Читать книгу Six Sexy Doctors Part 2 - Joanna Neil - Страница 10

CHAPTER FOUR

THE next few days were so busy that Meagan had little time to think. If she had ever believed that being a general practitioner on a small island would be an easy option, she had been mistaken. Her surgeries were busy, although Meagan suspected that some of her patients were there just to have a look at the new doctor. But there were plenty of genuine cases to keep her constantly challenged. She didn’t see much of Cameron, and when she did he was friendly but distant, and that suited her perfectly.

She was having a quick cup of coffee between patients when the practice nurse came in to see her, her brow puckered with worry.

‘Meagan, do you have a moment?’ she asked.

‘Sure, Sophie. What is it?’

‘Could you see someone for me? I’ve been doing the baby clinic and I noticed that one of the mothers isn’t well. She’s breathless—more than I’d expect—and I don’t know…she just doesn’t look right. She says she’s been like this for a week or two, and its just flu or something. Dr MacDonald gave her antibiotics when he saw her before he left, but she’s no better. She’s insisting that she doesn’t need to see a doctor but would you mind having a quick look at her for me? I would have asked Cameron, but he’s at the hospital. I’m worried if I let her leave without seeing a doctor, she won’t come back.’

‘Of course, Sophie. Show her in.’

A moment or two later, the nurse ushered in a young exhausted-looking woman in with her baby. Sophie handed Meagan the woman’s notes. A quick glance told Meagan that the patient had three children. Her youngest was five months old.

‘I’m sorry, Doctor. I don’t mean to be a bother. I told Sophie that it was nothing. I’m just a bit rundown. Nothing a whole night’s sleep wouldn’t put right.’ The young woman looked tired, as well she might with three children under five, but she also looked as if she had lost weight recently. Her trousers and blouse looked at least one size too big for her.

But it was as she spoke that alarm bells began to ring in Meagan’s head. The woman was having to stop to catch her breath every few words.

‘Have a seat, Mrs Munro. Since you’re here I may as well take a quick look.’

‘It’s Rhona,’ she replied, giving Meagan a tired smile, reluctantly taking a seat and settling the baby on her lap. ‘It’s just that I have another two kids at home. A neighbour is looking after them for me, but I need to get back. They can be a bit of a handful.’ Rhona smiled ruefully. ‘Its no wonder I’m exhausted.’

Meagan lifted the child from Rhona’s lap. The little girl protested, reaching chubby arms towards her mother.

‘Well, this little one is fine at any rate. Do you mind if Sophie holds her while I have a quick listen to your chest?’

As Meagan listened to Rhona’s lungs, her anxiety deepened. There was something wrong.

‘Any history of asthma? TB?’ she asked.

Rhona shook her head. ‘Dr MacDonald thought I might have a chest infection when I came to see him a couple of weeks ago. He put me on antibiotics.’

‘And have they helped?’ Meagan asked. She looked at the notes Colin had made in his neat hand. He hadn’t been totally convinced that Rhona had had a chest infection, but had prescribed a course of antibiotics and asked her to come back and see him in a week. There was no suggestion that Rhona had been back to see him.

‘Did you finish the course of antibiotics?’ Meagan asked.

Her patient nodded. ‘Dr MacDonald was insistent,’ she said. ‘But they didn’t help.’

‘I see that he asked you to come back and see him last week,’ Meagan said.

‘I know. And I meant to come, but I couldn’t find the time. The kids keep me so busy.’

After talking a thorough history and giving her another examination Meagan was beginning to suspect she knew what was wrong with her patient and she didn’t like it one bit.

She turned to Sophie, who had managed to placate the baby. ‘Sophie, would you mind seeing if Dr Stuart is back? If he is, could you ask him to come in for a minute?’

‘What is it?’ Rhona was beginning to look anxious. ‘Why do you need Dr Stuart? I told you, a day or two’s rest, although how I am going to manage that is beyond me—is all I need. I don’t want you to go to any more trouble. I’ve taken up enough of your time as it is.’

Meagan was disappointed when Sophie returned without Cameron. Although she was pretty sure her diagnosis was correct, she wanted another opinion. And if she was right, she needed to arrange further tests.

‘Dr Stuart is still at the hospital. I’ve got him on the line, though,’ Sophie told Meagan.

