The Outback Doctor

by Lucy Clark

  ‘She didn’t come,’ Melody told him matter-of-factly, although he thought he saw her bottom lip quiver.

  ‘What?’ Dave exploded, and went up the steps of the small plane to check for himself. It was empty. He looked down at Melody before coming to stand before her. He noticed she looked very worried and he quickly crouched down in front of her, bringing himself to her height. ‘Have you travelled all this way by yourself?’ he asked gently.

  Melody’s lower lip began to wobble. ‘Yes.’ Her eyes filled with tears and Dave found his own doing the same.

  ‘Oh, baby.’ He reached for her and brought her safely into his arms. Melody dropped the bag she was holding and buried her face into his chest. Dave held her protectively, knowing this was one female he would always be protective about—as was his right! ‘Shh, princess. It’s all right. Daddy’s here.’ He couldn’t believe Margaret had done this! To let a six-year-old travel all that way by herself.

  Of course, the flight attendants would have looked after her but still—how horrible. No child should ever have to go through that and he’d be damned if his daughter was ever going through something like that again.

  Dave clenched his jaw in anger at his ex-wife. Thank goodness she’d signed the custody form. Now Melody was his daughter and he was going to protect her in any way he could, and if that meant keeping her away from her own natural mother, that’s the way it would be.

  ‘Mummy said I had to be brave. That I was a big girl now and didn’t need a nanny,’ Melody sobbed.

  ‘Shh. It’s all right, princess. It’s all right. Daddy’s here. I’ll fix it,’ he crooned, and stroked her long blonde hair. Slowly, her tears subsided and she stood back from him, automatically smoothing down her designer outfit. She held herself aloof, just like Mags had always done after an emotional outburst, and Dave realised he had his work cut out for him. Poor Melody didn’t know how to behave any differently.

  ‘Feeling a bit hot?’

  ‘Yes.’ She wiped at her blue eyes and nodded.

  ‘Let’s get you home and into some play clothes, eh?’

  ‘I don’t have any play clothes. Besides, my nanny—that is, my old nanny—gave me lots of school work to get done. She told me that you’d be out most of the time and that I’d have to be by myself so I may as well do some work.’

  Dave looked at his daughter with incredulity. He’d never heard such nonsense but now was not the time or the place for such discussions. He shook his head slowly and bent to pick up her bag. ‘Where are the rest of your bags, princess?’

  Her bottom lip was still quivering as she shook her head.

  ‘This is all there is?’

  ‘Mummy said I wouldn’t need many things out here. She gave the rest of my things away.’ The tears were flowing again and Dave hoisted her up into his arms, holding her tightly as she cried yet again. The mental traumas this child had been through, and all because of her self-righteous mother. His heart melted when her own little arms came around his neck, holding him tight. He dropped the bag and stroked her hair back from her face as she cried.

  ‘Need a hand?’ one of the ladies from the air terminal asked quietly, and Dave nodded. He carried Melody to his ute. ‘Come on, princess. Let’s get you home.’

  ‘It’s…not…my…home.’ She hiccuped between the words. ‘I…don’t…have one and I’m not a princess.’

  Dave clipped her seat belt around her and rubbed his fingers gently down her cheek. ‘You are a princess, Melody. You’re my princess and Daddy’s never going to let anyone hurt you again.’

  ‘But…but…you don’t like…me.’

  She couldn’t have inflicted any more damage on his heart if she’d pierced it with a sword. ‘What? Melody—I love you.’

  ‘But…but…Mummy said you…didn’t…like me and that’s why…you wouldn’t come and get…me.’

  Dave kissed her head, holding her as she cried again. She was obviously very tired and she’d had such a terrible and emotionally draining day that he couldn’t blame her for the constant tears and outbursts. He clenched his jaw again, unable to believe that Mags had said such things to her daughter. He should have flown to Sydney and collected Mel. He should have followed his gut instinct and now he was furious with himself. Why had he listened to that witch?

