Best man to daddy!

Nurse Lindsey Stewart knows that dancing with new, enigmatic Casualty doctor Dante Rossi is asking for trouble...but when he takes her hand at a wedding she’s powerless to resist. As their night turns into a weekend she learns there’s more to this charming best man than meets the eye.

After returning to work, neither can escape their undeniable chemistry—even when trying to remain professional! Until Lindsey discovers she’s pregnant, and realizes she might hold the key to healing Dante’s damaged heart...

Lindsey swallowed, her heart banging out of rhythm. He was bending towards her, his blue eyes capturing hers with a magnetic pull. ‘Dan...?’

‘Don’t talk.’

In an almost imperceptible movement he slid his hands beneath her elbows and they rose as one. Instantly Lindsey felt her nerve-ends tingling, her breathing grow uncomfortably tight. She lifted her head, searing his gaze with hers.

‘I need to do this again...’

Dan reached up, sliding the tips of his fingers over her face, feeling the gentle throb of heat under her skin, the feminine, fragile line of her jaw. Even as his thumb lifted her chin his fingers were seeking her nape, drawing her to him.

He lowered his head slowly, giving her the chance to end it if that was what she wanted. But she didn’t, and her mouth gave a tiny sigh of welcome as his lips brushed hers, settling over their softness.

Lindsey was drowning in feelings she hadn’t experienced for the longest time. Dan’s mouth on hers felt right, their kiss pure and perfect.

And she didn’t let herself think for one second whether any of what they were sharing had a future. She was just amazed that they should be kissing at all, and that she’d so longed for it without even knowing why...

Dear Reader,

Thank you for waiting so patiently for my new story. This time we’re back in Casualty, with Dante and Lindsey.

It’s true that your soul-mate does not have to be perfect—just perfect for you. And I have to tell you that Dan took a bit of prodding to let his star shine in this story. His past failed relationship has left him wary of looking for love. He wears aloofness like a cloak. Then along comes Lindsey, my gorgeous heroine. Perceptive and smart, she sees a different Dan. She beguiles him, challenges him. Slowly Dan opens the doors to his heart. He tastes heaven with Lindsey. But his past keeps getting in the way. Lindsey puts him on notice and Dan realises he’s been hovering in the shallows. Now he’ll have to make the swim of his life or lose her.

I’m delighted to present for your reading enjoyment Weekend with the Best Man.

Leah x

Weekend with the Best Man

Leah Martyn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

LEAH MARTYN is the author of a number of books published by Mills & Boon. She loves the realism of Medical Romance and bringing her characters to life. She also writes short fiction and the occasional piece for her local paper. Leah lives with her husband in Queensland, Australia. She enjoys country markets, Aussie barbecues, the haunting stillness of the bush in summer and spending time with the people she loves.

Books by Leah Martyn

Mills & Boon Medical Romance

The Doctor’s Pregnancy Secret

Outback Doctor, English Bride

Wedding in Darling Downs

Daredevil and Dr Kate

Redeeming Dr Riccardi

Wedding at Sunday Creek

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

MILLS & BOON

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For BRISROM—Brisbane Romance Writers—where it all began.

I hope you’re all still out there. And still writing.

Praise for Leah Martyn

‘A sweet story about a single mother trying to juggle kids and work... I highly recommend this book!’

—Goodreads on Daredevil and Dr. Kate

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Praise

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

FRIDAY MORNING IN Casualty was the last place Senior Registrar Dan Rossi wanted to be.

And not with this patient—a seventeen-year-old drug-addicted youth. He’d arrested. And now the fight had begun to save his life. A life this skinny kid had valued so cheaply. How dared he?

Dan’s thoughts turned dark. ‘Start CPR!’ He bit the words out as the team began the familiar routine, working in concert around the senior doctor, responding to his clipped orders.

Expectations rose and fell as they treated the patient. Rose and fell again. Dan glanced at the clock. They’d done all they could but he didn’t want to call it. Not yet. Not today of all days. And not with this patient. What a waste of a young life. ‘Ramp it up!’

He felt the sweat crawl down his back, his heart like a jackhammer against his ribs. He shouldn’t be here. He’d lost his mental filter. Lost it.

Lost it. Lost it...

‘OK, he’s back.’

Thank God. Immediately, Dan’s chest felt lighter as if a valve had just released the pressure building inside him. He woke as if from a nightmare.

‘Pulse rate sixty,’ Nurse Manager Lindsey Stewart relayed evenly. ‘He’s waking up.’

Yanking off his gloves, Dan aimed them at the bin, missing by a mile. ‘Do what you have to do,’ he said, his voice flat.

And walked out. Fast.

Lindsey’s eyebrows hitched, her green gaze puzzled as she watched his exit.

* * *

‘That was a bit odd back there,’ Vanessa Cole, Lindsey’s colleague, said, as they watched their patient being wheeled out to ICU. ‘What’s biting Rossi?’

‘Something’s certainly got him upset,’ Lindsey agreed. ‘Dan’s usually very cool under pressure.’

‘He hasn’t been here long.’ Vanessa shrugged. ‘And we don’t know much about him yet. Perhaps it’s personal—girlfriend trouble?’

‘Does he have a girlfriend?’

‘Please!’ Vanessa, who seemed to be at the sharp end of all the hospital gossip, gave an exaggerated eye-roll. ‘With that dark, smouldering thing happening?’

‘That’s a bit simplistic,’ Lindsey refuted. ‘Dan Rossi is a senior doctor. He wouldn’t bring that kind of stuff to work with him. I’d better try to speak to him. If it’s a work-related matter, it’ll need sorting.’

‘Oh, Lins.’ Vanessa’s voice held exasperation as she pushed the privacy screen open. ‘Don’t start taking the flak for Rossi’s dummy spit. We run—that is, you run an extremely efficient casualty department. It’s my guess he’ll take a long lunch and snap out of whatever’s bugging him.’

Lindsey’s instincts were not quite buying that scenario. She recognised mental stress when she saw it, and Dan Rossi had been far from his usual self since the beginning of the shift. She frowned a bit, wondering just where he’d fled to.

‘Dan’s usually pretty good to work with.’

* * *

Dan knew he’d been discourteous to the team but today, for very personal reasons, he’d had to get out.

Had to.

In a secluded part of the grounds he sank into a garden seat, taking a deep breath and letting it go. Every sensible cell in his brain told him he shouldn’t have brought his personal problems to work today. In fact, he shouldn’t have come to work at all. If he’d thought it through, he’d have taken a mental health day available to all staff. Instead, he’d come to work in an environment where emotions went from high to low in seconds.

He made a dismissive sound in his throat. Having to treat that last patient had been the trigger that had shot his ability to be objective all to hell.

Addiction. And a foolish boy, abusing his body with no conception of the amazing gift of life. A gift Dan’s own babies had never had. No chance to draw one tiny life-saving breath. Two perfect little girls.

It was two years ago today since he’d lost them.

At the memory, something inside him rose up then flattened out again, like a lone wave on the sea. The grief he felt was still all too real. Grief with nowhere to go.

A shiver went right through him and he realised he’d rushed outside without a jacket. Lifting his hands, he linked them at the back of his neck. He needed to get a grip. Once he’d got through today, he’d regroup again.

Flipping his mobile out of his pocket, he checked for messages and found one from his colleague and closest friend, Nathan Lyons. The text simply said: Grub?

In seconds, Dan had texted back.

Leo’s in ten.

* * *

With things in Casualty more or less under control, Lindsey decided to take the early lunch. She needed to get her head together. In the staffroom she collected the minestrone she’d brought from home and reheated it in the microwave. Ignoring the chat going on around her, she took her soup to a table near the window and buried her head in a magazine.