Meagan excused herself to Rhona and went into Cameron’s room to take the call.

‘Hello, Meagan,’ he said without preamble. ‘You have a problem?’

Meagan quickly outlined her findings and then, with a slight hesitation, her fears.

‘I think she may have a tumour, Cameron. And she’s only 26—my age—with three young children.’ There. It was out. She had said it.

‘You could be right,’ Cameron said, his voice soft. ‘But there’s no point in imagining the worst until we know more. Send her along here for a chest X-ray. Ask her to come straight to the hospital and I can have a look at her before my visits this afternoon.’

‘Thank you. The sooner we know what’s going on, the better. I’ll come too. I’d like to see the X-ray.’

‘It’s your afternoon off. Why don’t you go home and I’ll call you once I’ve had a look at the film?’

Meagan shook her head before realizing he couldn’t see her.

‘If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather come to the hospital,’ she said, praying she wouldn’t have to argue with him. Rhona was her patient now.

‘Of course. I’d do the same in your shoes. I’ll see you shortly.’

Meagan hung up and went back to her patient. She explained about the X-ray.

‘Are you sure it can’t wait? You’re not worried about me, are you?’ Rhona managed a shaky laugh.

‘It could wait, but Dr Stuart is there now, so I see no reason for us to delay. Have you got your car? I could give you a lift, if you like.’ Rhona seemed to realise that Meagan was determined to get her to the hospital, and gave in with a weary smile.

‘Its OK, I’ll take mine. It has the baby seat. I’ll just phone my babysitter and let her know I’ll be late. You don’t think it will take too long, do you?’

As Meagan drove to the hospital she tried to swallow her anxiety. If she was right, what would the diagnosis mean to Rhona and her young family? It was the worst side of medicine, and the bit about general practice Meagan was beginning to realise she’d find the toughest—knowing the people you were about to deliver bad news to. She was already beginning to think of her patients as an extended family.

When she arrived at the hospital, she found Cameron in the emergency reception area, his dark head bent over patients’ notes. She watched him for a second. Strangely, she felt comforted knowing he was here and would be helping her look after her patient.

He looked up and, seeing her, stood and crossed the space between them. He brushed her shoulder with a hand as if he knew instinctively that she needed some reassurance.

‘Rhona’s arrived and is having her X-ray. She won’t be long, then we can have a look. But you do know there are a number of things it could be?’

Meagan took a deep breath and returned his look steadily. She didn’t want him to think she was the type of doctor who couldn’t remain professional at all times.

‘I know. But I did take a full history. And it’s not that I’m being over-cautious because of Robert Maclean.’ She couldn’t help but slide a glance in his direction.

‘You’re just being thorough. That’s good. But let’s just wait and see. Take it step by step.’ Cameron smiled down at her. ‘Shall we go and see if they are finished?’

Ten minutes later Cameron had Rhona’s X-ray up and Meagan’s heart sank. All over the chest were large white circles, indicative of tumours. She looked at Cameron, shocked. He was frowning, his mouth set in a grim line.

‘Looks like you were right. It seems pretty clear she has metastasis in her chest,’ he said. But Meagan felt no satisfaction at his words. She wished desperately that she had been wrong.

‘We need to talk to her,’ Cameron said.

‘I need to tell her,’ Meagan said quietly. ‘She’s my patient. Although how I’m going to tell a young woman with three small children that it looks as if she has a terminal illness is beyond me.’

Cameron looked thoughtful. ‘We’ll talk to her together. I’ve known Rhona for years. I delivered her last two babies. I wonder what the primary source of the tumours are? I’d like to examine her again.’

‘Why? What are you thinking?’

‘It’s a long shot, but you said she’d been nauseous. Has she missed a period?’

‘She said she’s not had a period since the birth of her baby. She’s been breastfeeding, so it’s understandable that she hasn’t, isn’t it? Are you thinking that she’s had a tumour through her last pregnancy and that the pregnancy accelerated its growth?’

‘No,’ Cameron said. ‘She was sterilised when she had her last baby. They did it at the time of her C-section. It’s something else. See these tumours—the size of them? They are referred to as cannonball tumours.’

Meagan was puzzled. She didn’t know where Cameron was going with his thinking.

