The Doctor's Return

by Narelle Atkins

  The waiter returned and Luke perused the bill, placing cash inside the leather-bound folder.

  She sipped her tea, the reality of Jason’s presence weighing on her mind. No way would she turn around and see if he was still in the restaurant. The last thing she wanted to do was encourage his attention.

  Luke rested his arms on the table. “You’ve gone quiet on me.”

  “I’m thinking.”

  “He’s still standing in the reception area, and I assume he’s ordered something to go.”

  She sipped the remains of her tea. “I’m ready to leave if you are.”

  He stood. “Let’s go.”

  She walked beside Luke toward the door, and he threaded his fingers through hers. The familiar gesture brought a smile to her lips and lightened her mood.

  Jason leaned against a wall, his eyes widening at their approach. “Hey, Megan.”

  She ignored him, staying close beside Luke, reassured by his presence.

  Luke leaned closer to her ear, his voice low. “Keep walking and don’t look back.”

  She pushed the outside door open, the urge to flee building in her mind.

  “Megan, wait,” Jason said.

  She looked up at Luke. “He’s following us.”

  Chapter 7

  Luke tightened his grip on Megan’s hand, pulling her to a halt under a streetlight. “I’m going to deal with this now.”

  Megan gasped. “Please don’t get into a fight.”

  “I won’t.” He tipped her chin up with his thumb, looking deep into her eyes. “But I need you to follow my lead, okay?”

  She nodded and took a step back, half standing behind him.

  Jason sauntered toward them, an arrogant tilt to his head as his calculating gaze swept over them.

  Luke stood his ground. “What do you want?”

  “I just want to talk to Megan.”

  “She doesn’t want to talk to you.”

  He smirked. “She can’t speak for herself?”

  Megan took a big step forward, her arms crossed over her torso. “I’m busy and you’re interrupting our evening.”

  “Yes.” Luke draped his arm over Megan’s shoulders, pulling her closer to his side. “Did Megan tell you that we dated for four years?”

  Jason shook his head, a puzzled expression shadowing his face. “Are you two together?”

  Megan’s arm tensed around his waist, her breathing shallow. “It’s none of your business what I do in my personal life.”

  Jason raised his hands, palms facing up. “All right, I get it. I thought you liked me but you’ve obviously changed your mind.”

  Megan turned toward Luke, warmth radiating from her blue eyes. “Luke is very important to me.”

  His pulse raced, her heartfelt words soothing old wounds.

  Jason flinched, his face pale. “Okay, I won’t bother you again.” He walked back toward the restaurant, shoulders slumped.

  Luke stepped back, his attention focused on Megan. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, her eyes moist. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. It’s good he left of his own accord, without me having to force the issue.” His fist had been clenched, ready to take on Jason if he’d pushed harder to see Megan.

  She shuddered. “I’m glad he got the message.”

  He walked with her to his Jeep and opened her door.

  Lips pressed together, she stepped up into the vehicle and settled in her seat.

  He fastened his seat belt and switched on the ignition. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  She covered her face with her hands, her head bent forward. “I’m such an idiot.”

  He reversed out of the parking space, aware of the scrutiny they were receiving from a number of passersby. “No, you’re not. You weren’t to know how things would pan out.”

  “I didn’t realize that he thought I was interested in him.” She sat up straight, flicking her hair out of her eyes. “I told him a few years ago, when he asked me out, that I wasn’t interested in a relationship with him.”

  “Maybe he thought you’d changed your mind.”

  “I’ve no idea why he would think that.”

  He stayed silent, unwilling to initiate a conversation about her inability to deal with conflict. This time the problem she’d run from had caught up with her.

  He turned onto a road leading out of town. “We’re going to take the scenic route back to your house, just to make sure we’re rid of him.”

  “A good idea.” She swung around in her seat, the full moon lighting the interior of the Jeep. “I’m sorry you got caught up in this mess.”

  “It’s no big deal, and you know where to find me if you need to be rescued again.”

  “Ouch.” Her tone lightened. “I’m not a helpless female who can’t take care of herself.”

  “I never thought that for a minute.”

  “What were you thinking?”

  He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “That you need new friends. Are all your friends at the ski resort like him?”

  “No, the rest of them are kind of normal. I miss hanging out with them.”

  “Are you going back next year?”

  “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

  He nodded. At least she was honest. He had the next few years of his life in Snowgum Creek mapped out. His new house was coming along, the frame now up. The house should be ready for him to move in later this year, assuming there were no more delays.

  The high-beam headlights illuminated the country road and he turned onto another road, taking a different route back into town. They should arrive at her cottage within ten minutes.

  She smiled, stretching out her arms and legs. “This seat is comfy.”

  “I’m glad you approve.”

  “Thanks again for tonight. It was fun to hang out, like old times.”

  “We should try to catch up more often.” Despite the drama at the end of dinner, he’d enjoyed her company. She was fun to be around, and he’d missed her easy companionship.

  Her face relaxed in the moonlight. “We need to schedule a cycling trip up in the mountains.”

