by Judi Nolan
CHAPTER THREE
Of course Spencer remained standing right in front of her. He didn't move a muscle or look away. Kate felt his gaze studying her averted face assessing and drawing his own conclusions.
She glanced up to see him lift his shoulders. "I run every night I can manage. Unless I'm on call."
He brushed off his fingers before taking a mouthful of the coffee Kate had passed to him, with a nod of thanks. "With a desk job like mine, I need a more regular exercise regime."
His dark gaze speared hers. "What about you? Do you run?"
"Oh, no. No, I...used to."
She looked down into her coffee, trying not to remember the late evening runs she'd taken along the lake shore with Eric after they first met. Before things changed and his growing possessiveness turned him into a man she hardly recognized. A possessiveness she now realized was entirely due to his not wanting to be seen in public with her. It was another painful memory that seared the breath in her throat.
Don't go there. But a sharp pain shafted through her. "A long time ago. I don't any more because I don't seem to have the time."
She glanced up again, disconcerted to find him still watching her with narrowed eyes. Like she was a complex puzzle he was trying to work out to his satisfaction. She felt the warmth retreat from her face, leaving her feeling shaken.
A harsh frown flickered through Spencer's dark eyes, turning his expression cool and remote. A black curl of hair had fallen forward across his forehead.
He swept it back with impatient fingers. "Well, you're welcome to join me anytime. We could get a group together if you wish. I would be glad of the company because it can get lonely out there and I could use a couple of pace-setters." He dropped his eyes to the slice of cake, all his concentration on dissecting it with his long fingers.
Kate looked away. He was simply being polite. The invitation was blandly spoken, almost off hand. Allowing her plenty of room to refuse.
Or accept.
No way. Her heart went cart-wheeling with dismay.
Pushing her slice of cake aside, she sipped her coffee. Her mind suddenly threw up a mental picture of him at the end of a long run, his beautifully tanned olive skin bronzed with sweat, long powerful legs wide braced, his broad, hair roughened chest rising and falling to the rapid pace of his breathing as he reached up to run his fingers through his sweat dampened hair and—
"Oh!" She jumped at the graphic image.
She forced back a groan. She had enough to cope with just working beside Spencer Stelanos, without getting into deeper water with him.
"Thanks, but I think I'll stick to doing sit-ups in front of the television." She managed to toss him a dry look. "If it gets painful and ugly, only I will know."
"Boring." His mouth turned down. "Any time you want to escape into the real world, give me a call. Jamie can always come too." He paused before continuing smoothly, "If you're feeling nervous around me."
Her mouth dried. What had he seen in her face? "Heavens, what, on earth, makes you think I'm nervous?" she asked, on a sharp laugh.
"Good. I was beginning to think it was me. That somehow I scared you." He leaned against the kitchen bench, crossing his long legs at the ankle. "That was never my intention. We must work together after all. We like to think of everyone who works here as family. We look out for each other."
"I understand that, but you don't intimidate me." She told the lie with straight face. "Really, Dr. Stelanos, I don't know what could've given you such a strange idea."
"Spencer," he said, with terse emphasis.
"Dr. Stelanos. I really do prefer to keep my professional relationships on a formal basis." She looked deep into those hard, watchful eyes and knew she could never tell this man the truth.
That her need for solitude was fast becoming far more important and necessary to her peace of mind than ever. She knew she had nothing to offer in any intimate relationship and was better off alone. Any new relationship would demand total commitment and she was fresh out of that.
She forced a note of wry humor into her voice. "As for the running, I simply prefer not to have an audience while I work out."
"Fair enough. But the offer still stands. Just say the word. I find running clears the mind."
But not the heart. She shook her head against the temptation of going running with him.
Intent on changing the conversation before it became too personal again she latched onto the first thought that came into her head. "Why New Zealand?"
"I'm sorry?" That mobile, dark eyebrow winged up as he drank his coffee.
"Despite your name, you're obviously Australian." She tried again. "I just wondered why you've chosen to live here in New Zealand."