‘I’m going to examine her. I’ll ask one of the nursing staff to do a pregnancy test.’

Meagan confusion deepened. Hadn’t he just said himself that Rhona couldn’t be pregnant? And what was the point in delaying talking to their patient? The sooner they spoke to her, the sooner she they could arrange for her to start treatment. It probably wouldn’t give her much more time, but every minute longer she had with her young children would be precious. She felt her throat close and she blinked away tears. However upset she felt, she didn’t want Cameron to see it. But it seemed she couldn’t hide her feelings quickly enough.

‘Hey,’ he said, ‘let’s not get ahead of ourselves.’ For a moment it looked as if he was going to reach out to her, but he let his hands drop to his side.

‘But she has three young children. How can any woman cope with the thought of leaving them? Why is life so cruel?’

‘We’ll do out best for her, Meagan. You picked it up, and at least she has a chance to prepare herself. Let’s go and see her and then we’ll talk again.’

Rhona was waiting in the consulting room, feeding her baby. The baby was sucking contentedly and the three adults watched as her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

‘Well?’ Rhona asked as she settled her child in her buggy. ‘Can I go?’

‘I’m afraid you can’t. Not yet at any rate,’ Cameron said gently.

‘Why? What is it?’ She looked at the two doctors. ‘What is it?’ she said again, her voice rising. ‘There’s something you’re not telling me. C’mon, Cameron Stuart. You’ve known me for years. You know I like straight talking.’ Despite her brave words, Meagan could hear the fear in her voice.

‘We found something on your chest X-ray that worries us a little.’ Cameron said. ‘I want to examine you again, if that’s all right? But first do you think you could manage to give us a urine specimen?’

‘Sure,’ Rhona replied. ‘But I think you should tell me what this is about.’

‘Urine first,’ Cameron said firmly. Once the nurse had taken away the sample for testing, Cameron examined Rhona again while Meagan looked on.

‘Any lumps or bumps anywhere? In your breasts?’

‘Not that I’ve noticed.’

‘Any chance you could be pregnant?’ Cameron asked.

Rhona laughed. ‘You know as well as I do that the answer to that is no.’

Meagan was still none the wiser. Where was Cameron going with this? Could Rhona be pregnant? She had heard of cases where women had fallen pregnant even after having their tubes tied. That would make it all even worse. She couldn’t have treatment while pregnant. The pregnancy would have to be terminated.

‘Any other symptoms apart from the breathlessness?’

‘No, except for feeling tired all the time—but I put that down to years of sleepless nights.’ She laughed nervously. ‘You don’t think I could be pregnant, do you? Even if I hadn’t been sterilized, it wouldn’t be possible.’ She blushed furiously. ‘You know, with having three small children we haven’t…not since—I mean I am just so darned exhausted all the time. It’s not as if I don’t love my husband. Oh, dear…’ She tailed off.

‘No, I don’t think you’re pregnant,’ Cameron said. ‘I think there’s a chance it’s something else, but I won’t be sure until I get the result of the urine test. We’ll have the results shortly. In the meantime, you can get dressed. I’ll be back in to see you in a minute.’

Even more confused, Meagan followed Cameron out of the room. He looked satisfied, even cheerful. Didn’t he care that they were about to deliver a death sentence to a woman who had three young children depending on her?

Before she had a chance to question him, the nurse arrived back.

‘The pregnancy test is strongly positive,’ She told Cameron. ‘Good news?’

‘You could say that,’ Cameron said, smiling.

‘How can you possibly think it’s good news?’ Meagan burst out, unable to contain herself any longer. ‘If she decides not to terminate then she’ll die more quickly and then there will be four children left without a mother.’

Cameron placed a hand on Meagan’s shoulder. Something in his expression stopped her in her tracks.

‘Have you ever heard of a condition called choriocarcinoma?’ Cameron asked.

Meagan shook her head, although somewhere deep in the recesses of her mind the term sounded familiar.

‘Well, it’s a type of cancer that originates in the placental tissue after a pregnancy or miscarriage,’ Cameron explained. ‘As far as Rhona’s concerned, it is really good news. The tumours will respond quickly to treatment and there is every chance she will make a complete recovery.’

‘Are you sure?’ Meagan asked, wanting desperately to believe him. But what if he was wrong?

