The Taming of Dr. Alex Draycott (11 page)

Alex labelled the vials and gave them to the nurse to take to the lab. ‘We need the results urgently,’ she told her.

Once they had finished, they made sure that Rachel was sedated enough so that she would lie still for the next hour or so. Callum checked her medication and made certain that everything was in order, before finally checking his watch.

‘I should go,’ he said, glancing at Alex. ‘Would you take over for me while I’m away?’

‘Of course,’ Alex said quietly as they left the treatment room. ‘You’re worried about your aunt, aren’t you?’ She frowned. ‘It’s not a difficult procedure, to remove the haematoma, you know. I’m sure she’ll be all right.’

He nodded. ‘I’m not really concerned about that side of things.’ His expression was bleak, his mouth flattening a little as they walked along the corridor. ‘It’s just that she has always been so strong in every way. Up to now, she’s always been there for me whenever I needed her, she would look after me and comfort me when I was ill as a child, and now that the positions are reversed it hurts to see her looking so frail.’

His eyes darkened. ‘She won’t give any sign that she’s worried or upset, but I know that deep down she’s afraid and uncertain. And who can blame her? To think that these last few years she’s been suffering all these symptoms of high blood pressure and I did nothing about it. I let the doctor go on treating her with tablets that were doing no good whatsoever. I should have spotted that something was wrong sooner and arranged for her to have tests.’

Alex laid her hand on his, causing him to come to a stop by the lift bay. ‘As things turned out, you couldn’t have done any more than you did,’ she murmured, running her fingers along his arm in a gentle caress. ‘It was normal procedure to treat her with medication in the first instance, and none of the tests would have shown the presence of a tumour until this late stage. Her condition is really very rare. You can’t blame yourself.’

He wasn’t convinced. ‘You’re very sweet, Alex,’ he said softly, lifting a hand to gently cup her face. His fingers traced the line of her cheekbone and slid along the angle of her jaw. ‘Thank you for trying to make me feel better…but I’m okay, you know. I can handle it. I just have to make sure that she knows I’ll be there for her, come what may.’

The lift doors swung open, and they parted company as Callum headed back up to his aunt’s ward. Alex turned away to go and seek out her next patient. She could still feel the light touch of his fingers on her cheek, and somehow that made her incredibly sad, and at first she didn’t know the reason for that. Perhaps it was because it made her yearn for what she could not have.

Because there was no way she could allow herself to fall for Callum, was there? So far, he hadn’t shown that he was the kind of man who was ready to settle down, and for her part, there was far too much going on in her life right now for her to even think of getting involved.

Why, then, was the temptation so irresistible? Right now was the worst possible time for her to be even thinking of starting a relationship, especially one with a colleague…and yet there was no getting away from the fact that she was filled with a longing that couldn’t possibly be assuaged.

‘I
T’S
good to see you finally taking time out to relax,’ Callum said, sitting down on one of the comfortable patio chairs that Alex had set out on the raised wooden decking just beyond the back of the house. It stood amongst landscaped gardens, with rustic arbours and pergolas that were covered with rambling roses.

‘I don’t recall you giving me much choice,’ Alex said grumpily. The sun was shining down on them from a clear blue sky and she was overheated and becoming conscious that she would have done better to wear a cotton skirt with her loose, sleeveless top, rather than her jeans. ‘One minute I was repairing the boundary fence, and the next you’d taken over and sent me to make cold drinks.’ She was still hot with indignation at being moved bodily out of the way and relegated to the kitchen. She had one day off this weekend to get things done, and he had come along and thwarted her plans.

‘You have to admit, though, you weren’t getting on too well, were you?’ Callum gave her an amused look. ‘If I hadn’t stopped by to pick up some fresh clothes for Aunt Jane, you’d still be struggling with it now. Anyway, before that you were busy in the kitchen making goodies to take into hospital for her—that was very thoughtful of you, so I figured the least I could do was to help you out.’

He’d already helped her out a good deal over the last few days, coming along to fix the tiles on the roof and lend a hand with the painting. ‘Well, I felt it was the right thing to do. She was looking so much better yesterday, so I thought she’d be in a mood to appreciate some cookies. And the children enjoyed helping to make them.’ She could hear their voices now, coming from the orchard as they played amongst the trees that were burgeoning with fruit.

He nodded. ‘I was worried about her, but everything went well, and it’s beginning to look as though she’ll make a full recovery. And the tumour was benign, so that was the best news of all.’

‘Oh, it was such a relief to hear that. Now all she has to do is rest for a couple of days and then with any luck she’ll be able to come home.’

‘Let’s hope so.’ He looked at her, his mouth making a crooked line. ‘That might work for you, too,’ he said. ‘You’ve been looking quite stressed lately, and I can’t help feeling that you could do with some days off.’

‘Well, don’t hope for too much, because it isn’t likely to happen.’ She shook her head. They both knew they were miles apart when it came to the demands of her job. ‘Though I suppose in the end I
am
glad you came along and stopped me today,’ she admitted with a rueful smile. ‘That fence has been bothering me for ages, and I was struggling a bit with the wood, where it had rotted.’

