Reawakened by the Surgeon's Touch

by Jennifer Taylor

  When Javid Khan asked her what had happened on the way back from the airfield, she sighed under her breath. She would have preferred not to talk about what had gone on but she could hardly say so in case it started people speculating. The last thing she wanted was everyone thinking that she had a problem with Dr Slater even if it were true.

  ‘It was a bit of a rough ride,’ she said lightly, trying to avoid going into detail. ‘Basically, the rebel fighters had set up a trap and we walked straight into it. We were lucky to get back here.’

  ‘That’s an understatement if ever I heard one.’ Javid grinned at her. ‘I saw the state of that truck. There were so many bullet holes in it that you could have used it as a colander!’

  Everyone laughed, although Claire noticed that Jude didn’t join in. She shook her head when Kelly asked her how the driver was doing. ‘I wasn’t there during surgery, so you’ll have to ask Dr Slater.’

  Kelly repeated the question to Jude and Claire felt her heart skip a beat when she heard the edge in his voice as he explained that although the driver had come through the operation, the next twenty-four hours were critical. She shot him a wary glance but for some reason he seemed reluctant to look at her. Claire frowned as she studied the rigid set of his jaw. He hadn’t looked this uptight when they had been fleeing from their attackers, so what was wrong with him?

  The question nagged away at her for the rest of the journey. When the driver pulled up in front of the college, Claire realised that she wouldn’t be able to rest until she found out the answer. Maybe it had nothing to do with her but the least she could do was to ascertain if Jude had some sort of a problem. After all, she was supposed to be helping him settle in and, so far, she had done very little towards that goal.

  She told the driver that she had decided to spend the night at the college and followed the others out of the truck. She had stayed there many times before, mainly when there had been a problem getting back to the convent. There was no real reason why she should continue living there, in fact. Her role as an observer for the WHO had long since ended but it had seemed easier to stick to the arrangements. She knew that the nuns had come to rely on her. Most of them were elderly and she helped out as much as she could with the children they cared for. What would happen when she left Mwuranda was open to question but she knew that the nuns wouldn’t be able to continue running the orphanage if they didn’t get extra help.

  ‘Oh, great! You’ve decided to stay over, have you?’ Lesley looped her arm through Claire’s as they walked into the building together.

  ‘I thought it’d be easier than asking the driver to take me all the way back to the convent,’ she explained, skirting around the real reason for her change of plans. She glanced round when Jude and Sasha followed them inside and couldn’t help noticing that once again he avoided looking in her direction.

  ‘I don’t know why you don’t move in with us,’ Lesley declared. ‘Oh, I know you like to help the sisters, but they’re going to have to do without you at some point, Claire. You’re due to return to England soon, aren’t you?’

  ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘Don’t you want to go home?’ Lesley demanded, frowning. ‘I’d have thought you would have had more than enough of this place by now. How long is it since you first came out here?’

  ‘Almost two years.’ Claire replied distractedly as she watched Jude drop his bag by the door then wander into the communal sitting room. If she was to find out what was troubling him then it would be best to get it over sooner rather than later, she decided. If he did have a problem then she knew from experience how quickly it could affect the smooth running of the team and that was something she wanted to avoid. They were under so much pressure as it was that even the smallest problem could rapidly turn into a major issue.

  She turned and smiled at Lesley. ‘I just need a word with Dr Slater—make sure he’s up to speed about what’s expected of him. I didn’t get chance to run through all the dos and don’ts with him before.’

  ‘No wonder. You were too busy dodging bullets from the sound of it,’ Lesley retorted.

  Claire laughed. ‘Something like that. Anyway, is it OK if I use the spare bed in your room?’

  ‘Be my guest. Another pair of hands to swat the bugs is always welcome!’

  Lesley sketched her a wave and headed up the stairs. The rest of the team had already disappeared and Claire guessed that they would be using the time to shower before dinner. It was the ideal opportunity to speak to Jude on his own.

  She went into the sitting room, feeling her pulse leap when she found him standing by the window. He had his back towards her and there was an air of dejection about the way he stood there, staring out across the grounds. Had he suddenly realised what he had let himself in for? she wondered. From what Lola had told her, this type of work was a million miles away from what he was used to and she couldn’t help wondering what had prompted him to apply for the job in the first place. Had it been just a desire to help his fellow man? Or had there been another reason?

  He suddenly turned and Claire hurriedly squashed the thought when she saw him stiffen as he caught sight of her. He seemed less than entranced to see her and she found herself wishing that she hadn’t bothered seeking him out. So what if he had a problem: why should she care? However, deep down she knew that she owed it to the team to find out what was troubling him.

  ‘I just wanted to check that you’re all right.’ She shrugged. ‘I didn’t get chance to discuss any issues you may have earlier, I’m afraid. There was too much going on.’

  ‘Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.’ He moved away from the window and she could see a nerve beating in his jaw as he crossed the room.

  ‘Oh, right, well, good. I know it must seem a bit restricting to have to stick to all these rules and regulations, but we have to be careful.’