Halfway through her meal she stopped and raised her head to look out of the window. She’d have to say something to Dan. She couldn’t just pretend nothing had happened. But how to handle it?

It wasn’t as though they had any kind of relationship outside the hospital. What did she really know about him anyway? She knew he’d worked in New York and, more recently, he’d left one of the big teaching hospitals in Sydney to come on staff here in this rural city of Hopeton. But beyond that? Except for the fact that Dan Rossi kept very much to himself—and that alone was an achievement in an environment where you were thrown together all the time—she knew next to nothing about his personal life. But she remembered his first day vividly.

She’d sneaked a quick peek at him as the team had assembled for the start of the shift. Her quick inventory had noted his hair was dark, very dark and cut short, his eyes holding a moody blueness, the shadows beneath so deep they might have been painted on. His shoulders under his pinstriped shirt were broad. She had taken a deep breath and let it go, realising as she’d done so that she’d been close enough to smell he’d been shower-fresh. In the close confines where they worked that mattered to Lindsey.

Then he’d caught her looking. And it was as if they’d shared a moment of honesty, a heartbeat of intimacy. His mouth had pulled tight then relaxed. He’d almost smiled. Almost but not quite.

And for what it was worth the vibe was still there between them. But it seemed to Lindsey that for every tiny bit of headway she made with Dan Rossi on a personal level, he took off like a world-class sprinter in the opposite direction.

She blew out a long breath of frustration, slamming her magazine shut as she got to her feet. Why was she even bothering to try to find out what made Dan Rossi tick? After her last boyfriend had cheated on her so spectacularly, she’d questioned her judgement about men. How did you work out which of them to trust and recognise those who were into game-playing? And right now, after the rotten morning they’d had, it was all too heavy to think about.

* * *

Leo’s was five minutes away from the hospital, the unpretentious little café drawing the hospital staff like bees to puffy blossoms. Chef Leo Carroll kept his menu simple. And he’d done his market research, opening at six in the morning to accommodate the early shift who just wanted a coffee and a bacon roll. Lunch began at noon and lasted until three. Then Leo closed his doors, cleaned up and went to play guitar at a blues bar in town.

Dan settled into one of the comfortable side booths and stretched out his legs. Already he could feel the tension draining from him. Nathan’s continued support had steadied him in ways that were incalculable. Dan recalled the day he’d flown into Sydney from the States. He’d been standing feeling a bit bemused in the passenger lounge, getting his bearings, when he’d heard his name called. He’d spun round and found himself looking into a familiar craggy face lit with a lopsided grin.

‘Nate!’

Before Dan could react further, he’d been thumped across the back and enveloped in a bone-crunching hug that had almost undone him. ‘Glad you made it back in one piece, dude,’ Nathan had said gruffly.

Dan had swallowed. ‘How did you know I’d be on this flight?’

‘I have my ways.’ Nathan had tapped the side of his nose. ‘Now, come on, let’s move it. I’m short-term parked and it’s costing me a fortune.’

Dan had booked into a boutique hotel near the harbour, intending to stay there until he could find an apartment. As they’d driven, Nathan had asked, ‘Do you have some work lined up?’

‘Starting at St Vincent’s in a week.’

‘Still in Casualty?’

‘It’s what I do best. You still in Medical?’

‘It’s what I do best.’ Nathan had shot him a glance. ‘Uh—not going to see your folks, then?’

‘Not yet.’ His family lived in Melbourne and while he loved and respected them, he just wasn’t up for receiving their sympathy all over again.

A beat of silence.

‘I’ve met a girl.’ Nathan’s embarrassed laugh eased the fraught atmosphere.

Dan spun his friend an amused look. ‘Serious?’

‘Could be. Think so. She’s a flight attendant. Samantha Kelly—Sami.’

‘Get out of here!’ Dan leaned across and fist-bumped his friend’s upper arm. ‘Tell me about her.’

‘She’s blonde.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Funny, sweet, smart...you know...’

‘Yeah. And she’s got you wrapped around her little finger. Nice one, mate. I hope it works out for you and Sami.’

‘Uh—if it doesn’t pan out for you in Sydney,’ Nathan said carefully, ‘you could come across the mountain to us at Hopeton District. Get some rural medicine under your belt. We’re always looking for decently qualified MOs.’

‘Mmm—maybe.’ Dan gave a dry smile. Nathan went on to enthuse about the vibrant country city a couple of hours from Sydney across the Blue Mountains.

‘And would you believe you can still fossick for gold around Hopeton?’ Nathan concluded his sales pitch emphatically.

And six months later Dan had taken everything on board and made the move and now here they were, with Nathan’s and Sami’s wedding just a week away and he was Nathan’s best man.

Dan looked at his watch just at the moment Nathan burst through the door.

‘Sorry I’m a bit late,’ he apologised, sliding his big frame onto the bench seat opposite. ‘Would you believe I’ve just had to cannulate three old coots on the trot—no veins to speak of, dehydrated as hell. Why don’t old people drink water, for God’s sake?’

‘Because it’s a generational thing,’ Dan said patiently. ‘They drink tea. Probably have done so since they could hold a cup.’ Dan turned his attention to the short menu. ‘We need to get a wriggle on. What are you having?’

‘If there’s pasta of some description, I’m your man.’

‘There is,’ Dan said. ‘And I’ll have the steak pie.’

Leo was there in a flash to take their orders. ‘Won’t be long, Docs,’ he promised, batting his way back through the swing doors to his kitchen.

Nathan sent a narrowed look at his friend. He was well aware of the significance of the day in Dan’s life. ‘How’s it going?’ he asked quietly.

Dan’s mouth bunched into a tight moue. ‘Getting there, as they say.’

Nathan wasn’t so sure and he knew his friend well enough to ask, ‘It’s got to be hard for Caroline as well. Have you tried contacting her again?’

‘What would be the point? She couldn’t wait to dump me and our marriage—such as it was.’

‘Yeah—well.’ Nathan decided it was time for some straight talking. ‘I don’t want to be brutal, but it was never going to work after the babies died, was it?’

‘Probably not.’ Dan frowned. ‘But she wasn’t even willing to try!’

Nathan shook his head. They’d had this conversation before—or one similar. ‘Listen, Dan, I’ve known you for a thousand years. It’s in your DNA to be decent and, to use a very old-fashioned word, honourable. But you and Caroline weren’t in love and, believe me, that’s the only reason you should get married. And stay married. For your own sanity, you can’t keep second-guessing all the what-ifs.’

Dan knew what Nathan said made sense and, God knew, he’d tried to let it go. His mouth gave a wry twist. ‘The last time I spoke to Caroline, she said she’d moved on.’

‘Then maybe it’s time you did as well,’ Nathan said frankly. ‘Hey!’ He injected an air of enthusiasm around them and beat a little drum roll on the table. ‘It’s Friday and Sami’s decided we need a night out. There’s a new club in town. Why don’t you join us?’

Dan’s insides curled. He could think of nothing worse than tagging along with a completely loved-up pair like Nathan and Sami. ‘Thanks, mate, but I’ll be fine. You and your bride-to-be have better things to do—or you should have.’

‘Speaking of brides...’ Nathan picked up the pepper mill and spun it between his hands. ‘Sami wants us to wear cummerbunds.’

Dan snorted. ‘I’d rather shove my head in a bucket of prawns.’ He took a mouthful of water, very carefully replacing the glass on its coaster. ‘I’d probably walk through fire to save your butt, Nathan, but I am not wearing a cummerbund at your wedding.’

Nathan gave a bark of laughter and confided, ‘Sami reckons it’s modern vintage.’

Dan looked unimpressed. ‘Tell her the menswear shop in Hopeton have never heard of cummerbunds, let alone stocked them.’

