Page 33 of Do Opposites Attract?

‘You look happy, Brianna,’ she announced when she’d checked her over from head to toe. ‘The trip has obviously done you good.’

‘Oh, Mum, I can’t begin to tell you some of the things I’ve seen. It was heartbreaking and inspiring. Depressing but strangely uplifting.’

‘Wow, it certainly seems to have made a big impression.’ She squeezed her daughter’s hand. ‘Come with me. Let’s sit down with a cup of tea and you can tell me all about it.’

Her mother made the drinks and they carried them through to the sitting room, where Brianna took her mother through all she’d experienced. She made her laugh with tales of the primitive accommodation and the cold shower. She made her cry with tales of the mudslide and the mounting body bags. Finally she conveyed her real admiration for the medical team out there, how hard they worked, how many lives they saved. Brianna was careful not to mention any names specifically. Her mother had an uncanny ability to sniff out the merest hint of any gossip and Brianna wasn’t sure she was ready to share Mitch with her yet.

‘So you see, I really think getting Medic SOS to specialise in the serious trauma cases is the way forward. Not only would it give them a clearly defined role, but it would make fund-raising easier, helping them to stand out from the other charities.’

Her mother sat back on the sofa. ‘Look at you, my darling, your eyes all bright with excitement. You’ve no idea how pleased I am you’ve taken this to heart and I’m sure Margaret will be delighted to hear your ideas.’ She held her daughter’s hand and studied her face. ‘Now tell me what else has you so buoyed up.’

Brianna blinked. Surely her mother’s romance radar wasn’t that good? ‘What do you mean?’

‘My darling child, I know you. It isn’t just the idea of working with the charity that’s put a smile on your beautiful face. What else has happened?’ She smiled as her daughter’s cheeks began to turn pink. ‘Ah, it must be a man.’

‘How do you do it, Mum?’ Brianna shook her head and laughed. ‘I’m never going to be able to keep a secret from you, am I?’

‘No, and don’t you forget it. Now tell me who is responsible for putting a sparkle in my daughter’s eyes.’

‘Mitch.’

‘Mitch McBride? The chief medic?’ She waited for Brianna’s nod of affirmation. ‘I remember him. Serious, somewhat distant, but with an edge to him that was rather attractive.’

This time Brianna’s laugh was rich and explosive. ‘That’s just him, to a tee. He’s all those things, and more. Oh, Mum, he’s not just sexy, he’s dedicated. You should have seen him out there, cool, calm, in control, saving lives.’

‘Can this really be the same daughter who is usually so dismissive of men? Who delights in telling me all men are weak and pathetic, apart from her father?’

‘Up to now, that’s been true. But Mitch is neither weak nor pathetic. In fact I’ve never met someone so mentally strong, so sure of himself.’

Her mother studied her carefully. ‘Watch out, Brianna. You mustn’t let your admiration for his skill build up into anything more than that. I know it’s exciting, meeting someone a bit different to your usual type, but don’t go doing anything foolish. He moves in very different circles to ours.’

‘Now you’re being a snob.’ Brianna dismissed her mother’s concern. ‘Just because he doesn’t have rich parents. Not many men do.’

‘That’s not what I meant,’ her mother replied seriously, her pale blue eyes showing nothing but love and concern. ‘I remember when Margaret first talked about giving him a permanent job with the charity. She ran it by me, as her checks had revealed he’d been in trouble with the police when he was younger.’

‘I’m sure it was just childhood rebellion,’ Brianna replied dismissively, recalling her conversation with Mitch about cars.

Her mother rested a hand on her arm. ‘I’m sure you’re right,’ she agreed softly. ‘That’s why we decided to recruit him anyway. From what I hear he’s doing a sterling job and Margaret has never regretted it. He’s a good man, I have no doubt. But I don’t want you to get hurt, my darling.’ Tenderly she tucked a loose curl back behind Brianna’s ear. ‘Your father and I have a really happy marriage. I think that fact alone gives me some right to advise you. The reason we get on so well is because we’re two similar people, from similar backgrounds, wanting the same things out of life. As exciting as Mitch may seem, he is very different to you. He doesn’t look the type who’d ever want to settle down. From what I recall, he pretty much went from the army into this job. He’s never put down roots. Remember that.’

‘Come on, Mum, it’s not like I’m thinking of marrying him.’ Brianna forced herself to smile, though the truth of her mother’s words stung.

‘Good, because I’m not sure he would be right for you. You want someone more like your father. A man who understands you and where you come from. Who can mix with your friends. A man who loves you for you and not the money you come with.’

Though it hurt, Brianna knew what her mother was saying made sense. ‘Well, you don’t have to fret. Mitch and I haven’t even arranged to see each other again. It was probably just a thing of the moment. A build-up of the emotion and tension that was part of being at the camp.’

They exchanged another long hug and Brianna disappeared thoughtfully back to her apartment. Why did it feel like she was deceiving her mother and herself with her words of reassurance? If it was just a casual fling, why did her heart lurch whenever she thought of him? Why, when she closed her eyes, could she still picture him so vividly? His stern, rugged face and deep brown eyes.

Brianna went to the bathroom and turned on the taps to the bath. She was tired from the journey and wasn’t thinking straight. What she needed was a long, hot soak and a good night’s sleep. Please God, when she woke up in the morning let her silly schoolgirl crush be a thing of the past.

Chapter Sixteen

Brianna felt slightly foolish as she walked towards Margaret’s sparse, functional office at Medic SOS. All morning she’d told herself thiswasn’ta job interview. It was just a chat with one of her mother’s friends about some ideas she had for the charity. But somehow her mind had got carried away and here she was, dressed in a smart suit, her heart thumping, her clasped hands trembling, feeling very much as though she was going into the most important interview of her life.

Just outside the open office door, Brianna paused and took a deep breath. She was offering to help, to provide her services to the charity for free. She had absolutely nothing to be nervous about. Other than making a total tit of herself, of course. Oh heck, maybe she could just sneak out without anyone noticing?

‘Ah, Brianna. Please, come in.’

So much for disappearing. Plastering a smile on her face, she lifted her chin and walked into the office to shake Margaret’s outstretched hand. The smile the other woman gave her was friendly enough, but Brianna knew Margaret. She wouldn’t hold back if she disagreed with what she had to say.

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