‘I’m positive. We’ll need to do further tests, of course, but I have no doubt that is what we are seeing here.’

Meagan felt herself sag with relief. If he was right and she had no reason to doubt him, there was every chance Rhona would be around for many years to come. She grinned at him.

‘What made you think of it?’

‘When I saw the X-ray and the magnitude of the tumours, it got me thinking. With that kind of invasion Rhona should have been much sicker than she is. Then when I examined her and there was no obvious primary source of the tumours, I began to think of choriocarcinoma. I remember reading about it in one of the medical journals a year or so ago. The positive pregnancy test all but confirms the diagnosis. It’s still a serious condition, but thankfully it responds extremely well to chemotherapy.’

‘Thank God you thought of it. Imagine if you hadn’t. We would have told Rhona she was going to die and put her through torment. She might even have decided not to have treatment, in which case she would have died.’ Meagan shivered. ‘She’s a very lucky woman to have you around. I would have missed it if it hadn’t been for you.’

‘Don’t beat yourself up. You did the right thing by discussing her with me and thinking of the chest X-ray. Someone else might just have given her more antibiotics and sent her home. If you hadn’t insisted on investigating further when you did, the condition could have advanced quickly to a point where we would have been too late to help Rhona.’

Meagan shuddered. It had been a close call. Thank God she had decided to investigate further and thank God Cameron had been there to look at the X-ray with her. Otherwise she might be having an entirely different conversation with Rhona right now.

‘You did well, as did Sophie, by insisting Rhona see you. That’s what general practice is all about. A team effort where everyone pulls together. It seems we made the right decision taking you on after all. Well done. Again.’

When Cameron smiled at Meagan, she felt her stomach flip. She smiled back. She couldn’t help but feel pleased at his praise. More than anything else she wanted his respect and approval—as a doctor, of course.

‘Let’s go and tell her the good news, shall we?’ he said.

A few days later, on a Saturday afternoon, as Meagan sat outside her cottage, coffee in hand, marvelling at how the sun lit the sky and turned the sea pewter, she was surprised to see Cameron’s battered vehicle making its way up the track. He jumped out and walked towards Meagan with long strides. He was wearing faded jeans that moulded to his thighs and a thick dark sweater. At his side was an excited-looking Ian and ashy Effie.

‘Dr Galbraith.’ Ian ran up to Meagan. ‘We’re going out in the boat. And Daddy said I could ask if you’d come. You will come, won’t you? You said you would.’ The little boy was hopping excitedly from foot to foot. ‘We have a flask of orange juice and some scones from Jessie.’

Cameron looked apologetic. ‘He’s been on at me ever since you told him you like going out in boats. I told him that you’d have other things to do, but I agreed we’d ask you.’

All of a sudden she wanted nothing more than to be out in a boat with the wind in her hair. It was such a beautiful day, with just the right amount of breeze. On the other hand, the children had probably put Cameron in a difficult position. Somehow she doubted that he wanted to spend time with her away from work. And did she want to spend more time than absolutely necessary with him?

‘Oh, I’m sure you and your daddy will enjoy it better without me,’ Meagan said. ‘Besides, you have Effie here for company. How are you, Effie?’

Before the small child had a chance to answer Ian interrupted

‘Daddy says we need two adults if Effie is coming too. And she wants to come, don’t you, Effie? And Mummy won’t come. She says she can’t bear boats.’ Meagan almost laughed out loud. He had mimicked his mother’s voice perfectly. ‘Please, Dr Galbraith, say yes.’

Meagan looked at Cameron. She was sure this hadn’t been his idea.

‘I think Dr Galbraith has other plans, children,’ Cameron said softly. ‘We can go another time. Why don’t we go to the beach instead? We can look for starfish in the rock pools.’ He turned to Meagan.

‘I’m sorry for the interruption. We’ll be on our way. Come on, guys—back into the Jeep.’

But one look at the two small disappointed faces was enough for Meagan to make up her mind. Then she remembered. Even if she wanted to go she couldn’t, it was her turn to be on call.

‘I’d love to go with you and Effie,’ she said a little wistfully, ‘but I’m afraid I’m supposed to stay here in case any one gets sick and needs a doctor.’

