A Baby to Care for (Mills & Boon Medical) (2 page)

‘Ah…Bluey. You’re right on time,’ Joss remarked, clapping the man on the back.

‘And I’m taking over for Melissa,’ a bright bubbly blonde called Bridget said.

‘You can start right now if you like,’ Joss said as Melissa collected her bag and hat and came around to stand beside him. ‘I think the poor men of Didja have been waiting long enough.’ Joss kissed his fiancée again before putting his old bush hat on his head. ‘Do I have to pay for that one?’

Melissa laughed and took his hand in hers. ‘Come on, let’s show Iris around. Introduce her to some people.’

At this news, Dex was up and out of his seat so fast he almost knocked the last kissee to the ground. ‘Sorry,’ he murmured as he came around the booth. His departure was followed by a collective groan of disgust as Bluey stepped up to the plate.

‘I can show Iris around,’ he said as he caught up to Melissa, Joss and Iris.

Melissa raised an eyebrow. ‘It’s not like you to walk away from doing your civic duty.’ She pointed to the waiting line of females, some of who were deciding to spend their money elsewhere rather than kiss Bluey.

‘You feeling all right?’ Joss eyed his friend carefully. ‘Actually, you’re looking a little peaky.’

‘Perhaps those females sucked the life right out of him,’ Iris commented, and they all chuckled.

Dex merely smiled and said, ‘Funny.’

‘You don’t want to overdo it, Dex,’ Melissa added with sisterly concern.

‘Oh, my giddy aunt. Will you two old fuddy-duddies stop fussing? I’m fine.’ Dex jammed his hat on his head. ‘Why don’t you go and enjoy yourselves, see some of the other stalls, and I’ll show Iris around. You’ll be stopping and chatting to people about your up-and-coming wedding and
she’ll get bored and feel left out. Besides, you’ll have plenty of time to really catch up later.’

‘But it’s no troub—’ Melissa began, only to have Joss tug her away.

‘Good idea. We’ll leave you to it, then.’ Joss slipped his arm around her waist. ‘I’m looking forward to some real alone time with you,’ he said quietly as they headed off.

Iris found herself standing in front of Dex, being subjected to his winning smile. The brown depths of his eyes sparkled and she felt butterflies start to churn in her stomach. The sensation surprised her because she hadn’t been instantly attracted to any man since…well, since she’d met her husband.

‘So,’ he said, and held out his hand. ‘We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Dex Crawford. A and E specialist at the clinic, GP extraordinaire and all-round good guy.’

‘And Melissa’s brother.’

‘Well, yeah, and that, too.’ He pointed to one of the stalls. ‘Want to test your strength? See if you can hit the hammer on the pad and make the bell ring at the top?’

‘Not particularly, but thanks for the offer. I’m happy to just wander.’ Iris wondered idly if he saw her as his next conquest. The new girl in town. He wasn’t her type at all, although she could quite clearly see what the appeal was. He was very handsome and he was certainly bright and cheerful. Still, he wouldn’t get far with her. She had done the relationship thing in the past and it had ended in tragedy. She even had the scars to prove it.

Dex looked at her a little closer. ‘Feeling tired after your long drive?’ His words were so sincere that they made Iris do a double-take. Had she read him wrong? Did he really care? Was this just a glimpse of his professional bedside manner? Or had she judged him too quickly?

‘Er…I’m…I’m fine. Thanks.’ She couldn’t believe she’d just stuttered. What was it about this man that was making her act so…girly all of a sudden?

‘Because I could take you to your apartment now if you like. You could get settled in, change into something lighter.’

Iris visibly bristled. ‘I’m fine.’ Her words were clipped as she headed off towards the knitting stall without waiting for him.

Dex watched her for a second, astonished at the mask he’d seen her slip into place, effectively shutting him and everyone else out. What had he said that was so wrong? He caught up to her, deciding for now it would be best to let it go. ‘Uh…interested in knitting?’ he asked.

‘Not particularly.’ She glanced surreptitiously at him as she picked up a knitted toy and realised she shouldn’t be mad at him. He wasn’t to know about her skin, he wasn’t to know she was scarred both physically and emotionally and, really, he was going out of his way to be friendly and she shouldn’t punish him for that. Iris sighed and held out the toy to the lady behind the trading table. ‘But I do admire those who are clever enough to make such lovely things. I’d like to buy this one, please.’

