by Lucy Clark
‘Wait a minute. Why does she want you to start dating again?’
Jennifer visibly bristled and squared her shoulders. ‘That is none of your business, Dr Edwards.’
‘I think it is, especially if I’ve been chosen as the guy to get you off the blocks.’ His good humour was beginning to reassert itself. A flush came to her cheeks at his words and he realised it caused her eyes to sparkle like the deep blue of the ocean. Her black hair was pulled back into a tight bun and for a startling moment he wondered what she’d look like with it flowing loose and free around her shoulders.
‘Dr Edwards, all you need to know is that I don’t date my staff, even if I was ready to “get off the blocks”, as you so eloquently put it. End of discussion.’ With that, she turned and walked into the ward, her back firm as she put all thoughts of her new, sexy colleague out of her mind.
It was easier said than done and she was very aware of him as she undertook her first ward round. It was the one time she should be exhibiting total professionalism. She was the new boss. This was what she’d been waiting for for so long and now that it was here all she seemed conscious of was where Jasper Edwards was standing. Her body seemed to have tuned itself to him and even when he was out of sight, his fresh scent worked its way into her synapses and continued to tease her to distraction.
Twice she had an intern waiting patiently for her to answer a question. The whole entourage, which was made up of medical students, interns, registrars and her fellow consultants—including Jasper—watched her intently, waiting for her words of wisdom. The problem was she had no idea what the initial questions had been, all due to her awareness of ‘Eddie’.
Jennifer was cross with herself for not maintaining total control. She’d had to freeze out the world before and she could do it again, especially if it meant she avoided making a fool of herself in front of her staff. Sara may have thought Jasper Edwards up to the job of melting her hardened heart but Jennifer knew better. She’d been called the ice queen at her old hospital and she wasn’t at all perturbed about continuing that name here—especially if it meant colleagues like Jasper Edwards kept their distance.
After they’d completed the ward round, Jennifer was about to head back to her office to take another look at her schedule for the day when the clinical nurse consultant called her over.
‘There’s a call for you, Dr Thorngate.’
‘Thank you.’ Jennifer took the receiver to discover it was Martha.
‘Your morning heads of unit meeting has been cancelled. Professors Dorian and Fitzgibbon have flu and won’t be in.’
‘It seems to be chasing me,’ she murmured absent-mindedly.
‘Pardon?’ Martha asked.
‘It was going around in Melbourne and I managed to avoid it. It doesn’t matter. Does this mean I head to clinic?’
‘Yes. Eddie will show you around if you’re not sure where to go.’
‘Thank you.’ There was no point in telling her new secretary that she wasn’t about to rely on ‘Eddie’ for anything. If she got lost, she’d ask someone else for directions. After all, she was a woman and if there was one thing women knew how to do, it was to ask for directions.
‘I’ve rebooked you in to have your hospital identification photograph taken at one o’clock, which should give you enough time to finish in clinic,’ Martha continued. Jennifer listened to her secretary, pleased Martha was not only highly trained but communicative as well. It was sort of strange having a secretary all to herself, where as deputy head of unit at her last hospital she’d had to share secretarial support with three other consultants.
When she’d finished on the phone, Jennifer closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep, calming breath. Her eyes snapped open when that now familiar spicy scent wound itself about her senses once more.
Without turning around, she said, ‘Is there something I can help you with, Dr Edwards?’
‘How did you know I was here?’ he asked softly.
‘I’m good like that.’ She turned slightly to see him lounging in a chair, his hands fiddling with a pen he’d just picked up off the desk. He was handsome. She’d give him that. Those eyes of his, which were now watching her intently, were the most amazing colour and Jennifer had the feeling she could lose herself in them quite easily…But she was stronger than that. She could quite easily resist. Straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin with a hint of defiance, she waited for him to continue.
‘Better than you were during ward round, I hope,’ he stated with a quirk of an eyebrow.