‘If that’s all that’s stopping you,’ Cameron said, ‘I’ve already arranged cover.’ He looked a little sheepish. ‘One of the GPs in the other practice phoned earlier, asking if they could do this weekend in return for us doing another weekend for them. One of the practice staff is getting married in Inverness in a couple of weeks and they all want to go. They had arranged a locum, but that fell through so they’re kind of stuck. I hope that’s OK with you? I’m happy to do it if you’re not.’

‘No, no, don’t worry. I’m happy to swap. Any weekend is fine with me. I don’t have any plans.’

‘Anyway, I thought that this would be a good opportunity for me to take you out and show you where the safe channels are. It means you can go out on your own next time.’

That was the clincher for Meagan. She knew Cameron would never let her use Colin’s boat until he was satisfied that she knew where the dangers were.

‘In that case,’ she said, ‘I’d love to come. You need to give me a minute or two to get ready, though. I’ll be as quick as I can.

Ian ran around in circles, clearly delighted. Meagan laughed. ‘He’s a bundle of energy, isn’t he?’

She left Cameron and the two children outside while she changed into jeans and a thick jumper. Although it was a beautiful day, she knew once they got out on the water, it would get much cooler. In a small backpack, she packed some waterproofs and a flask of coffee. She hesitated for a moment before picking up a woolly hat she had found lying around. She added it to her bag, along with a picnic blanket. After slipping on some plimsoles, she was ready.

By the time she walked down to the bay below the house, Cameron and his two small helpers had already rigged the boat.

‘We’ll go out under the engine and put the sails up once we are clear of the bay,’ Cameron said. ‘It’s pretty rocky just here and I need more manoeuvrability than the sails allow. I’ll be helmsman, if you’ll crew?’

That agreed, and with all of them wearing lifejackets, Meagan cast off and they were on their way. Cameron handled the boat easily, smoothly navigating their way into the open sea. Meagan watched him as he concentrated. At the tiller, he seemed more relaxed than she had ever seen him. It was as if he was in his element. The wind ruffled his almost too long dark hair.

Once they were out at sea, Meagan and Cameron unfurled the sails. They worked easily together, almost as if they had sailed in partnership for years. Soon they were speeding along. Meagan was thrilled to be back out on the sea. Until now she hadn’t realised how much she had missed being on the water.

‘Where are we heading?’ she yelled across to Cameron.

‘If you are up to a bit of hillwalking, I thought we’d take her to the foot of Eaval.’ He indicated a hill in the distance. ‘It’s the highest hill on Uist, although it’s a baby compared to most in Scotland. It’s an easy climb, even for the children. I thought we could picnic at the top—the views are great there—before coming back down. Is that OK?’

‘I’m sure if it’s manageable for the children it’ll be OK for me.’ Meagan grinned back at him. ‘Is this as fast as this boat can go?’ she challenged.

‘It’s as fast as I’m prepared to take it with children on board,’ Cameron said. ‘Perhaps after we drop them off later we can go out again. Then you can show me what you can do.’

Meagan accepted the challenge with a grin. Cameron Stuart had no idea just what she could do with a boat. She was looking forward to showing him. She hoped it would wipe that confident grin off his face.

Before long they were coming into a sheltered bay. Once again they lowered the sails and came in under the engine. Out of the wind, Meagan could feel the heat of the sun on her shoulders. She removed her sweater and tied it around her waist. Cameron indicated for her to hold the tiller then, as they came in, he leapt off the boat onto nearby rocks and tied the boat securely.

‘The tide will be on its way out by the time we come back down. ‘We’ll be able to wade out then. In the meantime, could you pass the children across?’

‘I can jump!’ Ian protested. ‘I’m too old to be lifted—by a girl,’ he added, giving Meagan a look of disdain.

‘You’ll do as you are told, young man,’ Cameron said severely. ‘Remember what I said. When you are out on a boat you always do exactly what the skipper says. Without argument.’

Something in his father’s voice must have told Ian that there was no point in arguing. After Meagan had passed Effie across, Ian allowed Meagan to help him on to the rocks and into his father’s arms.

‘Wait for us up the hill a bit,’ Cameron said, holding his hand out to Meagan. She grabbed her rucksack and took hold of his hand. She felt his roughened hand take hers and she leapt lightly onto the rocks beside him. For the briefest moment he held her to him. She could feel the rough texture of his sweater on her bare arms and the heat of his body on hers. She looked up to find his eyes on hers. They held for a moment then he stood back to let her past.

