A Baby for the Flying Doctor (5 page)

‘Still no sign of the toe?’ Madge, the outback nurse practitioner, asked as they loaded Kiefer into the plane. Valma, the other nurse, was making sure Paolo was seated and the luggage stored. Gil had left their volunteer helpers to monitor the rest of the patients. There was no one urgent for him to treat and, besides, he wasn’t about to miss seeing the RFDS in action.

‘I was positive they’d find it.’ Phemie couldn’t believe she’d been wrong but looking for a severed toe along a railway line in the middle of such an enormous country really was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

‘They’ll find it.’ Gil put his hands on Phemie’s shoulders and gave them a little squeeze. She tried hard to ignore the shock
waves coursing through her system. It was ridiculous that a man she’d just met could evoke such a reaction yet that was exactly what was happening. She schooled her thoughts and attempted to keep herself as aloof as possible even though he was still touching her. ‘Keep that optimism alive, Dr Grainger.’

His voice was rich and deep and its magnificence passed from the top of her hair to the tips of her toes. She tried not to close her eyes at the way he was so intimately affecting her. ‘B-but the plane’s about to leave.’

‘And they’ll—’

‘Gil! Phemie!’ It was Harlan. He was running towards them, holding a plastic lunchbox in his hands. ‘We’ve found it. We’ve found it!’

‘There you go, Phemie. See? Your optimism was right.’ Gil gave her shoulders the briefest of squeezes before he dropped his hands and raced over to meet Harlan. He checked inside the container and found the severed digit on ice. ‘Ready for transplant,’ he announced triumphantly as he handed it to one of the RFDS nurses.

‘Let’s get in the air,’ Sardi ordered as she headed for the cockpit. ‘Knock ‘em into a pile of dead bones at the conference,’ Sardi called over her shoulder to Phemie.

‘She means knock ‘em dead,’ Phemie explained to Gil as she watched her colleagues prepare for take-off. She herself had done it a thousand times before, ensuring the patient was stable, closing the doors, making sure everything was locked and in place. ‘Sardi sometimes gets her English phrases mixed up.’

‘A female pilot?’ Gil was impressed.

‘Sardi’s the best.’

‘Good to hear. Are there any males working at your base?’

‘Ben does a lot of the administration. He’s a nurse as well but so far he’s the only bloke.’

‘Lucky Ben. Surrounded by beautiful women all day long.’

Phemie could feel Gil’s gaze on her and forced a nervous
laugh. Surely he couldn’t mean that
she
was beautiful? Sure, she knew she was OK looking but she’d hardly call herself beautiful. Small. Tiny. Petite even, but never beautiful.

They all moved right out of the way, waiting for the plane to taxi and take off. ‘I don’t think Ben sees it that way. I think he goes around the twist being surrounded by females all day long. Plus, he and his wife have three girls so there’s really no hope for him.’

‘Do you think Ben would like to have another man around next week?’

‘I think he’d be delighted,’ she said, thinking of the part-time medic position which had been advertised yet again. Trying to get doctors to come to the outback was nigh on impossible yet so desperately needed in a country the size of Australia. ‘If there was another man around, poor Ben might finally be able to win the argument of whether or not the toilet seat remains up or down!’

‘Then I accept.’

Phemie blinked twice then frowned, looking up at Gil. ‘You accept what?’

‘The position.’

‘The position of what?’ She was now totally perplexed. ‘Gil, what are you talking about?’ They turned and headed back towards the train.

‘The position of visiting medical doctor for the week after the conference.’

‘W
HAT
?’

Phemie was so startled by his words that she misjudged the depth of the uneven ground and came crashing down. Gil was by her side in an instant, helping her to her feet, even though she was trying to push him away at the same time.

