The Doctor′s Lost-and-Found Bride
The Doctor's Lost-and-Found Bride
Kate Hardy
The Doctors Lost-and-Found Bride
Kate Hardy
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Table of Contents
Cover Page (#ua6f2164c-0f84-5015-aa1c-047aac1a7cc5)
Title Page (#u206d4eb7-48d7-5268-9672-1144c0726b27)
Praise (#uf80bd27d-dfc5-51e6-9182-4602a46d5094)
About The Author (#ufb397996-7863-515f-9cc0-edbfebd0f46d)
Chapter One (#uf3cf858b-a8b4-5924-ac0b-6b40ffba50e5)
Chapter Two (#ud7c76f19-b1ab-5c28-8db2-b63701f4ae88)
Chapter Three (#u834a9ad7-315d-53ac-9f1e-286ea9aeeb36)
Chapter Four (#ua28d21fe-3399-5fd6-82d2-9e5a71fb7b91)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Praise for Kate Hardy:
THE CHILDRENS DOCTORS SPECIAL PROPOSAL is just as the title promises. Kate Hardy delivers a superb romance that resonates beautifully with the reader. Bravo, Ms Hardy!
bookilluminations.com
THE GREEK DOCTORS NEW-YEAR BABY is romantic storytelling at its best! Poignant, enjoyable and absolutely terrific. With THE GREEK DOCTORS NEW-YEAR BABY Kate Hardy proves once again that when it comes to romantic fiction shes up there with the very best!
Cataromance
SURRENDER TO THE PLAYBOY SHEIKH: I spent a lovely morning with this book, and Id advise you to do likewise. Get it. Youll love it. An unrestrainedGrade A.
goodbadandunread. com
PLAYBOY BOSS, PREGNANCY OF PASSION: This story features a strong heroine who gains strength from her family, and a hero who realises the importance of love and family before its too late. Add in their captivating romance and it makes for one great read.
RT Book Reviews
Kate Hardy lives in Norwich, in the east of England, with her husband, two young children, one bouncy spaniel, and too many books to count! When shes not busy writing romance or researching local history, she helps out at her childrens schools. She also loves cookingspot the recipes sneaked into her books! (Theyre also on her website, along with extracts and stories behind the books.) Writing for Mills & Boon has been a dream come true for Katesomething she wanted to do ever since she was twelve. Shes been writing Medical Romances for over five years now, and also writes for Modern Heat. She says its the best of both worlds, because she gets to learn lots of new things when shes researching the background to a book: add a touch of passion, drama and danger, a new gorgeous hero every time, and its the perfect job!
Kates always delighted to hear from readers, so do drop in to her website at www.katehardy.com
Chapter One
EXCUSE me. I couldnt help overhearing the shouting. Im coming in.
Marina froze as she heard the voice on the other side of the curtain.
No; of course it wasnt him.
Apart from anything else, Max Fenton didnt work at the London Victoria. So it was completely ridiculous that shed think he was standing on the other side of the curtain. And she was furious with herself for, yet again, hearing a slightly posh voice and thinking immediately of her ex.
After four years, she should be over himcompletely over him. Yet every time she had an oblique view of a man with dark hair that flopped over his forehead, every time she heard someone who sounded faintly like him, she immediately thought of Max. And every time it turned out to be a stranger and she ended up cross with herself for being such a fool.
Of course he wouldnt have followed her to Londonnot after all this time. Hed signed the divorce papers a year ago, and theyd been separated for three years before that. Sure, Eve had said something about a new senior registrar taking over from Ed, but she hadnt mentioned his name and, as far as Marina knew, the new doctor wasnt starting until next week.
And then the curtain to the cubicle twitched open.
Shock kept her silent.
Since when had Max been working at the London Victoria?
He was definitely staff. Apart from the fact that he was wearing a white coat with a stethoscope flung casually around his neck, his name-badge sported the hospital logo and his name was printed underneath his photograph. But how on earth had she missed the news that hed joined the team?
She stared at him. There were lines she didnt remember etched on his face, and he was thinner. Too thin. But his hair was just the same, still flopping over his forehead. And shed forgotten just how blue his eyes were, a smoky, slate-blue that still managed to make her heart miss a beat when she looked at him, even after all the mess and misery that had happened between them.
For one crazy moment, Marina almost reached out to touch him, to press her palm against his cheek and make absolutely sure that he was really here, that this wasnt some weird kind of hallucination.
But she didnt have the right to touch him. Not any more. For all she knew, he could be married.
With a child.
The pain at that thought was so intense that she nearly gasped out loud. Then anger bubbled up to block out the pain. What the hell was he doing here? There were plenty of other hospitals in the world. Why did Max have to muscle into hers, push his way back into her life?
Maxs face was completely unreadable. She had no idea what he was thinking, or whether he was filled with the same confusing mixture of pain, anger and longing that she was.
He glanced at Marinas name-badge before turning to the woman whod been yelling at her; when he spoke, his voice was clipped, and made it very clear that he was in charge. Youre disturbing the other patients. I suggest you leave, so Dr Petrelli can concentrate on treating her patientor do I need to call security to escort you out?
The woman curled her lip at him and continued to chew gum loudly. Its all wrong, that lot coming over here and taking jobs off English people.
Not that its any of your business, Max said, but Dr Petrelli is as English as you are. And, even if she wasnt, this department operates a zero-tolerance policy. Our staff have the right to do their job without abuse.
I know my rights, Ms Gum-Chewer said, folding her arms. And youre not getting away with bullying me.
The way youre bullying my staff, you mean? Three seconds and Ill be calling security to escort you out. Or you can step outside and let Dr Petrelli treat your friend without interruptions. Your choice. He gave her an implacable stare. Onetwo
Ill be just out here, Ally. And you make sure she treats you properly. The gum-chewing woman sniffed loudly and stalked out of the cubicle.
Grumbling, and with a last, hostile look at Marina, the woman left the cubicle.
Marina still hadnt got over the fact that Max had called her his staff.
Ha; shed stopped being his anything a long time ago.
May I have a word? Max looked at Marina and gestured to the cubicle curtain.
Excuse me, Mrs Marshall, Marina said to her patient. Ill be back in just a moment.
Max closed the curtain behind them. Are you all right?
His voice was formal and polite. How different it had been when theyd first met. Shed been a fresh-faced graduate in her first job as a pre-registered house officer. Everyone had been rushed off their feet on the first day, and Max had introduced himself swiftly in the five-minute break shed managed to take, before giving her half a chocolate bar to keep her going, along with a cup of lukewarm coffee that she could gulp straight down. His warm, open smile had turned her weak at the knees, and shed discovered that love at first sight wasnt a myth at all. Shed fallen dizzily, headlong in love with Max Fenton within seconds of meeting him.
But a lot had happened in those five years. And, given their shared past, and the fact that they were clearly going to have to work together, polite, formal and distant was definitely the best way forward.
She glanced at his name-badge again to check his rank and what she should call him. Senior registrar: so he was the guy whod taken over from Ed. Still doctor rather than mister, then. Odd, because hed been so focused on his career that shed expected him to make consultant at a scarily young age. Im fine, thank you, Dr Fenton.
That was a complete lie. Seeing him again had made her feel as if shed just ridden an enormous rollercoasterat double speed, and sitting backwards. She managed to pull herself together. Just. Thank you for coming to my rescue.
Not a problem. He gave her an equally cool nod. Ill let you get back to your patient.
Im really sorry, the woman on the bed said when Marina returned to the cubicle. She bit her lip. Claires really kind-hearted.
Maybe, on her own terms; Marina forbore to comment.
Its just that sometimes she can come on a bit strong.
That was putting it mildly, but it wasnt Mrs Marshalls fault that her friend was so overbearing. Ive had worseyou should see the bad-tempered drunks who end up in here on a Friday night, Marina said with a smile, wanting to put her patient at her ease. Dont worry about it.
Its because her husband always looks at your bit in the paper on a Wednesdayhe fancies you something rotten, Mrs Marshall confided.
Im very flattered, Marina said, But your friend really doesnt have anything to worry about. Even if she had been in the market for a relationshipand right now life was too complicated for her to cope with dating someoneshe only ever went out with single men.
Ive told her how much Stewie loves her, but shes convinced hes going to look elsewhere because of her weight. Mrs Marshall sighed and shook her head. Shes trying so hard to make herself look good for him. She put on three stone when she stopped smoking. Thats why she chews gum all the timeto stop herself going back on the ciggies.
Marina knew that people with low self-esteem often lashed out at others as a way of making themselves feel better. Though it still hurt when you were the one they decided to pick on. Shes done the right thing for her health, giving up the cigarettes. But we really should talk about you rather than your friend, she said gently. I think youve broken your wrist, Mrs Marshall. From what youve told me about the way you landed, and the way your wrist looks, I think you have whats called a Colles fracture. Im going to give you some pain relief to make you more comfortable, then send you for an X-ray. When Ive had a look at your X-ray and Im happy that everythings straightforward, Ill put a temporary plaster on your wrist to keep it stable until the fracture clinic can see you.
You mean Im going to be in plaster? Mrs Marshall looked shocked.
Modern casts are really lightweight, Marina reassured her. But, yes, youll need a cast for a few weeks, while your wrist heals.
Will I be able to go back to work?
It depends what you do for a living. If you use that hand a lot, then its a good idea to have some time off to let your wrist heal properly. And Id definitely say no lifting or carrying.
Mrs Marshall looked upset. I dont get paid if I dont work.
But if you go back too early, and put too much weight on the fracture, theres a strong chance youll make it worse and youll be off work for even longer, Marina said gently. I know its not going to make you feel much better, but youre the fourth patient Ive seen today with a Colles fracture. When its icy like this, no end of people slip, put their hands out to save themselves and end up breaking their wrists.
She gave Mrs Marshall some painkillers, then directed her to X-ray. Come back when youve had the X-ray and Ill finish treating you, she said with a smile.
Max grabbed a file and started to read his next patients notes, needing a couple of minutes to get himself back under control. When hed heard someone shouting in the cubicles, and realised that someone was haranguing one of his colleagues, hed instinctively gone to the rescue.
What he hadnt expected was to see his ex-wife standing there.
Hed had no idea that Marina even worked at the London Victoria, so he hadnt been prepared to face her again. It was a double shock to see her again for the first time in four years.
She was still as gorgeous as ever, with that long, silky, dark hair hed so loved playing with, albeit tied back for work; those expressive, dark eyes, and the perfect rosebud mouth hed fallen in love with the very first day hed met her. She was twenty-eight now, but still looked younger than her years, all soft skin and lush curves. Just as shed done the first time hed met her, shed taken his breath away.
He only hoped that it hadnt shown on his face.
Then again, Max had spent months stuck in a hospital bed with nothing to do except brood and teach himself to mask his feelings. Between that, and three years of working for Doctors Without Borders, he was pretty sure he could keep his expression blank and professional in just about any situation.
Including unexpectedly coming face-to-face again with the love of his life.
Hed told himself that he was ready to work in England again, that he was over Marina. But seeing her just now had taught him how wrong hed been. He wasnt over her at all. He never had been, and if he were honest with himself he probably never would be.
Not that he was going to do anything about it. Marinas expression had been pretty clearshock, followed by hurt and anger. Given that shed been the one to start divorce proceedings, it was obvious that shed keep her distance from him. For all he knew, she could be in a serious relationshipmarried, even. He hadnt noticed a ring on her left hand; then again, hed been too busy trying to look professional and detached to think of even looking. The idea of seeing another mans ring there made him feel sick to the stomach, but what right did he have to protest? Hed signed the papers, after all, agreed to end their marriage instead of fighting for it.
Hed been angry when hed signed themangry with Marina for walking out on him, and angry with himself for not doing more to keep them together. But he knew now that the anger had been just a mask for the hurt, something to cover the pit of loss so he couldnt see how deep it was.
He swallowed hard. What a mess. Now they were going to have to work together, and there was a fair chance that theyd be rostered onto the same team in Resus. So, for both their sakes, he was going to have to keep a lid on his feelings and pretend theyd never met before.
Thank God hed chosen to specialise in emergency medicine, where hed be kept way too busy to think about his ex-wife. He strode out to the reception area and called his next patient.
As always, when the weather was icy, the waiting area in the department was standing-room only. Most of the patients had fallen; some were badly bruised, but there were several with Colles fractures that needed backslabs to keep the break stable before referral to the fracture clinic. But even though Marina was too busy to have a proper break she made sure she spent enough time with each patient to reassure themparticularly one elderly patient who suffered from osteoporosis and had cracked both arms and a hip. Rather than sending her up to the geriatric ward with a porter, Marina took the old lady herself and spent time settling her in to the ward.
