and actually read Reginald’s letter.
Reginald was sorry. In the crisp, fine handwriting of a man well educated and slightly pretentious, he’d apologized. Again. He begged her to return so they could be a family. As though he even knew what the word meant!
A spark of fierce determination electrified her spine, bringing her shoulders back and her chin up. She didn’t need his apology. She didn’t need him. She didn’t need anyone.
No sir!
Today would mark her first foray into the wilds of Australia. It didn’t matter that she was only here because she’d made such a mess of things back home. Her heart beat a little faster anyway, and she dried her palms on her khaki-covered thighs. How exciting to fly off into the wilderness! What an opportunity it was to help people who could otherwise not help themselves. Not only the Aboriginal peoples, but the farmers and homesteaders who lived so far out of the way, their only contact with medical care came over the unreliable, pedal-powered radios they used to communicate. If they even had access to one.
No, it was a good thing she’d come, regardless of the real reasons. The people here needed her, even if they didn’t know it yet. Besides, it wasn’t like she could go home if she failed. Despite Reginald’s pleas and empty promises, she could never go home.
“I know you’re nervous, Helen, but you must command trust when you arrive at the gathering. The Aborigines are like children. If you gain their trust and assure them you mean them no harm, everything will be fine. They’ll appreciate you, eventually.”
“They’ve managed to survive for thousands of years without our help, Doc. They’re hardly children. Personally, I’m not at all certain they will welcome me with open arms.”
“You’ll have Paul with you. That will help.”
The front door opened, then closed.
“Paul will help with what, exactly?” Paul entered the room as though he owned it, his full mouth parted in a half grin. A small flutter tickled her belly. The same flutter that had plagued her for nine whole days. And nights.
Thank heaven for Reginald’s rather timely letter, which had served as a blatant reminder of what she should be avoiding like the plague.
Reminders, unfortunately, did her very little good when Paul’s bronzed complexion filled the parlor with warmth that reminded her of the sun. Or perhaps it had simply grown exceptionally hot in the tiny room.
“Paul, good morning.” Doc pushed himself off the settee, tucking the folded newspaper beneath his arm. “I was just telling Helen that she has nothing to worry about in the bush with you along. You’ll take good care of her, won’t you?”
“Of course, I will.” The half grin became a full-on smile, revealing a few lines around his eyes and mouth that spoke of many lustful hours outdoors.
Helen swallowed when he turned his attention away from Doc and the bright blue of his eyes settled on her. She licked her suddenly dry lips.
Paul’s lips were soft and full. The memory of his kiss had invaded her dreams almost nightly. After hours of imagined bodies entwined, pulsing with expectant passion, she would wake yearning to feel his kiss again. And again.
She should be thankful for the nightly visits. They made her ever more determined to keep him at a distance when she was awake and fully aware of the danger he presented.
Still, his kisses almost made her reconsider…
Stop!
She hadn’t come to Australia to moon over some man. She had work to do. Charitable and worthy work. Dread took root in the pit of her stomach. She had so much to make up for. How could she possibly do it in only one lifetime?
“Are you all right, Helen?” Paul stood directly in front of her. How or when he’d moved there, she didn’t know, but he stood so close she could smell the heavy scent of soap and man.
“Quite,” she managed through her dry throat. “I’m quite fine, thank you. Are you ready?”
“Ready and
Reginald was sorry. In the crisp, fine handwriting of a man well educated and slightly pretentious, he’d apologized. Again. He begged her to return so they could be a family. As though he even knew what the word meant!
A spark of fierce determination electrified her spine, bringing her shoulders back and her chin up. She didn’t need his apology. She didn’t need him. She didn’t need anyone.
No sir!
Today would mark her first foray into the wilds of Australia. It didn’t matter that she was only here because she’d made such a mess of things back home. Her heart beat a little faster anyway, and she dried her palms on her khaki-covered thighs. How exciting to fly off into the wilderness! What an opportunity it was to help people who could otherwise not help themselves. Not only the Aboriginal peoples, but the farmers and homesteaders who lived so far out of the way, their only contact with medical care came over the unreliable, pedal-powered radios they used to communicate. If they even had access to one.
No, it was a good thing she’d come, regardless of the real reasons. The people here needed her, even if they didn’t know it yet. Besides, it wasn’t like she could go home if she failed. Despite Reginald’s pleas and empty promises, she could never go home.
“I know you’re nervous, Helen, but you must command trust when you arrive at the gathering. The Aborigines are like children. If you gain their trust and assure them you mean them no harm, everything will be fine. They’ll appreciate you, eventually.”
“They’ve managed to survive for thousands of years without our help, Doc. They’re hardly children. Personally, I’m not at all certain they will welcome me with open arms.”
“You’ll have Paul with you. That will help.”
The front door opened, then closed.
“Paul will help with what, exactly?” Paul entered the room as though he owned it, his full mouth parted in a half grin. A small flutter tickled her belly. The same flutter that had plagued her for nine whole days. And nights.
Thank heaven for Reginald’s rather timely letter, which had served as a blatant reminder of what she should be avoiding like the plague.
Reminders, unfortunately, did her very little good when Paul’s bronzed complexion filled the parlor with warmth that reminded her of the sun. Or perhaps it had simply grown exceptionally hot in the tiny room.
“Paul, good morning.” Doc pushed himself off the settee, tucking the folded newspaper beneath his arm. “I was just telling Helen that she has nothing to worry about in the bush with you along. You’ll take good care of her, won’t you?”
“Of course, I will.” The half grin became a full-on smile, revealing a few lines around his eyes and mouth that spoke of many lustful hours outdoors.
Helen swallowed when he turned his attention away from Doc and the bright blue of his eyes settled on her. She licked her suddenly dry lips.
Paul’s lips were soft and full. The memory of his kiss had invaded her dreams almost nightly. After hours of imagined bodies entwined, pulsing with expectant passion, she would wake yearning to feel his kiss again. And again.
She should be thankful for the nightly visits. They made her ever more determined to keep him at a distance when she was awake and fully aware of the danger he presented.
Still, his kisses almost made her reconsider…
Stop!
She hadn’t come to Australia to moon over some man. She had work to do. Charitable and worthy work. Dread took root in the pit of her stomach. She had so much to make up for. How could she possibly do it in only one lifetime?
“Are you all right, Helen?” Paul stood directly in front of her. How or when he’d moved there, she didn’t know, but he stood so close she could smell the heavy scent of soap and man.
“Quite,” she managed through her dry throat. “I’m quite fine, thank you. Are you ready?”
“Ready and
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