by Fiona Lowe
‘Now the other eye, mate, and we’re done. You’re doing a great job.’
Will seemed to take longer to examine the left eye. ‘Sorry, Josh, but I need to look at your other eye one more time. But you’re being such a good guy that I’m sure Meg might be able to rustle up a lollypop out of my black bag.’
It was Meg’s turn to smile. ‘I sure can. I know just which pocket Dr Will keeps them in.’
‘Have you got a red one?’ Josh looked hopeful.
‘There are lots of red ones.’ This time her smile felt tight. If Will was rechecking the eye, he must have found something he wanted to compare.
A myriad of children’s eye conditions ran through her mind. But Josh had no inflammation, no sign of injury, and his mother didn’t seem to think he was having trouble seeing, so that ruled out retinal detachment. I thought I saw a white spot on his eye.
A horrendous thought embedded itself into her mind.
Will leant back and put the ophthalmoscope down. ‘You can hop down now, buddy, and get your lollipop.’ He tilted his head very slightly toward her, the movement almost imperceptible.
At that moment Meg knew Will had just given her the worst news possible. She held out her hand to Josh. ‘Let’s go over here and look in the bag.’ While she let the little boy make his choice, her concentration focused completely on Will and Sue. She hadn’t seen his face this serious since they’d been stuck on Mt Hume.
‘Sue, your maternal instincts were correct. Josh does have a white spot on his eye and the “cat’s-eye” type of reflection I saw fits in with that.’
Sue swallowed hard, her eyes firmly fixed on Will’s face. ‘It’s not good news, is it?’
Will shook his head. ‘No, I’m afraid it isn’t. Josh will need more tests but I think he has a condition called retinoblastoma.’ He took in a deep breath. ‘Cancer of the eye.’
The mother’s hands flew to her mouth. Disbelief and horror marred her already worried face. ‘His beautiful eyes.’ Her hand reached out toward Meg.
She immediately moved to Sue’s side and gripped her hand. ‘Sue, I’m so sorry.’ The words sounded inadequate. She looked at Will. ‘What now?’
‘Josh has to go to Melbourne.’
Sue gasped. ‘Can’t he go to Winston? Melbourne is so far…’
Will’s expression didn’t change but Meg saw his sorrow for the situation in his eyes. ‘Josh needs access to the top medical treatment in this area, and that’s in Melbourne. He needs to have a full eye examination under general anaesthetic. He’ll also need an ultrasound and a CT scan, as well as a lumbar puncture, to determine if the cancer is confined to the eye.’
‘Oh, God, Melbourne…The boys…Doug…’ Sue’s face blanched white.
Meg’s brain clicked into gear. ‘Sue, you know the town will look after the children. I’ll start a phone tree and I’m sure Emily Patterson will get a roster going.’
‘Thanks.’ She looked up at Will, tears misting her eyes. ‘Will he lose his eye?’ Susan whispered the words.
‘I don’t know. It depends on the size of the tumour or tumours. The first road of treatment is usually a combination of chemo and radiotherapy.’ Will leaned forward. ‘I can introduce you to the doctors who will be treating Josh. I know them all—I used to work with them.’
Meg should have been surprised at his gesture of going to Melbourne with the Patricks, but she wasn’t. The man truly cared for people. A tiny curl of envy unfolded deep inside her. He’d be gone for the weekend. She should feel relieved, but she didn’t.
‘That’s very kind of you, Doctor.’ She gripped Meg’s hand even harder. ‘But are you sure? I mean…’
‘Meg and I wouldn’t want you to be alone in Melbourne. You need a bit of Laurelton with you and we’re both happy to come.’ He spoke with the firmness of a man in charge.
Astonishment filled Meg. She couldn’t go to Melbourne.
She opened her mouth to speak but his look silenced her. How could eyes the smooth, rich colour of melted chocolate with peppermint flecks look so determined and unyielding?
Will continued. ‘Ring your husband and tell him about Josh. Meg and I will be back in half an hour and we’ll leave as soon as possible.’
The stoic farmer’s wife picked up her phone and started to dial.
