Bride on the Children's Ward / Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way (10 page)

‘Dumb.’

Eden smiled. ‘Anyway, I kept rolling the carpet out, and as I did I realised that the reason I’d seen the carpet move and the reason why I thought I’d heard muffled yelling was because there was a man rolled up in the rug!’

Chelsea was dumbstruck, blinking her eyes several times in disbelief. ‘Well? What happened?’

‘The man who was in the carpet jumped to his feet, gasping for air and shouting at the carpet-seller in their native language. Then the carpet man pulled out his own gun and pointed it at the carpet-seller.’

‘What did you do?’

‘I kept asking them both to stop, but I don’t speak Arabic all that fluently, and there are so many different dialects I wasn’t quite sure what I was saying. For all I know I was asking how much it was to buy a camel!’ She laughed at her own silliness.

‘Well…what happened next?’ It was a deep, masculine voice that asked the question, and Eden turned to see both Francie and David as mesmerised by her story as Chelsea.

‘Oh…yes. Well, obviously no one got shot—especially not me, because I’m still here—but it turned out the man who had been rolled up was a spy.’

Chelsea was so excited at this information that she clapped her hands. ‘A real spy? You’ve met a real spy!’

‘I have. His name was Tony.’

‘Tony?’ Chelsea scoffed. ‘That doesn’t sound like a spy name. It should have been James or Ranulf or something exotic.’

‘Perhaps it wasn’t his real name. Either way, he used my phone to call some of his colleagues and they came and took the carpet-seller away. Tony took me out for a drink—non-alcoholic, of course—to say thank you for saving his life.’

‘Was he good-looking?’

‘Tony?’ Eden thought for a moment before shrugging. ‘He wasn’t classically handsome, but he was a nice man.’ She glanced to her right and saw David shifting uncomfortably. She worked hard at hiding her smile. Surely he wasn’t jealous? But it wouldn’t hurt if he was. After almost admitting that she’d been dreaming about him this morning, she’d come to the conclusion that she should pursue the attraction which existed between them to see where it led. That was if David would let her.

‘You’ve met a
spy
.’ Chelsea’s words brought her attention back into the room. ‘A
real
spy. I can’t believe it.’

‘Neither could I—but, as I said, travelling means you can have lots of adventures.’

Chelsea sighed and leaned back against her pillows. ‘Have you had lots more?’

‘Oh, I’ve had plenty—and I have the promise of still more to come.’ She glanced at David again as she spoke. He would
definitely
be an adventure.

‘Will you come and tell me some more later?’

Eden smiled warmly. ‘I’d love to. I’ll see if I can find some photographs as well.’

‘Do you have one of Tony?’

Eden shook her head. ‘No, I don’t. But I do have his telephone number, and he told me that if I was ever in Egypt again, or in a tight spot, to give him a call.’

‘He’ll rescue you.’ Chelsea clasped her hands together in the way that young girls did when they thought something was romantic.

‘Let’s hope I’m not in a position to need rescuing. Anyway…’ Eden stood from the bed. ‘Francie’s going to put a drip in your arm now, and I want you try and keep it in until I come tomorrow. Think you can manage that?’

Chelsea’s eyes lost their brilliance within an instant, but she reluctantly agreed.

‘I’ll tell you all about how I met a sheikh of Dubai.’

‘Where’s Dubai?’

‘Why don’t you try and find out before tomorrow? I’m sure Francie could find an atlas for you to look at.’

‘Certainly,’ Francie said as she set things up.

‘Great. OK, Chelsea. I’ll see you later.’ Eden smiled at the child as she walked from the room, David close behind her.

‘That was quite a story,’ he murmured as they reached the nurses’ station. ‘Is it true?’

‘Every word.’

David shook his head. ‘Still getting into mischief.’

Eden smiled sweetly up at him and fluttered her eyelashes. ‘You weren’t there to stop me. My knight in shining armour.’ She clutched her hands to her chest as Chelsea had done, and sighed theatrically.

‘You do that well.’

She dropped the pretence. ‘Thank you. Besides, I didn’t go looking for mischief—as you call it. Tony probably would have suffocated if I hadn’t happened along. He was wrapped really tight.’

‘Was he really not that good-looking?’ The words were out before he could stop them. That seemed to be happening to him a lot lately.

Eden glanced up at him, astonished he’d asked the question but pleased he had. It showed he was interested in her, and it was just what she needed right at that moment. ‘I’m not that shallow, David. I look at the person on the inside rather than what’s on the outside.’

‘Of course.’

‘But for the record…’ She took a step closer and brushed her fingers through his hair, grazing the top of his ear. ‘He was nowhere near as good-looking as you.’

David swallowed, feeling exposed and uncomfortable and yet delighted at her words. He took her hand in his own and lowered it. ‘Not here.’

