City Surgeon, Small Town Miracle

CHAPTER ELEVEN

‘TERRI! You’re here!’ squealed Allie.

Luke’s head snapped around as his daughter dropped the cutlery she’d been setting out on the table to race over and hug their guest. Hard to believe from Allie’s behaviour that she’d seen Terri only a matter of hours ago. Though he certainly couldn’t chip her on her over-enthusiasm, given the great line of somersaults his own gut was doing.

‘Come and see where we’ve put the rose I picked for Mum,’ said Allie. ‘We planted it as soon as we got home. Granddad had the garden all ready.’

‘Give Terri a chance to say hello to everyone else before you start dragging her off, Allie,’ Luke said, placing the chairs he’d been carrying around the table. Give her a chance to say hello to me.

‘Hi, Luke.’ Terri’s smile was wary as he drew near and put his hand on her shoulder. He leaned forward to give her a peck on the cheek. Low down, right beside her mouth. Her skin was soft beneath his lips. She smelled delicious, fresh soap, light fragrance. All woman. All Terri.

‘I brought a bottle of wine.’ She stepped back and thrust a bottle into his hands.

He looked at the label, giving himself a precious moment to regroup. A South Australian white wine. ‘Thanks. You must be psychic. Mum’s baking fish on the barbecue.’

‘Not so psychic.’ She grinned. ‘I spoke to Vivienne when we got home from the nursery earlier.’

‘Clever, then.’

The back door opened. ‘About time you showed yourself around here, young lady,’ said Will as he carried the large bowl of salad to the table and then crossed to hug Terri. ‘I was starting to wonder what that new hospital director had done with you.’

Unexpected heat crept into Luke’s face. He knew what the new director had been doing with her.

And what he planned to do, given half a chance.

‘Oh, just the, um, usual. You know, work, work, work,’ Terri said with a weak laugh. Her cheekbones flushed becomingly as her eyes slid in Luke’s direction and then quickly away.

Will frowned. ‘Humph. I still say the board did the wrong thing by you.’ Luke stifled a sigh when his father shot him an ambiguous look. ‘I told Luke he was stepping on toes. You did an excellent job as acting director.’

‘Thank you, Will, but it’s working out well having Luke in charge.’ This time, when she slanted a look at Luke, she met his eyes. He enjoyed the tiny conspiratorial moment. ‘We’ve got the new boy licked into shape now and you know how much I detest paperwork. We don’t let Luke go home until he’s cleared his desk.’

‘Like me with my homework,’ said Allie with a big grin. The way his father and daughter responded to Terri was beautiful.

‘Exactly like that.’ Terri smiled as she ran a hand down Allie’s stubby ponytail. ‘Yes, I think your father’s proving to be quite satisfactory, Allie.’ She looked at him from under her lashes. ‘All things considered.’

‘Thank you for that faint praise,’ Luke murmured, feeling close to tongue-tied. She was flirting with him. His heart wobbled and then melted.

‘Oh, it’s important to give encouragement…where it’s deserved, of course,’ she said, obviously struggling to keep a straight face. Her lovely brown eyes were alight with laughter. ‘And a reprimand where it’s not. I’m sure, as the new director, you’d agree, Luke.’

‘I do agree.’ Luke smiled, sending a promise of private retribution in his gaze.

Her answering smirk had his overworked pulse leaping about in anticipation.

His father’s expression eased into a relieved grin. ‘As long as the two of you are working it out.’

Luke could see Terri’s teasing had been a thousand times more effective than all his attempts to soothe his father’s concerns.

‘Now, can I show Terri the garden?’ said Allie in long-suffering tones.

‘Sure,’ said Luke. ‘Don’t be too long, though. Dinner’s nearly ready.’

‘Come on, Terri.’ Allie took Terri’s hand and tugged her along the path.

As they disappeared round the side of the house, his father said, ‘Perhaps I should go, too. Terri might appreciate my tips for growing roses.’

‘Perhaps another time, Dad.’ With only the smallest trace of guilt Luke handed the wine bottle to his father. ‘Terri brought this. Would you mind putting it on ice?’