Will stood up, glancing briefly over at Josh who was happily sucking his lollypop and playing with his trucks. He put his hand under Meg’s arm and propelled her out of the house and toward the ute.
He shoved his hands deep into his pockets in a distracted way. ‘Just when I thought Laurelton was a quiet medical backwater, I get two kids who could lose their sight.’
Meg experienced his pain and frustration at the unfairness of life. ‘You can visit Brodie when you’re in Melbourne.’
His attention snapped back. ‘Can you be ready to come to Melbourne for the weekend in about an hour?’ His voice seemed deeper than usual.
She raised her brows. ‘It’s my reliever’s weekend off and as you’re planning to be in Melbourne for the weekend, I really can’t leave Laurelton.’
‘I can arrange for a doctor to be in town on the weekend.’
‘Really?’ She hated the tinge of sarcasm that came into her voice but the man had no idea. ‘You think you can achieve what I and the bush nursing centre’s community committee have tried to do for three years?’ She clicked her fingers. ‘Just like that?’
He nodded and punched some numbers into his mobile. ‘I’ve got a few mates on the mountain who owe me a favour.’ He grinned.
Before she could utter a word he turned slightly, put his phone to his ear and took a couple of steps. ‘Andrew, mate, it’s Will Cameron. Fancy a bit of locum work for a couple of days?’
Stunned, Meg leaned against the ute, trying to take it all in. She’d just witnessed Will Cameron, doctor, member of the A-list and philanthropist in action. She’d been completely organised by a man on a mission. Sue needed support and Will had made it happen.
She was more than happy to go with Sue and Josh. But a weekend in Melbourne, without her mother and all of Laurelton playing chaperone—how would she keep her distance?
She was about to find out.
Meg stared out toward the large park across the road from the hospital. At least she could see some trees in the concrete jungle that was Melbourne. She stifled a yawn. It had been a huge twenty-four hours.
Last night, after Josh had been admitted, she’d stayed with him and his mum, accompanying them to all Josh’s tests and finally settling a very scared and overwhelmed little boy into the ward. Sue had insisted on sleeping on a fold-away bed next to Josh and Meg had finally fallen, fully clothed, into an exhausted sleep in the residents’ quarters around three a.m.
But vivid dreams of Will riding a horse through the hospital corridors had kept waking her up.
That morning she’d breakfasted with Sue, keeping her company until Doug arrived. Right now the terrified couple were with Will, speaking with the oncologist.
Meg had stayed with Josh, entertaining him with some stories, but he’d fallen asleep. She yawned, wishing she could snuggle next to him and catch a snooze.
She longed for a bath and a sleep in a comfortable bed. If she could just stretch out and close her eyes…
Sue tapped Meg on the shoulder. ‘Thanks for staying with him.’
Meg started. ‘You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.’ It was such a small thing compared to what the Patricks faced.
‘Will’s organised and explained the medical treatments and the doctors and nurses are all wonderful.’ Sue’s voice caught. ‘They say that Josh has a really strong chance of getting through this.’
Meg reached out and silently hugged her. Feeling some of Sue’s grief, thinking about her own. Wishing she had a child to hold and cherish. Knowing she could only sense a tiny part of Sue’s pain.
The mother straightened her shoulders. ‘I really appreciate you staying, but I don’t want to hold you up any more. Doug�
�s sister is due any minute and my cousins from Footscray are coming in this afternoon, so we won’t be alone. Off you go and enjoy your weekend.’
Meg searched the woman’s face. ‘Are you sure?’
Susan nodded. ‘Of course. You’ve done more than enough.’ She suddenly looked over Meg’s shoulder. ‘And so have you, Will—you’ve both done more than enough. You might be from the city but you’ve got country values.’
‘It was our pleasure.’ Will’s rich voice vibrated behind Meg as he came to stand very close to her.
She looked up at him. Delight at Sue’s praise played across his face dancing across the black stubble, darker around his mouth, making him more handsome than ever. Her breath caught in her throat and she coughed.
Will gave her a gentle pat on the back, his touch making her dizzy.
Sue crossed her arms. ‘Look after her, Will. She works too hard.’
