Just One Kiss (Hearts of the Outback Book 1)

by Susanne Bellamy

  “I don’t mind waiting, unless—”

  “No, I’m fine. So, do you want to get down to it? I mean— Gah! That did not come out right.” With a groan, she hid her face in her hands.

  A rich baritone laugh erupted, the first she’d heard from Dan. The sound was smooth and sweet, like her favourite Benedictine liqueur. Sneaking a peek between her fingers, she caught her breath. He was an attractive man—ask any of the women on base—but when he laughed, his face came alive. Laugh lines bracketed his mouth and his eyes crinkled. He was handsome, and so very appealing when he relaxed his guard.

  And so unavailable.

  Sighing with frustration, she reined in her appreciation before she let it gallop away.

  “Tweety Bird, I would love to get down to it—on your script. Want a wine while we work?”

  She nodded and jumped up. “I’ll get a couple of glasses.”

  In the kitchen, she leaned her forehead against the cupboard and drew a deep breath. What unlucky star had she been born under? Other women didn’t make strings of gaffes like she did. She thumped her head against the cabinet before opening the door and taking down two wineglasses.

  By the time she returned, Dan had set two chairs at the table and fired up his laptop. He twisted the cap off the wine and showed her the label. “Do you like shiraz? Terri had this the other night when I called in.”

  “Yeah, we drink that or beer whenever we’re here. Thanks.” She held out a glass for Dan to fill and then set it on the table while he poured a drink for himself. “I’m really sorry about attacking you like that. If you’d called out or something—”

  “Actually, I did call. But hey, don’t be sorry. That’s a really good move you have. If only more women took the initiative and learned self-defence, I reckon we’d see fewer casualties coming through the Emergency department.” Dan raised his glass in a toast. “Well done, Tweety Bird.”

  “Thanks.” What more could she say? Dan might not be into women and he might keep his distance but he made her feel good. Better than good. If she put aside the unreachable prospect of Dan as boyfriend material, there was potential for a real friendship between them. If only she could quell her attraction to him.

  “Do you want to hear which songs I’ve pulled out of Terri’s favourite film as possibilities for your skit? And may I add, this was a tough job.”

  “Because there were so many choices?” Amy chuckled at the thought of Johnno doing what Dan had done. As much as he loved Terri, watching an entire Elvis movie would be beyond him.

  “Watching the whole thing was more than I could manage but this song looks promising.” Dan clicked on a YouTube clip and through to a group scene of bikini-clad girls and young men on a beach. “If Terri is after a hula for the women, ‘Ito Eats’ fits the bill. And it would suit her luau theme.”

  As Amy watched, ideas tumbled from her brain and when the music ended, she touched Dan’s arm and swivelled to face him. “Don’t put yourself through any more torture. That’s perfect.”

  Beneath her hand, his muscles tensed and Dan sat back. His arm slipped away from her touch and Amy’s pleasure dimmed as she reminded herself he didn’t welcome the touch of a woman.

  Pinning a smile on her face, Amy picked up her wine and took a sip, fortifying herself for the discussion she knew they needed to have. “Look, Dan, can I clear the air with you?”

  The wary look was back in his eyes, and his gaze darted to the house. “About what?”

  “You’re a really nice bloke and I like working with you but that’s all there is to it. I’d like us to be friends, nothing more. No pressure, no expectations, just—mates.”

  Wariness gave way to a puzzled frown. “Why are you telling me this now?”

  “I’m working in what some people still see as a man’s world. I’ve just earned my captain’s bars—”

  “You mean to tell me—”

  “You’re my first doctor.”

  Dan’s mouth quirked up in a one-sided smile Amy hoped to see more often. “Glad I didn’t know our first flight together was your first in charge. I might have been tempted to—”

  “Bail out? No deal, doc. You’re stuck with me.” Amy returned his smile and ploughed on. “So, can we put aside this male female thing and just be work colleagues and friends?”

  “Amy, there are reasons why I maintain distance from the women at work.”

  “I get it. And I don’t want to complicate a work relationship any more than you do. Just think of me like you do Johnno, or Mike or any of the other blokes. Except when it comes to which side of the plane is mine.” She winked at him and was pleased to see the tension in Dan’s body ease. This friend thing could even be fun if he wasn’t worrying about what she might be after, and they could just enjoy one another’s company.

