by Lucy Clark
‘Mu-mmy!’ Ruthie’s sing-song call came from the bathroom at the same time that Mackenzie’s phone buzzed to life and the doorbell rang.
‘Oi with the poodles! If it doesn’t rain, it pours.’ She quickly wiped her hands on a towel, trying to figure out which to handle first. ‘Just a minute,’ she called to both Ruthie and whoever was at the door. She answered her phone as she walked to the front door. It was Bergan. ‘Hi, Bergan. Just a minute.’
‘Mummy, I’m ready to get out!’ Ruthie called again, this time much louder, just as Mackenzie opened the front door to find John standing there with a loaf of continental bread and a bottle of wine.
‘Hi,’ he said with a bright smile. ‘I could smell whatever it is you’re cooking from my place and thought, hey, why don’t I just invite myself over?’
‘Mummy!’ Ruthie’s impatience was starting to increase.
‘Mackenzie?’ Bergan said in her ear.
‘Hi, John.’ She motioned for him to come in. ‘Sorry, Bergan. What’s up?’
‘Sorry,’ John said, belatedly realising she was on the phone.
‘Emergency,’ Bergan replied. ‘Did I just hear you say John’s name?’
‘Yes. He’s here.’ Mackenzie locked eyes with John and mouthed the word ‘Emergency’. John rolled his eyes. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked.
‘A person has fallen down a cliff at the national park,’ Bergan informed her. ‘The rangers have called it in but we’ll need a retrieval team. I’ll need both you and John.’
‘OK, Bergan. Is there a list of injuries?’
‘Mummy!’ Ruthie was starting to get angry now.
‘I’ll get Ruthie,’ John said, placing the bread and wine on the coffee table and walking through Mackenzie’s house. She closed the front door and turned to watch him disappearing into the stairwell as she listened with half an ear to what Bergan was saying. John was so relaxed and comfortable in her home, pitching in to help, tending her child. It felt odd. It felt strange. It felt…right.
*
Twenty minutes later John and Mackenzie pulled up in John’s car into Sunshine General Hospital’s car park and headed inside to the A and E department. Mackenzie had been stunned at how much easier it had been having John around to help with getting Ruthie organised.
By the time she’d finished the call from Bergan, John had scooped Ruthie out of the bath, wrapped her in a big, fluffy purple towel and carried her to the purple bedroom. While Mackenzie had dried and dressed her daughter, John had gone down to the kitchen, switched off the pots and made a few strawberry jam sandwiches for Ruthie.
‘I wasn’t sure where you’d be taking her but figured she’d at least need something to eat,’ he’d told her when she’d thanked him for his thoughtfulness. ‘And the Allingtons don’t mind looking after Ruthie when emergencies like this happen?’
‘No,’ she’d told him. ‘They’re both retired medicos and two of their children are doctors so they understand what it’s like. I’m incredibly lucky to have such supportive people around me.’
‘I think it’s because you give support in return.’ He’d taken her hand in his and given it a little squeeze.
‘I…uh…don’t see that,’ she’d murmured, hot tingles of excitement shooting up her arm before bursting throughout her entire body at his touch.
‘Really? How long have you been friends with Bergan? I remember meeting her in Sydney so it has to be well over five years.’
‘Bergan’s different. We’re foster-sisters and she was the one who supported me. She’s a year older than me and back when we were sixteen and seventeen, that age difference was a lot. She was determined to get out of the hole she’d been in all her life.
‘Once we even ran away from our abusive foster home.’
John raised his eyebrows at this news and Mackenzie nodded.
‘It’s true. We made our way to the Gold Coast, here in Queensland and lived on the streets for about six months. It was tough and sometimes we weren’t sure where our next meal was coming from but then Bergan learned that as we were both registered in the foster system, that the government would subsidise our medical degrees.’ She spread her arms wide. ‘So that’s what we did. We returned to New South Wales and started our training. Bergan had always looked out for me. She was my hero and she would always tell me that I was intelligent and could do anything I wanted if I just focused and worked hard, and she was right. But she gave to me, I didn’t give to her.’
