The Playboy Doctor's Surprise Proposal

Despite being pleased at the way it had worked out and delighted to be in Australia with her sister at last, Caitlin wished the circumstances had been different. She couldn’t bear to think about what would happen if Brianna didn’t get better. Caitlin shook her head to get rid of the negative thoughts. They all had to remain positive and believe that Brianna would make a full recovery.

‘If it hadn’t taken so long to arrange the work visa, I would have come as soon as I heard. Or at least been here to help you through more of the chemo.’

Brianna reached over and squeezed her hand. ‘You’re here now and that’s what matters.’ Caitlin saw the tears in her sister’s eyes before she could blink them away. ‘You know we have Andrew to thank for getting you the job,’ Brianna continued.

‘It seems that I’m in his debt quite a bit,’ Caitlin said reluctantly. She hated being beholden to people.

Both women turned their gaze seaward. Niall and the children were finishing off the sandcastle. Out at sea, Caitlin caught her breath as Andrew and his board somersaulted into the air, turning over before landing and shooting along the water.

‘What is he doing?’ Caitlin asked, impressed. ‘I’ve never seen anyone windsurf like that before.’

‘It’s called kite boarding,’ Brianna replied. ‘It’s a bit like windsurfing, but with tricks. Andrew’s very good. He’s been trying to teach Niall, but it’s not as easy as it looks.’

‘It doesn’t look easy at all,’ Caitlin said as Andrew did another series of flips. ‘What happens if he crashes?’

‘He crashes fairly often.’ Her sister laughed. ‘But it doesn’t put him off. He just climbs back on, and away he goes again.’

The two women watched in silence for a while.

‘He says the Queensland Royal is delighted to have someone of your calibre there even for six months. It was good luck that one of the specialists wanted to spend time in the UK. I guess you’ll see a fair bit of Andrew at the hospital.’

Caitlin knew she would. As a specialist obstetrician she would be working a lot with the paediatricians, of whom Andrew was one. She wondered what kind of doctor he was. An image of him lounging around flirting with the nurses and female doctors flashed across her mind. She felt unreasonably disappointed. She had no time for doctors who didn’t take their work seriously. However, it was none of her business.

The sun had dried her damp skin and she slipped on her sundress. She stood, wincing slightly at the stab of pain in her calf.

‘It’s getting late, and everyone’s bound to be getting hungry. Shall we go back to the house and make the salads?’ When Caitlin had seen where her sister and her family lived she had been gobsmacked. Their house, an enormous lowslung affair, was perched on a hill just a few metres from the beach they were sitting on. It had several rooms, a hot tub and an infinity pool and views out over the sea. She had known her brother-in-law was doing well but had had no idea his fledgling business had been so successful.

‘Good idea,’ Brianna said, unwinding her long legs. ‘I’ll call Niall to start the steaks.’

‘No need to disturb him,’ Caitlin countered. ‘We can put them on when we get back.’

‘A word of warning, sis,’ Brianna said, laughing. ‘Men out here take their barbies seriously. Women are allowed to make the side dishes, but that’s it. The cooking of the meat is a man’s job.’

Caitlin laughed, then, seeing Brianna was perfectly serious, stopped. ‘Fine by me. You know I hate cooking anyway. Salads are about my limit. If the men want to cook, more power to them.’

By the time the two women returned with salads and rolls, Niall and Andrew were by the fire, flipping burgers and steaks. As the smell tickled her nostrils, Caitlin realised she was starving. She had taken a couple of minutes back at the house to have a shower to rinse the sand out of her hair and off her body, and a little longer to blow-dry her hair, returning it to its smooth waves. She had tied it back in a ponytail to prevent the breeze that had whipped up from blowing it into her eyes and finally had changed into a pair of lightweight trousers and T-shirt. Impulsively, without examining her motives too closely, she applied some lip gloss in the lightest shade of pink. Putting her glasses back on, she looked at her reflection and wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction. Not normally concerned with make-up, for the first time ever Caitlin wished she took more time and care with her appearance. To impress Dr Bedi? a small voice niggled at the back of her mind. Caitlin dismissed the thought immediately. Definitely not! she told herself. The important thing was that she felt and looked in control once more. Back to Dr O’Neill, obstetrician and consummate professional.

