The Nurse's Secret

‘All right if I sit on the end of the bed?’ Noah asked. ‘I don’t like towering over people when we’re talking.’

‘Fine.’ Gloria’s face had lost some colour. Knowing what lay ahead would be daunting, and she’d probably tried to forget all about it for a while.

Stacey filled a plastic cup with water and handed it to her, received a grateful nod.

‘First we have to get the site where I removed your breast completely healed. Only then will we start you on chemo. The treatment is exhausting, and it takes its toll on your body, so best to start in as good a condition as possible.’

‘How long are we talking?’ Darryl asked.

‘Six weeks is optimal.’ Noah gave them time to think about this, then continued. ‘After you’ve finished chemo we give you a break before starting radiation which is far less distressing. Though I warn you it’ll still make you tired.’

Gloria gripped Darryl’s hand. ‘I do remember the details from when we first came to see you ten days ago, but this is real. Like it’s started and isn’t over by a long way.’

Stacey looked away from the anguish in the couple’s faces. Cancer was a bitch. No other word for it.

Noah was nodding in agreement. ‘Most patients say much the same. You’re focusing on one day at a time, one treatment at a time. You’ve had your mastectomy and your body’s responding well. Soon we’ll move on to the next phase.’

We. He was with them all the way. As they said their goodbyes and headed out of the room, Stacey’s heart expanded for this caring man. He really was special. In more ways than one. Could he be a great dad? She believed so. Could he be a great partner? Someone she could trust with her heart? What? She gasped. She’d been thinking how she wanted more from him than just the role of Holly’s father. But it was early days. She wasn’t falling in love with him. But she’d had strong feelings for him right from that night they’d made love.

‘Stacey? You all right?’ Noah asked, looking at her as though there was no one else.

Gulp.

‘Yes, just...’

Think of something. Quick.

She coughed against her arm. ‘I’ve got a tickle in my throat.’

* * *

And I’m lying on a beach in Hawaii, Noah thought.

Something had disturbed Anastasia’s usually calm attitude. What’d they been talking about? Gloria’s upcoming treatment. Nothing there that he could see to upset Anastasia. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ he asked as they walked towards the hub of the ward.

‘Like I said, a tickle in my throat.’ She was looking anywhere but at him.

Noah breathed deeply. It seemed Stacey could be hiding something but now was not the time to try and find out what. Of course it might not concern him but that gut instinct that came into play around her was knocking hard again, this time negatively. As though he couldn’t quite accept Anastasia was nothing like Christine. Or was he trying to find Christine inside her so he could protect himself from getting too involved? Glancing at his watch, he said far more calmly than his heart beat suggested possible, ‘I’ll drop in on Jonathon while I’m here.’

‘Sure.’

They went into Jonathon’s room and greeted the patient. ‘Morning, Jonathon. I see you’re improving fast now we’ve got that appendix out of the way.’

‘I feel better. Has the infection gone?’

‘It takes a bit longer than that. The antibiotics are doing their job and I’ll be able to lower the dosage within twenty-four hours if this progress keeps up.’ He continued asking and answering questions, noting Anastasia was busy avoiding him while being right across the bed and jotting down things he said that were important to their patient’s file.

But when they left Jonathon, she murmured, ‘Thanks for calling me Stacey on the ward. Most of the time anyway.’

Could that be what was bothering her? That much? All using her full name said to anyone was that they’d known each other before he’d started here. It wasn’t enough for her to gasp and lose colour in her cheeks. No, definitely something else was going on, and it involved him, he’d swear, because they were always in sync. Which didn’t make sense considering how little they’d had to do with each other. He was probably being paranoid. ‘Still on for catching up after work today?’

‘Yes, absolutely,’ she said quietly. Where had cheerful Anastasia gone?

‘I could try to get away sooner since you finish at three. Or you could do what all women I know do when they’ve got time to kill. Go shopping.’ He was beginning to enjoy winding her up.

‘Guess you don’t know me, then.’

‘I’m trying to but you’re putting up road blocks.’ How much did he want to push this? Hadn’t he decided he had a heart to protect? Yes, and he’d also recognised the need he felt when around her had to be looked into further.