‘I think Bergan would see it very differently.’ He’d smiled and given her hand one last squeeze before returning it to the wheel. He hadn’t been surprised she had low self-esteem. From what he’d seen during his time working in Australia and even in the UK, being a part of the foster system wasn’t the most uplifting experience, but Mackenzie had already overcome so much, achieved so much and now was it any wonder that when she asked for help, the people in her life were only too willing to provide it? He’d seen the bright, beaming smile on Mrs Allington’s face when Mackenzie had taken Ruthie over.
‘Her bed’s all ready. We’ll play some games and then read some stories.’ She’d clapped her hands and so had Ruthie. ‘It’s going to be as much fun as it always is.’
As they stood in the A and E department with the other assembling members of the retrieval team, waiting for Bergan to finish a phone call, John watched as Mackenzie interacted with her colleagues. She was highly intelligent, personable and incredibly pretty. He was sure she didn’t see herself in such a way and he decided it was up to him to convince her of just how wonderful she really was.
Mackenzie turned and caught him staring at her but instead of looking away he held her gaze. He’d been watching her. The realisation washed over her with a warm flood of anticipatory delight. He really was interested in her and the knowledge made her feel quite light-headed.
It wasn’t until Bergan had finished her phone conversation and called for their attention that Mackenzie broke her gaze from his, needing to reach out a hand to a nearby chair for a bit of support due to her less than stable knees. Good heavens, the man was enigmatic.
‘OK, people. Listen up,’ Bergan said. ‘I have more information from the rangers out at the national park and I’m sorry to say that our patient…is one of our own.’ She definitely had everyone’s attention now. ‘Stan Greggorio.’
There was a collective gasp. ‘Has someone contacted Anna?’ Mackenzie asked.
‘Anna and her boys are on their way in now.’
‘She told me he was going out this afternoon to do some climbing.’ Mackenzie shook her head in stunned amazement. ‘Poor Stan.’
‘Yes, but we’re going to be helping him out. One of the park rangers will meet us all in the main car park,’ Bergan said, her tone brisk and commanding. She pointed to an image of the national park on the computer monitor. ‘The rangers say that Stan is in this area, so we’ll need to hike to get there. The rangers are setting up lights as the retrieval won’t be complete before the sun sets. Now, as Stan has taken a tumble down a small cliff face, John, as our new orthopaedic director, it’s time for you to earn your stripes.’
‘Looking forward to it,’ he said with a nod.
‘Good. Mackenzie will abseil down with you. The two of you will stabilise Stan and get him ready to be transferred to the top, where Katrina and I will take over.’ Bergan continued with her plan but Mackenzie had made the mistake of looking at John, who had winked at her, causing her insides to turn to mush. It was the last thing she needed and when she finally returned her attention to what Bergan was saying it was to find her friend giving her a dirty look.
‘You couldn’t stop flirting with him, Mackenzie,’ Bergan growled at her once she’d finished her briefing and everyone had been dismissed to make their final preparations. ‘A part of me simply didn’t appreciate it while the other part was secretly jumping for joy.’
‘What? Why?’
Bergan’s smile was wide. ‘I know John was there for you all those y
ears ago and that you were upset when he left so suddenly, especially after helping you through such a difficult time, but, sweetheart, you need to control your expressive eyes whenever you look at him.’
Mackenzie raised her hands to her cheeks, realising they did feel rather warm. ‘Am I blushing?’ she whispered, and Bergan nodded. ‘Oh, no.’
‘I presume you came in the same car? And what was he doing at your place when I called, eh?’ Bergan waggled her eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner.
‘Hey! You shouldn’t be teasing me, you should be getting ready to lead this retrieval team,’ Mackenzie complained, trying desperately to shift Bergan’s attention from her.