Will grinned. ‘I intend to.’ His face became more serious. ‘Take care, Sue, and call me any time.’
‘I will. Now, go.’ Sue moved her hands back and forth, shooing them away.
Meg stepped forward as Sue wouldn’t let her stay where she was. As she started walking toward the lifts, Will fell silently into step with her, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. She glanced at him. ‘Thinking about Josh?’
He nodded. ‘The treatment is pretty rugged but we’ve caught it early. He’s got a good chance of keeping his eye.’
Hope and relief collided inside her. ‘He’s lucky you spotted it.’ She pushed the button to summon the lift and stifled a yawn.
He gave her a tired smile. ‘The residents’ quarters aren’t the best place for a decent sleep, are they?’
She stepped into the empty lift. ‘No. I’d kill for a soft bed and a feather pillow.’
Will followed her and the doors closed behind them. He stepped in close. ‘You won’t have to kill. I’ve got the perfect bed waiting for you.’
Her heart hammered erratically at his husky voice. His eyes radiated desire and longing, his stare sending tendrils of sweet sensation through her. Every skerrick of fatigue vanished instantly.
The ping of the lift heralding the opening doors surprised her into action. She walked out of the lift and across the foyer in a daze, blinking at the bright spring sunshine as she stepped outside.
Will’s hand slipped under her elbow and guided her into a taxi. It was almost as if she was out of her body, looking in. It all seemed unreal.
‘The Langtree Hotel, please.’ Will directed the taxi driver to the boutique hotel.
She should speak. Say something. They were going to one of Melbourne’s most expensive hotels. She couldn’t afford it. She didn’t want Will paying for her, but she refused to have an argument in the taxi, in front of a bemused driver. So she stayed silent and stared out the window at the skyscrapers that defined the cosmopolitan city.
Three minutes later a doorman opened her car door. The braid on his jacket sparkled as he moved aside, allowing her to exit. She stepped out onto the pavement.
‘Afternoon, Dr Cameron.’ The doorman tipped his hat.
Will knew the doorman? That stunned her. How often did he stay here? Who did he stay here with? The traitorous thought crept in. You shouldn’t even care who he might have been here with, Miss Sensible countered.
Meg gave herself a shake—this was getting all too weird.
‘Hello, Gregory. How’s the new baby?’ Will walked around to Meg and curved his arm proprietorially around her waist. With gentle pressure he edged her forward.
Swirls of heat travelled through her.
Gregory opened the front door of the hotel. ‘Gorgeous, sir. Takes after me.’ He laughed. ‘I’ve got photos at the concierge desk when you’ve got some time.’
‘Excellent. I’ll catch them later.’
And he would. Meg knew enough of Will to know how much genuine interest he took in other people. She walked into a foyer that was dominated by the fragrance of fresh flowers. Bunches of cream freesias clustered in rectangular glass vases giving off a pungent perfume. Purple, pink and white tulips rested in blue and white vases, which resided on polished red gum tables.
But before she could take it all in or catch her breath, Will, with a quick wave to the staff at the reception desk, headed her toward a broad, carpeted staircase.
She needed to speak. Now was the time to speak. Mr Organisation needed to be pulled up short. His assumption that they would share a room irked part of her. She would have liked to have been asked!
He dropped his arm from her waist and pulled an old-fashioned key out of his pocket. ‘This is what I love about this place—real keys, not those plastic cards.’
‘Will, I really don’t think that this—’
The door swung open. Her bag rested on the luggage stand. The floral cover on the queen-sized bed was turned down. I’ve got the perfect bed waiting for you.
‘This is your room. I hope you like it. I’m across the hall.’
Her indignation came to a sudden halt. Disappointment rammed into it. Separate rooms. For ten minutes she’d been certain he was planning on them sharing a room. Her head spun as surprise sent blood rushing to her feet.
‘You’ve got this one because it’s got a spa, and after the night you’ve had I thought you’d love a long soak.’ He grinned.
She struggled to organise her thoughts and speak in a coherent way. ‘Will, I can’t afford to stay here and—’
‘Hey, I insisted you come down to help Sue and Josh. Consider the room a thank-you.’