  The veranda light flicked on and the screen door banged against the wall. “We’re home.” Terri and a sheepish looking Johnno emerged through the back door. “Come on in and I’ll serve dinner since it looks as though you two haven’t touched the casserole. Is that shiraz you’re drinking? Dan, you’re a good man.” Terri bustled back inside as Amy and Dan rose, scooping up the wine, glasses, and Dan’s laptop.

  “Hi, Johnno. How’s the truck?” Amy led the way across the grass to the shallow steps into the house.

  Johnno leaned against an upright, and rubbed the back of his neck. “Fan belt went and some silly coot had nicked the spare.”

  “Didn’t you consider catching a snake to use?” Amy had babysat Terri and Johnno’s two children the first night they watched ‘Bran NueDae’.

  Johnno grinned. “Ah, you don’t believe what you saw in that movie, do you, Ames?”

  “You’ll have to teach me tips for driving out here. I haven’t heard about the snake yet.” Dan followed her inside, stowed his laptop and then topped up their glasses and poured one each for Terri and Dan. A second bottle appeared from his wine cooler as he joined them at the dining table.

  They raised their glasses and Terri offered a toast. “Here’s to a successful fundraiser, and thanks to wonderful friends for helping.”

  “And to one amazing lady with a vision and drive to succeed. Terri.” Dan’s words surprised Amy. Not because he’d acknowledged Terri’s work but because the depth of his appreciation was unexpected.

  Amy glanced at him as he replaced his glass and picked up his cutlery. He seemed more at ease than he’d been since his arrival. Maybe having Dan as her friend wouldn’t be so hard after all.

  Chapter Four

  “Come on, it will be fun.” Amy hadn’t expected resistance from the office staff to her skit but it was proving to be a tough sell. “Hey, don’t you want to show off those gorgeous bodies you’ve been toning up at your pole dancing classes?”

  “We can’t go from hula skirts to ball-level perfection again after your skit. And who wants to wear a coconut bra? Eww.” Lizzy, one of Sharyn’s Barbie-circle of friends idly filed her perfect manicure before pinning Amy with a glare.

  “Wouldn’t be fair on our dates either,” Tess, the office junior, crossed her arms. Suddenly, her disinterest dissolved and a smile lit her face as she gazed past Amy’s shoulder. Along with every other female in the room.

  Amy didn’t need a sixth sense to work out the reason. Silly women, falling all over themselves and making cow eyes at Dan. Of course, she wasn’t hypersensitive. Just—aware when he was near. Like good team members should be aware of each other.

  He leaned on the counter beside her and stage whispered. “We may have to divulge the theme—in secret, of course. Don’t you think that might set a few minds at rest?”

  Lizzy sashayed up to the counter opposite Dan. Ample cleavage showed as she leaned forward. “Do tell, Dan. What’s the theme? I promise not to tell.” She made a cross on her chest, drawing attention to the expanse of skin exposed by her low-cut V-neck, and simpered up at him.

  Amy had to give him credit. His eyes never once strayed below Lizzy’s face and he kept a ple
asant expression on his face. “What do you think, Amy? Shall we spill the good news?”

  “I think Terri should have the pleasure.”

  For a timeless moment, the others faded into oblivion as his sea-blue gaze met and held hers. Then Dan pulled his hand from behind his back, turned to the women and flourished a pile of posters. “Terri’s just delivered these for us to put up around the base. Ladies, what do you think?” He held one up to show the office staff.

  “Oh, cool! Hawaiian theme.” Lizzy tapped Dan’s arm and looked up from under coyly lowered lashes. “So, will the blokes come bare-chested? I love the idea.”

  “Anything’s possible. Can you put these up around the office for Terri?” He handed over a few and added, “By the way, we need people to perform in a skit. Any chance—?”

  “Absolutely. We wouldn’t miss it, would we, Tess?”

  Certain that Dan had heard the earlier comments, Lizzy’s complete about-face would have been annoying if Amy hadn’t seen the funny side. She bit down on her tongue to hold back the laughter bubbling up inside.

