Читать онлайн книгу «Dr White′s Baby Wish» автора Sue MacKay
Dr White's Baby Wish
Sue MacKay
Her knight in shining armourWhen a gunman takes Dr Harper White hostage in the OR, Cody Brand’s bravery and quick thinking save the day. But Harper’s determined not to fall for her handsome rescuer…she’s too afraid he’ll run—when he learns she can’t give him the family he craves.Harper is one of the strongest women Cody has ever met, yet her eyes betray a sadness he can’t explain. Whatever it is, and whatever it takes, Cody is on a mission to show her he’s the man to make her smile again
A few unruly curls had escaped the wide band meant to keep them in place and were now stuck to her moist cheeks.
Cody’s fingers itched to be able to lift them away and tuck them behind her ears. But he didn’t dare. He already loved this job, and he wasn’t going to spoil anything by getting offside with this particular doctor.
So why was he wrapping his arms around her and hauling her shaking body close to his? Because he needed to hold her against him. However briefly, whatever the outcome, he just did. Tucking her head against his chest, he dropped his chin on top of her thick, soft hair and held her. Breathed in her scent of citrus and residual fear. In his arms she gave him strength, helped him settle his jittery muscles. He hoped he was giving the same back.
She's a perfect fit for my body.
The realisation banged through him, made him tense. Made Harper lift her head and look at him with puzzlement beaming out at him from watery eyes.
She sniffed once, and plastered a tight smile on her mouth. ‘Let’s go face the second round. There’ll be questions from all directions.’
Slowly Cody unwound his arms from that warm body he shouldn’t be noticing in any way. From somewhere deep he found a smile that was entirely for her. ‘You did good, Doctor. Really good.’
Dear Reader (#ulink_729af25b-6124-5a2d-9d73-deb166a06a70),
I’m often asked where the ideas for my stories come from, so I thought I’d share the wee nudge I got for this story.
At the Romance Writers of New Zealand conference there was a young guy working at the bar in the lounge, serving everything from coffees to cocktails and a multitude of drinks in between. He charmed everyone with his enthusiasm and willingness to keep his customers more than happy.
Louisa George and I commented that he’d make a great hero for a story. His name was Cody—and that, plus the little I’ve already mentioned, was the start of my hero in this story.
My Cody started his working life as a deep-sea fisherman, but eventually followed his heart into nursing. A strong man like that needs a strong woman, and along comes Harper—a doctor with a soft heart, especially around children, which makes it downright tragic that she can’t have her own.
I hope you enjoy following these two through their highs and lows as they try to stay true to their needs.
I’d love to hear from you at sue.mackay56@yahoo.com, or visit my website at suemackay.co.nz.
Cheers!
Sue
Dr White’s Baby Wish
Sue MACKay
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Praise for Sue MacKay (#ulink_9a0558cc-afbd-59fe-a01b-61b3fe540023)
‘A deeply emotional, heart-rending story that will make you smile and make you cry. I truly recommend it—and don’t miss the second book: the story about Max.’
—Harlequin Junkie onThe Gift of a Child
‘What a great book. I loved it. I did not want it to end. This is one book not to miss.’
—Goodreads onThe Gift of a Child
SUE MACKAY lives with her husband in New Zealand’s beautiful Marlborough Sounds, with the water at her doorstep and birds and trees at the back door. It is the perfect setting to indulge her passions for entertaining friends by cooking them sumptuous meals, drinking fabulous wine, going for hill walks or kayaking around the bay—and, of course, writing stories.
Contents
COVER (#u45178f53-a851-560a-8d07-21f36f36c703)
INTRODUCTION (#u1f220c1d-c50b-519d-9529-da297083c19e)
Dear Reader (#u8a983025-ef87-51bb-b4ed-b651b61750c2)
TITLE PAGE (#u006fc45d-730f-527a-a8d2-8f6bb04d11d1)
Praise for Sue MacKay (#u6b042de3-e577-5368-b1c7-9d4c7c697b7b)
CHAPTER ONE (#u19745717-2edd-5b52-9b36-ba32bd06b445)
CHAPTER TWO (#u69ad46d7-a3e3-52b4-9004-d2eb0952d465)
CHAPTER THREE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)
COPYRIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_58db2353-e38d-58cf-9003-ece9d6863dd5)
‘RESUSCITATED CARDIAC ARREST coming in from Courtney Place,’ the newest nurse in Wellington Central Hospital’s emergency department called as he banged the wall phone back on its hook. ‘Male, fifty-two, revived by bystander using CPR. ETA less than five minutes.’
‘Thanks, Cody,’ Dr Harper White replied. ‘Resus Two when he gets here.’
Cody Brand added quietly so that only she heard, ‘Apparently intoxicated as well.’ The man was shaking his head. ‘Seems a bit early in the day.’
Harper’s gaze flicked to the wall clock. Eleven forty-five. Early? Hardly. Not in the world of accidents and incidents. ‘Hopefully now a very subdued man.’
‘You think he’s thanking his lucky stars and swearing off the booze for good?’ Cody grinned. ‘Good luck with that.’
That grin could get the man anything—though not from her. But she’d have to concentrate on not giving in to the zingy feeling skimming her skin. ‘I guess it is wishful thinking.’ Harper watched as Cody strode into Resus Two and began checking equipment, despite it having been restocked and double-checked less than an hour ago after a middle-aged patient had been treated for a major allergic reaction to something she’d eaten for breakfast.
The new nurse left nothing to chance—something Harper appreciated but which also annoyed her at times. Other staff in the department did their jobs just as well. She gave a mental shrug. Maybe Nurse Brand was still settling in and she should leave him to it. No one else had complained, and it was far better than him being slack.
Turning away, she rubbed her temples with her fingertips, trying to relieve the tension building behind her eyes. She did not need a migraine. She had a fun weekend to look forward to, with a birthday party not to be missed. Reaching for the next patient file on the stack, she determined not to let a migraine or the nurse’s well-muscled thighs and wide shoulders that blue scrubs did little to hide distract her.
‘Why pick up a file when any moment now the ambulance’s due to deliver? It’s not like you’ve got time to treat someone else.’ Karin, a registrar, grinned. ‘Hottie’s got to you, hasn’t he?’
‘I don’t think so.’ She hurriedly dropped the file back in place.
‘You’re made of stone?’
Harper tried not to smile but it was impossible not to. ‘The man’s built, no doubt about it.’
‘I’d be worried if you hadn’t noticed.’ Karin picked up the file Harper had discarded.
‘Like I’m looking for another man.’ Harper glanced at her sidekick, who was also staring after Cody.
‘Maybe not looking for, but you were definitely looking at.’
Yeah, she had been. ‘You’re single, so what’s holding you back?’ Harper retorted.
‘Not my type. But you, on the other hand, need to get back in the saddle and—’
‘Don’t go there,’ Harper interrupted, grateful for the shrill ring of the emergency phone yet again. For once the busy morning made her happy, if only because it would shut Karin up. No doubt only briefly, as the woman was known to talk far too much about things she should keep her mouth closed on.
Nurse Brand had picked up the phone instantly, and Harper couldn’t help but take another appreciative glance. He’d been here five days and labelled ‘Hottie’ by the female staff within hours of starting. She couldn’t argue with the name. No one could. He was made to be looked at—drooled over, even—but that was where it stopped as far as she was concerned.
For one, she worked with him, and this was her dream job, working with a dedicated group of highly skilled people all focused on helping their patients coping with difficult and often tragic situations. So far, what she’d seen of the latest nurse to join them had impressed her. He fitted right in. He might be easy going with those he worked with, but the moment someone suffering in any way at all came near him they had his undivided attention as he took care of them.
And, if she needed another reason to not be interested in him, it was that she’d had all the disappointment from men she ever needed. The ink was barely dry on the divorce papers from her last blunder.
Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself? The guy treats you the same as every other person in the department with his charming disposition, his easy smile and relaxed wit. Why would you be special?
The phone was slammed back into its cradle. ‘Suspected body packer coming in from the international airport,’ Cody informed her. That deep, husky voice that reminded her of things she had no right to be thinking of sounded calm and focused on work, putting her in her place without even trying. ‘Twenty-three-year-old male collapsed during an interview with Customs officers after nervous behaviour when a sniffer dog indicated on him.’
Harper groaned inwardly. She hated these cases. If the guy was carrying internally and had collapsed it suggested a balloon containing heroin or cocaine had burst. She’d lost a young female mule last year, and had seen another die years back when she’d been specialising in Auckland. It was a fast but very painful way to die. But she was getting ahead of herself. It was only supposition that the man was a mule, that a package had burst and that he’d die as a result. ‘ETA?’
‘Ten. Resus One?’ Cody asked.
‘Yes. I want you with me on this. Karin, you take the cardiac victim.’
‘No problem,’ Karin answered with a chuckle.
Harper scowled. She had not demanded Cody work with her because of his sex appeal. ‘I need someone strong nearby in case the patient tries to fight us as we work on him. If he’s absorbing cocaine or heroin he’ll become aggressive as the pain gets worse.’ No one else in the department came as big and, she presumed, as strong as Nurse Brand. ‘I’m hoping the guy’s suffering from dehydration after a long flight, or even the flu, but until I know for certain we have to be prepared for anything.’
Karin leaned close and said, so only Harper could hear, ‘Hottie would make nice babies.’
‘Shut it,’ she hissed, now getting more than mildly annoyed. She couldn’t have babies with any man no matter how hot he might be. It just wasn’t possible when she didn’t have a womb.
The bell rang, indicating a patient had arrived by ambulance. Unfortunately too soon to be hers, Harper thought. She needed a diversion about now. Karin didn’t know how her comment hurt. It wasn’t something she talked about, even when it should be old hat. Especially after what had happened with Darren. Suck it up, she growled at herself and followed Cody into Resus One.
Cody was already getting a fan out of the cupboard.
‘You’ve dealt with a case like this before?’ she asked him.
He shook his head. ‘No, but I’ve read up on it. Soaring temps which have to be brought down fast if we want to save him, right?’
‘Yes. Apart from that and the agitation, he’ll also have high BP and could be fitting. If he’s carrying and has absorbed a drug, which we don’t know for sure yet,’ she repeated aloud. Crossing her fingers wasn’t very medical, but sometimes anything and everything helped.
‘Do we soak him in cold water if he has a temperature?’
She nodded. ‘Grab some bottles from the staff fridge.’ While Cody did that she went to check the drug cabinet for something to help calm the patient and slow any seizures he might have. If... This was still all about if the guy had swallowed packages of drugs in the first place. Why anyone would do that was beyond her. In her book no amount of money was worth risking her life for.
Minutes later the shrill ring of the bell from the ambulance bay sliced through Harper’s thoughts and had her moving fast. There’d be no time to waste if this was the worst-case scenario. No surprise that as she raced towards the bay she found Cody striding right alongside her. He never missed a cue. She called over her shoulder to the nurses waiting at the desk, ‘Matilda, Jess—Resus One, now.’
A paramedic joined them as his off-sider began rolling the stretcher into the department. ‘Mick Frew. Very agitated, making it difficult to get any obs.’
‘What readings have you got?’ Cody asked even before Harper had opened her mouth.
‘BP one-seventy over eighty-nine and rising. He’s been fitting for the last five minutes. It’s been tricky enough to keep the face mask on him, let alone do much else for him. I couldn’t take his temp but by the feel of him he’s burning up.’
Harper studied their patient as they rushed him through to Resus One where the other nurses waited, ready to take obs and put an oxygen mask on. This was sounding and looking more like a package had burst internally. Definitely more than a dose of flu or dehydration, but she had to be one-hundred percent sure before she committed to treating him. Something else could be causing these symptoms. ‘How certain were the Customs officers that he’d taken drugs? Do you know?’ she asked the paramedic.
‘Of course he has’ was the cutting retort from behind her.
Harper spun around and came face-to-face with a dapper man who had the coldest eyes she’d encountered in a long time. ‘Who are you?’ Ambulance crews wore uniforms, not expensive, perfectly pressed suits worn by the man stepping towards her from the direction of the ambulance bay.
He shrugged. ‘He’s carrying. Cocaine. In balloons.’
Just one of those bursting would mean trouble, serious trouble, for Mick Frew. What if more than one had come apart? ‘You seem very sure. I repeat, who are you?’
His eyes were glacial. ‘Detective Strong to you.’ He walked beside the stretcher, his eyes flicking between the young man and her.
He wasn’t acting like any detective she’d dealt with. Not even the one she’d been married to. ‘Well, Detective, I need to know how sure you are.’
‘He’s packing.’
‘Right.’ She’d still check Frew thoroughly but it was looking more and more likely that he had ingested drugs. ‘Thank you for your help. Now, you’ll have to leave. You know the rules. Only hospital staff and patients are allowed into Resus.’
The detective grunted, and she thought he said, ‘We’ll see about that,’ but right then her patient began kicking and waving his arms in the air, the pain obviously becoming unbearable.
Cody caught an arm inches from slamming into Harper’s stomach. ‘Easy, Mick. We’re all here to help you. We need to get you onto the bed, okay?’
She nodded thanks at Cody. That fist would’ve hurt if it’d reached her.
The transfer was fast and awkward as everyone tried to hold those flailing limbs without dropping their patient. The paramedic handed over the Patient Report Form and was gone with his stretcher, no doubt glad to have got shot of his aggressive pick-up.
‘Check for a medic-alert disc on his arm,’ Harper instructed Cody. She was running out of other options but could not afford to overlook anything, including an existing medical condition. Truth? She didn’t want this young guy dealing with what was becoming apparent to all of them.
‘Nothing,’ Cody noted as he took a hit on his upper arm. ‘Mick, steady, man. You’re in hospital. We’re the good guys.’
Harper leaned as close as she dared, one eye on those flailing arms. ‘Mick, I’m Harper, a doctor, and I want to help you, but I need to know if you’ve swallowed any drugs.’
The young guy groaned, opening and closing his eyes rapidly.
‘Yes or no?’ she persisted.
A brief nod was his only reply.
‘Balloons or capsules?’
Mick twisted his head to the side and stared briefly beyond her, fear and hatred blinking out of his stricken eyes. ‘Balloons,’ he croaked.
So the detective was right. The detective. She looked up, right into Cody’s eyes, and saw her own uncertainty there which gave her the determination to get rid of the stranger. Turning around, she growled, ‘I asked you to leave, Detective Strong.’
‘So you did.’ He sounded so smug a trickle of apprehension ran down her spine.