‘I really think that…’ Her voice trailed off as he closed the small gap between them. Every nerve ending went into overload and her brain stalled. All she could think of was Will. His masculine scent enveloped her, his eyes zeroed in on hers, dark with lust, and his hand brushed her own. An ache of longing deepened inside her, creating an emptiness she wanted desperately to be filled.
His head dipped low and she moved her own to receive his kiss. Yearning for his touch and taste.
But his lips spoke whispered words instead. ‘Consider it a repayment of Big Hill Farm hospitality.’ He stepped back briskly and moved across the hall, opening his door.
Regret surged inside her, mixing with frustration and disappointment. For three long weeks she’d tried to resist the amazingly strong attraction that consumed her. She tried to rationalise it—it only existed because of the trauma they had shared. After his last kiss she’d let him walk away from her, telling herself that pursuing him would only end in tears.
But a moment ago she’d seen he wanted her. That knowledge gave her power.
She didn’t want to be in her room and know he was across the hall in his. For seven nights she’d lain in her bed, in her mother’s house, picturing Will asleep across the hall, her mother’s presence acting as a natural brake on her actions.
But, hell, she was an adult. There were no stars in her eyes anymore—Graeme had doused those. Will had told her he had no plans to marry, no plans for a long-term relationship. Even if he’d changed his mind, he wouldn’t choose her. She couldn’t give him a child and he’d want a family. He loved kids.
But this wasn’t happy families, she knew that.
This was reality. This was unmistakable lust.
She had needs, just like the next woman. She’d just survived a plane crash. Life was fickle and unreliable. She wanted him and now she was certain he wanted her. While they were in Laurelton nothing could happen because the town was too small. But this was Melbourne. And, damn it, this time she was taking what she wanted, even if it was only for a day and a night.
‘Will.’
He turned at the almost strangled sound of his name, his gaze catching hers. He wanted to sink into her gorgeous eyes, which seemed larger and more luminous than ever. Her smooth cheeks glowed pink and her plump lips demanded to be kissed.
It had been a Herculean effort not to kiss her a moment ago. But this time he wasn’t rushing her. Unlike their picnic in
the snow, this time he was going slowly. She deserved to be loved long and languorously and in complete comfort.
She walked toward him, her eyes simmering with desire, her expression oddly determined. She reached her hand up and touched his stubble-rough cheek. ‘The plane crash proved to me that life is short. I don’t want to be sensible. I don’t want a room of my own. I want you.’ She stood on tiptoe and pulled his head down to hers, her lips melding to his in a rush of heat.
Blood raced to his groin, the kiss igniting his barely contained passion. ‘I can’t offer you anything more than these few weeks.’
‘I know. Let’s call it “post-plane crash therapy”.’
Joy raced through him and he kissed her hard, pulling her to him. Reluctantly he pulled away, but the need to touch her, stay connected to her, burned strong. With one hand holding hers, he somehow managed to unlock his door with his other hand. He pulled her into the room, wrapping his arms around her.
She hesitated, anxiety skating over her face, and she bit her lip. ‘Will, about condoms…’
He stroked her cheek, understanding her concern. ‘It’s all sorted. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.’
‘Thank you.’ Her eyes sparkled the bright blue of a pacific sea. Placing her hands behind his neck, she ran trails of kisses along his cheek, her lips working their magic, stunning him, making his knees weak.
They fell onto the bed.
‘You’ve reduced me to this, a man who can barely stand.’
She grinned wickedly and reached for the buttons on his shirt. ‘I’ve wanted to explore this chest since I saw you in my kitchen wearing a T-shirt and holding a pile of wood.’
‘Be my guest.’ The words came out on a croak.
She undid the top button, folded his shirt back and kissed the exposed skin. As she lifted her lips her tongue darted out, licking the area lightly. She undid the second button and repeated the action.
Stars exploded in his head.
She pushed him gently back onto the bed and straddled him. ‘It’s a big job, but someone’s got to do it.’ Her slim fingers disengaged button three, and button four. Where her fingers touched, her lips followed.