  He took a deep breath. ‘You’re wrong, Melody. Mummy was wrong.’ Dave could feel tears pricking at his own eyes as he gazed down at her tear-stained face. ‘I love you, so much.’ A tear dropped from his lashes. ‘You’re my precious girl and you’re very, very special to me.’ He wanted to tell her that they’d never be apart again, but he wasn’t sure what else Mags had told her. He wanted to say she could rely on him for the truth and that he’d do everything he could to be a good father—but he knew it would be too much, too soon.

  ‘Little steps,’ he whispered, as he wiped her tears again. ‘We’ll take little steps in our new life together.’

  Melody looked up at him, nodded and sniffled, her bottom lip still protruding slightly. She reached out her little hand and gently wiped away his own tears. The tender action caused the lump in his throat to swell, and his heart filled with pride at her gentleness.

  There was hope.

  He knew it.

  He felt it.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ROSE wasn’t surprised that she didn’t hear from Dave on Thursday night as he was probably spending time with Melody. She had to face facts. There was another woman in his life now, and even though she was only six, it meant that his time would be divided between them.

  She frowned. Surely she wasn’t jealous of a six-year-old! From what Dave had told her, and how she knew Julian would have treated the child, Melody had obviously been through the wringer lately. Now she had to adjust to a new life here in Broken Hill with her father—but what part was Rose supposed to play?

  She paced around the house once more, unable to control her thoughts. She knew she could call him. That in this day and age it was fine for women to give men a call, especially when they were dating, but she couldn’t do it. She was still very uncertain about herself, thanks to Julian and the degrading way he had constantly put doubt into her mind. She could almost hear him now.

  ‘Do you think that would be the right thing to do, Rose? Imposing on people like that? It’s very rude—at least I think it’s rude.’

  Comments such as that had been made constantly throughout her time with him, and she wondered why she hadn’t realised it had just been his way of manipulating her. How had she been so stupid?

  Cross with herself, and determined not to let her silly neuroses get in the way, she took out her address book, checked Dave’s number and picked up the phone. When she got to the last digit, she hung up again.

  ‘I can’t do it,’ she said as she paced around the kitchen. ‘Yes, you can,’ she retorted, and headed back to the phone. She dialled again, forcing herself to take a deep breath and relax. She was anxious to hear his voice. Anxious to feel those tiny tingles that flooded her body when he spoke to her. Anxious to know he was nearby and thinking of her.

  ‘Yes?’ His tone was brisk.

  ‘Dave?’ Rose asked hesitantly, checking the number in her address book again. Had she dialled wrong?

  ‘Rosie.’ His voice softened marginally. ‘What can I do for you?’

  ‘Uh…’ Now what? Oh, she was no good at this. ‘I…uh…just wanted to see how things went. How did things go with Melody and the nanny?’ She hoped the nanny was a middle-aged woman with warts on her face, rather than the red-headed beauty she’d been imagining.

  ‘Fine.’

  ‘Is something wrong?’

  ‘Melody’s about to go to bed but she doesn’t want to sleep in the spare room. I told her she could sleep out here on the couch, but it really isn’t that comfortable.’

  ‘Um…well, why don’t you let her sleep with you tonight?’ she ventured. ‘Surely it couldn’t hurt. Just for tonight. The first night in a strange place is always uncomfortab
le.’

  ‘Yeah.’ He relaxed a little. ‘Good thinking. She’s had a terrible time of it, poor kid.’ He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘The nanny didn’t come. Mel came the entire way from Sydney by herself.’

  ‘What? What happened to the nanny?’ Rose asked in stunned disbelief. Her insides twisted in horror at the thought of a six-year-old girl travelling all that way by herself.

  ‘Mags said she didn’t need a nanny.’ Dave’s tone was harsh and Rose didn’t blame him.

  ‘What are you going to do about tomorrow? You’ve got house calls and a clinic.’

  He groaned. ‘I’d forgotten. I have no idea.’

  ‘What about Mick? Or his girlfriend?’

  ‘He and his girlfriend are leaving for Adelaide in the morning. They can’t cancel the trip or postpone it. They won’t be back until early Saturday morning.’