  “A Sunday ride would work for me.”

  “What about church?”

  “We could go to the night service. Why don’t we organize a full day trip, and stop somewhere nice for lunch?”

  “Are you offering to make lunch?”

  “I’m not completely useless in the kitchen, and I can make sandwiches.”

  She laughed. “I’m happy to know you won’t starve. We can compare schedules tomorrow at church, and choose a date.”

  “Okay. Are you going to the morning service?”

  “Yes.” She paused. “The last place Jason would expect to find me is church.”

  “Really?”

  “I visited a couple of churches years ago when I first started working at the ski resort, but I didn’t find a congregation where I fit in.”

  “What didn’t you like about them?”

  “To be honest, it seemed like everyone who was single and in my age group was looking for a spouse.” She shook her head. “That wasn’t one of my goals, and I found it hard to relate to them.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “My work friends didn’t go to church.” She sighed. “This probably sounds terrible, but I felt like a second-class citizen because I was single and had no aspirations to get married in my twenties.”

  “You’re not the first person to have this conversation with me.” His friend Emily had experienced similar issues in previous churches. “Do you feel like that at Snowgum Creek Community Church?”

  “No, but it’s my childhood church and I grew up with
half the congregation. I feel at home there.”

  “I’m glad.” He’d been praying that she’d use her time in Snowgum Creek to remember and explore the vibrant faith from her youth.

  Lord, thank You for bringing Megan back to our church family, and I pray she will continue to feel welcome and grow in her faith.

  * * *

  Megan sat beside Kate in a padded outdoor chair on the back deck of Jack and Kate’s home. Her brother had invited Luke’s family over for a barbecue lunch after church. They were all playing cricket on the lawn, and laughing as Ben’s dog, Lily, chased the ball around the yard.

  Luke held the wooden cricket bat, and Rachel stood in the wicketkeeper position behind a plastic trash bin they were using as a wicket. Ben and Jack were taking turns bowling, while Amy and the children fielded in various positions around the yard.

  Megan smiled, her gaze focused on Luke. He wore a fitted sweater and jeans, accentuating his lean cyclist’s build. She’d seen a lot of Luke since the incident with Jason over a month ago. She’d even had pizza with Kara at his and Rachel’s home after church one evening. To her surprise, she found she now liked Kara and enjoyed hanging out with her.

  Kate rubbed her stomach. “I think I ate too much for lunch.”

  “Oh, no, are you feeling okay?”

  “I’m starting to get heartburn after I eat.”

  Megan wrinkled her nose. “Not fun.”

  Luke’s nephew, Declan, bowled a good overarm delivery, and Luke hit the ball high into the air. His niece, Chloe, ran for the ball. She caught it clean in the outfield before Lily could reach it.

  Megan clapped, impressed by Chloe’s coordination. “Great catch.”

  “I reckon Luke hit that one to Chloe on purpose.”

  “Of course. According to Amy, he dotes on the kids.”

  Kate smiled. “He’ll make a great dad one day.”

  Megan lowered her gaze, her neck warm under her scarf and jacket. Kate had echoed her thoughts as she watched Luke play with the kids.

  “Speaking of Luke, he’s heading our way.”

  Megan’s heart lightened as he waved and sent her a broad smile. She’d told Jason the truth when she’d said Luke was an important person in her life.

  He leaped up the steps and dropped into the chair beside Megan. “What are you two up to?”

  Megan smiled. “Watching your family play cricket.”

  He winked. “I would have tried harder if I’d known you were paying attention.”

  “No way.” She laughed. “You’re too busy indulging your niece by hitting shots she can catch.”

  “You really were watching.” He grinned and turned to Kate. “How are you feeling?”

  Kate wriggled in her seat. “Pretty good. I can feel the baby moving.”

  “Really?” Megan dragged her chair closer to Kate. “Can you feel bub now?”

  Kate nodded. “I used to only feel flutters but now I think I’m feeling the baby kick.”

  “That’s normal for this stage of your pregnancy,” Luke said. “Your next prenatal appointment with me must be coming up soon.”

  “Yes, next week. I’m due to have another scan and see my obstetrician in Sunny Ridge next month.”

  Kate had booked a birthing suite in the maternity ward at Sunny Ridge Hospital. Megan couldn’t wait to finally meet her little nephew or niece.

  Kate placed her hand on her belly. “The baby is on the move.”

  “Can I feel it?” she asked.

  “I think so.” Kate smiled and positioned Megan’s hand on her abdomen.

  Megan kept her hand still on Kate’s rounded stomach. A slight pulsing motion fluttered under her palm. “I can feel something.”

  Luke met her gaze, warmth filling his golden eyes. “If you’re patient, the baby might change position for you.”

  She held her breath, waiting. A sharp movement jostled her hand and her heart melted. “Wow, there really is a baby in there!”

  * * *

  Megan’s face lit up, and Luke’s pulse accelerated as he drank in the awe and wonder shining in her animated eyes. He’d never seen her exhibit any maternal instincts until the moment when she felt the baby kick inside Kate’s abdomen.

