Page 13 of New Year, New Guy
‘Remember—’
‘—never say never,’ she parroted. ‘Coming from Derriford Hospital’s most confirmed bachelor that’s hypocritical.’
‘Time to get back to the trenches.’ Henry levered himself out of the faded, red plastic chair as the door opened.
‘Excuse me.’ A young nursing assistant poked her head in and motioned to Laura. ‘There’s a man downstairs looking for you.’
‘Aren’t you the lucky one?’ Henry quipped.
‘Does this man have a name?’
The girl blushed. ‘He didn’t give one, but he’s American and really . . .’
‘. . . big?’
‘Uh, yes.’
‘We’ll walk down together.’ Henry’s grin made Laura’s heart sink. For a senior doctor he loved nothing better than juicy gossip and Hunter’s appearance would make his day. She’d never hear the end of this.
‘Thank you. I’ll come right away.’
He fell into step with her and bided his time until they reached the empty lift.
‘You might as well tell me about your mystery man now.’
Laura cobbled together a reasonable explanation and was sure she’d got away with it until Henry poked her in the ribs as the lift door opened.
‘Friends with benefits, eh?’
‘Certainly not. I only met him on Wednesday . . .’ The words dried in her throat.
Hunter, back to wearing his worn black jeans, denim jacket and cowboy boots flashed his trademark off-kilter smile. In one hand he wielded a large paper cup from the nearest coffee shop and in the other a white paper bag that wafted out the delicious aroma of fried bacon. Laura’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday unless a couple of soggy digestives and a dried-up satsuma counted. The receptionist stopped working to eye up Hunter, as did the man mopping the floor. Severalpatients waiting in the crowded seating area also switched their attention from the TV chat show on in the background.
‘Mr McQueen, would you care to come into my office?’ She threw Henry a sweet smile. ‘I’ll see you later, Doctor Clarke.’ Laura pointed out a dirty mark on the tiles to the cleaner before glancing around the busy room. That sent a message to the receptionist there were more important things to be done than mining Laura’s personal life for interesting titbits of news to spread around the hospital. ‘This way, Mr McQueen.’
* * *
Interesting. She’d been laughing with the smiling doctor when the lift doors opened, although Hunter didn’t pick up on any sexual charge between them. The moment she stepped into the emergency department everything about her demeanour changed and he understood how she came by her nickname. The fact she wasn’t wearing an old-fashioned starched uniform meant nothing. Her dark blue tunic and trousers, polished black shoes and neatly tied-back hair all remained immaculate despite the fact she’d been working for nearly ten hours already.
When he struggled awake this morning he got to thinking that the last proper food she ate was probably at the pub in Princetown because she only had time to snatch a sandwich before setting off to work last night. Deciding to bring her breakfast was a spur of the moment decision and it never occurred to him that he’d stir up unwelcome gossip. Back in Nashville he didn’t stand out, but here he might as well brandish a neon sign announcing the arrival of a big, brash American chasing after one of their nurses. He noticed that she didn’t close the office door and suspected that was done on purpose, like most of Laura’s actions. She wouldn’t want anyone to jump to conclusions about their relationship.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘Bringing you breakfast.’ Hunter waved the coffee under her nose and grinned when she snatched it from his hand. He manoeuvred a massive bacon sandwich out of the bag. ‘You must be starving. I made this with my own fair hands.’
‘I thought only Disney princesses have fair hands, but I won’t argue.’
‘That’ll be a first.’
She grabbed the sandwich and took a quick bite. ‘I should be working.’
‘You need to refuel.’
‘What’s your plan for the day? I’ll be heading home by mid-morning and crashing. I’ve got the night shift again.’
‘I might wander into Plymouth and take a look at the Mayflower Steps. I could fix us dinner later before you come back.’
‘There’s no need. If I get here early enough I’ll buy something from the hospital café.’ Laura lowered her voice. ‘I’ll intend to pick up a healthy salad but smell the pasties cooking and won’t be able to resist. That’s the usual way of it, I’m afraid.’