His words put her on the defensive and she crossed her arms, her tone crisp and concise. ‘Meaning?’
He put the pen down and lifted his hands, palms out towards her. ‘Nothing. Just teasing.’
Jennifer looked down her nose at him, needing to put him in his place because then she’d hopefully be able to gain better control over her own wayward emotions. ‘Well, I’d kindly ask you to keep comments such as those to yourself in future.’
‘Ah, and there she is. The ice queen who terrified medical students, interns and registrars at her previous hospital. When I met you this morning, I thought Ted McGinchley had been wrong, you were so sweet and charming. Although I guess if people are rubbing you up the wrong way you’re bound to hit defensive mode sooner rather than later.’
‘Let me guess, you enjoy rubbing people up the wrong way. Sparking a reaction and having a good chuckle about it later?’
‘I don’t chuckle about it. Sometimes, though, ruffling a few feathers makes life a little more exciting, don’t you think?’ His look was direct, his gaze unwavering, and Jennifer found herself unable to move for a moment. Her mind also seemed to have been wiped blank yet again and she had no idea what they’d just been talking about. She needed to regain control again, and fast.
‘Well, if you don’t want anything, I’ll head up to clinic.’ She turned and walked toward the ward doors, thanking the CNC on her way out. She knew Jasper was beside her, those long legs of his covering the distance without a problem.
‘I thought you had a meeting.’
‘It’s been cancelled.’
‘Right.’ They fell into an uncomfortable silence as they walked along the corridor towards clinic. Jasper wasn’t quite sure why he’d been teasing Jennifer. He guessed it wasn’t good to antagonise the woman who could give the green light to certain projects he was contemplating. As a trained orthopaedic consultant, Jasper was one of two surgeons employed full time by the hospital. Jennifer was the other. Usually consultants spent a certain number of hours at the hospital and the rest in their private practices, but as Jasper’s main interest was in trauma medicine, working in the hospital full time gave him the opportunity to continue being an orthopaedic trauma specialist. Jennifer, however, was now in control of the department’s budget so he’d do well to remember that.
He knew on a psychological level he should try to distance himself from her. He’d heard from his colleague in Melbourne that Jennifer Thorngate didn’t care about anything except her work. It was no wonder he’d been expecting the dragon lady, and he was still trying to get over his initial surprise at the way she’d smiled and laughed with him earlier that morning. He’d been even more surprised to discover he’d liked the way she looked, the way her eyes sparkled with mirth and the way he appeared instantly drawn to her.
He’d been further intrigued to learn not only about the connection with Sara but that Sara was trying to get Jennifer to date again. Again? What had happened in Jennifer’s past to make that a necessity? Had she lost someone close to her? Was that why she lived only for the job and nothing else? He, of all people, knew what it was like to feel the agony of losing a loved one and relying on work to get you through, but he also knew it was important to get back into life or you could end up losing yourself. If he hadn’t had the twins, he wasn’t sure he would have survived Elisha’s death, but he’d had to go on living, raising his beautiful girls, and he was glad he had. Sure, it wasn’t e
asy but life was about the journey, not rushing to the end.
However much he was intrigued by the new head of unit, he’d do well to keep the relationship strictly professional. She’d met his daughters. There was nothing he could do about that. He might even see her from time to time at the many barbecues and big family gatherings Sara loved to organize, and he could deal with that, too. But that would be the extent of their personal contact and if she was going to freeze him out, well, he just might let her.
They entered the clinic without another word spoken between them, as though they’d both been making firm resolutions and were now intent on keeping them. Jasper politely introduced her to the outpatient clerical staff as well as the nursing staff and then picked up a file and called his first patient through.
Clinic was as busy as she’d expected and she was glad she’d been able to help rather than being stuck in a meeting. The only glimpse she had of Jasper was when he was escorting a patient into his consulting room while she’d been escorting one out.
