Chapter SIX
‘DINNER will be ready.’ Jack stood, feeling the relief flow through his body at the movement. He was strangely exhausted. Talking was damned hard work.
‘Yes. It smells delicious.’ Liz shifted, bracing herself to rise.
‘Here.’ He stepped to the edge of the bed, held out his hands and pulled her easily to her feet.
‘Jack?’ She stopped him from turning away with a hand on his forearm. The muscles that had eased with the end of their conversation suddenly tightened again as he waited. ‘I’m sorry about some of the things I said last night.’ She reached up with her other hand and cupped his jaw. The warmth seeped through to his heart. He missed her touch when her fingers dropped to her side after softly stroking down his cheek.
‘You’ve always done more than your fair share of the cooking and I want you to know I appreciate it.’ Her smile turned cheeky. ‘Especially as you’re so much better at it than I am.’
Relieved and embarrassed in equal parts, he gave a small grin. ‘It’s no hardship. I’ve always enjoyed it.’
‘How did…?’ The words trailed off as though she’d thought better of her question. Perhaps she sensed his reluctance to be drawn back into more revelations.
‘How did I learn?’ He could tell her that much. Turning his arm, he captured her hand in his. ‘One of the uncles was Italian. Used to cook enormous feasts. Nick was the only uncle I was sorry to see go. He was the one that lasted the longest.’
‘What happened to him?’
He moved restlessly. ‘He got tired of Janet’s promises to stop the drugs so he left.’
‘Leaving you with your…with Janet? On your own?’
‘More or less.’ Nick had been Emma’s father and, for the three years he’d been around, the closest thing to a father that Jack had ever had. He could remember hoping the baby would mean that Nick would stay around. The exuberant Italian had been suing for the custody of his daughter when she’d died of meningitis. Too bad he hadn’t been quicker. At least that would have been one less burden for Jack’s conscience.
‘Are you okay?’
He blinked, pulling himself out of his thoughts. Liz’s eyes were searching his face, concern in the soft gold depths. Her beauty took his breath away.
‘Jack?’ A tiny frown formed on her face when he didn’t answer. With her face tilted up to his, her mouth was in a perfect position for kissing. All he had to do was bend slightly, dip his head—
‘Yes.’ His voice was little more than a murmur. Her tongue flicked out to moisten her lips.
‘Oh.’ Liz’s grip tightened with her sudden gasp, her strength almost vice-like. Alarmed, Jack reared back as she puffed small gasps of air, her eyes suddenly wide.
‘What?’ he demanded. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘A contraction.’ Puff. Puff.
‘What?’ Icy fingers clutched at his heart. ‘You’re delivering? I thought you weren’t due for months.’
Liz’s hold kept him still even though every instinct yelled for him to act, take charge. Do something immediately.
Except he had no idea what to do.
‘No. No.’ Puff, puff. ‘It’s a Braxton-Hicks. I—I didn’t realise they could be so strong.’
‘What the hell does it matter what it’s called?’ He took a deep breath. Yelling wasn’t going to help. ‘I’m taking you to hospital right now.’
‘No. Wait a minute.’
An eternity later, she smiled at him. ‘You can let go now.’
He looked down to where their hands were still linked, her fingers wriggling slightly in protest at his tight grasp. He chafed her hands, trying to rub away the red and white marks he’d left. ‘Sorry. I’m sorry. I still think I should take you to the hospital for a check-up.’
‘I’m fine now.’ She retrieved one hand to rub her lower abdomen. ‘And I’ve no intention of missing out on dinner.’
He frowned down at her. She was smiling as though nothing was wrong, as though she hadn’t just given him the biggest bloody fright of his life.
‘You’re so damned small,’ he said abruptly. ‘How the hell are you going to give birth to a baby?’
‘The way women have since the beginning of time.’ She sounded so happy, so complacent about her ability that he wanted to shake her. ‘I’m not giving birth in the middle of nowhere. The hospital’s birthing unit has the best care in the world.’
‘The best care in the world can’t save you if the baby’s too big. You should ask for a Caesarean.’
‘I will not.’ She looked up, her eyes dark with outrage. What was wrong with her? His suggestion was perfectly reasonable. ‘I want to have a natural birth.’
‘No.’
‘Yes. Jack, this isn’t all baby.’ She patted the mound affectionately. ‘There’s a lot of amniotic fluid in here, too.’
‘But you’re only two-thirds through the pregnancy. Look at the size of you already. And there’s still how many more months to go? Three? The baby’s going to be growing all that time.’ He glared at her. ‘Have you had tests?’
Her hands settled over her belly. ‘Yes, I’ve had all the necessary tests. I told you this morning everything is proceeding just as it should be.
There’s no need to worry, Jack.’
‘It’s easy for you to say,’ he muttered. ‘You’re a doctor. You’ve been through this before.’
‘Not from this side I haven’t.’
‘Yeah, but you know what’s going on.’