She waggled her eyebrows at him. ‘Then where?’

‘Eden. We need to work. To focus.’

‘I
am
focused.’ She edged closer to him, bringing her other hand up to touch his hair, but he caught it before she got there.

‘On work.’

‘Oh. On
work
. Well, of course I’ll focus on work…if you’d be so kind as to stop holding my hands.’ She chuckled as he let go of her wrists.

‘Maybe I should have let you sleep? It would have been an easier day.’

‘Maybe you should have kissed me goodnight last night, because then we’d both be having an easier day.’ Her tone was deep, rich and seductive, low enough for only David to hear.

‘How do you know I didn’t?’

Eden’s eyes widened at this, but she knew that David would never have taken advantage of her. He just wasn’t that sort of man. He always did the right thing, and last night wouldn’t have been the exception. It did, however, present the most perfect opportunity for her to turn the flirting up by a notch or two. ‘You did? Darn. That means I missed it. Well, there’s nothing for it but a do-over.’

‘A
do-over
? Do I want to know what that is?’

Eden winked at him and swished her hips. ‘Oh, honey.’ She nodded slowly. ‘You’ll
want
to know, all right.’

David closed his eyes for a second, determined to find some semblance of control. ‘Why don’t you go see Sasha? Say hello, get your giggles out, and then come back when you’re ready to work.’

‘I’ll do that—and then I promise to
really
work it.’

‘Eden!’

She smiled warmly at him as she left the ward, then stopped and called over her shoulder. ‘Have Dart moved into Room 2.’

‘Why Room 2?’

‘Just a hunch. Room 2—OK?’

He nodded and watched her walk away, her hips swishing in a way he was positive was designed to drive him crazy. It was working.

W
HEN
David knocked on her hotel door that night, he wasn’t sure which version of Eden was going to be answering the door. Was it going to be Dr Eden—the dedicated paediatrician who also seemed to be a minor miracle-worker? Was it going to be nervous Eden—the one who really wanted to see her family, but wasn’t quite sure? Or was it going to be flirty Eden—the one who could tie him up in knots with one simple smouldering look from those amazing green eyes of hers?

He hoped it was either of the first two, as he was sure if she opened the door dressed in nothing more than a hotel robe, her
come hither
eyes inviting him in, he wouldn’t be held responsible for his actions.

After Eden had spent some time with Sasha, she’d returned to the paediatric ward ready to concentrate. He’d been most appreciative of it, and of her help. She saw things differently and seemed able to read people, knowing instinctively what sort of help they needed to ensure their recovery.

Young Chelsea was a prime example. When he’d walked into that room and seen Chelsea listening eagerly to the story Eden was telling, he’d been surprised at how different the child had looked. There had been no problems afterwards with Francie getting the drip in place, and when Eden had returned from visiting Sasha she’d had a large atlas beneath her arm.

‘Borrowed from the hospital library,’ she’d declared as she’d handed it to Francie. She’d assisted with Dart’s transfer to Room 2, and when David had enquired of Eden what her hunch might be regarding the young boy, she’d merely put a finger over her lips and shaken her head.

‘I never discuss my hunches,’ she’d whispered.

‘Why not?’

‘Because things always go wrong if I do.’

Her answer hadn’t made any sense to him, but he didn’t care. If she could solve the riddle of why Dart’s health was up and down like a yo-yo, then he’d leave her to her hunches.

She’d done an informal ward round with him, meeting the other patients on the ward, talking to mothers, cuddling some of the toddlers who’d held out their arms to her. It was as though she wore a perfume which made everyone she came into contact with relaxed and happy. It didn’t matter whether children were having serious treatment or were just in for a broken bone. They seemed to flock to her and she absorbed all of it, giving back twice as much as she received.

David frowned as he looked at the closed door, wondering why she hadn’t opened it yet. He knocked again, a little louder this time. Had she backed out? He’d been delighted when she’d said she’d visit her parents, even if she would only go if he went too. The last thing he needed was more time in Eden’s company.

‘Sorry.’ The door was opened a moment later. ‘I’m on the phone.’ She indicated the mobile at her ear. ‘Won’t be long,’ she said softly. ‘Sorry, Jett. You were saying?’

David walked in, looking around the room he’d carried her into last night. Now that the lights were on, he could see two suitcases, still half-packed, and other clothes lying about the room, over chairs and the end of the bed. Eden climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged in the middle, leaning back against the pillows.

‘You’ll need to figure out what she’s allergic to first. This reaction isn’t normal.’ She paused. ‘Yes, I understand you can’t stop all treatments, but at least ease off on perhaps two and see if the rash clears. Is it an eczema type of rash or—?’ She listened to her colleague, but watched as David seemed to prowl about the room.