‘She said she’d order them online—but don’t panic.’ Nathan held up a hand in a staying motion, deciding to let his friend off the hook. ‘I’ve talked her out of it.’

‘How?’ Dan’s interest picked up. From what he’d seen, Sami was one determined lady. In the nicest possible way, of course.

‘I had a mental picture of us with bulging satin waistlines and fell about laughing. Sami wasn’t amused. She wrestled me to the sofa and belted me with her slipper. Then she saw the funny side and laughed too.’

And then they’d probably gone to bed, Dan thought. It was great Nathan was so happy, so...loved. He deserved to be. Dan wondered how long it would be before he had someone special to call his own. Someone to love and who loved him back the same way. Unconditionally. And that was what had been missing with Caroline.

‘So it’s sorted, then?’

‘It is. When are you coming up?’

‘The day before, on the Friday, if that’s OK?’ The couple were being married in Sami’s home village of Milldale, some thirty miles north of Hopeton. The wedding reception was to be held at Rosemount, one of the historic homes in the district that had been revamped into a functions venue.

‘Friday’s fine,’ Nathan said. ‘Sami’s booked us into the local pub. My folks are staying there as well.’

‘Your meals, gentlemen.’ Leo slid plates the size of cartwheels down in front of them. ‘Enjoy.’

‘This looks good.’ Nathan rubbed his hands in anticipation. ‘Dig in.’

Halfway through their meal, Dan said, ‘When is Sami leaving her job?’

‘She has already. She’s going to start up her own business here, a travel agency cum tourist thing. She’s had mega hits on her website already.’

‘That’s fantastic. You’re going to settle here in Hopeton, then?’

‘Yep.’ Nathan twirled a length of spaghetti around his fork. ‘It’s a good fit for us at the moment. And my job’s safe—well, as far as any job can be these days.’

Dan’s throat closed for a moment. Nathan’s future seemed secure and...good. If only his own future had a semblance of the same simple expectations attached to it. He shook his head. God, he’d better lighten up, or he’d be like a wet blanket at his friend’s wedding.

As if he’d tuned into Dan’s thoughts, Nathan said, ‘Have you written your best man’s speech yet?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Don’t say anything too incriminating that’ll get me hanged, will you?’

Dan’s mouth twitched. ‘Like the after-rugby parties when we were at uni?’

‘You were there too, matey,’ Nathan reminded him. ‘Let’s not forget that.’

A swirl of emotions juxtaposed in Dan’s head. They had been good times. Uncomplicated. Until life had happened. He swore inwardly. He had to release this choking collar of useless introspection. But it was the day, he justified. The date. The memories. ‘I suppose I could talk about your peculiar eating habits.’

‘Like what?’ Nathan gave an offended snort.

‘In all my travels, I’ve never seen anyone consume food as quickly as you.’

‘It’s a gift.’ Nathan gave a Gallic shrug. ‘What can I do?’

Dan chuckled. ‘Ratbag.’

‘So,’ Nathan asked, suddenly serious, ‘how was it this morning in A and E?’

‘I wish you hadn’t asked me that.’

‘You didn’t kill anyone, did you?’

Dan shook his head. ‘Probably worse. I dumped all over the team in Resus and walked out.’

‘Crikey. I’ll bet Lindsey Stewart was impressed—not!’

Dan grimaced.

‘Did you apologise?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Lins has the respect of the whole hospital.’ Nathan looked serious. ‘You’d better do a real grovel. Ask her for a drink after work and do it then. Properly.’

Dan felt worse and worse. He’d apologise, of course. But ask her for a drink? She’d probably turn him down flat. And he wouldn’t blame her. In the short time he’d been at Hopeton he’d hardly put himself out to get to know her or anyone else. Out of nowhere, Lindsey Stewart’s flashing green eyes seemed to challenge him. And he realised on some basic level that he wanted to get to know her. To break away from the past. He had to turn things around. ‘I shouldn’t have come to work today.’

‘Possibly not,’ Nathan agreed. ‘Just fix it, mate. Hopeton’s not so big that bad behaviour goes unnoticed.’

CHAPTER TWO

BACK AT THE STATION, Lindsey glanced at the clock and sighed. She couldn’t wait for the shift to end. And thank heaven she had some leave coming up. And where was Dan? She scanned the precincts with a practised eye. Probably, as Vanessa had supposed, enjoying a long lunch. Except he wasn’t late back, she admitted fairly. It was her own fault she’d taken only the briefest lunch break. But she’d got sick of her own company and her mixed-up thoughts had been driving her nuts. She needed to be busy.

Dan made his way slowly towards the station. There she was, sitting with her back towards him, her dark head with its subtle streaks of auburn bent over some paperwork. He silently thanked all the gods she was on her own. He couldn’t do this in front of an audience. His breathing faltered, his stomach churned and he went forward. ‘Lindsey...’

She spun round and looked up. ‘Dan...’

Dan rubbed at the back of his neck, feeling his muscles bunch but not release.

For a few seconds there was an awkward silence as they both took stock.

‘I owe you an apology,’ Dan said eventually.

Lindsey stood up. She’d feel better able to sort this standing eye to eye. She sent him a cool look. ‘Do you have a problem with the nursing back-up in the department? Or a problem with me?’

‘Of course I don’t.’ Dan felt a spark of anger. Where had she got that idea? He gave a tight shrug. ‘I was out of line earlier. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.’

Lindsey felt her whole bearing soften. His ownership of his lapse was more, much more than she’d expected. She lifted her chin and met his gaze, suddenly aware they were close, too close for comfort. What was he thinking? She couldn’t tell. His eyes were clouded with uncertainty. Out of nowhere, Lindsey felt a twist of uncertainty herself. She hated being out of sync with any of her colleagues. Hated it. ‘Stuff happens in Casualty.’ She gave an open-handed shrug. ‘Don’t beat yourself up.’

‘Thank you.’ Dan felt the ton weight lift from him. He gave a tight smile. ‘Put it down to an off day. We all have them, don’t you agree?’

‘I guess we do,’ Lindsey said carefully. And if she was any judge of the human condition, he was still having an off day. He seemed a bit...desperate, for want of a better word. Edgy. And there were shadows beneath his eyes. Again. If anyone needed a hug, it was Dan Rossi. But that would be totally out of order. Unprofessional. And embarrass the socks off him. She looked away quickly. In seconds, the tenor of her day had changed completely. What was going on here had no rhyme nor reason. It was just...happening. And she felt she was jumping fences ten feet high and couldn’t stop. It was an extraordinary sensation.

Dan swallowed through a very dry throat. She had her hair twisted into a topknot and flyaway strands were coming loose. He wondered what it would look like if she were to let it tumble down, releasing the scent of the flowery shampoo she used. It wasn’t going to happen. In an almost reflex action she reached up, pushing the wayward strands back in. Dan fisted his hands, resisting the urge to do it for her. ‘So, what’s on the agenda?’

Lindsey put her nurse’s head on quickly. ‘We have a little kid waiting for sutures. Michelle and Andrew are presently treating a youth with burns, the result of walking barefoot on coals after a bush barbecue. If you’d rather take over there and have one of them see the child...?’

‘No, no.’ Dan frowned a bit. ‘Our junior doctors need to gather experience. I’ll see the child. Point me in the right direction.’

‘I’ll come with you,’ she said, as Vanessa took over the station.

‘Fill me in,’ he said, as they walked towards the cubicles.

‘Preschooler, Michael Woods. He was chasing a ball out of bounds, tripped and hit his chin on the edge of a brick garden bed. Fair bit of blood. Panic stations and the school rang mum. She’s with him.’

‘Good. She’ll be a calming influence.’

Lindsey chuckled. ‘You hope.’

‘Are you saying it’s the mothers we have to be afraid of, Lindsey?’