  ‘Of course. And I’m sure I’ll get used to it.’ He stopped, one dark brow arching when she failed to move out of his way. ‘Was there anything else you wanted to say to me?’

  ‘Er...no, not at all.’

  Claire hurriedly stepped aside to let him pass, wondering why she had the feeling that he was upset about her. She gave herself a mental shake because now she was being ridiculous. He was probably tired and stressed after everything that had happened that day and the best thing she could do was to give him some space. A lot of new recruits found it overwhelming to be thrown in at the deep end, and Jude Slater had been thrown into deeper water than most. The fact that he had coped so well was to his credit.

  The thought was more than a little alarming in view of the fact that she was determined not to find anything good about him. Claire hurried from the room and headed upstairs. Lesley was in the bathroom when she got to their room, so she sat down on the spare bed and waited for her to finish. She didn’t have a change of clothes with her but she knew that her friend would lend her something to wear.

  She sighed as she pulled the clip out of her hair and shook it free. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had anything decent of her own to wear. Normally she wore scrubs in work and either overalls or one of the nuns’ dresses after she finished her shift. It was safer not to draw attention to herself when she was travelling to and from the hospital and the plain grey dresses the nuns wore allowed her a certain anonymity. However, all of a sudden she found herself wishing that she had something pretty to wear that night, something that would make her feel like a woman. And it was such a shock to want to proclaim her femininity that she felt fear sweep through her. She had honestly thought that she would never feel this way again, so what had changed? Was it the fact that the scars had started to heal and she was feeling more confident, or was there another reason?

  Unbidden a face sprang to her mind and her heart began to pound when she recognised Jude Slater’s handsome features. Did she want to look pretty and feminine for his
sake? Hadn’t she learned her lesson, learned how foolish it was to allow a man that much power over her? Obviously not. However, there was no way that she was going down that road again. No way at all!

  * * *

  Jude collected his bag from the porch and made his way upstairs, pausing when he came to the first-floor landing. Sasha had told him that he could choose whichever bedroom he fancied but he didn’t want to invade anyone else’s territory. He had made enough gaffes for one day.

  Jude’s mouth thinned at the thought as he made his way along the landing. The doors to most of the rooms were standing open and it was obvious from the clutter lying around that they were in use. He came to a room halfway along the landing and glanced inside, pausing when he spotted Claire sitting on one of the beds. She had removed the clip and her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders like a silken waterfall. Jude’s palms began to tingle as he stared at the shimmering mass of gold. How he ached to touch her hair, to bury his face in it and savour its softness...

  He forced himself to move on, feeling like the lowest kind of lowlife. She was a nun, for heaven’s sake! A woman who had taken a vow of chastity. Thoughts like that were totally abhorrent and needed to be nipped in the bud yet it was far more difficult than it should have been. Crazy though he knew it was, he couldn’t help wondering if she might be persuaded to change her mind about her chosen vocation...

  ‘Idiot!’ Jude didn’t realise he had spoken out loud until a head poked round a door further along the corridor.

  ‘Far be it from me to disagree with you, but that seems a tad harsh. Who or what is the idiot in question?’

  ‘Me.’ A couple of strides took Jude to the room and to the owner of the head who turned out to be a man roughly his age with dark red hair and what looked like a million freckles on his face. Jude held out his hand and grinned ruefully. ‘I’m the idiot. I’m also Jude Slater, the new recruit. How do you do?’

  ‘Nice to meet you, Jude.’ The man uncoiled himself and straightened up, towering over Jude’s not inconsiderable six-foot frame. ‘Matt Kearney at your service. As well as being one of the doctors, I’m the general dogsbody around here—I do a bit of this and a bit of that, plus a lot of the other. If there’s anything you need then I can usually get it for you. Within reason, of course.’

  ‘That’s good to know.’ Jude laughed, taking an immediate liking to the other man. He glanced into the room, taking note of the colourful rugs on the bare floorboards and the bright cotton throw on the bed, and nodded. ‘Hmm, not an idle boast from the look of it. You’ve made it very cosy in there, I must say.’

  ‘It all helps, doesn’t it?’ Matt looked around with an air of satisfaction. ‘Everything is locally made, so it’s a win-win situation. I get to enjoy some home comforts while I’m here and at the same time help to boost the local economy. The best thing we can do to help the people in this country, apart from patching them up, of course, is to provide them with a living. That’s why I’m hoping to get one of the big designer stores on board when I get back to Blighty. I mean, the Chelsea set would go a bomb for stuff like this, wouldn’t they?’

  ‘They would indeed,’ Jude agreed, thinking how very true that was. Indigenous arts and crafts were very much of the moment with those who had the wherewithal to pay for them. Why, he himself had spent a small fortune on some rugs very similar to the ones on Matt’s floor. He had never given any thought to who had produced them, just liked them and handed over the money for them. How much of it had gone to the people who had made them? he found himself wondering. Probably very little, he decided, and the thought made him feel uncomfortable. Maybe he needed to think more about the ethics of what he bought in future.

  ‘Right. I’d better go and find myself a room. Is there one free on this floor or should I try the floor above?’ Jude said briskly because he was becoming heartily sick of all these reminders as to his shortcomings.

