by Judi Nolan
"He was a very stubborn man." Spencer nodded, as he used his stethoscope and penlight to confirm that Wirimu had indeed passed away.
He looked up. "I'm sure it was quick and painless—his heart probably stopped beating while he was asleep."
He sensed Kate coming to stand beside him. "He wouldn't have suffered."
Beyond the open window behind them, a guitar strummed softly. A beautifully poignant Maori song of loss and farewell lifted into the night air on several voices, both male and female.
Kate closed her eyes, swallowing against the thickening in her throat. She felt the sadness of parting tight in her chest. She felt drawn towards Spencer's sure solidness so close beside her, silently offering his unspoken support.
"Wirimu had a good life, Leah," Spencer said quietly.
"I know. But he let that old stump get the better of him. He wouldn't like that. Knowing it was still out there, laughing at him. He hated to let anything beat him."
"I'm guessing that stump will be gone before daylight," Spencer replied. "I see plenty of strong, young men just standing around here with nothing better to do."
Leah's head came up. Her dark, moist eyes gleamed with determination. "One last thing old Wirimu gotta do. Right, Doc?"
"Right." Spencer nodded. "I'll deal with the details. You take care of yourself. Get some sleep if you can. Call me if you need anything else."
Kate followed him out of the hushed bedroom, wiping the tears from her cheeks. The ambulance officers appeared and they promised to take good care of the old man's body.
"We've done all we can," Spencer said then, briefly slinging a comforting arm around Kate's shoulders and pulling her close to him.
Anne followed them out into the hall. "So, it was his big old heart, Doc?"
"Probably, Anne. We can't tell without an autopsy, but given his recent history, I doubt it's necessary."
Kate slipped quickly from Spencer's slackened hold. "The end would have been very quick. He didn't suffer."
"That's good. But I'm gonna miss him."
"He had a good life." Spencer watched Kate swallowed against her tears.
As he made some notes before preparing to start the paperwork, one of Anne's many aunts came bustling out of the kitchen. "Cuppa, you two? You hungry? We got plenty. All the whanua are coming. It's gonna be a good send-off."
"I thought most of the family was already here." Kate looked into the crowded kitchen. There scarcely seemed room for one more.
"Nah, there's still more to come. You'll see." Anne laughed softly, her sad face lighting up. "There's none of the cousins here yet. It'll be a great big tangi. We're really gonna celebrate the old man's life."
Spencer looked down into Kate's pale face and shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, but you look like you've got enough to handle. Perhaps another time for that tea."
"Yes." Kate sighed. "But, thanks, Anne. We'll notify the police and organize everything else. I know you'll take good care of your grandmother."
They said their goodbyes and stepped together into the warm summer evening as several more cars made their way up the rutted driveway towards the house.
Kate dashed a hand over her eyes. "First we get to deliver Mandy's baby and now this. It doesn't seem fair that he had to die."
"I guess it's just how life works," Spencer mused quietly. "Don't try to understand it."
"Yes, you're right, of course."
As she and Spencer walked away, the hauntingly sweet music followed them to the car. Kate felt both warmed and saddened by the sight of the ever growing Rangi family gathering to celebrate the life of their grandfather, when she herself, felt so very much alone.
Spencer was right. Everyone came to his place on Saturday afternoon. Not only Kris, Cheryl and the whole medical team from the surgery, but also groups of neighbors and people who'd been attending the race meeting.
Though she watched the parade of the horses, and cheered both the winners and the losers, Kate didn't take an active part. She preferred to keep to the sidelines, being more than happy to blend into the crowd.
She saw Spencer at a distance, but he didn't seem to have time to approach her. He was always surrounded by a large group of people who moved with him wherever he went.
Kate was on call for the day, so she confined herself to a glass of chilled fruit juice and kept one ear tuned for the musical sound of the mobile phone clipped to the waistband of her jeans.
It took her by surprise when Spencer suddenly appeared out of the crowd to move in beside her. "If you get called away, you can always come back."