Lindsey turned her head and caught his gaze. She blinked a bit. Unless she was mistaken, there was actually a curve happening to one corner of his mouth. On impulse, she sent him a full-blown smile in return, urged on by a feeling of oneness with him she couldn’t explain. ‘I’ve met a few.’

* * *

Five-year-old Michael was sitting on the edge of the treatment couch, his small legs swinging rhythmically back and forth. He didn’t look overly upset, Lindsey noted thankfully, although the blotches of dried blood on his T-shirt indicated it had been a heavy bump to his chin.

Dan smiled at the mother. ‘Mrs Woods? I’m Dan Rossi. I’ll be the doctor looking after Michael.’

‘I’m Stephanie.’ Michael’s mother kept her arm protectively around her little boy’s shoulders. She gave a wry smile. ‘He’s a bit of a tornado in the playground.’

‘So, you like playing footy, Michael?’ Dan asked.

‘I can kick the ball as high as the house,’ Michael declared, aiming upwards with one small arm.

‘Fantastic.’ Dan looked impressed.

Lindsey gave him a tick of approval for keeping things light and thereby gaining their small patient’s trust. Unobtrusively, she gloved and said quietly, ‘I’ll pop that sticking plaster off Michael’s chin, shall I, Dr Dan?’

‘Let’s do that.’ Almost casually, Dan hooked over a mobile stool and snapped on gloves. He sat in front of Michael. His eyes narrowed slightly. The removal of the plaster had revealed a gaping hole underneath. The mother’s gasp was audible. ‘Easily fixed.’ Dan’s tone was gently reassuring. Tilting Michael’s chin, he examined the damage more closely. The edges of the wound were uniform. They would align nicely. It would be a neat scar.

‘Is he OK?’ Stephanie asked anxiously.

‘His bite seems even,’ Dan responded. ‘And his baby teeth all seem in place. I’ll put a stitch or two in his chin and he should be as right as rain.’

Gently, Lindsey positioned Michael for the suturing procedure, laying him back with his head at the end of the bed.

Dan rolled across the trolley containing the instruments he’d need and switched on an overhead light. ‘Now, Michael, this is where you have to be as brave as the best footy player in the world,’ Dan said, flicking up the syringe of local anaesthetic.

Michael’s blue eyes lit up. ‘Like David Beckham.’

Dan huffed a laugh. ‘That’s the guy. Now, if you lie very still for me while I make your chin better, I’m sure I can find an amazing sticker you can wear on your shirt tomorrow and show the kids at preschool.’

‘My shirt’s all dirty,’ Michael said with childish logic.

‘Honey, we’ll find you a clean one to wear.’ Stephanie smiled at her son and held his hand tightly.

Dan looked up. ‘Lindsey, if you would, please?’

She nodded. The injection of the lignocaine would sting and be a shock to the little one. ‘Squeeze Mummy’s hand hard, Michael,’ she said, placing herself gently across the child’s body in case he tried to wriggle free.

In a few seconds the local had been injected and they waited a couple of minutes for it to take effect. Dan prodded the wound gently in several places. ‘Can you feel anything hurting, Michael?’

Eyes squeezed shut, Michael said, ‘No...’

‘Good boy. Keep holding Mummy’s hand and we’ll be finished in no time.’

In a short time Lindsey watched Dan snip the last suture close to the skin. ‘There you are, sweetheart.’ She gave the little shoulder a gentle pat. ‘All finished.’

‘Can I get my sticker now?’

Dan looked a question. He’d promised one to his small patient. He just hoped they had some in the department.

‘They’re in a box at the station,’ Lindsey said right on cue. ‘Won’t be a tick.’

* * *

‘Gorgeous little boy, wasn’t he?’ Lindsey remarked lightly as she went about tidying the treatment room.

Dan was parked at the mobile tray, writing up his notes. He lifted his head in query. ‘Sorry?’

‘Michael,’ Lindsey said. ‘He’ll probably be a real heartbreaker.’

‘Yes, probably...’ Dan went back to his notes, finishing them swiftly.

‘Thanks.’ He gave the ghost of a smile and left quietly.

Lindsey bundled the soiled linen into a bin with a vengeance. What was with this guy? Would it kill him to indulge in a bit of normal conversation?

* * *

Dan was amazed how quickly the rest of the shift passed. The ache in his shoulders had disappeared. Cautiously, he began to feel, as a result of the sudden turnaround with Lindsey, he might have a chance at some kind of normal life here at Hopeton. A chance he couldn’t afford to ignore.

Deep in thought, he began collating paperwork at the station. There were some end-of-shift letters he needed to write to several GPs. In Dan’s opinion, their respective patients would need referral—

‘Still at it?’ Lindsey stopped at the station, her brows raised in query.

Dan’s mouth tipped into a rueful smile. ‘Still a bit of tidying up to do. You’re off, then?’ His fingers curled round his pen. Idiot. It was the end of her shift. Of course she was off. Gone were the hospital scrubs; instead, she was wearing soft jeans that clung to her legs and a long-sleeved silver-grey top, a silky scarf in a swirl of multi-colours around her throat.

And knee-high boots.

Dan felt his heart walk a few flights of stairs. He couldn’t think of a single thing to say to the beautiful woman standing in front of him. And how pathetic was that?

‘It’s Friday, you should give yourself an early mark.’ Lindsey looked more keenly at him. The lines of strain were still there around his eyes. He needed to relax. But whether or not he’d allow her to help him do that was another matter entirely.

But for some reason she couldn’t fathom, she had to try.

‘Most of us are going to the pub. Few drinks, a game of snooker, a pizza or five later. You’re very welcome to join us.’

Dan’s heart suddenly came to a halt. Thank you, God. ‘Sounds good. Uh—which pub?’

‘The Peach Tree. Ancient red-brick place at the top of the main street. See you there, then?’

‘You bet.’ He nodded enthusiastically. ‘Thanks for the invite.’

‘Welcome.’ Lindsey hitched up her shoulder bag and turned, moving off quickly to catch up with Vanessa.

A fleeting frown touched Dan’s eyes as he watched the two women make their way towards the exit. He took a long controlling breath and let it go. Thanks to Lindsey’s invitation, he’d taken the first steps towards his new life.

With the thought still humming in his head, he went back to his office to type up his referrals.

Letters completed, Dan swung up from his desk, looking up in question when Martin Lorimer, the senior doctor on take, poked his head in. ‘Ah—Dan. You’re still here. MVA coming in. Pile-up on the highway, two vehicles, all teenagers. Can you hang about?’

Dan felt his gut contract. Did he have a choice? Hell. Lindsey would think he’d bottled out or just been plain rude. And he didn’t need that kind of misunderstanding after today’s debacle. He’d text her if he could but he had no idea of her mobile number. He swore under his breath. If the injuries to the kids were not too serious, maybe he’d still make it to the pub. Holding that thought, he made his way towards the ambulance bay.

* * *

‘I got you another OJ.’ Vanessa placed the glass of juice in front of Lindsey. ‘And what’s with you tonight, Lins? We could have won the snooker if you hadn’t been so not into it. Now I owe Andrew ten bucks.’ Vanessa pleated a strand of her blunt-cut blonde hair behind her ear. ‘Um...do you think Andrew might be a bit keen?’

‘On you?’ Lindsey took a mouthful of her drink. ‘Maybe. Every time he needs a hand with a patient, he makes a beeline for you.’

‘So, do you think he’s ever going to get off his butt and do something about it?’

‘Why wait for him? Van, you live in the same building. Surely you run into him about the place. Just ask him in for a coffee or something.’

‘But if he said no, I’d feel stupid,’ Vanessa moaned. ‘And I have to work with him.’ She ran her finger around the rim of her glass. ‘Did he seem to miss me while I was on leave?’

