by Lucy Clark
She could well imagine the two of them, sitting on the front porch at the base, looking up at the stars as she pointed out the different constellations in the southern hemisphere. They would rock on the rocking chairs, they’d relax and chat after a busy day travelling either to a clinic or an emergency. He’d look at her with that gorgeous smile he was giving her now and she would capitulate and end up in his arms, his mouth pressed firmly to—
It was a bad idea. If her thoughts were this distracted by him after only a few hours in his presence, how on earth would she cope with him staying at the base, staying at her place, given that she lived at the base? No. It wouldn’t do at all. The man had too much of a devastating effect on her equilibrium. Much better to see if he could go to Katherine for a visit. Much safer. He’d see more of the outback and he’d also be a three-day drive from where she was situated. Better.
His smile slipped a little, concern touching those deep brown eyes of his…eyes she could well and truly drown in. ‘Are you all right, Euphemia?’
‘Uh…I’m, er…I’m fine. Thanks.’ She stammered quickly, fumbling over her words, not wanting him to guess the path her thoughts had taken. ‘I have a lot on my mind. The conference, my paper, what’s just happened with Kiefer. Uh…but with regard to you observing a—’
‘Helping,’ he interrupted. ‘I don’t plan to simply observe. I intend to be of service and work for my keep, so to speak.’
‘Well…good. It does get busy and I’m sure your help would be greatly appreciated, but I’ll need to see what I can organise. I’m not in a position to invite people back to the base to help out. There’s a lot of paper work involved.’
‘When isn’t there?’ he mumbled, but nodded as though he completely understood.
‘I just can’t make any promises. At this stage.’ And that sounded to her own ears as though she was more than happy to have him around. Honestly, it seemed every time she opened her mouth, she just dug herself in deeper.
‘That seems fair and I know you’ll do your absolute best. You’re a natural giver and carer, Phemie, and you go out of your way to help people. I know you’ll put a lot of effort into doing all you can to assist me in my request.’
He wasn’t being pompous, even though he might have sounded it. Phemie watched him as they headed back to their makeshift A and E and knew his words were sincere and from the heart. The brightness in his eyes also let her know he was serious and very interested in how the RFDS worked. She should be honoured that a man such as the professor would want to come all the way to the outback to not only see what they did but help out as well. Utilising someone with his skills and knowledge would be something she knew her boss wouldn’t turn down, but on a personal note Phemie wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Gil was just too…close for comfort.
When they returned to the lounge carriage, it was to find the number of waiting patients had dwindled.
‘Most people were concerned about minor things and just wanted reassurance,’ Wilma said as she made a cup of sweet tea for a patient. She handed over the tea and then pointed to where Julian was busy checking an elderly woman’s pulse rate. ‘Debbie’s kept lists and files on everyone and has been highly effective in keeping people calm until they could receive treatment.’ Wilma paused for breath. ‘Kiefer and his friend are away, then?’
‘On their way to Perth.’ Gil confirmed. ‘With the toe.’
‘I’d heard it had been found. That’s wonderful news.’ The retired nurse beamed from ear to ear. ‘Now, if the two of you would like to see those last few patients who have just come in, I think afterwards you should go and rest. Debbie and I can stay on here for the next few hours in case other people are brought in, and if we need you, we’ll come and get you.’
Gil nodded but smiled at the other woman. ‘Spoken like an experienced nursing sister who’s used to bossing doctors around.’
Phemie chuckled as she’d been thinking the same thing. Not that she minded. Wilma had obviously been good at her job as today’s organisation had shown and, besides, if she herself was able to escape to the confines of her cabin, to put some much-needed distance between herself and Gil, who was she to argue?
They treated the last few patients and as Phemie tidied up the rubbish and put it in the bin, she felt rather than saw Gil come to stand behind her. She turned to find he was wearing that delicious smile she liked and with it came the powerful effects. Phemie crossed her arms over her chest in an effort to give herself some sort of barrier against his natural magnetism. She was about to excuse herself when the loudspeaker above them crackled, startling Phemie a little.
‘A little jumpy,’ Gil noted. ‘Are you usually so inclined?’ He quirked an eyebrow, watching her with interest.
Phemie shrugged her shoulders then listened intently to what Harlan was announcing over the train’s intercom.
‘Would all passengers not presently receiving medical attention please return to their designated seats. Stewards will be around shortly to check on all guests.’
‘Sounds as though we’ll be getting under way soon enough.’ Gil collected his Thermos from where it had been placed out of the way. ‘I would be honoured if you allowed me to escort you back to your cabin.’ He indicated the door not far from where they were standing and then made a small sweeping bow. ‘After you, milady.’
Phemie couldn’t help but smile. The man really was an odd mixture of old-world charm and dictatorial perfection. With the lift of an eyebrow he could either make someone shrink to the size of a peanut as he looked down that perfect nose of his or he could make a woman feel as though she were the most important person in the world, his eyes radiating his pleasure. Thankfully, she was experiencing the latter, those rich brown pools creating havoc within her.