"My family immigrated to Australia from Santorini when I was barely three years old." His dark gaze roamed her face. She managed to keep her expression politely enquiring as he continued to speak. "I've lived in a few different countries over the years. But when I was working in Melbourne the hours became impossible with no time for a decent family life. Jake offered me the partnership here and I knew this was a great place to bring up kids. Even Katerina enjoyed it in the beginning. The skiing and the tourist night-life were her thing for a time."
His face hardened. "They were close enough to town to keep her entertained for a year. Then she got restless. But I like it here, so I've never been tempted to move on. Start somewhere new."
"It certainly is beautiful." She turned to look out the kitchen window towards the towering shape of the distant volcanic mountain that gave the town its name. It looked awesome in its remote and splendid beauty.
Right now its stark brooding mass was bare and stony, it’s head shrouded in cloud cover, but she guessed that in the winter the elegant, sweeping cone would be covered in snow. Spencer was right this would be a great place to bring up children. Feeling his eyes studying her back view, she busied herself filling the sink with water and liquid soap before washing her coffee mug.
"So, what about you?" He moved in beside her to rinse his own mug.
"What about me?" She looked up, finding him too close again.
"I’m curious about your reasons for coming all the way from the States to New Zealand," he replied. "Edith told me your references were excellent. You could’ve been accepted anywhere much more urban. Why chose such a rural town? Surely, after a big city like Chicago, it would be too quiet for a woman like you."
"What do you mean, ‘A woman like me’?" She frowned, toweling dry her mug before placing it back on the shelf. "You don’t know anything about me."
He was judging her again by some odd standard of his own. And obviously found her wanting. Why did it matter anyway?
She lifted her shoulders against a tight throat. "I’ve never had a place I could call home. I was orphaned when I was very young. I felt a desire to see something of the world and this seemed like a great opportunity." She managed the white lie with barely a tremor in her voice.
"I see." He placed his mug on the shelf beside hers. "But you may find you’ll begin to miss the bustle of a busy lifestyle in a few months. No doubt you’ll want to move on. Make sure you give us plenty of notice."
He now seemed determined to find some fault in her. Was he again comparing her to his restless ex-wife who’d walked out on their marriage?
"I can assure you I don't have any plans to move on." She held her temper. "I don't miss the city at all. In fact, I—"
"Ah, here she is." The kitchen door opened and Edith Michaels walked in, followed by an older man, almost as tall and powerfully built as Spencer.
"It's really great to finally meet you." Edith kissed Kate's cheek. "This is Jake Morgan, our other senior partner. I see you've already encountered Spencer."
She hurried to peer around her colleague's strong frame. "Hey, I should've known you'd be eating Kris's cake." She punched him lightly in the shoulder. "Have you two left any for the rest of us?"
"Good morning." Kate moved to shake hands with Dr
. Morgan as the other two commenced a friendly argument over the rather decimated remains of the cake.
"Morning, Kate. I've been hearing good things about you." Jake Morgan nodded as he looked down at her.
Kate saw him frown, his gaze doing a swift double take of her features before lifting a questioning look beyond her left shoulder. Without turning, Kate became vitally aware of Spencer moving to stand close behind her. The masculine heat of his body seeped into hers. She forced down the raw image of his body moving even closer, pulling her back against his strong thighs.
She struggled to breathe.
Spencer didn't speak, only cleared his throat in a rather pointed manner, before moving back almost immediately, leaving her feeling bereft.
What was it that the two men saw in her face? The troubling question nibbled away at the edge of her composure.
"Yes, well, that's excellent." Jake sucked in a breath, seeming to collect himself as he continued smoothly, "Edith has certainly sung your praises and, after looking over your resume, even Spencer thought you'd work out. That settled it. I'm glad you were available to join us. Your references are outstanding. But, we're a very long way from a big city like Chicago. Are you sure you'll be happy here?"
"Thank you, Dr. Morgan." She glanced at Spencer's thoughtful face. "I wanted to come here. I'm sure I'll be fine."
Spencer leaned back against the counter again, watching her. His remote gaze didn't flicker.