  ‘Oh, stick to this floor unless you’re a fan of bats and don’t mind sharing with them.’ Matt grinned. ‘They’re not bad roommates, especially when you’re on nights as they prefer to sleep through the day. However, their personal hygiene does leave a lot to be desired.’ He pointed along the corridor. ‘The end room is free, so help yourself. The women prefer to bunk up together, but we guys don’t go in for communal living in quite the same way. Dinner’s at seven but don’t bother with the black tie. We’re very informal. So long as you’re wearing clothes, you’ll do.’

  Matt went back into his room, leaving Jude to get settled in. He unpacked his bag and laid out his shaving gear on the old marble-topped washstand. He hadn’t noticed a bathroom on his travels but he would track it down at some point. Glancing at his watch, he kicked off his shoes and lay down on the bed as exhaustion caught up with him. He had been on the go for the past twenty-four hours and a nap would help to recharge his batteries. He was certainly going to need them charging too. From what he had seen so far, this definitely wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. No, he would be kept busy from dawn to dusk which wasn’t a bad thing if it stopped him thinking thoughts he had no right to harbour.

  Closing his eyes, Jude let his mind drift, his heart sinking when it immediately sailed off towards the one direction it was banned from taking. Claire was off limits! If he repeated it often enough then surely it would sink in?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  DINNER THAT NIGHT was a lively affair. Whether it was the fact that they had someone new in the form of Jude Slater to entertain them, but everyone seemed in very high spirits. Claire collected her plate from Moses, their cook, and carried it to the table. They always ate together of an evening, gathered at one end of the huge refectory table that ran the full length of the dining room. Lesley had lit the storm lantern and she placed it on the table. She grinned when Jude looked at it in surprise as he came back from the serving hatch.

  ‘It’s less for atmosphere than practicality,’ Lesley informed him. ‘It’s rare we ever get through an evening meal without the power going off, so we follow the old Girl Guide motto and make sure we’re prepared.’

  ‘Oh, I see.’ Jude glanced round but there was only one seat left, the one next to Claire. His reluctance to sit in it was obvious and it stung. For some reason she had become persona non grata in his eyes.

  Claire edged her chair away as he sat down, not wanting to risk coming into contact with him. Lesley had lent her a dress, quite a pretty one too, made from pale pink cotton with short sleeves and a modestly scooped neck. She hadn’t bothered fastening back her hair, just left it loose around her shoulders, and she was aware of Jude’s eyes skimming over her but determinedly applied herself to her meal. What he thought of her appearance was neither here nor there!

  ‘This is rather good. What is it exactly?’

  She glanced round when he spoke, feeling her heart catch when she found herself staring straight into his eyes. A rich warm hazel with flecks of gold around the irises, they seemed to draw her in and hold her spellbound. It was only when she saw one elegant black brow arch that she remembered he was waiting for her to answer.

  ‘Mutton stew. It’s one of Moses’ signature dishes, so he tends to make it quite often,’ she gabbled. She forked up a mouthful of the spicy concoction to give herself time to calm down but her heart was still behaving in a highly erratic fashion. ‘Apparently, his mother used to make it for him—it’s her recipe.’

  ‘Clever mum. And clever Moses for getting the recipe off her.’ Jude forked up some of the vegetable that had been served with it and grimaced. ‘I’m not sure about this though. It’s a bit like sweet potato but incredibly dry and stringy.’

  ‘It’s yam. I wasn’t too keen on it either but I’ve got used to it now. The trick is to never eat it on its own. Mix some gravy into it to make it more palatable,’ she advised, feeling a little easier now that the conversation was centred on such mundane matters.

&nbs
p; ‘Mmm, better, although I doubt if I’ll be adding it to my shopping list when I get home.’

  Javid claimed his attention then and he turned away. Claire continued to eat, letting the conversation flow over her. Normally, she would have joined in but for some reason she felt strangely detached that night. When the lights suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness apart from the glow from the hurricane lamp, it was a relief. There was less chance of anyone noticing how quiet she was now and remarking on it.

  They rounded off the meal with fresh fruit and coffee, although Claire passed on the coffee. Experience had taught her that it was better to avoid the malodorous brew that Moses concocted with such delight.

  ‘My heaven!’ Jude put down his cup and shook his head. ‘That stuff is lethal. I mean, I like strong coffee but that’s in a league of its own!’

  Everyone laughed and started to regale him with tales of their own experiences with Moses’ pièce de résistance although Claire didn’t join in. All of a sudden everything that had transpired that day seemed to have caught up with her. She felt a shudder run through her and then another...

  ‘Are you all right?’

  A lean, tanned hand closed around hers and her heart seemed to stop. Now it wasn’t just the fear she had felt when they had outrun the rebel fighters that was causing her such distress but other memories, far more terrifying: Andrew holding her hands as he forced her down onto the bed; trapping her there with his weight as he ignored her pleas to stop...

  A moan escaped her lips, like the tiny cry of an animal in pain, and she felt Jude’s fingers tighten. ‘If you’re going to faint then mind the table. You don’t need a lump on your head to add to your woes.’