Cody said in a ‘don’t fool with me’ tone, ‘You will do as Dr White says.’
Nice as it was to have the nurse backing her, Harper had a definite feeling their visitor wasn’t going to take any more notice of Cody than he had her. She glanced at Cody and nodded thanks again, appreciative of his attempt to help her with this horrid man. She didn’t know why she thought him horrid, but she did. Probably something to do with those arctic-blue eyes that bored into her relentlessly. The complete opposite to the warmth she found in Cody’s brief green gaze on the rare occasion he looked at her for an answer to some question. Shivering, she glanced at the nurse now, not wanting to focus on that other man. But she still had to get rid of him. He was a hazard in the emergency room.
‘Call security,’ she mouthed at Cody.
Mick wheezed out some words.
‘What did you say?’ Leaning down to hear him better, Harper felt the heat radiating off his body. ‘Jess, get the fan going as fast as possible.’
‘Not cop. Supplier.’
‘Mick? Really?’
He nodded. At least, that was what she thought his erratic head movement was.
Harper hoped against hope the man behind her hadn’t heard or seen any of that. He wouldn’t be pleased that she now knew for sure he wasn’t a detective but a criminal. She thought fast. What to do? They had to work on saving Mick’s life, get the so-called detective out of here and call in the real police, all at the same time. And she’d sent Cody out of the room. Squeezing the young man’s hand, she whispered, ‘Okay,’ before straightening up.
Of course it was not okay. It was a minefield.
Cody was still there. Thank goodness. His presence and calm manner gave her strength. Catching her eye, he nodded once, tightly. Had he heard what their patient had said? Whatever message he was trying to send her, she wasn’t understanding, and they were wasting time if Mick stood any chance at all of surviving the poison streaming through his body.
With a shaky breath she turned to the man causing her problems. ‘This is an emergency department. Anything you want to ask my patient will have to wait until we’ve treated him.’ If he survives. ‘So please head out to the waiting area. Now.’
‘Or what?’ A rapid movement and a gun appeared between them.
‘What are you doing?’ she gasped as that trickle of apprehension became a torrent of fear. She was unable to stop staring at the weapon pointed directly at her chest, where her heart was beating the weirdest, sickest rhythm against her ribs. Definitely not a detective, then. Glancing out of the wide opening of Resus One, she could see only one person at the desk, and he was rapidly removing himself from sight. ‘Call the police,’ Harper begged silently.
‘Hey, what do you think you’re doing?’ Cody moved around the bed fast, stepped up close to her so his arm touched hers and eyeballed her aggressor, anger darkening his face. ‘Put that away.’
‘You want to argue?’ The man smirked as he waved the gun at Cody, taunting him to take a crack at him. ‘I’m here to collect what’s mine.’
That gun mesmerised Harper as it was moved between her and Cody in a very deliberate, menacing way. One little squeeze and someone could die. Just as simple, and horrific, as that.
She had to do something. Drawing what she hoped was a calming breath, but felt like an asthma attack, she said in a voice that didn’t sound like hers, ‘Stop this. Now. Our first priority’s to save Mick’s life. So get out of the way while we do all we can.’ She glanced sideways to her patient. Damn. ‘Cody, oxygen. Now. Jess, bring the fan closer. We need to get his temperature down fast.’
The girl was paralysed with fear. ‘Sorry, yes, Harper.’
With Mick fighting him all the way, Cody struggled getting the mask on.
‘Matilda, the water.’ No reply. ‘Matilda?’ Harper glanced around but there was no sign of the junior nurse. When had she snuck away? Now they were down to three. Not enough to help their patient, but fewer to be confronted with that gun. Hopefully it also meant they could expect help in the form of security or, better yet, armed police, shortly. Then what would Detective Strong do? Her skin lifted in goose bumps as she struggled to tamp down the fear threatening to rage through her and flatten her thought processes. Would they find themselves in the middle of a shooting match? She had a patient to care for; other staff to try and keep safe.
‘The oxygen’s flowing.’ Cody’s calm voice cut through her panic.
Her eyes met his and the fear backed off a few notches. Darn, but he was good. Cool as. She straightened her shoulders and dipped her chin to acknowledge she was on her game, however shakily.
Cody nodded back. ‘I’ll get the water.’ He caught Mick’s flying arm and tucked it down against the young man’s body. ‘Steady, mate. Think we’ll strap you down for a bit, okay? Can’t have you knocking out your doctor, can we? Jess, maybe you should get the water.’
Harper took the end of a strap he handed her. He had it all together—seemed completely unfazed about their unwanted spectator. She drew more strength from him. ‘You and Jess do this while I go get some drugs.’ She turned to come face-to-face with their interloper, and felt the cold, hard reality of a gun barrel poked into her stomach.
‘I don’t think so.’ Those chilly eyes fixed on her. ‘No one’s going anywhere.’
‘I am trying to save this man’s life—a life that you mightn’t care about—’ she stabbed his chest without thinking ‘—but I do. We do. So get out of my way.’
‘The only thing I care about are those packs in his gut. They belong to me.’ Cold steel jabbed deep into her stomach. ‘Nothing, no one else, matters. Get it?’
She nodded. ‘Sure. But I am going to do my absolute best to save Mick’s life, whatever you think, so move out of my way.’ She locked eyes with the man, fighting down the returning panic weaving through her tense muscles.
He waved the gun in her face, so close she tipped her head back. ‘What are you going to do about it, doc? Eh? Wait until idiot here dies? Because he’s going to. One way or the other. They all do.’
The firearm was menacing but even more so were the eyes locked on her as he continued. ‘Save us all the trouble and cut him open so I get what I came for. Then I’ll get out of your hair.’ If he’d shouted or snarled, she’d have handled his statement better, but he’d spoken softly, clearly, and set her quivering with dread.
There was no getting rid of the man, nor was he going to let her get the midazolam Mick desperately needed. She wanted to call out for someone else to bring the drug but that meant putting another person in jeopardy.
‘I’ll go,’ Cody intervened. He flicked her a quick look that seemed to say, Hang in there, I’m on to this, but she could be far off the mark. It had been a very fast glance.
The gunman snarled, ‘No you don’t.’
Cody shrugged exaggeratedly. ‘We need more water and drugs and, if you think I’d do a bunk and leave Dr White alone with you, think again. The drugs cupboard is just on the other side of the doorway.’
Phew. Relief warmed Harper. As much as she’d like the nurse out of here and safe, she didn’t want to be left without him watching her back as much as it was possible.
Her relief lasted nanoseconds. An arm slung around her throat, cutting off anything she could’ve said to back up Cody. Her assailant hauled her backwards, hard up against his torso.
‘Let her go.’ Cody stood right in front of them, his hands loose at his sides, those impressive feet spread wide, looking for all the world like he regularly dealt with this sort of situation, this type of villain.
‘Want to try and make me?’ the man snarled, then tightened his hold around Harper’s neck. Was he getting upset that things weren’t quite going his way?
They weren’t going her way either, but she could try to regain some control over the situation. Struggling to straighten up, she got hauled further off-balance for her efforts.
The grip tightened on Harper’s throat, making her eyes water and feel as though they could pop out of their sockets any moment. Her windpipe hurt. But it was the latest wave of fear rolling up from her stomach that really threw her off-centre. She didn’t have a chance of getting away from this man, or of saving Mick.
Mick. ‘Let me go,’ she tried to say, but nothing got past that arm pushing on her throat. Her fingers clawed at it, trying to loosen the throttling sensation. She couldn’t swallow and breathing was a strain.
Her eyes fixed on Cody’s. She hoped he couldn’t see her fear. Looking deep into his steady gaze, she tried to draw strength from him, to calm down. She couldn’t afford to let the assailant beat her. Count to ten, think what to do.
How in Hades did she count when even getting enough oxygen into her lungs was a mission?
* * *
Cody gulped. Strong was hurting Harper. But she was good. She might be terrified—he definitely was—but she wasn’t taking any crap from the lowlife. Go, girl. No. Be careful, stay safe. Lowlife had the advantage and not once had he looked as though he’d be afraid to pull that trigger.
He guessed the guy had nothing to lose. No one would stop him walking out of here while he held that gun. Hopefully the armed-defenders unit would arrive soon and be able to work out a solution without anyone getting injured or worse. If someone in the department had dialled 111. If Matilda had stopped to tell anyone on her mad dash to freedom. He was afraid to look out into the department in case he alerted Lowlife to other staff or anyone that might be working towards taking him down.
In the meantime the three of them still stuck in here had to deal with the situation and keep out of harm’s way. They weren’t going to get the drug that might calm Mick down a little. The odds were stacking up against him as time ran out fast. And, while Cody abhorred drugs and the people who made a living out of them, this young man was paying a huge price, way too huge. He wouldn’t be making the big bucks that people like Lowlife here would be. ‘I’ll run towels under the cold tap,’ he told Harper. ‘Then you outline what we do next.’ He was trying to warn her to stay put, that they’d get this sorted.
But either she was playing dumb or was just being plain brave because she shook her head, and managed to speak, which indicated that the arm had loosened on her throat. ‘We need icy-cold water, not tap water.’
Lowlife tightened his grip around Harper’s neck again and heavily tapped the gun barrel against her skull. ‘No one goes anywhere or the doc gets it.’
Harper’s eyes widened and all the colour drained from her cheeks. Her front teeth dug deep into her bottom lip.
‘Let her go,’ Cody growled. Fury was building inside him. ‘Incapacitating her isn’t going to change a thing.’ It was obviously a painful hold. Her throat was going to hurt for days. He gritted his teeth. It was crazy to think anyone would have to deal with an assailant in a place where people came to get fixed up, but it happened.
Another man threatening a woman on his watch, though? No, it wasn’t happening again.
‘You think I won’t use this? Huh? Want to see what happens when a bullet goes through brain matter?’ Lowlife laughed, a hideous sound that must’ve been heard throughout the department and made Cody’s skin crawl.
But it was the shock in Harper’s eyes that really got to him. She probably hadn’t encountered anything quite like this before, while he had. He had held his wife in his arms while she’d died of a knife wound to her heart. He’d been unable to halt the life draining out of her that day—had felt so useless, so helpless. Which was why the quiet evil about this man tightened his gut and had him fearing for Harper. That fear vied with anger. Nothing he said or did helped Harper while she was trying to help her patient. She did not deserve to be held to ransom. Or worse. Evil had no boundaries.
All the things he hated about bullies and nasty SOBs burst through him, and it took every ounce of self-control not to leap on the guy and take him down. That would really help the situation. Not. He’d probably get Harper killed in the process. He would not face that again. Once in a lifetime was once too often. He had to be careful; acting impulsively only led to disaster. ‘Let’s be sensible here. Dr White cannot save Mick’s life while you’re holding her.’ Damn, but he hated grovelling.
‘Who says we need to save the useless piece of garbage? I only want my drugs out.’
Jeez. Cody rammed his fingers through his hair. This guy didn’t deserve to be breathing. ‘Still need the doctor for that.’ Though Lowlife probably had his own knife strapped somewhere on his body; Cody had no illusions about the man getting his merchandise back himself. Which only underlined the dire situation they were all in.
Harper blinked at him. Mouthed something he couldn’t read. Her eyes tracked sideways towards the head of the bed.
The monitor? Reluctant to take his eyes off Lowlife while he held that gun to Harper, Cody quickly glanced sideways and saw the flat line on the screen. Mick Frew had gone into cardiac arrest. He hadn’t even heard the changed electronic sound; he’d been so focused on the doctor and her captor.
Cody needed to act quickly before anyone else rushed in to help and found themselves in this dangerous situation. He immediately hit in the centre of Mick’s sternum with his clenched hand, watching the screen intently. The flat line continued. Another thump and he said as calmly as possible, ‘Paddles, Jess.’ It wasn’t Mick’s condition churning his gut, but Harper’s. Dealing with this cardiac arrest wasn’t going to quieten Lowlife any, but no way could he ignore their patient either.
Thankfully Jess already had the paddles in her hands, even if she was staring at Harper.
As he shoved the paddles firmly onto Mick’s exposed chest, he couldn’t stop thinking about the doctor behind him. She was amazing, more concerned about their patient than her own life. She’d read the monitor, or heard it go into that monotone that went with lack of heartbeats, and had tried to let him know even when her windpipe was being squashed. She was some lady. Careful, pal. Don’t get too impressed. You’d hate to follow that up with something more caring.
He held the paddles in place and said urgently, forcefully, ‘Stand back.’
‘Want to get closer, doc?’ Lowlife chuckled.
Cody froze. Never before had he heard such an evil chuckle. It was a match for that hideous laugh. He tried for reasoned and calm. Tried very hard. Snarled, ‘Stand back. If the doctor gets zapped, so will you.’ Dumb idiot. Hadn’t thought of that, had he?
Behind him Harper was hauled back so fast she lost her balance and fell into the man behind her, who also lost his balance.
The hand holding the gun wavered, the fingers tightening as Lowlife struggled to remain upright.
The air stuck in Cody’s chest as he waited for the explosion as the trigger was inadvertently pulled. It didn’t happen.
Instead, Harper dropped lower, fell to the floor. Deliberately? Lowlife no longer had her by the throat, or the gun at her head. Cody sprang forward, his shoulder aimed directly for the assailant’s chest. They went down together, sprawling across the floor while the gun spun out of reach.
Harper crawled after the weapon as Cody worked at subduing Strong by flipping him on to his stomach and planting a knee in the small of his back. ‘Don’t even bother trying to get away.’ Sometimes it was a bonus being a big man, Cody admitted as he looked around for Harper.
She was standing now, holding the gun as though it was about to go off and shoot her. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were wide with shock.
Cody’s heart squeezed for her.
Jess called from the bed in a terrified voice, ‘Still no sign of cardiac function.’
Harper blinked, shook her head abruptly and shoved the gun into the waistband of her scrubs. Rushing across to pick up the paddles from where Cody had dropped them moments ago, she instructed, ‘Stand back,’ and delivered a jolt of electricity. And another, and another.
‘Jess,’ Cody called as the man under his knee squirmed and started swearing loudly. ‘Go get help. Let everyone know we’ve got Strong under control, but as soon as the police arrive I’m more than happy to hand him over.’
Harper was zapping Mick like her life depended on it. ‘Come on. Don’t leave us now.’ Tears ran down her cheeks and her bottom lip trembled.