He set off down the path after Terri and Allie, leaving his father to draw his own conclusions.

‘Oh, this is gorgeous,’ said Terri, when she saw the neatly laid-out garden.

‘Dad put up the arch and we both planted the rose. See, it’ll grow up all over the trellis.’ Allie waved her hands expansively to demonstrate. ‘I put in the little plants where Granddad said. And we have this bench. Come and try it.’ Allie sat on the concrete seat and patted the area beside her. ‘There’s thyme on the ground underneath. It grows flat so when you stand on it, it smells nice.’

‘You’ve all done a fabulous job.’ The fresh clean aroma of the herb rose to greet Terri as she sat on the bench.

‘Yes.’ Allie’s face held deep satisfaction. ‘Dad said Mummy would like it.’

‘I’m sure he’s right,’ Terri said, a lump in her throat. Sue-Ellen had been a much-loved wife and mother. What a wonderful epitaph to have earned.

‘Yes.’ Allie leaned sideways and rested her head on Terri’s upper arm.

The simplicity of the moment was a gift that had Terri’s heart stuttering. A snug, warm band tightened around her chest as she looked down on the dark head.

‘And how are you now, Allie?’ she asked softly.

‘I’m good. Daddy said you and him might go out sometimes.’

‘Did he?’ Terri swallowed. ‘Well, we might. Is that okay with you?’

‘I think it’d be cool and I’d be able to come, too, sometimes, wouldn’t I? Like today with the plants.’

‘Of course. I’d like that.’

Terri looked up and saw Luke. He’d propped one shoulder against the smooth trunk of a gum, hands in the pockets of his jeans. He’d obviously showered and changed not long before she’d arrived because his hair was still dark and spiky with dampness.

His face, as he looked at Allie, glowed with love and pride. But when he moved his eyes to her, Terri read something different altogether. Dangerous. Seductive. Irresistible.

Her heart jolted, her defences crumbling. In that moment she realised she had little hope of protecting herself against this man and his daughter. By sharing themselves so unconditionally, they’d made a serious chink in her armour.

It was more than she’d ever thought she’d have in her life.

More than she deserved.

A shadow passed over her spirits. Would she end up letting them down, failing them in some way she couldn’t predict?

She would have to make sure she didn’t.

Terri worked her magic effortlessly on his whole family, Luke realised as he looked around the table a couple of hours later.

He took a sip of wine as he watched his mother. Her face was alight with laughter at something Terri had said as the two of them stacked the dishes from the meal.

His mother obviously adored Terri…and this from the woman who’d given him and Kevin such a hard time about their motorcycles.

Carrying a pile of plates, Terri set off towards the house. Luke ran his fingers absent-mindedly over the rounded belly of his wineglass and down the stem to the base as his eyes followed her slender figure. She moved gracefully with effortless elegance. Womanly curves, nicely proportioned. Long, long legs. He suppressed the urge to gulp. Altogether a very nice package.

‘Earth to Luke?’ He started slightly and glanced up to find his sister standing beside him, a grin on her face. ‘Have you finished with your glass?’

He handed it over silently and Megan walked after his mother and Terri.

His sister. Another member of his family under Terri’s spell. It was Megan who had sensed that Terri might help Allie. By taking her down to visit at the beach cottage, a link had been established between his daughter and the woman who had saved her life only a matter of days later. That link had set up the trust that had enabled Allie to confide her agonising guilt and set her on the road to recovery.

His father had thawed completely after Terri’s banter. Anxiety that she felt displaced by the hospital board’s decision was understandable. At least now, with concern eased, Luke would be able to get a better idea of how the man was coping psychologically after the heart attack. It was a relief because the faint ongoing hostility hadn’t been good for any of them.

They were all putty in Terri’s hands-including himself. Any way she wanted to handle him was just fine with him. Any way at all. The sooner the better for his sanity…

‘Nice girl.’ His father broke into his thoughts. ‘Something special.’

Luke swallowed and hoped the rush of heat warming his face wasn’t visible in the dusk. He yanked his thoughts back into line and looked across at the older man.

