Page 50 of Stranded with the Surgeon

When they reached flatter ground, Guy asked whether Jennifer wanted to try a faster pace. She agreed, partly because the sooner the exquisite torture of being held so closely by Guy was over the sooner she could try and get her head straight again, and partly because she felt so safe and secure in his arms that she was ready to try anything.

Charlie’s steady canter felt like flying, and Jennifer laughed aloud at the sheer pleasure of it. The ride was over all too soon, however, and Guy slid down and then held up his arms to catch Jennifer as she dismounted. Suddenly she was on the ground, still in Guy’s arms and grinning like an idiot. With her face upturned, she was about to find a way to express her appreciation, but the look on Guy’s face made any words die on her lips.

He wanted to kiss her. Jennifer’s lips parted, more than ready to welcome and return the contact, but as her gaze locked with his, she could see the flash of alarm and almost feel the gathering of resolve. He mightwantto kiss her – maybe even as much as she wanted him to – but he wasn’t going to succumb to physical desire.

Whatever it was that made her unacceptable was way too powerful.

Guy turned away, dropping his hands from Jennifer’s waist. ‘You go ahead and get changed,’ he said gruffly. ‘I’ll take care of Charlie.’ He didn’t turn his head as he led the horse away. ‘It really doesn’t matter what you wear,’ he added wearily. ‘People want to see you, not your clothes.’

* * *

There was no chance for any kind of personal conversation before heading out to the local gathering, but Jennifer was quite happy to wait for Guy’s verdict. The more time they spent together, the more chance she had for more than a rank dismissal from his life.

A crowd of nearly a hundred people packed the large public bar of the Glenfalloch pub, milling around tables that groaned with the weight of the community’s culinary offerings. The animated buzz of happy conversation died as Guy and Jennifer stepped through the door. Phil Henderson, a tall glass of beer in one hand, had spotted them and was tapping on his glass with a spoon to attract everyone’s attention.

‘Here they are!’ he cried. ‘Not one but two knights in shining armour. Without these two heroes I might not have my wife, let alone the most beautiful baby in the world.’

The cheer that went up, along with the clapping, was embarrassing enough, but Jennifer wished a hole in the floor would open up and swallow her as one young man’s ribald shout was heard above the general approval.

‘You’d better marry her now, Doc, and turn her into arealKnight!’

A woman standing near the door smiled at Jennifer.

‘Take no notice of Nathan, love. We’ve all been letting off a bit of steam, that’s all. This is a celebration we’ve all been looking forward to. I’m Lillian,’ the woman said, introducing herself. ‘This is my husband, Dave. We’re the closest neighbours to the Hendersons so I expect I’ll get to see a lot of wee Isaac. Is it true he’s quite okay?’

‘As far as we know, he’s absolutely fine,’ Jennifer confirmed.

People were gathering around her and she could see that Guy was being slapped on the back and congratulated as he made his way closer to the bar. Introductions were coming at her from all directions. Hands needed shaking and all sorts of questions about Isaac’s arrival had to be fielded but, to her surprise, Jennifer found herself enjoying the attention. When had she ever felt this much appreciation and respect from the relatives and friends of patients she’d treated? Mind you, she’d never had the time or inclination to spend any kind of social time with them.

A glass of sparkling wine found its way into Jennifer’s hand, but she abandoned it discreetly as she was edged towards the tables.

‘You must be starving, dear. Grab a plate. There’s plenty!’

Indeed there was. When she got close enough to the tables to see what was on them, a lump the size of a golf ball lodged itself in Jennifer’s throat. It was like a time warp. These tables could have been at any country gathering in her own childhood. Steaming plates of sausage rolls and small potato-topped savouries stood by plastic bottles of tomato sauce. Asparagus rolls were doing their best to unfurl and there were even lamingtons, with cream oozing out from their coconut-drenched chocolate or strawberry coating.

Jennifer was sure she recognised two of the women she’d overheard talking in the hospital corridor the day she’d finally hauled herself out of bed. One of them eyed her with great interest.

‘We certainly didn’t expect to see you back in our neck of the woods.’

‘I just popped back to visit Guy.’

‘Hmm.’ The two women exchanged a glance. ‘You must have got to know each other quite well on that tramp you did together in the mountains.’

‘You could say that.’ Guy leaned over from a conversation in a neighbouring knot of people, flashing Jennifer just the ghost of a wink. Was he also thinking of justhowwell they had got to know each other?

‘And you’ve come back. How long will you stay this time?’

Jennifer was trying to will herself not to blush. ‘Not long, but I’m sure it won’t be my last visit.’

Guy may have returned to his own conversation, but she was sure he was listening to her words. ‘This part of the country has changed my life. I think part of me belongs here now.’

Guy confirmed that he’d been listening by turning towards the women again. ‘Jennifer has to get home tomorrow. She’s about to become the head honcho for the emergency department in her Auckland hospital.’

‘Well, it’s just lucky you happened to visit today then, isn’t it?’ The women nodded happily and then one drained her glass of wine. ‘So you’re staying with Guy then?’

No arrangements had been made for the night, but Jennifer had no idea how long this celebration was likely to last. If it finished late, he was hardly likely to send her off looking for a hotel, was he? She hoped it would finish late and she simply smiled at the women without answering the question.

‘Those savouries look delicious. Where can I find a plate?’

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