‘Harper. Stop.’ Cody desperately wanted to go and wrap his arms around her, take away some of the shock presumably making her react like that. As if he’d get away with doing that. Even in the circumstances he knew Dr Harper White would not thank him for showing her concern—especially in front of the staff. Her reputation for being strong, solid and independent went before her, and in the week he’d been working here he hadn’t seen anything to negate it.
Suddenly the room was full of gun-toting men dressed in the dark-blue overalls of the armed defenders squad and Cody relaxed for the first time in what seemed like hours but according to the wall clock was little more than ten minutes.
He couldn’t help himself prodding the man beneath him as he stood up. ‘You’re history.’ What he really wanted to do to the guy wasn’t going to happen even though the creep deserved every moment of pain for what he’d done to Harper White. The fear in her eyes would stay with him for a long time. And then the anger. She was something else; she really was.
As cops grabbed their man, Cody crossed to Harper. ‘It’s over, doctor.’
Her hands were shaking as he took the paddles from her. ‘Mick—he didn’t stand a chance.’
As her fingers oh-so-gently closed Mick’s eyes she said quietly, ‘I’m sorry, Mick Frew. I am so sorry.’ Then she slashed her sleeve across her face. ‘Damn.’
Cody muttered around the road block in his throat, ‘We weren’t exactly given much of a chance.’
Watery eyes met his as her fingers went to her temples, rubbed hard. ‘Unfortunately you’re right.’ Then she straightened up to her full height, bringing her head to somewhere about his shoulder.
A few unruly curls had escaped the wide band meant to keep them in place and were now stuck to her moist cheeks. Cody’s fingers itched to be able to lift them away and tuck them behind her ears. But he didn’t dare. He already loved this job, and wasn’t going to spoil anything by getting offside with this particular doctor.
So why was he wrapping his arms around her and hauling her shaking body close to his? Because he needed to hold her against him. However briefly, whatever the outcome, he just did. Tucking her head against his chest, he dropped his chin on the top of her thick, soft hair and held her. Breathed in her scent of citrus and residual fear. Her being in his arms gave him strength, helped him settle his jittery muscles. He hoped he was giving the same back.
She’s a perfect fit for my body. The realisation banged through him, made him tense.
Made Harper lift her head and look at him with puzzlement beaming out at him from watery eyes. She sniffed once and plastered a tight smile on her mouth. ‘Let’s go face the second round. There’ll be questions from all directions.’
Slowly Cody unwound his arms from that warm body he shouldn’t be noticing in any way. From somewhere deep he found a smile that was entirely for her. ‘You did good, doctor. Really good.’
CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_12312090-5b13-5542-88c9-6752bd9b068a)
REALLY? I DID a good job? Of what? Harper asked herself as she stepped out of Resus One. Their patient was dead, the assailant had been taken down by Cody and she felt like a toddler who’d just had a huge sugar fix. The shaking had started in earnest now that she had nothing to focus on. That impending migraine had also become reality.
Turning to Cody, she saw his jaw tighten. His mouth flat-lined. Feeling out of sorts too? He’d been so calm in there, so reliable. Yet she’d felt a tremor in his body in that all too brief moment he’d held her close. His hug had been like a welcoming home, a comfort, a much-needed place of calm and care and warmth. Only during that hug had she known for sure how rattled he’d been by what had gone down. She liked that he’d shared the whole episode, including the fear. She stepped closer to him, still needing his strength, his deliberate calm.
Which was enough to make her step away again. She must not need anything about him, from him. Needing something from a man had got her into trouble before, had led to the wrong marriage for her.
‘Hey, Harper, are you all right?’ George stepped up to her. He was head of the department and her brother’s friend—which meant Jason would already know about this, damn it all.
She swallowed, pain from where her throat had been flattened more apparent now she wasn’t on high alert. ‘I’m fine.’ Her voice came out as a high-pitched squeak. Great. Now she was sounding like that sugar-overloaded toddler.
The department was in chaos with police going about their business while nurses and doctors hovered around the area, looking like they didn’t know what to do or where to go, so they resorted to staring at Cody and her.
George took her arm. ‘My office. Both of you. Jess, you too. Where’s Matilda?’
Jess shook her head. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t seen her. I’m on lunch break now, so can I go to the canteen? My boyfriend’s there.’
‘Of course you can, as soon as you’ve talked to the police. They’ll want to ask you all a few things.’ George looked around at his staff. ‘Okay, everyone, we have a waiting room full of patients, and one in the ambulance bay. Let’s try to get back to normal as quickly and quietly as possible. The police will be here for a while, and I expect you to be helpful and answer any of their questions.’ He held a hand up. ‘However, I do not want any one telling patients what has happened.’
Harper grimaced. Like he had any hope of every single person in the department keeping their mouth shut, but she supposed he had to put it out there. Texts would already be flying around the city, probably the whole country, and the moment Jess saw her boyfriend she’d be yabbering her head off. Not that Harper could blame the girl. Talking was a way of relieving the stress. Even she felt a desire to tell someone what had happened, but she wouldn’t. That would be totally unlike her. But then how often did she have a gun held to her head? Her muscles tightened as renewed fear grabbed her.
‘Cody, Harper, come with me. I’ll get you coffee sent from the cafeteria shortly. And some food.’ George’s answer to everything was coffee followed by food. ‘Come on. The sooner you talk to the police, the sooner I can send you home for the day.’
Harper shook her head. ‘You said the waiting room’s full. I can’t just disappear.’ At least, that was what she tried to say, but her voice was raspy and all broken up. Now that she was no longer dealing with the assailant and everything else, the pain in her throat seemed to be taking over. She needed something else to concentrate on so it would go on the back burner, at least until she got home.
Beside her, Cody growled, ‘I’m sure the other doctors don’t expect you back on the floor today.’ Then his hands clenched at his sides. ‘Gawd, what I don’t want to do to that lowlife.’
‘Not happening,’ she croaked.
‘Look what he’s done to you, all because of his greed.’
It hadn’t been only her. She spoke slowly and tried to ignore the pain. ‘George, Jess is in shock. Someone needs to check her over.’
‘On to it.’
She placed a hand on Cody’s forearm. Since when had she done this ‘touching colleagues’ stuff? She guessed that gun had a lot to answer for. Working hard at getting her words out clearly, she said, ‘Don’t let him get to you. I’m all right. Truly.’
Cody covered her hand with his for a quick touch, sending his warmth through her. Again. She could get used to that. But she wouldn’t.
‘You’re more than all right,’ he muttered before glaring across the room to where the assailant was being hauled roughly out of the department by two cops.
He no longer looked quite so dapper or smug, but the eyes that locked on her momentarily were filled with hatred.
She shivered. ‘Evil. Pure evil.’ As Harper watched the man being taken away, she felt some relief seep into her body and loosen a little of the tension gripping her. Turning to Cody, she asked, ‘How are you feeling?’ She swallowed and kept going. ‘You were right in the middle of it all. You hit the floor hard when you leapt on him.’ She still couldn’t get the sight of him doing that out of her head, probably wouldn’t for days.
Eyes the colour of spring paddocks locked on her. ‘Think my hip took a bit of a hammering but I didn’t feel a thing at the time. I’ll probably know about it tomorrow.’ His wide mouth tipped upward into a beautiful smile that sent ripples of pleasure through her. He really was ridiculously good-looking.
‘Ouch.’ She didn’t know if she was referring to his hip or her reaction to him.
His smile, like that hug, enveloped her in the sensation that they were in this together and that no one else had a part in it. Sort of like being in a cocoon with just Cody, which gave her a sense of it not being all bad. Not that she could find anything good about the last twenty or so minutes. She’d lost a patient. She hated that. No matter that the odds had been stacked against Mick from the moment he’d swallowed those drugs; she’d have done everything possible to turn the situation around—if she’d been given half a chance. If seemed to be the word of the day.
Someone tapped Harper’s shoulder, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Spinning around, she half-expected to find the gunman standing there smirking at her. ‘Don’t touch— Oh. Sorry, George.’ She’d totally overreacted. She rubbed her temples to calm herself down and try to ease the pounding that had cranked up harder than ever.
George gave her an understanding look. ‘Take it easy. He’s gone, Harper.’
‘Yes.’ He had, but how long before the sense of dread he’d caused left her? Going to sleep tonight might be a lot more difficult than usual.
‘The police want statements from all four of you. Especially you and Cody. That’s not happening in here with patients being treated. They’d overhear everything.’ Despite the presence of the armed defenders and two detectives, the department head was in charge, and letting her know it even before she argued that she needed to be busy right now.
If—that damned word again—she was being honest, she knew she wasn’t in any fit state to be dealing with emergencies or even the mundane illnesses presenting at the moment. But the idea of sitting in the office doing nothing but answering endless questions made her sick to the stomach. Glancing at Cody, she saw sympathy in his gaze. I don’t need sympathy. Especially not from you when you probably feel much the same way I do. She had to admit he didn’t look at all fazed by any of this, but he had been shaky in that hug. ‘I suppose coffee would be good,’ she conceded.
* * *
‘I’m surprised you think you can swallow anything.’ Cody watched Harper struggling to cope with the aftermath of the assault. She looked annoyed and a tad bewildered. No longer fearful, though, thank goodness. What would she do if he hugged her again? She held her hands against her stomach with her fingers entwined and knuckles white. He suspected she was desperately hanging on to her self-control. The shock was catching up, and he wasn’t immune either.
‘I’ll manage,’ she snapped. Was getting feisty another way of covering up her feelings?
‘Shouldn’t one of our doctors take a look at your throat?’ he asked. There could’ve been serious damage done.
‘That’s next on my agenda. You really shouldn’t talk too much until everything’s settled down.’ George nodded at Harper. ‘Want me to talk to Jason as well?’
‘No.’ Harper shook her head sharply at the boss, her eyes glittering angrily. ‘No.’ Then, ‘I presumed you already had.’
‘Been a bit busy. You do realise someone will have put it out there on the net? Jason probably already knows, and the rest of your family.’ George gave her a pointed look.
If that throat had been in proper working order Cody had no doubt she’d have been telling George where to go, and it wouldn’t be somewhere nice. She wasn’t known for holding back on her thoughts, no matter who she was talking to. Who was Jason anyway? Her partner? She didn’t wear a wedding ring. He had to be a significant person in her life for George to think he should be told about what had gone down. But, then again, why wouldn’t Harper want this Jason character to know?
‘I figured that since my vocal cords are in excellent working order I should be the one to phone him and say you’re all right,’ George continued as though Harper hadn’t glared hard enough to poleaxe him.
Harper sighed as she lifted her hands in resignation. ‘You’re right. But no drama, okay?’
The man grunted. ‘What are the chances?’
‘None,’ Harper muttered as Karin rushed up to engulf her in a hug.
‘Hey, Harper, you poor thing. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came out of the treatment room and saw that man holding a gun to your head.’ She raised watery eyes to Cody. ‘I’m glad you saved her.’
Saved her was a stretch of the truth. But he was pleased he’d been able to take Lowlife down before he’d hurt their doctor any more than he already had. He really hated seeing people get hurt, and he particularly hadn’t wanted to see anything happen to Harper. ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence,’ he drawled. ‘But Harper saved herself. She started the ball rolling when she dropped to the floor.’ His relief at Harper being safe was overwhelming. Today the outcome had been good. He wouldn’t think back to the darkest day of his life—not now. Too disturbing.
They were still standing in the middle of the department while other doctors and nurses were ducking and diving around them now, bringing patients in from the waiting room. Cody had had about all he could take of people staring at him and clapping him on the back for doing a cracking job on the assailant. They meant well, but they had no idea what it had really been like in Resus One. ‘Come on, Doc, let’s get out of everyone’s way. Go have that coffee George mentioned.’
‘Doc?’ Harper shivered. That annoyance with George transferred to him. ‘That man called me “Doc”.’
Comprehension slammed him. Of course, Lowlife had, and in a denigrating tone at that. ‘I’m sorry, never thought about it.’ He didn’t want to rile her any more. Not after what they’d been through together.
Her shoulders drooped momentarily, then tightened again as she drew a long, slow breath. ‘Thank you for knocking him down. I am grateful. You could’ve been shot.’ Unbelievably her eyes teared up. Again. For him? Not likely.
He’d never have picked her for the weepy sort, but then today hadn’t been exactly normal. Violence undermined the strongest of people. Even his gut had tightened painfully at the moment when that gun had appeared. ‘Stop talking and give your throat a rest.’ He reached to take her elbow, saw those watery eyes widen and dropped his hand. Of course he was out of line, even if he’d only wanted to help. Being overly friendly to a colleague at work, no matter how well intentioned, could be seen as overstepping the mark. Apparently that hug had been okay at the time but now any other move from him wouldn’t be.
Harper muttered, ‘I’ve seen violence in the ED heaps of times.’
‘But never directed specifically at you, I bet.’ The thought of that kind of personal, immediate threat brought back unpleasant memories. The looks on the faces of women in the pubs when their men came home from a dry six-week stint on the fishing trawlers. Some of the crew over-indulged in alcohol and drugs, then took the resultant mood swings out on their partners. He’d stopped going to the pub with the guys after a while, unable to cope with what he saw but never managing to prevent it. He’d tried talking them out of their rages, had taken some punches and given a few back in self-defence, but he’d never convinced those guys that what they were doing to their women was wrong. Some men had a mind-set about using their fists that was impossible to change.
But that was then, and he’d moved on to a different world, or so he’d thought. ‘Come on. George’s office will be a lot quieter. Even with the police joining us.’
Her fingers worked her forehead, then her temples. ‘You’re right.’
‘Are you okay? Apart from your neck and throat being squashed?’ She looked paler than before. Shock would do that, though he thought something else might be going on.
‘Of course I am,’ she snapped and stormed towards the corridor that’d take them to the office affectionately known as George’s cave. But at the door she stopped and graced him with a wobbly smile. ‘Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not every day there’s so much excitement in the department.’
‘There’s something we can be grateful for.’ The fact that the man had held that gun to a doctor’s head put today’s example of crazy way up there on the scale of craziness. Apparently Harper hadn’t seen as much of the rougher side of humanity in her working life as some medics in big city hospitals did.
‘To think this is Wellington, not Los Angeles, where there are permanent armed guards on the doors.’ For someone who shouldn’t be talking too much, she was doing an awful lot of it. A reaction to everything that had gone down?
‘You’ve worked in LA?’ If she wasn’t going to be quiet then a change of subject might be for the best about now. For both of them. Now that the showdown was over the adrenaline had backed off, leaving him feeling shaky, despite his previous experience with out-of-control thugs.