‘Have a seat,’ she whispered. David shrugged, as though he wasn’t sure where to sit. ‘Just throw those clothes into the suitcase.’ She watched him do as she suggested, smiling when he placed everything neatly and gently on top of her bags. It was so…David.

‘What about zinc? If you stop two of her meds and put her on zinc?’ She frowned. ‘Of course there’s zinc. It’s one of the minerals we
can
get. At least requisition some, and you’ll get it in about a week’s time.’ She listened again, still watching David as he leafed through the hotel’s compendium. ‘Oh, David might know. Just a second and I’ll ask him.’

He looked up at her. ‘Problem?’

‘We have a patient—eight-year-old girl who’s developed a rash.’ Eden gave him the rundown on what medications the girl was taking and the other particulars he needed to know in order to help her out.

‘What about a straight course of antibiotics?’

‘Tried that. Worked for about two days and then the rash came back. Next?’

‘Steroidial ointment?’

‘Can’t get it for another two weeks. Next?’

‘Umm…Is she itching?’

‘Yes.’

‘I like your idea about zinc. Zinc is good for skin problems.’

‘Anything else you can think of? Think natural medicines if at all possible. It’s easier to get our hands on them than pharmaceutical products.’

‘Do you think the rash is food related? Drug related?’

Eden checked with Jett. ‘Possibility of both,’ she returned.

‘The problem might actually be with the gut rather than anything else. If it’s food related, check what she’s eaten, and if it’s drug related, the acids in her stomach might either be reacting to it or might not be able to break it down properly.’

‘Yes. Yes. Good idea.’ Eden related this information to Jett, and within another minute or two she was off the phone. ‘Thank you. I appreciate it, and so does Jett.’

‘Is he a colleague in the Ukraine?’

‘He is. He’s the one who speaks the language most fluently, so we all tend to fight over him when we need things translated.’ She smiled. ‘I mean literally fight over him. One time Lauren and I had an arm each, and we were tugging poor Jett in two different directions whilst arguing over who needed him first and why.’

‘Who won?’

‘Tarvon. He’s a doctor from Tarparnii. He’s absolutely huge and he just put both hands on Jett’s shoulders and practically lifted him off the floor. It shocked us all—especially poor Jett.’

Her grin was wide and bright, her eyes shining with the memory, and she looked stunning. For the first time since he’d seen her again she wasn’t wearing a skirt or dress. Instead she wore a pair of denim jeans and a pale pink knit top. The colour should be all wrong to wear with hair so deep and rich, yet Eden carried it off to perfection.

When he just stood there, looking at her, Eden’s smile started to change. ‘David?’

‘Hmm? Yes?’

‘Are you all right?’

He shifted and realised she’d caught him staring. It wasn’t the first time she’d caught him today, and he knew, as he found it difficult not to watch her every chance he got, it wouldn’t be the last.

‘Of course.’

‘You know, if you keep looking at me as though you want to eat me up, I might just have to let you.’

‘Now, Eden. Don’t sta—’

‘Start? Too late, David. This thing between us started over twelve years ago, and while we’ve both had our own experiences you have to admit it’s quite astonishing to find the chemistry between us still alive and kicking.’

‘It doesn’t mean we need to act upon it.’

‘We might if my heart-rate doesn’t settle down. Whenever I’m around you it’s as though it’s beating out a samba.’ She took a step towards him, closing the distance. ‘You wouldn’t want me to be having palpitations now, would you, Doctor?’

‘Eden.’

‘You’re a caring doctor. One who has his patients’ best interests at heart.’ She continued to advance slowly, her steps small but sure, until she came to stand before him. He wanted to step back, to put more space between them, but he knew she’d follow him around the small hotel room.

‘You’re not my patient.’ He looked down into her face, his voice deep and husky. If she’d had any doubts as to whether or not he wanted her to stop, they were dispelled in that instant. Hearing the repressed desire, seeing it in his eyes, noticing the way his hands were clenched into fists at his sides, as though he was trying desperately not to touch her, Eden knew he wanted to kiss her just as much as she wanted him to.

‘Do I need to make the first move?’ she whispered, her breath fanning over him, her alluring scent drawing him in. David placed his hands onto her shoulders, mainly to stop her from coming closer, to stop her from pressing her body against his—because if she did that, he knew he wouldn’t be able to resist. Holding her close last night when she’d been asleep had been torture enough. It was ten times more acute now that she was awake.

‘Eden. We can’t.’

‘Why not? You want to, David. I can see it in your eyes.’

‘Of course I want to kiss you, to see what it’s like, to see if the magic is still there, but I can’t.’ The grip of his hands on her shoulders intensified a little. ‘I can’t do that to you.’

‘I don’t understand. You admit you’re attracted, and we both want it. We like each other—we’re friends. We’ve been dreaming about this moment for a very long time, both eager for the command performance. I think we’re ready.’

