Bride on the Children's Ward / Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way Read online

  David opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He closed it quickly, nodded, and then walked back to his office. There were a few other patients he wanted her to meet, especially the eleven-year-old girl who had been admitted with anorexia, but that could wait. He headed back to his office and tapped a few commands into his computer to bring up the template for the forms he needed to fill in. The idea of making Eden a VMO wasn’t what he’d initially had in mind, but seeing how she’d managed to win Mrs Wilman over in a matter of seconds was enough of an impetus for David to forge ahead.

  He sent the form to print, then sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. Why had she touched him like that? The imprint of her finger was still on his lips. The warmth, the tenderness, the…Eden-ness…it was all still there. He licked his lips, and the hunger he’d been trying to control from the first instant he’d laid eyes on her that morning started to burn harder and faster than before.

  Memories of the times they’d spent together came instantly to mind, and he knew for certain that if he kissed her again his world would once again be rocked on its foundations. He couldn’t have that. She had been the first girl he’d dated who he’d been serious about. He’d enjoyed her company, been amazed by her intelligence and had valued her opinion. Those factors alone had been enough for his parents to ship him off to Melbourne, away from Eden. Even though he now had little to do with his parents, he knew that the effect Eden still had on him was as strong as it had been back then. He couldn’t even risk getting involved with her because she meant far too much to him. She meant far too much to Sasha, and his sister had already been through enough.

  If Eden ever found out about his accident, discovered his own dark secret, then he would be diminished in her view. Just as he had been in Jacquie’s. When his ex-wife had realised the truth, that David could never father children, she’d started seriously discussing divorce. As far as she had been concerned there had been no reason to continue in the marriage. Things had already been strained, and both had agreed their friendship was the one thing worth salvaging from their incompatible marriage.

  For some reason Eden’s opinion of him mattered far more than he’d realised, but perhaps it was because she’d looked up to him for so long, for so many years. They had a past, a history which was more than just the chemistry between them. They’d been friends, and if he couldn’t have anything else with her, friendship would be the next best thing.

  The phone on his desk rang and he instantly snatched it up, relieved to have something to ponder other than Eden Caplan.

  There was nothing untoward in the case notes, and Eden was now as perplexed as David. She’d spoken with Francie, and some of the other nurses who had cared for Dart during his admission, but still nothing obvious seemed to jump out at her.

  She’d been in to see Dart, to do some observations of her own and try and talk to him, but he’d just lain on his bed, listless and depressed. Something was really wrong in this little boy’s world, and she wasn’t sure it was all physical. Psychological issues could make a person very sick indeed.

  ‘Four-year-olds don’t get depressed,’ one of the nurses said.

  ‘Yes, they do. All the time,’ Eden remarked. ‘I’ve seen a lot of children depressed for quite long lengths of time. Children younger than four as well.’

  ‘That must have been heartbreaking.’ Francie had already pumped Eden for information about the various countries Eden had worked in, as well as on what it was like working for a medical aid organisation.

  ‘I’ve been through worse. Of course a lot of the time the children don’t realise it’s depression. Things are bad. There’s no way they can get better and they slump down, their spirits crushed. Thankfully, though, it doesn’t take much to buoy them up again. Children are far more resilient than adults.’

  ‘So we need to find a way to boost Dart’s spirits?’

  ‘Until we can figure out what’s causing his relapse, why not?’

  ‘Were you successful with the IV line?’ David spoke from behind Francie and the nurse jumped.

  ‘Good golly, Miss Molly. You’re so quiet, I didn’t even hear you there. The IV line is in. He just lay there. No fuss at all.’

  David frowned. ‘This is perplexing. Eden?’

  ‘I’ve got nothing. Apart from the blood tests you’ve ordered and the medication you have him on, I can’t think of anything I’d do differently.’

  ‘Do you think it’s worth doing the MRI?’