‘No. Never. But I know people who have.’ Then she turned the questions on him. ‘I know nothing about you. Where were you working before starting here?’
‘Invercargill. I did my training there and stayed on working in the emergency department for another year.’
‘That suggests you’re a late starter.’
Way past being wet behind the ears, for sure. Cody shrugged. ‘I had a career change at twenty-seven.’
‘From what?’
‘Commercial fishing.’
‘You’re kidding me!’ Surprise tainted her eyes.
He was used to that. Fisherman to nurse took a bit of getting around for most people. ‘I’ve found my niche.’
Nudging her into the office, he closed the door to keep the noise of the department out and instantly wished he hadn’t. The room wasn’t much bigger than a shoebox and somehow this woman with all her questions seemed to fill it so that he couldn’t put enough space between them. A scent of lemon or lime wafted in the air, reminding him of summer days in his grandfather’s orchard. The days when he’d been young, carefree and a little hellion. A long time ago.
‘Why Wellington?’ She blushed. ‘Sorry, none of my business, and not relative to the job.’
None of your questions are. But suddenly he couldn’t shut up either. ‘I’m originally from Kelburn.’ Yes, just along the road from the hospital. ‘My mum’s still here and my brother has a home in Central Wellington, though he’s currently working in Sydney at the General Hospital.’
‘Medicine runs in the family then?’
He pulled out a chair for her and tamped down the jerk of annoyance at her surprise. He might be a big man but he had the manners of a gentleman. Except when it came to dealing with thugs. ‘My brother’s an orthopaedic surgeon. Our father was a GP. Mother was a nurse. And so am I.’ And darned proud of it. It beat fishing out in the middle of the wild ocean any day, or trying to straighten out dumb jerks who thought the world owed them. Though that had caught up with him here this morning. Once again.
A brief knock on the door and two cops pushed into the room, filling the remaining space, which brought him closer to Harper.
‘Statement time,’ said the younger one as she gave him the once-over—a slow, ‘I like what I’m seeing’ once-over that stroked his ego but didn’t have his brain wanting to follow up. Nor his body.
Pulling out another chair, he copped a smirk from Harper. So she’d seen the constable’s appraisal. He shrugged. Nothing he could do about it; he hadn’t asked for it. It just happened. He turned to the other police officer. ‘You want to ask more questions? Or just take statements?’
The sooner this was done and that coffee arrived, then the sooner he could go back to work and put the morning behind him. That was if George let them go back to work. He seemed pretty adamant that they were going to have to go home for the rest of the day and rest up. Matilda and Jess too. Harper wasn’t going to like that; he was sure of it.
When they were done with the police Harper pulled out her phone and checked her messages. ‘Who doesn’t know what happened?’ she muttered and shut it off completely without answering any texts or emails.
Cody had texted his brother earlier to say he was good and not to worry about him. They’d talk tonight. Maybe. ‘You’re not putting it out there that you’re fine?’ She seemed very reluctant to talk to her family or this Jason character.
‘George did it.’ Her mouth lifted slightly. ‘He never does take any notice of what I want. No wonder he’s friends with my brothers.’
Cody thought she was just as guilty of that after George examined Harper’s throat and tried to make her take the rest of the shift off. Of course she refused, flouncing out to the department and picking up the next file on the way to the waiting room. George wasn’t best pleased, but he relented in the end. They could stay to the end of the shift but were relegated to paperwork only.
‘I’m fine, George,’ Harper insisted with a scowl.
‘You might think so, Harper, but you’ve had a huge shock. I’m not comfortable with you treating patients till you’ve had a full night’s sleep. That’s non-negotiable.’
Cody actually wouldn’t have minded knocking off early for the day but he didn’t want to leave Harper alone after what they’d been through. He felt weirdly protective of her after all the bravery she’d shown. She was quite a woman.
Careful, Cody. That way lies trouble.
‘You feel like going for a drink?’ Cody asked Harper at the end of their shift as they pushed through the swing doors and out into the corridor. ‘We’ve certainly earned one today.’ The rest of the shift was already at the pub just down the road, no doubt yacking about the event that had overtaken the department that morning, which kind of had him regretting his suggestion to Harper. He’d had enough of the talk. Already the truth had been expanded, the resultant stories getting way out of control.
‘I don’t think so.’ She looked decidedly uncomfortable with the idea. Or was that about going with him?
His tongue got the better of him, as it was prone to do at the most inconvenient of times. ‘You don’t drink with your colleagues?’ She wouldn’t now, not if he was going to be there.
‘I don’t drink at all when I have a migraine.’
He swore. Now he knew why she kept rubbing her temples. ‘How’re you getting home?’ he asked as he saw her blink furiously when they stepped out into the blinding summer sun.
‘I have a car.’ Her chin jutted out. ‘How about you?’
‘I have a motorbike.’
‘Then you’re not asking me for a ride home?’
‘No, but I am offering to drive you home in your car. You are in no fit state to be behind the wheel.’
‘Yes, nurse.’ Her tone would’ve sounded sarcastic if there hadn’t been resignation and tiredness lacing her words. It seemed as though now she’d stopped work she was unravelling completely. Her eyes were half-closed, and she dug around in her bag and dragged out sunglasses, which she slapped on her face before heading towards the staff car park.
He followed. ‘You know I’m right. A migraine is hell, apparently. Do you get blackouts with yours?’
Her mouth tightened and she said nothing.
‘Toss in that bruised and swollen throat, the shock of being held hostage, and you’re in need of a little pampering.’ Was he offering to pamper her? No, that had come out all wrong. But he was damned if he was going to retract his statement. He didn’t do being caught on the back foot—not by attractive, sharp-tongued women, at any rate.
Harper ducked between vehicles, seemingly intent on the furthest row. When she reached a dazzling blue, high-performance car she pinged the locks and glared at him over the roof. ‘Forgot where you parked your motorbike?’
Cody ignored her anger, believing it probably wasn’t really directed at him but more at the situation she found herself in. He wanted to help her, be there for her, and knew better than to come out and say so. He tried another tack. Running his hand over the bonnet, he noted, ‘Nice. Bet it goes like a cut cat.’
‘Faster.’ There was the smallest twist of her lips and a hint of laughter in the pained eyes she exposed when she removed her sunglasses to rub her temples again.
So heat did run along her veins. Not often, maybe, but obviously sometimes. Now, there was a challenge. She was into fast cars. But not today. He stared at her and held out his hand.
Harper stared straight back. At least, she tried to, but that migraine must’ve got the better of her because she blinked and her chin dropped. The keys sailed through the air and he snatched them before they landed on the paintwork. ‘Careful.’ Opening the passenger door, he waited patiently for her to come round and slide inside then, closing her door, he headed for the other side of the car, whistling under his breath.
Miss—was she a Miss, or a Mrs?—Dr White could be a pain in the backside. But she was also magnificent. He could appreciate the details without being tempted to learn more about her. If it hadn’t been for the day’s drama he wouldn’t be regarding her twice. He wouldn’t know that she had soft, muscle-tightening curves in all the right places. Or that she smelt delicious. She was clearly intelligent, and was a superb doctor. She was starting to sound too good. Harper’s nothing to me in any way other than as a colleague.
Anyway, she had a Jason in her life.
* * *
Harper leaned her head back against the headrest and groaned. Talk about the day from hell. All she wanted was to crawl into bed in her blacked-out room and let the headache drugs that she would take now she’d finished work do their magic. Hopefully she’d sleep, and not have nightmares about that gun or the man wielding it.
‘Address?’ Cody asked.
Without opening her eyes, she rattled off the street and number, then sighed with relief when he said he knew where to go. Talking hurt, and if she didn’t have to utter another word till next week she’d be happy. Not that she’d kept quiet earlier. It was like something had got hold of her tongue, had had her blathering away like she didn’t know how to stop, even though her throat protested every syllable. Why had she asked Cody all those personal questions? It wasn’t as though she had to have the answers to be able to work with him.
But after everything that had happened she’d felt a need to know more about the man who’d come to her rescue, who’d been there throughout the whole ordeal, who’d even understood her sorrow at losing her patient. He’d surprised her with how recently he’d qualified. She’d done the sums—he was in his early thirties. Fishermen had to be tough, physically and mentally, to cope with the conditions they worked in. She’d seen that in Cody today, and she’d also noticed the soft streak that made him so popular with patients.
Cody had stepped up, tried to talk the gunman into letting her go and hadn’t hesitated to take him down when she’d deliberately dropped towards the floor. It had been a risk doing that but she’d felt Cody was a part of her, that he’d known what was going on in her head all the time. The way he’d reacted suggested he’d dealt with villains before. Intriguing. But nothing to do with her. Whatever Cody had done in the past, she did not need to know. That would be getting too personal, and there was no point in doing that when she had no intention of socialising with him outside work.
Cody interrupted her thoughts. ‘You fixed for pills for that migraine?’
‘Yes.’ Like a doctor wouldn’t be prepared when she had regular migraines. ‘Of course.’
‘Just checking. You want anything for home? Food, milk or bottled water? I can duck into the supermarket for you.’
‘Got everything I need.’ Except a loving man. She gasped. Where had that come from? Had that crack on her skull with the gun addled her brain? Not once since she’d packed her bags and walked out the front door of the house she’d shared with Darren had she believed she was ready for a relationship with another man. A quick fling, yes—anything deep and meaningful, no. If there was even a man out there who’d accept her infertility issue, she’d struggle to believe he wouldn’t change his mind like Darren had done. She’d just have to wait until she was fifty and beyond wanting to be a mother before getting involved with someone.
Her gaze slid sideways to study the profile of the man next to her. He looked good behind the wheel in this big car. Strong, easy in his body, confident. Then there was his reliability—as far as she’d seen, anyway—and his friendly, caring side. There was that perfectionist element she’d noted before the morning had gone pear-shaped, but perfectionism could be a fault or a good trait. He could also get angry, as witnessed with their assailant. Controlled anger though, not a rant or rage.
‘You’re staring.’
She was. And liking what she saw more and more. A big enough reason to close her eyes again. Which she did, and sank further down the seat. Thank goodness for Fridays. The coming weekend would give her time to recover fully from the migraine. Whether she’d stop shaking from shock every time she thought about what had gone down in the ED by Monday was another story. What if the assailant had fired his gun? Had wounded someone—Jess, Cody or her? She shivered abruptly.
He placed one hand on her thigh, squeezed lightly and removed his hand fast. ‘Don’t think about him. It’s over now.’ He sounded so darned calm, as though nothing had affected him.
Yet his ability to constantly know what she was thinking riled her for no real reason. Again she pictured him taking that man down and her mood swiftly softened. He was very confident and for a large man he’d moved fast, light on his feet. The assailant hadn’t known what had hit him. Which was just as well, or it might’ve been Cody feeling the hot end of that gun. She shivered. For some strange reason she took real comfort from his confidence and was inordinately grateful to him for how he’d dealt with the situation. Also for his tenderness in that hug. Confused. That was what she was.
Nausea swamped her senses. She was going to be sick. No, she wasn’t. Not in front of Cody, nurse or not. That would be the final straw in a very bad day. Pressing the switch to lower her window, she leaned over and relished the air flowing across her face. It wasn’t cold air, but at least cooler than what was inside the car. No doubt she’d look a right state by the time they reached home, but at this moment she couldn’t care less.
‘You need to stop?’ Cody asked, already slowing the car and easing closer to the edge of the road.
‘No. Keep going.’ The sooner she got home, the better. The blinding pain behind her eyes was increasing in intensity, but at least the nausea was sort of under control. This was becoming the migraine to beat all migraines in her experience, no doubt exacerbated by the tension from earlier.
Her apartment was just around the corner. Soon she’d be shot of Cody Brand. Until Monday and work. With a bit of luck, by then they’d be back to being a doctor and a nurse working in the same department. Hopefully by then all the talk and texts would’ve died down too. She didn’t fancy multiple reruns of today’s event.
‘There’s a car in your driveway.’ Cody’s voice was deeper than most men’s, yet it soothed her frayed nerves and battered mind. ‘Want me to park on the road?’
‘Great.’ She’d forgotten about Gemma calling in after her shopping expedition so they could have a wine together. Not happening now; the mere thought of wine turned her stomach. ‘That’d be fine. I’ll shift the car later.’ Tomorrow when she finally crawled out of bed.
Harper was hardly aware of Cody pulling up. He had her door open and was reaching for her elbow so quickly it came as a surprise. ‘Come on. I’ll see you to your door.’
‘I can manage.’ And she promptly proved herself wrong when her knees refused to hold her upright.
‘Now, don’t take this the wrong way,’ Cody murmured as he swung her up in his arms and nudged the door shut with his hip. ‘But falling flat on your face after everything else could really mess up your day.’ He strode up the path towards her front door as though she was no heavier than a bag of spuds. A very small bag at that.
Harper didn’t bother arguing. He wouldn’t listen and she didn’t have any energy left. Besides, it was lovely lying against that expansive chest and feeling strong arms around her. Arms she imagined holding her through the night. Jeez, Harper, get a grip.
‘Harper? Jason said you were all right but you’re not looking great.’ Typical Gemma: go for the throat. No, someone else already did that today.
‘Gemma,’ she squeaked.
Her sister-in-law stood in the doorway, her eyes flicking between her and Cody, worry slowly turning to speculation as she studied Cody from head to foot. ‘Or do I need to grab my bag and head away pronto? Leave you two alone?’
Harper cringed. She loved Gemma to bits but the woman had a mission in life to find her a man who’d accept all her problems without batting an eyelid—and from what she was reading on Gemma’s face right this minute Cody was a prime target. No way in hell. Squirming out of Cody’s arms, she stood shakily between him and Gemma. ‘I’ve got a migraine.’
It seemed Gemma had become deaf overnight. She focused entirely on Cody and asked, ‘Who are you?’
‘I’m Cody. I work with Harper.’
Feeling Cody’s hand on her elbow—again—Harper wanted to shrug him away but doubted she had the strength to walk unaided. ‘I need to lie down. Going to take a rain check on that wine, Gem.’
‘Your voice’s all weird.’ Gemma leaned closer. ‘What’s wrong with your neck? Jason told me about the gunman but you’ve been hurt. You’re not all right, are you? That’s why Cody’s here.’
‘Harper needs to get inside and lie down in a dark room.’ Cody was firm, like he’d take no argument.