Gil’s smile increased when Phemie didn’t move. She simply stood there, smiling up at him, her blue eyes bright with tired happiness. It was an unguarded moment, where her heart was there for him to see. He’d become quite good at reading people, especially with all the travelling he’d done that year, and as he looked into her eyes, he saw that there was a lot more to Phemie Grainger than he’d first thought.
He saw hardship, experiences, pain. He’d noticed it the first time he’d looked into her amazing eyes. They really were the window to her soul and he couldn’t help but be intrigued by guessing what events had touched her life to make her look so tired yet so happy.
Life could be unkind. He knew all too well about that. He’d had a loving wife. He’d had a gorgeous child and both had been ripped from him. He’d known the pain of wanting what you couldn’t have, what it was no longer humanly possible to have, and when he’d been unable to cope with the grief, with the agony of not being able to hold those he loved close to his heart, he’d locked himself away in the world of research and only recently had he actually started taking steps outside.
There was no way he wanted a romantic commitment ever again. He’d tried that once and he knew his heart wouldn’t be able to take the pain and mortification in the event that something went wrong—again. Work had been his saving grace. Work had seen him through the dark nights and the depression, and now, after four years of constant work and concentration, he was starting to look outside those parameters.
Asking Euphemia to arrange for him to see a working RFDS base was still definitely within the bounds of his research, within the bounds of ‘work’, but it was something he wouldn’t have asked a virtual stranger to do two years ago. He would have kept to his timetable. He wouldn’t have deviated from the plan even for a second. Even taking the train from Perth across to Sydney had been his idea, not his handlers’.
This was the last stop on his world tour. He’d loved New Zealand and he’d been blown away by the few sights he’d seen when he’d spoken first in Brisbane, then in Darwin before making his way across to Perth. Still, apart from this train journey, he’d basically seen either the inside of a hotel room or a hospital operating suite where he’d lectured whilst perfor
ming surgery.
The train, which took three full days to snake its way across the wide brown land, had sounded like sheer luxury, especially when the rest of his team had declared they’d rather fly, something Gil preferred not to do, if at all possible. Too many planes. Too many flights. No. This time the train was a much better option. Three full days to simply be himself. To sit back, chat with the locals and absorb the quiet of a country half a world away from his own.
No one would know who he really was. No one would be pestering him to discuss his latest techniques. He’d just be a regular guy, travelling on a train, relaxing. Then he’d bumped into Phemie—literally. The fact that she’d recognised him almost instantly had been enough to burst his bubble but now he was sincerely pleased it had. He was having a much better time on this trip than even he’d been able to anticipate. Of course, attending to Kiefer and helping other passengers could, in no way, be classified as a good time, but watching Phemie work, observing her quick mind, assisting her—it had all been fantastic.
It was also fantastic to have her smiling at him as she was now. Why was it that whenever it was just the two of them, like this, time appeared to stand still? Scientifically he knew it was a complete impossibility but emotionally it was delightful. To be able to glimpse those emotions again. To be able to feel the warmth of a woman’s interested gaze. To have a moment to feel as though he’d stepped into the sunshine.
It was safe. It was simply a bubble and bubbles popped, forcing him back into the reality where life was structured and full of problems ready to challenge his mind into solving them. It was why he could allow himself to enjoy the way he felt in her presence because he knew, ultimately, the bubble would burst when they arrived in Sydney. Euphemia Grainger was simply a diversion. Something with a little extra spark to get him through that final leg of his tour.
‘Phemie?’ The instant he spoke, Phemie’s expression changed, the smile slipping from her face. They’d probably been standing there for only a few seconds but for some reason it felt like much longer—for both of them if her reaction was anything to go by.
What had she been thinking? The thought wouldn’t remove itself as they said thank you to Wilma, Debbie and Julian then headed back through to the sleeping carriages. Had she been standing there wondering about how to pull some strings and get him onto her RFDS base? Had she been thinking about him in a professional capacity? What it might be like to have the ‘famous’ Professor Fitzwilliam at her small informal base? Would she worry about a thing like that? Or perhaps…just perhaps she’d been thinking about him in a more personal way?
Was she aware of the slight buzz which seemed to exist whenever they were alone together? He certainly was. He’d only met her a few short hours ago and on several occasions he’d found himself wondering what it might be like to capture her mouth with his, to hold her close and feel that soft petite body pressed against him.
It was wrong. It was ridiculous and it was something which would never happen. He was a man who not only prided himself on excellent self-control but who also knew that relationships were not for him. Add to everything that he and Phemie lived on opposites sides of the globe and there was a definite probability there would never be anything except professional courtesy or perhaps—at a stretch—friendship between them.
‘This is me.’
Phemie stopped so suddenly Gil almost bumped into her. Just as well the train hadn’t been moving or he would have once more found his arms sliding around her waist as he steadied them both. She was pointing at a cabin door.
‘Ah…yes. I remember.’
Phemie smiled politely. ‘Well…it’s my cabin, at least for now.’
‘And then the day/night seaters. You have friends joining you?’
‘Uh…yes. My brother, actually. He and some friends are joining the train when we stop in Adelaide.’
‘Your brother.’ Now, why did he feel so pleased at that piece of information? ‘The one who says the word “stuff” like water.’
