Secrets (Hope Bay)

by Angela Verdenius

  “No! It is?”

  “Sarcasm from my receptionist.”

  “And yet you’re not surprised.”

  Doc sighed.

  “Come on,” Harriet urged. “The surgery is shut for the lunch hour. Surprise me!”

  “You’re fired.”

  “That’s not a surprise, you fire me at least once a week. I want a real surprise.”

  Emma laughed.

  Doc’s face popped around the door. “Come on, Giggling Gertie. Harriet’s jumping around out here like she’s got ants in her pants. Let’s go and show you both the surprise.”

  There was no doubting the eager twinkle in his eyes, and Emma knew he was as excited as Harriet.

  Smiling, she dropped her pen on the desk and strolled out to join them. “Surprise me, Doc.”

  “Just follow me.” He strode towards the kitchen. “You’re going to love it, Harriet, trust me. And Emma,” he winked at her over his shoulder, “you will grow to love it, I promise.”

  Well, that was interesting. Now her curiosity was really piqued.

  That lasted until she entered the kitchen behind Doc and saw the man standing at the sink sipping from a mug with ‘Doc’s Mug, Touch on Pain of Death’ written in permanent black marking pen on the side.

  Laughter lines crinkled the corner of grey eyes as the man glanced up, his expression delighted when Harriet squealed “Shane!” and threw herself across the room at him.

  Emma could only watch, her mouth slightly agape as he hugged Harriet, lifting the older woman off her feet and making her giggle like a little girl.

  “Harriet, my love!” He kissed her robustly on the cheek before dropping her back onto her feet.

  Oh Lord, it was the man Emma had knocked off his bike! This was Shane? Oh no, now alarm bells were ringing because she recognised the name, saw the similarities.

  “What are you doing here?” Harriet’s cheeks were pink with happiness.

  Shane’s gaze slid past her to Doc, then Emma, his grin faltering as recognition hit him.

  Oh crap. Embarrassed, she bit her bottom lip. Yeah, she’d obviously really made an impression on him. Still, she’d apologised and he’d not ripped her apart, so it would be okay, right?

  She hoped so. After all, it was just an accident and no one got hurt. Right?

  Right. He was obviously here to visit and-

  “Shane,” Doc beamed happily, “is joining us!”

  “For lunch?” Harriet asked.

  “For good.” Doc clapped his hand on Shane’s broad shoulder. “My boy’s joining the family business!”

  Emma’s mouth went dry.

  Well, this was…unexpected.

  ~*~

  Well, this was unexpected.

  Recovering from his surprise at finding himself face-to-face with the pretty woman who’d knocked him arse over tit off his push bike, Shane absorbed the information that she worked for his father, and therefore now him as well.

  Standing at the side of the door, she looked like she was considering beating a very hasty retreat. Maybe she thought he’d spill the beans about their little morning encounter.

  His gaze slid over her, taking in the new uniform his Dad had adopted for the clinic. No wonder he hadn’t recognised it. The uniform fit her well, the pale blue shirt contrasting nicely with her dark blonde hair that was, going by the strand that had escaped the confines of some torturous-looking claw device thing to bob enchantingly against her cheek, wavy when loose. Big blue eyes stared at him while small white teeth worried her plump bottom lip. Her nose was tip-tilted at the end, her skin fair.

  And her body. Man’d have to be blind not to notice those lush curves. Shane’d always been partial to curvy women, and this particular curvy body clad in top and slacks was rather yummy.

  Not that he’d be ill-mannered enough to reveal his appreciation.

  “This is Emma,” Doc announced.

  She smiled slightly, managed a “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Shane grinned, unable to help adding, “Do I know you? I feel like I know you.”

  She blushed.

  Oh, that was so cute. The devil on his shoulder gave him a little prod. “I think I do know you. Have we met?”

  Her eyes, so wide seconds ago, now narrowed.

  Amused, he kept his gaze on her.

  “She’s my nurse. Our nurse,” Doc corrected. “She’ll serve both of us.”

  “Is that right?” The unfortunate wording had his grin growing even bigger.