‘I’m fine. I’m fine.’ She brushed herself down, knowing the reddish dust would never completely come out of her pale green top. Thankfully, her jeans were dark enough not to stain. She didn’t want to feel his hands on her or his arms around her or to have his firm muscled chest anywhere near her own. His light spicy scent was addictive and the way the lightest touch of his hand on her body sent her insides spiralling out of control was something she’d rather not have to deal with right now.

She had a paper to present at the conference in Sydney. She had her brother and his friends joining her on the train when they reached Adelaide. She’d just had to watch her colleagues fly off without her and all of it combined was making her rather vulnerable. There was too much going on in her life right now and the last thing, the very last thing she needed was to hear Professor Gilbert Fitzwilliam declare he would be accompanying her back to the RFDS base for one week after the conference! No. It would not do.

Of course, on a medical level, everyone would be delighted
to welcome him to their base. They’d be keen to have someone of his qualification and expertise helping out with the various emergencies and clinics.

But to have him simply declare his intention had knocked Phemie for six. Even now, as they walked back to the train, she was completely aware of him. She could feel him watching her every step lest she should stumble again.

She was not a damsel in distress. Far from it. She’d looked after herself for years, holding her family together as she and her parents had dealt with the differences and difficulties her younger brother Anthony experienced. Now Anthony was living independently in an assisted facility in Perth, travelling to Adelaide for holidays, and soon he would catch the train to take him to the opposite side of the country from where he’d lived. Her parents were enjoying their first holiday alone since their honeymoon. And Phemie? Phemie had left home, too. She’d moved to the middle of nowhere to work with the RFDS and had found the outback the most glorious place in the world.

No. She was not a damsel in distress, neither was she a fool. She refused Gil’s help as they climbed back onto the train but even as she hoisted herself up, she knew she couldn’t turn down Gil’s other offer—that of visiting their base for a week after the conference.

She could certainly understand why he would want to view the whole RFDS set-up. He was from another country, one where they obviously didn’t cover so much territory, given that England itself could fit nineteen times inside the State of Western Australia. The RFDS was unique and it was only right that an A and E specialist such as Professor Gilbert Fitzwilliam would want to see such a place in action.

Although, she pondered, it didn’t necessarily have to be her own base where he spent his time. That thought sparked another and the idea grew.

That’s what she would do. When she arrived in Sydney, she
would call the Australian director of the RFDS and suggest that Professor Fitzwilliam be assigned to one or the other bases. The one stationed near Katherine in the Northern Territory might be good for Gil to observe, given they were certainly busy almost every day of the year. They covered a lot more territory than the Didja crew and he might even have the opportunity to visit her friends Sebastian and Dannyella at Dingo Creek. Yes. He could go there. The real heart of the outback…which was far away from her.

‘So? What do you think?’ Gil asked as they headed back through the train, leaving Harlan to take care of the clean-up and other official duties. Harlan had also told them he’d need to have an accident report filled in but it could be done later.

‘Think of what?’ Phemie played for time, purposely ignoring him. Why was her heart thumping a little too fast against her chest? Was it due to Gil’s nearness or because she was about to defy him? They made their way through the carriages, back towards the lounge car.

‘Of me coming to the RFDS base?’ Gil’s eyes were alight with fun and excitement and for one brief, blinding moment Phemie
wanted
him to come back to the Didja Base with her. She didn’t want to send him anywhere else, not when he looked at her like that.

She could well imagine the two of them, sitting on the front porch at the base, looking up at the stars as she pointed out the different constellations in the southern hemisphere. They would rock on the rocking chairs, they’d relax and chat after a busy day travelling either to a clinic or an emergency. He’d look at her with that gorgeous smile he was giving her now and she would capitulate and end up in his arms, his mouth pressed firmly to—

It was a bad idea. If her thoughts were this distracted by him after only a few hours in his presence, how on earth would she cope with him staying at the base, staying at
her
place, given that she lived at the base? No. It wouldn’t do at all. The man had too
much of a devastating effect on her equilibrium. Much better to see if he could go to Katherine for a visit. Much safer. He’d see more of the outback and he’d also be a three-day drive from where she was situated. Better.