Gemma caught the message and led the way indoors. ‘What really happened, Harper? Spill.’
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Sue MacKay
Her knight in shining armourWhen a gunman takes Dr Harper White hostage in the OR, Cody Brand’s bravery and quick thinking save the day. But Harper’s determined not to fall for her handsome rescuer…she’s too afraid he’ll run—when he learns she can’t give him the family he craves.Harper is one of the strongest women Cody has ever met, yet her eyes betray a sadness he can’t explain. Whatever it is, and whatever it takes, Cody is on a mission to show her he’s the man to make her smile again
A few unruly curls had escaped the wide band meant to keep them in place and were now stuck to her moist cheeks.
Cody’s fingers itched to be able to lift them away and tuck them behind her ears. But he didn’t dare. He already loved this job, and he wasn’t going to spoil anything by getting offside with this particular doctor.
So why was he wrapping his arms around her and hauling her shaking body close to his? Because he needed to hold her against him. However briefly, whatever the outcome, he just did. Tucking her head against his chest, he dropped his chin on top of her thick, soft hair and held her. Breathed in her scent of citrus and residual fear. In his arms she gave him strength, helped him settle his jittery muscles. He hoped he was giving the same back.
She's a perfect fit for my body.
The realisation banged through him, made him tense. Made Harper lift her head and look at him with puzzlement beaming out at him from watery eyes.
She sniffed once, and plastered a tight smile on her mouth. ‘Let’s go face the second round. There’ll be questions from all directions.’
Slowly Cody unwound his arms from that warm body he shouldn’t be noticing in any way. From somewhere deep he found a smile that was entirely for her. ‘You did good, Doctor. Really good.’
Dear Reader (#ulink_729af25b-6124-5a2d-9d73-deb166a06a70),
I’m often asked where the ideas for my stories come from, so I thought I’d share the wee nudge I got for this story.
At the Romance Writers of New Zealand conference there was a young guy working at the bar in the lounge, serving everything from coffees to cocktails and a multitude of drinks in between. He charmed everyone with his enthusiasm and willingness to keep his customers more than happy.
Louisa George and I commented that he’d make a great hero for a story. His name was Cody—and that, plus the little I’ve already mentioned, was the start of my hero in this story.
My Cody started his working life as a deep-sea fisherman, but eventually followed his heart into nursing. A strong man like that needs a strong woman, and along comes Harper—a doctor with a soft heart, especially around children, which makes it downright tragic that she can’t have her own.
I hope you enjoy following these two through their highs and lows as they try to stay true to their needs.
I’d love to hear from you at sue.mackay56@yahoo.com, or visit my website at suemackay.co.nz.
Cheers!
Sue
Dr White’s Baby Wish
Sue MACKay
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Praise for Sue MacKay (#ulink_9a0558cc-afbd-59fe-a01b-61b3fe540023)
‘A deeply emotional, heart-rending story that will make you smile and make you cry. I truly recommend it—and don’t miss the second book: the story about Max.’
—Harlequin Junkie onThe Gift of a Child
‘What a great book. I loved it. I did not want it to end. This is one book not to miss.’
—Goodreads onThe Gift of a Child
SUE MACKAY lives with her husband in New Zealand’s beautiful Marlborough Sounds, with the water at her doorstep and birds and trees at the back door. It is the perfect setting to indulge her passions for entertaining friends by cooking them sumptuous meals, drinking fabulous wine, going for hill walks or kayaking around the bay—and, of course, writing stories.
Contents
COVER (#u45178f53-a851-560a-8d07-21f36f36c703)
INTRODUCTION (#u1f220c1d-c50b-519d-9529-da297083c19e)
Dear Reader (#u8a983025-ef87-51bb-b4ed-b651b61750c2)
TITLE PAGE (#u006fc45d-730f-527a-a8d2-8f6bb04d11d1)
Praise for Sue MacKay (#u6b042de3-e577-5368-b1c7-9d4c7c697b7b)
CHAPTER ONE (#u19745717-2edd-5b52-9b36-ba32bd06b445)
CHAPTER TWO (#u69ad46d7-a3e3-52b4-9004-d2eb0952d465)
CHAPTER THREE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)
COPYRIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_58db2353-e38d-58cf-9003-ece9d6863dd5)
‘RESUSCITATED CARDIAC ARREST coming in from Courtney Place,’ the newest nurse in Wellington Central Hospital’s emergency department called as he banged the wall phone back on its hook. ‘Male, fifty-two, revived by bystander using CPR. ETA less than five minutes.’
‘Thanks, Cody,’ Dr Harper White replied. ‘Resus Two when he gets here.’
Cody Brand added quietly so that only she heard, ‘Apparently intoxicated as well.’ The man was shaking his head. ‘Seems a bit early in the day.’
Harper’s gaze flicked to the wall clock. Eleven forty-five. Early? Hardly. Not in the world of accidents and incidents. ‘Hopefully now a very subdued man.’
‘You think he’s thanking his lucky stars and swearing off the booze for good?’ Cody grinned. ‘Good luck with that.’
That grin could get the man anything—though not from her. But she’d have to concentrate on not giving in to the zingy feeling skimming her skin. ‘I guess it is wishful thinking.’ Harper watched as Cody strode into Resus Two and began checking equipment, despite it having been restocked and double-checked less than an hour ago after a middle-aged patient had been treated for a major allergic reaction to something she’d eaten for breakfast.
The new nurse left nothing to chance—something Harper appreciated but which also annoyed her at times. Other staff in the department did their jobs just as well. She gave a mental shrug. Maybe Nurse Brand was still settling in and she should leave him to it. No one else had complained, and it was far better than him being slack.
Turning away, she rubbed her temples with her fingertips, trying to relieve the tension building behind her eyes. She did not need a migraine. She had a fun weekend to look forward to, with a birthday party not to be missed. Reaching for the next patient file on the stack, she determined not to let a migraine or the nurse’s well-muscled thighs and wide shoulders that blue scrubs did little to hide distract her.
‘Why pick up a file when any moment now the ambulance’s due to deliver? It’s not like you’ve got time to treat someone else.’ Karin, a registrar, grinned. ‘Hottie’s got to you, hasn’t he?’
‘I don’t think so.’ She hurriedly dropped the file back in place.
‘You’re made of stone?’
Harper tried not to smile but it was impossible not to. ‘The man’s built, no doubt about it.’
‘I’d be worried if you hadn’t noticed.’ Karin picked up the file Harper had discarded.
‘Like I’m looking for another man.’ Harper glanced at her sidekick, who was also staring after Cody.
‘Maybe not looking for, but you were definitely looking at.’
Yeah, she had been. ‘You’re single, so what’s holding you back?’ Harper retorted.
‘Not my type. But you, on the other hand, need to get back in the saddle and—’
‘Don’t go there,’ Harper interrupted, grateful for the shrill ring of the emergency phone yet again. For once the busy morning made her happy, if only because it would shut Karin up. No doubt only briefly, as the woman was known to talk far too much about things she should keep her mouth closed on.
Nurse Brand had picked up the phone instantly, and Harper couldn’t help but take another appreciative glance. He’d been here five days and labelled ‘Hottie’ by the female staff within hours of starting. She couldn’t argue with the name. No one could. He was made to be looked at—drooled over, even—but that was where it stopped as far as she was concerned.
For one, she worked with him, and this was her dream job, working with a dedicated group of highly skilled people all focused on helping their patients coping with difficult and often tragic situations. So far, what she’d seen of the latest nurse to join them had impressed her. He fitted right in. He might be easy going with those he worked with, but the moment someone suffering in any way at all came near him they had his undivided attention as he took care of them.
And, if she needed another reason to not be interested in him, it was that she’d had all the disappointment from men she ever needed. The ink was barely dry on the divorce papers from her last blunder.
Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself? The guy treats you the same as every other person in the department with his charming disposition, his easy smile and relaxed wit. Why would you be special?
The phone was slammed back into its cradle. ‘Suspected body packer coming in from the international airport,’ Cody informed her. That deep, husky voice that reminded her of things she had no right to be thinking of sounded calm and focused on work, putting her in her place without even trying. ‘Twenty-three-year-old male collapsed during an interview with Customs officers after nervous behaviour when a sniffer dog indicated on him.’
Harper groaned inwardly. She hated these cases. If the guy was carrying internally and had collapsed it suggested a balloon containing heroin or cocaine had burst. She’d lost a young female mule last year, and had seen another die years back when she’d been specialising in Auckland. It was a fast but very painful way to die. But she was getting ahead of herself. It was only supposition that the man was a mule, that a package had burst and that he’d die as a result. ‘ETA?’
‘Ten. Resus One?’ Cody asked.
‘Yes. I want you with me on this. Karin, you take the cardiac victim.’
‘No problem,’ Karin answered with a chuckle.
Harper scowled. She had not demanded Cody work with her because of his sex appeal. ‘I need someone strong nearby in case the patient tries to fight us as we work on him. If he’s absorbing cocaine or heroin he’ll become aggressive as the pain gets worse.’ No one else in the department came as big and, she presumed, as strong as Nurse Brand. ‘I’m hoping the guy’s suffering from dehydration after a long flight, or even the flu, but until I know for certain we have to be prepared for anything.’
Karin leaned close and said, so only Harper could hear, ‘Hottie would make nice babies.’
‘Shut it,’ she hissed, now getting more than mildly annoyed. She couldn’t have babies with any man no matter how hot he might be. It just wasn’t possible when she didn’t have a womb.
The bell rang, indicating a patient had arrived by ambulance. Unfortunately too soon to be hers, Harper thought. She needed a diversion about now. Karin didn’t know how her comment hurt. It wasn’t something she talked about, even when it should be old hat. Especially after what had happened with Darren. Suck it up, she growled at herself and followed Cody into Resus One.
Cody was already getting a fan out of the cupboard.
‘You’ve dealt with a case like this before?’ she asked him.
He shook his head. ‘No, but I’ve read up on it. Soaring temps which have to be brought down fast if we want to save him, right?’
‘Yes. Apart from that and the agitation, he’ll also have high BP and could be fitting. If he’s carrying and has absorbed a drug, which we don’t know for sure yet,’ she repeated aloud. Crossing her fingers wasn’t very medical, but sometimes anything and everything helped.
‘Do we soak him in cold water if he has a temperature?’
She nodded. ‘Grab some bottles from the staff fridge.’ While Cody did that she went to check the drug cabinet for something to help calm the patient and slow any seizures he might have. If... This was still all about if the guy had swallowed packages of drugs in the first place. Why anyone would do that was beyond her. In her book no amount of money was worth risking her life for.
Minutes later the shrill ring of the bell from the ambulance bay sliced through Harper’s thoughts and had her moving fast. There’d be no time to waste if this was the worst-case scenario. No surprise that as she raced towards the bay she found Cody striding right alongside her. He never missed a cue. She called over her shoulder to the nurses waiting at the desk, ‘Matilda, Jess—Resus One, now.’
A paramedic joined them as his off-sider began rolling the stretcher into the department. ‘Mick Frew. Very agitated, making it difficult to get any obs.’
‘What readings have you got?’ Cody asked even before Harper had opened her mouth.
‘BP one-seventy over eighty-nine and rising. He’s been fitting for the last five minutes. It’s been tricky enough to keep the face mask on him, let alone do much else for him. I couldn’t take his temp but by the feel of him he’s burning up.’
Harper studied their patient as they rushed him through to Resus One where the other nurses waited, ready to take obs and put an oxygen mask on. This was sounding and looking more like a package had burst internally. Definitely more than a dose of flu or dehydration, but she had to be one-hundred percent sure before she committed to treating him. Something else could be causing these symptoms. ‘How certain were the Customs officers that he’d taken drugs? Do you know?’ she asked the paramedic.
‘Of course he has’ was the cutting retort from behind her.
Harper spun around and came face-to-face with a dapper man who had the coldest eyes she’d encountered in a long time. ‘Who are you?’ Ambulance crews wore uniforms, not expensive, perfectly pressed suits worn by the man stepping towards her from the direction of the ambulance bay.
He shrugged. ‘He’s carrying. Cocaine. In balloons.’
Just one of those bursting would mean trouble, serious trouble, for Mick Frew. What if more than one had come apart? ‘You seem very sure. I repeat, who are you?’
His eyes were glacial. ‘Detective Strong to you.’ He walked beside the stretcher, his eyes flicking between the young man and her.
He wasn’t acting like any detective she’d dealt with. Not even the one she’d been married to. ‘Well, Detective, I need to know how sure you are.’
‘He’s packing.’
‘Right.’ She’d still check Frew thoroughly but it was looking more and more likely that he had ingested drugs. ‘Thank you for your help. Now, you’ll have to leave. You know the rules. Only hospital staff and patients are allowed into Resus.’
The detective grunted, and she thought he said, ‘We’ll see about that,’ but right then her patient began kicking and waving his arms in the air, the pain obviously becoming unbearable.
Cody caught an arm inches from slamming into Harper’s stomach. ‘Easy, Mick. We’re all here to help you. We need to get you onto the bed, okay?’
She nodded thanks at Cody. That fist would’ve hurt if it’d reached her.
The transfer was fast and awkward as everyone tried to hold those flailing limbs without dropping their patient. The paramedic handed over the Patient Report Form and was gone with his stretcher, no doubt glad to have got shot of his aggressive pick-up.
‘Check for a medic-alert disc on his arm,’ Harper instructed Cody. She was running out of other options but could not afford to overlook anything, including an existing medical condition. Truth? She didn’t want this young guy dealing with what was becoming apparent to all of them.
‘Nothing,’ Cody noted as he took a hit on his upper arm. ‘Mick, steady, man. You’re in hospital. We’re the good guys.’
Harper leaned as close as she dared, one eye on those flailing arms. ‘Mick, I’m Harper, a doctor, and I want to help you, but I need to know if you’ve swallowed any drugs.’
The young guy groaned, opening and closing his eyes rapidly.
‘Yes or no?’ she persisted.
A brief nod was his only reply.
‘Balloons or capsules?’
Mick twisted his head to the side and stared briefly beyond her, fear and hatred blinking out of his stricken eyes. ‘Balloons,’ he croaked.
So the detective was right. The detective. She looked up, right into Cody’s eyes, and saw her own uncertainty there which gave her the determination to get rid of the stranger. Turning around, she growled, ‘I asked you to leave, Detective Strong.’
‘So you did.’ He sounded so smug a trickle of apprehension ran down her spine.