  Emma’s expression didn’t give anything away, but there was a slight tightening of her jaw.

  “Yep.” Doc nodded.

  “She’s good at it, too.” Harriet clapped Emma on the shoulder. “She’ll do whatever is needed, whatever you want.”

  Oh geez, the opening was almost too much for him to by-pass. Almost. He just managed to bite back the words and said instead, “Just what every man wants.”

  Oops, okay, he’d apparently not been able to by-pass it. Plus he was being forward, bordering on a little reckless, which was something he didn’t normally do unless he knew someone well enough to take a joke, however ribald.

  Hmmm. Now wasn’t that interesting?

  Not to mention that Nurse Emma was possibly very aware of the word-play, the muscle in her jaw clenched and unclenched, but she said nothing. Her eyes, however, snapped a little with inner fire.

  That fire piqued his interest as he wondered just how fiery this woman could get, and definitely in what way. But now was not the time to play with fire. Heh heh.

  “I mean doctor,” he amended quickly. “Just what every doctor wants, a willing nurse.” Because that sounded better. Not.

  For a second he thought he’d saved himself, but nope, her gaze bored right into him. Those beautiful baby blue eyes now held a hint of annoyance. He didn’t know what was better, the sweetness of uncertainty or the brilliance of annoyance.

  He wondered what she’d look like with a full-on smile of delight.

  And no clothes.

  Almost immediately he banished that wayward thought from his mind. Good grief, what was wrong with him? His mind certainly had no business going in that wayward direction when he was meeting his new employee. But geez, talk about temptation…

  He wasn’t sure what showed in his eyes, but whatever it was caused panic to flicker in hers, a fleeting glimpse as she glanced at his Dad before returning her gaze to him, her shoulders straightening. There was also no mistaking the slight tremor of her hands that had involuntarily clenched at her sides.

  Shit, was she scared of him? Really? Now he felt bad. Ah crap, he hadn’t meant to scare her.

  Firmly pulling himself back into the here, now and work environment, Shane tamped down all wicked amusement and offered his hand while smiling with professional courtesy. “Hi, Emma. I’m pleased to be working with you.”

  Slowly, she reached out and took his hand, the touch of her small palm soft and warm in his bigger grip. He gave it a light squeeze and several gentle pumps. When he released her, she dropped her hand to her side to surreptitiously wipe her palm down her slacks.

  Wasn’t like he had sweaty palms. Equally as surreptitiously, Shane touched his thumb to his palm. Nope, dry as a bone. So what did her action mean? Come to think about it, why was he even wondering? She was going to be working for him, all he had to do was keep it professional.

  Or make friends fast.

  He just didn’t know which pathway to take. Naturally friendly, naturally a happy bloke, he found himself eyeing her with curiosity. What was her briefly revealed panic all about?

  “Now that we’ve all met,” Doc said, turning away from where he was explaining to an excited Harriet that no, he wasn’t kidding, and yes, Shane really was joining him in partnership, “we’re off. You girls can have your lunch in peace.”

  “Seriously?” Harriet was disappointed. “You’re not having lunch with us?”

  “Remember I got you to book me off for two hours? I said I had something to
take care of today?”

  “Yes.”

  “Dentist.” Doc’s face drooped. “Danny cornered me.”

  “Oh for…” Shane rolled his eyes. “Dad, seriously?”

  “I don’t like dentists, all right?”

  “But to make the man you treated when he was a kid have to chase you down? Isn’t that just a little embarrassing?”

  “Not at all. And I still treat him.”

  “I bet you don’t have to corner him to give him a flu shot.”

  Doc grinned.

  “Really?” Shane shook his head disbelievingly. “You do? Still?”

  “Danny’s quick, I’ll give him that, but that boy isn’t too good at fronting up for flu shots.”

  “The man gives needles, for crying out loud.”

  “Yeah, but he’s not too good at getting them.” Doc cackled.

  Harriet looked at Emma. “And we work for him.”

  Emma grinned.

  A full-on grin that lit her eyes and had those cute little apple cheeks curving enchantingly, those plump lips opening with mirth.