Lunch was a sandwich eaten while sorting paperwork between patients. Halfway through the afternoon, Eve, the charge nurse, caught Marina before she saw her next case. You havent had a break today. Go and grab a coffee.
Were busy, Marina protested. And you havent had a break either, Eve. Nobody in the department did when it was as busy as this. There just wasnt time.
Go and grab a coffee, Eve directed. You need a break. And youre off at five today, yes?
Marina nodded. I feel awful, leaving early when weve still got a full waiting-room.
You were in at eight, and you havent stopped since youve been in. So leaving at five isnt exactly leaving early, is it? And we all know where youre going to be, anyway, if we need you.
Yes. Picking up Phoebe, then going upstairs to the maternity department and spending a while at her elder sisters bedside.
Eve smiled at her. Hows Rosie doing?
Getting there. Shes feeling well enough to moan about being stuck in here and wanting to be at home with Neil and Phoebe.
Thats a good sign. And the babys doing OK?
Doing fine. Marina bit her lip. Though I think well all be a lot happier when he or shes here safely.
Rosies in good hands. You know as well as I do, Theo Petrakis is the best. Eve patted her shoulder. Now, scoot.
Five minutes and Ill be back.
Make it fifteen, Eve said.
Marina had no intention of taking that long, not when they were so busy. But she went through to the staff kitchen, made herself a mug of coffee and added enough cold water so that she could drink it quickly.
Is the kettle still hot? a voice behind her asked, and she nearly dropped her mug.
Max.
Longing surged through her, but she stifled it. Fast. Yes, Dr Fenton. She forced herself to sound cool, calm and professional; the last thing she wanted was for him to realise that his voice was enough to turn her to a gibbering mess inside.
If there was an atmosphere between them people would start asking questions. Marina really didnt want to be the hot topic on the hospital grapevine. So, much as she hated it, she forced herself to make small talk. I didnt know you were going to be working here, she said.
I had an interview two weeks ago, Max replied, making himself a coffee and topping it up with cold water, the same way Marina had.
Two weeks ago: that explained it. Life had been so crazy since Rosie had been admitted to the maternity ward with pre-eclampsia sixteen days before that Marina really hadnt paid much attention to what was going on at work. She just did her shift, visited her sister before and after every shift and helped her brother-in-law Neil to look after Phoebe, Rosie and his two-year-old daughter.
I didnt realise you were here, either, Max added. You werent here when I had a tour of the department.
I was probably off duty. Not that he needed to know what shed been doing. He hadnt kept in touch with her family at all; as far as she was concerned, he wasnt part of her family any longer, and she didnt owe him any explanations.
How long have you been working here?
Nearly a year. She glanced at him, and was gratified to see a slight flicker in his eyes. Good: so he did remember what had happened a year ago. Hed taken long enough to sign the divorce papers. Her solicitor had had to send them to him three times because he hadnt bothered replying; the ending of their marriage had clearly been as low a priority in his life as their marriage itself.
But at last she was free. Shed gone back to using her maiden name. At the London Victoria, theyd only ever known her as Marina Petrelliand that was the way she wanted it to stay.
Its a good place to work, she said.
He raised an eyebrow. Is it going to be a problem, my working here?
Trust Max to cut to the chase.
Yes, it was a problem. Shed much rather they didnt have to work together. But she couldnt change the situation, only make the best of it. I think, she said carefully, Were both professional enough to put our patients first.
Good.
There was a long, long pause. Marina couldnt think of a single thing to say.
Actually, that wasnt true. There was a lot she wanted to say. Answers she wanted to demand. But the emergency-department kitchen wasnt the right place to say any of it.
If anyone had said to her five years ago that shed find it difficult to talk to Max, she wouldve laughed in disbelief. Theyd never stopped talking, right from the start. And Max had fitted right in to her noisy, talkative family. The Petrellis had adored him as much as she had.
Until their marriage had gone so badly wrong. Then she and Max had stopped talking completely.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure: how horribly true that saying had turned out to be.
Well, Id better get back, she said, rinsing out her mug and trying to avoid eye contact.
Me, too.
Oh, no. Please dont let him suggest walking back to the department together She wasnt ready for this. But, to her relief, Max was still finishing his coffee, which meant she could escape.
Bye, then, she said brightly, and left the room.
How on earth had they come to this point? Max wondered. They were awkward, embarrassed strangers who could barely make small talk in a staff kitchen.
Though he knew exactly how theyd got here: through pain and hurt that theyd both been too young to deal with at the time. Marina had walked out and gone home to her parents for the comfort he hadnt been able to give her. And hed responded by going off to work for Doctors Without Borders, where hed known hed be too busy to think about the wreck of their marriage.
And now they had to work together. Hed seen on her face that, yes, it was a problem for her. It was a problem for him, too. But theyd better deal with itand fastbecause he sure as hell didnt want to be the subject of the hospital grapevine. Hed been there before and he wasnt in any hurry to repeat the experience: people whispering and stopping conversations dead as soon as they saw him walk in, the pitying glances.
If hed known that she worked here, he wouldnt have taken the job.
Then again, this had been too good an opportunity to turn down: a position as senior registrar in a busy London emergency-department. Added to his experience abroad, it would stand him in good stead for future promotion, for the consultants post that was the focus of his life right now.
Luckily the rest of his afternoon was too rushed to let Max think about Marina. There were several victims of road-traffic accidents who needed checking overincluding one with broken ribs and a pneumothorax that needed very careful attention. Even so, he was aware that Marina left the department a good half-hour before he did.
Then, as he walked out through the double doors, he heard a voice he recognised, saying cheerfully, Right, Miss Beautiful. Lets go and meet Daddy.
Daddy?
Max couldnt help looking, and immediately wished he hadnt. Because at the far end of the corridor Marina was carrying a toddler: a little girl who had the same dark hair, dark eyes and sweet smile as Marina herself.
Marina had a daughter.
For a moment, Max couldnt breathe; it felt as if someone had just sucker-punched him in the stomach and all the air had been driven out of his lungs. The little girl looked as if she was around two years oldwhich meant that Marina hadnt even waited for their divorce to be finalised before shed moved on to another relationship and had a baby with her new partner.
Yet she still used her maiden name in the department. Maybe she hadnt yet remarried. Or maybe shed decided to keep her maiden name for work.
Whatever.
It was none of his business any more.
All the same, it shook him. Especially when a man came walking down the corridor towards them, kissed Marina lightly on the mouth and scooped the child from her arms.
Daddy! the little girl said, beaming as the man kissed her and lifted her onto his shoulders.
Marina tucked her arm through his and they walked off together, chatting easily. Looking exactly like the close, loving family they obviously were.
Exactly like the close, loving family he and Marina had planned to have.
Max swallowed the bile that had risen in his throat. Now he understood why Marina had left her shift dead on time. Shed had to pick up her daughter from the hospital nursery before meeting her partner.
What made the whole thing so much worse was that, if circumstances had been very slightly different, Max wouldve been the one meeting Marina with a bright, lively pre-school child, and maybe a baby with chubby hands and a wide, wide smile. He wouldve been the one they smiled at, the one they greeted with a kiss.
He swore under his breath. Hed promised himself that he was over it, that he could cope with working in England again. But seeing that little tableau made it feel as if someone had cracked his heart wide open and stomped on it.
Marina had a child. With someone else.
Hed thought that hed reached the depths of pain. Now he knew there was moreand it felt as if he were drowning. Someone else had the life hed planned, the life hed wanted: Marina, their baby, a fulfilling job.
Why the hell hadnt he tried harder to make it work?
Because hed been an idiot.
Because hed been hurting too much at the time to work out what hed needed to dowhat they had needed to doas a couple.
And now it was too late. Way, way too late.
There was only one way of getting this out of his system. So, instead of making himself a sandwich when he got home, Max grabbed his gym gear and headed out again. What he needed was a workout that would leave him too damn tired to think. Hed sleep on it, let his subconscious come up with a way of dealing with the fact that Marina Petrelli was back in his lifeand she was very firmly off-limits.
Chapter Two
THE roster fairy definitely wasnt on his side, Max thought the next morning as he walked into Resus and saw his team.
To think hed been so cool and calm yesterday, asking Marina if it would be a problem for her, working in the same department. Hed been so sure that he could handle the situation.
Though, that had been before hed seen her with her daughter.
And he was shocked by how much that thought still hurt, like a bruise that went right through his soul.
Good morning, Dr Fenton, Marina said.
She sounded bright and breezy, as if nothing was wrongalthough hed noticed that her smile didnt quite reach her eyes, and she was using his formal title rather than his first name. OK; hed take the lead from her. Bright, breezy and surface-friendly it waseven though he felt like punching something. He forced himself to unclench the fists in his pockets. Good morning, Dr Petrelli.
Weve just had a shout, she told him. RTC, elderly female passenger, ETA six minutes.
Any details?
Query fracture and internal injuries. Theyve put a line in and shes on a spinal board.
Max met the ambulance crew at the door and quickly went through the handover, and the team swung into action to treat Mrs Jennings. Clearly they were used to working together and, whatever the problems between himself and Marina, she obviously took her job seriously, and she hadnt been exaggerating when shed said that she could push the personal stuff into the background and put her patient first. Max quickly discovered that over the last four years Marina had become a fine doctor, confident and capable, and whenever he was about to give her some instructions he found she was already doing it, having second-guessed him.
As they assessed their patient for hypovolaemic shockMax wasnt happy with her blood pressure or the capillary refillthey both noted the pattern of bruising across her abdomen, the lap-belt imprint. On examination, Mrs Jennings abdomen was tender. Not good.
Im not happy with this, Max said quietly to Marina.
Id need to see the X-ray to confirm it, but my guess is that the impact fractured her pelvis, Marina said, equally quietly.
He nodded. There may be some splenic involvement as well, or even damage to other organs. We need a CT scan and an X-ray to see whats going on.
Agreed. Lets get her stabilised first, Marina said.
Quietly, Max asked Stella, their senior nurse, to bleep the orthopaedic-surgery team and put Theatre on standby, and then he turned back to the patient. Mrs Jennings, Im going to put a mask over your face, he said, to give you some oxygen, which will help you to breathe more easily. And Im going to give you something to help with the pain, so it makes things a bit more comfortable for you while we take a look at your injuries. If youre worried about anything, just lift your hand and well take the mask off for a few moments so you can talk to us, OK?
Mrs Jennings whispered her consent. Max fitted the oxygen mask over her face and gave her analgesia through the IV line that the paramedics had put in, while Marina inserted a second IV line and set up a drip. Marina took blood samples for rapid cross-matching, all the while talking to Mrs Jennings, reassuring her and assessing her. Max was impressed by Marinas calm, kind manner. Although they were faced with a potentially life-threatening emergencycompound pelvic fractures, especially if there were abdominal injuries as well, were associated with a mortality rate of more than fifty per centMarina made sure that Mrs Jennings didnt realise how worried they all were. She behaved as if this was a completely everyday occurrence, and nothing more worrying than a dislocated elbow, which meant that their patient relaxed rather than panickingand in turn that made their investigations just that touch easier.
If it wasnt for the personal stuff between them, working with her would have been a dream.
As it was, it was a living nightmare. Her voice echoed through his head: Lets go and meet Daddy.
Daddy. Daddy.
It shouldve been him.
He shook himself. This wasnt the time or the place. And there was nothing he could do to change the situation, so it was pointless ripping himself apart over it. He forced himself to stay in professional mode, and reviewed the X-rays with Marina against the lightbox. Classic open-book fracture, he said.
Thats fixable. What worries me more is that her BP is still dropping.
Which means she has internal injuries. He grimaced. We dont have time to wait for a CT scan, and even a DPLs going to be risky. A diagnostic peritoneal lavage or DPL was a quick way of checking for internal haemorrhage when a scan would take too long. We need to get her up to Theatre now. Fast-bleep the orthopods, please, Stella, he said to the nurse. Im sending Mrs Jennings up.
He turned to Mrs Jennings. The X-rays show that the accident broke your pelvis, Max explained gently, holding her hand and looking into her eyes. Im going to send you up to Theatre so the surgeons can fix it for you. We want to keep you as still as possible on the way, so were going to put sandbags either side of you to make sure you dont move on the trolley.
But dont be afraid, Marina added. It wont be uncomfortable, and its pretty much routine-procedure for anyone whos got a break right there. Im going to come up to Theatre with you and introduce you to the surgical team. She took Mrs Jennings other hand. And Im not going to leave you until youre happy that you know whats going on. Is there anyone youd like us to call for you while youre with the surgeons?
Mrs Jennings reached up with her free hand and lowered the mask. My daughter, she whispered.
Marina made a note of her name and number. Ill call her myself as soon as youre in Theatre, she promised.
And my friend, Mrs Jennings whispered. The one who was driving me. Was she hurt in the accident?
