She looked up, a tingeof pink flushing her sculptured cheek bones. "I…um… had a couple of thingsto do. Almost finished now."
"I'll wait andwalk you out. It's dark now, can't have you getting into trouble outsidealone." He leaned on the counter, waiting while she shuffled paperworkinto the correct files.
"That's notnecessary, Doctor."
"It is to me. Takeyour time, I'm not in any hurry."
She frowned and Russnoticed the quick words between the nightshift as they threw glances her way."Fine then."
He raised his eyebrowat the gossiping staff, and they hurried to continue their work. By the timeNurse Stanley was ready, Russ had looked over every inch of her face, arguingwith himself about the wisdom of dating a nurse he worked with.
He walked alongside herout of the building, noticing the tension in the way she held herself. Whenthey reached the staff car park, she turned on him.
"That wasn'tnecessary, waiting for me. It just gave the staff something else to talkabout." She opened her car and threw her jacket and handbag on the backseat.
"I was brought upto use my manners when it comes to a lady. You shouldn't worry about what otherpeople say about you, Elizabeth. If they’re going to talk, there is nothing youcan do to stop them."
"I don't wish tobe any one’s subject matter." She crossed her arms and gazed up at him inthe waning light of the evening. "My life is my own and none of theirbusiness."
"I understandthat, but you shouldn't let it worry you." He thought quickly. "Iwonder if you would like to go out for a meal with me one night?"
"And give themsomething else to talk about?"
Russ smiled. "No,give you and me something to talk about. Just dinner between two friends."
She chewed on herbottom lip and Russ wanted to take that mouth in his and smooth out thetightness tugging at the corners of her lips.
"I don't know ifthat’s a good idea. We don't really have anything in common."
"I bet we do, andit's a perfectly good time to find out for ourselves. Saturday we are both offshift. I can pick you up and take you somewhere nice and quiet so we cantalk."
Russ watched theturmoil in her eyes as she weighed up the decision.
"Fine, okaythen."
He smiled, reached outto touch her, thought better of it and pulled his hand back. Russ noticed howthe colour raced up her cheeks when he'd reached for her, happy there was atleast some sort of reaction. "You can give me your address tomorrow. Drivecarefully." Russ stood back while she scrambled to get into her car. Whenshe stalled the engine, he smiled to himself. It looked as though Nurse Stanleywasn't as immune to him as she tried to make out.
When she drove away, heturned to walk to his own car, clicking the remote lock before he reached forthe door handle. The drive home was peaceful and quiet. It gave him a chance togo over the day’s cases and unwind—something he didn't really get to do in thecity hospitals. It was always too busy.
By the time Russ turnedinto the driveway and past the lagoon, it was dark. The lights twinkled insidethe house and he relaxed, the day’s tension gone at the front gate. He’d madethe right decision to move. His stress levels were down and he slept better atnight.
He parked his car nextto his brother’s yellow machine and walked up toward the house. The lights wereon in Kate's house and he wondered how long it would be before his brother wokeup to the fact she was still head over heels in love with him. Probablynever. He’s too wrapped up in himself to see what’s in front of him.
Essie bustled around inthe kitchen when he pushed open the door. "What are you doing working atthis time of night?" He leaned down to kiss the lined cheek offered tohim.
"Getting thingsready for Rooney tomorrow. She’s having a working bee at that place she bought.I'm going over to help her after I get my work done here." She pushed himto sit at the counter. "I've got your dinner keeping warm."
Russ watched her go tothe oven and take out a foil-covered plate before setting it in front of him.He lifted the cover and the smell of roasted chicken and vegetables filled hisnostrils. "I've missed your cooking, Essie."
"Away withyou." She smiled and continued packing carry bags with cleaning supplies."Rooney talked your brother into helping clean tomorrow. Mind you, I thinkTam had more to do with it. Hard to say no to that one."
"I can't wait tomeet her. It's a shame I was so late tonight."
"Just like hermother she is, in temperament anyway. Spitting image of her father to look at,though. No doubting who he is either," Essie said.
"I never saidotherwise," Rooney said as she pushed open the kitchen door. She walked overand wrapped her arms around her big brother, kissing him. "How’s the newjob working out?"
"Good, I reallylike the hospital. You can get lost in the city." He took a bite ofchicken, savouring the rich gravy that Essie had slathered all over it."So, is my niece asleep already?"
Rooney dropped down ona stool beside him and leaned her elbow on the counter, resting her head on herhand. "Yes, she was exhausted. It was a big drive down here and she was a bitnervous about the move too. After raiding the cookies Essie made, she met Kateand ran ragged around the farm after her until dinner. Then she crashed beforeI could bath her."
"Sounds like youwhen you were little." Russ took the coffee Essie handed him."Thanks."
"She is very likeme. Some days I wonder how Mum coped with me and my moods. I was so damnedstubborn and determined to have my own way. It's the only thing that stops mecoming down too hard on Tam when she digs her toes in."
"I can't wait tomeet her." He looked into her cool blue eyes. "When are you going totell Stevie."
Russ was aware of Essielooking in their direction, waiting to hear what Rooney had to say. She waspart of