‘I don’t.’

‘But you’ve just said that—’

David dropped his hands and stepped around her, making sure their bodies didn’t touch. He walked towards the door, putting space between them, his back to her.

‘David?’

He closed his eyes, hearing her confusion. It was just as it had been twelve years ago, when he’d been forced to break her heart. She’d said his name then, too. With the same tinge of hurt and confusion lacing that one word as it did now.

‘Talk to me. Tell me why we can’t at least see where this incredible thing between us might lead?’

‘Because I know where it will lead, Eden. I’ve been down that road and it wasn’t pretty.’

‘What road? Your parents aren’t involved in your life any more. They can’t control what you do.’

‘It’s not my parents I’m talking about. I’m talking about serious relationships.’ He turned then, looking at her, holding her gaze. ‘You’re too special to Sasha, too special to your family and too special to…’ He stopped and swallowed before continuing, his tone a little more intense. ‘You’re too special to me.’

‘For what? What are you talking about? It’s good that I’m special to you. Isn’t it?’

‘Eden, I’ve had one failed marriage.’

‘Marriage?’ Her eyes widened at the word.

‘I’m not a safe bet when it comes to serious relationships. We’re both better off right now if we just ignore whatever exists between us and leave it at that.’

‘David? You’re not talking sense.’

‘To kiss you would only draw us both in further. We know that. This thing between us is strong, stronger than anything I’ve ever felt before, and that in itself is reason enough why we shouldn’t pursue it.’ He laughed without humour and raked a hand through his hair. ‘If my feelings for you are greater than they were for my ex-wife, then we’re both in for a bucket-load of pain, and I don’t want to hurt you.’

‘I’m too special?’

‘Exactly.’

‘What happened in your marriage, David? Talk to me. Tell me. We’re friends first and foremost. Surely you can trust me?’

‘It’s not a matter of trust, Eden.’

‘I think it is. What went wrong? You know, it could have just been that you were married to the wrong person. You said yourself that you were sort of pressured into marriage by your parents, so it can’t have been right in the first place. I’m different. I’m special, and you have stronger feelings for me. That’s a good thing. Right?’ She took a step towards him, but he equalled it by taking one back. ‘And besides, your parents don’t even like me, so there’s no way they’ll ever pressure you to marry me.’ She shook her head. ‘Not that I’m suggesting we get married. Nor am I trying to pressure you into marriage—or anything else for that matter.’

‘You’re not? You’re not trying to pressure me into kissing you?’

She shook her head sadly and sighed. ‘No. I don’t want to pressure you to do anything, David. I would, however, prefer it if you
wanted
to kiss me. Or even if you wanted to talk to me, to tell me what happened to break up your marriage—because from what you’re saying I’m getting the feeling that it was much more than the reasons you’ve stated.’

He looked away and shook his head. ‘I should have remembered I’m with a woman who can read other people like a book.’

‘Hey—it’s instinctive. It’s like a gift. I didn’t ask for it. I’ve had it most of my life.’ She shrugged. ‘I just understand people.’ She smiled at him a little sadly. ‘Most of the time.’

‘Yet you’re still trying to find out who
you
are.’ His words were a statement of fact.

‘And it appears you have the gift too.’

‘No.’ David shook his head. ‘I just know you, Eden, and I see a lot of unhappiness behind your eyes.’

‘Then why not help me with that by kissing me? That would definitely make me happy.’

He was thankful the tension in the room had returned to a more reasonable level, and he gave her a lopsided grin. ‘This is you not pressuring me?’

‘I’m not
pressuring
. I’m
cajoling
. They’re two very different things.’

David stood there for a second before sliding his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. She hadn’t missed the way he’d looked when he’d strolled into her room. Casual black jeans, white shirt and dark jacket. Simple, solid, and downright sexy. Even now her fingers itched to touch him, to feel the firm contours of his chest beneath her splayed hands.

‘Don’t look at me like that.’ His words were combined with a gravelly thread of want and desire, and it was then Eden realised she was giving him the once-over with her eyes.

‘Sorry. I can’t help it that I like looking at you.’

He clenched his jaw tightly. ‘We need to go. Your family is waiting.’

Eden closed her eyes. ‘Don’t remind me.’

‘If you don’t want to go, if you’re not ready yet, you can always cancel,’ he suggested, trying to be helpful.

‘No. I need to do this. It’s like ripping off a sticking plaster. The sooner I do it, the sooner it’s over and done with. It’s the right thing to do, regardless of the unwelcome reception I’ll no doubt receive. I need to do this for
my
sake, for
my
peace of mind.’

‘You won’t be unwelcome.’ He could see painful memories of the past wash over her, and his protective instinct reared its head again.