  ‘I see.’ Rose thought quickly, unable to believe what she was about to do. Her heart was hammering wildly against her ribs and her throat went dry. ‘Well, I’m…um…not due in Theatre—at least for tomorrow morning.’ She had planned to get through some paperwork but it could always wait. Rose knew from experience that no child should ever be made to feel unwanted. ‘I have a list in the afternoon, though.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ He sounded cautious. ‘I appreciate the offer but if it’s going to make you uncomfortable then I can make alternate arrangements.’

  ‘I…er…want to do this, Dave. I want to help you out.’ She wasn’t at all sure but the caring note in his voice had helped override the fear she was starting to experience. ‘Just relax and be honest, right?’

  His laugh was incredulous. She’d remembered what he’d said and was willing to apply it. ‘That’s right. You’re one remarkable woman, Rosie Partridge.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she said softly. ‘Do you want me to come out to the farm?’

  ‘Actually, I think she might appreciate getting away from the farm. It’s not a great place for a kid to stay.’ He looked over at his daughter, sitting primly on one of the old, uncomfortable chairs, clutching her teddy to her for dear life. She looked frightened—scared—and he wondered if she was listening to his conversation. He raked his free hand through his hair. ‘I’ll drop her off tomorrow morning. Right now, I’d better go.’

  ‘All right. See you in the morning.’

  ‘Bye.’ He hung up the phone and went over to Melody. ‘How about sleeping in Daddy’s big bed tonight?’

  ‘With you?’ Her eyes widened as she looked at him and for a moment he felt as though she were reaching right into his soul.

  ‘Do you want to?’ he asked slowly, and was pleased with her emphatic nod.

  ‘I remember doing that the last time I was here and it was fun.’

  Dave smiled at the way she’d instantly brightened. ‘Good. Off you go, then. Get into my bed.’

  He waited for her to get beneath the thin cotton sheet, the gentle whirring of the ceiling fan above them. He sat on the other side of the bed and lifted his legs on top of the sheet after kicking off his shoes. Melody shifted over and snuggled into him. Dave ran his fingers gently through her hair, his gut twisting with an overpowering and protective love.

  ‘Daddy’s got to go to work in the morning,’ he said softly. ‘And Uncle Mick has to go on a trip to Adelaide for the day.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘Shh,’ he whispered. ‘Just listen for a moment. I want to introduce you to…a friend of mine. Her name is Rosie and she’s a doctor, just like me. We work together at the hospital but she doesn’t need to come to the hospital tomorrow morning and she asked if you could go to her house to play.’

  ‘Play?’

  ‘Yes.’ Dave wasn’t sure how Rosie would cope with playing with a six-year-old but he didn’t want Melody to feel unwanted. Besides, Rosie had offered. ‘So that will be exciting, won’t it?’

  ‘I guess,’ Melody replied, yawning once again.

  Dave bent his head and kissed the top of hers. ‘All right, princess. Time to go to sleep, and don’t hog the bed like you did last time.’

  Melody giggled before yawning again. ‘What does “hog the bed” mean?’

  ‘It means you take up all the room,’ he explained. ‘Now shush and close your eyes.’ He continued to stroke her hair, letting his thoughts wander. How would Rosie and Melody cope tomorrow? The importance of the situation penetrated him. Rosie was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. She was intelligent, lively, spirited, direct and most of all honest. He loved the way they argued, the way she knew it was just an argument and didn’t take it too seriously. He loved the way she deftly raised her chin and squared her shoulders when she was preparing to give him a piece of her mind. He smiled at the memory. They were both hotheads with tempers that sparked easily and cooled just as quickly.

  They had so much in common and tomorrow he’d introduce her to the other important female in his life—his daughter. He ignored the instinct that told him it might not be as easy as he hoped.

  But surely when Rosie met Melody—in person—things would be different…Wouldn’t they? He knew she’d been burnt by Julian and his indifferent treatment of his own children, but he wasn’t like that. He loved his daughter and wanted her with him.

  He stopped moving his hand on Melody’s hair as realisation struck. Was that it? Did Rosie want to be the only woman in his life? He’d asked her if she’d wanted children and she’d said she didn’t know. What did that mean? Didn’t most women want children?