"Thanks." Kate inhaled carefully. "But I think I'll turn in early. I'm not on call tomorrow, but it's been a busy week."
"If you like. You saw old man Preston early this morning." Spencer slanted her a questioning look. "Over on Peake Road."
"That's right." Kate shook her head. "He remarked that I looked more like a schoolgirl. Mr. Preston then insisted on seeing a male doctor. When I told him I was the doctor on call and the only one he was likely to see, he got a little upset. But he calmed down after a while and we managed."
She frowned, thinking of the frightened, lonely old man living alone in his run down house. The contrast between Spencer Preston and Wirimu Rangi's old house crowded with his loving family and friends was disturbing.
She drew a ragged breath. "Mr. Preston phoned to report a severe headache, but the pain had resolved by the time I arrived. He allowed me to do a brief physical examination and I found that he's dangerously hypertensive, which would account for the headache."
She pulled a wry face. "But when I tried to discuss monitoring his blood pressure and the need for medication to control it, he wasn't interested. I'm very worried about him - from what history I could coax out of him, I think he's been having TIAs," she said, meaning transient ischaemic attacks. "And is a major candidate for a stroke. But I got the feeling he didn't really want me there to attend to his health problems. He just wanted some company. He had the tea made and had set out a plate of sultana scones."
Spencer turned his mouth down at the corners. "His wife died early last year. He's one of our oldest patients. He was one of the first when Jake set it up. I don't think Spencer has ever gotten over Fiona's death."
"Ah, I see. Does he have any other family?"
"No. Spencer once told me that Fiona couldn't have any children. So they just had each other. It seemed to be all they ever needed. They meant the world to each other."
Kate swallowed. "That's a shame. He seemed to be a really sweet old guy. He deserves better."
"I'm afraid Spencer won't thank you for trying to get involved in his life. I tried a couple of times when I first came here. He said, if he wants anyone's help, he'll call. He's very independent."
"Yes, I got that impression too." Kate turned to look around the crowded garden. "But I also got the feeling he was afraid of dying alone."
"Don't worry, if Spencer liked you, he'll call again soon." Spencer shrugged. "But only when he's ready. He likes to think he's in control. His scones are excellent, by the way."
He took a step back then hesitated. "Why don't you come and have something to eat? You must be hungry."
"All right, I think I could manage something." Kate fell into step beside him, walking towards the tables where platters of meat and bowls of crisp salad were being laid out.
But her mind kept going back to an old man living all alone in his cottage with nothing and no one for company, but his memories. Surely something more could be done.
In the next moment her phone rang. Kate answered it and stood listening for a long moment before issuing her instructions to the caller.
"Need any help?" Spencer asked after Kate ended the call.
"No, it sounds straightforward. A slight head injury. I can manage."
"If you're sure." Spencer stepped aside, watching her closely.
Again Kate got the impression he wanted to say more. Tell her something she was sure she didn't wa
nt to hear. Was he trying to find some way to fire her because he no longer wanted her around?
"I'll be fine." Grateful for the excuse to escape from his narrowed gaze, she quickly excused herself before hurrying to her car.
CHAPTER TEN
Sitting on the stool beside her middle aged male patient, she tied off the last stitch in the long cut over his left ear and sat back to admire her handiwork. "You know, Mr. Braddock, you really should be more careful. This could have been very serious."
Her patient grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Doc. Just didn't see that damn open window in the alley beside the pub. I got all turned around and it's pretty dark in there sometimes. I felt it, though, when it whacked me in the side of the head. Nearly ripped my ear off."
Kate snipped off the ends of her suture. She then proceeded to bandage his head. "Are you sure you're all right to drive?"
"Give me a break, Dr. Martin. I'm sober as a judge now." Cal Braddock laughed shakily, holding out one hand, palm down, in front of him, as if to prove his words.
