Kate grabbed her hat from the hook on the back door and jammed it on her red, wavy hair. With a wiggle of her fingers she walked out the door, shutting it behind her.
"True, Russ. It will be good to have someone a little bit younger than Dr Rivers. He was so set in his ways, and that was a shame. I hope you enjoy getting into a small community hospital and don't get bored with how quiet it will be compared to a big Sydney hospital."
"Not a chance. It wasn't so bad where I was, just too big and impersonal. I prefer knowing who I work with. Blame it on being brought up as a small town country boy." He ate contentedly until his plate was clean, resisting the temptation to lick the plate. When he looked up, Essie watched him with a knowing expression borne of familiarity on her face.
"I can just imagine what's going through your mind. Put that in the sink and be off with you. I have cleaning to catch up on and dinner to prepare for tonight." She wiped her hands on her apron and took a cooler box from the big industrial fridge. Essie held it out to him. "You enjoy your day."
Russ was taken back. His wife had never made his lunch, even when he was struggling with late hours and little sleep. He took the offering and wrapped his arms around her shoulders before dropping a kiss on her grey hair. "Thank you, Essie. I can always count on you to look after me."
"I'm glad you came home, Russ. Now we just have to hope the others follow suit and stay."
Russ picked up his keys and phone and waved her goodbye as he walked out the door.
By the time he got to the hospital, the streets were busier than he remembered with early morning traffic. Perhaps it’s market day at the cattle yards. He drove through the car park looking for a space to park his BMW. When he got to reception, it was five minutes past nine. "Dr Russ Williams to see Nurse Elizabeth Stanley."
"Take a seat, Doctor. I'll page her for you."
Russ walked over to the window and looked out. The trees were just bursting to life with new foliage erupting from tight buds and birds flitted in and out of the branches. He smiled. He would enjoy working where there was space for trees and grass. That’s what he’d missed most about living and working in the city—no nature, just concrete and steel.
"Dr Williams?"
He turned and faced the woman who spoke. Russ guessed she was in her early thirties. Tall and slim, she stood straight-backed and stiff with her hands clasped together. Russ let his gaze rest on her face as he stepped forward. Her dark hair was twisted up into a bun on the back of her head and her dark eyes watched him angrily, white lines around her mouth. "Yes. Nurse Stanley?" He held out his hand.
"You are late, Doctor. Follow me please." She turned on her heel and walked away, her black shoes squeaking on the polished floor of the hallway. He watched her for a second before his brain told his feet to move, more intent on looking at the way her navy skirt moulded around her hips and fell to just above her shapely knees.
Russ followed, the feeling in his gut reminding him of his first day at university when he was chewed out by a lecturer for being late because he couldn't find his way. The last thing he wanted was to get off side with Nurse Stanley. She was the head of the Nursing Unit and they would have to work closely together for the duration of his contract. Nurses were often awarded more respect than doctors, especially when the doctor was new to town, so he would have to bide his time and earn her respect.
She walked through a maze of corridors and stopped to glance over her shoulder at him before walking into an office. Nurse Stanley held the door, waiting for him to follow her in. Indicating a chair in front of the desk, she pushed the door shut before walking around and pulling out her chair.
Russ swallowed and took a seat, his stomach rolling as though he was back in front of his school teacher. The penalty in a small town hospital for being late couldn't be too bad, could it?
* * *
"Right then." Lizzie sat and looked at the doctor opposite her. Her heart did a small flip that left her breathless. Doctor Russ Williams was stunning, and he was in her hospital. He watched her with deep blue eyes and a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth. A mouth so kissable, the mere sight of his lips jolted right down to the pit of her stomach. Desire long hidden surged up her throat, threatening to steal away her composure. She took a deep breath and looked at some paperwork on her desk to give her time to prepare herself.
He wore a dark blue suit and white shirt that showed off his lightly tanned skin to perfection. A navy and white striped tie finished the outfit, making him look like he'd just stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine. Doctor Williams would set the tongues wagging, of that Lizzie had no doubt.
"So, Doctor..."
"Please, call me Russ." He smiled, his perfect white teeth vivid against his skin. "We’re going to be working closely together so we may as well cut the formalities."
"I'm not sure that is a good thing. This is a hospital after all, and I have to keep a certain amount of control over the staff." Lizzie licked her lips before continuing, "I do hope you aren't going to be one of those doctors who don't follow protocol, Doctor Williams."
He laughed and lifted a hand, running it through his short