‘Not that I noticed,’ Lindsey said drily. ‘But he’s coming over now. Perhaps you’re about to find out.’

‘You bet I will.’ Full of resolve, Vanessa whirled to her feet. ‘Are you off home?’ She gave Andrew a pert look and a very warm smile.

‘Think I’d better. I’m back on a late tomorrow.’

‘Oh, me too.’ Vanessa grabbed her bag. ‘Let’s share a cab. I’ll put the ten bucks I owe you towards the fare. Deal?’

‘Deal.’ Andrew’s white smile gleamed. The two took a few steps away then turned and chorused, ‘’Night, Lins.’

Lindsey dredged up a smile and fluttered a wave. Ten minutes later her eyes did another tour of the lounge. Still no Dan. Inwardly, she gave a philosophic little shrug. She’d invited him and he hadn’t shown. And yet he’d seemed keen enough. Perhaps he’d thought better of it. Her mouth turned down. And perhaps she’d come across as being too pushy. Well, whatever, she wasn’t going to hang about, wondering.

Outside, the night was clear and crisp. Lindsey looked up. The moon looked so pretty, hanging there like...a silvery seahorse...

‘Lindsey!’

She spun round. She’d know that voice anywhere. Her heart jagged into overdrive. ‘Dan?’

Dan emerged out of the shadows and into the filtered lighting at the pub’s perimeter. ‘You waited,’ he said, and looked at her. ‘I got caught up.’ Briefly he filled her in.

‘When will kids realise speed can be a potential killer?’ Lindsey shook her head. ‘They’ll all be OK, though?’

‘Should be, in time,’ Dan replied, fisting his hands into the side pockets of his bomber jacket. ‘I’m whacked,’ he admitted frankly. ‘Are they still serving meals here?’

‘Long finished,’ Lindsey said. ‘The club scene’s taken over now.’

‘Uh, OK. Thanks for hanging about,’ he said, hunching his shoulders in a shrug. ‘I thought my not turning up might have ticked you off. I didn’t want that.’

‘I guessed you’d had an emergency,’ Lindsey said, forgiving herself the small untruth. ‘It’s a bummer when that happens right at the end of a shift, isn’t it?’

His blue eyes regarded her levelly. ‘Well, this time it certainly was. I had no way of letting you know.’

Lindsey flipped a hand dismissively. ‘We can fix that now, if you like.’ She reached into her bag and pulled out her mobile and in a few seconds they’d exchanged numbers.

‘So, we’re good, then?’ Dan’s head came up in query and he returned his phone to his back pocket.

Lindsey swallowed unevenly. Running into him like this had been unexpected. And now it all seemed a bit surreal. And why on earth were they standing here? It was freezing. ‘What are you going to do about some food?’

‘I’m sure I’ll find somewhere to get a takeaway if I look hard enough.’

Lindsey bit the edge of her bottom lip. She had the sudden vision of him going back to his place, sitting alone, eating alone. After the kind of brutal day he’d appeared to have had, the mental picture was awful. The fact that it bothered her so much took her by surprise. She lived only a few minutes away. She could offer to feed him. An invitation hovered on the tip of her tongue...

‘Do you have the weekend off?’ Dan asked.

Lindsey snapped her thoughts back to reality. ‘Yes. You?’

‘Back on an early tomorrow.’

Lindsey made a face. ‘Make sure you eat, then.’ She cringed inwardly. She’d sounded like his grandmother.

‘Thanks for caring.’ His eyes held a penetratingly blue honesty.

‘Mmm...’ Lindsey’s mouth went dry.

‘I haven’t exactly been fun to work with.’ Half turning, he dragged a hand through his hair, leaving a few dark strands drifting across his forehead. It gave him a faintly dissolute air.

Lindsey scrunched her fingers through the folds of her scarf, suddenly shaken by the intensity of emotion that just standing next to Dan generated throughout her entire body. ‘Maybe we should appoint a laughter coach for the ED.’

Dan felt disconcerted for a second. Her mouth was smiling. Just. More a tiny upward flick at the corners. He smiled back and, for just a moment, a blink of time, there was a connection of shared awareness. Sharp. Intense. And then it was gone, retracting like the sun under cloud. ‘Take that idea to the board.’

‘Would I have your backing?’

Was she serious? ‘You bet. Laughter in the ED sounds...remedial.’ And ridiculous. In fact, the whole conversation was verging on the ridiculous. Which only went to prove how out of touch he was with the ordinary stuff, like social interaction. Especially with beautiful women. The atmosphere was fraught again.

‘If you’re looking for a takeaway, the Chinese should still be open,’ Lindsey offered.

He gave a one-shouldered shrug, moving restively as though he wanted to be away. ‘Maybe I won’t bother after all. I’ve food at home. I can whip up something.’ Or I could ask you to come and have a coffee with me. His thoughts churned with indecision. He took the easy way out and said, ‘You’re OK getting home, then?’

‘I’m parked just over there.’ Lindsey indicated the small sedan the same make as a dozen others in the car park. ‘Where are you?’

‘Near the exit.’

Lindsey burrowed her chin more deeply into the roll collar of her fleece. This was bordering on crazy, standing here like two puppets waiting for someone to pull their strings and activate their mouths. She felt like chucking all her doubts and insisting he come home with her for a meal. Instead, she lowered her head and began fishing for her car keys in her bag.

Dan’s jaw tightened as her hair fell forward in a shimmering curtain and it was all he could do not to reach out and draw it back and hold it while he pressed a slow, lingering kiss on her mouth...

‘Got them.’ Lindsey held up the keys triumphantly. Her gaze held his for a long moment. Expectant. Something... ‘I guess I’ll see you at work, then.’

Dan managed a nod. Whatever chance he’d had to further their...friendship outside the hospital had gone now. He’d stuffed it. ‘Guess so.’

‘Make sure you eat,’ she reinforced, and they both took off in different directions.

‘Hey, Lindsey!’

She turned. He was walking backwards and smiling. ‘In case you were wondering, I can cook.’

‘Never doubted it.’ Lindsey’s own smile carried her all the way home.

Wednesday, the following week...

‘Told you he’d shape up.’ Vanessa’s voice held vindication, as they completed handover for the late shift.

‘Andrew?’ Lindsey feigned mild interest.

Vanessa gave an eye-roll. ‘Our Dr Rossi. He’s been exceptionally co-operative and I detected quite a nice sense of humour lurking somewhere there.’

‘I’ve hardly seen him this week.’ Lindsey made a pretence of checking the list of patients waiting in cubicles. ‘His shifts have obviously been all over the place.’ And she’d noticed his absence. Oh, boy, had she noticed.

‘Well, if you’re happy with everything, I’m out of here.’ Vanessa hauled off her lanyard and scattered a handful of pens into a nearby tray. ‘Andrew and I are going to a movie.’

‘Well, fancy that...’ Lindsey drawled. ‘He’s finally asked you out on a date.’

‘Well, actually, I asked him. But he was all for it,’ Vanessa added quickly.

‘Good for you, Van.’

‘Well, the opportunity kind of just presented itself,’ Vanessa said modestly. ‘But it just goes to show, doesn’t it? Some men merely need a shove in the right direction.’

Was there a message somewhere in there for her? Lindsey’s eyes were thoughtful as she set about triaging the patients on her list.

CHAPTER THREE

LINDSEY TURNED UP the music and did a rhythmic little rock with her shoulders as she drove. It was Friday at last and she was on leave. Going home. It was a good feeling. And perhaps back among the vines and the majestic blue hills she’d be able to sort out her feelings about a certain doctor. Was she wasting her time, though? Maybe. Maybe not.