His smile slipped a little, concern touching those deep brown eyes of his…eyes she could well and truly drown in. ‘Are you all right, Euphemia?’

‘Uh…I’m, er…I’m fine. Thanks.’ She stammered quickly, fumbling over her words, not wanting him to guess the path her thoughts had taken. ‘I have a lot on my mind. The conference, my paper, what’s just happened with Kiefer. Uh…but with regard to you observing a—’

‘Helping,’ he interrupted. ‘I don’t plan to simply observe. I intend to be of service and work for my keep, so to speak.’

‘Well…good. It does get busy and I’m sure your help would be greatly appreciated, but I’ll need to see what I can organise. I’m not in a position to invite people back to the base to help out. There’s a lot of paper work involved.’

‘When isn’t there?’ he mumbled, but nodded as though he completely understood.

‘I just can’t make any promises. At this stage.’ And that sounded to her own ears as though she was more than happy to have him around. Honestly, it seemed every time she opened her mouth, she just dug herself in deeper.

‘That seems fair and I know you’ll do your absolute best. You’re a natural giver and carer, Phemie, and you go out of your way to help people. I know you’ll put a lot of effort into doing all you can to assist me in my request.’

He wasn’t being pompous, even though he might have sounded it. Phemie watched him as they headed back to their makeshift A and E and knew his words were sincere and from the heart. The brightness in his eyes also let her know he was serious and very interested in how the RFDS worked. She should be honoured that a man such as the professor would want to
come all the way to the outback to not only see what they did but help out as well. Utilising someone with his skills and knowledge would be something she knew her boss wouldn’t turn down, but on a personal note Phemie wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Gil was just too…close for comfort.

When they returned to the lounge carriage, it was to find the number of waiting patients had dwindled.

‘Most people were concerned about minor things and just wanted reassurance,’ Wilma said as she made a cup of sweet tea for a patient. She handed over the tea and then pointed to where Julian was busy checking an elderly woman’s pulse rate. ‘Debbie’s kept lists and files on everyone and has been highly effective in keeping people calm until they could receive treatment.’ Wilma paused for breath. ‘Kiefer and his friend are away, then?’

‘On their way to Perth.’ Gil confirmed. ‘With the toe.’

‘I’d heard it had been found. That’s wonderful news.’ The retired nurse beamed from ear to ear. ‘Now, if the two of you would like to see those last few patients who have just come in, I think afterwards you should go and rest. Debbie and I can stay on here for the next few hours in case other people are brought in, and if we need you, we’ll come and get you.’

Gil nodded but smiled at the other woman. ‘Spoken like an experienced nursing sister who’s used to bossing doctors around.’

Phemie chuckled as she’d been thinking the same thing. Not that she minded. Wilma had obviously been good at her job as today’s organisation had shown and, besides, if she herself was able to escape to the confines of her cabin, to put some much-needed distance between herself and Gil, who was she to argue?

They treated the last few patients and as Phemie tidied up the rubbish and put it in the bin, she felt rather than saw Gil come to stand behind her. She turned to find he was wearing that delicious smile she liked and with it came the powerful effects.
Phemie crossed her arms over her chest in an effort to give herself some sort of barrier against his natural magnetism. She was about to excuse herself when the loudspeaker above them crackled, startling Phemie a little.

‘A little jumpy,’ Gil noted. ‘Are you usually so inclined?’ He quirked an eyebrow, watching her with interest.

Phemie shrugged her shoulders then listened intently to what Harlan was announcing over the train’s intercom.

‘Would all passengers not presently receiving medical attention please return to their designated seats. Stewards will be around shortly to check on all guests.’

‘Sounds as though we’ll be getting under way soon enough.’ Gil collected his Thermos from where it had been placed out of the way. ‘I would be honoured if you allowed me to escort you back to your cabin.’ He indicated the door not far from where they were standing and then made a small sweeping bow. ‘After you, milady.’

