Heart Of The Outback, Volume 2

by Margaret Way

  Her body registered Matt’s presence even before she turned around. She couldn’t help the smile that appeared as she twisted slightly to look over her shoulder at him.

  His voice slipped over her skin like velvet. “Are you having as much fun as your daughter?”

  “You’ve met?”

  He nodded. “She’s a lovely child. She knows how to enjoy a party.” There was a twinkle of silver in his eyes but that was the only hint that yesterday in the prep room had ever happened.

  “I know. She should have been in bed hours ago. Mum and Dad are taking her home with them when they go, so for once I don’t have to be the one to ruin her fun.” She stopped herself short, almost in mid-sentence. She must be rapidly losing any points for mysterious sex appeal she’d gained in the church today, blabbing on like this.

  “Are you always the one to ruin her fun? What about her dad? He must get to share that pleasure once in a while?”

  “Her dad only sees her once a year or so. He—” She broke off, searching for the words to explain the odd situation she and Jess had found themselves in. “He travels a lot with his work.”

  “That must be hard.” He was looking into her eyes as if the answer mattered to him. “For both of you.”

  “Harder for Jess. She’s used to it. I just wish she didn’t have to be.” This conversation was surreal, further evidence they could slip seamlessly between the everyday and the sensual. “She knows he loves her, it’s just that his work takes him away.” She shrugged. “That, and he’s not really cut out for the everyday grind of parenthood. But it would do Jess good to see more of him.”

  “Why have a child if he was going to leave it all to you?” He stopped. “I’m sorry, that’s really—”

  “That’s OK.” She bit her lip, buying time before she explained. It seemed so—sordid? stupid?—but if she wanted Matt to be her friend, perhaps it was time to be more open. If he judged her, then at least she’d know early on he wasn’t the person she’d thought.

  “We were young. We didn’t plan on a pregnancy. To be honest, we hadn’t even thought about it.” She glanced at him, gauging his response. “I guess that’s pretty obvious.”

  His smile was kind, not patronising. “It’s not unusual, Steffi, it’s just that a lot of people get away with not thinking. It must have been tough.” She followed his gaze across the room to where Jess was snuggled up on her grandfather’s lap. “But I can see she’s a much-loved little girl.”

  Steffi swallowed hard. Matt was turning out to be such a gorgeous person, inside and out. She couldn’t let it affect her decision whether to return to Port Cadney, but if she did stay, could there be anything between them?

  “You’re right. I love my daughter very much.”

  “You sound sad.” There was a little furrow in his brow.

  “She’s had a hard time lately. Picked on at school. It would’ve been better for both of us if Rick had been around.” For someone who played their cards close to her chest, it was unbelievable how much she was spilling to Matt. He was so easy to talk to, though, that was the problem, but if she didn’t watch it, he’d have her pegged as one of those people who told their whole life story in the first five minutes of meeting someone. Actually, that was exactly what she had just done. “Sorry, this is meant to be a wedding and I’ve been dumping all this on you. I don’t normally do that.” Try ever.

  He picked up her hand in his and stroked the back of it with his fingers, as if giving her this caress was the most natural thing in the world. And, to her, it seemed it was.

  “You’re not dumping on me, and sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you don’t know so well.” He raised her hand and pressed it against his lips. It might have seemed showy but, again, it just felt right. There was nothing showy about Matt, he was down-to-earth. And he seemed to accept her as she was, teenage history and all.

  She smiled and her heart was light. “Then what about you? Anything you want to talk about?”

  “There is something that’s been bugging me for a while.”

  She looked up at him, expectant, and was rewarded with a grin full of charm. “Would you care to dance?”

  She shook her head, laughing.

  “Is that a no?”

  She shook her head again, “No, it’s a yes.”

  He led her to the dance floor, matching his step to hers and stopping to move a chair out of her way. The music picked up pace and he grimaced.

  “Not so keen on the faster ones?”

  “As long as you’re not expecting Fred Astaire.”