Bergan only grinned, flicking her long auburn plait back over her shoulder. ‘I’m brilliant at multi-tasking. You know that.’ Bergan hugged her friend close. ‘Be careful, little sis,’ she whispered in her ear, then pulled back. ‘Oh. Anna’s here.’ The smile slid from her face.
‘Let’s go and speak to her.’
John watched as both Mackenzie and Bergan went to reassure the theatre nurse, hugging their friend close and providing her with all the information they had. Anna’s teenage boys were in shock at the news but Mackenzie gave each of them a hug, talking to them and making sure they weren’t brushed aside through any of this.
She cared so much about others, a quality he admired and appreciated. Yes, helping Mackenzie Fawles to realise how amazing she was had definitely become his new goal. He grinned to himself. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.
*
They headed out to the national park in one of the hospital’s mini-vans, John more than happy to sit nice and close next to Mackenzie.
‘How’s Anna holding up?’ he asked her, and she turned to look at him, which she realised belatedly was a big mistake. They were sitting so close, their scents mingling to form a heady combination, causing her mind to go blank.
‘Er…she’s, um…’ Mackenzie’s gaze momentarily flicked down to his lips before she cleared her throat and looked him in the eye once more. ‘Doing as well as can be expected. Naturally she wanted to come out with us but Bergan managed to talk her out of it.’
‘She wouldn’t be able to remain detached.’ John’s words were clear but soft, his deep voice causing a thrill of excitement to flow through her. The tension between them was increasing the more time they spent together, whether it was at work or not. When she looked at him like that, her eyes bright and shining with pure heart-warming emotion such as he’d never felt before, John wanted nothing more than to put his arms about her shoulders, draw her close and capture her perfect mouth with his own.
The intensity of the response she was able to generate within him was more powerful than any adrenaline rush he’d ever encountered during all the extreme sports he’d done over the years. She was taking him to new heights and he was beginning to experience an emotional terrain he’d never thought he’d go through again.
‘I want to kiss you. Now,’ he growled, his tone intimate, his back ramrod straight, every muscle in his body taut from resisting the urge.
‘Music to my ears,’ she teased, and he shook his head.
‘How can you do that to me?’
‘What?’
‘Make me feel so powerful yet completely lost at the same time. Honestly, Mackenzie, you muddle my thinking.’
‘I do?’ Her smile slowly faded as she looked into his eyes, the tension surging between them far too intense for the likes of a crowded mini-van filled with other colleagues. ‘Sorry.’
He slowly shook his head, brushing the backs of his fingers over her cheek. ‘Don’t ever think you have to apologise for making me feel this way. I like it, Mackenzie. I like it a lot.’ He continued to stare into her eyes for a moment longer before the mini-van hit a pothole, jolting them in their seats and snapping them back to reality.
John cleared his throat and Mackenzie shifted, trying to put a bit of distance between his warm, firm thigh and hers.
‘Focus,’ he grumbled, more to himself than to her.
‘Good idea,’ she returned, as the mini-van slowed down to enter the car park. They all climbed out and were met by one of the rangers—Ted. He gave them all a quick debrief of the area through which they’d be hiking, telling them to bring with them whatever equipment they might require.
‘How long will it take to get there?’ Bergan asked, completely focused on the retrieval.
‘About fifteen to twenty minutes. We follow a path for the first five minutes but after that the ground is rather uneven so please remain alert.’
Ted was right and not long after they left the path, everyone busy concentrating on where they were putting their feet. Mackenzie and John held back and brought up the rear of the group. As they traversed a rocky hill, Mackenzie noted that John seemed as comfortable with the terrain as a mountain goat, stepping with ease and confidence while the rest of them remained cautious and tentative.
‘You really like your outdoorsy stuff, don’t you,’ she stated rhetorically.
He nodded. ‘I do. No matter where I go, there are always new mountains, new amazing sights, new challenges.’
‘How long have you enjoyed this sort of thing?’
‘From my teens and especially once my parents passed away. I was a late-in-life addition to my family and, as I think I’ve mentioned, my sisters are much older than me. Hiking, caving, abseiling, anything I could do outdoors was done without one of them looking over my shoulder.’