When she returned to the beach, the scent of cooking meat was drifting tantalisingly on the slight afternoon breeze. The two men seemed to be taking their cooking duties very seriously, Caitlin thought, amused as she heard them discuss whether a steak needed more marinade. Andrew had turned his wetsuit down to his hips, revealing his muscular chest. Despite herself, Caitlin felt her eyes travel over his torso, admiring the tautness of his abdomen and the defined muscles of his chest. Andrew turned, as if sensing her approving look, and caught Caitlin’s eye before she could look away. He winked and she felt herself grow flustered again. Damn the man, she thought crossly.

‘How’s the leg?’ he asked innocently.

‘As you predicted, it feels a bit bruised, but otherwise fine. Thanks again. I feel such an idiot.’

‘Australia can take a bit of getting used to. I’m sure once you’ve been here a bit longer you’ll know what’s safe and what isn’t. The coast here has some fantastic beaches, as you will see, but you have to be very careful about where you swim.’

Niall heaped food onto plates and everyone helped themselves to salads and buttered rolls. Niall had set up a table and chairs under the shade of an orange bougainvillea and as Caitlin ate she breathed in the tang of sea air. For the first time in months she felt energised. There was something about being here that made her realise how boring her well ordered life back in Ireland had become. As if he’d read her thoughts, Andrew turned to Caitlin.

‘I understand you’ve been working at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Dublin for the last few years. Your colleagues must think highly of you. From what I hear, it’s very difficult to get accepted onto the permanent staff there. And you couldn’t be more than, what—thirty?’

Caitlin flushed under his frank scrutiny. Did he think after what had happened that she was some airhead who had managed to secure her position because of who she knew rather than on her own merits? Little did he know what sacrifices she’d had to make to earn her position.

‘Caitlin is being considered for a chair in obstetrics there,’ Brianna said proudly. ‘If she gets it, she’ll be one of the youngest professors in the country.’

Catching Andrew’s raised eyebrow and look of amusement, Caitlin cringed at her sister’s unembarrassed boasting.

‘My sister-in-law is a bit of a workaholic,’ Niall added through mouthfuls of salad. ‘She never stops. We’ve asked her to come and visit us many times since we moved here, but she’s refused to take time off from work.’ He smiled to show Caitlin there was no malice behind his words. He of all people knew what getting the chair in obstetrics meant to Caitlin. It seemed as if all the years of hard work were about to pay off. Not that she was there yet, but the position was within her reach. As long as she kept focussed and continued to spend her few spare hours working on publishing papers. As she thought back to her hectic life in Dublin, she appreciated for the first time just how exhausted working the hours she had, had made her. Perhaps her time here would help recharge her batteries, not that she expected an easy time of it at the Queensland Royal. Far from it. She intended to apply herself to the post here with exactly the same dedication she applied to all her jobs. At least she didn’t have any research on the go at the moment. Any spare time she had here would be spent with Brianna. Of that, Caitlin was determined.

‘Andrew works pretty hard too.’ Brianna joined in the conversation, having returned from sorting the children out with food.

‘Ah, yes, but he also plays hard,’ her husband said mischievously. ‘Where you get the energy is beyond me. I am far too exhausted after a day’s work to do anything except read the paper and potter.’

‘But you have a wife and family to keep you busy,’ Andrew replied. Caitlin wasn’t sure but she thought she heard a note of envy in his voice. ‘Once I’ve finished work I’m free to do what I want.’

‘Lucky devil,’ Niall said, but as he smiled at his wife, Caitlin knew that he wouldn’t swap what he had for the world.

By the time they had finished eating the sun was beginning to drop, turning the sky red-gold. Niall and Andrew, helped by the children, started packing up the barbecue. Caitlin sneaked a look at her sister. She looked tired. The circles under her eyes had deepened. Caitlin felt a pang of anxiety. ‘Are you sure you’re up to socializing, Bri?’ she said. ‘Shouldn’t you be taking it easy? I could have waited and met Andrew when I started work. Probably would have been better anyway. God knows what impression he has of me. Not that I care,’ she added hastily, catching her sister’s amused look.