She hasnt been brought in here, Marina said. But Ill talk to the ambulance crew and find out what happened and how she is. Then, when youre out of Theatre, Ill come and see you and let you know whats going on. Now, let me put this mask back on you and make you more comfortable.
When Marina returned from taking Mrs Jennings up to Theatre and phoning her daughter, Max was about to send her on a break, then the phone in Resus rang.
Stella answered it. Marina, its the nursery, she said, handing the phone to Marina.
Marina Petrelli speaking.
Even though Max tried hard not to listen in, he couldnt help noticing that Marina went white.
Whats happened? Right. I see. Yes, of course. She replaced the receiver and blew out a breath. Phoebes just thrown up everywhere. The nursery needs me to collect her and take her home, as in right now. She bit her lip. Dr Fenton, I know Im rostered in here with you today, and were short-staffed, but
Just go, Max cut in. The child obviously needs you. He couldnt bring himself to say your daughter; the words made his throat feel as if it were closing, and he was angry with himself for not being able to get a grip. He should be happy that Marinas life was on track and that shed clearly found a partner who loved her the way she deserved to be loved. The fact that he hadnt moved on and found someone else himself was his own stupid fault, and it wasnt fair to blame her for his own shortcomings. Ill arrange cover.
Thank you. This time, her smile was genuine, gratitude, clearly mixed with fear for her child; she looked worried sick. And for good reason; hed been told that the previous month the hospital had had to put a ban on visitors because so many patients and staff had been struck down by the winter vomiting-virus.
He didnt have time to add that he hoped it was nothing serious, because Marina had already left, walking very quickly, the way junior doctors soon learned to do so they could cover the ground between the on-call room and a department at maximum speed and with minimum risk.
To his surprise, Marina was back in the department again within two hours.
What the hell was she doing here? Her daughter was ill and needed her, and yet Marina was at work. Her priorities were way out of line. Shouldnt you be at home? he demanded.
Marina shook her head. Its OK. Mums taken over. I rang her on the way to collect Phoebe.
Your mothers looking after Phoebe? He stared at her in disbelief. Just what was going on here? He knew that family was important to Marina, and given the way shed fallen apart when shed lost their baby he wouldve bet good money that she would always put her child before her jobbefore anything else. How could she just dump her sick daughter on her mothers doorstep?
Then again, the cost of living was high in London. Perhaps she and her partner were struggling financially and needed her salary to survivewhat was left of it, after the cost of childcare.
What about the childs father? The question was out before he could stop it.
She looked defensive. Neils really busy at work. I cant expect him to drop everything. Not when
Save it. Its none of my business, he cut in. He knew he was being rude, but he was angrywith himself, as much as with her. Why couldnt he get his head round the fact that Marina had moved on, that shed found happiness with someone else? Why was he so selfish that he couldnt be pleased for her, or relieved that she wasnt stuck in the same limbo of misery that he was?
She said nothing, but her face looked pinched, and her dark eyes were wary whenever she spoke to him for the rest of the afternoon.
As Maxs anger faded, he realised how just unfair hed been. Which was why he sent Marina off the ward at five oclock sharp.
I cant leave when we still have a patient to treat, she said in a low voice.
Well manage without you.
But
Phoebe needs you. Go home.
But
Go home, he repeated, trying to make his voice gentle. It was obvious that Marina was torn between her child and her duty; he had no intention of making the choice any more difficult for her.
But he thought about it for the rest of the eveningand wondered. Had their child been ill, how would he have acted? He was pretty sure he knewand his choice wouldnt have been the same as Neils.
Then again, he hadnt exactly been a perfect husband to Marina. He hadnt been there when shed needed him. Yes, work had been busy, but hed used his career as an excuse to avoid facing the misery at home. He hadnt known how to make things better, for either of them, so hed put his job first. Her second husband was clearly out of the same mould, so Max knew he was hardly in a position to criticise the guy. It didnt stop him feeling angry about the situation, though, or thinking that Marina deserved better.
Wednesday; thank God it was Wednesday, Marina thought. As part of her training as a specialist registrar in emergency paediatrics, her boss had arranged for her to spend one day a week in the Childrens Assessment Unit. She was covering in part for Katrina Morgan, who was on maternity leave. Rhys Morganthe consultant, who was also Katrinas husbandhad taught her a huge amount.
Marina loved every second of the time she spent on the CAU and always looked forward to it, but the fact that she didnt have to face Max today made it even better.
Are you OK, Marina? Rhys asked. You look a bit pale.
Im fine, Marina fibbed with a smile. Just tired. She hadnt slept particularly well the previous night, brooding about Max and how hostile hed been towards her. Yes, shed been the one to walk outbut they were both equally responsible for the collapse of their marriage. And hadnt they agreed that they were going to put their patients first? If he carried on like that, there was no way theyd be able to work togetherand it wouldnt be fair on their patients or the rest of the team.
Not studying too hard, I hope? Rhys said.
No, just worrying about my sister. It was true: just not the whole truth. Not that she was going to burden Rhys with the mess of her personal life. And, yes, I know shes in good hands and Theo Petrakis is the best maternity specialist for miles. Theos wife Madison and Rhyss wife Katrina were cousins, but were as close as sistersthough Marina knew that Rhys would have put the family connection aside when hed assessed his colleagues medical skills, just as she would have.
But Rosies still your sisterand where your own familys concerned all your medical knowledge goes out of the window. You end up being like a medical student again, poring through textbooks and convincing yourself that you can see the symptoms of really rare complications, Rhys said, smiling back. Katrina says Im going to be a nightmare when she goes into labour, just as Theo was with Maddie.
Doctors, eh? Marina said wryly. How is Katrina, by the way?
Blooming, Rhys said. Its our first anniversary next week. I had planned to take her to Venice for the weekend, but with her being seven-and-a-half months pregnant I dont want her to fly. So instead were going to Southwold, on the coast of Suffolk. He grinned. And, yes, I know that this cold snap means that the east coast is going to feel like Siberia. Well just have to tough it out and snuggle up in front of a proper log-fire in the little thatched cottage I booked.
That sounds lovely. Really romantic, Marina said, trying to keep the wistful note out of her voice. Rhys was deeply in love with his wife and had planned something special to celebrate their first anniversary, whereas she and Max hadnt even made it to their first anniversary.
They hadnt even made it to six months before their marriage had imploded.
And now he was back in her life, and all her feelings were turned upside down again. Anger, hurt, longing, love and hate, all shaken together so thoroughly that she couldnt work out which was which.
She pushed the thought aside. Righty. What do you have for me this morning?
Severe asthmacold-induced. Several cases, actually.
And if it isnt brought back under control properly they could end up with silent chestin which case theyll be downstairs with my lot, Marina said. With asthma, the childs airways were inflamed, and responded rapidly and strongly to stimuli, so the child wheezed and coughed; the airways narrowed so much that the child couldnt breathe out properly. The child might then panic and the situation could spiral. If it got really out of control, the wheezing could stop, which was far more dangerous. Silent chest, as it was known, meant that the asthmatic patient wasnt moving enough air through their lungs to even create a wheezeand that was life-threatening.
And then, once youve stabilised them, back up with me for admission and overnight observation Rhys began.
Because if theres a history of severe attacks theres a very good chance that a child whos had an attack during the day will have another one at night, Marina finished.
Exactly, Rhys said. So part of today is going to be about preventiontalking to the parents about using their inhalers properly, how to use them and when. And its worth making the point that the steroids we give arent the same as body-building steroidsthese are the ones that are produced naturally in the body.
Marina nodded. And well make a note for the GP and health visitor.
Rhys smiled. Working with you is almost like working with Katrinashes spot on about kids, too. You know, Im looking for someone to cover her maternity leave properly. Working up here for a while would be really good for your career development.
Marina shook her head. Ellen agreed to let me work here for a day a week. Im not sure shed go for a years secondment.
I can talk to her, if you like? Think about it, Rhys said. The offers open for a couple of weeks.
Thanks. It was good to know that she had a potential bolthole. Working with Max and dealing with all the memories wouldve been tough at the best of times but, coming on top of her worries about Rosie and the baby, it just ratcheted up the tension.
At least here in the CAU she could relax.
And she could try not to think of Max.
Chapter Three
ON THURSDAY morning, Max was walking into the department when he heard Kelly on Reception say, Hey, Marina! Hows Phoebe doing?
Shes on the mend. Its just a tummy bug. Marina smiled. Thats the worst thing about being a medicyou know the worst-case scenarios, and instead of seeing a simple tummy bug you imagine its the winter vomiting virus and all the complications that go with it.
Max knew exactly what she meant, though sometimes medics went the other way, going into complete denial when faced with the evidencejust as they had done four years ago. Theyd managed to convince themselves that Marina wasnt having a miscarriage, that the baby they hadnt planned but had both wanted so much would be just fineAnd when theyd finally had to face the truth it had hurt even more.
Though Rosies pretty upset that shes not getting her usual visitor on the ward this morning. I rang her at breakfast, so Phoebe could say hello down the phone, but its not the same as being able to cuddle her.
Max knew he really shouldnt be listening init was nothing to do with him any morebut hed always liked Marinas elder sister. Unless Rosie had changed career and become a medic like Marina, it sounded as if something was wrong. Why would Rosie be in hospital? And why was Marina taking her daughter to visit her sick aunt every single day?
Hows Rosie doing this morning? Kelly asked.
Shes fine. Missing Phoebe and Neil like crazy, of course, but everyone knows she wont stick to bed rest at home. Marina spread her hands. I mean, you cant if you have a toddler as lively as Phoebe. She laughed. Mums always telling Phoebe that shes exactly like her Aunty Rina was at the same agecovered in glitter and paint half the time, and pedalling round on her tricycle the other half.
Everything suddenly fell into place for Max, and for one crazy moment he found himself on the point of whooping with delight and doing a happy dance all round the department.
The toddler Marina had been carryingthe one shed gone to pick up from the nurserywas her niece, not her daughter.
As Rosie had the same colouring as Marina, and similar features, of course thered be a strong physical resemblance between aunt and niece. And that in turn meant that the man Marina had kissed in the corridor had been her brother-in-law, not her partner. The Petrelli family had always been warm and tactile, and Max had kissed Marinas sister, mother, aunts and grandmother exactly the same way himself before their marriage had fallen apart.
How stupid hed been.
Then again, Max had never been able to think straight around Marina. Not from the moment hed met her as a wet-behind-the-ears junior doctor who made very sure she pulled her weight on the team and did her best to reassure her patients. Theyd gone for a coffee after that first shift, and had dated every night after that. The more time hed spent with her, the more deeply hed fallen in love with her.
Small wonder that theyd gone to bed together within a week and had moved in together within a month. They hadnt wanted to spend a single moment apart.
Yet theyd spent the past four years as far apart as they could be: Marina in London, and he moving from disaster zone to disaster zone, pushing himself to the limit so he wouldnt have to think about how much hed lost.
He closed his eyes briefly. Now wasnt the time or the place. He and Marina were going to have to talk about it, but not now, and definitely not here. Right now, he had a job to do. And so did she.
Marina was rostered on the childrens section of the emergency department that morning; that was good, because it meant she didnt have to see Max. Not unless there was a really difficult case where she needed a second opinion. But she was in luck: her first case was a toddler whod stuffed a plastic bead up her nose, her second was a child with a cough that she suspected was asthmatic, and her third was one whod fallen in the playground and gashed his arm deeply enough to need stitches and a lot of reassurance. All things that needed a bit of time, reassurance and TLC as well as medical treatment, and she knew she was perfectly capable of dealing with all of them on her own.
Everything was fine until she took her break. The second that she made herself a mug of coffee in the kitchen, Max walked in, as if he had some weird kind of radar that told him exactly when shed be there.
Hows Phoebe? he asked.
Doing OK, thanks. Mums looking after her today again.
He made himself a coffee, then took a bar of chocolate from the pocket of his white coat, snapped it in half and handed half to her.
She accepted it without thinking, the way she always had when theyd worked together. Thanks. Then she stared at the chocolate, suddenly realising what theyd both done.
Just like old times.
Except theyd both come a long way in the last four years.
I didnt have time for breakfast this morning, he said with the quirky smile that had once made her knees melt.
She remembered those days. Even though their flat had been a ten-minute walk from the hospital, theyd never had time for breakfast. Because theyd been too busy making love.
She took a gulp of coffee and willed the memories to stay back.
So whats wrong with Rosie? he asked. I overheard Kelly asking you how she was.
Pre-eclampsia, Marina explained. Theyve kept her in so shell get some rest and they can monitor how the babys doing.
Is it OK if I go and see her? he asked.
She frowned. Why would you want to do that?
He sighed. Look, I know things didnt work out between us, but I liked your family.