‘Well, there are new planks in position now, so everything’s secure and looking good once more.’ He gazed around at the colourful, flower-filled garden and then looked beyond it to the meadow that bordered the apple orchard.

‘You certainly picked a gem when you bought this place,’ he said on a thoughtful note. ‘And all your hard work is paying off at last. You’ve tidied everything up, the garden, the orchard…and after a lick of fresh paint the house looks like a beautiful, rambling old cottage. It’s like something on a picture postcard, with the wisteria round the door and the natural stone wall with the plants growing in the crevices.’ He frowned. ‘And yet I bet you hardly have time to sit back and enjoy it.’

Alex was wistful. ‘I certainly haven’t until now. When I took it on, I wasn’t at all sure I was doing the right thing—it was rundown and I knew it would be difficult to sort out, but I couldn’t help myself—something told me it had potential.’ She nodded towards him. ‘You’re right, it has been hard work, but with your help, we’re gradually restoring it to its original state. Things are beginning to come together now really well.’

‘I’ve been surprised how much I’ve enjoyed helping out.’ He smiled. ‘I think house renovation could become a new hobby for me.’

‘You’re certainly good at it. The old inglenook fireplace in the lounge looks great after being spruced up. I hadn’t realised the house held so many treasures.’

She lifted the jug from the centre of the table and started to pour out glasses of chilled Sangria. Ice cubes clinked and mingled with slices of melon, apple, orange and lemon. She handed him a glass.

‘Thanks.’ He took a sip of the bright red liquid, and savoured the taste on his tongue for the moment. ‘This is good,’ he said, shooting her a quick glance. ‘Is there some subtle ingredient I don’t know about?’

‘That depends on how you usually make it,’ she answered. ‘I put in red wine, orange juice and ginger ale, and then topped it up with fruit. I added a few cinnamon sticks, too.’

‘It’s delicious.’ He peered at the slices of apple. ‘It won’t be too long before you’re harvesting your own apples,’ he mused. ‘Have you thought about what you’ll do with them? From the looks of things there are going to be masses.’

She shook her head. ‘Apart from eating the dessert apples and making pies with the rest? No, I haven’t. Though I suppose I could look into the whole business of cider making. At one time it was made here, on the premises, apparently, in all those old outbuildings.’

He smiled. ‘And that will mean even more work for you. You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you? I suppose you wouldn’t even consider the easy option, selling them to the local shops, would you?’

‘I don’t know.’ She shrugged. ‘Maybe. Though the idea of cider making is sort of intriguing—and it’s what Somerset’s all about, isn’t it? So if I did decide to have a go at making my own, I would be part of it, wouldn’t I?’

She leaned back in her chair, studying him through her lashes. He was probably right in what he was saying. It was in her nature to take on too much. As it was, she had been working frantically from early that morning, trying to catch up with her chores, baking and then tackling some of the repairs to the property, and it had taken Callum’s determined efforts to make her stop. That had annoyed her. She had a limited time scale, and she’d been so intent on getting everything done, on ticking all the boxes and making sure things were in order, that when he had intervened she had put up a strenuous fight, only to lose out.

She was fast discovering that in his casual, unconcerned way he was every bit as strong-willed as she was. He was her opposing force, the common-sense counterpart to her frenetic power hub.

And yet, for all that, in the end, she was thankful for these few moments of peace and tranquillity that he’d given her. For all her misgivings, she felt better for sitting here, letting the sun warm her bare arms, and she had him to thank for that.

She liked the fact that he was close by, too, sitting back in his chair appearing calm and perfectly relaxed. And he was as heart-stoppingly good-looking as ever. He was dressed in casual clothes, stone-coloured chinos and a dark cotton shirt that emphasised his broad shoulders and brought out the intense blue of his eyes…eyes that were looking at her now and making her go hot all over. It was strange how just with a look he could make her heart quicken and cause the blood to surge through her veins like wildfire.

The sound of children’s voices cut in on her reverie. ‘We want to pick flowers for Mummy and Auntie Jane,’ Sarah shouted up to her from the garden. ‘Can we cut the sweet peas down by the fence?’

Alex stood up and went over to the deck rail. ‘That’s okay,’ she said. ‘Just make sure James is careful with the scissors.’

‘I will.’ Sarah’s fair curls quivered with excitement. ‘We want to decorate some flower baskets. Can we use the ones out of the greenhouse?’

‘Yes, that will be fine. I’ll help you with them later.’ She’d have to, otherwise the sweet peas would probably end up bedraggled, with broken stems and crushed petals, and the flower basket displays would be haphazard and lopsided.

Callum came to join her by the rail. ‘Flower baskets?’ he queried. ‘They won’t be content with anything so simple as a bunch of flowers, then?’

She smiled. ‘You don’t know these children, do you? They don’t do anything by halves. Next thing, I’ll be sorting out flower-arranging plastic foam and helping them create something special in a wicker basket. They’re always coming up with ideas for something or other.’

He laughed. ‘They obviously take after you. Perhaps it runs in the family. Is your brother as doggedly determined and resourceful as you?’