  “And here’s me being such a Ginger Rogers. What a waste.” They started to move to the music, both a little self-conscious until Matt did a few particularly untalented steps and then they were laughing and it didn’t matter any more that they weren’t the greatest dancers. They laughed some more when, next to them, Jack spun Lauren skilfully around the floor, showing them up shamelessly. And they were still laughing over an hour later when the music had come to an end and it was time for the bride and groom to depart.

  Steffi picked up her bag and followed the remaining guests outside to wave the newly-weds off. Lauren was still looking as energetic as ever but Jack was looking weary. He wrapped his arms around Steffi in a brotherly bear-hug. “Thanks for helping make this day so wonderful for us, sister-in-law—especially for Lauren. It means the world to her to have you here.”

  “And I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” She whispered in his ear, “I hope you’re not thinking of having an early night when you get to your hotel.” She nodded at Lauren. “That one won’t be needing sleep for quite some time.”

  “That’s what comes of cradle-snatching, I’ll be forever trying to keep up with her.”

  Lauren came over and bent down to hug Steffi. Everyone had to bend down to hug Steffi.

  “OK, now?”

  Steffi knew she was talking her near panic attack in the church. “How did you know I needed that?”

  “I was keeping an eagle eye on you in case you fell down in a dead faint and stole my thunder. Being my big sister still on the shelf, I thought you might try it.”

  Steffi shook her head in mock disbelief, before giving Lauren a kiss and squeezing her hand in silent thanks. “Have a wonderful time, little sis.”

  “We will, and thanks for everything.” She held out her hand to Jack. “And now—” she raised her voice to the remaining guests “—my husband and I are off on our honeymoon.”

  Jack added his goodbyes, and when they’d left Steffi felt bereft. As if he’d sensed it, Matt wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her gently against his body. “Can I drop you home?”

  “Thanks. I’m staying at Lauren’s tonight so I don’t have to head back to the farm. It’s not far.”

  They chatted about nothing in particular on the way home and when he pulled up in front of Lauren’s flat she felt surprisingly comfortable as she said, “I’ve sort of had it for today so I won’t ask you in for coffee, but I really did have a wonderful time this evening. Thank you.”

  He unbuckled his seat belt and leant over to drop a feather-light kiss on her cheek before settling back against his seat. “You’re extremely welcome.” In the light from the streetlamp, she could see a crooked little smile on his lips. Was he feeling nervous all of a sudden?

  “How about you and Jess coming for a swim some time? Susie’s always at my place in the pool, and she’d love it if Jess came over. And given what you said about Jess having a hard time at school, it might be nice for her, too.” He paused and his eyes narrowed slightly. “It’s not just about Jess, though. You should know I’d like to spend time with you, too.”

  “I’d also like that.” And she meant it. This time, it was Steffi who bent forward to kiss him. Buoyed by the happiness of the night and the prospect of seeing him again, she pressed her lips against his mouth and the connection was electric. It was like they’d been waiting for this moment since they’d met, or at least since yesterd
ay. She leant into him and he slipped a hand underneath her hair to trace the line of her collar-bone. Her sigh had them both smiling at the honesty of her admission that she was attracted to him. She pulled away, and he put his hands on her shoulders, cupping his hands around her upper arms and running them slowly over her bare skin.

  Her voice was breathy as she asked, “What was that about, do you think?”

  “That—” his eyes were gentle and there was laughter in them “—was the reason you didn’t ask me in for coffee.” He tilted her chin up so her eyes met his. “But now you know I’m just as dangerous in a car.”

  She laughed. “Dangerous?”

  “Absolutely. Can you risk coming to my house for a swim? We’ll be in bathers, with lots of warm water to play in—” “And two eight-year-old chaperones. Yes, I think I can risk it.”

  He chucked her under the chin and laughed. “Fancy catching up for a coffee at work this week and sorting out the details?”

