Leah Martyn – Outback Doctor, English Bride (страница 8)

‘Staff kitchen and other facilities along here. And talking of kitchens,’ Ayleen said with a smile, ‘what about some tea and scones? I brought my usual batch in this morning.’

Oh, dear, the dreaded scones. Maxi thought quickly. ‘Uh, thanks, Ayleen, but I already had a cuppa with Loretta over at the hospital.’

‘Next Friday, then.’ The receptionist-cum-practice manager beamed. ‘Now, I’d best get back and leave you to settle in. I usually make us a sandwich for lunch. Can I count you in?’

Maxi nodded around a smile. ‘Wonderful, thanks, Ayleen.’

‘So, how was your morning?’ Maxi asked. She and Jake were in the staffroom and Ayleen had just cleared their lunch things away and returned to her desk to get ready for the afternoon surgery.

Jake lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowing. ‘Much as usual. How was yours?’

‘Oh, pretty good, I think.’ Her teeth caught on her lower lip as she smiled. ‘I got a good hearing and a promising outcome from Liz Maynard,’ she added, leaning forward and warming to her subject. ‘Apparently the welfare of women and children is the main priority of the association so doing something for Karryn and the new baby comes well within their guidelines.’

Jake raised a dark eyebrow. ‘So, materially, what can they do?’

‘Liz is going to ask some of their members to cook and freeze some meals so Karryn won’t have to worry about getting everyone fed the moment she gets home, and Liz said they’ll get together and make up a basket of goodies, baby stuff and so on, as a gift for Karryn. Hopefully throw in some toys for the older children as well.’

‘That’s brilliant. I’m impressed.’ Jake’s mouth pulled down. ‘Why couldn’t I see all that was possible?’

Maxi made a throw-away movement with her hand. ‘Don’t beat yourself up. It’s hard to be objective when you’re the one having to deal with everyone’s stress day after day. And sometimes…’ she sent him a trapped smile ‘…it needs a woman-to-woman approach. Anyway, that’s not all my good news. Liz’s two teenage sons are home from boarding school early. Apparently the college needs the dorm for a group of overseas students on a study trip. Liz said the lads are bored already so she’s going to suggest to Karryn and Dean that the guys go out to the farm and do the hay drop for the next couple of weeks.’

Jake frowned a bit. ‘I doubt the Goodes will be able to pay the lads much.’

‘They won’t have to. Liz said once she’s explained things to the boys, they’ll be happy to volunteer. And the elder, Heath, has his driver’s licence so they can drive out and back each day—’ Seeing his expression, she broke off and bit her lip. ‘What?’

‘Nothing.’ Jake’s lips twitched thoughtfully. In just a few short hours this woman had begun to weave small miracles. And it felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. There was no denying her input would make a huge difference to the practice, to the patients. But it had taken him ages to close down his feelings about her. Did he really want them dragged out and opened up for inspection again? And that was bound to happen if he let her stay…

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