‘I wouldn’t call having Andrew over as socialising,’ Brianna protested. ‘He’s part of the family—he’s Ciaran’s godfather after all.’ She smiled briefly then grew serious. ‘Brianna, you must listen to me. As soon as I was diagnosed, I made up my mind. I’m going to carry on as normal whenever I can. For the children’s sake, if nothing else. I’m a bit tired, but as long as I rest whenever I can, I cope.’ Caitlin could see the determination in the green eyes which were so like her own. ‘I wouldn’t have let you come at all if it hadn’t been for the job. Love you as I do, the last thing I need is you fussing over me all the time like Mammy. Caitlin, I need you to support me on this and not fuss. Okay?’

‘Okay,’ Caitlin agreed reluctantly. ‘Whatever you say. But I’m here to help whenever you need me. You just have to let me know. Promise?’

Back at the house a little later, Caitlin insisted on clearing up while Brianna went to organise the children for bed.

‘I could put the children to bed if you like after I finish clearing away. You have an early night.’ Catching the warning look her sister threw her, Caitlin raised her hands. ‘I’m not fussing, honestly, Bri. It’s just that I’m still on Irish time and suddenly wide awake. No doubt it’ll hit me for six soon, but in the meantime, let me help.’

‘I’m putting my children to bed,’ Brianna said firmly, ‘but if you want to clean the kitchen, be my guest.’

As she was stacking the dishwasher in her sister’s enormous American-style kitchen, Andrew appeared, carrying some plates. Caitlin had assumed he’d left.

‘Has Brianna gone to bed?’ he asked, laying the dirty dishes on the granite worktop.

‘She’s seeing to the children,’ Caitlin replied. ‘Is Niall still outside?’

Andrew shook his head. ‘He must be helping to put the children to bed. I should be going too.’

‘How does Bri seem to you?’ Caitlin asked anxiously. ‘You know her well, I understand.’

Andrew looked at her sympathetically. ‘She was—is—the best paediatric nurse I ever worked with. We really missed her when she stopped working to look after the kids, and then this…’ He shook his head. ‘But you know your sister better than I do. If anyone can beat it, she can. And I know how pleased both of them are to have you here.’

It must have been tiredness, but suddenly Caitlin felt a lump in her throat. In many ways she wished it had been her, not Brianna, who had been diagnosed. After all, it wasn’t as if she had a young family depending on her. She swallowed furiously. Caitlin O’Neill did not show her emotions. Not publicly and certainly not in front of a man she barely knew and who was to be a colleague.

Andrew must have noticed. He patted her shoulder awkwardly. ‘They found it early enough, you know. She’s really very lucky. Everything is going to be fine.’

Caitlin wasn’t convinced. But she was here and would ensure that her sister got through the next few months as painlessly as possible.

‘Brianna tells me you’re a paediatrician,’ Caitlin said, keen to get the conversation onto neutral ground.

‘Yep, for my sins,’ he replied.

She flicked the kettle on. ‘Would you like some coffee before you go?’

‘Sure,’ he said.

Caitlin looked around for where Brianna kept the mugs. Behind her Andrew reached over her to the top cupboard. For a moment she was imprisoned between him and the worktop. Acutely conscious of the heat of his body, she felt her heart begin to thud. She would have given anything to move away from him, but that would have only drawn attention to the awkwardness she felt. Thankfully, as soon as he had grabbed two mugs, he stepped away. He spooned coffee into the mugs, and then held out the jug of milk and raised one eyebrow in question.

Once their coffee was poured, Andrew sat at the kitchen table and stretched his long legs in front of him. ‘Tell me about you,’ he said, looking at her intently. At that moment Caitlin felt as if her world had shrunk to the kitchen and him and her. Every nerve in her body seemed to be tingling in response to him. She couldn’t remember when she’d last had such an immediate reaction to a man. No, strike that. She couldn’t remember ever having had a reaction like this to a man. It wasn’t just his dark good looks, although he was pretty hot, it was the aura that surrounded him. As if he was pulling her into his magnetic field and she was powerless to resist.

‘There’s not much to tell,’ Caitlin said, desperate for him not to see how he was affecting her. ‘I am Irish—but you know that,’ she said as his mouth quirked. ‘I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, well, since about twelve anyway. I have three older brothers, whom I love but drive me mad. My mum and dad breed horses. That’s about it. What about you?’

‘I’m an only child.’ For a moment a shadow darkened his eyes. ‘My parents are from India, they’re retired and live in Sydney. They came here years ago. I was born here but they’re still pretty traditional. I didn’t know what I wanted to do until my final year at school, but I know I made the right decision to become a doctor. I like all watersports, but am useless on a horse. Anything else you’d like to know?’ He grinned at her. Caitlin wondered if he too felt the electricity that was fizzing around them.