Phemie couldn’t help but smile. The man really was an odd mixture of old-world charm and dictatorial perfection. With the lift of an eyebrow he could either make someone shrink to the size of a peanut as he looked down that perfect nose of his or he could make a woman feel as though she were the most important person in the world, his eyes radiating his pleasure. Thankfully, she was experiencing the latter, those rich brown pools creating havoc within her.

Gil’s smile increased when Phemie didn’t move. She simply stood there, smiling up at him, her blue eyes bright with tired happiness. It was an unguarded moment, where her heart was there for him to see. He’d become quite good at reading people, especially with all the travelling he’d done that year, and as he looked into her eyes, he saw that there was a lot more to Phemie Grainger than he’d first thought.

He saw hardship, experiences, pain. He’d noticed it the first time he’d looked into her amazing eyes. They really were the
window to her soul and he couldn’t help but be intrigued by guessing what events had touched her life to make her look so tired yet so happy.

Life could be unkind. He knew all too well about that. He’d had a loving wife. He’d had a gorgeous child and both had been ripped from him. He’d known the pain of wanting what you couldn’t have, what it was no longer humanly possible to have, and when he’d been unable to cope with the grief, with the agony of not being able to hold those he loved close to his heart, he’d locked himself away in the world of research and only recently had he actually started taking steps outside.

There was no way he wanted a romantic commitment ever again. He’d tried that once and he knew his heart wouldn’t be able to take the pain and mortification in the event that something went wrong—again. Work had been his saving grace. Work had seen him through the dark nights and the depression, and now, after four years of constant work and concentration, he was starting to look outside those parameters.

Asking Euphemia to arrange for him to see a working RFDS base was still definitely within the bounds of his research, within the bounds of ‘work’, but it was something he wouldn’t have asked a virtual stranger to do two years ago. He would have kept to his timetable. He wouldn’t have deviated from the plan even for a second. Even taking the train from Perth across to Sydney had been his idea, not his handlers’.

This was the last stop on his world tour. He’d loved New Zealand and he’d been blown away by the few sights he’d seen when he’d spoken first in Brisbane, then in Darwin before making his way across to Perth. Still, apart from this train journey, he’d basically seen either the inside of a hotel room or a hospital operating suite where he’d lectured whilst performing surgery.

The train, which took three full days to snake its way across the wide brown land, had sounded like sheer luxury, especially
when the rest of his team had declared they’d rather fly, something Gil preferred not to do, if at all possible. Too many planes. Too many flights. No. This time the train was a much better option. Three full days to simply be himself. To sit back, chat with the locals and absorb the quiet of a country half a world away from his own.

No one would know who he really was. No one would be pestering him to discuss his latest techniques. He’d just be a regular guy, travelling on a train, relaxing. Then he’d bumped into Phemie—literally. The fact that she’d recognised him almost instantly had been enough to burst his bubble but now he was sincerely pleased it had. He was having a much better time on this trip than even he’d been able to anticipate. Of course, attending to Kiefer and helping other passengers could, in no way, be classified as a good time, but watching Phemie work, observing her quick mind, assisting her—it had all been fantastic.

It was also fantastic to have her smiling at him as she was now. Why was it that whenever it was just the two of them, like this, time appeared to stand still? Scientifically he knew it was a complete impossibility but emotionally it was delightful. To be able to glimpse those emotions again. To be able to feel the warmth of a woman’s interested gaze. To have a moment to feel as though he’d stepped into the sunshine.

It was safe. It was simply a bubble and bubbles popped, forcing him back into the reality where life was structured and full of problems ready to challenge his mind into solving them. It was why he could allow himself to enjoy the way he felt in her presence because he knew, ultimately, the bubble would burst when they arrived in Sydney. Euphemia Grainger was simply a diversion. Something with a little extra spark to get him through that final leg of his tour.