Dex watched his new colleague as she conducted the transaction. ‘For someone special?’ he asked as they walked past the axe-sharpening stall.

Iris nodded. ‘Friends of mine have a seven-month-old girl. Anya’s her name and she’s adorable. They’re missionaries and they’ve just returned overseas.’

‘Wow. Whereabouts are they stationed?’

‘An island country called Tarparnii. It’s in the Pacific, not far from Papua New Guinea.’

‘I know where it is. I did a six-month stint there with Pacific Medical Aid about four years ago.’

‘Really?’ Iris was impressed. Was this another indication of his hidden depths?

‘Would I lie to you?’ His expression was so deadpan that she couldn’t resist laughing.

‘I don’t know. I’ve only just met you.’

‘And that is why we shall continue to stroll the heat-stricken grass of the Didja oval and remedy that fact.’

‘Oh, is that why?’

‘Look.’ Dex pointed. ‘A hat stall. Now, please tell me you have a hat in your car because here in the outback, a hat is essential.’

‘No. I’m afraid I don’t.’

‘Right, then.’ Dex picked up a straw hat with bright gerberas on the band and placed it on her head. He studied her for a second, pleased to have the opportunity to really look at her under the guise of checking out the hat. ‘Nice, but I think we can do better.’ He pointed to the mirror where she could look at her reflection. Iris liked the straw one but agreed with him. ‘Next…Hmm…how about this one?’

He placed a bright yellow cotton hat on her head which was in the style of a go-go dancer.

‘Definitely not me,’ she remarked, her lips twitching at the sight she made.

‘Agreed, but you do look very cute. Ah…now, this one is an Aussie classic.’ And he dumped a bush hat onto her head which was surrounded by corks that dangled down around her face. ‘Keeps the flies away.’

‘And gives added protection from kissing booth personnel,’ Iris added jiggling her head from side to side as though to prove her point. Their eyes met in the mirror and both of them laughed.

‘Would you have worn that if you’d joined the line?’

‘Most definitely,’ she retorted.

‘Thereby making it difficult for me to kiss you.’ He was still joking. His eyes were alive with mirth, his lips were pulled into a teasing smile yet Iris was almost positive she detected a hint of underlying seriousness. No. Surely not.

She therefore decided it was best to set the ground rules once and for all, especially given that Dex was her colleague. ‘Most definitely,’ she repeated.

‘What?’ He theatrically raised a hand to his heart. ‘Iris, you wound me deeply.’

‘And I wouldn’t even need the hat.’ She took off the hat, making sure the dangling corks didn’t twist.

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning you ain’t ever gonna kiss me, buddy. The End.’

Dex’s eyes sparked with the challenge. ‘Looks as though there’s an epilogue to this story,’ he murmured as he leaned in closer.

She watched as in slow motion he came closer, closing the distance between them, entering into her personal space which had signs up everywhere reading K
EEP
O
UT
. Her mind worked frantically as she came to the realisation that he was planning on kissing her.

Iris was stunned. Utterly and completely stunned at his gall, at his nerve, at his courage. Dex was about to kiss her! Her new colleague was about to press his lips to hers. She couldn’t believe it!

Their breath began to mingle, their scents began to intertwine. Her heart rate increased with panic, her eyes widened in tumultuous fear and she did the only thing she could think of to stop him.

Iris raised her hand and slapped Dex soundly across the cheek.

T
HE
reverberating sound surprised them both.

Several people, including a lot of women who were milling around them, all gasped in shock at what had just happened. Someone had slapped Dexter Crawford!

Iris instantly covered her mouth with her hand as mortification ripped through her. ‘Oh, my gosh. Dex. I’m sorry.’

Dex stepped back, putting distance between them, and rubbed his cheek. ‘Nice shot.’

‘It was reflex. A reaction. I just don’t like being touched. Especially by strangers.’ She reached out to touch his cheek but thought better of it. ‘You have my handprint on your cheek.’