  She nodded before saying goodbye. She was sorry he didn’t kiss her again but he rumpled her hair as if she meant something to him, and when she snuggled into bed a short while later she mulled over what it all might come to mean. He wanted to see her again. He seemed to like Jess. And she was getting her life sorted out. Maybe this could go somewhere, maybe not, but for the first time in her adult life she’d made a real connection with a man. It had happened without her even really being aware of it and now it seemed as if they’d known each other for much longer than a total of about what? Eighteen hours, all up?

  She crossed her fingers under her pillow and hoped that, whatever happened, it would last longer than a swim at his place.

  Steffi came into the ward and saw Sarah Fitzpatrick, the physiotherapist, at Bobby’s bed.

  “How about standing first and seeing how you go? It’s not going to be as easy as you think,” she was saying to the young fisherman. “Can you give me a hand, Steffi? Bobby is ready to try standing today, although he thinks he’s ready to walk.” Steffi and Sarah exchanged a smile. “Hospital policy says it must be a two-person assist.”

  “Sure. Where do you want me?”

  “Stand on his right side, I’ll take his injured side.”

  Sarah placed the crutches within arm’s reach against the wall and moved the visitor’s chair and bedside cabinet out of the way to create some extra space.

  “OK, sit on the edge of the bed for me.” To Steffi she added, “Bobby has been practising sitting on the edge of the bed with his foot hanging down.”

  Steffi knew the biggest hurdle for bedridden patients on their first attempt at getting out of bed was usually light-headedness caused by moving from a horizontal position to a vertical one. For Bobby, the rush of blood to his fractured ankle, which was used to being elevated, would also be an uncomfortable sensation and so Sarah had tried to minimise the difficulty by having him practise being semi-upright.

  “Are you OK to support him under one arm as he stands?”

  Steffi nodded.

  “Right, then, Bobby, I want you to push off the bed and stand on your right foot. Keep your left foot off the ground for now.” Bobby stood up as Steffi and Sarah braced themselves to take the sudden weight, supporting him at either side.

  Steffi watched the colour in his face. So far so good.

  “Try touching your left toes onto the floor. That’s all you have to do today. Pull your bottom in,” Sarah said as Bobby started to sag at the hips. “It helps you to stand tall. That’s the way. Do you want to try standing with the crutches?”

  Steffi knew Sarah must be happy with both his balance and colour to suggest the crutches.

  “I think so.”

  Sarah passed one crutch to Steffi and then tucked the second one under Bobby’s left armpit. “Let’s see if I measured you correctly.” She checked the height of the hand-rests and the gap between the arm-rests and Bobby’s armpits. “Perfect, as long as you stand tall. OK, Steffi, hands off.”

  Bobby stood quite steadily. Sarah remained close, ready to help him back to his bed if he started to falter. She let him stand for a minute before calling it a day.

  “Well done. Lift your left foot off the floor and let go of your right crutch. Good, now reach behind you—can you feel the bed?”

  He nodded.

  “Bend your right knee and sit back down on the bed. Terrific. I’ll help you swing your legs up. How do you feel?”

  “Worn out.”

  “You didn’t believe me when I said it would knock the stuffing out of you, did you?”

  “I still can’t believe it was that much effort.”

  “Men aren’t as tough as they like to think they are,” Sarah teased.

  Sarah and Steffi laughed as Bobby pulled a face. “No comeback even?” Steffi asked. “Picking on my patient?”

  A faint veil of heat crept over Steffi’s cheeks at the sound of Matt’s voice. She took a deep breath and turned to look at him, leaning against the doorframe. She hadn’t seen him since he’d dropped her at Lauren’s after the wedding. Since he’d suggested coffee and a swim. The heat in her cheeks intensified as she pictured him wearing not much at all, droplets of water running over his brown skin.

  Sarah fired her response back. “Absolutely.”

  “It’s OK, Doc, I can handle it.”

  “Sounds like you’ll have to.” He straightened up and asked, “Do you have a minute before your next patient?”