"Then you should go straight home." Kate stood to put away her equipment. "You need to rest and make sure you keep the wound clean. And you certainly can't have a drink with the antibiotics I'm going to prescribe. Absolutely no alcohol, until you've finished the full course."
Kate pushed her discards into the hazardous goods bucket before washing her hands. She didn't have long to wait for Cal's response.
"Ahhh, have a heart, Doc." He groaned as he sat up on the couch and swung his legs over the edge. "A couple of beers never hurt anyone. I drive trucks for a living. I work hard. I've earned them."
"Not until you have finished the course," Kate replied patiently, pursing her lips and shaking her head at this completely male piece of logic.
Turning away, she began writing out the required prescription. She peeled it off the pad and held it out. "I'll need you to come back next week to remove the stitches so I've also given you another appointment. I know you'll keep the area clean and dry." Kate feigned a stern expression.
"Okay, Doc, you're the boss." Cal Braddock shook his head, as he pulled a black knitted rugby beanie gingerly over his bandaged ear.
Kate finished typing up the notes, before reaching over to switch off the computer. "Now, please be careful out there. I don't want to stitch you up again today."
"Fair enough, Doc. See ya."
Kate smiled as she opened the outer surgery door to let him out into the warmth of the late afternoon. Giving her a brief nod of thanks, her patient sauntered off towards his car, whistling painfully off key.
Kate shut the door. She heaved a sigh, wondering what she should do next when the surgery telephone rang.
She picked the receiver up. "Mountaindale Surgery, Dr. Martin speaking."
"Auntie Kate?" It was Jamie. "Are you coming back tonight?"
Kate's heart contracted as she thought of the crowds and the noise and knew a sudden need for the uncluttered silence of her own company away from Spencer's watchful gaze. "I don't know. I'm rather tired, Jamie. Maybe another time."
"Oh. All right." Jamie paused for a long moment then he asked, "Well, can you come over tomorrow? To help us work with the horses. Papa, he said I could ask you. If you wanted to come."
Kate felt her heart contract tightly. The boy sounded so worried that she would refuse his innocent request. How could she turn him down and not feel mired in guilt? In the end she simply couldn't do it.
"Thank you, I would like that," she said cautiously.
"Good." He breathed gustily. The relief in his shy voice was painfully obvious. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll be there." Kate hung up the receiver carefully, not at all sure she should have agreed. Or exactly what she had agreed to.
Not certain what constituted horse working attire, Kate dressed the next morning in her oldest denim cut-offs and a black T-shirt. She'd barely eaten her breakfast when there was a knock at the door.
It was Spencer and behind him, she could see Jamie and Lobo. "Come in." Kate stepped back quickly to invite them inside. "I was just putting the coffee on."
Spencer held up a hand. "Sorry, no. Kevin needs help with an emergency. He's there with the ambulance now. I stopped to ask if you could take care of Jamie for me. I won't be long."
"Of course," Kate replied automatically.
She looked up into his face. Without his glasses, his gorgeous eyes were clear and direct. They moved over her face with slow deliberation, as if he was searching for something. Her heart stuttered under his scrutiny, but she managed to hold steady beneath his cool appraisal, even after her cheeks caught fire.
Spencer seemed to hesitate, as if he had something he wanted to say. His throat moved as he swallowed hard. "I should be going."
"Yes, you should." Kate fought the urge to move closer.
Reassure herself of his solidness and vital warmth. The wanton memory of his kiss resurfaced in her mind. Her eyes dropped to his mouth. Her heartbeat skittered out of control, thundering in her ears.
She heard Spencer clear his throat. He stiffened. "I'll see you both later."
He turned to Jamie. "Be good." He ruffled his son's hair.
"I'll try, but I can't promise." Jamie smiled his reply, waving as his father walked towards his four wheel drive, got in and drove off.
Jamie turned back to Kate. "Papa said we'll still do the horses after lunch."
"I see." Kate slanted the boy a thoughtful look. "So, you get to keep me company then?"