"If I can help anyone in any way, then I'll be more than happy to assist them." She dropped her eyes. "I just hope I can live up to such a grand billing."
"Oh, I'm sure you will. Just pull your weight around here. That's all any of us ask." Dr. Morgan hurried to assure her. "Do that and you won't hear any complaints from me."
"Or me," Spencer added quietly.
"Now, there are a couple of questions." Jake crossed the kitchen to pour himself a mug of coffee. He turned back. "Don't worry. I won't ask anything too hard. Just like to know where you're at with your reading. We keep up to date around here as much as possible. I'm afraid it doesn't always allow time for much of a social life."
"Please, ask me anything you wish." Kate kept her eyes from Spencer's as he began to move around the kitchen, talking with Edith as she drank her coffee. "And I don't lead a very active social life."
"Excellent." Jake smiled. "I'm sure we can manage to give you a few hours off here and there. We usually let Spencer hold the monthly staff barbecue at his place in the country after the races. Not too many neighbors to disturb if we decide to throw an all night rowdy."
"Thank you." She felt supremely conscious of Spencer still watching her. "That sounds like fun."
He certainly disturbed her. More than she was comfortable with. She made a mental note to contact the estate agent as soon as possible. Even if she was reduced to living in a town flat, it was better than this constant state of nervous tension whenever the man was around.
Somehow she managed to concentrate on answering Dr. Morgan's rapid fire questions, but she could sense Spencer listening to every word. Once she was forced to ask Jake to repeat his question. Spencer's quiet presence was a distraction she found hard to ignore.
"Well, I think that covers everything." Jake nodded several minutes later. "I'm only sorry we didn't get time to put a face to the name before this."
He shook his head. "Spencer and I worked for over fifteen hours on that terrible accident. The trials of a running a semi-rural practice," he mused, in a tone that told her he wouldn't have it any other way.
He walked across the kitchen to stare at the cake. "So, normal surgery hours are eight in the morning until five thirty, Monday to Friday. We cover the nights in rotation with the other two practices here in town. Weekends we run a Saturday morning surgery."
He waved a hand. "There's a roster for that. The rest of the weekend is covered for emergencies only. You'll find we have our own x-ray facility and pharmacy. The more intricate surgery cases we can't handle here are taken by ambulance or helicopter to the nearest base hospital."
"Orderly and clean cut." She nodded. "Just the way I like it."
"Good. I'm afraid this cake has far too many calories." Jake patted his flat waistline, shaking his head regretfully. "Okay, everyone, we have patients waiting. Spencer, hang on for a moment, will you? I've just had a call out and before I go I have something I need to discuss with you."
"Well done," Edith said, as they left the kitchen together. "I knew you would work out, when we first interviewed you. Welcome to the team. Kevin and I have been here six months and we're loving it."
"Thank you. I'm relieved Dr. Morgan didn't ask something I couldn't answer."
"Oh, Jake's all right." Edith smiled. "Spencer can have his moments, but on the whole they're a great team to work for. Kevin says we're very lucky to be here. See you later."
Kate smiled as the other woman walked away. She was about to continue to her own rooms when the reception area suddenly erupted into chaos. A young woman began to scream. Spinning towards the sound, Kate saw she was heavily pregnant and staring down at the large, damp patch spreading rapidly over her clothes.
The young woman glanced up and caught Kate's gaze. She looked terrified.
"Oh, my God," she moaned. "My waters have just broken."
"Dr. Morgan just got called out to an emergency," Kris said, as she and Kate hurried to assist the frightened young woman. "Mandy's been waiting for some time to see him."
"Help me get her into my room, then." Kate instructed the receptionist. "Hello, Mandy. Let's see if we can make you more comfortable. Can you stand up for me?"
"I think so but my back is so sore." Mandy looked thoroughly miserable. She managed to struggle awkwardly to her feet.
"I'm Dr. Martin. How far along are you now?" Kate asked as they helped her into the consulting room and onto the examination couch.