‘Terri,’ his father clarified, arching one eyebrow at him.

Luke cleared his throat. ‘Yes, she is.’

‘Allie likes her.’

‘She does.’

‘So does your mother.’

‘Mmm.’ Luke looked into his father’s interested gaze. ‘What are you getting at, Dad?’

‘Nothing. Just making an observation.’ Will brushed the leg of his shorts. ‘Your mother would like to do some travelling.’

‘Would she?’ It was a curious segue. Luke wondered what was coming next.

‘She’s been at me again to retire.’

‘Has she? How do you feel about that?’

‘I used to think it was a ridiculous idea.’ He sighed then continued after a moment, ‘But since the heart attack…’

‘You’re thinking about it seriously, then?’

‘Today, anyway.’ A wry smile curled his father’s mouth. ‘Maybe tomorrow I’ll change my mind. Anyway, I thought I’d float the idea at you, just in case. I’m sure the board would look favourably on you taking the director’s job permanently. If you wanted it.’

‘Okay. Thanks for the heads up.’

‘Would you want it?’

‘I’m not sure, Dad. I’d have to think about it. Sound Allie out. I promised her we’d only be here for a year.’

‘She seems to have settled in.’

‘She has now.’ Thanks to Terri.

There was a companionable silence for a few minutes and then his father said, ‘Well, it’s something for you to think about.’

‘Yes, it is.’

The back door opened and Terri came out with a coffee pot in hand. Allie, her faithful shadow, was beside her, holding the sugar bowl. His mother followed a few steps behind with the mugs.

Conversation meandered through various topics for another half an hour and then Terri stood.

‘I should make tracks,’ she said, turning to his mother. ‘Thank you for a wonderful evening, Vivienne.’

‘You know you are always welcome, Terri. Don’t be a stranger.’

Luke rose, too. ‘I’ll walk you home.’

‘Oh, no need.’ Terri tucked a curl behind her ear. ‘I can practically see my place from here.’

‘That’s a good idea, Luke,’ said his mother. Luke blessed her and her fondness for observing the niceties. Never mind that Terri wandered backwards and forwards between the hospital and the cottage at all hours of the night when she was on call.

Good manners would be observed. And in this case, it definitely worked to his advantage.

He smiled at Terri, who made a small grimace at him.

‘I’ll be back shortly, Allie,’ he said.

‘No worries, Dad.’ Allie beamed at him. ‘Don’t hurry. I’ll go up to bed.’ She gave a theatrical yawn. ‘You can kiss me goodnight when you come back.’

‘Er, right.’ He stared at her as she kissed her grandparents.

Confident of her welcome, Allie walked over and put her arms around Terri’s waist for a quick hug. ‘Thanks for coming shopping with us today.’

‘Thank you for asking me, Allie. I enjoyed it.’ Terri smiled, her face soft with affection as she looked at his daughter.

‘Goodnight.’ With one last fierce look at him, Allie set off towards the house.

As he crossed the grounds with Terri, Luke was aware of everything about her. The way her slim arms swung slightly at her sides, the way her hair slipped forward when she bent her head.

‘This is so silly, you walking me home.’ Her voice was light and quick.

He detected the tiniest tell-tale catch. Wicked anticipation curled through his gut. ‘It’s what a well-mannered boy does at the end of a date.’

She rolled her eyes at him. ‘This wasn’t a date. It was an invitation from your mother, I seem to recall.’

‘Ah, good point. That makes it even more significant than any ordinary date.’ He nodded sagely. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her misstep and reached out to steady her.

‘Sorry?’

‘You’ve had your feet under my parents’ dining table.’ He left his fingers curled around her arm as he expanded on his theory. ‘In dating traditions, that’s an important milestone.’

There was a small silence and then she teased, ‘Does it count when it’s outdoor furniture? Surely it’s much too casual.’

‘A table is a table. Tradition isn’t fussy.’

‘It certainly isn’t when you’re making up the rules.’ She laughed as they approached the narrow line of trees that separated the house from the lower yard.