And theyd liked him. A lot.
Pity that the same couldnt be said of the way Maxs family had felt about her. Kay Fenton had seen Marina as a rival for her sons affections, and Andrew Fenton had usually been away on business trips. Marina had found them distant and cold, the complete opposite of her own family. And when everything had gone wrong, and Marina had been at her most vulnerable, the Fentons had made it very clear that they werent going to offer her a shoulder to cry on. Andrew, as usual, had been absent, and Kay had actually said that it was for the bestthat it was the wrong time for Max to have a baby when he had his career to think about.
How could anyone possibly say that a miscarriage was for the best? All this time later, it still took her breath away.
Marina?
It wasnt Maxs fault that his mother was supremely tactless. Its not up to me to give you permission. If you want to visit Rosie she spread her hands then visit her. But bear in mind she has pre-eclampsia. The last thing she needs right now is any kind of worry thatll make her blood pressure rise.
As a medic, Id just about worked that one out for myself, Max said drily.
Sorry. I didnt mean to be rude. She blew out a breath. Its just
Shes your big sister, you love her and you worry about her, Max supplied.
Yes.
Its good that she has family who care.
Marina was careful not to comment, and she took refuge in eating the chocolate hed given her.
He sighed. Look, if youre worryingnobody here knows about Bristol. And Im happy for it to stay that way. I dont like being gossiped about, either. If anyone twigs that we know each other, well just tell them we worked together years ago and lost touch.
It was the truth. Just not the whole truth. And it left out a hell of a lot of pain in between. Thank you, she said quietly.
He looked away. We have to work together, and theres enough tension in an emergency department as it is without adding to it.
Agreed.
So can we just drop the formality and treat each other like any other member of staff?
Sure. But he wasnt just any other member of staff. He never could be. But Marina had already been there, done that and had her heart well and truly broken. She wasnt going to take that risk a second time. No matter that she still found Max incredibly attractive physically; she knew that they werent compatible. And, although part of her wouldve been more than happy to walk back into his arms, part of her knew that itd be a huge mistake. Shed simply be setting herself up for more misery. So she was going to have to learn to think of him as just a colleague.
Somehow.
She drained her coffee. Id better get back. Thanks for the chocolate.
Pleasure.
During his lunch break, Max called in at the hospital shop to buy chocolates and a puzzle magazinehed already learned that the hospital had a clear-locker-top policy, and flowers were discouraged, to help in the battle with hygieneand went up to the maternity ward.
We have protected lunchtimes, Im afraid, the senior midwife told him firmly. Sorry. Youll have to come back later.
Is there any chance you can bend the rules for me, as staff? Max asked. I promise to be quiet. And I have a feeling that this particular patient hates being on bed rest. So thats fifteen minutes or so when you wont have to keep an eye on her and nag her, because I can do it for you.
She glanced at his name-tag. Ah. You work with Rosies sister?
I do indeed. Max had no intention of giving the more complicated explanationthat Rosie was his ex-sister-in-law. He held out his free hand. Max Fenton, emergency senior registrar.
She shook his hand and introduced herself. Iris Rutherford, senior midwife. No doubt well be working together at some point.
Good to meet you outside of a crisis. Max gave her his most charming smile.
All right. You can have fifteen minutes, Iris said. But youd better make sure she rests and doesnt move, or Ill be forced to scalp you.
He laughed, enjoying her direct approach. I will. Thank you, Iris.
Max followed her directions; Rosie was in a room on her own, flicking listlessly through a magazine and looking very fed up.
Psst. Open for visitors? he asked from the doorway.
She looked at him, and then gave him a broad smile. Max Fenton! What on earth are you doing here?
Visiting you, he said, walking into the room and closing the door behind him.
Her eyes widened. Were not allowed visitors at lunchtime.
I know. He laughed. I begged.
Charmed, more like. You always could melt womens knees with that gorgeous smile of yours. She grinned and held her arms open. Come and give me a hug, Max. Its good to see you.
And its good to see you, Rosie Petrelli. And even better to be hugged like that again. Hed missed the warmth of Marinas family, and his own. Wellhed always found his mothers hugs stifling rather than warm. Though, now that everything was finally out in the open about his father, he could understand the way she behaved. Could sympathise, even.
Im Rosie Brown nowadays. She bit her lip. Im sorry I didnt invite you to the wedding, Max. But, apart from the fact that youd cut off all contact with us, it wouldve been a bit
Awkward, given who was probably your chief brides-maid, he finished wryly, sitting on the chair next to her bed. You did the right thing. I wouldve brought you some flowers, but I gather theyve been banned from the hospital for a while. I hope these will do. He placed the goodies on her lap.
My favourites; you remembered I love white chocolate. She beamed at him. And you managed to find the only puzzle magazine I havent already gone through. Thank you. Thats so, so sweet of you, caro.
My pleasure. So how long have you been in here?
Nineteen days, and counting, Rosie said with a rueful smile, thanks to my bossy little sister.
Marina picked it up? Max looked at her, surprised.
She was on a day off, so she came to have lunch with me. I wasnt feeling brilliant; I thought it was just a bit of indigestion and a headache. But when I told her where the pain was she wasnt happy about it. She said it was rare to get pre-eclampsia with a second baby, but she wanted it checked out. She made me call the midwife and then drink loads of water.
Ready for a urine test, no doubt. Rosie wasnt in the high-risk group, though: she was under thirty-five, her weight was average and it wasnt her first pregnancy. As far as Max knew, there wasnt a family history of pre-eclampsia, and Rosie wasnt a diabetic. Plus, from what Marina had said, she was only expecting one baby, not twins or triplets. So where was the pain? Just under your ribs?
Rosie rolled her eyes. Spoken just like a doctor! Yes. And, yes, before you ask, there turned out to be a little bit of protein in my urine and my blood pressure was a bit on the high side.
Knowing Rosie, that was a major understatement.
So theyre keeping me in to monitor the baby and keep an eye on me, she finished.
How far are you?
Thirty-three weeksand its driving me insane, being stuck here. She shook herself. And heres me being ungrateful. Marinas been absolutely brilliant. And, yes, I do know she probably saved my life.
If Rosies symptoms hadnt been picked up so quickly, she could have been very illand there wouldve been a serious risk both to the baby and to Rosie herself. If Rosies condition had turned into eclampsia, both of them could have died.
Shes sorted out a place at the hospital cr?che for Phoebe while Im here, and she brings my baby in to see me every morning before her shift. She picks her up, too, if shes on an early. Neils boss has been really good about him working more flexible hours, but its smack in the middle of the busy season.
Busy season?
Its Marchcoming up to the end of the tax year. Hes an accountant, Rosie explained, so normally hed be working silly hours in the office, but because Im stuck in here hes having to bring work home and do it when Phoebes asleep. Mum and Dad have been brilliant, too. Dads painting the babys room and Mums keeping the house ticking over and making sure that theres food in the fridge, so Neil can spend time here with me and Phoebe instead of worrying about housework and shopping and what have you.
Exactly what Max would expect from the Petrellis, being there to help with practical things in a crisis. Part of him wondered: had he and Marina lived in London instead of Bristol, would her family have rallied round them and kept them together, helped them to work things through?
Too late for that now.
So when are they going to induce you? he asked.
It depends how things go. I know that its best to deliver the baby as late as possible, but the idea of being stuck here for another seven weeks, having injections and blood taken She grimaced. I tell you, if I was ever scared of needles, Ive learned to overcome my phobia! Anyway, enough about me. Were doing finearent we, Bambino? She rubbed the bump and smiled. So, how are you doing?
Im fine.
She raised an eyebrow. Right. And thats why youve got dark shadows under your eyes and youre too thin. Dont try to bluff me, Max.
New city, new job. It takes time to settle in, he said lightly.
Maybe. She gestured to his name-tag. But youre also working in the emergency department with my sister. That cant be easyfor either of you.
He shrugged. Were professionals. Our patients wont suffer.
Im not talking about the patientsI know youre both professionals. I was talking about you two. She reached out and took his hand. I was really sorry when you and Marina broke up.
Tell me about it. He forced himself to keep the words back. Things happen, he said lightly.
So are you with someone now? Whats she like?
Hed forgotten the other thing about Marinas family: they had no scruples about asking personal questions. For a moment, he considered making up a story, but Rosie would know he was lying. Theres nobody, he admitted. And then, to stave off further questioning, he added, I spent a few years working for Doctors Without Borders. There wasnt time for anything other than work.
He wished he hadnt said it when Rosie gave him a very perceptive look. So thats why we never got a Christmas card from you. Hmm. I happen to know someone else who throws herself into work. Someone who either finds excuses not to date, or makes it friends-only after just a couple of dates.
Rosie wasnt even trying to be subtle and, although part of him was annoyed, part of him was also amused. The Petrellis were notorious fixers. They were the kind of people who made lemonade out of lemons, who always saw the bright side. It was one of the things hed adored about Marina; she was unlike anyone else hed ever met. And the complete opposite of his mother: she saw sunshine where Kay Fenton saw clouds, was light where Kay was intense. Just like the rest of her family. Dont get your hopes up, Rosie. Marina and I are colleagues. End of. He smiled to take the sting from his words.
Its four years now since you split up. Youre both still single. That, Rosie said, is extremely telling.
And I think youve been teaching too much Romeo and Juliet, he said, still managing a smile. It was impossible to be offended with someone who so clearly wanted life to be happy. A nice story.
She scoffed. Of course it isnt a nice story. Its a tragedy, Max. They both die at the end!
And it unites their families. He flapped a dismissive hand. You know what I mean. Marina and I wont be getting back together, Rosie. Theres way too much water under the bridge.
Rosie gave him a telling look, but to his relief she didnt try to labour the point. Marina didnt tell me you were working here.
He shrugged. I only started a couple of days ago.
Hmm, Rosie said.
And neither of us knew the other was working here. It was a bit of a surprise for both of us.
Ill say, Rosie said drily.
He ruffled her hair. I have to go. Iris says you have to sit still and be good, or shell scalp me. Is it OK if I come back tomorrow?
Of course it is. She frowned. Why are you even asking me that?
I dont want to make things awkward.
With Marina, you mean? Or the rest of my family? She patted his hand. Stop worrying. Of course its not going to be awkward. If anything, theyll be pleased Ive got someone else to come in and nag me to rest.
He couldnt help laughing. Good.
She smiled at him. Thanks for coming, Max. Its been really good to see you again.
You, too. He hugged her, and left for the emergency department.
But he couldnt stop thinking about what Rosie had told him.
Marina didnt date.
He hadnt dated much since hed split up with Marina, either. Most of the time, hed been too busy at work to bother with a relationship. But when hed come back to England and had started dating again something had always been missing. Hed always ended up finishing a relationship before it had even got started.
If he was honest with himself, he knew why: because nobody had ever matched up to his ex-wife.
And Rosie had told him that there was nobody serious in Marinas life, either.
Quite what that meant, he didnt know. Did Marina still have feelings for him? But, in that case, surely she wouldve talked to him and asked him to give their marriage another try, instead of sending divorce papers to him? Or maybe marriage to him had disappointed her so much that she wasnt prepared to try again with anyone else.
The only way to find out was to ask her.
Though, it wasnt the easiest of subjects to broach. Particularly as they had to work together. Right now, they had a guarded working-relationship; not an easy one, but a tolerable one. Asking the wrong questions at the wrong time could tip it over into being intolerablewhich wouldnt be fair to their colleagues.
Last time, theyd rushed into things, and it had gone spectacularly wrong. This time, maybe he should try being patient.
And when the time was right, Max decided, then hed ask those questions.
Chapter Four
OVER the next week, Marina found herself growing more and more aware of her ex. She knew exactly when Max walked into the department, even if she was busy treating a patient in cubicles and couldnt see him. And, when they were working together in Resus, she was conscious of every single movement he made. Time and again she found herself glancing at him, only to find that he was looking at her too.
This was insane. Theyd crashed and burned last time round. So why couldnt they keep their eyes off each other?
Every time his hand brushed hers as she handed him an ampoule, or he passed her a syringe, or they looked at an X-ray together, her pulse started racingbecause her body still remembered the way he used to touch her: the feel of his skin sliding against hers, the roughness of the hair on his chest, the softness of his mouth as hed kissed her awake. The scent of his skin, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners and dimples appeared in his cheeks when he laughed, the way desire flared in his eyes and turned them from slate-blue to hot black whenever he looked at her.
She really had to get a grip. If this carried on for much longer, shed go crazy.
She and Max were not an item. They were never going to be an item again. And it was about time her head got that straight.
Rosemary; Max wouldve known that scent anywhere. So Marina still used the same shampoo, then.
.
.