‘Hey, you started this,’ Caitlin rejoined. ‘The question-and-answer session, that is…’ Oh, dear, what if he thought she meant something else?

Suddenly he frowned, then got to his feet. Caitlin looked up to find him towering above her. What had she said to cause the change? One minute he’d seemed relaxed, the next…as if he wanted nothing more than to get away from her as quickly as possible. A thought struck her. Did he think she was flirting with him? Did he think she had misread friendly interest for something else? She felt her toes curl with embarrassment. She stood too, feeling dwarfed by his size.

‘I’ll pick you up on Monday morning and take you in to the hospital if you like,’ Andrew offered. ‘I can give you the lowdown on the way in.’

Caitlin smiled at him gratefully. ‘I’d appreciate that,’ she said. ‘Niall has said I’m welcome to use one of their cars whenever I need to, but I’m not sure I can find my way on the first day. I’ve a hopeless sense of direction. Oh, and thanks again for arranging the job for me.’

Andrew looked down at her and smiled. ‘As I said, no sweat. It’ll be great to have you. We’re all looking forward to seeing the renowned Dr O’Neill in action. I’ll see you on Monday.’

‘No pressure, then,’ Caitlin mouthed at his retreating back.

As Andrew pulled away from the house and headed towards the freeway that would take him home, he let out a low whistle. Dr Caitlin O’Neill was nothing like he’d imagined. He didn’t know what he had expected when he’d offered to help by organising a job out for Brianna’s sister. He was thinking about another doctor—a colleague—that was all. But when he had literally fished her out of the sea, he had been immediately struck by her stunning good looks. That incredible hair and those eyes! Although similar in colour to Brianna’s, Caitlin’s eyes had an intensity that reminded him of a cat pinning its prey. He laughed out loud at the image. Recalling the feeling of the silky-smooth skin under his fingertips, he almost groaned. This was a woman he would like in his bed. Not marriage—no, never that—but an affair. And why not? She looked like the kind of woman whose heart would be difficult to break.

CHAPTER TWO

CAITLIN dressed carefully for work on Monday. She knew that Australian hospitals were less formal than Irish ones, especially given the heat, but she wanted to create the right impression. She chose a floaty skirt that, while cool, still looked smart and teamed it with a short-sleeved white blouse. She twisted her hair into a chignon and then she was ready.

Breakfast was a far rowdier affair than Caitlin was used to. Living alone, she was used to a quiet breakfast with the paper, not this hive of activity. How could such small children make such a racket and how could Brianna think straight with all the noise?

Niall collected his briefcase and slung an overnight bag over his shoulder. He kissed his wife and sister-in-law goodbye. ‘I’ll be back on Friday,’ he told Brianna. ‘Are you sure you’ll be all right?’

‘Go on, you big softy.’ His wife pushed him towards the door. ‘I’ve Caitlin here if I need anything—which I won’t.’ As husband and wife smiled at each other Caitlin felt a pang. What would it feel like to be loved like that? she wondered. Not that she really wanted to find out, she reminded herself. She liked her uncomplicated life back in Dublin exactly the way it was. She had work, loads of friends and plenty of hobbies to keep her busy. The last thing she needed in her life were complications, and if ever she wondered whether she was leading the right life, she just thought about her mother. Although she loved her mother fiercely, her whole life had been taken up with bringing up her large family of three boys and two girls. Caitlin had never seen her mother do anything just for herself. That wasn’t the life Caitlin had mapped out for herself.

She had just finished breakfast when she heard a toot from the driveway. Looking out, she saw Andrew had arrived in a sports car. He jumped over the door and came to meet her. Unlike on Saturday, he was dressed more formally, in a white shirt and light-coloured chinos. He looked fresh cool and very handsome. He opened the door for her with a flourish.

‘Your carriage awaits,’ he said.

‘Why, thank you, sir,’ Caitlin quipped back. ‘You are too kind.’

Soon they were leaving the leafy suburbs behind and were on the freeway. As he drove, Andrew pointed out various landmarks so that Caitlin would find her way the next day. They crossed a bridge, passing modern skyscrapers. Everything seemed as different from Ireland, with its green rolling countryside and the Georgian architecture of Dublin, as it could be.