  He glanced down at his daughter who, he realised, was now asleep. His heart swelled with paternal love. How could anyone not want children? They were so…amazing. So fantastic. So humbling.

  ‘It has to be her own childhood,’ he murmured, as he carefully slid out of Melody’s grasp. He walked through to the kitchen and took a beer out of the fridge. He cracked it open and took a long drink. ‘What happened to her mother?’

  ‘Talking to yourself again, bro’?’ Mick asked as he walked into the room.

  ‘Something like that.’ Dave headed out to the verandah. Mick followed, sipping on a beer as well.

  ‘Problems with Rosie?’

  ‘Ha! When aren’t there problems with women?’

  ‘Want to talk about it?’

  ‘She’s just so…different. I’m in love with her, Mick.’

  ‘Tell me something I don’t know.’

  ‘How could you know? I’ve only just realised it myself.’

  ‘Hello! I live with you, remember? You’ve been different ever since she arrived in town. You’ve fallen faster than a lead balloon, and so has she. What’s the problem?’

  ‘You think Rosie loves me?’ Dave couldn’t help the smile of pride that filled him.

  ‘Sure. A blind man could see that. As I said, what’s the problem?’

  ‘She doesn’t like kids.’

  ‘Are you for real?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘I asked her.’ He drained his drink and leant against the verandah rail. ‘I want more kids, Mick. I don’t want Melody to be an only child and I want to be there from the beginning, to feel my child kick inside Rosie.’

  ‘So she doesn’t want to have kids?’

  ‘She’s not sure.’ He exhaled sharply and looked up at the star-filled night. ‘I’ve got so many unanswered questions, Mick.’

  ‘Then why don’t you find out what the answers are?’

  Dave stared at his brother. ‘You’re right. What’s the time?’

  ‘Just after nine.’

  ‘Look after Melody, for me, mate.’ Dave stalked into the kitchen and returned a moment later with his car keys. ‘I need to speak to Rosie.’

  ‘Maybe you should call first.’

  ‘You know me,’ Dave replied as he opened the car door. ‘Spontaneity at its best!’

  Rose rested her head back on the edge of the bath, determined to get rid of her headache. This was her last night of peace and quiet and she was going to e
njoy it with a relaxing soak. The water was like satin against her skin and the scented bubbles were enough to make her drowsy.

  She refused to let herself think about the multitude of problems floating around in her head. Tonight she was going to relax and pamper herself a little. She’d taken the phone off the hook and turned out all the lights. The gentle breeze from the bathroom window ensured she didn’t get too hot and the five beautiful, flickering candles gave the room a soft glow. She closed her eyes, taking her first deep relaxing breath in days.

  Her worries started to slip away, which was what baths like that were designed to do. As she continued to lie there, her mind turned to Dave. She blocked out any unanswered questions she might have and just focused on how much she cared about him. He’d become so special to her in such a short time. What she’d told him about not being rushed had been absolutely true, yet in some ways it was thrilling to be so caught up with emotions the way she’d been since arriving in Broken Hill—emotions that Dave alone was responsible for.

  She thought about how gorgeous he’d looked when she’d seen him arm-wrestling in the pub. Had he really been ogling her back then? Little flutterings of excitement sprang to life in her stomach as she realised he had, especially if his kisses were anything to go by.

  The way his mouth felt when it met hers…it was as though they’d been designed for each other. Never had she experienced emotions of this magnitude before but, then, she’d never been in love—really in love—with a man.

  Oh, she’d told herself she’d been in love with Julian but it was nothing compared to how she felt for Dave. She could yell at Dave. She could lose her temper. She could be at her worst and he still found her attractive. It was as though he knew she had faults and simply accepted them, rather than trying to change her.

  Rose sighed as her love for him grew once more. She allowed her imagination to run wild. She and Dave were married and this was their house. After a hectic day at the hospital they’d come home together, and when it was his turn to cook he’d draw her a scented bath and tell her to unwind, bringing her in a cool glass of wine, desire sparking in his eyes. He wouldn’t disturb her, though, because he’d be able to tell she just needed some time by herself.