  Kate smiled. “It explains the heartburn.”

  “It’s amazing.” Megan grinned, her hand still resting on Kate’s abdomen. “I want to feel another kick.”

  Luke laughed. “You’ll have plenty of opportunity over the next few months. The kicks and punches will only get stronger.”

  Megan dropped her hand. “I’m so glad I’ll be living close by when the baby arrives.”

  Kate shifted in her seat, straightening her back. “You’ll make a wonderful aunt.”

  “You think so?” she asked.

  Luke nodded. “You’ll be the fun aunty Megan.”

  Kate chuckled. “And you’ll get to play with the baby while I’m in a sleep-deprived haze and doing all the hard work.”

  Megan let out a contented sigh. “I’m going to enjoy spending time with the baby.”

  “I’m sure you will.” Was Megan serious about wanting to play a significant role in her niece or nephew’s life? He was drawn to Megan, and wanted to spend more time with her.

  He couldn’t help wondering what direction their lives would have taken if she’d accepted his marriage proposal. Could she commit to living in Snowgum Creek long-term? Did he dare entertain the idea that their relationship could evolve into something more serious?

  * * *

  A week later, Megan tapped on Bruce’s office door in the administration building at Sunny Ridge Hospital. The sports medicine doctor had summoned her for an impromptu meeting, and a queasy feeling filled her stomach. Had she done something wrong?

  “Megan, come in and take a seat.” Bruce sat behind his desk, his glasses on the tip of his nose as he typed something into his computer.

  She sat on the other side his desk, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. In half an hour she was meeting Luke’s friend Emily in the hospital cafeteria for lunch. She’d met Emily at Snowgum Creek Community Church a couple of weeks ago, and they were fast becoming good friends.

  Bruce looked up, smiling. “Thanks for coming at short notice. I’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while, but my schedule has been full.”

  She nodded. “I understand.” All the doctors in the hospital, Emily included, seemed to be overworked with a large patient caseload.

  “So, how are you finding your work here and at Snowgum Creek? Are you enjoying your hospital role?”

  She nodded, unsure of the reason behind his questions. “It’s going well, and I like working with the patients.”

  “That’s good. I’ve heard a number of glowing reports about your work. You’re doing a great job.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled, her body relaxing. “I appreciate the feedback and I feel like I’ve settled in well.”

  “The bean counters haven’t made a decision about your position when the twelve-month contract ends.”

  “I’m not expecting to have a definite answer for at least another six months.”

  He nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “I doubt you’ll hear any earlier, because the future of your position will depend on the outcome of the next government funding allocation.”

  “That’s okay. I’m happy with the twelve-month contract, and I don’t need to make any decisions until next year.”

  “Actually, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I’m impressed with your work and wanted to chat about potential career opportunities.”

  She lifted a brow. “What exactly do you mean? There’s really nowhere else to go within the hospital system.”

  He leaned forward in his seat, his hands clasped together on his desk. “Have you th
ought about doing a master’s degree program?”

  “Yes and no.” She smoothed her skirt over her knee. “I tend to travel a lot and I usually work at the ski fields in winter.”

  “Which is why I think you could be the perfect master’s degree candidate for my new research project.”

  She sat straighter, his words capturing her full attention. “What do you have in mind?”

  His smile broadened. “In July next year I’m starting a research project on skiing injuries. The two-year project will be based in Sydney, but we’ll be spending some time during winter doing research in the Snowy Mountains.”

  “Wow, I don’t know what to say. It sounds like an incredible opportunity.”

  “It will be intense, and a lot of hard work, but it would combine your two interests in sports science and skiing.”

  She nodded. “I like that idea.”

  “My understanding is your current contract ends in May, giving you time to relocate to Sydney. I believe your practical knowledge and love of skiing would be an asset to the project.”

  Her stomach lurched, her hopes of taking on the research position and living for part of the year in Snowgum Creek evaporating. “When do you need an answer?”

  “Within the next six or seven weeks. You’ll need to apply for the master’s degree program this year, although I can’t imagine you’ll have any difficulties securing a place. It’s easier when you’re part of a funded research project.”

  She nodded. “Thanks for offering me this opportunity. I’ll think about it and get back to you.”

  “Sure.” He ran his fingers through his wavy hair, highlighted with blond tips. “Unfortunately I’ll need a decision from you before you’ll hear if your current contract can be extended. But, since you move around a lot, you’ll probably be ready for a new challenge next year.”

  “Okay.” Her mind spun with numerous possibilities for next year. She’d never dreamed she’d be offered the opportunity to combine her love of skiing with a master’s research program. It seemed like her ultimate dream job, but it would mean leaving Snowgum Creek. And leaving Luke, again.

  She walked out of Bruce’s office in a daze. What would Luke say if he knew about this opportunity? Her heart was torn between staying in Snowgum Creek with her family and Luke, and chasing her career ambitions.