She shut her music off. It was time to concentrate on her driving. Even though the country road was bitumen and usually well maintained, it was narrow. And it was just on dusk, visibility questionable to say the least, but she hadn’t wanted to hang about in Hopeton. With the thought of home beckoning, she’d just wanted to be on her way.

Automatically, she concentrated her vision on the road ahead. The headlights of an approaching car were illuminating the horizon. Lindsey adjusted her own headlights in preparation. She noticed there was a vehicle behind her as well. But so far it was obeying the road rules and keeping a safe distance.

* * *

Dan’s thoughts were very mixed as he drove. He hadn’t managed to catch Lindsey much over the past week. And that had been a frustration. He’d wanted to reinforce the little progress he’d made in getting to know her. But his hours at work had been manic, only because he’d made himself available so as to accumulate a few days’ leave after the wedding. The wedding was tomorrow. He hadn’t prepared a speech so he’d speak off the cuff. He and Nathan had so much shared history, it shouldn’t be difficult.

Abruptly, Dan was jolted out of his thoughts of weddings and speeches as he noticed the lurching drift of an oncoming car. What the hell? All his reflexes sprang into action. He reduced speed instantly, preparing to brake. For a split second he forgot to breathe, following the speeding car’s trajectory as it plunged out of control, crossing the centre line and placing it on a collision course with the car in front of him. He felt every nerve in his body tense.

Surely, a crash was inevitable.

* * *

Lindsey hissed an expletive, all her defensive driver training coming into play. This couldn’t be happening! Who was this lunatic of a driver? Her heart pounded, echoing in her ears. Please, no! She pulled hard on the steering wheel, feeling she’d dodged a bullet as the sports car shot past in a blur. She was safe. The relief was instant but short-lived as the vehicle clipped the rear section of her car, pushing her off the road. Her head snapped forward and then back, slamming into her headrest as her car spun and spun again.

Dan’s jaw went rigid. This was a nightmare. He watched in horror as the sports car rolled before coming to rest right side up in a mangled mess of metal and broken glass. One headlight remained working, shining brokenly on the prostrate figure lying in the middle of the road.

* * *

It took a few seconds for the nurse in Lindsey to react. All thoughts of her own welfare fled. Pushing out of the car, she set her feet on the road. She felt woozy as she stood, swallowing back sudden nausea. She had to get to the injured person. She began running.

* * *

The sight of the female figure running towards the accident wrenched Dan out of his quagmire of disbelief. He brought his Land Rover as near as was safe to the accident site, switching his headlights to high beam. In seconds, he’d lodged a call for an ambulance. Seconds after that, he was out and grabbing his medical case, complete with oxygen and suction. He had a feeling he was going to need every last item in his kit. He took off at a run, noting the woman was already at the scene, crouching over the injured man. Dan frowned. Should she even be there? He’d seen how her vehicle had copped the impact of the sports car. ‘Are you hurt?’

Lindsey startled at the brisk demand, raising her head. She blinked uncomprehendingly. ‘Dan...?’

Sweet God. Dan let his breath go in a stream. ‘Lindsey?’

For a mini-second they stared at each other in amazement and total disbelief. But the whys and wherefores had to wait until later. They had a life to save. ‘Are you OK?’ Dan rapped.

She frowned slightly. ‘Think so...’

‘Then let’s see what’s going on.’

The injured man looked in his sixties. Possible causes for the accident ran through Dan’s head. Had he fallen asleep? Suffered a stroke or heart attack...? He was wearing bike shorts, T-shirt and hiking boots. Dan threw open his medical kit, snapping on a pair of gloves. Who was this guy—some kind of fitness nut? First things first, he decided, placing an oxygen mask over the man’s face.

Lindsey hunkered down beside Dan. ‘Ambulance coming?’

‘Yep. They’ve diverted one. Let’s hope it gets here in time.’ Dan shook his head at the carnage. ‘Glove up, please, Lindsey. I need your help here.’

She swayed a little then gathered herself, taking a deep breath and then another, pulling on her gloves over shaking hands. ‘Is he still breathing?’

‘Just. Obviously he wasn’t wearing a seat belt to be thrown out like that.’ Dan did a quick head-to-toe check. ‘Multiple contusions, by the look of it, fractured tibias.’ He ripped out an expletive. ‘Arterial bleed from his groin.’

Lindsey felt her stomach turn upside down, the sight of bright blood pulsing from the femoral artery almost making her gag. She took quick, shallow breaths, swallowing down the bitter taste of bile. Working like a robot, she grabbed whatever she could find in Dan’s bag to absorb the flow of blood and pressed hard against the site. Pressure. They needed pressure. A tourniquet. An ambulance. A and E back-up. Her brain fogged. This was bordering on her worst nightmare. She’d attended dozens of accident scenes. What on earth was wrong with her...?

‘Sure you’re OK?’

Suddenly Dan was butted up against her. Lindsey felt the warmth of his hand anchoring hers. Her teeth began to chatter. ‘Bit s-sick...’

‘You’re in shock!’ God, why hadn’t he noticed?

‘I’ll...be all right.’ Lindsey forced herself to slow her breathing. In and out.

Dan scanned her face. Even in the dim light he could see she was as pale as parchment. ‘Do you hurt anywhere? Lindsey, I need to know.’

She shook her head and winced as a spasm in her neck caught her unawares. ‘Bit of...whiplash. I’ll be OK. Just...get on.’

Dan hissed a non-reply. Within seconds, he’d wound a tourniquet into place.

Freed from the task of providing pressure on the wound, Lindsey pulled back. ‘Do you have a collar?’

‘No, damn it.’ He shook his head at his lapse. Made a mental note to include one in his kit ASAP. ‘We’ve got to stop that racket somehow,’ he grated. They both knew their patient’s airway was seriously compromised, his tortured breathing rattling into the stillness. He’d have to improvise. Dan’s responses were running at top speed. He moved forward, kneeling so that the injured man’s head was between his thighs. It was the only kind of stability he could offer for his patient’s head and neck. Using gentle pressure, he extended the chin. The man’s breathing improved marginally. It had to be enough until the paramedics got there.

Lindsey rallied, giving Dan the back-up he needed. She passed him the portable suction unit, automatically pushing the mask aside so he could place the sucker inside their patient’s mouth. She felt black nausea pool in her stomach as blood tracked down into the tubing. Turning away, she retched onto the road.

‘That’s enough, Lindsey,’ Dan ordered. ‘I can manage from here.’ He motioned backwards with his head. ‘Go and sit in my car and wait for me. There’s bottled water in an Esky on the floor. Drink.’

* * *

Wrapping her arms tightly over her stomach, Lindsey walked a bit unsteadily to the Land Rover. Opening the passenger door, she stopped, breathing away the coil of utter wretchedness. The few seconds’ hiatus gave her some relief and she scrambled inside. Letting her head rest back, she closed her eyes and steadied her breathing.

It took only a few minutes for her stomach to settle. Feeling more in control, she leaned down and took a bottle of water from the Esky. She began sipping, feeling better after each mouthful. But now she was beginning to feel cold.

Dan’s jacket was draped across the back of the driver’s seat. Guardedly, aware she could overstretch her already sore neck muscles, she reached over and slowly managed to unhook the coat, draping it across her body like a blanket. She felt herself relax, snuggling into its warmth, breathing in the faint scent of sandalwood and seasoned leather.

And him.

Out of nowhere, Lindsey felt a warm sensation down low, sensual tentacles humming through her whole body. She burrowed more deeply into Dan’s coat. And felt connected to him in a way she could have only imagined.

Her mind flew ahead to something much more intimate and she snuggled deeper, as though taking his body warmth into herself.

