Read Online A Special Kind of Family by Marion Lennox - Free Book Online Page B

He said him like he was referring to some sort of pond scum.
    ‘ He …Dominic…offered to find someone to drive me to Melbourne. He didn’t offer to drive me himself. There’s nothing between us, Charles. How can there be?’ She took a deep breath. ‘But despite that…Dom’s been wonderful. He’s a…a…really wonderful doctor. I need to make the offer. If he wants me, I’m staying on.’
     
    When she came back inside Dom was sitting in the kitchen munching on another of Erin’s scones. The kids were waving goodbye to Dulcie from the back veranda. Dom glanced out the window and Charles’s Porsche was disappearing down the road. What the hell…?
    ‘He’s gone without you,’ he said, warily.
    ‘You said there was someone who could drive me to Melbourne.’ She hesitated. ‘That is, if you don’t want me to stay.’
    He’d been about to take a bite of his scone. He didn’t. ‘Um…If I don’t want you to stay?’
    ‘I sort of thought I might be useful,’ she said, sounding uncertain. ‘Seeing Tansy’s away. If there are more emergencies. If you want me to.’
    ‘Is this because of the dog?’
    She tilted her chin at that, a gesture he was starting to recognise. ‘I have friends in Melbourne who’d take her in. For a few days at least until I’m sorted. But I’m offering to stay here for Easter. Only if you can use me, though. I won’t stay unless I can be useful.’
    She wanted to stay for Easter?
    The thought took his breath away.
    There were all sorts of reactions Dom ought to be feeling.
    He ought to be furious she’d landed not only her dog but also herself in his care.
    He ought to be wary. Charles’s body language had been un-mistakeably possesive. There was no way he wanted to be landed in a domestic dispute and this had the makings of a doozy.
    He ought to be cautious about…well, about the way she was looking right now. She was a qualified doctor—a colleague—but she looked a waif. And then he thought, no. She was wearing torn jeans and a stained windcheater. She’d ditched his boots by the door and was wearing a pair of his too-big socks.
    What she looked was really extraordinarily beautiful, but there was no room in his life for what he was thinking right now.
    Except he was thinking it. What warm-blooded male could help but think it?
    ‘So you won’t kick me out?’ she asked, and her eyes warmed, just a little. As if she guessed his thought.
    How could she?
    ‘You cook a mean hot cross scone,’ he said, cautious.
    ‘I can do all sorts of neat tricks,’ she said. ‘Mind, I’m a bit restricted.’ She sat down and held up a socked foot. ‘I think my dressing’s coming off.’
    ‘I’ll re-dress it. Do you need a painkiller?’
    ‘Yes,’ she said promptly. ‘Painkiller first. Then dressing.’
    ‘You’re telling me how to practise medicine?’
    ‘I’m bossy,’ she retorted, recovering spirit. ‘You need to learn that about me. I plan to run a very efficient emergency department.’
    ‘Run?’
    ‘I accepted the top job last week.’ She tried not to sound cocky—and failed. He had to smile.
    ‘Where?’
    ‘Melbourne East Emergency.’
    ‘How old are you?’ he demanded, astonished, and it was her turn to grin.
    ‘How rude. Next you’ll be asking about my love life.’
    ‘I’m assuming your love life is currently driving off in a huff and a Porsche.’
    ‘How insightful. Driving off into the sunset.’ She sighed. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll make a great spinster. I’d planned to keep cats but now…maybe it’s bulldogs.’
    ‘You’re serious?’
    ‘Serious?’
    ‘Your boyfriend’s angry?’
    ‘He is so not my boyfriend,’ she said, and glowered. ‘He sort of assumed he was—he assumed all sorts of things—and when I realised…’ She shrugged. ‘Sorry. This is not your problem.’
    ‘So…’ He wasn’t sure where this was going. ‘Your plan is?’
    ‘To help you,’ she said. ‘If you admit you need help. Which,