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Kate Hardy
The Doctors Lost-and-Found Bride
Kate Hardy
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Table of Contents
Cover Page (#ua6f2164c-0f84-5015-aa1c-047aac1a7cc5)
Title Page (#u206d4eb7-48d7-5268-9672-1144c0726b27)
Praise (#uf80bd27d-dfc5-51e6-9182-4602a46d5094)
About The Author (#ufb397996-7863-515f-9cc0-edbfebd0f46d)
Chapter One (#uf3cf858b-a8b4-5924-ac0b-6b40ffba50e5)
Chapter Two (#ud7c76f19-b1ab-5c28-8db2-b63701f4ae88)
Chapter Three (#u834a9ad7-315d-53ac-9f1e-286ea9aeeb36)
Chapter Four (#ua28d21fe-3399-5fd6-82d2-9e5a71fb7b91)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Praise for Kate Hardy:
THE CHILDRENS DOCTORS SPECIAL PROPOSAL is just as the title promises. Kate Hardy delivers a superb romance that resonates beautifully with the reader. Bravo, Ms Hardy!
bookilluminations.com
THE GREEK DOCTORS NEW-YEAR BABY is romantic storytelling at its best! Poignant, enjoyable and absolutely terrific. With THE GREEK DOCTORS NEW-YEAR BABY Kate Hardy proves once again that when it comes to romantic fiction shes up there with the very best!
Cataromance
SURRENDER TO THE PLAYBOY SHEIKH: I spent a lovely morning with this book, and Id advise you to do likewise. Get it. Youll love it. An unrestrainedGrade A.
goodbadandunread. com
PLAYBOY BOSS, PREGNANCY OF PASSION: This story features a strong heroine who gains strength from her family, and a hero who realises the importance of love and family before its too late. Add in their captivating romance and it makes for one great read.
RT Book Reviews
Kate Hardy lives in Norwich, in the east of England, with her husband, two young children, one bouncy spaniel, and too many books to count! When shes not busy writing romance or researching local history, she helps out at her childrens schools. She also loves cookingspot the recipes sneaked into her books! (Theyre also on her website, along with extracts and stories behind the books.) Writing for Mills & Boon has been a dream come true for Katesomething she wanted to do ever since she was twelve. Shes been writing Medical Romances for over five years now, and also writes for Modern Heat. She says its the best of both worlds, because she gets to learn lots of new things when shes researching the background to a book: add a touch of passion, drama and danger, a new gorgeous hero every time, and its the perfect job!
Kates always delighted to hear from readers, so do drop in to her website at www.katehardy.com
Chapter One
EXCUSE me. I couldnt help overhearing the shouting. Im coming in.
Marina froze as she heard the voice on the other side of the curtain.
No; of course it wasnt him.
Apart from anything else, Max Fenton didnt work at the London Victoria. So it was completely ridiculous that shed think he was standing on the other side of the curtain. And she was furious with herself for, yet again, hearing a slightly posh voice and thinking immediately of her ex.
After four years, she should be over himcompletely over him. Yet every time she had an oblique view of a man with dark hair that flopped over his forehead, every time she heard someone who sounded faintly like him, she immediately thought of Max. And every time it turned out to be a stranger and she ended up cross with herself for being such a fool.
Of course he wouldnt have followed her to Londonnot after all this time. Hed signed the divorce papers a year ago, and theyd been separated for three years before that. Sure, Eve had said something about a new senior registrar taking over from Ed, but she hadnt mentioned his name and, as far as Marina knew, the new doctor wasnt starting until next week.
And then the curtain to the cubicle twitched open.
Shock kept her silent.
Since when had Max been working at the London Victoria?
He was definitely staff. Apart from the fact that he was wearing a white coat with a stethoscope flung casually around his neck, his name-badge sported the hospital logo and his name was printed underneath his photograph. But how on earth had she missed the news that hed joined the team?
She stared at him. There were lines she didnt remember etched on his face, and he was thinner. Too thin. But his hair was just the same, still flopping over his forehead. And shed forgotten just how blue his eyes were, a smoky, slate-blue that still managed to make her heart miss a beat when she looked at him, even after all the mess and misery that had happened between them.
For one crazy moment, Marina almost reached out to touch him, to press her palm against his cheek and make absolutely sure that he was really here, that this wasnt some weird kind of hallucination.
But she didnt have the right to touch him. Not any more. For all she knew, he could be married.
With a child.
The pain at that thought was so intense that she nearly gasped out loud. Then anger bubbled up to block out the pain. What the hell was he doing here? There were plenty of other hospitals in the world. Why did Max have to muscle into hers, push his way back into her life?
Maxs face was completely unreadable. She had no idea what he was thinking, or whether he was filled with the same confusing mixture of pain, anger and longing that she was.
He glanced at Marinas name-badge before turning to the woman whod been yelling at her; when he spoke, his voice was clipped, and made it very clear that he was in charge. Youre disturbing the other patients. I suggest you leave, so Dr Petrelli can concentrate on treating her patientor do I need to call security to escort you out?
The woman curled her lip at him and continued to chew gum loudly. Its all wrong, that lot coming over here and taking jobs off English people.
Not that its any of your business, Max said, but Dr Petrelli is as English as you are. And, even if she wasnt, this department operates a zero-tolerance policy. Our staff have the right to do their job without abuse.
I know my rights, Ms Gum-Chewer said, folding her arms. And youre not getting away with bullying me.
The way youre bullying my staff, you mean? Three seconds and Ill be calling security to escort you out. Or you can step outside and let Dr Petrelli treat your friend without interruptions. Your choice. He gave her an implacable stare. Onetwo
Ill be just out here, Ally. And you make sure she treats you properly. The gum-chewing woman sniffed loudly and stalked out of the cubicle.
Grumbling, and with a last, hostile look at Marina, the woman left the cubicle.
Marina still hadnt got over the fact that Max had called her his staff.
Ha; shed stopped being his anything a long time ago.
May I have a word? Max looked at Marina and gestured to the cubicle curtain.
Excuse me, Mrs Marshall, Marina said to her patient. Ill be back in just a moment.
Max closed the curtain behind them. Are you all right?
His voice was formal and polite. How different it had been when theyd first met. Shed been a fresh-faced graduate in her first job as a pre-registered house officer. Everyone had been rushed off their feet on the first day, and Max had introduced himself swiftly in the five-minute break shed managed to take, before giving her half a chocolate bar to keep her going, along with a cup of lukewarm coffee that she could gulp straight down. His warm, open smile had turned her weak at the knees, and shed discovered that love at first sight wasnt a myth at all. Shed fallen dizzily, headlong in love with Max Fenton within seconds of meeting him.
But a lot had happened in those five years. And, given their shared past, and the fact that they were clearly going to have to work together, polite, formal and distant was definitely the best way forward.
She glanced at his name-badge again to check his rank and what she should call him. Senior registrar: so he was the guy whod taken over from Ed. Still doctor rather than mister, then. Odd, because hed been so focused on his career that shed expected him to make consultant at a scarily young age. Im fine, thank you, Dr Fenton.
That was a complete lie. Seeing him again had made her feel as if shed just ridden an enormous rollercoasterat double speed, and sitting backwards. She managed to pull herself together. Just. Thank you for coming to my rescue.
Not a problem. He gave her an equally cool nod. Ill let you get back to your patient.
Im really sorry, the woman on the bed said when Marina returned to the cubicle. She bit her lip. Claires really kind-hearted.
Maybe, on her own terms; Marina forbore to comment.
Its just that sometimes she can come on a bit strong.
That was putting it mildly, but it wasnt Mrs Marshalls fault that her friend was so overbearing. Ive had worseyou should see the bad-tempered drunks who end up in here on a Friday night, Marina said with a smile, wanting to put her patient at her ease. Dont worry about it.
Its because her husband always looks at your bit in the paper on a Wednesdayhe fancies you something rotten, Mrs Marshall confided.
Im very flattered, Marina said, But your friend really doesnt have anything to worry about. Even if she had been in the market for a relationshipand right now life was too complicated for her to cope with dating someoneshe only ever went out with single men.
Ive told her how much Stewie loves her, but shes convinced hes going to look elsewhere because of her weight. Mrs Marshall sighed and shook her head. Shes trying so hard to make herself look good for him. She put on three stone when she stopped smoking. Thats why she chews gum all the timeto stop herself going back on the ciggies.
Marina knew that people with low self-esteem often lashed out at others as a way of making themselves feel better. Though it still hurt when you were the one they decided to pick on. Shes done the right thing for her health, giving up the cigarettes. But we really should talk about you rather than your friend, she said gently. I think youve broken your wrist, Mrs Marshall. From what youve told me about the way you landed, and the way your wrist looks, I think you have whats called a Colles fracture. Im going to give you some pain relief to make you more comfortable, then send you for an X-ray. When Ive had a look at your X-ray and Im happy that everythings straightforward, Ill put a temporary plaster on your wrist to keep it stable until the fracture clinic can see you.
You mean Im going to be in plaster? Mrs Marshall looked shocked.
Modern casts are really lightweight, Marina reassured her. But, yes, youll need a cast for a few weeks, while your wrist heals.
Will I be able to go back to work?
It depends what you do for a living. If you use that hand a lot, then its a good idea to have some time off to let your wrist heal properly. And Id definitely say no lifting or carrying.
Mrs Marshall looked upset. I dont get paid if I dont work.
But if you go back too early, and put too much weight on the fracture, theres a strong chance youll make it worse and youll be off work for even longer, Marina said gently. I know its not going to make you feel much better, but youre the fourth patient Ive seen today with a Colles fracture. When its icy like this, no end of people slip, put their hands out to save themselves and end up breaking their wrists.
She gave Mrs Marshall some painkillers, then directed her to X-ray. Come back when youve had the X-ray and Ill finish treating you, she said with a smile.
Max grabbed a file and started to read his next patients notes, needing a couple of minutes to get himself back under control. When hed heard someone shouting in the cubicles, and realised that someone was haranguing one of his colleagues, hed instinctively gone to the rescue.
What he hadnt expected was to see his ex-wife standing there.
Hed had no idea that Marina even worked at the London Victoria, so he hadnt been prepared to face her again. It was a double shock to see her again for the first time in four years.
She was still as gorgeous as ever, with that long, silky, dark hair hed so loved playing with, albeit tied back for work; those expressive, dark eyes, and the perfect rosebud mouth hed fallen in love with the very first day hed met her. She was twenty-eight now, but still looked younger than her years, all soft skin and lush curves. Just as shed done the first time hed met her, shed taken his breath away.
He only hoped that it hadnt shown on his face.
Then again, Max had spent months stuck in a hospital bed with nothing to do except brood and teach himself to mask his feelings. Between that, and three years of working for Doctors Without Borders, he was pretty sure he could keep his expression blank and professional in just about any situation.
Including unexpectedly coming face-to-face again with the love of his life.
Hed told himself that he was ready to work in England again, that he was over Marina. But seeing her just now had taught him how wrong hed been. He wasnt over her at all. He never had been, and if he were honest with himself he probably never would be.
Not that he was going to do anything about it. Marinas expression had been pretty clearshock, followed by hurt and anger. Given that shed been the one to start divorce proceedings, it was obvious that shed keep her distance from him. For all he knew, she could be in a serious relationshipmarried, even. He hadnt noticed a ring on her left hand; then again, hed been too busy trying to look professional and detached to think of even looking. The idea of seeing another mans ring there made him feel sick to the stomach, but what right did he have to protest? Hed signed the papers, after all, agreed to end their marriage instead of fighting for it.
Hed been angry when hed signed themangry with Marina for walking out on him, and angry with himself for not doing more to keep them together. But he knew now that the anger had been just a mask for the hurt, something to cover the pit of loss so he couldnt see how deep it was.
He swallowed hard. What a mess. Now they were going to have to work together, and there was a fair chance that theyd be rostered onto the same team in Resus. So, for both their sakes, he was going to have to keep a lid on his feelings and pretend theyd never met before.
Thank God hed chosen to specialise in emergency medicine, where hed be kept way too busy to think about his ex-wife. He strode out to the reception area and called his next patient.
As always, when the weather was icy, the waiting area in the department was standing-room only. Most of the patients had fallen; some were badly bruised, but there were several with Colles fractures that needed backslabs to keep the break stable before referral to the fracture clinic. But even though Marina was too busy to have a proper break she made sure she spent enough time with each patient to reassure themparticularly one elderly patient who suffered from osteoporosis and had cracked both arms and a hip. Rather than sending her up to the geriatric ward with a porter, Marina took the old lady herself and spent time settling her in to the ward.
Lunch was a sandwich eaten while sorting paperwork between patients. Halfway through the afternoon, Eve, the charge nurse, caught Marina before she saw her next case. You havent had a break today. Go and grab a coffee.
