Daredevil and Dr Kate

Frowning, Aiden picked up the picnic basket and followed.

Luke and Mia had already scrambled into the rear seat and buckled their seat belts. Kate held the boot open, waiting for him. ‘Thanks,’ she said gruffly, almost slamming the lid on his fingers. ‘See you at work on Monday.’

She fled before he could answer, throwing herself into the driver’s seat, and was away within seconds, while his thought processes drew to a screaming halt. His mouth twisted into a grim line. What was with her?

Oh, hell. Shaking his head at the complexities of it all, he wandered across to his off-road vehicle. Would he ever get it right around Kate Preston?

CHAPTER THREE

KATE kept herself busy for the rest of the day, the events of the morning running over in her mind. Aiden O’Connor obviously had a life. A life Kate knew nothing about. And yet … Kate shook her head. Surely she hadn’t imagined the sense of intimacy she’d experienced between them that morning? Perhaps he just liked women running after him, she thought sourly. The thrill of the chase.

Did she want to be part of that chase? Out of nowhere, she relived the feeling of the weight of his hand against her skin. Imagined her body awakening to his all-over touch. Oh, get real, Kate, she implored inwardly. Hefting the laundry basket onto her hip, she went through to the bedroom and began sorting the clean clothes into neat piles.

But however hard she tried, at the end of the day she still felt at sixes and sevens, as though a huge boulder had been thrown into the pool of uniformity that was currently her life.

It was something of a relief when Jo McNeal phoned on Sunday morning. ‘Hi, Kate. Do you have plans today?’

‘Nothing more interesting than the ironing. What’s up?’

‘What about coming out to our place for lunch? Brady’s barbecuing.’

‘Oh, that sounds nice.’ Kate’s spirits lifted. The McNeals lived on acreage out of town a bit.

‘So, you’ll come?’

‘Love to. Is it OK for Luke to bring his wretched football?

Jo chuckled. ‘Driving you nuts, is he?’

‘Just a bit.’

‘Then get on out here,’ Jo insisted. ‘We’ve loads of space. Luke can go wild. Now, what about finding us? Are you clued in?’

‘Ish …’

Jo chuckled. ‘Grab a pen, then, and I’ll give you explicit directions.’

‘This is all so lovely,’ Kate said. With the children off playing happily under Brady’s watchful eye, Jo was showing her over the gardens surrounding the old farmhouse they had renovated.

‘It is, isn’t it?’ Jo said proudly. ‘The house was built in the 1840s. I’m still discovering beautiful old roses that have survived in the oddest places. And when Brady stripped back years of undergrowth, we found grapevines still viable.’

Kate’s look was wistful as she gazed past the rustic bench seat to the gently sloping paddocks and further on to the mountains, misty blue and beautiful. ‘So it’s all been a fabulous adventure, then?’

‘If you discount the odd snake or two,’ Jo said wryly. ‘But we’ve got the house just about right so that’s a relief with the new baby coming.’ She touched Kate’s arm. ‘Enough of the tour for now. Let’s go indoors and get a cuppa before the company arrives.’

‘Oh.’ Kate sent a pained look down at her T-shirt and jeans.

‘Just family.’ Jo smiled. ‘Brady’s parents are coming out from Brisbane. They’re spending a couple of days with us.’

Kate hooked an eyebrow. ‘More doctors?’

‘Blessedly, no.’ Jo gave a curl of laughter. ‘Vivienne is a barrister, James is head of town planning with the city council. They’re lovely. Been so good to us. They’re terrific grandparents to Andrew and will be to this little one as well.’ Jo touched her bump protectively. ‘I guess we’re about to become one of those blended families,’ she added philosophically.

‘Has it been difficult?’ Kate got mugs down from the dresser.

‘Not so far because I’ve been in Andrew’s life since he was a baby but perhaps when he’s older and has questions about his birth mother …’ Jo stopped and shrugged a shoulder.