Cody said in a ‘don’t fool with me’ tone, ‘You will do as Dr White says.’
Nice as it was to have the nurse backing her, Harper had a definite feeling their visitor wasn’t going to take any more notice of Cody than he had her. She glanced at Cody and nodded thanks again, appreciative of his attempt to help her with this horrid man. She didn’t know why she thought him horrid, but she did. Probably something to do with those arctic-blue eyes that bored into her relentlessly. The complete opposite to the warmth she found in Cody’s brief green gaze on the rare occasion he looked at her for an answer to some question. Shivering, she glanced at the nurse now, not wanting to focus on that other man. But she still had to get rid of him. He was a hazard in the emergency room.
‘Call security,’ she mouthed at Cody.
Mick wheezed out some words.
‘What did you say?’ Leaning down to hear him better, Harper felt the heat radiating off his body. ‘Jess, get the fan going as fast as possible.’
‘Not cop. Supplier.’
‘Mick? Really?’
He nodded. At least, that was what she thought his erratic head movement was.
Harper hoped against hope the man behind her hadn’t heard or seen any of that. He wouldn’t be pleased that she now knew for sure he wasn’t a detective but a criminal. She thought fast. What to do? They had to work on saving Mick’s life, get the so-called detective out of here and call in the real police, all at the same time. And she’d sent Cody out of the room. Squeezing the young man’s hand, she whispered, ‘Okay,’ before straightening up.
Of course it was not okay. It was a minefield.
Cody was still there. Thank goodness. His presence and calm manner gave her strength. Catching her eye, he nodded once, tightly. Had he heard what their patient had said? Whatever message he was trying to send her, she wasn’t understanding, and they were wasting time if Mick stood any chance at all of surviving the poison streaming through his body.
With a shaky breath she turned to the man causing her problems. ‘This is an emergency department. Anything you want to ask my patient will have to wait until we’ve treated him.’ If he survives. ‘So please head out to the waiting area. Now.’
‘Or what?’ A rapid movement and a gun appeared between them.
‘What are you doing?’ she gasped as that trickle of apprehension became a torrent of fear. She was unable to stop staring at the weapon pointed directly at her chest, where her heart was beating the weirdest, sickest rhythm against her ribs. Definitely not a detective, then. Glancing out of the wide opening of Resus One, she could see only one person at the desk, and he was rapidly removing himself from sight. ‘Call the police,’ Harper begged silently.
‘Hey, what do you think you’re doing?’ Cody moved around the bed fast, stepped up close to her so his arm touched hers and eyeballed her aggressor, anger darkening his face. ‘Put that away.’
‘You want to argue?’ The man smirked as he waved the gun at Cody, taunting him to take a crack at him. ‘I’m here to collect what’s mine.’
That gun mesmerised Harper as it was moved between her and Cody in a very deliberate, menacing way. One little squeeze and someone could die. Just as simple, and horrific, as that.
She had to do something. Drawing what she hoped was a calming breath, but felt like an asthma attack, she said in a voice that didn’t sound like hers, ‘Stop this. Now. Our first priority’s to save Mick’s life. So get out of the way while we do all we can.’ She glanced sideways to her patient. Damn. ‘Cody, oxygen. Now. Jess, bring the fan closer. We need to get his temperature down fast.’
The girl was paralysed with fear. ‘Sorry, yes, Harper.’
With Mick fighting him all the way, Cody struggled getting the mask on.
‘Matilda, the water.’ No reply. ‘Matilda?’ Harper glanced around but there was no sign of the junior nurse. When had she snuck away? Now they were down to three. Not enough to help their patient, but fewer to be confronted with that gun. Hopefully it also meant they could expect help in the form of security or, better yet, armed police, shortly. Then what would Detective Strong do? Her skin lifted in goose bumps as she struggled to tamp down the fear threatening to rage through her and flatten her thought processes. Would they find themselves in the middle of a shooting match? She had a patient to care for; other staff to try and keep safe.
‘The oxygen’s flowing.’ Cody’s calm voice cut through her panic.
Her eyes met his and the fear backed off a few notches. Darn, but he was good. Cool as. She straightened her shoulders and dipped her chin to acknowledge she was on her game, however shakily.
Cody nodded back. ‘I’ll get the water.’ He caught Mick’s flying arm and tucked it down against the young man’s body. ‘Steady, mate. Think we’ll strap you down for a bit, okay? Can’t have you knocking out your doctor, can we? Jess, maybe you should get the water.’
Harper took the end of a strap he handed her. He had it all together—seemed completely unfazed about their unwanted spectator. She drew more strength from him. ‘You and Jess do this while I go get some drugs.’ She turned to come face-to-face with their interloper, and felt the cold, hard reality of a gun barrel poked into her stomach.
‘I don’t think so.’ Those chilly eyes fixed on her. ‘No one’s going anywhere.’
‘I am trying to save this man’s life—a life that you mightn’t care about—’ she stabbed his chest without thinking ‘—but I do. We do. So get out of my way.’
‘The only thing I care about are those packs in his gut. They belong to me.’ Cold steel jabbed deep into her stomach. ‘Nothing, no one else, matters. Get it?’
She nodded. ‘Sure. But I am going to do my absolute best to save Mick’s life, whatever you think, so move out of my way.’ She locked eyes with the man, fighting down the returning panic weaving through her tense muscles.
He waved the gun in her face, so close she tipped her head back. ‘What are you going to do about it, doc? Eh? Wait until idiot here dies? Because he’s going to. One way or the other. They all do.’
The firearm was menacing but even more so were the eyes locked on her as he continued. ‘Save us all the trouble and cut him open so I get what I came for. Then I’ll get out of your hair.’ If he’d shouted or snarled, she’d have handled his statement better, but he’d spoken softly, clearly, and set her quivering with dread.
There was no getting rid of the man, nor was he going to let her get the midazolam Mick desperately needed. She wanted to call out for someone else to bring the drug but that meant putting another person in jeopardy.
‘I’ll go,’ Cody intervened. He flicked her a quick look that seemed to say, Hang in there, I’m on to this, but she could be far off the mark. It had been a very fast glance.
The gunman snarled, ‘No you don’t.’
Cody shrugged exaggeratedly. ‘We need more water and drugs and, if you think I’d do a bunk and leave Dr White alone with you, think again. The drugs cupboard is just on the other side of the doorway.’
Phew. Relief warmed Harper. As much as she’d like the nurse out of here and safe, she didn’t want to be left without him watching her back as much as it was possible.
Her relief lasted nanoseconds. An arm slung around her throat, cutting off anything she could’ve said to back up Cody. Her assailant hauled her backwards, hard up against his torso.
‘Let her go.’ Cody stood right in front of them, his hands loose at his sides, those impressive feet spread wide, looking for all the world like he regularly dealt with this sort of situation, this type of villain.
‘Want to try and make me?’ the man snarled, then tightened his hold around Harper’s neck. Was he getting upset that things weren’t quite going his way?
They weren’t going her way either, but she could try to regain some control over the situation. Struggling to straighten up, she got hauled further off-balance for her efforts.
The grip tightened on Harper’s throat, making her eyes water and feel as though they could pop out of their sockets any moment. Her windpipe hurt. But it was the latest wave of fear rolling up from her stomach that really threw her off-centre. She didn’t have a chance of getting away from this man, or of saving Mick.
Mick. ‘Let me go,’ she tried to say, but nothing got past that arm pushing on her throat. Her fingers clawed at it, trying to loosen the throttling sensation. She couldn’t swallow and breathing was a strain.
Her eyes fixed on Cody’s. She hoped he couldn’t see her fear. Looking deep into his steady gaze, she tried to draw strength from him, to calm down. She couldn’t afford to let the assailant beat her. Count to ten, think what to do.
How in Hades did she count when even getting enough oxygen into her lungs was a mission?
* * *
Cody gulped. Strong was hurting Harper. But she was good. She might be terrified—he definitely was—but she wasn’t taking any crap from the lowlife. Go, girl. No. Be careful, stay safe. Lowlife had the advantage and not once had he looked as though he’d be afraid to pull that trigger.
He guessed the guy had nothing to lose. No one would stop him walking out of here while he held that gun. Hopefully the armed-defenders unit would arrive soon and be able to work out a solution without anyone getting injured or worse. If someone in the department had dialled 111. If Matilda had stopped to tell anyone on her mad dash to freedom. He was afraid to look out into the department in case he alerted Lowlife to other staff or anyone that might be working towards taking him down.
In the meantime the three of them still stuck in here had to deal with the situation and keep out of harm’s way. They weren’t going to get the drug that might calm Mick down a little. The odds were stacking up against him as time ran out fast. And, while Cody abhorred drugs and the people who made a living out of them, this young man was paying a huge price, way too huge. He wouldn’t be making the big bucks that people like Lowlife here would be. ‘I’ll run towels under the cold tap,’ he told Harper. ‘Then you outline what we do next.’ He was trying to warn her to stay put, that they’d get this sorted.
But either she was playing dumb or was just being plain brave because she shook her head, and managed to speak, which indicated that the arm had loosened on her throat. ‘We need icy-cold water, not tap water.’
Lowlife tightened his grip around Harper’s neck again and heavily tapped the gun barrel against her skull. ‘No one goes anywhere or the doc gets it.’
Harper’s eyes widened and all the colour drained from her cheeks. Her front teeth dug deep into her bottom lip.
‘Let her go,’ Cody growled. Fury was building inside him. ‘Incapacitating her isn’t going to change a thing.’ It was obviously a painful hold. Her throat was going to hurt for days. He gritted his teeth. It was crazy to think anyone would have to deal with an assailant in a place where people came to get fixed up, but it happened.
Another man threatening a woman on his watch, though? No, it wasn’t happening again.
‘You think I won’t use this? Huh? Want to see what happens when a bullet goes through brain matter?’ Lowlife laughed, a hideous sound that must’ve been heard throughout the department and made Cody’s skin crawl.
But it was the shock in Harper’s eyes that really got to him. She probably hadn’t encountered anything quite like this before, while he had. He had held his wife in his arms while she’d died of a knife wound to her heart. He’d been unable to halt the life draining out of her that day—had felt so useless, so helpless. Which was why the quiet evil about this man tightened his gut and had him fearing for Harper. That fear vied with anger. Nothing he said or did helped Harper while she was trying to help her patient. She did not deserve to be held to ransom. Or worse. Evil had no boundaries.
All the things he hated about bullies and nasty SOBs burst through him, and it took every ounce of self-control not to leap on the guy and take him down. That would really help the situation. Not. He’d probably get Harper killed in the process. He would not face that again. Once in a lifetime was once too often. He had to be careful; acting impulsively only led to disaster. ‘Let’s be sensible here. Dr White cannot save Mick’s life while you’re holding her.’ Damn, but he hated grovelling.
‘Who says we need to save the useless piece of garbage? I only want my drugs out.’
Jeez. Cody rammed his fingers through his hair. This guy didn’t deserve to be breathing. ‘Still need the doctor for that.’ Though Lowlife probably had his own knife strapped somewhere on his body; Cody had no illusions about the man getting his merchandise back himself. Which only underlined the dire situation they were all in.
Harper blinked at him. Mouthed something he couldn’t read. Her eyes tracked sideways towards the head of the bed.
The monitor? Reluctant to take his eyes off Lowlife while he held that gun to Harper, Cody quickly glanced sideways and saw the flat line on the screen. Mick Frew had gone into cardiac arrest. He hadn’t even heard the changed electronic sound; he’d been so focused on the doctor and her captor.
Cody needed to act quickly before anyone else rushed in to help and found themselves in this dangerous situation. He immediately hit in the centre of Mick’s sternum with his clenched hand, watching the screen intently. The flat line continued. Another thump and he said as calmly as possible, ‘Paddles, Jess.’ It wasn’t Mick’s condition churning his gut, but Harper’s. Dealing with this cardiac arrest wasn’t going to quieten Lowlife any, but no way could he ignore their patient either.
Thankfully Jess already had the paddles in her hands, even if she was staring at Harper.
As he shoved the paddles firmly onto Mick’s exposed chest, he couldn’t stop thinking about the doctor behind him. She was amazing, more concerned about their patient than her own life. She’d read the monitor, or heard it go into that monotone that went with lack of heartbeats, and had tried to let him know even when her windpipe was being squashed. She was some lady. Careful, pal. Don’t get too impressed. You’d hate to follow that up with something more caring.
He held the paddles in place and said urgently, forcefully, ‘Stand back.’
‘Want to get closer, doc?’ Lowlife chuckled.
Cody froze. Never before had he heard such an evil chuckle. It was a match for that hideous laugh. He tried for reasoned and calm. Tried very hard. Snarled, ‘Stand back. If the doctor gets zapped, so will you.’ Dumb idiot. Hadn’t thought of that, had he?
Behind him Harper was hauled back so fast she lost her balance and fell into the man behind her, who also lost his balance.
The hand holding the gun wavered, the fingers tightening as Lowlife struggled to remain upright.
The air stuck in Cody’s chest as he waited for the explosion as the trigger was inadvertently pulled. It didn’t happen.
Instead, Harper dropped lower, fell to the floor. Deliberately? Lowlife no longer had her by the throat, or the gun at her head. Cody sprang forward, his shoulder aimed directly for the assailant’s chest. They went down together, sprawling across the floor while the gun spun out of reach.
Harper crawled after the weapon as Cody worked at subduing Strong by flipping him on to his stomach and planting a knee in the small of his back. ‘Don’t even bother trying to get away.’ Sometimes it was a bonus being a big man, Cody admitted as he looked around for Harper.
She was standing now, holding the gun as though it was about to go off and shoot her. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were wide with shock.
Cody’s heart squeezed for her.
Jess called from the bed in a terrified voice, ‘Still no sign of cardiac function.’
Harper blinked, shook her head abruptly and shoved the gun into the waistband of her scrubs. Rushing across to pick up the paddles from where Cody had dropped them moments ago, she instructed, ‘Stand back,’ and delivered a jolt of electricity. And another, and another.
‘Jess,’ Cody called as the man under his knee squirmed and started swearing loudly. ‘Go get help. Let everyone know we’ve got Strong under control, but as soon as the police arrive I’m more than happy to hand him over.’
Harper was zapping Mick like her life depended on it. ‘Come on. Don’t leave us now.’ Tears ran down her cheeks and her bottom lip trembled.