They walked up the hill at an easy pace, letting the children run on ahead. Cameron insisted on carrying her rucksack as well as his. Soon he stopped and removed his sweater. His T-shirt rode up with the movement and Meagan caught a brief glimpse of his tanned muscular abdomen. Unbidden memories of trailing her hands across the hard muscle of his chest came rushing back. She felt her ears go pink at the tips. He looked at her and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

‘Work out, do you?’ he said, his eyes appraising her.

‘I like to keep fit,’ she said. ‘We can hardly tell our patients to take more exercise and then slob out ourselves, can we?’

However, as they climbed higher Meagan wondered if she would have to eat her words. In order to keep the children in sight Cameron lengthened his stride and it was all Meagan could do to keep up. She was glad he didn’t seem in the mood to chat, as she would have found it impossible to talk and walk at the same time.

She was very glad, therefore, when they reached the top of the hill. Meagan had to admit the climb had been worth it. As Cameron had said, the hill wasn’t particularly high but they could see for miles under the cloudless sky. Cameron pointed out the neighbouring islands of Skye and Harris.

‘If you like hillwalking, you’ll enjoy Skye,’ he told her. ‘If you prefer beaches, then Uist is just a short ferry ride away. You should visit both on your weekends off.’

‘I might just do that,’ Meagan said. ‘Actually, if you think Colin wouldn’t mind, I would love to sail his boat across to Uist.’

Cameron frowned. ‘Please, Meagan, don’t underestimate the conditions around here. Although it’s a beautiful day today, the weather can change in a moment. We are always having to rescue unwary tourists from the mountains and the sea. I don’t want to have to rescue you. We need you…’ He looked into her eyes. Meagan felt her heart thud. What did he mean? Was he implying…?

‘The practice needs you,’ he finished abruptly. ‘Hey, children,’ he called out, ‘are you ready for something to eat?’

Meagan could have kicked herself. Why was she always reading more into Cameron’s behaviour than she should? Hadn’t he made it clear enough that their relationship was purely that of two professionals? And the only reason he had invited her on this trip was for the sake of the children.

Shortly after they had finished their picnic, Cameron stood up. He scanned the sky with practised eyes.

‘There are clouds rolling in from the north. Could be there’s a storm on the way. We’d better get back. Besides, we can’t let the tide get too far out or we’ll be stuck here until it comes back in.’

Looking at the sky, Meagan could see no evidence of a storm, although the wind had picked up a bit. Perhaps he’d had enough of her company?

‘Fine by me,’ she said, gathering their belongings together. The children seemed happy enough to be returning to the boat.

As Cameron had predicted, the tide was on the way out, dragging the boat with it away from the shore. Now there was an expanse of sand to be crossed before they could get to the vessel. She’d have to roll up her jeans and wade out. Cameron had obviously come to the same conclusion. He had already rolled up his jeans, revealing muscular calves, and had removed his shoes.

‘It’s too deep for you to wade. You’ll get soaked. I’ll carry you and the children out.’

‘No.’ Meagan said hastily. It was just too embarrassing. ‘I don’t mind getting a little wet. I’ll soon get dry.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ Cameron said, striding towards her purposefully. Before she had a chance to protest, he had scooped her in his arms and was carrying her out towards the boat. ‘Stay there Ian, Effie,’ he called over his shoulder. ‘Don’t move an inch until I come back for you.’

‘Put me down,’ Meagan snarled at Cameron, struggling in his arms.

‘The devil take me,’ he said, grinning down at her. ‘Why can’t you just do as you’re told? Anyway, if I let you wade out, the children will want to do the same. Far better all crew get treated the same.’

By this time they were halfway out to the boat and the sea was already above Cameron’s knees. Despite her indignation, Meagan was once more acutely aware of his muscular chest and powerful arms as they held her. Her face was inches away from his and she could smell the faint scent of his aftershave. She closed her eyes. She couldn’t help it. She fancied him like mad. The thought brought her to her senses. She wriggled in his arms.

‘I said let me down.’ The next second she had her wish. Without a word he dropped her. She slid into the water and, catching her foot on some seaweed, slipped under. She gasped as she was submerged in the icy water. Well, it was one way to cool her libido which after a couple of years without sex seemed to have traitorously gone into overdrive.