  “Great, thanks.” Dan turned to Amy and, with a swift wink for her alone, sauntered back into the workshop.

  Amy tapped her short, mint-green-polished nails on the counter and watched Dan’s exit. That was one way to achieve a goal. Since their dinner at Terri’s, he’d eased off the ‘iceman’ image, although maybe it was a ‘safety in numbers’ approach. Once she had her face under control, she turned back to the women and nodded. “Okay, thanks for volunteering. We’ll let you know when the first rehearsal will be.”

  ##

  Dan finished checking the contents of the medi-pack container and replaced it in the storage locker. The exercise occupied both hands and mind but was simple enough that his off-kilter response to Amy wouldn’t affect the result.

  Through the window he’d watched her standing her ground and trying to convince Tizzy Lizzy, the office Barbie—he grinned at the apt nickname Amy had let slip at Terri’s—to help at the fundraiser. The woman seemed to have her claws out for Amy and be making it difficult for the others to join in. His grip had tightened on the bundle of posters and he’d stepped into the office, intending only to interrupt Lizzy’s attack.

  But as he stood beside Amy, the scent of her hair, like fresh apples, had distracted him and he’d all but forgotten why he was there. And when she turned her hazel gaze on him, his name deserted him. For the longest moment, they just stood . . .

  ‘Friends’. Her words haunted him. Just mates and colleagues. But try as he may, he couldn’t see her as one of the boys. Not when her ponytail bounced above the slim column of her neck, and her uniform hugged her curves and proclaimed her all woman. Sweet and feisty rolled into one. Nothing could come of the attraction. Amy had as good as told him that but his body didn’t accept her declaration. And his head should know better too. After Gosford, there couldn’t be any work-based relationship.

  “Hey, doc, you in there?” Johnno poked his head through the doorway and climbed aboard.

  “What’s up?” Wiping a smear of dust from his hands, Dan moved into the main part of the cabin.

  “Got a call out for you and Ames. She’s getting the details now.”

  “Thanks. I’ve finished my stock take. All good to go.” Mentally switching gears, Dan moved into his personal pre-flight checks.

  Johnno glanced through the hatch and stood his ground, blocking the hatch, and pinned Dan with a look. “Before Ames gets here, I want a word with you. She’s in a vulnerable place right now. Don’t hurt her or you’ll have me, and more frightening, Terri, to deal with.”

  “Hurt Amy? I have no intention of hurting her. What gave you the idea that—?”

  “Terri. She reckons Ames likes you but she’s coming off a broken relationship. Bastard dumped her when she was shortlisted for promotion and he wasn’t.”

  Anger surged through Dan. How anyone could be stupid enough to throw away Amy’s heart was beyond him. “If it sets your mind at rest, Amy told me she wants nothing more than to be friends. Not that I’d ask for more. I want a calm and comfortable workplace, that’s all. No romance, no entanglements, no potential for disruption.”

  “Disruption? Ha! Lost that one the day you showed your face here, mate. Women in the office love single, handsome fellas like you.” Johnno chuckled then straightened as Amy climbed aboard. “Keep that goal in mind, doc. Safe flight, Tweety Bird.”

  “Will do.” Amy stood aside as Johnno jumped down the stairs and disappeared. “What was that about goals?”

  “Bloke talk. What are the details on our call out?” Focusing on the job was a lot more comfortable than thinking about what Johnno had divulged. Or the fact that Amy was free. It simply meant he would have to be more vigilant and ensure nothing he did gave her the wrong idea. Which would be the right idea, only he refused to act on it. Gosford had seen to that.

  Amy slipped into the left seat and read the information aloud as Greg, her co-pilot, arrived. “Broken leg and concussion. Remote location. The landing will be rough. Need to collect any supplies before we’re cleared for takeoff?” Amy carried out thorough checks in her pre-flight, but her clipped question was dismissive and at odds with the sparks jumping between them in the office.

  “No, I just finished checking supplies before the call out. All good to go.” Interrupting her now wouldn’t be helpful but Dan needed to know if he was the cause of her distance. He buckled his seatbelt and replayed their encounter while the plane taxied and leapt into the sky. But no matter how much he dissected it, nothing accounted for Amy’s abrupt mood swing.