Were busy, Marina protested. And you havent had a break either, Eve. Nobody in the department did when it was as busy as this. There just wasnt time.
Go and grab a coffee, Eve directed. You need a break. And youre off at five today, yes?
Marina nodded. I feel awful, leaving early when weve still got a full waiting-room.
You were in at eight, and you havent stopped since youve been in. So leaving at five isnt exactly leaving early, is it? And we all know where youre going to be, anyway, if we need you.
Yes. Picking up Phoebe, then going upstairs to the maternity department and spending a while at her elder sisters bedside.
Eve smiled at her. Hows Rosie doing?
Getting there. Shes feeling well enough to moan about being stuck in here and wanting to be at home with Neil and Phoebe.
Thats a good sign. And the babys doing OK?
Doing fine. Marina bit her lip. Though I think well all be a lot happier when he or shes here safely.
Rosies in good hands. You know as well as I do, Theo Petrakis is the best. Eve patted her shoulder. Now, scoot.
Five minutes and Ill be back.
Make it fifteen, Eve said.
Marina had no intention of taking that long, not when they were so busy. But she went through to the staff kitchen, made herself a mug of coffee and added enough cold water so that she could drink it quickly.
Is the kettle still hot? a voice behind her asked, and she nearly dropped her mug.
Max.
Longing surged through her, but she stifled it. Fast. Yes, Dr Fenton. She forced herself to sound cool, calm and professional; the last thing she wanted was for him to realise that his voice was enough to turn her to a gibbering mess inside.
If there was an atmosphere between them people would start asking questions. Marina really didnt want to be the hot topic on the hospital grapevine. So, much as she hated it, she forced herself to make small talk. I didnt know you were going to be working here, she said.
I had an interview two weeks ago, Max replied, making himself a coffee and topping it up with cold water, the same way Marina had.
Two weeks ago: that explained it. Life had been so crazy since Rosie had been admitted to the maternity ward with pre-eclampsia sixteen days before that Marina really hadnt paid much attention to what was going on at work. She just did her shift, visited her sister before and after every shift and helped her brother-in-law Neil to look after Phoebe, Rosie and his two-year-old daughter.
I didnt realise you were here, either, Max added. You werent here when I had a tour of the department.
I was probably off duty. Not that he needed to know what shed been doing. He hadnt kept in touch with her family at all; as far as she was concerned, he wasnt part of her family any longer, and she didnt owe him any explanations.
How long have you been working here?
Nearly a year. She glanced at him, and was gratified to see a slight flicker in his eyes. Good: so he did remember what had happened a year ago. Hed taken long enough to sign the divorce papers. Her solicitor had had to send them to him three times because he hadnt bothered replying; the ending of their marriage had clearly been as low a priority in his life as their marriage itself.
But at last she was free. Shed gone back to using her maiden name. At the London Victoria, theyd only ever known her as Marina Petrelliand that was the way she wanted it to stay.
Its a good place to work, she said.
He raised an eyebrow. Is it going to be a problem, my working here?
Trust Max to cut to the chase.
Yes, it was a problem. Shed much rather they didnt have to work together. But she couldnt change the situation, only make the best of it. I think, she said carefully, Were both professional enough to put our patients first.
Good.
There was a long, long pause. Marina couldnt think of a single thing to say.
Actually, that wasnt true. There was a lot she wanted to say. Answers she wanted to demand. But the emergency-department kitchen wasnt the right place to say any of it.
If anyone had said to her five years ago that shed find it difficult to talk to Max, she wouldve laughed in disbelief. Theyd never stopped talking, right from the start. And Max had fitted right in to her noisy, talkative family. The Petrellis had adored him as much as she had.
Until their marriage had gone so badly wrong. Then she and Max had stopped talking completely.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure: how horribly true that saying had turned out to be.
Well, Id better get back, she said, rinsing out her mug and trying to avoid eye contact.
Me, too.
Oh, no. Please dont let him suggest walking back to the department together She wasnt ready for this. But, to her relief, Max was still finishing his coffee, which meant she could escape.
Bye, then, she said brightly, and left the room.
How on earth had they come to this point? Max wondered. They were awkward, embarrassed strangers who could barely make small talk in a staff kitchen.
Though he knew exactly how theyd got here: through pain and hurt that theyd both been too young to deal with at the time. Marina had walked out and gone home to her parents for the comfort he hadnt been able to give her. And hed responded by going off to work for Doctors Without Borders, where hed known hed be too busy to think about the wreck of their marriage.
And now they had to work together. Hed seen on her face that, yes, it was a problem for her. It was a problem for him, too. But theyd better deal with itand fastbecause he sure as hell didnt want to be the subject of the hospital grapevine. Hed been there before and he wasnt in any hurry to repeat the experience: people whispering and stopping conversations dead as soon as they saw him walk in, the pitying glances.
If hed known that she worked here, he wouldnt have taken the job.
Then again, this had been too good an opportunity to turn down: a position as senior registrar in a busy London emergency-department. Added to his experience abroad, it would stand him in good stead for future promotion, for the consultants post that was the focus of his life right now.
Luckily the rest of his afternoon was too rushed to let Max think about Marina. There were several victims of road-traffic accidents who needed checking overincluding one with broken ribs and a pneumothorax that needed very careful attention. Even so, he was aware that Marina left the department a good half-hour before he did.
Then, as he walked out through the double doors, he heard a voice he recognised, saying cheerfully, Right, Miss Beautiful. Lets go and meet Daddy.
Daddy?
Max couldnt help looking, and immediately wished he hadnt. Because at the far end of the corridor Marina was carrying a toddler: a little girl who had the same dark hair, dark eyes and sweet smile as Marina herself.
Marina had a daughter.
For a moment, Max couldnt breathe; it felt as if someone had just sucker-punched him in the stomach and all the air had been driven out of his lungs. The little girl looked as if she was around two years oldwhich meant that Marina hadnt even waited for their divorce to be finalised before shed moved on to another relationship and had a baby with her new partner.
Yet she still used her maiden name in the department. Maybe she hadnt yet remarried. Or maybe shed decided to keep her maiden name for work.
Whatever.
It was none of his business any more.
All the same, it shook him. Especially when a man came walking down the corridor towards them, kissed Marina lightly on the mouth and scooped the child from her arms.
Daddy! the little girl said, beaming as the man kissed her and lifted her onto his shoulders.
Marina tucked her arm through his and they walked off together, chatting easily. Looking exactly like the close, loving family they obviously were.
Exactly like the close, loving family he and Marina had planned to have.
Max swallowed the bile that had risen in his throat. Now he understood why Marina had left her shift dead on time. Shed had to pick up her daughter from the hospital nursery before meeting her partner.
What made the whole thing so much worse was that, if circumstances had been very slightly different, Max wouldve been the one meeting Marina with a bright, lively pre-school child, and maybe a baby with chubby hands and a wide, wide smile. He wouldve been the one they smiled at, the one they greeted with a kiss.
He swore under his breath. Hed promised himself that he was over it, that he could cope with working in England again. But seeing that little tableau made it feel as if someone had cracked his heart wide open and stomped on it.
Marina had a child. With someone else.
Hed thought that hed reached the depths of pain. Now he knew there was moreand it felt as if he were drowning. Someone else had the life hed planned, the life hed wanted: Marina, their baby, a fulfilling job.
Why the hell hadnt he tried harder to make it work?
Because hed been an idiot.
Because hed been hurting too much at the time to work out what hed needed to dowhat they had needed to doas a couple.
And now it was too late. Way, way too late.
There was only one way of getting this out of his system. So, instead of making himself a sandwich when he got home, Max grabbed his gym gear and headed out again. What he needed was a workout that would leave him too damn tired to think. Hed sleep on it, let his subconscious come up with a way of dealing with the fact that Marina Petrelli was back in his lifeand she was very firmly off-limits.
Chapter Two
THE roster fairy definitely wasnt on his side, Max thought the next morning as he walked into Resus and saw his team.
To think hed been so cool and calm yesterday, asking Marina if it would be a problem for her, working in the same department. Hed been so sure that he could handle the situation.
Though, that had been before hed seen her with her daughter.
And he was shocked by how much that thought still hurt, like a bruise that went right through his soul.
Good morning, Dr Fenton, Marina said.
She sounded bright and breezy, as if nothing was wrongalthough hed noticed that her smile didnt quite reach her eyes, and she was using his formal title rather than his first name. OK; hed take the lead from her. Bright, breezy and surface-friendly it waseven though he felt like punching something. He forced himself to unclench the fists in his pockets. Good morning, Dr Petrelli.
Weve just had a shout, she told him. RTC, elderly female passenger, ETA six minutes.
Any details?
Query fracture and internal injuries. Theyve put a line in and shes on a spinal board.
Max met the ambulance crew at the door and quickly went through the handover, and the team swung into action to treat Mrs Jennings. Clearly they were used to working together and, whatever the problems between himself and Marina, she obviously took her job seriously, and she hadnt been exaggerating when shed said that she could push the personal stuff into the background and put her patient first. Max quickly discovered that over the last four years Marina had become a fine doctor, confident and capable, and whenever he was about to give her some instructions he found she was already doing it, having second-guessed him.
As they assessed their patient for hypovolaemic shockMax wasnt happy with her blood pressure or the capillary refillthey both noted the pattern of bruising across her abdomen, the lap-belt imprint. On examination, Mrs Jennings abdomen was tender. Not good.
Im not happy with this, Max said quietly to Marina.
Id need to see the X-ray to confirm it, but my guess is that the impact fractured her pelvis, Marina said, equally quietly.
He nodded. There may be some splenic involvement as well, or even damage to other organs. We need a CT scan and an X-ray to see whats going on.
Agreed. Lets get her stabilised first, Marina said.
Quietly, Max asked Stella, their senior nurse, to bleep the orthopaedic-surgery team and put Theatre on standby, and then he turned back to the patient. Mrs Jennings, Im going to put a mask over your face, he said, to give you some oxygen, which will help you to breathe more easily. And Im going to give you something to help with the pain, so it makes things a bit more comfortable for you while we take a look at your injuries. If youre worried about anything, just lift your hand and well take the mask off for a few moments so you can talk to us, OK?
Mrs Jennings whispered her consent. Max fitted the oxygen mask over her face and gave her analgesia through the IV line that the paramedics had put in, while Marina inserted a second IV line and set up a drip. Marina took blood samples for rapid cross-matching, all the while talking to Mrs Jennings, reassuring her and assessing her. Max was impressed by Marinas calm, kind manner. Although they were faced with a potentially life-threatening emergencycompound pelvic fractures, especially if there were abdominal injuries as well, were associated with a mortality rate of more than fifty per centMarina made sure that Mrs Jennings didnt realise how worried they all were. She behaved as if this was a completely everyday occurrence, and nothing more worrying than a dislocated elbow, which meant that their patient relaxed rather than panickingand in turn that made their investigations just that touch easier.
If it wasnt for the personal stuff between them, working with her would have been a dream.
As it was, it was a living nightmare. Her voice echoed through his head: Lets go and meet Daddy.
Daddy. Daddy.
It shouldve been him.
He shook himself. This wasnt the time or the place. And there was nothing he could do to change the situation, so it was pointless ripping himself apart over it. He forced himself to stay in professional mode, and reviewed the X-rays with Marina against the lightbox. Classic open-book fracture, he said.
Thats fixable. What worries me more is that her BP is still dropping.
Which means she has internal injuries. He grimaced. We dont have time to wait for a CT scan, and even a DPLs going to be risky. A diagnostic peritoneal lavage or DPL was a quick way of checking for internal haemorrhage when a scan would take too long. We need to get her up to Theatre now. Fast-bleep the orthopods, please, Stella, he said to the nurse. Im sending Mrs Jennings up.
He turned to Mrs Jennings. The X-rays show that the accident broke your pelvis, Max explained gently, holding her hand and looking into her eyes. Im going to send you up to Theatre so the surgeons can fix it for you. We want to keep you as still as possible on the way, so were going to put sandbags either side of you to make sure you dont move on the trolley.
But dont be afraid, Marina added. It wont be uncomfortable, and its pretty much routine-procedure for anyone whos got a break right there. Im going to come up to Theatre with you and introduce you to the surgical team. She took Mrs Jennings other hand. And Im not going to leave you until youre happy that you know whats going on. Is there anyone youd like us to call for you while youre with the surgeons?
Mrs Jennings reached up with her free hand and lowered the mask. My daughter, she whispered.
Marina made a note of her name and number. Ill call her myself as soon as youre in Theatre, she promised.
And my friend, Mrs Jennings whispered. The one who was driving me. Was she hurt in the accident?
She hasnt been brought in here, Marina said. But Ill talk to the ambulance crew and find out what happened and how she is. Then, when youre out of Theatre, Ill come and see you and let you know whats going on. Now, let me put this mask back on you and make you more comfortable.