Kate looked thoughtful. Not for the first time she wondered how Luke and Mia would feel about a stepfather—that’s if she ever found anyone who actually wanted the role. It would be a huge decision to allow a new man into their lives. But their memories of Cory were a bit sketchy now, especially Mia’s.

‘Why the big sigh?’ Kate slid home-made gingerbread onto a plate.

‘Oh—nothing.’ Kate gave an embarrassed laugh.

‘Thinking about blended families?’

Jo’s direct look left no room for Kate to waffle. She said slowly, ‘Luke and Mia are eight and six. I sometimes wonder … that is, if I did meet someone …’

Jo poured the tea. ‘Kate, if he loved you, he’d love your children. Stands to reason, doesn’t it? Have you met someone?’ she asked perceptively.

‘In Mt Pryde?’

‘Hey.’ Jo wagged a finger. ‘Don’t write off the possibility. It happened for Brady and me.’ Jo gave a believe-it-or-not wide-eyed look. ‘And for a very good friend of mine, Fliss O’Byrne. She came to work at the local hospital and, wham, fell head over heels for the medical director, Callum. They’re blissfully happy.’

Kate suddenly felt uneasy. The last thing she needed was for Jo to start matchmaking. Even if it was well intentioned. She drummed up a passable smile. ‘I’ll be sure to keep an open mind, then.’

They talked generalities then until Jo exclaimed, ‘Look at the time! The grandparents’ll be here any minute. I’d better give Brady a shout and start setting up for lunch. I’ll think we’ll eat out on the verandah. It’s such a lovely day.’

‘Jo, let me help.’ Kate got to her feet. ‘What would you like me to do?’

‘Well, I thought we’d feed the kids first. Then we can relax over a drink and eat a bit later, if that’s OK with you?’

‘Perfectly. It’ll be bliss just to have someone else cook.’ Kate loaded a tray with table mats, plates and cutlery. ‘So, I’ll set for five adults, then?’

‘Mmm, looks that way. I tried to call Aiden earlier. His place is just a few ks further on from here. Thought he might have liked to join us for lunch. He does sometimes. My call went through to his voice mail. He’s probably away somewhere for the weekend.’

Kate kept her gaze locked firmly on the tray in her hands. She knew exactly where Aiden was.

On his way back from Brisbane that Sunday afternoon, Aiden’s thoughts were on Kate. He hadn’t yet decided what to do about her. Yet he knew there was something going on between them. And Kate knew as well.

He prided himself on relating to women. But with Kate it was like trying to unravel a complex work of art. It made him feel restless, even groping a bit for the right approach. He didn’t want her feeling ill at ease around him. Suddenly and for reasons he couldn’t explain he felt right out of his comfort zone.

Flicking on the radio, he listened to the last of a sports broadcast, snorted at the final result and flicked it off again. Slackening his speed, he drove through the town centre and then picked up speed again as he headed for home.

Usually he felt a surge in his spirits as he took the rural scenic road to his property, Three Oaks. Today he felt restless, hardly noticing the colourful patchwork of cultivated crops on either side of the road. The multitude of lush colours and textures of the vegetation might have been a dull grey for all he noticed.

The white wooden gates of the McNeals’ place were coming up. Aiden thought for a second, then slowed and turned in. Jo was a sweetheart. She’d be sure to have the kettle on and he could murder a strong black coffee. And some uncomplicated company.

Jo had seen Aiden arrive and went out on to the verandah to greet him.

‘Sorry I missed your call.’ He leaned sideways and buzzed her cheek. ‘Any coffee going?’

‘As always.’ Jo chuckled and led the way along to the kitchen. ‘You’ve just missed Kate.’

Aiden feigned scant interest, better than trying to analyse his odd reaction at just hearing her name. ‘Kate Preston?’

Jo rolled her eyes. ‘Do we know another Kate?’ Jo slipped an expresso coffee bag into a mug. ‘I invited her and the kids for lunch. It’s got to be a bit lonely for her here at the moment. Don’t you think?’