The next second she felt her T-shirt being grabbed and she was pulled unceremoniously upwards. She came out of the water, choking and gasping, and looked straight into glinting brown eyes. Without a word Cameron hauled her the last two remaining feet towards the boat and, gripping her under the arms, lifted her onto the side of the boat where she hung like a landed fish, gasping and spluttering. Then she felt him grab her hips as he tossed her all the way over the side onto the deck.

She raised herself to her knees, aware that her hair was plastered to her head. And wasn’t that a bit of seaweed she could feel curling around her ear? Any feelings of lust had vanished.

‘Do you mind?’ she snarled. ‘I’m not a salmon or some other fish to be landed. I told you I was perfectly able to get myself on board. And you…’ She almost spat out the words, aware that she had worked herself into a fury, but by now unable to stop herself. ‘What century do you think we are living in?’

But it was too late. Cameron was already making his way to shore and was out of earshot. As Meagan continued cursing under her breath, he placed Ian onto his back and Effie under his arm and started making his way back.

Although Meagan had managed to regain some of her composure, she wasn’t finished with him yet. As he deposited his charges and leapt on board, she muttered at him, ‘Just you wait, Cameron Stuart. I’ll get my revenge. Just you wait and see.’

‘You told me to let you go,’ he said easily as he turned the boat in the direction of home. ‘I was only doing what I was told. Isn’t that what you women want?’

He could hardly admit the truth, he told himself ruefully. That the feel of her in his arms had almost made him lose control. The only way he’d been able to resist the temptation of bringing his lips down on hers had been to dump her unceremoniously into the sea. Hardly a gallant gesture, he acknowledged wryly.

‘I’m soaked,’ she said through gritted teeth, removing another piece of seaweed from her hair and looking at it with distaste before throwing it back in the sea.

‘Here,’ he said rummaging around in the rucksack. ‘Get below and change into this. At least you’ll be warmer.’

Effie and Ian were trying unsuccessfully to smother their giggles behind their hands. Meagan thought for a moment how she must look and then burst out laughing. Relieved, the children joined her, Ian rolling around the deck hugging his sides. Soon they were all laughing.

Meagan picked up the sweater. ‘I’ll go get changed, then, shall I? But, Dr Stuart, I meant every word I said. You’ll pay for this.’

‘There a small gas stove down below,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you make some tea once you’ve changed?’ he suggested.

Below Meagan found a small galley and a couple of berths. She also found a towel which she used to dry her hair as best she could. She slipped out of her wet clothes, leaving her panties on, and pulled Cameron’s sweater over her head, catching a faint whiff of his aftershave as she did so. It came to just above her knees. Well, sweater dresses were all the rage, she thought ruefully, although she was pretty certain the catwalk didn’t have a version like the one she was wearing. She was equally certain that the catwalk didn’t have models whose hair hung in rats’ tails either. Needless to say, she hadn’t thought to bring her comb with her. Then she remembered the woolly hat. It would cover the worst of the damage, she thought, pulling it over her head and tucking her damp hair inside. Still plotting her revenge, she set about making some tea.

When Meagan appeared from below deck, Cameron almost dropped the tiller. Even with her face devoid of make-up and her hair hidden under the ridiculous hat, she was as beautiful as any woman Cameron had ever seen. Without the distraction of her hair, her perfect cheekbones, wide mouth and striking green eyes stood out. Beneath his sweater her legs seemed to go on for ever. Barefoot, she oozed sensuality and he felt heat in his belly. But he had to keep his distance from her, no matter how difficult it was. The last thing he or Meagan needed was island gossip. And if talk got back to Rachel, or if Rachel even suspected he had feelings for Meagan, he had no doubt that she would carry out her threat and sue for custody of their son. And with the hours he worked, she stood every chance of winning. She wouldn’t do it, not as long as she thought there was a chance, however remote, of them getting back together. Despite the feelings he had for Meagan, and they had never truly gone away, he would never risk losing his son. But, he thought, glancing over once more at Meagan, it was going to be a lot harder keeping his hands off this woman than he had ever thought possible. He almost groaned aloud.

‘Nice hat,’ he said instead.