When Marina returned from taking Mrs Jennings up to Theatre and phoning her daughter, Max was about to send her on a break, then the phone in Resus rang.
Stella answered it. Marina, its the nursery, she said, handing the phone to Marina.
Marina Petrelli speaking.
Even though Max tried hard not to listen in, he couldnt help noticing that Marina went white.
Whats happened? Right. I see. Yes, of course. She replaced the receiver and blew out a breath. Phoebes just thrown up everywhere. The nursery needs me to collect her and take her home, as in right now. She bit her lip. Dr Fenton, I know Im rostered in here with you today, and were short-staffed, but
Just go, Max cut in. The child obviously needs you. He couldnt bring himself to say your daughter; the words made his throat feel as if it were closing, and he was angry with himself for not being able to get a grip. He should be happy that Marinas life was on track and that shed clearly found a partner who loved her the way she deserved to be loved. The fact that he hadnt moved on and found someone else himself was his own stupid fault, and it wasnt fair to blame her for his own shortcomings. Ill arrange cover.
Thank you. This time, her smile was genuine, gratitude, clearly mixed with fear for her child; she looked worried sick. And for good reason; hed been told that the previous month the hospital had had to put a ban on visitors because so many patients and staff had been struck down by the winter vomiting-virus.
He didnt have time to add that he hoped it was nothing serious, because Marina had already left, walking very quickly, the way junior doctors soon learned to do so they could cover the ground between the on-call room and a department at maximum speed and with minimum risk.
To his surprise, Marina was back in the department again within two hours.
What the hell was she doing here? Her daughter was ill and needed her, and yet Marina was at work. Her priorities were way out of line. Shouldnt you be at home? he demanded.
Marina shook her head. Its OK. Mums taken over. I rang her on the way to collect Phoebe.
Your mothers looking after Phoebe? He stared at her in disbelief. Just what was going on here? He knew that family was important to Marina, and given the way shed fallen apart when shed lost their baby he wouldve bet good money that she would always put her child before her jobbefore anything else. How could she just dump her sick daughter on her mothers doorstep?
Then again, the cost of living was high in London. Perhaps she and her partner were struggling financially and needed her salary to survivewhat was left of it, after the cost of childcare.
What about the childs father? The question was out before he could stop it.
She looked defensive. Neils really busy at work. I cant expect him to drop everything. Not when
Save it. Its none of my business, he cut in. He knew he was being rude, but he was angrywith himself, as much as with her. Why couldnt he get his head round the fact that Marina had moved on, that shed found happiness with someone else? Why was he so selfish that he couldnt be pleased for her, or relieved that she wasnt stuck in the same limbo of misery that he was?
She said nothing, but her face looked pinched, and her dark eyes were wary whenever she spoke to him for the rest of the afternoon.
As Maxs anger faded, he realised how just unfair hed been. Which was why he sent Marina off the ward at five oclock sharp.
I cant leave when we still have a patient to treat, she said in a low voice.
Well manage without you.
But
Phoebe needs you. Go home.
But
Go home, he repeated, trying to make his voice gentle. It was obvious that Marina was torn between her child and her duty; he had no intention of making the choice any more difficult for her.
But he thought about it for the rest of the eveningand wondered. Had their child been ill, how would he have acted? He was pretty sure he knewand his choice wouldnt have been the same as Neils.
Then again, he hadnt exactly been a perfect husband to Marina. He hadnt been there when shed needed him. Yes, work had been busy, but hed used his career as an excuse to avoid facing the misery at home. He hadnt known how to make things better, for either of them, so hed put his job first. Her second husband was clearly out of the same mould, so Max knew he was hardly in a position to criticise the guy. It didnt stop him feeling angry about the situation, though, or thinking that Marina deserved better.
Wednesday; thank God it was Wednesday, Marina thought. As part of her training as a specialist registrar in emergency paediatrics, her boss had arranged for her to spend one day a week in the Childrens Assessment Unit. She was covering in part for Katrina Morgan, who was on maternity leave. Rhys Morganthe consultant, who was also Katrinas husbandhad taught her a huge amount.
Marina loved every second of the time she spent on the CAU and always looked forward to it, but the fact that she didnt have to face Max today made it even better.
Are you OK, Marina? Rhys asked. You look a bit pale.
Im fine, Marina fibbed with a smile. Just tired. She hadnt slept particularly well the previous night, brooding about Max and how hostile hed been towards her. Yes, shed been the one to walk outbut they were both equally responsible for the collapse of their marriage. And hadnt they agreed that they were going to put their patients first? If he carried on like that, there was no way theyd be able to work togetherand it wouldnt be fair on their patients or the rest of the team.
Not studying too hard, I hope? Rhys said.
No, just worrying about my sister. It was true: just not the whole truth. Not that she was going to burden Rhys with the mess of her personal life. And, yes, I know shes in good hands and Theo Petrakis is the best maternity specialist for miles. Theos wife Madison and Rhyss wife Katrina were cousins, but were as close as sistersthough Marina knew that Rhys would have put the family connection aside when hed assessed his colleagues medical skills, just as she would have.
But Rosies still your sisterand where your own familys concerned all your medical knowledge goes out of the window. You end up being like a medical student again, poring through textbooks and convincing yourself that you can see the symptoms of really rare complications, Rhys said, smiling back. Katrina says Im going to be a nightmare when she goes into labour, just as Theo was with Maddie.
Doctors, eh? Marina said wryly. How is Katrina, by the way?
Blooming, Rhys said. Its our first anniversary next week. I had planned to take her to Venice for the weekend, but with her being seven-and-a-half months pregnant I dont want her to fly. So instead were going to Southwold, on the coast of Suffolk. He grinned. And, yes, I know that this cold snap means that the east coast is going to feel like Siberia. Well just have to tough it out and snuggle up in front of a proper log-fire in the little thatched cottage I booked.
That sounds lovely. Really romantic, Marina said, trying to keep the wistful note out of her voice. Rhys was deeply in love with his wife and had planned something special to celebrate their first anniversary, whereas she and Max hadnt even made it to their first anniversary.
They hadnt even made it to six months before their marriage had imploded.
And now he was back in her life, and all her feelings were turned upside down again. Anger, hurt, longing, love and hate, all shaken together so thoroughly that she couldnt work out which was which.
She pushed the thought aside. Righty. What do you have for me this morning?
Severe asthmacold-induced. Several cases, actually.
And if it isnt brought back under control properly they could end up with silent chestin which case theyll be downstairs with my lot, Marina said. With asthma, the childs airways were inflamed, and responded rapidly and strongly to stimuli, so the child wheezed and coughed; the airways narrowed so much that the child couldnt breathe out properly. The child might then panic and the situation could spiral. If it got really out of control, the wheezing could stop, which was far more dangerous. Silent chest, as it was known, meant that the asthmatic patient wasnt moving enough air through their lungs to even create a wheezeand that was life-threatening.
And then, once youve stabilised them, back up with me for admission and overnight observation Rhys began.
Because if theres a history of severe attacks theres a very good chance that a child whos had an attack during the day will have another one at night, Marina finished.
Exactly, Rhys said. So part of today is going to be about preventiontalking to the parents about using their inhalers properly, how to use them and when. And its worth making the point that the steroids we give arent the same as body-building steroidsthese are the ones that are produced naturally in the body.
Marina nodded. And well make a note for the GP and health visitor.
Rhys smiled. Working with you is almost like working with Katrinashes spot on about kids, too. You know, Im looking for someone to cover her maternity leave properly. Working up here for a while would be really good for your career development.
Marina shook her head. Ellen agreed to let me work here for a day a week. Im not sure shed go for a years secondment.
I can talk to her, if you like? Think about it, Rhys said. The offers open for a couple of weeks.
Thanks. It was good to know that she had a potential bolthole. Working with Max and dealing with all the memories wouldve been tough at the best of times but, coming on top of her worries about Rosie and the baby, it just ratcheted up the tension.
At least here in the CAU she could relax.
And she could try not to think of Max.
Chapter Three
ON THURSDAY morning, Max was walking into the department when he heard Kelly on Reception say, Hey, Marina! Hows Phoebe doing?
Shes on the mend. Its just a tummy bug. Marina smiled. Thats the worst thing about being a medicyou know the worst-case scenarios, and instead of seeing a simple tummy bug you imagine its the winter vomiting virus and all the complications that go with it.
Max knew exactly what she meant, though sometimes medics went the other way, going into complete denial when faced with the evidencejust as they had done four years ago. Theyd managed to convince themselves that Marina wasnt having a miscarriage, that the baby they hadnt planned but had both wanted so much would be just fineAnd when theyd finally had to face the truth it had hurt even more.
Though Rosies pretty upset that shes not getting her usual visitor on the ward this morning. I rang her at breakfast, so Phoebe could say hello down the phone, but its not the same as being able to cuddle her.
Max knew he really shouldnt be listening init was nothing to do with him any morebut hed always liked Marinas elder sister. Unless Rosie had changed career and become a medic like Marina, it sounded as if something was wrong. Why would Rosie be in hospital? And why was Marina taking her daughter to visit her sick aunt every single day?
Hows Rosie doing this morning? Kelly asked.
Shes fine. Missing Phoebe and Neil like crazy, of course, but everyone knows she wont stick to bed rest at home. Marina spread her hands. I mean, you cant if you have a toddler as lively as Phoebe. She laughed. Mums always telling Phoebe that shes exactly like her Aunty Rina was at the same agecovered in glitter and paint half the time, and pedalling round on her tricycle the other half.
Everything suddenly fell into place for Max, and for one crazy moment he found himself on the point of whooping with delight and doing a happy dance all round the department.
The toddler Marina had been carryingthe one shed gone to pick up from the nurserywas her niece, not her daughter.
As Rosie had the same colouring as Marina, and similar features, of course thered be a strong physical resemblance between aunt and niece. And that in turn meant that the man Marina had kissed in the corridor had been her brother-in-law, not her partner. The Petrelli family had always been warm and tactile, and Max had kissed Marinas sister, mother, aunts and grandmother exactly the same way himself before their marriage had fallen apart.
How stupid hed been.
Then again, Max had never been able to think straight around Marina. Not from the moment hed met her as a wet-behind-the-ears junior doctor who made very sure she pulled her weight on the team and did her best to reassure her patients. Theyd gone for a coffee after that first shift, and had dated every night after that. The more time hed spent with her, the more deeply hed fallen in love with her.
Small wonder that theyd gone to bed together within a week and had moved in together within a month. They hadnt wanted to spend a single moment apart.
Yet theyd spent the past four years as far apart as they could be: Marina in London, and he moving from disaster zone to disaster zone, pushing himself to the limit so he wouldnt have to think about how much hed lost.
He closed his eyes briefly. Now wasnt the time or the place. He and Marina were going to have to talk about it, but not now, and definitely not here. Right now, he had a job to do. And so did she.
Marina was rostered on the childrens section of the emergency department that morning; that was good, because it meant she didnt have to see Max. Not unless there was a really difficult case where she needed a second opinion. But she was in luck: her first case was a toddler whod stuffed a plastic bead up her nose, her second was a child with a cough that she suspected was asthmatic, and her third was one whod fallen in the playground and gashed his arm deeply enough to need stitches and a lot of reassurance. All things that needed a bit of time, reassurance and TLC as well as medical treatment, and she knew she was perfectly capable of dealing with all of them on her own.
Everything was fine until she took her break. The second that she made herself a mug of coffee in the kitchen, Max walked in, as if he had some weird kind of radar that told him exactly when shed be there.
Hows Phoebe? he asked.
Doing OK, thanks. Mums looking after her today again.
He made himself a coffee, then took a bar of chocolate from the pocket of his white coat, snapped it in half and handed half to her.
She accepted it without thinking, the way she always had when theyd worked together. Thanks. Then she stared at the chocolate, suddenly realising what theyd both done.
Just like old times.
Except theyd both come a long way in the last four years.
I didnt have time for breakfast this morning, he said with the quirky smile that had once made her knees melt.
She remembered those days. Even though their flat had been a ten-minute walk from the hospital, theyd never had time for breakfast. Because theyd been too busy making love.
She took a gulp of coffee and willed the memories to stay back.
So whats wrong with Rosie? he asked. I overheard Kelly asking you how she was.
Pre-eclampsia, Marina explained. Theyve kept her in so shell get some rest and they can monitor how the babys doing.
Is it OK if I go and see her? he asked.
She frowned. Why would you want to do that?
He sighed. Look, I know things didnt work out between us, but I liked your family.
And theyd liked him. A lot.
