chest trauma and brain damage after an alcohol-induced accident.
Gio sighed at the waste of a life. Pain stabbed inside him as his thoughts strayed to another young life that had been cut cruelly short and he closed his eyes, determined to control his emotions and push the destructive memories away. Instead, he found himself thinking of Jessica Carmichael.
His impulsive visit to her office in the psychology unit—situated in one of the buildings adjacent to the main hospital and abutting the consultants’ car park—had not gone to plan. He usually got on well with people. ‘You could sell sand in the desert, Cori!’ Remembering the teasing words brought both amusement and an ache to his heart. Friendliness, politeness and a touch of flattery soothed troubled waters, but it wasn’t working with Jessica, who remained tense and reserved.
Their unsatisfactory encounter had disappointed and confused him. He lived for his job, trying each day to make up for the failings that had haunted him for the last five years. Which was why his immediate and intense response to Jessica had shocked him. She had affected him on a deeply personal level. And he didn’t do personal. Not any more. His reaction—and the attraction he wished he could deny—left him disconcerted and off balance.
When she had rushed out of her office and cannoned into him, instinct had taken over and he’d caught her as she’d stumbled. He’d felt the incredible softness of her skin under his fingers, the press of her femininely curved body against him, and he’d breathed in the teasing aroma of chocolate that lingered on her hair and skin. His attraction and body’s response to her had been instant and undeniable.
But it was Jessica’s reactions that had left him puzzled and unsettled. Her alarm had been real, and he had not imagined the panic in her beautiful green eyes as she’d wrenched herself free. For some reason Jessica didn’t like to touch or be touched and he was determined to find out what lay behind it. There were several possibilities and each one caused him concern.
Gio stepped out of the surgeons’ wash room, unsure what to do next. Why had Jessica been so dismissive of him and in such a rush to leave? He was positive she had felt the same bolt of awareness that had slammed into him when they’d first met. And that it had scared her. So could it be, he wondered, heading to the paediatric intensive care unit to check on Cody, that Jessica’s cool professionalism and anxiety were flight responses? Was she trying to ignore the feelings and make them go away? If so, he could tell her it didn’t work.
Using his swipe card, he let himself into PICU. Aside from the noise of the various monitoring machines and ventilators, the unit was quiet and dimly lit. He nodded to the charge nurse on duty and made his way to the bay that held Cody’s bed. As he approached, he heard voices, one of which was Jessica’s. He halted, surprised. What was she doing back here at this time of night? Curious, he listened before making his presence known.
‘And when I think what could have happened,’ Elsa Rowland commented, fear and guilt lacing her voice.
‘You mustn’t blame yourself, Elsa,’ he heard Jessica respond softly, the gentle burr of her Scottish accent so attractive to him. ‘A chronic subdural haematoma builds gradually. It can be weeks, even months, before the symptoms show. You did the right thing bringing Cody to A and E as soon as you realised something was wrong.’
‘Thank you.’ The woman’s relief was tangible. ‘I know Mr Corezzi explained it all to us but I didn’t take anything in. And someone told me he’s new. The thought of Cody’s head being cut open is frightening.’
‘Of course it is. But you can trust Mr Corezzi. He might be new to St Piran’s but he’s a very skilled and highly respected consultant neurosurgeon and he’s come to us from London with a tremendous reputation,’ Jessica explained to the anxious woman, her glowing endorsement of him taking Gio by surprise.
‘Cody looks so still and small. Are you sure everything is all right?’ the tearful mother asked, and although Gio wanted to reassure her, he was keen to hear what Jessica would say.
‘He’s doing very well,’ she replied, her tone conveying sympathy and authority. ‘It’s standard procedure for him to be in Intensive Care following the operation.’
Gio was impressed. He was also intrigued by the depth of Jessica’s knowledge. She seemed too assured and informed for someone with no medical training.
‘Ally’s gone to get something to eat. The nurses want us to go home, but I can’t bear to be away from Cody,’ Elsa fretted.
‘There’s a cot in a room nearby for parents to use, and I’d advise you both to get what sleep you can there. But after tonight it would be best to get back into a normal routine. You and Ally need to keep strong so you are fit and ready to take Cody home,’ Jessica urged, her common-sense approach pleasing him. ‘I’ll see you again tomorrow, but you can ring me if you need anything.’
There was a pause in the conversation and Gio waited a moment before making a sound and entering the bay. Elsa Rowland gave him a weary smile as he greeted her, but his attention immediately strayed to Jessica. She tensed, her gaze skittering to his and away again, a delicate flush of colour staining her cheeks.
As he checked Cody, who was sleeping peacefully, and looked over his chart, Gio was attuned to Jessica. What was she doing back at the hospital? Had she misled him when she’d said she was leaving for the day? He hoped to find answers as soon as Cody’s father returned and, after a few pleasantries, Gio was able to escort Jessica out.
‘I was surprised to see you,’ he told her once they had left the unit and were in no danger of being overheard. ‘I thought you had left for the day.’
Once more a tinge of colour warmed her smooth cheeks. ‘I had to rush home to meet the insurance company’s assessor. I said I’d be back,’ she added defensively, refusing to meet his gaze.
She had said that but he’d assumed she had meant the next day. Apparently unsure what to do with her hands now that she was no longer carrying the assorted paraphernalia he’d seen her with before, she pushed them into her skirt pockets.
‘What about you? Why are you still here?’
Her questions cut across the electrically charged atmosphere that hummed between them.
‘I was called in after a young woman was knocked down by a coach.’ He gave her a brief summary of the events and the unsuccessful struggle in the operating theatre. ‘Her injuries were too severe… there was nothing we could do.’
Jessica’s expression softened, understanding and sympathy visible in her olive-green eyes, and in her voice when she spoke. ‘What a rotten end to your first day.’
‘It could have finished on a better note,’ Gio admitted with a rueful shrug, running the fingers of one hand through his hair.
Leaning back against the wall, Jessica met his gaze, and he witnessed her first real smile for him. Dio, but she was beautiful! The heavy weight settled back on his chest, making it difficult to breathe, and he felt each rapid thud of his heart.
‘If it’s not too late and you still want to talk about your patient…’Jessica’s words trailed off and she bit her lip, looking hesitant and unsure.
‘That would be good, thank you.’ He’d take any opportunity to spend time with this elusive and most puzzling woman. ‘Shall we go to the canteen? I’ve not eaten and the now congealed ready meal waiting in my microwave holds no appeal.’
Gio