‘Professional,’ she whispered to herself as she went to have her identification photograph taken. She could handle anything so long as she maintained her professional persona.
It was well after seven o’clock when Jennifer finally swapped her white coat for her suit jacket and large winter coat. She had a briefcase full of work to keep her company that evening and was ready to head back to Sara’s place.
As she walked to the front of the hospital, she heard someone call her name and turned around to see Jasper heading in her direction. She prepared herself for the next onslaught of what he called teasing. She hoped he wouldn’t. She was worn out and just wanted to be left alone. What she hadn’t expected were the tingles that assailed her body as he drew closer. She ignored them and went on the defensive instead.
‘Dr Edwards.’ She nodded curtly. ‘Forgot to say something else this morning? Perhaps an extra insult that you just wanted to get off your chest before you left for the night so you could sleep in peace?’
‘Ooh, and there’s that sarcasm of yours. Right in my face and making me want to say something to definitely rub you up the wrong way.’
Jennifer stared defiantly at him for a moment then the tension seemed to flood out of both of them and they laughed. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, shaking her head.
‘I am, too. I guess I didn’t make it easy for you today.’
Jennifer shrugged. ‘I’ve had worse first days.’ She pointed to the briefcase he held in his hand. ‘You’re a bit late to be heading home.’
‘It happens. Are you heading to your car?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ll walk with you.’ With that he waved to the security guard who was on his way over. ‘I’ll walk with Dr Thorngate,’ he said, and Jennifer was left with no choice but to go with him.
‘At least it’s not raining.’ She tried to make small talk.
‘I guess, coming from Melbourne where it drizzles all day long in winter, Sydney might be seen as an improvement.’
‘I guess but I remember quite clearly what winter is like in Parramatta.’
‘Of course. I keep forgetting you know your way around here.’ He paused then asked, ‘Is that how you know Sara? She only said she had an old friend staying with her,’ he added.
‘We’ve been friends since high school.’
‘I remember now. She calls you Jen most of the time, right?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you prefer Jennifer or Jen?’
‘Jennifer at work. Only my closest friends call me Jen.’
Jasper nodded but didn’t make any further comment. She pointed to a blue Jaguar Mark II. ‘This is me.’
‘This is your car?’
‘I just said as much. Why? What’s wrong?’
‘It’s just that…well…usually women don’t drive classic cars like this.’
‘That’s a very chauvinistic comment, Jasper. I’m sure you’d like your daughters to have an appreciation of fine cars.’
‘Well, yes, of course. Sorry.’
‘Don’t be. I’m used to that sort of reaction from men.’
‘Have you had it long?’
‘About eight years.’ She took a deep breath, looked down at the ground then met his eyes, the car park’s artificial lighting accentuating his angular jaw and straight nose. ‘It belonged to my fiancé. He died of cancer.’ There. It was out. She’d learned to say the words matter-of-factly, removing all emotion whenever she brought up Arturo.
Jasper nodded slowly. ‘Why are you telling me this? I thought you liked to keep your private life private.’
‘I do, but let’s face it, Jasper. Sara seems intent on getting the two of us together so no doubt she’s planning some party or get-together soon and we’ll be forced to mix. She’ll also let slip details about my past, just as she’s told me about yours.’
‘So you’ve said.’
‘It was only the basics. She probably thinks that because we’ve both lost someone to cancer that we have a lot in common.’
Jasper scratched his head. ‘She thinks that grief can bring people together?’
‘You know Sara. Her mind works in a way that is still a mystery to most top neurologists.’
He smiled at that, hearing the love she had for her friend in her voice. ‘And this is why she wants you to start dating again? Because you drive your deceased fiancé’s car?’
Jennifer had to smile. ‘It’s not just the car.’
‘It shouldn’t be. It’s an amazing car.’
‘It’s a money guzzler.’ She stroked the bonnet lovingly. ‘But I don’t begrudge one single penny.’
‘Let me guess. It makes you feel close to him?’