  Eden pondered this for a moment. ‘I’m not sure it’s going to give you any new information after the scans Dart’s already had. The only thing it will do is appease the mother, and that’s a very expensive way to appease her.’

  ‘Hmm.’ David was pensive once more.

  ‘You know what? Perhaps a change of scenery might help.’

  ‘Meaning?’

  ‘I’m going to go see your sister. Want to join me?’

  David hesitated for a moment. More time alone with Eden? He wasn’t sure he could handle so much in one day. Then again, he had made dinner reservations for them—but that was different. That was his way of apologising for being an insensitive clod, and that apology still needed to be made. Besides, at dinner they’d be in a crowded restaurant. They’d be eating and enjoying polite conversation.

  He’d already been alone with her in a hospital stairwell today and look what had happened. She’d flirted with him, and the fact that he’d liked it was completely beside the point. As a man wanting to keep his distance from a woman he wasn’t doing a very good job—and he wasn’t the sort of man to enjoy conflict within himself.

  ‘Go see your sister,’ Francie chimed in when he didn’t say anything. It was then David realised that Eden had stood and was ready to go. ‘I’ll call you immediately if there’s any change with Dart.’

  ‘OK.’ He looked at Eden. ‘Let’s go.’

  This time as they walked between the two wards Eden didn’t attempt to take his hand, touch him or flirt with him in any way, shape or form.

  ‘Are you all right?’ he eventually asked.

  ‘Sure. I’m fine. Just pondering things.’

  ‘What are you going to do once you’ve seen Sasha?’

  ‘Why? How many patients have you got for me to review? Or were you just saying that to appease me? To stop me from being bored whilst I’m back in town?’

  ‘Uh…no. I really do have a few more cases I’d like your opinion on.’

  ‘My cases have been vastly different from the ones you usually have here,’ she felt compelled to point out.

  ‘That’s what I mean. I’m counting on your unique perspective—your Eden way of thinking things through.’

  ‘My “Eden way” of thinking?’ She turned and smiled at him, and it was then he realised that she looked tired. Very tired, in fact. Not in essentials, but just about her eyes. A passer-by wouldn’t notice anything amiss, but he did. He knew her too well.

  ‘When did you arrive back in Australia?’

  ‘Eight o’clock this morning. My room wasn’t ready when I checked into my hotel, so I left my luggage there and headed straight here. I needed to see Sasha, to see for myself that she was OK, even though she’d assured me several times on the phone. However, I’m starting to feel a little worn out now.’ She flicked her skirt with her hand. ‘And I think a change of clothes is definitely in order. I feel as though I’ve been wearing this outfit for ever.’ She grinned. ‘And I have!’

  How was it possible? he wondered as they stopped outside Sasha’s door. She still looked fresh and bright, and now she was telling him she’d just travelled halfway round the world. That was impossible. No one could look this good after travelling all night and then spending the morning in a hospital. David’s gaze encompassed her again, taking in her leather sandals, long flowing skirt and matching top. He was glad she’d left her hair loose. It was quite a bit longer than it had been the last time he’d seen her. He liked it.

  As though his hand had a min
d of its own, he reached out and tenderly took a handful of the rich auburn tresses. Eden didn’t smile, but her gaze remained riveted on his as he sifted the strands through his fingers.

  ‘The colour’s slightly darker,’ he murmured, and she tried not to gasp at the huskiness in his tone.

  The attraction she’d felt for him in the past had developed slowly. First he’d just been Sasha’s big brother, then he’d been someone she’d thought was cute, then someone she’d listened to, and then someone whose opinion she’d valued. Finally she’d become aware of the growing attraction which had existed between them and which had eventually led to them dating. What she hadn’t expected now was for the attraction to be stronger than ever, to have actually increased since she’d first seen him that morning.

  The breath she’d been unconsciously holding escaped her lips at his touch. Then, as though he’d realised what he was doing, he quickly dropped his hand and cleared his throat. ‘You…er…don’t look unkempt, if that’s what you’re worried about.’