‘Don’t mind him, deary,’ the woman manning the hat stall said. ‘He’s had worse than that before, ain’t ya, Doc?’

‘You are correct, Minerva.’ Dex nodded and smiled at Iris. ‘It was my fault. I shouldn’t have let my impulses get the better of me. Especially when I’m trying so hard to make a good impression on my new colleague.’

Minerva chuckled. ‘Looks more like she’s left an impression on you, mate.’ And she pointed to his still-red cheek.

‘True.’ Dex looked at the hats, needing to change the subject and move things along. ‘How about this one?’ He handed her a navy-blue cloth hat which would well and truly provide enough covering for her delicate, fair skin. It had
white piping around the edge which folded up into a brim. Iris put the hat on, liking the snug fit and knowing it wouldn’t blow off on windy days. She looked at herself in the mirror and met Dex’s reflection. His eyes were intense, his voice soft so that only she could hear it.

‘I like that one the best. It really suits you. Frames your beautiful face to perfection.’

She shouldn’t allow herself to be swayed by his words. No doubt he spoke to every woman in town this way, so intensely, so personally. He had the ability to make her feel as though nothing else mattered except her. That she alone was worthy of his one hundred per cent undivided attention and part of her really liked that feeling.

The other part—the sensible part—told her not to believe a word he was saying. Trusting Dex Crawford in a personal capacity would only lead to trouble, of that she was certain, and so she schooled her thoughts and tore her gaze away from his and looked at Minerva.

‘I’ll get this one, thank you.’

‘Oh, please. Allow me.’ Dex was quick to pull out his wallet.

‘It’s fine. I’ve got it.’

‘But it could be a welcome gift. Or even an apology for my impetuous behaviour.’

‘All is forgiven,’ she said firmly, handing over the money. ‘I’m a big girl, Dex, and I can look after myself. I’ve been doing it for years now without your assistance.’

Dex knew women and he knew when to back down. ‘Fair enough.’ He put his wallet away and waited for her to complete the transaction.

Minerva cut the tag off the hat and Iris continued to wear it, liking the fact that it gave her even more of a shield against the charming Dexter Crawford. He really did have charm and charisma in abundance and she could quite see why there had been so many women lining up to kiss him.

‘So, where to next? Need to get your axe sharpened? Or perhaps you’re hungry? There’s a great stall over there.’ He pointed across the oval to where a long line of people were waiting to be served whilst others sat on the chairs and tables provided to eat their fare. ‘Stiggie’s. Stig owns a restaurant in town—well, really it’s the only proper restaurant in town so I guess it’s just as well that he serves the most mouth-watering food around.’

‘Stiggie’s?’ They started to walk towards the food stall, which was situated in the main clubhouse building. Iris guessed it was far easier to serve warm food from a place where electricity was readily available.

‘Yeah. Stig is a small Italian bloke who’s been in Didja a lot longer than I have. Goodness knows what made him come out from Italy and settle in the middle of nowhere, but he did and our gastronomic juices have been for ever grateful.’

Iris smiled at his words. ‘Well, so long as the gastronomic juices are grateful, what else matters?’

Dex grinned at her. ‘My sentiments exactly, Dr…’ He paused. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve forgotten your surname.’

‘And yet you’ve tried to kiss me. Do you often go around kissing girls whose names you don’t even know?’

Dex exhaled harshly at her words and frowned a little. ‘Ooh. If I answer that question, I’m afraid I might incriminate myself and sink even lower in your estimation.’

‘Oh, you can answer. You’re already at the bottom so there’s nowhere else for you to sink,’ she retorted calmly.

‘Ouch.’ Dex grinned at her. ‘You really don’t believe in pulling your punches. I like that about you. Beautiful, smart and honest.’

‘A lethal combination?’ He thought she was beautiful? Iris brushed the thought away, reminding herself he knew how to flatter and flirt to perfection. She’d do best not to take anything
he said seriously. Still…it was kind of nice being told she was beautiful.

‘Most definitely.’ They walked a little further. ‘And you still haven’t told me your surname.’

‘Do you often forget colleague’s surnames?’

‘I do when I get lost in vivid eyes the colour of emeralds.’