  Steffi’s heart sank. The invitation hadn’t been for her.

  “Sure.” Sarah nodded. “Just give me a sec to go through Bobby’s instructions with him again.”

  Steffi and Matt took their cue to leave, Matt holding the door open for her on their way out, holding her lightly by the arm and stepping to the side of the corridor, where they’d be out of the way of other staff.

  “I’ve missed you the last few days. I’ve only had time to dash in and out of here first thing in the morning and last thing at night to see my patients.”

  “Busy on call?”

  He nodded. “Have you got time for that coffee? It won’t just be us, but I’ve learnt to take a break when I can. I’m on call again so there’s no telling how long I’ll have.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Sarah came out and they fell into step. “I hope we’re ‘consulting’ over coffee.” “You know me too well.”

  Sarah laughed and, as they entered the cafeteria and Matt headed off to order their drinks, said in an aside to Steffi, “Overstatement of the year. He’s a closed book, our Matt.”

  Steffi checked where he was and saw him leaning on the counter, waiting for their hot drinks. They had a few minutes to talk. “How long have you known him?”

  “Three years, since he came to Port Cadney. He’s done the unthinkable in the country and managed to keep his private life to himself. I know he has a sister here, and a niece, that he’s a great doctor and always has a kind word for everyone.” She laughed. “Not to mention that he’s rather easy on the eye. That hasn’t escaped the notice of the single women here.”

  “Has he dated anyone?”

  “No. The hospital grapevine would make sure we knew about it.”

  “Knew about what?” He was back.

  Steffi’s heart leapt into her mouth at the thought that Sarah might tell him, but she was more discreet than that. “Women’s talk. What did you want to talk about?”

  “Do you still do community health work?”

  “Yes, a few half-days a week. Why?”

  “Alex Carter is ready to be discharged but his living arrangements aren’t ideal. He shares a house with two other young guys, and while I don’t think he’ll be tempted to overdo any housework I’m still a bit concerned about how he’ll manage with his arm in that sling. I’d like to refer him to you for home visits, have someone keep an eye on him.”

  “I can certainly add him to my list and check his exercises. Do you want him put on the home nursing list as well? It might be a good idea for showering and thin
gs like that.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “OK. I’ll fill in the request forms and get you to sign them.”

  “Tell me more about community health work,” Steffi said.

  “We provide home care to people who don’t require hospitalisation but aren’t able to manage on their own. Physio, nursing, occupational therapy or a combination, either short or long term.”

  “How many nurses do you employ?”

  “Never enough. The usual story. Why? Are you interested in working with us?” “Actually, I might be.”

  Sarah wrote down her number for Steffi, handing the paper to her and saying, “I’m working there tomorrow so you could come and tag along if you like. If you’re still interested then, I’ll set you up with an interview. The director is always keen to find more nurses.” She drained the last of her coffee. “I have to get going, but give me a call tonight if you want to come.”

  “I’d love to but I’m filling in for an AAS clinic run tomorrow. Can I arrange a different time with you?”

  “Sure. It’s probably better if you went with one of the nurses anyway, to give you a better idea of the work involved. Any time you’re free would suit.”

  “More surprises?” Matt asked as Sarah departed.

  “Pardon?”

  “The clinic run. You’re filling in?”

  “Yes. With Lauren away and Chloe in Adelaide on a refresher course for a week, the AAS is short-staffed, too. I’m not qualified to fill in for any on-call work but the clinics are no problem. I’m only needed for a couple.”

  “I’m on the clinic run tomorrow.”

  “Is that OK with you, me coming?”

  “I’ll look forward to it.” His grey eyes were shining. “Just the two of us in a small plane, thrown together for several hours.” His voice trailed off.

  “You forgot the pilot.”

  “I know.”

  She sobered up as a thought occurred to her. “Just how small is ‘small’?”

  “Worried?”

  “No.” She paused. “Maybe.”

  He raised one eyebrow.

  “I’m sticking with ‘maybe’”