She nodded. ‘Like a release from the pressures of everyday life.’
‘Exactly.’
‘I was like that with reading. Easy to lose myself in a book.’
He shook his head, realising there was still so much about her he didn’t know. ‘Any particular favourites?’
She smiled. ‘Too hard to choose just one.’ Mackenzie paused for a moment, wanting to ask him a very personal question but unsure how he’d take it. ‘I’m presuming you also hiked and rock-climbed a lot after your family passed away?’
John glanced her way, noting the slight dip in her tone and seeing the open concern in her eyes. ‘Yes. Getting back to nature, seeing the untouched beauty…well, it definitely helped with the healing process.’
‘I’m glad, John.’
He reached out with his free hand and gently touched her fingers. ‘So does talking about it with someone who is willing to listen.’
Mackenzie was touched by his words and gave him a small, shy smile. ‘Any time.’
‘Hey!’ Bergan called from the front of the group as she glared back at the two of them. ‘Will you two stop lagging behind, please?’
Mackenzie and John instantly grinned at each other. ‘Sorry,’ Mackenzie called as they quickly picked up their pace.
They were all already dressed in the yellow and blue A and E retrieval overalls and when they arrived at the site they found that their ranger guides had brought several abseiling harnesses out with the rest of the equipment. As the sun was almost down, lights had been set up in the area as well as helmets with torches attached, ropes and other equipment they’d require.
‘Gordon? Do you read?’ Ted, who had been their guide so far, was saying into his walkie-talkie.
‘Read you loud and clear,’ came back Gordon’s voice. ‘You in position?’
‘Just arrived. How’s the patient?’
‘We haven’t been able to get to him yet. We’ve just finished clearing the side of the cliff to allow effective retrieval, so your timing is good. Are the docs ready to come down?’
‘They’re getting into harnesses now,’ Ted stated, and continued talking to his colleague as Mackenzie and John slipped into the abseiling harnesses.
‘Have you ever abseiled before?’ John asked as his deft fingers clipped and buckled things into place. Mackenzie was still turning her harness round, having already put her foot through the wrong hole once.
‘Yes. I’ve been trained and out on retrieval several times and I’m quite fine
once I have the harness on, but—’
‘Here,’ John said, grinning from ear to ear as he took the harness from her and held it out so she could step into it. ‘Let me help you slip into something uncomfortable.’ His tone was teasing and she couldn’t help but smile up at him.
‘Don’t tease me. I’m trying to keep my thoughts focused.’
‘Me? Tease?’ His clever hands were moving around the harness, ensuring she was clipped and buckled in safely. ‘Never!’ He reached for the abseiling ropes, pleased he had the opportunity to hook Mackenzie in, ensuring it was done correctly. He was sure ranger Ted was good at his job but this way John knew Mackenzie was as safe as she could be in the circumstances, and the knowledge was definitely paramount to his own peace of mind. Next, he picked up a helmet and put it on her head. ‘A definite fashion look,’ he murmured, and switched on the helmet light.
‘Well, you’d know, given you’re such a fashionista,’ she bantered back lightly as she picked up one of the portable medical kits they’d carried down with them and attached it to her retrieval suit. John’s answer was a low, deep chuckle, which had the ability to set her entire body alight.
‘Could you two stop flirting long enough to be ready to go?’ Bergan asked coming over to them.
‘Ready and raring.’ Mackenzie couldn’t believe the adrenaline pumping through her. John’s answer was a firm nod before he walked towards the edge of the rock face.
As Mackenzie and Bergan watched, he lay down and peered over the edge, studying the layout below. His movements were sure and confident but even seeing him lying that close to the edge turned Mackenzie’s stomach and her new-found nerve momentarily fled. If John were to fall…
‘He really is confident around the edge of that cliff,’ Bergan commented, both of them watching John.
‘Yes, and he’s scaring the life out of me.’