‘Why are you so worried about this? There’s no sign that there’s going to be a problem.’
‘But—’ He stopped, swallowing the rest of his words. He couldn’t dump his fears onto Liz when she seemed so full of confidence in her body, in her ability to do this enormous job. He’d never send a probie out into the field to fight a fire with a head filled with horror stories. How could he undermine Liz about this?
‘But what? Jack?’
‘Nothing.’ He couldn’t tell her about Janet’s experiences with pregnancy. Or Kylie’s. Besides, they were topics he wasn’t ready to broach.
‘Nothing. Just don’t take any risks, okay?’
‘I won’t. I’m not.’
‘No, of course not.’ He ran a hand over his face, wishing he could wipe away his doubts.
‘Why do I get the feeling I’m not really reaching you?’ she said softly.
‘You are. You are, Liz. Just…if the doctor tells you that you need a Caesarean, don’t fight it. Promise me that much. Please.’
‘I will, if it’s necessary. But it won’t be.’
‘But I’ve got your promise?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good.’ He nodded. ‘Let’s eat.’
The following week, Liz said goodbye to the last patient for the Saturday-morning clinic. Juggling a bundle of records on her hip, she turned to lock the office door.
‘Should you be carrying those, Dr Campbell?’
‘Jack!’ She brought the folders around and clutched them to her chest, mortified to feel the rush of heat in her face. Her husband had caught her unawares and she was blushing? What was wrong with her?
‘Hand them over.’
‘What?’ Her scattered wits fumbled to understand. ‘Oh, the files? They’re not heavy.’
‘All the same.’ He scooped them out of her arms. The sensation of his skin skimming across hers and then the briefest contact of his arm on her breast sent a swirl of excitement through her stomach. She suppressed a yelp and hoped he couldn’t see how flummoxed she was.
‘Where are you taking them?’ he asked.
She looked at him blankly.
‘The files.’ With the stack balanced easily under his arm, he took her elbow. His fingers were warm on her bare flesh.
‘B-back down to the main desk.’
‘Lead on.’
She set off towards the lift, immediately missing his touch when his hand dropped from her arm. But at least her brain started functioning again.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked.
‘I’ve come to whisk you away from all this.’
‘Have you?’ Her footsteps slowed as she looked up into his eyes. Merriment twinkled in the blue depths. She couldn’t help but be charmed by him. ‘I’ll come with you on the condition you’re whisking me away to somewhere I won’t have to move a muscle for twenty-four hours.’
‘Tired?’ His face creased in concern. ‘Are you working too hard?’
‘Yes, I am tired. And, no, I’m not working too hard.’ Surreptitiously rubbing a twinge along her side, she turned into the lift corridor. ‘You know, our maternal ancestors probably gathered berries all day and only stepped out of the briars to give birth.’
Jack pressed the down arrow then turned to look at her, his head cocked to one side. ‘I hope that doesn’t mean you intend to step out of the operating theatre to drop our baby in the hospital corridor.’
Amusement bubbled up at the picture his words painted. At the same time his easy use of our baby made her breath hitch. Did that mean he was coming to accept the thought of being a parent? Surely that was elation she was feeling…wasn’t it? The odd brew of contrary emotion caught her by surprise. She pushed it aside to think about later.
‘No, of course not.’ She stepped into the lift and pressed the button for the lower floor. ‘My point is that pregnancy is a normal function of the female body. I’m tired, not ill.’ And she’d be a darned sight less tired if she could sleep properly. Insomnia plagued her with Jack sleeping in the spare room. But she wasn’t going to tell him that. ‘So where are you whisking me to?’
‘Not far. I’ve got something to show you.’
‘What is it?’
‘Uh-uh, not telling. It’s a surprise.’ He ushered her out when the doors slid open. ‘You’ll like it. I promise.’
‘I am tempted.’ She sighed. ‘But there’s a mountain of washing waiting for me at home.’
‘All done.’ He grinned when she blinked at him. ‘And don’t worry, I colour coordinated. The whites are still white. It’s drying as we speak. It’ll be ready to bring in while you have a rest.’
‘Mmm. A domesticated man. Every woman’s favourite fantasy. You’ll have my head filling with all sorts of ideas,’ she teased.
‘Really? What sort?’ His voice lowered to a husky rumble and the world seemed to rock in response.
Her heart lurched into an alarming rhythm as she cast around for a safe response. ‘How about you with a broom in one hand and a feather duster in the other?’
‘Not quite what I’d envisaged,’ he drawled.
She forced the muscles of her throat to swallow. For a fleeting moment she was tempted to say something that would deepen the unexpected intimacy. But she felt strangely shy, unable to take the step. They had so much still to work through.
And then there was the pregnancy. Her hand lifted of its own accord to smooth her baby bump. She loved her growing body, all the changes that were happening. But it was dramatically different from her trim pre-pregnancy self. The changes that so delighted her might turn him off. She wasn’t ready to risk that level of exposure.