Anastasia stopped. Worry darkened her eyes, whitened her lips. ‘Noah.’ She looked around, then back at him. ‘There’s a lot you don’t know about me.’

‘Are you married?’ Why hadn’t he asked before? Because if she was, he was out of here, no matter what he felt. There wasn’t a ring on her finger, but some staff left them at home during working hours.

‘No,’ she snapped, flicking a look his way he couldn’t interpret.

Not married, but maybe not single either? He took another glance, and saw her eyes were narrower and she was entirely focused on the wall behind him.

‘What keeps you busy apart from work?’ Now he’d started, he wanted to ask more.

‘Family.’

She’d shut down. Why? It had been three years since they’d had that time together, and anything could’ve happened. Where was the harm in asking? He had to look out for himself. She wouldn’t have been hanging around all that time on the off chance they’d meet up again. Especially since amazing sex and great dancing were hardly recommendations for a long-term relationship, though he could think of a lot worse. Of course she’d have found a man, but mightn’t have reached the stage they were calling it a relationship. It wasn’t as though she was unattractive or undesirable, or unfriendly.

There was a strange sensation in the bottom of his gut; like sadness, or was it disappointment? Couldn’t be. Now he’d caught up with Anastasia excitement tingled continuously throughout him, like he had something to look forward to. Something warm and caring, not cold and filled with greed.

Okay, admit it. He did want to spend time with Anastasia. Hope for something more with her kept rattling around inside. Not just another one-night stand. He wanted her in his arms, touching her, kissing her. Danger warnings flashed in his head. He could be falling for her, and how would he ever know if he got it right this time? What if she did turn out to be another Christine? Out to get a man who had money to support her and give her a life of luxury, and by chance he fitted the bill? ‘You don’t live alone?’

After a deep breath, she continued more calmly. ‘At the moment I’m living with my parents and brother. Dad had a truck accident and lost a foot a few years back. Since then he’s qualified as an accountant and is slowly building up a clientele, but there’s not a lot of income coming in. My brother’s at university, and Mum works as a receptionist at the local medical centre. I’m supporting them as much as I can.’

Kind and generous as

well as fun and exciting. And not well off financially. Yet the tightness in his shoulders backed down after her straight answer. It was hard to hear any falsehood in her voice. ‘So no shopping.’ Strange how he could smile quite easily now. There was no man in her life. He leaned closer, his gaze fixed on her mouth. Then he jerked upright. What was wrong with him? This was a ward. Stepping back, he hauled in air.

‘I get in my fair share, believe me.’ She was laughing again, apparently unaware of his reaction to her. Also, surprising how quickly she could restore her good mood. ‘There are some great charity shops in our district.’

‘You’re a recycling fan.’

‘Who isn’t?’

‘When it comes to clothes, you’re looking at the ultimate waster of clothes.’ Then he went back to her family. ‘Your father’s accident must’ve been a hell of a shock for you all.’

‘It was, but he’s tough, and is truly happy doing what he is. He and my brother attend the same university, and there’s always something they’re competing over.’

‘Your brother’s doing a BScs too?’

‘Heck no. That would be too much to handle. Toby’s doing science.’ Pride filled her voice, and her face.

‘You love them.’

‘Of course I do. And Mum. She’s the backbone of our family, keeps us all on track.’

So simple. Naturally she loved them. No doubts. As he hadn’t had any with his parents. His phone vibrated. ‘You’re very lucky.’

‘I reckon. I’d better get back to work.’

‘I’ll see you later.’ With that she headed away.

So they would have time to sit down together and catch up. On what? They only had dancing and sex between them. Yes, but he wanted a whole lot more. He knew that now. He wasn’t going to walk away—yet. He had to decide how far to take this, and if he wanted to try again to find happiness. In a very short time, Anastasia had done this to him. Tipped his world on its head.

The phone stopped vibrating. Damn. He’d been distracted. Not good. Unprofessional. Tapping ‘return’, he waited to find out who needed him.