‘Art. Arturo—that was his name and, yes, it does.’
Jasper nodded. ‘I’m like that with my bedroom. My wife decorated it in her own special style—she was an artist. Even now, three years later, even though I know I’ve moved on emotionally, I still love being in that room.’
‘It’s like looking through an old photo album and remembering the good times.’
‘Yes. Exactly.’ Jasper smiled at her. ‘My mother thinks it’s morbid to leave the room the way it is but I wouldn’t change it for anything, just as I’m sure you’re not going to get rid of this car.’
‘No. She’s a part of me.’
Jasper was silent for a moment before asking quietly, ‘Would you mind giving me a ride home?’ He looked longingly at the car as she’d seen so many men do over the years.
‘Don’t you have your car here?’
‘I do, but it can stay here overnight. Classic cars such as this little beauty…’ he stroked the bonnet ‘…don’t come along every day.’
‘So you want me to drive you home just so you can ride in her? How will you get to work in the morning?’
‘I don’t live far. I can walk.’
‘What if it’s raining?’
‘Then I’ll use an umbrella.’
Jennifer smiled, liking his logical answer. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course. I am a man who knows his own mind…most of the time,’ he added with a grin.
‘All right, then.’ She shifted her briefcase to the other hand and pulled the keys out of her pocket. She contemplated her decision for a whole split second before holding them out to him. ‘As it’s not that far to your place, would you like to drive her?’
Jasper’s eyes almost popped out of his head and Jennifer couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Of course I am. And I am a woman who knows her own mind.’
‘You’d let a complete stranger drive your very special car?’
‘First of all,’ she said as she unlocked the driver’s side, then opened the back door to put her briefcase in, ‘you’re not a complete stranger, Jasper. Secondly, we may be new colleagues but you’ve known Sara for years, as have I, and I’m sure we both know that Sara is very careful about who she gives her loyalty to. And, thirdly, I’ve met your daugh
ters and as a father you would no doubt be a careful driver, given you’d often be carrying precious cargo in the back.’
‘Any other reasons?’ He was teasing her, she could tell by the slight twitch of his lips. It was interesting how she’d picked up on that so quickly but, then again, he’d teased her quite a few times today.
‘Yes.’ She held out the keys to him. ‘Because I can tell you really want to.’
Jasper nodded and this time took the keys from her, holding them as though they were precious jewels. Jennifer headed around to the passenger side and watched as Jasper took off his coat and placed it carefully on the back seat next to his briefcase before sliding smoothly behind the wheel. He leaned across and opened the passenger door for her, then put the key in the ignition and placed his hands on the leather steering-wheel.
Jennifer was very pleased when he didn’t start the car straight away but instead seemed to be taking his time, looking around, checking out where the lights were, the wind-screen wipers, reading the dials. His hands caressed the steering-wheel in the same way Art had done and she smiled at that. She loved this car, there was no doubt about that, and it wasn’t only for sentimental reasons but she had to laugh at the way men were almost hypnotised by it.
‘She’s like a grand old lady, perfect in every minor detail. What’s her name?’
‘What makes you think she has a name?’ Jennifer was instantly amused.
‘Come on. Tell me her name.’
‘Why do men name their cars? I’ve never understood that.’
‘What’s her name?’ Jasper reiterated insistently. ‘I know she has one because if your fiancé loved her as much as I think he did, he would have named her.’
Jennifer rolled her eyes. ‘Miss Chief.’
‘Mischief?’
‘No. Miss Chief.’ She said the two words slowly. ‘But she can be a bit mischievous at times.’
Jasper wiggled his fingers as he reached for the ignition and sighed as the car purred to life. ‘Glorious.’
‘Do you two want to be alone?’ Jennifer laughed and clipped her seat belt on. She hadn’t been a passenger in this car for a very long time and it felt kind of nice to be driven around in it once more. She settled more comfortably into the leather seat, ready to enjoy being chauffeured.