Liz walked the remaining distance to the main desk in tongue-tied silence.
‘Hi, Hilda,’ she said to the nurse on duty. ‘We’re returning this morning’s clinic files.’
She stood aside so Jack could put them on the bench.
‘Thanks, Liz. You’re a dear.’ Hilda winked at Jack. ‘Enjoy the rest of your day.’
‘We will. See you Monday.’ Liz felt Jack’s fingers stroke across the sensitive skin of her upper arm to close around her elbow again. ‘S-so…
where is this surprise of yours?’
‘You’ll see. Let’s go.’
A few minutes later she was seated beside Jack in the fourwheel drive. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him turn to her. His hand rested on the edge of her seat. If she moved those few inches, she could lay her cheek on his fingers, invite his touch.
Suggest that he take her home…
And not to rest.
‘Are you feeling up to this? Just say the word and I’ll take you home.’ His words dovetailed straight into her thoughts.
‘I’m fine. Fine.’ Liz straightened, grabbing the seat belt and pulling it across her body. If she got it shut fast enough, maybe it could somehow contain the treacherous images in her head. Her fingers fumbled on the catch then finally snicked it into place. ‘Besides, I want to see this surprise you’ve promised.’
A short time later he turned into a nearly full car park. They were at Lake Dustin.
Liz bit her lip to stop herself from groaning aloud. Of all the places he could bring her while she was in danger of ambushing herself with unfulfil able lust…
Did he remember their first real kiss had been here? He’d spun her into his arms, his mouth capturing hers in an exquisite caress. She’d been as malleable as freshly wetted plaster of Paris in his hands. And just as hot. By the time he’d finished she hadn’t needed to walk the rest of the lakeside track—she’d floated beside him in a daze. He could have seduced her that day—if he’d tried. But he’d been more subtle than that.
‘I’ll never make the walk around the lake,’ she said as he opened the passenger door so she could climb out.
‘I know.’ The slow, wicked curve of his lips suggested that he remembered that kiss as well as she did. ‘We’re going to be very sedate, very…
restrained today.’
She gulped in a breath and turned to pick up her handbag.
‘Come on.’ He dropped his arm around her waist and propelled her gently towards the gravel path. A small grey fantail darted and swooped in the shrubs to the side, completely unconcerned by their presence. ‘I’ve booked for lunch.’
In the cosy little restaurant they were greeted by the waiter. He took them out to the lakeshore seating and left them with menus to peruse, promising to return soon for their order.
‘Ah, perfect timing,’ said Jack, when they were alone. ‘Hear that?’
Liz became aware of a series of musical notes from across the water.
‘It’s our floor show. Look.’ Jack pointed out to the island near the edge of the lake.
An elegant black swan stood at the waterline with three downy grey chicks.
‘Oh, how gorgeous.’
‘See Mama farther up the bank? That’s her we can hear calling. She’s chivvying junior to hurry up and join the rest of the family.’
Liz searched and soon spotted the second swan. Another grey fluff ball was struggling to navigate tangled growth. The slender black neck dipped and stretched as the adult swan continued her scolding.
‘Tsk,’ she said, smiling. ‘There’s always someone who needs that last-minute bathroom stop when everyone else is ready to go.’
With the group finally all together, the adults escorted their offspring ponderously to the lake. Once on the water, they glided regally across the surface.
Liz looked back at Jack to find him watching her, a small smile playing at the edges of his mouth.
‘They mate for life. Swans.’
‘Do they?’ She could drown in the warm blue eyes that held hers. ‘It’s been a long time since you’ve shared any of these quirky little nature facts.’
‘Yes, I guess it has.’ He reached across to link his fingers with hers.
‘I’ve missed it.’
‘Have you?’
‘Yes. Very much.’
‘So have I.’ He was silent for a moment, his finger rubbing across the sensitive webbing at the base of her thumb. ‘Liz, I—’ He stopped, his gaze sliding past her. A muscle in his cheek twitched briefly.
‘hello, you two,’ boomed a voice from close by. ‘Fancy seeing you here.’
‘hello, Tony.’ Jack’s smile was friendly. Liz envied him his equanimity. She liked her boss, but his timing, in this instance, was dreadful.
Tony introduced his new girlfriend, then looked around at the now full tables. ‘You were obviously sensible enough to book ahead.’
‘Yes.’ Jack managed to sound gently discouraging. Liz suppressed a sigh—if she knew Tony, the subtlety would be wasted.
‘Mind if we join you?’
There was an expectant pause.
‘Um, no, of…course not.’ She looked at Jack helplessly.
‘Great. Lucky we bumped into you. I’ve been wanting to try this place since it opened. It’s had a terrific write-up in the local press.’
Liz smiled weakly as Jack signalled the waiter to arrange for the extra chairs.
She seesawed between irritation with herself and the urge to laugh. She desperately wanted to know what Jack had been going to say before the interruption. Whatever it had been, however small, it was important. Even if only because her close-mouthed husband was volunteering it.