Read Online Bride on the Children's Ward / Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way by Lucy Clark / Sharon Archer - Free Book Online Page B

in one day. Then again, he had made dinner reservations for them—but that was different. That was his way of apologising for being an insensitive clod, and that apology still needed to be made. Besides, at dinner they’d be in a crowded restaurant. They’d be eating and enjoying polite conversation.
    He’d already been alone with her in a hospital stairwell today and look what had happened. She’d flirted with him, and the fact that he’d liked it was completely beside the point. As a man wanting to keep his distance from a woman he wasn’t doing a very good job—and he wasn’t the sort of man to enjoy conflict within himself.
    ‘Go see your sister,’ Francie chimed in when he didn’t say anything. It was then David realised that Eden had stood and was ready to go. ‘I’ll call you immediately if there’s any change with Dart.’
    ‘OK.’ He looked at Eden. ‘Let’s go.’
    This time as they walked between the two wards Eden didn’t attempt to take his hand, touch him or flirt with him in any way, shape or form.
    ‘Are you all right?’ he eventually asked.
    ‘Sure. I’m fine. Just pondering things.’
    ‘What are you going to do once you’ve seen Sasha?’
    ‘Why? How many patients have you got for me to review? Or were you just saying that to appease me? To stop me from being bored whilst I’m back in town?’
    ‘Uh…no. I really do have a few more cases I’d like your opinion on.’
    ‘My cases have been vastly different from the ones you usually have here,’ she felt compelled to point out.
    ‘That’s what I mean. I’m counting on your unique perspective—your Eden way of thinking things through.’
    ‘My “Eden way” of thinking?’ She turned and smiled at him, and it was then he realised that she looked tired. Very tired, in fact. Not in essentials, but just about her eyes. A passer-by wouldn’t notice anything amiss, but he did. He knew her too well.
    ‘When did you arrive back in Australia?’
    ‘Eight o’clock this morning. My room wasn’t ready when I checked into my hotel, so I left my luggage there and headed straight here. I needed to see Sasha, to see for myself that she was OK, even though she’d assured me several times on the phone. However, I’m starting to feel a little worn out now.’ She flicked her skirt with her hand. ‘And I think a change of clothes is definitely in order. I feel as though I’ve been wearing this outfit for ever.’ She grinned. ‘And I have!’
    How was it possible? he wondered as they stopped outside Sasha’s door. She still looked fresh and bright, and now she was telling him she’d just travelled halfway round the world. That was impossible. No one could look this good after travelling all night and then spending the morning in a hospital. David’s gaze encompassed her again, taking in her leather sandals, long flowing skirt and matching top. He was glad she’d left her hair loose. It was quite a bit longer than it had been the last time he’d seen her. He liked it.
    As though his hand had a mind of its own, he reached out and tenderly took a handful of the rich auburn tresses. Eden didn’t smile, but her gaze remained riveted on his as he sifted the strands through his fingers.
    ‘The colour’s slightly darker,’ he murmured, and she tried not to gasp at the huskiness in his tone.
    The attraction she’d felt for him in the past had developed slowly. First he’d just been Sasha’s big brother, then he’d been someone she’d thought was cute, then someone she’d listened to, and then someone whose opinion she’d valued. Finally she’d become aware of the growing attraction which had existed between them and which had eventually led to them dating. What she hadn’t expected now was for the attraction to be stronger than ever, to have actually increased since she’d first seen him that morning.
    The breath she’d been unconsciously holding escaped her lips at his touch. Then, as though he’d realised what he was