  Shane laughed, forcing himself not to feast his eyes on the sight of those plump lips and bright eyes, not if he didn’t want her to get all silently defensive again. He had some points to get back, a working relationship to foster to a comfortable level.

  One didn’t obsess over one’s employees, no matter her cuteness.

  Harriet turned to Emma. “You popping out to get some lunch, seeing as how you forgot to bring anything?”

  “No. I’m going to raid the Sao biccies and Vegemite.” Emma started to cross the kitchen towards the pantry.

  “I’m dying for a cuppa.” Harriet trailed after her.

  “Yeah, well, I’m dying for the nice, icy-cold Diet Coke I stashed here yesterday.”

  “Come on, son.” Doc strode for the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

  “You’re getting it over with.” Shane gave the two women a friendly wave as he followed Doc out the door. “I’m going back to the house to finish unpacking.”

  “Maybe I should help you first.”

  “Nice try. No. But I will drop you off on my way home.” Shane trailed Doc out to the car, waiting until they were both inside before asking, “So, how long has Emma been your nurse?”

  “About five months.” Doc scratched his head. “Maybe six. No, could be seven.” He paused, squinted. “Five?”

  “I’m asking you.”

  “Yeah, well, it hasn’t been long, but I will say she’s a good worker.” Doc snapped on the seatbelt. “Arrives on time, does her job, doesn’t take crap from anyone, and gets on with everyone.” He paused reflectively. “Most everyone.”

  Putting the car into gear, Shane glanced at him. “Who doesn’t she get on with?”

  “Who gets on with everyone?”

  “What are you not telling me?”

  Shrugging, Doc looked out the window. “Nothing.”

  “Come on, Dad.” Shane pulled the car onto the road, which was minus traffic. “If I’m to be a full partner in this business, I should know these things.”

  “Charlotte and the Evil Twins.”

  “Ahhh.” Okay, now it made sense.

  “Emma found a way to make those spawns of Satan behave themselves when in the treatment room.”

  “And Charlotte, of course, doesn’t like anyone making her delicate little darlings do what they’re told.”

  “That’s about it.”

  “What happened?”

  “Emma has a star chart for good behaviour. Charlotte was horrified that she’d actually take a star off the twins’ names if they misbehaved.”

  “Emma really did it?”

  “Emma doesn’t bluff. The twins knew it and they backed off and behaved themselves. Charlotte wanted Emma fired for being mean.”

  Okay, Shane didn’t really know Emma, but he knew Charlotte and her twins. Right now, his sympathy lay with Emma.

  “I told Charlotte that my nurse did the right thing and that anyone coming into my practice needs to behave themselves.” Doc stopped, thought for a few seconds, then grinned and elbowed Shane. “Our practice.”

  Coming to a stop in front of the dentist’s office, Shane braked before turning to his father. “Don’t even think of handing Charlotte and her twin horrors to me.”

  “Son,” Doc’s expression was innocent, “patients choose their doctor.”

  Before Shane could retort, Doc was out of the car.

  “Dad!”

  Doc leaned down, winked. “Welcome to the local GP business.” With that he walked off chuckling.

  Sighing, Shane put the car in gear and drove off with the bad feeling that he was going to inherit the Evil Twins and Charlotte. Couldn’t be helped, he was a doctor first and Evil Twins or not, a sick kid was a sick kid.

  Though he had intentions of driving home to continue the unpacking, he spotted the café and decided to buy lunch. Beat baked beans from a tin, seeing as that was about all he had in the cupboard. He definitely needed to do some shopping later, then check in with his mother about anything he needed to buy for the barbie tomorrow night.

  He sighed again. Barbecues he liked, friends and family getting together was fine, but being the guest of honour? Not really his cup of tea. Still, his parents were thrilled and no way could he hurt their feelings by refusing. Besides, he had some good friends who would make sure he didn’t get too big a head.

  That alone restored his humour.

  Getting out of the car, he looked across the roof to the café and realised that it was the same one in front of which he’d come a cropper. There he’d been, riding along, passing the stationary car when the car door opened and sent him kissing bitumen.