  Eden shrugged, temporarily unable to speak as she tried to get her emotions under control. She was tongue-tied and glued to the spot simply because David had voluntarily touched her hair. Even though the touch had been brief, it had been tantalising—sensual, and a complete breach of her comfort zone, but one she was more than willing to allow. She put her current state of mind down to too much emotional turmoil and not enough sleep.

  ‘Eden…er…do you have any plans for dinner this evening?’

  She looked at him a little perplexed. Out of everything he could have said, that wasn’t what she’d expected. She’d thought he wouldn’t want to spend any more time with her than was necessary, given that by touching her hair in such an intimate way he’d openly acknowledged the attraction, the chemistry which existed between them. Then again, perhaps David had just asked because it was the right thing to do—and David always did the right thing.

  She swallowed. ‘Ah…no. I was going to see how Sasha was doing, but I think it’s best if she and Robert have some more time together tonight. Besides, my day is starting to catch up with me.’

  He nodded, understanding that she was tired. ‘That’s OK. If you’re tired, we don’t have to go. It’s no problem.’

  Go? Was he asking her out? ‘No. I didn’t mean it like that.’ She spoke quickly. ‘I don’t have any plans and I’d love to have dinner with you tonight…if that is what you’re asking.’

  His smile was gorgeous as he spoke. ‘Obviously I’m doing a very poor job. I guess it’s been a while since I’ve asked a woman to dinner.’

  ‘Well, if it helps, it’s been a while since I’ve accepted. Just tell me where you want to meet and when and I’ll be there. I can’t say for sure what type of company I’ll be, but hopefully I’ll have managed to sneak in a bit of a nap before night-time hits, so I’ll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.’

  ‘We have reservations for seven. Is that too early? Too late?’

  Eden was touched. Excitement coursed through her at knowing that David had already made plans. It made her feel special, pretty and feminine, and she hadn’t felt like that in…she couldn’t remember when. David wanted to take her to dinner. She didn’t care why because right now just the thought was all she needed to make her happy.

  ‘Seven sounds great.’

  ‘OK. I’ll meet you at your hotel.’

  ‘Perfect. Thank you so much for thinking of it.’ Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms about his neck and hugged him close. ‘A nice quiet dinner with you is just what I need,’ she said softly near his ear.

  David was surprised at the embrace, but he should have expected it. It was so Eden. He withdrew his hands from his pockets and placed them gently at her waist, easing her back slightly so her gorgeous body wasn’t pressed so firmly against his. She must have felt his restraint because she instantly pulled back.

  ‘Perfect,’ she repeated, feeling more relaxed and more herself. ‘Shall we go and see Sash?’

  David cleared his throat. ‘Why don’t you go in? I’ll catch up with her later on in the day. I want to get your VMO paperwork rushed through.’

  ‘Oh. OK, then. Well, I guess I’ll see you tonight at seven.’ She quickly gave him the name of her hotel before she forgot, then pushed open Sasha’s private room door and went inside with a beaming smile on her face.

  David walked into the lobby of the hotel, surprised at the apprehension in the pit of his stomach. What was there to be apprehensive about? It was just Eden. He walked over to the Guest Services desk and asked them to call her room. While he waited, he recalled a good many reasons why he should be apprehensive about Eden—and number one was the undeniable attraction he felt for her.

  It didn’t seem to matter how many lectures he gave himself, determining to keep his distance, to keep whatever contact he had with her down to a minimum and make sure that contact was light and friendly. That was what he was planning to do tonight. Light and friendly.

  Then he saw her.

  He was positive his jaw went slack at the sight she made, walking across the lobby towards him with that sexy swish of her hips. She was dressed in another flowing creation, although this time it was a dress rather than a skirt and top. It came to just above her knees, revealing far too much leg for his liking. Her shape was perfect—nice and curvy, the way a woman should be. She was a bombshell with the most gorgeous hair, her auburn curls flowing loosely around her shoulders, clipped back on one side with a frangipani blossom.