‘Harper. Stop.’ Cody desperately wanted to go and wrap his arms around her, take away some of the shock presumably making her react like that. As if he’d get away with doing that. Even in the circumstances he knew Dr Harper White would not thank him for showing her concern—especially in front of the staff. Her reputation for being strong, solid and independent went before her, and in the week he’d been working here he hadn’t seen anything to negate it.
Suddenly the room was full of gun-toting men dressed in the dark-blue overalls of the armed defenders squad and Cody relaxed for the first time in what seemed like hours but according to the wall clock was little more than ten minutes.
He couldn’t help himself prodding the man beneath him as he stood up. ‘You’re history.’ What he really wanted to do to the guy wasn’t going to happen even though the creep deserved every moment of pain for what he’d done to Harper White. The fear in her eyes would stay with him for a long time. And then the anger. She was something else; she really was.
As cops grabbed their man, Cody crossed to Harper. ‘It’s over, doctor.’
Her hands were shaking as he took the paddles from her. ‘Mick—he didn’t stand a chance.’
As her fingers oh-so-gently closed Mick’s eyes she said quietly, ‘I’m sorry, Mick Frew. I am so sorry.’ Then she slashed her sleeve across her face. ‘Damn.’
Cody muttered around the road block in his throat, ‘We weren’t exactly given much of a chance.’
Watery eyes met his as her fingers went to her temples, rubbed hard. ‘Unfortunately you’re right.’ Then she straightened up to her full height, bringing her head to somewhere about his shoulder.
A few unruly curls had escaped the wide band meant to keep them in place and were now stuck to her moist cheeks. Cody’s fingers itched to be able to lift them away and tuck them behind her ears. But he didn’t dare. He already loved this job, and wasn’t going to spoil anything by getting offside with this particular doctor.
So why was he wrapping his arms around her and hauling her shaking body close to his? Because he needed to hold her against him. However briefly, whatever the outcome, he just did. Tucking her head against his chest, he dropped his chin on the top of her thick, soft hair and held her. Breathed in her scent of citrus and residual fear. Her being in his arms gave him strength, helped him settle his jittery muscles. He hoped he was giving the same back.
She’s a perfect fit for my body. The realisation banged through him, made him tense.
Made Harper lift her head and look at him with puzzlement beaming out at him from watery eyes. She sniffed once and plastered a tight smile on her mouth. ‘Let’s go face the second round. There’ll be questions from all directions.’
Slowly Cody unwound his arms from that warm body he shouldn’t be noticing in any way. From somewhere deep he found a smile that was entirely for her. ‘You did good, doctor. Really good.’
CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_12312090-5b13-5542-88c9-6752bd9b068a)
REALLY? I DID a good job? Of what? Harper asked herself as she stepped out of Resus One. Their patient was dead, the assailant had been taken down by Cody and she felt like a toddler who’d just had a huge sugar fix. The shaking had started in earnest now that she had nothing to focus on. That impending migraine had also become reality.
Turning to Cody, she saw his jaw tighten. His mouth flat-lined. Feeling out of sorts too? He’d been so calm in there, so reliable. Yet she’d felt a tremor in his body in that all too brief moment he’d held her close. His hug had been like a welcoming home, a comfort, a much-needed place of calm and care and warmth. Only during that hug had she known for sure how rattled he’d been by what had gone down. She liked that he’d shared the whole episode, including the fear. She stepped closer to him, still needing his strength, his deliberate calm.
Which was enough to make her step away again. She must not need anything about him, from him. Needing something from a man had got her into trouble before, had led to the wrong marriage for her.
‘Hey, Harper, are you all right?’ George stepped up to her. He was head of the department and her brother’s friend—which meant Jason would already know about this, damn it all.
She swallowed, pain from where her throat had been flattened more apparent now she wasn’t on high alert. ‘I’m fine.’ Her voice came out as a high-pitched squeak. Great. Now she was sounding like that sugar-overloaded toddler.
The department was in chaos with police going about their business while nurses and doctors hovered around the area, looking like they didn’t know what to do or where to go, so they resorted to staring at Cody and her.
George took her arm. ‘My office. Both of you. Jess, you too. Where’s Matilda?’
Jess shook her head. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t seen her. I’m on lunch break now, so can I go to the canteen? My boyfriend’s there.’
‘Of course you can, as soon as you’ve talked to the police. They’ll want to ask you all a few things.’ George looked around at his staff. ‘Okay, everyone, we have a waiting room full of patients, and one in the ambulance bay. Let’s try to get back to normal as quickly and quietly as possible. The police will be here for a while, and I expect you to be helpful and answer any of their questions.’ He held a hand up. ‘However, I do not want any one telling patients what has happened.’
Harper grimaced. Like he had any hope of every single person in the department keeping their mouth shut, but she supposed he had to put it out there. Texts would already be flying around the city, probably the whole country, and the moment Jess saw her boyfriend she’d be yabbering her head off. Not that Harper could blame the girl. Talking was a way of relieving the stress. Even she felt a desire to tell someone what had happened, but she wouldn’t. That would be totally unlike her. But then how often did she have a gun held to her head? Her muscles tightened as renewed fear grabbed her.
‘Cody, Harper, come with me. I’ll get you coffee sent from the cafeteria shortly. And some food.’ George’s answer to everything was coffee followed by food. ‘Come on. The sooner you talk to the police, the sooner I can send you home for the day.’
Harper shook her head. ‘You said the waiting room’s full. I can’t just disappear.’ At least, that was what she tried to say, but her voice was raspy and all broken up. Now that she was no longer dealing with the assailant and everything else, the pain in her throat seemed to be taking over. She needed something else to concentrate on so it would go on the back burner, at least until she got home.
Beside her, Cody growled, ‘I’m sure the other doctors don’t expect you back on the floor today.’ Then his hands clenched at his sides. ‘Gawd, what I don’t want to do to that lowlife.’
‘Not happening,’ she croaked.
‘Look what he’s done to you, all because of his greed.’
It hadn’t been only her. She spoke slowly and tried to ignore the pain. ‘George, Jess is in shock. Someone needs to check her over.’
‘On to it.’
She placed a hand on Cody’s forearm. Since when had she done this ‘touching colleagues’ stuff? She guessed that gun had a lot to answer for. Working hard at getting her words out clearly, she said, ‘Don’t let him get to you. I’m all right. Truly.’
Cody covered her hand with his for a quick touch, sending his warmth through her. Again. She could get used to that. But she wouldn’t.
‘You’re more than all right,’ he muttered before glaring across the room to where the assailant was being hauled roughly out of the department by two cops.
He no longer looked quite so dapper or smug, but the eyes that locked on her momentarily were filled with hatred.
She shivered. ‘Evil. Pure evil.’ As Harper watched the man being taken away, she felt some relief seep into her body and loosen a little of the tension gripping her. Turning to Cody, she asked, ‘How are you feeling?’ She swallowed and kept going. ‘You were right in the middle of it all. You hit the floor hard when you leapt on him.’ She still couldn’t get the sight of him doing that out of her head, probably wouldn’t for days.
Eyes the colour of spring paddocks locked on her. ‘Think my hip took a bit of a hammering but I didn’t feel a thing at the time. I’ll probably know about it tomorrow.’ His wide mouth tipped upward into a beautiful smile that sent ripples of pleasure through her. He really was ridiculously good-looking.
‘Ouch.’ She didn’t know if she was referring to his hip or her reaction to him.
His smile, like that hug, enveloped her in the sensation that they were in this together and that no one else had a part in it. Sort of like being in a cocoon with just Cody, which gave her a sense of it not being all bad. Not that she could find anything good about the last twenty or so minutes. She’d lost a patient. She hated that. No matter that the odds had been stacked against Mick from the moment he’d swallowed those drugs; she’d have done everything possible to turn the situation around—if she’d been given half a chance. If seemed to be the word of the day.
Someone tapped Harper’s shoulder, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Spinning around, she half-expected to find the gunman standing there smirking at her. ‘Don’t touch— Oh. Sorry, George.’ She’d totally overreacted. She rubbed her temples to calm herself down and try to ease the pounding that had cranked up harder than ever.
George gave her an understanding look. ‘Take it easy. He’s gone, Harper.’
‘Yes.’ He had, but how long before the sense of dread he’d caused left her? Going to sleep tonight might be a lot more difficult than usual.
‘The police want statements from all four of you. Especially you and Cody. That’s not happening in here with patients being treated. They’d overhear everything.’ Despite the presence of the armed defenders and two detectives, the department head was in charge, and letting her know it even before she argued that she needed to be busy right now.
If—that damned word again—she was being honest, she knew she wasn’t in any fit state to be dealing with emergencies or even the mundane illnesses presenting at the moment. But the idea of sitting in the office doing nothing but answering endless questions made her sick to the stomach. Glancing at Cody, she saw sympathy in his gaze. I don’t need sympathy. Especially not from you when you probably feel much the same way I do. She had to admit he didn’t look at all fazed by any of this, but he had been shaky in that hug. ‘I suppose coffee would be good,’ she conceded.
* * *
‘I’m surprised you think you can swallow anything.’ Cody watched Harper struggling to cope with the aftermath of the assault. She looked annoyed and a tad bewildered. No longer fearful, though, thank goodness. What would she do if he hugged her again? She held her hands against her stomach with her fingers entwined and knuckles white. He suspected she was desperately hanging on to her self-control. The shock was catching up, and he wasn’t immune either.
‘I’ll manage,’ she snapped. Was getting feisty another way of covering up her feelings?
‘Shouldn’t one of our doctors take a look at your throat?’ he asked. There could’ve been serious damage done.
‘That’s next on my agenda. You really shouldn’t talk too much until everything’s settled down.’ George nodded at Harper. ‘Want me to talk to Jason as well?’
‘No.’ Harper shook her head sharply at the boss, her eyes glittering angrily. ‘No.’ Then, ‘I presumed you already had.’
‘Been a bit busy. You do realise someone will have put it out there on the net? Jason probably already knows, and the rest of your family.’ George gave her a pointed look.
If that throat had been in proper working order Cody had no doubt she’d have been telling George where to go, and it wouldn’t be somewhere nice. She wasn’t known for holding back on her thoughts, no matter who she was talking to. Who was Jason anyway? Her partner? She didn’t wear a wedding ring. He had to be a significant person in her life for George to think he should be told about what had gone down. But, then again, why wouldn’t Harper want this Jason character to know?
‘I figured that since my vocal cords are in excellent working order I should be the one to phone him and say you’re all right,’ George continued as though Harper hadn’t glared hard enough to poleaxe him.
Harper sighed as she lifted her hands in resignation. ‘You’re right. But no drama, okay?’
The man grunted. ‘What are the chances?’
‘None,’ Harper muttered as Karin rushed up to engulf her in a hug.
‘Hey, Harper, you poor thing. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came out of the treatment room and saw that man holding a gun to your head.’ She raised watery eyes to Cody. ‘I’m glad you saved her.’
Saved her was a stretch of the truth. But he was pleased he’d been able to take Lowlife down before he’d hurt their doctor any more than he already had. He really hated seeing people get hurt, and he particularly hadn’t wanted to see anything happen to Harper. ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence,’ he drawled. ‘But Harper saved herself. She started the ball rolling when she dropped to the floor.’ His relief at Harper being safe was overwhelming. Today the outcome had been good. He wouldn’t think back to the darkest day of his life—not now. Too disturbing.
They were still standing in the middle of the department while other doctors and nurses were ducking and diving around them now, bringing patients in from the waiting room. Cody had had about all he could take of people staring at him and clapping him on the back for doing a cracking job on the assailant. They meant well, but they had no idea what it had really been like in Resus One. ‘Come on, Doc, let’s get out of everyone’s way. Go have that coffee George mentioned.’
‘Doc?’ Harper shivered. That annoyance with George transferred to him. ‘That man called me “Doc”.’
Comprehension slammed him. Of course, Lowlife had, and in a denigrating tone at that. ‘I’m sorry, never thought about it.’ He didn’t want to rile her any more. Not after what they’d been through together.
Her shoulders drooped momentarily, then tightened again as she drew a long, slow breath. ‘Thank you for knocking him down. I am grateful. You could’ve been shot.’ Unbelievably her eyes teared up. Again. For him? Not likely.
He’d never have picked her for the weepy sort, but then today hadn’t been exactly normal. Violence undermined the strongest of people. Even his gut had tightened painfully at the moment when that gun had appeared. ‘Stop talking and give your throat a rest.’ He reached to take her elbow, saw those watery eyes widen and dropped his hand. Of course he was out of line, even if he’d only wanted to help. Being overly friendly to a colleague at work, no matter how well intentioned, could be seen as overstepping the mark. Apparently that hug had been okay at the time but now any other move from him wouldn’t be.
Harper muttered, ‘I’ve seen violence in the ED heaps of times.’
‘But never directed specifically at you, I bet.’ The thought of that kind of personal, immediate threat brought back unpleasant memories. The looks on the faces of women in the pubs when their men came home from a dry six-week stint on the fishing trawlers. Some of the crew over-indulged in alcohol and drugs, then took the resultant mood swings out on their partners. He’d stopped going to the pub with the guys after a while, unable to cope with what he saw but never managing to prevent it. He’d tried talking them out of their rages, had taken some punches and given a few back in self-defence, but he’d never convinced those guys that what they were doing to their women was wrong. Some men had a mind-set about using their fists that was impossible to change.
But that was then, and he’d moved on to a different world, or so he’d thought. ‘Come on. George’s office will be a lot quieter. Even with the police joining us.’
Her fingers worked her forehead, then her temples. ‘You’re right.’
‘Are you okay? Apart from your neck and throat being squashed?’ She looked paler than before. Shock would do that, though he thought something else might be going on.
‘Of course I am,’ she snapped and stormed towards the corridor that’d take them to the office affectionately known as George’s cave. But at the door she stopped and graced him with a wobbly smile. ‘Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not every day there’s so much excitement in the department.’
‘There’s something we can be grateful for.’ The fact that the man had held that gun to a doctor’s head put today’s example of crazy way up there on the scale of craziness. Apparently Harper hadn’t seen as much of the rougher side of humanity in her working life as some medics in big city hospitals did.
‘To think this is Wellington, not Los Angeles, where there are permanent armed guards on the doors.’ For someone who shouldn’t be talking too much, she was doing an awful lot of it. A reaction to everything that had gone down?
‘You’ve worked in LA?’ If she wasn’t going to be quiet then a change of subject might be for the best about now. For both of them. Now that the showdown was over the adrenaline had backed off, leaving him feeling shaky, despite his previous experience with out-of-control thugs.