Iris chuckled at his overblown compliment. ‘Real smooth.’

Dex grinned. ‘Come on, Iris. It’s not as though it’s a great secret. Besides, we’re not only going to be colleagues, we’re neighbours as well.’

‘What?’ Iris was surprised at his words.

‘Melissa didn’t tell you about the accommodation?’

‘She said there was a furnished apartment provided.’

‘There is. There’s an apartment complex of four units at the rear of the clinic. Nice and close to work and nice and close to your colleagues.’

‘Melissa and Joss live there too?’

‘They do, although they’re currently looking for a house of their own in town. They may end up building but that’s yet to be seen. At any rate, after their wedding, it will just be you and I in the complex.’ He spread his hands wide as though there was nothing he could do about it. ‘Neighbours. That’s us.’

‘Tennant.’

‘Well, yes, I guess you could say we’ll be tenants by living next door to each other. That still means we’re neighbours.’

‘No. I mean my surname is Tennant.’ She spelt it out for him.

‘Oh. That’s right.’ He mulled her name over for a second. ‘Dr Tennant. Dr Iris Tennant.’

‘That’s me.’

‘I do remember now. Thank you for jogging my memory. So tell me, Dr Iris Tennant, were you teased as a child with a surname like that? Did people think you’d come to their place to stay? To be their tenant? Or weren’t they smart enough to figure it out?’

Iris shook her head. ‘I wasn’t teased at all.’ She stopped walking for a second and met Dex’s intense gaze. Raising one eyebrow, she delivered the line she hoped would stop his constant attempts to flirt with her—at least for the time being until he found out the truth. ‘You see, Tennant is my married name.’ With that, she walked off, leaving him gaping open-mouthed after her.

Married! She was
married!

She didn’t wear a wedding ring. In fact, she didn’t wear any jewellery at all except for a pair of gold earrings. Then again, he knew a lot of doctors who didn’t wear wedding rings but most of them were male. He shrugged, guessing it wasn’t only men who didn’t wear wedding bands. And where was her husband? Had she come on ahead to get settled in? Would he be here in a week or two? Dex realised he would have to start paying better attention in the clinic business meetings Joss made them hold on a regular basis.

He watched Iris, consigning her to the ‘look but don’t touch’ category in his mind. Married? Dex shook his head as though trying to clear the thought from it. Checking for wedding bands was usually one of the first things he did when he spied a pretty woman—he’d check her hands for signs of commitment rings. If there were none, he felt free to at least flirt a little. He would never call himself a womanizer. Rather, Dex thought of himself more as a determined flirt but with a heart of gold. He would never intentionally set out to hurt anyone and the women he socialised with all knew the score. He was friends with everyone and had a commitment to no-one. He was all about having fun and it was top of his priority list.

Back in his early university days, he’d thought he’d found the woman of his dreams. Catherine. Gorgeous, untouchable Catherine. She’d been gorgeous and he’d been way too attentive. They’d dated for almost a year before she’d calmly told
him it was over. He’d been smothering her with so much affection, she couldn’t breathe. She continued shoving metaphoric knives into his heart by telling him she wanted nothing more to do with him and that she’d actually started seeing another man who was already a qualified doctor, not one still in training.

To say this had come as a shock to Dex was an understatement. He’d always classed himself as a true romantic and had plied Catherine with candle-lit dinners, flowers, her favourite perfume and many other gifts. Yes, he’d been jealous if she’d even spoken to another man but he’d thought he’d handled it well enough. He hadn’t ranted or raved. He hadn’t even questioned her about it but, in all fairness to her, he’d wanted to make sure that every spare moment she’d had she’d spent with him. He hadn’t been able to understand why she wouldn’t. Why she hadn’t wanted to be with him as much as he’d wanted to be with her. He’d loved her. He’d
really
loved her.

And he’d smothered her right out of his life.

He closed his eyes for a brief second and shook his head. He hated thinking about his past shame, of what he’d been back then. The break-up had affected him greatly, so much so that his grades had started to slip during the next few years of medical school. Then he’d met Joss. Joss had agreed to tutor him and a strong and abiding friendship had developed. And he’d vowed that never again would he be suckered in by a woman. He would keep his heart aloof, under control, and just be friendly to everyone!