Gradually, she became aware that the ambulance had arrived in a blaze of lights and a blaring siren, the police vehicle and a tow truck not far behind, the multi-coloured strobes looking like a weird kind of stage show. Lindsey watched through the windscreen, glad to be away from it all. Her tummy had settled but the feeling of it all happening to someone else persisted. Unfortunately, the reality was there in the ache of her neck muscles.

She could only hope the injured man would recover. And if he did, it was all down to Dan’s skill as a doctor. He had been amazing.

Twenty minutes later the ambulance had gone. Lindsey registered the activity up ahead. The police had redirected the oncoming traffic. She wondered why there seemed quite a bit for this rather quiet road. But, then, it was Friday and lots of folk liked to get away for the weekend for wine tours and the B&B comfort offered by several of the vineyards around Milldale.

‘How’re you doing?’

Lindsey startled. The driver’s door had swung open and Dan was there beside her. ‘Much better.’ She gave a wan smile. ‘I borrowed your coat.’

‘Good. I’m glad you had the sense to keep warm.’ He sent her a perceptive look. ‘I take it Milldale doesn’t have a hospital?’

‘Not even a GP. Why?’

‘Why?’ Dan frowned. ‘Because I think I should take you straight back to Hopeton and get your neck X-rayed.’

‘Oh, Dan...please, no.’ Lindsey squeezed her eyes tightly shut in rebuttal. ‘I’ll be fine, honestly.’

‘You can’t know that for sure, Lindsey.’ He seemed unconvinced. ‘But I had a feeling you’d be stubborn so I managed to snaffle a collar from the paramedics.’

‘No collars.’ Lindsey was adamant. ‘Look, it’s whiplash, resulting in a bit of muscle strain. I have some massage oil that works miracles. I’ll attend to it the minute I get to where I’m going.’

Dan quirked a brow. ‘And where is that?’

‘Milldale. Home.’

‘Home,’ Dan repeated. ‘I thought you lived in Hopeton.’

‘I do, for work. But home for me is Lark Hill, the vineyard where my parents live. Where I grew up. I’m starting a bit of leave.’

It took Dan only a few seconds to process all this. She still had some way to drive to Milldale before she could get relief for her neck pain. Was she fit to drive? Was her car even drivable? He came to a decision. He was a doctor, for God’s sake. He could treat her. Here and now. ‘Do you have your miracle oil with you?’

Lindsey looked uncertain. ‘Of course I have it with me.’

‘In your luggage?’ Dan was slowly opening the driver’s door. ‘Tell me where to look and I’ll massage it in for you. The sooner it’s done, the sooner some relief will kick in for you.’

Lindsey’s hands clutched the collar of his coat, pulling it higher as if to ward off the idea. She couldn’t let him do that. It was too intimate...too...everything. She moistened her lips. ‘If you get me the oil, I can rub it on myself.’

He snorted. ‘And how high can you lift your arms without it hurting?’

Emotions began clogging Lindsey’s throat. If she was honest, she was aching all over and suffering the aftermath of shock. It would be so lovely to let go of all her scruples and let Dan take care of her. ‘My car keys are still in the ignition.’

‘And your luggage in the boot?’ Dan swung one leg out of the car.

Lindsey managed a small nod. ‘Just bring my beauty case. It’s black with—’

‘Lindsey, relax,’ Dan broke in gently. ‘I know what a beauty case looks like. I’ll find it.’

* * *

Lindsey closed her eyes. He’d told her to relax so she’d try. He’d taken over anyway. And right at the moment the idea sounded heaven-sent.

Dan was back. Not only did he have her beauty case but he’d brought along her shoulder bag as well. And her long woolly cardigan was draped over his forearm.

‘You’ve thought of everything.’ Lindsey managed a trapped smile.

‘And I have something for your neck pain as well.’

‘What are they?’ She looked dubiously at the foil-wrapped tablets he handed her.

‘They’re standard painkillers,’ Dan said. ‘Nothing to send you off to la-la land.’ He watched as she broke open the foil and then handed her a bottle of water. When she’d swallowed the tablets, he asked, ‘Now, how are we going to do this?’

Lindsey blinked. He was obviously referring to her massage. She unzipped her beauty case and handed him the bottle of oil. ‘I could probably just manoeuvre myself so my back’s to you,’ she said throatily.

‘Or we could fold back the rear seat so you could lie down.’

‘That’s not necessary.’ Lindsey was firm. ‘Just take your jacket back, Dan, and I’ll get my shirt off.’

Dan’s eyes widened. His heart gave a sideways skip. ‘OK...’

Lindsey undid the buttons and shrugged off the loose-fitting shirt to reveal a snug little vest top beneath. She sent him an innocent look. ‘What?’

‘Nothing.’

She managed a soft chuckle. ‘Had you going there, didn’t I, Daniel?’

‘A guy can live in hope,’ he countered, his mouth lifting at the corners. ‘Now, give me that oil and we’ll get started.’

Lindsey felt her body relax its tension as Dan’s fingers began the gentle kneading of her neck muscles. It felt good, so good, and she wanted it to go on for ever...

Dan let his hands drift over the smooth column of her neck and then tease out the tense muscles at its base, almost hypnotised by the feel of her satin-smooth skin under his hands. ‘It’s Dante, by the way.’

‘Really?’ Lindsey’s voice went high in disbelief.

‘Really.’

‘From the Italian poet of the Middle Ages?’

‘At least you have the origin right,’ he said. ‘My sisters used to tell everyone I’d been named after a middle-aged poet.’

‘Oh, poor you. Were you teased a lot?’

‘Sometimes I felt like quietly enrolling at another school.’

‘I think Dante suits you.’

‘Hmm.’ Dan was noncommittal.

‘Is your mother a romantic, then?’

‘No.’ He sounded amused. ‘It’s an old family name. Apparently, it was just my turn to be lumbered with it.’

‘That’s pathetic,’ Lindsey said mildly. ‘It makes you different...special.’

He didn’t reply.

‘How does that feel now?’

Lindsey heard the guarded tone in his voice. Had her remark embarrassed him? Probably. And she wouldn’t have continued with the banter if she hadn’t been feeling so relaxed with him. Her mistake. ‘It’s much better, thanks. I’ll be OK now.’ She swivelled round to face the front again.

‘If you’re sure?’ Dan recapped the bottle of oil and handed it back to her.

‘I’m fine.’ She stowed the bottle back in her beauty case then reached for her cardigan and shrugged it on.

Well, he’d stuffed that up. Dan locked his hands around the steering wheel and looked blindly out into the night. He’d stomped all over her light remarks and shut down. Now she’d be back to thinking he was some kind of unsociable cretin. God, he felt like an infant trying to stand upright and walk.

His jaw tightened. He had to fix things. ‘I’ve...made things awkward again, haven’t I?’

Her throat constricted. ‘I wasn’t coming on to you.’

‘I know that. You were being sweet and funny...’ He paused painfully.

‘I’ve—been out of circulation for a while.’

Lindsey glanced at him, taking in his body language. Obviously, he’d been through something that had knocked him sideways. Something it was taking him time to get past. She felt a river of empathy run out to him. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’ As soon as she’d said the trite words Lindsey wished them back. Whatever it was that was bugging him, he’d probably talked about it until he was blue in the face. ‘Sorry, scratch that.’

He blew out a controlled sigh. ‘It’s just stuff that’s a bit hard to...revisit.’

‘I get that, Dan,’ she said softly.

His head swung towards her. Even in the subdued lighting in the car, the force of his undivided attention was like a mini-riot inside her. They breathed through several beats of silence. Until... Dan bent, his lips grazing hers. It was the lightest of kisses but heady with the taste of promise. For a long moment they stared at each other. ‘That was a bit...’ Lindsey’s voice faded.