  Actually, now he thought about it, Emma had been parked right here. She’d forgotten lunch, according to Harriet. Emma had said she was eating Saos and Vegemite.

  Ah damn. Now he understood. She’d meant to buy lunch, but because of their little altercation she’d forgotten and was now making do with biscuits and spread for lunch.

  Too late to do anything about it now, he decided as he closed the car door and beeped the locks shut, but he’d fix the issue later. It was the least he could do.

  Pocketing the keys, he started towards the door when a voice drawled, “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the new quack in town.”

  “Well, well, well,” he replied, “if it isn’t the old fancy-boy in town.”

  “I resent that.” Next to the café window, the man checked his hair in the reflection. “I’m not old. No grey hair, no wrinkles.”

  “You’re fancy.” Shane gave him a sweeping glance.

  Black hair neatly combed, button-up shirt hanging loose over a pair of white shorts that stopped just above tanned knees, casual loafers on his feet. Even his black beard and moustache were neatly trimmed and close to the skin, giving him a slightly roguish air, kind of like a well-to-do pirate. Pretty apt description given that in his younger days, Steve Landor had certainly done his share of plundering the fairer sex.

  Apparently the man was handsome, if what all the girls said was true. But then, Steve had always had the pick of the girls from high school right through to now, so there you had it. No accounting for taste.

  “Aw, you’re jealous.”

  “Sure,” Shane drawled. “We’ll go with that.”

  Grinning, Steve faced him, hands sliding into his pockets. “So, how’d Harriet take the news that you’re going to be her new boss?”

  “I think she was happy.”

  “She just about busted a gut over it, didn’t she?”

  “In a good way.”

  “I didn’t mean she was laughing. Or maybe she was.” Steve stroked his jaw reflectively. “Possibly laughing. Very possibly laughing.”

  “I think she’s glad to have a real man at the clinic.” Shane slid a hand down his shirt front. “Young. Handsome.”

  “Youngish. Deluded.”

  “One day you’ll need a prostate exam.
I’m a doc in this town.”

  Steve shuddered. “No way is your digit getting near my arse.”

  “What? This digit? My digit?” Indignantly, Shane held up his middle finger. “No way is my digit getting near your arse ever. Not even if you begged.”

  “Is it snowing in Hell? I think it’s snowing in Hell.” Steve nodded. “It’s a blizzard down there. Blowing a freaking snow storm.”

  “Is that your version of saying it’ll be a cold day in Hell before you let my digit up your bum?”

  “I’m saying no one’s digit is getting near my bum. Ever.”

  Shane smirked.

  Steve flipped him the bird.

  “Thanks,” Shane said. “But no thanks. I have my own doctor to check my prostate.”

  “You mean you don’t finger your own?”

  “Am I interrupting something?” A sandy-haired man appeared beside Shane. “Hey, dingbats, can anyone join in this fingering session?”

  Shane and Steve eyed the newcomer towering over them. Tall, brawny and broad-shouldered, the prime example of a bloke built like a brick shithouse, he wore a battered old t-shirt, paint-stained jeans and a big, toothy grin.

  “Jesus, Mitch.” Steve shaded his eyes. “You been whitening your teeth again?”

  “All the better to nibble you with.” Mitch fluttered his eyelashes.

  “Fingering and nibbling,” Shane mused. “So, same old, same old with you boys?”

  “Only the fairer sex gets to nibble on me.” Steve squinted at Mitch. “What’s got you so happy?”

  “I’m a naturally happy bloke.” Mitch slung an arm around Shane’s shoulders.

  “Don’t be thinking of any fingering while you’re hanging off me,” Shane warned.

  “As Steve said, only the fairer sex get to finger me.”

  “Really?” Shane’s eyebrows rose. “You like to get fingered?”

  Steve grimaced. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”

  Mitch waggled his eyebrows.

  “How about we change the subject,” Shane suggested. “I was about to have a bite to eat-”

  “I thought we were changing the subject?” Mitch queried.

  “Your mind needs scrubbing out with a toilet brush.”

  “Kinky.” Straightening, Mitch stretched leisurely.

  “Come on.” Steve pushed the café door open. “I’m starving.”