Pity that the same couldnt be said of the way Maxs family had felt about her. Kay Fenton had seen Marina as a rival for her sons affections, and Andrew Fenton had usually been away on business trips. Marina had found them distant and cold, the complete opposite of her own family. And when everything had gone wrong, and Marina had been at her most vulnerable, the Fentons had made it very clear that they werent going to offer her a shoulder to cry on. Andrew, as usual, had been absent, and Kay had actually said that it was for the bestthat it was the wrong time for Max to have a baby when he had his career to think about.
How could anyone possibly say that a miscarriage was for the best? All this time later, it still took her breath away.
Marina?
It wasnt Maxs fault that his mother was supremely tactless. Its not up to me to give you permission. If you want to visit Rosie she spread her hands then visit her. But bear in mind she has pre-eclampsia. The last thing she needs right now is any kind of worry thatll make her blood pressure rise.
As a medic, Id just about worked that one out for myself, Max said drily.
Sorry. I didnt mean to be rude. She blew out a breath. Its just
Shes your big sister, you love her and you worry about her, Max supplied.
Yes.
Its good that she has family who care.
Marina was careful not to comment, and she took refuge in eating the chocolate hed given her.
He sighed. Look, if youre worryingnobody here knows about Bristol. And Im happy for it to stay that way. I dont like being gossiped about, either. If anyone twigs that we know each other, well just tell them we worked together years ago and lost touch.
It was the truth. Just not the whole truth. And it left out a hell of a lot of pain in between. Thank you, she said quietly.
He looked away. We have to work together, and theres enough tension in an emergency department as it is without adding to it.
Agreed.
So can we just drop the formality and treat each other like any other member of staff?
Sure. But he wasnt just any other member of staff. He never could be. But Marina had already been there, done that and had her heart well and truly broken. She wasnt going to take that risk a second time. No matter that she still found Max incredibly attractive physically; she knew that they werent compatible. And, although part of her wouldve been more than happy to walk back into his arms, part of her knew that itd be a huge mistake. Shed simply be setting herself up for more misery. So she was going to have to learn to think of him as just a colleague.
Somehow.
She drained her coffee. Id better get back. Thanks for the chocolate.
Pleasure.
During his lunch break, Max called in at the hospital shop to buy chocolates and a puzzle magazinehed already learned that the hospital had a clear-locker-top policy, and flowers were discouraged, to help in the battle with hygieneand went up to the maternity ward.
We have protected lunchtimes, Im afraid, the senior midwife told him firmly. Sorry. Youll have to come back later.
Is there any chance you can bend the rules for me, as staff? Max asked. I promise to be quiet. And I have a feeling that this particular patient hates being on bed rest. So thats fifteen minutes or so when you wont have to keep an eye on her and nag her, because I can do it for you.
She glanced at his name-tag. Ah. You work with Rosies sister?
I do indeed. Max had no intention of giving the more complicated explanationthat Rosie was his ex-sister-in-law. He held out his free hand. Max Fenton, emergency senior registrar.
She shook his hand and introduced herself. Iris Rutherford, senior midwife. No doubt well be working together at some point.
Good to meet you outside of a crisis. Max gave her his most charming smile.
All right. You can have fifteen minutes, Iris said. But youd better make sure she rests and doesnt move, or Ill be forced to scalp you.
He laughed, enjoying her direct approach. I will. Thank you, Iris.
Max followed her directions; Rosie was in a room on her own, flicking listlessly through a magazine and looking very fed up.
Psst. Open for visitors? he asked from the doorway.
She looked at him, and then gave him a broad smile. Max Fenton! What on earth are you doing here?
Visiting you, he said, walking into the room and closing the door behind him.
Her eyes widened. Were not allowed visitors at lunchtime.
I know. He laughed. I begged.
Charmed, more like. You always could melt womens knees with that gorgeous smile of yours. She grinned and held her arms open. Come and give me a hug, Max. Its good to see you.
And its good to see you, Rosie Petrelli. And even better to be hugged like that again. Hed missed the warmth of Marinas family, and his own. Wellhed always found his mothers hugs stifling rather than warm. Though, now that everything was finally out in the open about his father, he could understand the way she behaved. Could sympathise, even.
Im Rosie Brown nowadays. She bit her lip. Im sorry I didnt invite you to the wedding, Max. But, apart from the fact that youd cut off all contact with us, it wouldve been a bit
Awkward, given who was probably your chief brides-maid, he finished wryly, sitting on the chair next to her bed. You did the right thing. I wouldve brought you some flowers, but I gather theyve been banned from the hospital for a while. I hope these will do. He placed the goodies on her lap.
My favourites; you remembered I love white chocolate. She beamed at him. And you managed to find the only puzzle magazine I havent already gone through. Thank you. Thats so, so sweet of you, caro.
My pleasure. So how long have you been in here?
Nineteen days, and counting, Rosie said with a rueful smile, thanks to my bossy little sister.
Marina picked it up? Max looked at her, surprised.
She was on a day off, so she came to have lunch with me. I wasnt feeling brilliant; I thought it was just a bit of indigestion and a headache. But when I told her where the pain was she wasnt happy about it. She said it was rare to get pre-eclampsia with a second baby, but she wanted it checked out. She made me call the midwife and then drink loads of water.
Ready for a urine test, no doubt. Rosie wasnt in the high-risk group, though: she was under thirty-five, her weight was average and it wasnt her first pregnancy. As far as Max knew, there wasnt a family history of pre-eclampsia, and Rosie wasnt a diabetic. Plus, from what Marina had said, she was only expecting one baby, not twins or triplets. So where was the pain? Just under your ribs?
Rosie rolled her eyes. Spoken just like a doctor! Yes. And, yes, before you ask, there turned out to be a little bit of protein in my urine and my blood pressure was a bit on the high side.
Knowing Rosie, that was a major understatement.
So theyre keeping me in to monitor the baby and keep an eye on me, she finished.
How far are you?
Thirty-three weeksand its driving me insane, being stuck here. She shook herself. And heres me being ungrateful. Marinas been absolutely brilliant. And, yes, I do know she probably saved my life.
If Rosies symptoms hadnt been picked up so quickly, she could have been very illand there wouldve been a serious risk both to the baby and to Rosie herself. If Rosies condition had turned into eclampsia, both of them could have died.
Shes sorted out a place at the hospital cr?che for Phoebe while Im here, and she brings my baby in to see me every morning before her shift. She picks her up, too, if shes on an early. Neils boss has been really good about him working more flexible hours, but its smack in the middle of the busy season.
Busy season?
Its Marchcoming up to the end of the tax year. Hes an accountant, Rosie explained, so normally hed be working silly hours in the office, but because Im stuck in here hes having to bring work home and do it when Phoebes asleep. Mum and Dad have been brilliant, too. Dads painting the babys room and Mums keeping the house ticking over and making sure that theres food in the fridge, so Neil can spend time here with me and Phoebe instead of worrying about housework and shopping and what have you.
Exactly what Max would expect from the Petrellis, being there to help with practical things in a crisis. Part of him wondered: had he and Marina lived in London instead of Bristol, would her family have rallied round them and kept them together, helped them to work things through?
Too late for that now.
So when are they going to induce you? he asked.
It depends how things go. I know that its best to deliver the baby as late as possible, but the idea of being stuck here for another seven weeks, having injections and blood taken She grimaced. I tell you, if I was ever scared of needles, Ive learned to overcome my phobia! Anyway, enough about me. Were doing finearent we, Bambino? She rubbed the bump and smiled. So, how are you doing?
Im fine.
She raised an eyebrow. Right. And thats why youve got dark shadows under your eyes and youre too thin. Dont try to bluff me, Max.
New city, new job. It takes time to settle in, he said lightly.
Maybe. She gestured to his name-tag. But youre also working in the emergency department with my sister. That cant be easyfor either of you.
He shrugged. Were professionals. Our patients wont suffer.
Im not talking about the patientsI know youre both professionals. I was talking about you two. She reached out and took his hand. I was really sorry when you and Marina broke up.
Tell me about it. He forced himself to keep the words back. Things happen, he said lightly.
So are you with someone now? Whats she like?
Hed forgotten the other thing about Marinas family: they had no scruples about asking personal questions. For a moment, he considered making up a story, but Rosie would know he was lying. Theres nobody, he admitted. And then, to stave off further questioning, he added, I spent a few years working for Doctors Without Borders. There wasnt time for anything other than work.
He wished he hadnt said it when Rosie gave him a very perceptive look. So thats why we never got a Christmas card from you. Hmm. I happen to know someone else who throws herself into work. Someone who either finds excuses not to date, or makes it friends-only after just a couple of dates.
Rosie wasnt even trying to be subtle and, although part of him was annoyed, part of him was also amused. The Petrellis were notorious fixers. They were the kind of people who made lemonade out of lemons, who always saw the bright side. It was one of the things hed adored about Marina; she was unlike anyone else hed ever met. And the complete opposite of his mother: she saw sunshine where Kay Fenton saw clouds, was light where Kay was intense. Just like the rest of her family. Dont get your hopes up, Rosie. Marina and I are colleagues. End of. He smiled to take the sting from his words.
Its four years now since you split up. Youre both still single. That, Rosie said, is extremely telling.
And I think youve been teaching too much Romeo and Juliet, he said, still managing a smile. It was impossible to be offended with someone who so clearly wanted life to be happy. A nice story.
She scoffed. Of course it isnt a nice story. Its a tragedy, Max. They both die at the end!
And it unites their families. He flapped a dismissive hand. You know what I mean. Marina and I wont be getting back together, Rosie. Theres way too much water under the bridge.
Rosie gave him a telling look, but to his relief she didnt try to labour the point. Marina didnt tell me you were working here.
He shrugged. I only started a couple of days ago.
Hmm, Rosie said.
And neither of us knew the other was working here. It was a bit of a surprise for both of us.
Ill say, Rosie said drily.
He ruffled her hair. I have to go. Iris says you have to sit still and be good, or shell scalp me. Is it OK if I come back tomorrow?
Of course it is. She frowned. Why are you even asking me that?
I dont want to make things awkward.
With Marina, you mean? Or the rest of my family? She patted his hand. Stop worrying. Of course its not going to be awkward. If anything, theyll be pleased Ive got someone else to come in and nag me to rest.
He couldnt help laughing. Good.
She smiled at him. Thanks for coming, Max. Its been really good to see you again.
You, too. He hugged her, and left for the emergency department.
But he couldnt stop thinking about what Rosie had told him.
Marina didnt date.
He hadnt dated much since hed split up with Marina, either. Most of the time, hed been too busy at work to bother with a relationship. But when hed come back to England and had started dating again something had always been missing. Hed always ended up finishing a relationship before it had even got started.
If he was honest with himself, he knew why: because nobody had ever matched up to his ex-wife.
And Rosie had told him that there was nobody serious in Marinas life, either.
Quite what that meant, he didnt know. Did Marina still have feelings for him? But, in that case, surely she wouldve talked to him and asked him to give their marriage another try, instead of sending divorce papers to him? Or maybe marriage to him had disappointed her so much that she wasnt prepared to try again with anyone else.
The only way to find out was to ask her.
Though, it wasnt the easiest of subjects to broach. Particularly as they had to work together. Right now, they had a guarded working-relationship; not an easy one, but a tolerable one. Asking the wrong questions at the wrong time could tip it over into being intolerablewhich wouldnt be fair to their colleagues.
Last time, theyd rushed into things, and it had gone spectacularly wrong. This time, maybe he should try being patient.
And when the time was right, Max decided, then hed ask those questions.
Chapter Four
OVER the next week, Marina found herself growing more and more aware of her ex. She knew exactly when Max walked into the department, even if she was busy treating a patient in cubicles and couldnt see him. And, when they were working together in Resus, she was conscious of every single movement he made. Time and again she found herself glancing at him, only to find that he was looking at her too.
This was insane. Theyd crashed and burned last time round. So why couldnt they keep their eyes off each other?
Every time his hand brushed hers as she handed him an ampoule, or he passed her a syringe, or they looked at an X-ray together, her pulse started racingbecause her body still remembered the way he used to touch her: the feel of his skin sliding against hers, the roughness of the hair on his chest, the softness of his mouth as hed kissed her awake. The scent of his skin, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners and dimples appeared in his cheeks when he laughed, the way desire flared in his eyes and turned them from slate-blue to hot black whenever he looked at her.
She really had to get a grip. If this carried on for much longer, shed go crazy.
She and Max were not an item. They were never going to be an item again. And it was about time her head got that straight.
Rosemary; Max wouldve known that scent anywhere. So Marina still used the same shampoo, then.
.
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Kate Hardy
Тип: электронная книга
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
Язык: на английском языке
Издательство: HarperCollins
Дата публикации: 16.04.2024
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О книге: The Doctor′s Lost-and-Found Bride, электронная книга автора Kate Hardy на английском языке, в жанре современные любовные романы