‘Tsk. I’m starting to wonder if you’re going to renege on that other time-honoured end-of-date tradition.’ Her cottage was just ahead. Too close.

‘It depends which tradition you’re thinking of,’ she said, not backing down an inch. ‘Some traditions might earn you a slap for your trouble.’

Heat sizzled along his nerve endings as his imagination conjured a scenario that would definitely earn him a slap. He swallowed the groan that crept up his throat. Being with her like this made him want to throw caution to the winds and find out.

‘That’s not what you said the other night.’ He followed her up the front steps.

‘That was then. This is now. Besides, a gentleman wouldn’t remind a lady of her moment of weakness.’ At the door, she turned to face him.

He braced his hand on the frame and looked down at her. Her light fragrance teased his senses. He resisted the urge to lean forward and breathe deeper. ‘I’m not feeling much like a gentleman tonight.’

‘Aren’t you?’

‘Nope. Invite me in.’

‘And find out? I don’t think so.’ She flicked her hair back in a quick nervous gesture that made his pulse leap. ‘You’re in a peculiar mood.’

‘Yeah, I am,’ he murmured, reaching out to run his fingers along her jaw. ‘So how are my chances for a kiss goodnight, then?’

‘If we’re taking things slow and sensible, they should be zero.’ Her voice was ragged as he curved his fingers around the back of her neck and tilted her chin up with his thumb.

‘Should be?’ He bent and brushed his mouth across hers. Once, twice. She resisted him. On the third brush, her mouth softened, moved. Heaven. Sensitive nerve endings in his lips revelled in the warmth and sweetness. His muscles quivered as he ruthlessly suppressed the need to take more, take it deeper.

Take it all.

He caught her lower lip between his and sucked gently before moving his mouth across her cheek to the column of her throat just below her ear. When she arched her neck slightly to give him better access, he nibbled his way down to the nape.

‘Oh. You are too good at this,’ she moaned as a shudder ran through her. ‘W-we should s-stop now. Please.’

He took a deep breath, inhaling her scent as he reached for control. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead in the curve of her shoulder. Her skin felt warm and alive beneath his brow.

‘This is a bad idea.’

‘Right this minute, it feels pretty good to me.’

‘Yes,’ she breathed. ‘Me, too.’

He pressed his lips to her throat, felt the frenzied beat of her carotid pulse, felt her muscles move in a swallow. His heart leapt with the confirmation that she was as affected as he was.

‘But that’s in this moment.’ Her voice was more determined. She shifted, inching away.

He let her. She was going to make him go. He moved back, his hand still braced on the doorjamb. His eyes moved over her face, taking in each fine feature. ‘You don’t think we should seize the moment, explore the possibilities.’

‘It’s not necessarily a bad thing. To leave possibilities unexplored.’

‘Only if we’re faint-hearted. Are we going to be faint-hearted, Terri?’

‘Tonight? I…Yes. Yes, I believe we are. Goodnight, Luke.’ She groped behind her back and the door swung open. He saw a gleam of white as she smiled then backed inside. ‘Thank you for the escort home. See you on Monday.’

He smiled back. ‘Monday.’

The door closed gently. He lifted his hand, spread his fingers on the wood and after a moment said softly, ‘Lock your door, Terri.’

‘I will.’ Her voice came from just the other side of the door.

The latch clicked into place. In spite of his frustration there was some small comfort in the thought that she’d loitered there. Was she as torn as he was? He’d like to think so.

Terri pressed her hand to her sternum, feeling her wild thump of her heartbeat begin to settle as she listened to Luke’s footsteps.

She felt so much, wanted so much when she was near him.

He made her wonder just how truly deep and beautiful a relationship between a man and a woman could be. Made her wonder what it could be like between them.

How foolish she’d been to think they could agree on slow and sensible and keep things under control. Her hunger was unnerving and she sensed Luke’s matched it. They were both too eager to take the next step.

It had taken all her willpower to resist inviting him inside.

Regardless of how tempting it was to throw caution to the winds, there was too much at stake for both of them. Professionally, personally and emotionally.