  Troubled by Johnno’s revelation, Dan stared through the porthole. Beneath them, dry, brown land gradually gave way to a winding river and steep-sided hills that would make rounding up livestock difficult.

  “Keep your eyes open for orange smoke, doc.” Greg’s voice came through Dan’s headset and pulled him back to the present. Smoke canisters made finding patients in remote areas easier and quicker than spotting tiny figures from the plane.

  Dan concentrated on scanning the ancient landscape. Time could be critical if the patient’s concussion was bad.

  “Portside, ten o’clock.” Amy banked left and descended, lining up an approach between two columns of orange smoke rising almost vertically.

  Dan could see nowhere to land but Amy approached with confidence. And then, the wheels touched down and they bumped over rough ground that jarred his teeth in his head. As the plane came to a standstill, he relaxed his white-knuckled grip on the armrest.

  Amy was out of her seat and unlocking the hatch before he’d unbuckled. Her white face was set and her shoulders looked like she carried the weight of the world as she clattered down the steps.

  Hampered by his medical bag and a medi-container, Dan followed as quickly as he could. Several stockmen stood in a semi-circle around one of their team. Ahead of him, Amy dropped to her knees by the patient’s head, bent over him, and stroked his face. “Jeff, wake up.”

  As Dan reached the group and set down his gear, she looked up. Amy never cried but her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I can’t get him to wake up. Oh please, Dan, do something. He’s my brother.”

  Chapter Five

  Amy couldn’t stop the trembling in her hand. Jeff, bossy big brother and tower of strength, lay unmoving as she stroked his pale cheek. A thin trickle of blood seeped from his ear.

  Dan bent over and checked Jeff’s pulse and pupil dilation. After that, his actions blurred as she fought a losing battle and the tears rolled down her face. Impatiently, she wiped the back of her hand over her eyes.

  “It’s bad, isn’t it, Dan?” She caught her lower lip between her teeth and sniffed. Damn the stupid tears. They wouldn’t help Jeff and Greg might get the idea he should captain their return flight. Over her dead body. Nobody but her would be flying Jeff anywhere. She blinked away her tears and looked at Dan for any sign that the worst might happen.

  “I’ve eased the pressure and
his vitals are stable but it will be easier to assess him in hospital.”

  Dan’s expression gave nothing away but his calm control steadied her and gave her hope. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Prepare for takeoff while we move him onto the evac-board.”

  Leaving Jeff lying there pulled against every instinct. She sucked in a deep breath and forced herself to stand. “We’ll be ready for takeoff as soon as you are, doctor.” On unsteady legs, she ran back to the plane and climbed into her seat.

  Fear like blinding fog wrapped around her and her heart pounded as though she’d run a marathon. What if they were too slow? What if Jeff didn’t make it?

  “Captain? Amy? I can fly home if you want to sit in the back with your brother.” Concern tinged his voice and expression as Greg offered the tissue box.

  A good co-pilot, Greg’s notion of his skills didn’t match with her perception. He flew well but the thought of his takeoff from this remote corner of her family’s property was enough to drag Amy from her morbid speculation. One deep, steadying breath, and another, and she found her voice. “Thanks, Greg, that won’t be necessary.” She grabbed a couple of tissues and blew her nose defiantly.

  Behind them, Jeff was being lifted into the cabin. Dan’s authoritative voice gave directions and then the locks clicked into place. “Thanks, everyone.”

  Pete, who had carried her on his shoulders when she was knee-high to a grasshopper, gripped her shoulder and leaned forward. “Hey, Amy, he’ll be okay with you flying him. Take care, love.”

  “Thanks, mate. Doctor Dan is good.” Amy swallowed and prepared to turn and taxi.

  Len, their head stockman paused in the hatchway. “Doc, let us know how Jeff’s doing, will ya?”

  “We’ll get word to you when we know more.” Dan shook hands with Len before shutting the hatch. As he stepped back, he caught her eye. “All set, Captain?”

  “Yes, Doctor. Ready for takeoff.” Her hands moved in automatic, familiar patterns as she turned the plane downhill and lined up her run. Increasing revs to maximum, she released the brakes. They bump-rolled down the emergency runway and skimmed the low, surrounding hills before climbing to cruising altitude.