Emergency: Mother Wanted

‘I suppose it does.’ Zach’s voice was suddenly soft. ‘And what about you, Keely? What’s your chosen career path?’

Did she tell him the truth? That she didn’t know? That the whole question of her future was driving her mad—

No, of course she couldn’t tell him that! Zach was exactly like the other members of her family—clever, ambitious and totally driven. A born leader who had probably never known a moment of self doubt in his life. He was hardly likely to understand or sympathise with her plight, would he? She could hardly confess that she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to do with her career—could hardly confide that she wasn’t totally enchanted at the prospect of a career as a hospital doctor.

‘Well, I’m doing six months of A and E before I commit myself,’ she said finally, trying to sound suitably enthusiastic, ‘but I’m thinking of doing cardiology. It’s always fascinated me and we haven’t got a cardiologist in the family.’

‘I see.’ He spoke quietly, his expression thoughtful, and for a moment she wondered whether he’d guessed that she wasn’t being entirely honest.

‘And do you think you’ll enjoy A and E?’

She swallowed. Did he think she wasn’t up to it? He’d already said he hadn’t got used to the fact that she’d grown up.

‘I know I’ll love it,’ she said firmly.

‘Right.’ Those blue eyes fixed on hers a moment longer. ‘Well, if you have any problems—any worries at all—I want you to come to me.’

Oh, bother, he definitely didn’t think she was up to it.

‘I’ll be just fine,’ she said, a determined expression on her face. ‘I’m really looking forward to A and E. It’s going to be brilliant. I know I’ll love it.’

He seemed amused by her enthusiastic outburst. ‘It’s nice to see you haven’t changed.’

Well! Talk about tactless! Keely gaped at him. Did the man have problems with his eyesight?

‘Of course I’ve changed!’ She hoped that none of her new colleagues were listening to this conversation. How embarrassing! Being told she hadn’t changed since she was sixteen was hardly flattering. ‘Last time you saw me I had a flat chest, long hair and spots.’

He threw his head back and laughed. ‘Actually, I wasn’t talking about your physical appearance, I was talking about your personality. You always were smiley and good-natured.’ His grin faded. ‘I just hope you don’t find A and E too stressful.’

‘Zach, stop treating me like a child!’ Keely was still put out by the fact that he didn’t think she’d changed. She liked to think of herself as a cool cat. He made her sound more like a fluffy kitten. ‘Of course I won’t find it too stressful. I’m a doctor now! I’m not some child that needs to be nurtured.’

‘I know that.’ His voice was a slow drawl and he smiled again, obviously amused by her defensiveness. ‘It’s just going to take me a bit of time to get used to the idea.’

Oh, great. Then this was going to be every bit as bad as she’d feared when she’d first seen him stride into the lecture theatre.

She clutched her notepad harder and changed the subject. ‘So, how long have you been working here?’

‘In this department? Two years. I’ve been a consultant for a year.’

He was young for the post but, then, that was no surprise. He was every bit as bright as her siblings. In fact, she remembered Stephen sulking because Zach had beaten him in several exams.

‘Well…’ She broke off and cleared her throat. ‘I don’t suppose we’ll see that much of each other, will we? I mean, there are four consultants in the department.’

‘True.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘But we each work with three SHOs and you’re on my team. We’ll see plenty of each other, Keely.’

Her heart tumbled in her chest. How was she going to work with him every day without making a fool of herself? Just five minutes in his company had been enough to show her that the man still had a powerful effect on her. And what did he think of her? He’d admitted that he needed time to get used to the idea she was grown up. Did he think of her as the schoolgirl who’d proposed to him all those years ago?

She chewed her lower lip and decided she had to get things into the open.

‘Listen, Zach…’ She coloured furiously and glanced around quickly to check that no one was listening. ‘About what happened when I was sixteen…’

His face was impassive but she thought she detected a brief twinkle in his eyes.

‘I don’t remember anything happening when you were sixteen.’

He was turning a blind eye to the fact that she’d made a total fool of herself over him.

‘You’re very kind, but I want to apologise. I’ve wanted to for a long time.’ She pressed on, determined to have her say. She couldn’t work with him otherwise.

‘There’s really nothing to apologise for,’ he said quietly, and she flushed.

‘How can you say that when I—when I—’ She broke off, totally swamped with embarrassment, and his face was unbelievably gentle.

‘Had a crush on me? There’s nothing to apologise for, Keely. These things happen.’

‘Are you sure?’ She looked up at him anxiously. ‘You’re not cross? You don’t think it’s going to be a problem between us?’

One dark eyebrow lifted. ‘Why should it be? Unless you’re planning to develop another wild crush on me.’

She was beginning to think it was entirely possible but she managed a laugh that she hoped sounded convincing.

‘Goodness, no! I think I’m a bit beyond childish crushes now, Zach.’

And even if she wasn’t, there was no way he was going to find out about it this time!

His eyes locked with hers. ‘Good. Well, in that case we’re not going to have a problem, and we won’t mention it again.’ He held out his hand. ‘Welcome to A and E, Dr Thompson.’

With that he turned on his heel and left the room, leaving her staring after him. If he’d been handsome at twenty-four—and he certainly had been—then at thirty-two he was devastating.

Not that she was going to think about him in those terms, she told herself hastily. She had made a complete fool of herself over Zach all those years ago and once in a lifetime was more than enough for anyone. This time she was keeping a strict control over her hormones.

She was not going to fall in love with Zach Jordan again…

* * *

Zach walked out of the lecture theatre and made his way back to the A and E department, his thoughts full of Keely.

He still couldn’t believe it was her.

Last time he’d seen her she’d been little more than a child—and a very engaging child at that. He’d never been able to understand how her family had managed to produce a child like Keely. She was so totally different from the rest of them. Eleanor and Stephen were both like their parents—academic, emotionally reserved and totally driven.

But Keely…Zach gave a slight smile as he thought of how she’d been—Keely was warm, affectionate and slightly scatty. Unfortunately those qualities hadn’t been valued enough by her family and he remembered several occasions when Eleanor and Stephen had given their little sister a hard time.

He frowned as he pushed open his office door and put the slides from his lecture back in the cupboard. But somewhere along the line she’d obviously changed if her career plans were anything to go by. Funny really. He wouldn’t have thought she was the sort to be happy in a high-powered hospital career. But he was obviously wrong.

He flicked on his computer, checked his messages and then glanced out of the window towards the mountains. This late in January the fells were always topped with snow and the views from the hospital were breathtaking. He loved it here, but would Keely?

Zach frowned slightly as he remembered her breathless enthusiasm for her new job, her transparent embarrassment at seeing him again and her sweet concern that he’d still see her as a child.