ursula?’
‘No, thanks.’ The senior nurse shook her head. ‘I’ve already had several since I came on duty. And you’re wearing out the floorboards, Jack. Go home. Isn’t there a party going on at the residence?’
Jack lifted a shoulder indifferently. ‘I’m just here to keep an eye on things. Max Alderton had major surgery today.’
‘And that’s why I’m here,’ Ursula said dryly. ‘I checked Max only five minutes ago and I’ll keep monitoring him regularly.’ She sent Jack a reproving look over the rims of her smart black-framed glasses. ‘There’s no need for you to keep hovering, Dr Cassidy. I’ll call you if I need you.’
Jack’s mouth flattened in a thin smile. ‘You’re chucking me out.’
‘Seems like it. Now, scoot. There’s dancing happening, by the sound of it. Go and join the fun. Have a twirl around the floor with Darcie. I’ll bet that girl’s light on her feet.’
Oh, she was. As light as air. At least, that’s how she’d felt in his arms.
* * *
Jack’s thoughts were spinning as he made his way slowly across to the residence. Would he look in on the party? Perhaps. Perhaps not. As he opened the front gate, Capone stirred from his special place under the steps and came to meet him. ‘Hello, boy.’ Putting out a hand, Jack rubbed the dog’s neck as he pushed in against his legs. Then, seemingly satisfied with the small show of attention, Capone gave a feeble wag of his tail, breaking the contact and wandering back to his hidey-hole.
Jack mounted the steps, hearing the music in the form of Norah Jones’s husky voice urging someone to ‘come away with me’. He dragged in a shallow breath, his normal good sense shattering by the second. Was Brad Kitto even now urging Darcie to do just that? And would she be tempted?
He didn’t want to know.
Instead, he bypassed the rec room, where the party was happening, and made his way along the hall to his bedroom.
* * *
Minutes later, he was lying in bed, arms wishboned behind his head, staring at the ceiling. But all he saw was the hurt puzzlement in Darcie’s eyes staring back at him. She hadn’t understood his stubbornness earlier. Hell, he hardly understood it himself.
How could he have acted like that? As though he was some kind of martyred soul? Had what happened with Zoe destroyed his trust in women so thoroughly? God, he hoped not. Rolling over, he buried his face in the pillow. He had to try to keep his trust in what he and Darcie shared.
Somehow.
CHAPTER NINE
DARCIE CAME THROUGH the silent house, looking for Jack. She finally located him outside, where the morning’s soft rays were illuminating the courtyard. He was sitting at the wooden table, nursing a mug of tea, Capone at his side.
‘Morning.’ She went briskly down the steps.
Jack looked up and felt something shift in his chest. She was dressed in cotton trousers and a pinstriped shirt that moulded every one of her curves. She was femininity in motion.
‘I thought you were going to sleep in.’ She pulled out a chair and sat down. It was barely seven.
‘I did sleep in. How are things at the hospital?’
‘Max was in some pain. Brad upped his meds. Otherwise he’d had a reasonable night.’
Jack sent her a mocking kind of look. ‘Has our flyboy gone?’
‘He left a while ago.’ Darcie kept her cool. ‘He and Harry wanted to be on their way. We were up before five.’
We? Jack’s mouth tightened. Hearing the inclusive pronoun, his worst fear seemed validated.
‘So...’ Darcie blinked a bit. He seemed suddenly distant, locked down. ‘What are you going to do with your day off?’
‘I wasn’t aware I was having one,’ he growled.
Darcie took a deep breath and threw caution to the winds. ‘You’re acting like a grumpy teen, Jack. I know you’re the boss but you need a change of scene. And I’m quite capable of running things at the hospital. There’s fishing tackle in the garage. Go and make use of it. Bunbilla Crossing is a good place to start.’
Jack moved his lips in a mocking little twist. ‘So says the girl from England.’
Darcie refused to be drawn. ‘Take Capone. You seem to prefer his company to that of the rest of us.’ She stood and pushed her chair in. ‘And I’ll expect some decent-sized river perch for dinner tonight.’
* * *
Darcie inspected Max’s wound. ‘You’re looking good, Max.’ She smiled. ‘We’ll review your swallow in a day or so. But so far everything’s textbook.’
Max managed a husky �
��Thanks’.
She placed a hand on his forearm and squeezed. ‘Lauren will replace your dressing now and Jack will see you first thing tomorrow.’ At least, she hoped he would.
Darcie was thoughtful as she made her way back to the station.
‘Jack for you.’ Maggie held up the landline phone.
Darcie’s heart skipped. She put the receiver to her ear. ‘Jack?’
‘Dinner in fifteen,’ he said. ‘Can you be here?’
‘Just about to clock off.’
‘Good. See you in a bit.’
‘Wait...’ Darcie sensed he was about to hang up. ‘Did you catch my fish?’
He snorted. ‘Of course I caught your fish. Hurry up.’
A trapped smile edged Jack’s mouth as he put the phone down. She’d been right. He had needed to get away from the hospital, if only for a few hours. The break had re-energised him. He’d swum in the river, baked in the sun for a bit.
And caught her fish.
All things considered, he’d fulfilled all the requirements for a satisfactory day off.
Darcie had guessed what he’d needed and that had to mean something.
He couldn’t wait to see her.
* * *
Darcie’s feet had wings as she made her way across to the residence. A sense of relief washed through her. She’d been afraid she might have overstepped the mark, but it sounded as though Jack had accepted her suggestion without rancour and had taken himself off for the day. There’d been a lightness back in his voice. Suddenly life felt good again.
Making her way across the back deck, she popped her head in the kitchen. ‘Hi.’
Jack looked up from preparing the fish. ‘Hi, yourself.’
She smiled. ‘Can you hold dinner for a few more minutes? I need to jump in the shower.’
He waved her away. ‘I won’t start cooking until you get here.’
Darcie was in and out of the shower in record time, the sweet sting of anticipation slithering up her spine. Bypassing her usual casual cargos and T-shirt, she pulled on a sundress in a pretty floral print, admitting she wanted to look special for Jack. They needed to reconnect. She knew that instinctively.