"I wanted to come over anyway." His small face screwed up with a small boy's disgust. "You don't have any kids. Mrs. Henry's baby threw up all over me on Friday. It smelled funny."
"Babies do that, I'm afraid." Kate fought to keep the smile from her voice. "I think I can manage to look after one small boy." She lifted her shoulders, pushing her hands into the pockets of her shorts. "Have you had breakfast?"
Jamie nodded vigorously. His brow creased. "Yes, but, Papa and me, we ate all those cookies we made."
His bright look of hope shafted through Kate's defenses. He looked so adorable. She wondered how any woman could abandon such a gorgeous son. Or a man like Spencer Stelanos, the small, traitorous voice in the back on her mind added. She did her best to ignore it. It would get her nowhere to think about it.
"All right then, let's go into the kitchen and make some more of those cookies you love." Kate smiled down at her small guest.
An hour later Spencer stepped through the open front door of Kate's house and stopped dead in his tracks. His wary senses took off in two different directions at once. The practical part of his brain demanded he talk to her immediately about leaving her door wide open for anyone to walk in.
But first he wanted to speak with her about giving him some of those cookies he could smell. The rich warm scent of them drifted through his troubled senses like sweet smoke.
But the kitchen was empty. He went right through the house without finding anyone except Lobo curled up asleep on the back doorstep in a square of warm sunshine.
"Some guard dog, you are," Spencer said with asperity, shaking his head as he stepped over the slack chocolate brown body.
Lobo opened one dark eye, but he didn't move.
Spencer looked all around the garden before he saw them. They were deep in the flower beds involved in struggling to erect some sort of brush fencing. It looked like a losing battle. The stubborn brush was winning hands down.
As Spencer watched, it toppled over. Kate bent slowly to pick up the frame again with a grim determination obviously born of dogged desperation.
"Crazy woman." Spencer shook his head at her stubbornness.
Kate obviously wasn't giving up and Jamie was doing his five-year-old best to help. They both looked hot, disgusted and bushed. Spencer moved against the sudden tight fit of his jeans, finding he couldn't tear his eyes away from Kate's shapely behind, flexing beneath the faded denim of her ancient cutoffs as she fought to bring the fencing under control.
; The alluring sight messed with his strong intention to maintain his distance from such obvious temptation. What was he thinking? She'd been involved with a married man. Even though Eric had returned to his wife, Kate was still a marriage breaker. Yet, somehow, whenever he came close to her, he kept losing sight of that one vital fact. He needed to remember it at all times.
Coming over here had been his son's idea. Spencer had given in unwillingly. And also his son's idea that Kate could help them with the horses this morning. Spencer didn't have the heart to refuse, even though it threw him right back into the very situation he was trying to avoid.
But he could feel his pulse beginning to hammer as he watched the two of them. Things starting to shift deep within him that had no business moving at all. He wanted nothing more than to be able to turn around and walk away.
As he stood watching, chewing over his thorny dilemma, the fencing fell again. It was the final straw to his crumbling desire to walk out.
"Oh, for God's sake!" Crossing the garden in long, impatient strides he came up close behind Kate. Her unique floral perfume surrounded him.
"Here, let me do that," he muttered, reaching an arm over her shoulder to help prop up her burden.
Kate yelped as she spun around and stumbled away from him. She clutched a hand to her chest. "Oh, help! You nearly scared the life out of me," she accused, her cheeks heating to a deeper rose beneath his exasperated gaze.
Kate stared at him, pressing her lips together. Spencer had been moving through her subconscious, an elusive image she couldn't pin down. A restless need hunted after his image making her feel strung out and confused. Her whole body throbbed with the turmoil of an unfulfilled desire. The stubborn fencing refusing to cooperate only served to sharpen the raw edge of her dissatisfaction.
"You're back early," she stated unnecessarily.
"I wasn't needed after all. Kevin had it covered by the time I arrived. You two look like you've been having fun." The smile he offered his son looked strained.