Kris left to tidy Reception and Cheryl slipped into the room. The nurse stood at the head of the couch holding Mandy's hand, trying to reassure her.
"I'm about thirty-eight weeks," Mandy mumbled in a miserable tone. "I feel like an overweight elephant." She laid her hands over her distended abdomen. "I've had dreadful backache all night. I had no idea my baby was on its way, but now my waters have broken and I just know I can feel that the baby is ready to come—everything's happening at once, Dr. Martin!"
Kate grasped her free hand. "I'm afraid babies are like that, and my name is Kate."
"Thanks, Kate." Mandy squeezed her fingers tightly. "What's going to happen now? Oh, I think I'm having a contraction!"
Kate returned her tight grip. "Please try to hold on. We need to check the baby's position first."
"I'll try," Mandy nodded jerkily.
"Good girl. I'll be as quick as I can." Moving down to the foot of the couch, Kate quickly completed a complete pelvic examination and found that Mandy was already fully dilated. The baby's head was engaged and birth was imminent.
"I need to push. I can't hold on," Mandy managed to gasp as another pain curved her body upwards.
"Everything looks in order." Kate glanced up. "You need to breathe, Mandy. You can do this, we can do it together. Breathe! And push when you need to. Breathe in and push."
Kate found she had no choice but to begin delivering the baby. Gently the child's soft, damp head crowned, but as she slid her fingers down the baby's neck to check for the umbilical cord, she was alarmed to find several loops coiled around the baby's neck. Her alarm turned to dismay when she discovered they were so tight she couldn't pull then over the baby's head to enable a safe delivery.
She looked up quickly. "You're going to have to hold on for a while, Mandy. Whatever you do, don't push. Do you remember your breathing exercises? You need them right now."
"I don't know," Mandy cried tearfully as she began to pant awkwardly. "I can't do this. Call my husband. I need Matt to be here!"
"Yes, you can do it, sweetie. Breathe and pant. Good girl." Kate quickly lifted her
eyes to meet Cheryl's. "I'm going to need an extra pair of hands. Hurry and see who you can find for me. And get Kris to call for Mandy's husband."
"I'll be as quick as I can." Cheryl nodded and slipped out of the room.
It seemed like hours before the nurse returned, but Kate knew it had only been a few minutes. Spencer was following close behind. He closed the door.
"I hear you're adding to Mountaindale's population. What do you need?" His narrowed, sweeping gaze freshened Kate's feeling of tension. Even asking for his professional help seemed to be pulling her closer to this man she'd been determined to keep at arm's length. But right now she had no choice.
Kate swallowed her tension and beckoned him over so she could explain her predicament in low tones. She braced her shoulders as he stepped closer.
His vitally warm presence enveloped her with an aura of solid dependability. It ruffled her wary senses. What was it about this one masterful man that she found so hard to ignore?
"The baby's face looks a little cyanosed." Spencer assessed the situation quickly. "If it's already hypoxic we might as well clamp and cut the cord, rather than trying to loosen it. It will quicken the birth."
Kate nodded sharply. "We'll need to do an episiotomy. The quicker the baby is born the better." She carefully explained to Mandy what they were about to do. The young mother nodded jerkily and closed her eyes.
Leaving Cheryl to continue talking to the frightened young mother in low tones, encouraging her, Spencer deftly cut and clamped the cord while Kate held the baby securely in position. Mandy panted and gripped the bed tightly with both hands, her face red with the exertion of not being allowed to bear down. With the baby's shoulders rotated into the right position, and the episiotomy performed, Kate was eager to see the baby born as soon as possible.
"You can push now, Mandy!" She encouraged and after a few anxious moments the baby almost fell into her waiting hands.
"Well done, Mandy." Kate breathed raggedly as she looked her over. "It's a beautiful little girl!"
She felt a sharp pain tightening around her rapidly beating heart. It threatened to engulf her with the overwhelming sense that having a child of her own just wasn't in her future. She tried to squash the feeling deep down where it wouldn't hurt so much and summoned a relieved smile when Spencer threw her a questioning glance.