‘Maybe. I hadn’t thought about it.’ Liar. ‘Where are Andrew and Brady?’ He changed tack swiftly and dropped on to a high kitchen stool.

Jo wasn’t fooled for a second. She’d seen the smear of colour redden his throat at the mention of Kate’s name. So that’s the way the land lay. Interesting. She handed Aiden his coffee. ‘Andrew wore himself out playing with Kate’s two and is having a nap. Brady’s folks are visiting. They’ve all gone for a bit of a wander down to the creek.’

Aiden nodded. ‘Coffee’s good, thanks.’

‘Nice weekend?’ Jo asked lightly.

‘On the whole, yes.’ And it has been, he thought, if you discounted the hash he’d made of things on Saturday morning. Oh, God, he was back to that and didn’t want to be. He finished his coffee, swung off his stool and rinsed his mug at the sink.

Kate was full of misgivings as she drove to work on Monday. Somehow she had to establish a manageable working relationship with Aiden. But would he respond?

She’d given herself a talking-to last night. She’d entirely overreacted on Saturday morning. When she should have acted cool and light, she’d been tense and awkward around him. I’m so out of practice, she wailed silently. God, I’ve been such heavy going!

In the staffroom, Kate sipped at a coffee she didn’t want and tried to join in the pre-work chatter. There was no sign of Aiden and every time the door opened her nerves shredded a little more. Yet he had to be here somewhere. She’d seen his Land Rover in the car park.

When Vicky headed off about her business, Kate seized her chance and exited discreetly after her. She caught up with Vicky in Reception. ‘Oh, Vic, is Aiden in? I need to check something with him.’

‘In his room.’ Vicky went through the hatch and began switching on computers and fax machine. ‘Catching up on paperwork apparently.’

Kate nodded, feeling the twist of nerves in her stomach. ‘How’s my list looking?’ she sidetracked quickly.

‘You’re booked wall to wall, Kate. Breanna Cassen is your first patient. Remember, we spoke about her on Friday when we were juggling appointments—mum with the poorly baby?’

‘Yes.’ Kate turned to leave. ‘I’ll bring myself up to date before she comes in. Thanks, Vic.’ Kate went directly to Aiden’s consulting room.

Standing outside his door, she took a deep, controlling breath, her heart a drumbeat in her chest. She lifted her hand and knocked. Hearing his gruff ‘Yes?’ she pushed open the door and went in.

‘Morning.’ She forced a tentative smile. ‘Do you have a minute?’

‘Kate.’ Aiden looked surprised. Even startled.

Kate watched as he quickly schooled his expression. He’d obviously been miles away, broodingly intent on something … or someone.

‘Have a seat,’ he offered, scooting his own chair back from the desk to a more informal setting.

‘I won’t, thanks. I just wanted to say …’ Kate licked her lips. ‘I realise we seem to have …’

Aiden couldn’t bear her discomfort. Swinging up from his chair, he leaned towards her, his hands planted firmly on the desk between them. ‘Kate, it’s OK.’

‘No, it’s not. I need to say this. I’ve been acting like a lunatic, feeling awkward …’

‘Around me?’

‘Yes … I guess.’ She felt the shallow tightness in her breathing, her voice petering away to nothing. She should say what she’d come to say and get out but something in his look, his manner held her motionless.

‘I see.’ Aiden’s eyes were like blue chips. He wasn’t letting her run from this. This awareness was mutual, whatever spin she chose to put on it. ‘What do you suggest we do about it, then?’

Kate sent him a beseeching look. Suddenly his office seemed too small, too intimate. She looked around jerkily for inspiration. ‘I’m not usually difficult to work with …’

‘Neither am I.’ Quite deliberately he moved around the corner of his desk, closer to her. ‘So we agree we don’t actually dislike each other, then?’

Far from it. Kate looked at him wordlessly. This was not how any of it was supposed to happen. Her heart tripped. ‘Aiden, I …’

‘Yes, Kate?’ He could see her chest rising and falling more quickly, hear the plaintive little catch in her breathing. And he’d never been more turned on in his life.

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