‘What do you think so far?’ he asked.

‘Apart from the heat? I think it’s wonderful,’ Caitlin answered.

‘It’s not just the beaches, although you have to admit they are the best in the world. The Sunshine Coast is an hour to the north and the Gold Coast about the same distance south. We do some outreach work in both areas, so you’ll get a chance to see them.’

‘I’m looking forward to it,’ Caitlin replied, gripping onto her seat as Andrew passed a car. Catching her nervous look, he laughed. ‘Hey, don’t worry. You’re in safe hands.’

Caitlin smiled weakly in response. ‘Tell me about the hospital,’ she said.

By the time they had pulled up in front of the Queensland Royal, Andrew had given her a brief overview of how the medical system in Australia worked. He was a specialist paediatrician, which Caitlin already knew, and had a special interest in heart problems in neonates. The hospital was a gleaming, modern affair, all glass and stainless steel. Andrew told Caitlin that it had some of the best facilities in Australia.

As they got out of the car, an ambulance pulled up, its lights flashing. A trio of nurses was waiting at the entrance, ready to receive the casualties. Caitlin and Andrew were about to leave them to it when a nurse noticed his arrival.

‘Could you hold on a minute, Dr Bedi?’ she said. ‘We might need you.’

Unsure where to go, Caitlin watched as the patient was unloaded. Immediately she could see that it was a woman in advanced pregnancy. From the look of distress on her face, it appeared she was in labour. Suddenly she felt her reflexes kick in. She moved towards the group, making a rapid judgement.

‘Mrs Roland is in the end stage of labour,’ the paramedic intoned. ‘She was due to have her baby at home, but the midwife felt that labour wasn’t progressing quickly enough and decided to call us. The baby’s heartbeat has dropped.’

‘I’m Dr O’Neill,’ Caitlin introduced herself. ‘One of the obstetricians. Let’s get her inside so we can assess her.’

Once inside Caitlin carried out a rapid examination of the woman. It only took her a few seconds to realise that the placenta was lying in front of the baby. It was something that every obstetrician came across on a regular basis. Nevertheless, if they didn’t get the baby delivered there was a chance the woman would bleed to death. In every country there were several maternal deaths every year due to the condition. There was no time to lose. Every second counted if they were to save the woman and her unborn child. ‘Placenta praevia,’ she said. ‘She needs to go to Theatre immediately.’

‘I’ll tell Theatre to expect us,’ one of the nurses said, turning towards the phone.

‘I’ll scrub in too,’ Andrew said. Even if they managed to get the baby delivered safely there was every chance it might need resuscitating. ‘C’mon, Caitlin, let’s go.’

Caitlin struggled to keep up with his long strides as they rushed towards Theatre. A nurse handed her some scrubs and clogs and she scrubbed up beside Andrew, mentally counting off the minutes.

‘Right in at the deep end,’ Andrew said sympathetically. ‘We didn’t even manage to get you up to the ward.’

By the time they were scrubbed and gowned, Mrs Roland had been anesthetised and was lying prepped on the theatre table.

Caitlin cut into the abdomen from left to right just above the pubic bone. As the skin separated, she made another incision into the uterus, careful not to damage the precious contents. As she pulled the baby out, she glanced at the clock. Ten minutes had passed since the patient had arrived at the hospital. She was pleased to see none of her speed had deserted her.

The baby, a little boy, was slightly floppy and blue. Caitlin handed him to the midwife, who rushed the baby across to the resuscitator.

‘He’s a bit flat,’ the midwife called out. As Caitlin started to close she was aware of the tension in the room. Andrew needed to get oxygen into the baby, and soon. Across the woman’s abdomen she watched as he tipped the baby’s head back gently before slipping in a paediatric endotracheal tube, feeling his way through the larynx and into the lungs. Then he attached an ambu-bag and started feeding oxygen into the tiny lungs. Every movement he made was calm and assured, and this fed into the atmosphere of the theatre. There was no panic. Everyone was simply going about their jobs quietly and efficiently. Caitlin was impressed. She guessed the team had worked together many times before.’

‘Heart rate 140 and he’s a good colour now,’ Andrew announced to the room to a collective sigh of relief. ‘I think baby is going to be fine. We’ll get them up to Special Care, but I think we should be able to reunite mother and baby quite soon.’