‘Unexpected?’ Dan moved closer, so close she had to tilt her head up to look at him. So close she could feel the heat radiating from his body. ‘Nice, though?’

His softly spoken question danced across her nerves, creating a new wave of warmth to cascade through her. She nodded, words simply escaping her.

Dan stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers, his body drenched in emotions he’d almost forgotten.

A gossamer-thin thread of awareness seemed to shimmer between them, until they drew back slowly from each other, breaking the spell.

Lindsey began pulling her cardigan more tightly around her. ‘Um, do you think we could find a hot drink somewhere?’

‘Oh, God—sorry!’ Dan hit the heel of his hand on his forehead. ‘You’re probably still shocky. I’m an idiot—’

‘Dan, it’s OK.’ Lindsey bit back a half-laugh. ‘I didn’t expect you to have a Thermos of tea with you. There’s a service station a few clicks further on. We could stop there.’

‘Right. Good. We’ll do that. But we’ll need to do something about your car first. From what I saw, it’s not drivable.’

‘Oh—are you sure?’ Lindsey looked pained.

‘I’m no mechanic but looks like you had a pretty big whack. The back wheel seems out of alignment and I had trouble getting the boot open. I could have a word with the tow-truck guys for you?’

‘No, it’s fine.’ She waved the idea away. ‘I’ll get on to my insurance company.’ She flicked out her mobile and found the number on speed dial. ‘All sorted,’ she said after a few minutes of intense negotiation. ‘They’ll arrange for my car to be towed for repairs and if I need it I can pick up a replacement vehicle from the garage in Milldale.’

‘I’ll drive you home, then,’ Dan said.

‘I don’t want to take you out of your way.’

‘You won’t be. I’m going to Milldale myself. I’ll get your personal stuff from the car, shall I?’

‘I’ll help.’ Lindsey volunteered, making to get out of his vehicle.

‘Hang on a tick.’ He stayed her with the lightest touch on her wrist. ‘I’ll come round and give you a hand. Don’t want you falling.’

‘Dan, I’m fine,’ she remonstrated.

‘Humour me, all right?’

Lindsey gave a contained little sigh but waited until he’d come round to the passenger door. He opened it and offered a steadying hand. She took it gratefully. He’d been right. She did feel a kind of light-headedness.

‘When did you last eat?’ Dan asked, keeping his hand firmly on hers.

‘Sandwich at lunch.’

‘Then the sooner we get some hot food into you the better.’ He reopened the boot and retrieved her suitcase and a canvas backpack.

‘And would you mind getting that large plastic bin as well?’ Lindsey asked. ‘It has a lid so you won’t spill anything.’

Dan hefted the bin out by its handle, almost staggering at its solid weight. ‘What the blazes do you have in here—body parts?’

Her mouth crimped at the corners. ‘Clay.’

‘I...see.’ Although clearly he didn’t.

‘It’s potter’s clay,’ Lindsey explained, following him back to the Land Rover. ‘I have a wheel and kiln at home. I aim to make some pieces while I’m on my holiday.’

Dan tried to get a grip on his wayward thoughts, imagining Lindsey the potter with her dark hair wild and flowing, perhaps her feet bare, her body lithe and swaying as she threw her pots. A compelling new awareness, sharp and insistent, stirred within him. An awareness that hadn’t been stirred in a long time. An awareness that he’d stomped all over on that first day when Lindsey Stewart had smiled at him.

‘Do you think you should let your folks know what’s happened so they won’t be worrying?’ Dan asked as they settled back into the car. ‘I imagine it’ll be a bit late by the time we get you home.’

That sounded so thoughtful. Lindsey turned her head, slowly taking in his profile. It was almost sculpted. He’d make a perfect model. Her fingers began to tingle and she imagined carving out his features from a block of clay, pleating, smoothing, working her thumbs to form his cheekbones, a slow sweep to define his jaw, the touch of a finger defining the cleft in his chin. Definitely that. She pressed her thumb and forefinger together, almost feeling the slide of wet clay as she fashioned the curve of his mouth...

‘Lindsey?’

‘Uh—’ She came back with a jolt.

‘Do you need to ring home?’

‘Actually, my parents are in Scotland, visiting my brother and sister-in-law. They’ve just had their first baby. Mum and Dad are away for a few more weeks yet.’

Dan started the engine and they began moving. ‘So, who’s at home for you, then?’

‘I don’t need looking after.’

‘You’ve been through a trauma tonight, Lindsey. What if you need something—or someone?’

Heck! Was he offering? Lindsey pulled back from the flight of fancy. ‘I should explain,’ she said. ‘We have managers for the vineyard, Jeff and Fiona Collins. Their cottage is quite close to the main house. Knowing I’m coming, Fi will have aired the place, stocked the fridge and left the lights on. I’ll phone her when I arrive and she’s around if I need anything.’

‘I guess that’s all right, then,’ he said, as the bright lights of the roadhouse came into view.

* * *

‘That was lovely, thanks.’ Lindsey forked up the last of her omelette and then sat back, replete. ‘So, why are you heading to Milldale?’

‘Nathan Lyons’s wedding.’ Dan finished off his steak sandwich and casually swiped his mouth with the paper napkin.

‘Of course. I can’t believe I’d forgotten for the moment. It’ll be a big do. Sami will have all the trimmings.’

Dan raised a dark brow. ‘You know Sami?’

‘For ever. Our parents’ properties adjoin. We lost touch a bit when she relocated to Sydney but we’ve caught up again now she’s back.’

‘I’m Nathan’s best man,’ Dan said.

‘I knew from the hospital grapevine you were mates.’ Lindsey rested her chin in her upturned hand and looked at him. ‘Are you looking forward to the wedding?’

‘Yes, I am...’ he said slowly, and realised it was true. ‘They’re a great couple.’

Lindsey gave a soft laugh. ‘They’re in love. It shows.’

‘I suppose it does. Have you ever been in love, Lindsey?’ he asked abruptly.

Wow! That was out of left field. ‘In love. Out of love,’ she sidestepped lightly. ‘You?’

He gave a tight shrug. ‘Same.’

They picked up their mugs of tea, each silently assessing the weight of their answers, each guessing that they hadn’t exactly been lies but that they hadn’t been quite the truth either.

‘You’re not Sami’s bridesmaid, by any chance?’ Dan asked after a minute.

‘No. Her sister Caitlin’s filling that role. She’s just back from a modelling assignment overseas. Cait’s the face of Avivia.’

‘Which is...?’

Lindsey chuckled. ‘Avivia is an international cosmetic company.’

‘Ah.’ He nodded sagely. ‘But you’ll be at the wedding?’

‘Yes. I’ll save you a dance,’ she ventured daringly.

Dan’s eyes flicked wide. The thought of dancing with her, holding her, sent a new chain of awareness shooting up his spine.

‘I take it you can dance?’

‘Yes, I can dance.’ He gave a guarded kind of smile. ‘In fact, I used to love dancing.’

‘Used to?’

‘It’s been a while.’

‘Oh.’ Lindsey drew back in her chair. Out of nowhere, her body felt tingly with electricity. ‘We’ll have to catch you up, then.’

His chuckle was a bit rusty. ‘Don’t plan ahead too much. I think I’m supposed to dance with the bridesmaid a bit.’

‘Well, only the first dance, perhaps.’ Lindsey’s eyes gleamed. She was enjoying this. ‘Cait’s engaged. She’ll have her bloke with her.’

‘So...’ Dan considered. ‘After the first dance, I’m off the hook?’

‘Unless Nathan expects you to work the room.’

‘Unlikely.’ His mouth curved into a crooked moue that was almost a grin.

‘That’s good, then.’ Suddenly Lindsey’s breath felt fluttery. What was it about being with Dan that made her feel as though she was flying through space without a parachute?

And loving it?

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