‘No. Never. But I know people who have.’ Then she turned the questions on him. ‘I know nothing about you. Where were you working before starting here?’
‘Invercargill. I did my training there and stayed on working in the emergency department for another year.’
‘That suggests you’re a late starter.’
Way past being wet behind the ears, for sure. Cody shrugged. ‘I had a career change at twenty-seven.’
‘From what?’
‘Commercial fishing.’
‘You’re kidding me!’ Surprise tainted her eyes.
He was used to that. Fisherman to nurse took a bit of getting around for most people. ‘I’ve found my niche.’
Nudging her into the office, he closed the door to keep the noise of the department out and instantly wished he hadn’t. The room wasn’t much bigger than a shoebox and somehow this woman with all her questions seemed to fill it so that he couldn’t put enough space between them. A scent of lemon or lime wafted in the air, reminding him of summer days in his grandfather’s orchard. The days when he’d been young, carefree and a little hellion. A long time ago.
‘Why Wellington?’ She blushed. ‘Sorry, none of my business, and not relative to the job.’
None of your questions are. But suddenly he couldn’t shut up either. ‘I’m originally from Kelburn.’ Yes, just along the road from the hospital. ‘My mum’s still here and my brother has a home in Central Wellington, though he’s currently working in Sydney at the General Hospital.’
‘Medicine runs in the family then?’
He pulled out a chair for her and tamped down the jerk of annoyance at her surprise. He might be a big man but he had the manners of a gentleman. Except when it came to dealing with thugs. ‘My brother’s an orthopaedic surgeon. Our father was a GP. Mother was a nurse. And so am I.’ And darned proud of it. It beat fishing out in the middle of the wild ocean any day, or trying to straighten out dumb jerks who thought the world owed them. Though that had caught up with him here this morning. Once again.
A brief knock on the door and two cops pushed into the room, filling the remaining space, which brought him closer to Harper.
‘Statement time,’ said the younger one as she gave him the once-over—a slow, ‘I like what I’m seeing’ once-over that stroked his ego but didn’t have his brain wanting to follow up. Nor his body.
Pulling out another chair, he copped a smirk from Harper. So she’d seen the constable’s appraisal. He shrugged. Nothing he could do about it; he hadn’t asked for it. It just happened. He turned to the other police officer. ‘You want to ask more questions? Or just take statements?’
The sooner this was done and that coffee arrived, then the sooner he could go back to work and put the morning behind him. That was if George let them go back to work. He seemed pretty adamant that they were going to have to go home for the rest of the day and rest up. Matilda and Jess too. Harper wasn’t going to like that; he was sure of it.
When they were done with the police Harper pulled out her phone and checked her messages. ‘Who doesn’t know what happened?’ she muttered and shut it off completely without answering any texts or emails.
Cody had texted his brother earlier to say he was good and not to worry about him. They’d talk tonight. Maybe. ‘You’re not putting it out there that you’re fine?’ She seemed very reluctant to talk to her family or this Jason character.
‘George did it.’ Her mouth lifted slightly. ‘He never does take any notice of what I want. No wonder he’s friends with my brothers.’
Cody thought she was just as guilty of that after George examined Harper’s throat and tried to make her take the rest of the shift off. Of course she refused, flouncing out to the department and picking up the next file on the way to the waiting room. George wasn’t best pleased, but he relented in the end. They could stay to the end of the shift but were relegated to paperwork only.
‘I’m fine, George,’ Harper insisted with a scowl.
‘You might think so, Harper, but you’ve had a huge shock. I’m not comfortable with you treating patients till you’ve had a full night’s sleep. That’s non-negotiable.’
Cody actually wouldn’t have minded knocking off early for the day but he didn’t want to leave Harper alone after what they’d been through. He felt weirdly protective of her after all the bravery she’d shown. She was quite a woman.
Careful, Cody. That way lies trouble.
‘You feel like going for a drink?’ Cody asked Harper at the end of their shift as they pushed through the swing doors and out into the corridor. ‘We’ve certainly earned one today.’ The rest of the shift was already at the pub just down the road, no doubt yacking about the event that had overtaken the department that morning, which kind of had him regretting his suggestion to Harper. He’d had enough of the talk. Already the truth had been expanded, the resultant stories getting way out of control.
‘I don’t think so.’ She looked decidedly uncomfortable with the idea. Or was that about going with him?
His tongue got the better of him, as it was prone to do at the most inconvenient of times. ‘You don’t drink with your colleagues?’ She wouldn’t now, not if he was going to be there.
‘I don’t drink at all when I have a migraine.’
He swore. Now he knew why she kept rubbing her temples. ‘How’re you getting home?’ he asked as he saw her blink furiously when they stepped out into the blinding summer sun.
‘I have a car.’ Her chin jutted out. ‘How about you?’
‘I have a motorbike.’
‘Then you’re not asking me for a ride home?’
‘No, but I am offering to drive you home in your car. You are in no fit state to be behind the wheel.’
‘Yes, nurse.’ Her tone would’ve sounded sarcastic if there hadn’t been resignation and tiredness lacing her words. It seemed as though now she’d stopped work she was unravelling completely. Her eyes were half-closed, and she dug around in her bag and dragged out sunglasses, which she slapped on her face before heading towards the staff car park.
He followed. ‘You know I’m right. A migraine is hell, apparently. Do you get blackouts with yours?’
Her mouth tightened and she said nothing.
‘Toss in that bruised and swollen throat, the shock of being held hostage, and you’re in need of a little pampering.’ Was he offering to pamper her? No, that had come out all wrong. But he was damned if he was going to retract his statement. He didn’t do being caught on the back foot—not by attractive, sharp-tongued women, at any rate.
Harper ducked between vehicles, seemingly intent on the furthest row. When she reached a dazzling blue, high-performance car she pinged the locks and glared at him over the roof. ‘Forgot where you parked your motorbike?’
Cody ignored her anger, believing it probably wasn’t really directed at him but more at the situation she found herself in. He wanted to help her, be there for her, and knew better than to come out and say so. He tried another tack. Running his hand over the bonnet, he noted, ‘Nice. Bet it goes like a cut cat.’
‘Faster.’ There was the smallest twist of her lips and a hint of laughter in the pained eyes she exposed when she removed her sunglasses to rub her temples again.
So heat did run along her veins. Not often, maybe, but obviously sometimes. Now, there was a challenge. She was into fast cars. But not today. He stared at her and held out his hand.
Harper stared straight back. At least, she tried to, but that migraine must’ve got the better of her because she blinked and her chin dropped. The keys sailed through the air and he snatched them before they landed on the paintwork. ‘Careful.’ Opening the passenger door, he waited patiently for her to come round and slide inside then, closing her door, he headed for the other side of the car, whistling under his breath.
Miss—was she a Miss, or a Mrs?—Dr White could be a pain in the backside. But she was also magnificent. He could appreciate the details without being tempted to learn more about her. If it hadn’t been for the day’s drama he wouldn’t be regarding her twice. He wouldn’t know that she had soft, muscle-tightening curves in all the right places. Or that she smelt delicious. She was clearly intelligent, and was a superb doctor. She was starting to sound too good. Harper’s nothing to me in any way other than as a colleague.
Anyway, she had a Jason in her life.
* * *
Harper leaned her head back against the headrest and groaned. Talk about the day from hell. All she wanted was to crawl into bed in her blacked-out room and let the headache drugs that she would take now she’d finished work do their magic. Hopefully she’d sleep, and not have nightmares about that gun or the man wielding it.
‘Address?’ Cody asked.
Without opening her eyes, she rattled off the street and number, then sighed with relief when he said he knew where to go. Talking hurt, and if she didn’t have to utter another word till next week she’d be happy. Not that she’d kept quiet earlier. It was like something had got hold of her tongue, had had her blathering away like she didn’t know how to stop, even though her throat protested every syllable. Why had she asked Cody all those personal questions? It wasn’t as though she had to have the answers to be able to work with him.
But after everything that had happened she’d felt a need to know more about the man who’d come to her rescue, who’d been there throughout the whole ordeal, who’d even understood her sorrow at losing her patient. He’d surprised her with how recently he’d qualified. She’d done the sums—he was in his early thirties. Fishermen had to be tough, physically and mentally, to cope with the conditions they worked in. She’d seen that in Cody today, and she’d also noticed the soft streak that made him so popular with patients.
Cody had stepped up, tried to talk the gunman into letting her go and hadn’t hesitated to take him down when she’d deliberately dropped towards the floor. It had been a risk doing that but she’d felt Cody was a part of her, that he’d known what was going on in her head all the time. The way he’d reacted suggested he’d dealt with villains before. Intriguing. But nothing to do with her. Whatever Cody had done in the past, she did not need to know. That would be getting too personal, and there was no point in doing that when she had no intention of socialising with him outside work.
Cody interrupted her thoughts. ‘You fixed for pills for that migraine?’
‘Yes.’ Like a doctor wouldn’t be prepared when she had regular migraines. ‘Of course.’
‘Just checking. You want anything for home? Food, milk or bottled water? I can duck into the supermarket for you.’
‘Got everything I need.’ Except a loving man. She gasped. Where had that come from? Had that crack on her skull with the gun addled her brain? Not once since she’d packed her bags and walked out the front door of the house she’d shared with Darren had she believed she was ready for a relationship with another man. A quick fling, yes—anything deep and meaningful, no. If there was even a man out there who’d accept her infertility issue, she’d struggle to believe he wouldn’t change his mind like Darren had done. She’d just have to wait until she was fifty and beyond wanting to be a mother before getting involved with someone.
Her gaze slid sideways to study the profile of the man next to her. He looked good behind the wheel in this big car. Strong, easy in his body, confident. Then there was his reliability—as far as she’d seen, anyway—and his friendly, caring side. There was that perfectionist element she’d noted before the morning had gone pear-shaped, but perfectionism could be a fault or a good trait. He could also get angry, as witnessed with their assailant. Controlled anger though, not a rant or rage.
‘You’re staring.’
She was. And liking what she saw more and more. A big enough reason to close her eyes again. Which she did, and sank further down the seat. Thank goodness for Fridays. The coming weekend would give her time to recover fully from the migraine. Whether she’d stop shaking from shock every time she thought about what had gone down in the ED by Monday was another story. What if the assailant had fired his gun? Had wounded someone—Jess, Cody or her? She shivered abruptly.
He placed one hand on her thigh, squeezed lightly and removed his hand fast. ‘Don’t think about him. It’s over now.’ He sounded so darned calm, as though nothing had affected him.
Yet his ability to constantly know what she was thinking riled her for no real reason. Again she pictured him taking that man down and her mood swiftly softened. He was very confident and for a large man he’d moved fast, light on his feet. The assailant hadn’t known what had hit him. Which was just as well, or it might’ve been Cody feeling the hot end of that gun. She shivered. For some strange reason she took real comfort from his confidence and was inordinately grateful to him for how he’d dealt with the situation. Also for his tenderness in that hug. Confused. That was what she was.
Nausea swamped her senses. She was going to be sick. No, she wasn’t. Not in front of Cody, nurse or not. That would be the final straw in a very bad day. Pressing the switch to lower her window, she leaned over and relished the air flowing across her face. It wasn’t cold air, but at least cooler than what was inside the car. No doubt she’d look a right state by the time they reached home, but at this moment she couldn’t care less.
‘You need to stop?’ Cody asked, already slowing the car and easing closer to the edge of the road.
‘No. Keep going.’ The sooner she got home, the better. The blinding pain behind her eyes was increasing in intensity, but at least the nausea was sort of under control. This was becoming the migraine to beat all migraines in her experience, no doubt exacerbated by the tension from earlier.
Her apartment was just around the corner. Soon she’d be shot of Cody Brand. Until Monday and work. With a bit of luck, by then they’d be back to being a doctor and a nurse working in the same department. Hopefully by then all the talk and texts would’ve died down too. She didn’t fancy multiple reruns of today’s event.
‘There’s a car in your driveway.’ Cody’s voice was deeper than most men’s, yet it soothed her frayed nerves and battered mind. ‘Want me to park on the road?’
‘Great.’ She’d forgotten about Gemma calling in after her shopping expedition so they could have a wine together. Not happening now; the mere thought of wine turned her stomach. ‘That’d be fine. I’ll shift the car later.’ Tomorrow when she finally crawled out of bed.
Harper was hardly aware of Cody pulling up. He had her door open and was reaching for her elbow so quickly it came as a surprise. ‘Come on. I’ll see you to your door.’
‘I can manage.’ And she promptly proved herself wrong when her knees refused to hold her upright.
‘Now, don’t take this the wrong way,’ Cody murmured as he swung her up in his arms and nudged the door shut with his hip. ‘But falling flat on your face after everything else could really mess up your day.’ He strode up the path towards her front door as though she was no heavier than a bag of spuds. A very small bag at that.
Harper didn’t bother arguing. He wouldn’t listen and she didn’t have any energy left. Besides, it was lovely lying against that expansive chest and feeling strong arms around her. Arms she imagined holding her through the night. Jeez, Harper, get a grip.
‘Harper? Jason said you were all right but you’re not looking great.’ Typical Gemma: go for the throat. No, someone else already did that today.
‘Gemma,’ she squeaked.
Her sister-in-law stood in the doorway, her eyes flicking between her and Cody, worry slowly turning to speculation as she studied Cody from head to foot. ‘Or do I need to grab my bag and head away pronto? Leave you two alone?’
Harper cringed. She loved Gemma to bits but the woman had a mission in life to find her a man who’d accept all her problems without batting an eyelid—and from what she was reading on Gemma’s face right this minute Cody was a prime target. No way in hell. Squirming out of Cody’s arms, she stood shakily between him and Gemma. ‘I’ve got a migraine.’
It seemed Gemma had become deaf overnight. She focused entirely on Cody and asked, ‘Who are you?’
‘I’m Cody. I work with Harper.’
Feeling Cody’s hand on her elbow—again—Harper wanted to shrug him away but doubted she had the strength to walk unaided. ‘I need to lie down. Going to take a rain check on that wine, Gem.’
‘Your voice’s all weird.’ Gemma leaned closer. ‘What’s wrong with your neck? Jason told me about the gunman but you’ve been hurt. You’re not all right, are you? That’s why Cody’s here.’
‘Harper needs to get inside and lie down in a dark room.’ Cody was firm, like he’d take no argument.
Gemma caught the message and led the way indoors. ‘What really happened, Harper? Spill.’
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