‘That’s the one.’ There was a small smile on her lips and she nodded. It was obvious she was very close to her brother and that was great. As Gil had been raised an only child, he’d often envied people who had close sibling and familial relationships.
‘Well, I guess I should let you get to your own cabin. Here’s hoping there are no other emergencies between here and Sydney.’
‘Agreed.’ He smiled and inclined his head politely. ‘Goodnight, Euphemia. Sleep sweet.’
‘Thank you.’ He was so intent, so charming as he bade her farewell that she half expected him to gallantly raise her hand to his lips and kiss it. He didn’t, however, and she opened her cabin door, slipping inside and leaning on it to ensure it closed properly.
What on earth was wrong with her?
Her heart was pounding against her chest. She was out of breath. Her knees were weak and her palms were perspiring. The man certainly had a killer smile and the way he smelt was utterly delicious and he was smart and handsome and had the most hypnotic eyes and deep, vibrating voice and she liked everything about him.
What on earth was wrong with her?
When the train finally pulled into Adelaide, Phemie was up, dressed and had already moved her bags to her appointed seat in the day-night section. She exited onto the platform, knowing they had a whole hour there before needing to board again.
She looked around at families greeting one another with hugs, kisses and tears of joy. There was no sign of Anthony and his friends. Phemie frowned, deciding to check inside the terminal in case they were waiting there, although she could have sworn they would have been waiting on the platform to see the train pull in. Slight alarm started to rise within her but she damped it down.
Inside the terminal, she walked the length of it, checking they weren’t in the restaurant or in the little souvenir shop. No sign of them. Her mental alarm bells started to ring with more prominence. She pulled her mobile phone from her pocket and immediately hit the speed-dial for Liz’s phone. While it rang, her gaze continued to search the terminal for any signs of Anthony or his friends. Had they been in an accident? Had someone gone missing?
As Liz’s phone continued to ring, Phemie’s intense alarm turned to panic.
‘Good morning,’ a deep voice said from behind her. She instantly recognised the British enunciation as Gil’s and turned to look up at him. His eyes were still as powerful as ever. His voice was still as smooth. His nearness was still evoking a powerful reaction within her but everything was overshadowed by concern for her brother. ‘I thought, if you’re not busy, we might have breakfast—’ He stopped when he saw the phone at her ear and the look of panic on her face. ‘Good heavens, Phemie. Is everything all right?’
‘I can’t find my brother.’
‘Oh. Where were you supposed to meet?’
‘Here. On the platform or around it or…there was nothing firm but I’d expected him to be here when the train pulled in. He loves trains.’ She was still looking around as she spoke, every muscle in her body tense, her voice strained.
Gil frowned a little. ‘How old is he?’
‘Twenty-four.’
Gil raised his eyebrows in surprise but quickly changed his expression back to neutral. If Phemie was older than her brother then she had to be either in her late twenties or early thirties. Good heavens, the woman certainly carried her age well.
‘He’s late. Anthony’s never late.’
‘I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.’ Especially given her brother seemed old enough to look after himself. At twenty-four and travelling with friends, there was no telling where the young men might be and they were no doubt running behind schedule that morning due to late night partying.
‘I can’t get hold of Liz. Why isn’t she answering her phone?’ Phemie could hear her voice rising with mounting anxiety.
‘Come. Sit down.’ She was obviously agitated and he wanted to help in any way he could. He placed his hand beneath her elbow and was p
leased when she allowed him to lead her to a chair by the door. She sat, cancelling the call she was making and trying another number.
‘Why isn’t he picking up?’ She let it ring a few more times before hanging up. She clutched the phone between both her hands, her gaze intent on the door before it flicked around the terminal, desperate to have her brother miraculously appear before her.
‘Maybe he forgot to charge his phone?’ Gil offered the excuse in order to help. ‘Batteries can go dead and usually when you’re travelling you often forget to recharge them. I speak from experience on that point.’
‘No doubt.’ She wasn’t really listening to him and he could see that not being able to find her brother was leading her into a greater state of anxiety. Gil was doing his best to try and calm her down.
‘He’ll be here.’
‘He wanted to see the train pull in. He’ll be so disappointed he missed it. He’s been talking about it for months.’
Gil frowned. It was just a train, pulling into a station. There was nothing exciting about that. Well, perhaps to a young boy, maybe but not to a twenty-four-year-old. Then again, perhaps Anthony was a train enthusiast or was simply a young man who liked trains. Who was he to judge?
She flicked open her phone and pressed another few buttons before holding it to her ear. ‘If I can just get hold of Liz and find out what’s—’ The terminal doors swooshed open and Phemie was instantly on her feet. ‘Anthony!’
She snapped her phone back into place as her feet took flight. She ran across the room and threw her arms around a man of about five feet five inches, who was a little portly around the middle and had the distinctive facial features of a person with Down’s syndrome.
As Gil watched, Phemie’s previous agitation now made complete sense. It was clear to all and sundry that she cared and loved her brother very deeply and he found himself once more re-evaluating the way he viewed Euphemia Grainger.
She really was becoming the most intriguing woman he’d met in an extremely long time and that fact in itself was dangerous.