Dex opened his eyes and watched Iris walking ahead of him. Here was another woman who seemed determined to snub him, to put him in his place. She was married. He had to remember that. Still, his new colleague was so devastatingly gorgeous he was having a difficult time keeping his thoughts in check. He was usually attracted to blondes but Iris Tennant had proved to be a most intriguing strawberry blonde with
eyes so richly deep he felt as though he was swimming in liquid jade. Mesmerising. She was utterly mesmerising and he hadn’t been so mesmerised by a woman since Catherine.

He would not pursue her, not in a romantic vein. He couldn’t. She was married. However, he did intend to be personable, to show her around and to introduce her to the delights of Didja. Her contract was only for six months yet he knew Joss was hoping that once Iris could see how wonderful life was here, she would choose to stay longer.

Dex watched as she perused the chalk-board menu Stig had written up that morning. She had a lovely figure, well, what he could see of it as her cotton shirt was hanging loosely over her trousers. She was tall, too, which he liked. Taller than the average woman but, then, he was taller than the average male and therefore Iris fitted by his side perfectly. Indeed, when he’d swooped down, intending to kiss her, he hadn’t needed to bend too far.

And then she’d slapped him. His lips curved into a smile at the memory. Beauty, intelligence and a fiery temper to boot. He liked a woman with spirit, one who wouldn’t fawn at his feet. Too bad she’d already been snapped up by another man. ‘Look but don’t touch,’ he warned himself softly as he walked over to where she stood. Colleagues. Friends. Nothing more.

She didn’t turn around to look at him but merely asked, ‘What’s a schnitzel stick?’

‘Ah, now, that’s one of Stig’s own delicacies. It’s cooked schnitzel meat on a skewer.’ He shrugged a shoulder. ‘Makes it easier to eat at events such as these.’

‘You’ve had one?’ She turned to look at him and was surprised to find him standing closer than she’d realised. She had hoped that mentioning that Tennant was her married name might make Dexter back off slightly. Apparently she’d underestimated him for he seemed just as interested as ever in escorting her around the fair.

‘Of course. I’ve tried everything Stig makes.’

Before she could say another word, he’d walked into the building, opened the door and stepped behind the counter into the small kitchen. Iris watched through the large serving window as Dex simply helped himself to two schnitzels on sticks.

‘Doc Dex. You know you’re not allowed back here,’ said a man with a relaxed Italian accent. Iris presumed this was the chef himself—Stig. There were three other people in the kitchen, all cooking and preparing food, yet Dex had simply jumped the line, not caring what anyone said or did.

‘I know,’ Dex remarked as he paid for the food. ‘And I’m sorry but I’m desperately trying to impress our brand-new paediatrician, who’ll be working at the clinic for the next six months.’ He spoke loud enough for quite a few people to hear and soon Iris found herself subjected to quite a lot of interested stares.

‘Another sheila doc!’ Stig beamed brightly and started clapping his hands. ‘Welcome. Welcome to Didja,’ he hollered, and Iris stretched a polite smile across her lips. ‘Take the schnitzel,’ Stig was urging Dex as he left. ‘You let me know what you think of my food,’ Stig called to her and Iris nodded. ‘You come by my restaurant. I’ll give you a good meal.’

‘I’ll make sure she does,’ Dex remarked with a wink. ‘Book us a table for Saturday night,’ he called back as he walked over to where Iris was standing.

‘Aw, Doc Dex. You are bad.’ Stig laughed and went back to serving customers.

‘Here.’ Dex held out the schnitzel stick and a napkin. ‘No more need for forks.’ He took a bite of his. ‘Mmm. So good,’ he murmured. ‘Try it.’

Iris realised there were a few interested people still watching her and though she badly wanted to offer Dex payment for the food, because she was a woman who didn’t
rely on anyone, she decided to forego that for the moment and instead sampled the food.

Dex was watching her intently and was pleased when her eyebrows lifted in happy surprise. ‘Mmm. Delicious.’ He turned and gave Stig a thumbs-up. A few people clapped and then went back to what they were doing. Iris took another bite.