  ‘Hi.’ She came to stand before him, her perfume making it difficult for him to think rationally.

  ‘What are you wearing?’ They were the first words out of his mouth, and he wished them unsaid the next moment. His tone held a hint of censure, of that big-brother protectiveness he’d often used on Sasha and Eden when they’d been younger.

  Eden’s response was to torture him further by doing a slow twirl. ‘Do you like it?’

  David couldn’t help but look at her as she showed off her delectable body. His heart was pounding wildly at the intoxicating sight she made and he shifted awkwardly.

  ‘I bought it this afternoon. I must say it feels so soft against my skin. Almost melts into it.’ Eden watched David’s reaction closely, loving the way he seemed stuck for words, his Adam’s apple working its way up and down his gorgeous throat as he swallowed nervously. She lowered her tone a notch and leaned a little closer. ‘I was thinking of you when I bought it.’

  David straightened the lapels of his jacket and cleared his throat. ‘Right. Well. We should…go.’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Do you have a jacket?’ Something ankle-length, which would hide her body from everyone else. David glanced around the lobby for a second, noting there were several appreciative glances being sent her way. ‘Or have you forgotten what Sydney is like in early spring?’

  Eden’s answer was to indicate the shawl she had draped over her arm. She went to open it and David quickly helped her, taking it abruptly from her hands before placing it around her shoulders. He hadn’t even realised she’d been holding it, along with a small clutch purse, because he’d obviously been too distracted by the rest of her.

  ‘I haven’t forgotten what Sydney weather is like, but my body is acclimatised to Ukrainian weather and it’s a tad colder there—especially in winter. It’s also why I went and bought a new dress. I never get the time to dress up and go out, so this is definitely a special occasion.’ She linked her arm through his, then leaned up and pressed a small, light kiss to his cheek. ‘Thank you for asking me out tonight.’ Her tone was one hundred percent sincere, and he found that side of Eden even more difficult to resist.

  David simply stood there, looking down at her, at this gorgeous woman who had been through so much in her life yet continued to persevere. He could see the pain hidden deep beneath her hypnotic green eyes, which were now highlighted with the skilful application of mascara and eyeshadow, making her even more stunning than usual.

  Eden did
n’t move. Didn’t want to move. David was looking at her in such a way that she wasn’t at all sure what would happen next. She was sure if she leaned over to give him a kiss that they might end up changing their plans. If she’d had any doubts about whether or not he was attracted to her, they vanished into thin air.

  It had been her main purpose when she’d stumbled across the dress hanging in a shop window that afternoon as she’d walked from the hospital to her hotel. To see whether she could knock his socks off. She was pleased that she’d succeeded. However, they couldn’t spend the rest of the night standing in the hotel lobby, gazing into each other’s eyes.

  ‘Shall we go?’ The words were a whisper from her lips, and it took a split second for them to penetrate David’s hazy mind. He looked down at her lips one more time, and Eden held her breath, waiting to see what would happen.

  Then he looked away, the moment broken. ‘Of course.’

  As they headed out into the early evening, Eden’s excitement start to increase. She was out on a date, with David. Well, he might not call it a date, but she most certainly did. She’d dreamed about this—the two of them going out to dinner—so many years ago, her seventeen-year-old heart desperate for some grown-up time with him rather than eating pizza and studying. Now that it was actually happening she was pleased they hadn’t done it before, because it made tonight more special.

  ‘I wasn’t sure whether you wanted to take the car or walk.’ His voice was a little clipped as he desperately tried not to breathe in her scent, but he knew he was fighting a losing battle. Eden was alluring, and he was beginning to realise just how addictive she was. He named the restaurant and Eden racked her brain trying to remember where it was. ‘It’s two blocks away. Not far.’