A shadow touched her features. ‘He was,’ she said quietly, ‘until he had the accident.’ She shook her head. ‘I just don’t know how he’s going to come through it. I don’t know what to say to the children any more. I try to shield them from what’s happening, but all the time I’m afraid for the worst.’

He put his arm around her. ‘I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me. You must be sick with worry.’

‘I’m okay.’ Her tone was flat. ‘I’m just trying to take things one day at a time.’

‘I suppose that’s all you can do for now.’ He held her close, letting his head rest against hers. ‘You amaze me, Alex, the way you get on and cope with life. You don’t let anything faze you for too long, do you? You have this marvellous ability to forge ahead and get through things, no matter what.’

She gave a faint smile. ‘Some people simply say I’m stubborn and don’t listen to reason, but that I keep on going regardless.’

He shook his head. ‘I don’t see it that way. I have nothing but respect for the way you deal with everything that comes along. Given what you’ve had to cope with, I suspect a good many women would have given up by now and settled for the easy life…a rented property, an undemanding job, keep the children quiet with videos and a selection of DVDs…but you’ve done the opposite. You’ve grabbed life head on and given it a good shake. I think that’s remarkable.’

‘I’m glad you think so,’ she murmured. ‘I just wish I felt as strong as you imagine I am. For myself, most of the time, I feel bewildered, lost, under pressure, a little scared about what’s to happen.’

He drew her into his arms and held her close. ‘You don’t have to feel that way,’ he said softly. ‘I’m here for you. Remember that. I’ll do whatever I can for you.’

She lifted her face to him. He looked as though he meant it, as though his words were heartfelt, and it warmed her to think that he would want to be by her side in this, to help her through it. It was comforting to feel that she could rely on him to take some of the burden from her. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘That means a lot to me.’

His head lowered a fraction, until his lips gently brushed hers, and in the next moment he was kissing her, slowly, with infinite care, as though she was the most precious thing in all the world. Alex gave herself up to that kiss, revelling in the feel of his long body next to hers, loving the way his hands moved over her and lightly shaped her body.

This was more than just a kiss. It was an expression of tenderness, of warmth, of wanting to take care of her, and yet, soon, it became much more than that. There was a growing passion, a sudden heated desire that started as a flicker and developed into an all-consuming blaze.

He deepened the kiss and his body moved to pressure hers, almost as though he would meld with her and claim possession. His breathing became ragged, and Alex clung to him, wanting more, overcome by the frenzied outpouring of sensuality that had overtaken both of them.

‘I want you so much, Alex,’ he said in a roughened voice. ‘You drive me wild with wanting you. Somehow, when I’m with you like this, it’s all I can do to hold back. You’ve put some kind of spell on me. I don’t know what it is that you do to me to make me feel this way.’

She cupped his face with her hands, and then slid them down over the hard wall of his chest. She felt the same way. She wanted him, and it was an overpowering feeling, something that she’d never felt before with such intensity.

‘This is madness,’ she murmured huskily, her breathing coming in quick, short bursts. ‘We’re worlds apart, you and I.’ But it was a madness that devoured her all the same, one that took over her soul. She returned his kisses with feverish abandon, running her hands over his arms, his shoulders, wanting more than this, needing him to show her that he cared enough to be there for her for ever. She was stunned by the intensity of her feelings. She had never before felt this way about any man.

It was an earth-shattering moment of realisation for her. Because, for all their differences, and despite all her guarded emotions, she realised she was falling for him. How had it happened? She was filled with doubts. Was it simply an overwhelming desire that had crept up on her out of the blue? She didn’t know. She couldn’t tell. She had never experienced anything like it before.

‘Auntie Alex, come and see how many flowers we’ve collected.’

James’s childish voice registered on Alex’s consciousness like a bolt of electricity. It startled her and pulled her back into the reality of where she was and what was going on. She stared up at Callum and laid her fingers shakily against his chest.

‘I have to talk to them,’ she said in an unsteady voice. ‘I have to see to the children.’

She eased herself away from him, and he let her go, reluctantly, watching her as she turned to look over the deck rail once more. ‘You’ve been very busy, haven’t you?’ she managed, trying to keep her voice even. James’s grey eyes were bright with enthusiasm, and Sarah was bursting with energy and eager to get on. The children had filled both baskets with the delicate flowers, more than enough to make a couple of gift presentations. ‘Take them into the house and put the stems in some cold water in the sink. I’ll be there in a minute or two.’

James nodded gleefully and ran off towards the house, leaving Sarah to follow.

‘Are you all right?’ Callum wound his arms around her once more and looked at her cautiously.

‘I don’t know,’ she said. It was one thing for her to be taken up with the heat of the moment and to have given way to her emotions, but what was really going on inside his head? How did he actually feel about her? ‘I feel a bit strange to be honest. I’m not sure I understand what just happened… I think I need to get my head straight.’

He smiled ruefully. ‘That goes both ways, I guess. I can’t say I was expecting to feel the way I do. Perhaps it’s the midafternoon sun that’s getting to both of us.’