Wade's Woman Read online

  The words sounded crass and ridiculous and she felt another blush of embarrassment rising beneath her skin. Perhaps this handsome man did have affairs but that was none of her business, and certainly shouldn't make any difference to her staying in his home. They were both professional people.

  Ryan, when he spoke, was calm and unemotional. “I'm sorry you were subjected to that. Carol left the children and me about a year ago. The divorce was finalised last week but she still has a couple of close women friends in the town that would have let her know you'd arrived. As I've mentioned, this is a small place and news spreads like wild fire."

  "It doesn't concern me, Doctor Wade,” Tara responded. “I'm here to do the job I've been trained for. On the strength of my contract with you I have resigned from the Royal Children's and moved from my home. Unless you at some time in the near future find my work unsatisfactory, then I think you should honour my contract."

  Ryan looked stunned at Tara's outburst.

  "Perhaps we'll wait until we've talked it through with the practice team tomorrow. We may need to give things a few days trial.” There was a cautious tone to his voice.

  A few days trial was better than nothing, Tara decided, but she was still worried about her position here. It wasn't exactly the security she'd been hoping for.

  "You'd better call me Ryan. I don't think the gossips will mind that,” he added, with a wry smile.

  Tara didn't return his smile but instead steeled herself to relate the news that she was pretty sure would shatter him. “Your wife also asked me to pass on the message that she's getting married again and that ... that she intends to sue for custody of the children."

  She shuddered at the stricken look on Ryan's face. She had met him only an hour ago and yet the love and tenderness he felt for his kids had shone from within him like a huge, bright light.

  Ryan sat motionless with shock causing Tara to lightly touch his arm. “I'm so sorry,” she murmured, wondering what else she could say.

  He looked up and she was struck at the darkly, bitter expression on his face. “It's not your problem,” he said, getting up abruptly and piling their dishes into the sink. “Do you want to go and unpack your things?"

  CHAPTER TWO

  On her first morning Tara had settled into her tiny office in the surgery and was studying the patient filing systems on the computer when the surgery door burst open and a frightened woman ran in carrying a small child in her arms.

  "Quick, where's Doctor Wade? Billy can't breathe,” she cried as Tara rushed forward to help her. The little boy, who appeared about eighteen months old, was breathing rapidly and his lips and tongue had a bluish tinge.

  "I'll take Billy for a moment,” Tara said, lifting the gasping child from his mother's shaking arms. “Lauren, can you call Ryan? Tell him it's urgent,” she shouted over her shoulder to the office manager as she carried Billy into the main treatment room.

  The next moment Ryan was by her side as she sat Billy on the examination couch, his mother hovering anxiously in the background. “Billy has signs of cyanosis,” Tara reported as Ryan examined the distressed child.

  "Set up that spacer behind you, will you Tara?” Ryan was calm but moved quickly as he prepared a reliever drug, talking to the mother as he worked. “Maggie, it looks as if Billy is having a severe asthma attack,” he said, taking the prepared spacer from Tara and placing the mask over Billy's face allowing the little boy to inhale the drug.

  "But he doesn't suffer from asthma. He's never been like this before.” Tears ran down Maggie's face as the shock and enormity of the situation took hold. Tara helped her to a chair and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders as Ryan continued to treat Billy.

  "He's doing well,” Ryan said. A few minutes later he removed the mask and examined Billy's chest. “Yes, he's more comfortable now, but I'd like him to spend a bit more time absorbing the reliever drug. Tara, would you take over while I talk to Maggie?"

  Tara took Ryan's place, propping Billy against her as she continued the treatment. Billy closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, exhausted by the trauma.

  Ryan pulled a chair next to Maggie and held her hand. “You say Billy's never had an attack before, not even a mild one?"

  "No."

  "Has he had a recent cold or perhaps an allergy to any foods that you know of?"

  "No, none of those.” Maggie clutched at Ryan's hand. “What's caused it? I'm so frightened it will happen again,” she cried.

  "It's okay, Maggie. You did the right thing rushing him here. One last question. Have you any pets at home?"

  "We just bought a new kitten a few days ago. Billy loves her. Oh no! Did the kitten cause the attack?"

  "It could be. I don't know for sure,” he replied.

  He leaned closer to Maggie to capture her attention. “I want to send Billy by ambulance to Marlston Hospital which, as you know, is sixty kilometres away. There's nothing to be scared of, but I will be a lot more comfortable if they admit Billy for a couple of days to keep an eye on him. They can conduct some allergy tests so they can find out exactly what triggered the attack."

  Maggie pulled out her mobile phone. “I need to let my husband know,” she said, her hands trembling as she dialled the number.

  Ryan touched Tara's arm. “Are you okay for a few moments? I'm going to call the ambulance and then phone Marlston Emergency to explain about Billy."

  "Yes, we'll be fine. I'll see Maggie and Billy into the ambulance and explain to the paramedics if you want to get back to your other patients."

  Ryan nodded and then smiled, his face transformed from a rather grim, serious expression to one of warmth and humour and Tara's heart lifted.

  "Some first morning, hey?” he murmured before leaving the two women, closing the treatment door quietly behind him.

  "Here, you hold Billy now.” Tara placed the sleeping child in Maggie's arms, removing the spacer mask as she did so.

  "Oh, he looks so much better,” Maggie breathed, looking in wonder at Billy's peaceful little face. “That was the worst moment of my life. I don't know what I would have done if Doctor Wade hadn't been here."

  Tara found herself agreeing with Maggie. Ryan had been so calm and reassuring in handling the emergency. Surely she had made the right choice in coming here? Surely he would let her stay?

  Maggie looked up and smiled at Tara. “I heard you'd arrived,” she said. “Everyone in town is talking about Doctor Wade's new woman."

  * * * *

  Tara looked up into the grinning face of the practice manager who had placed a cup of milky coffee on Tara's desk.

  "Hey, you can stop for a cuppa, you know,” Lauren said.

  "Thanks, Lauren. I could do with this. I feel I've been here for three days rather than three hours.” Tara returned Lauren's smile as she took a welcome sip of the hot liquid.

  "You need to pace yourself. It will take you a few days to get used to everything, but you'll feel like a piece of the furniture in no time.” Lauren sat on the edge of Tara's desk and bit into the large chunk of cake.

  "Have you time to fill me in on the practice? Ryan wasn't very forthcoming this morning at breakfast."

  Lauren made a funny grimace. “That sounds like Ryan. He's not very talkative at the best of times except with his patients, but you'll get used to him. He was probably worried about Emma."

  Tara bit her bottom lip. Ryan had concentrated deeply as he had cared for his children that morning. He had examined them both for any symptoms of the viral infection, washed and dressed them, and then cooked their breakfast. Emma had been bright and talkative, as she had importantly shown Tara where the cereals and jams were kept.

  "She seemed fine this morning, but Ryan decided to keep her out of school for today. Molly's looking after her and Ben."

  "Yeah, Molly's a gem. And she dotes on Ryan's kids, hers being all grown up now."

  Lauren Ray was a plump woman in her early forties who managed the practice like clockwork. She had travell
ed to Melbourne with Ryan's partner, Doctor David Lewis, to conduct the interviews for the practice nurse. Tara had taken to her instantly. She was already aware that David was Ryan's junior partner and had emigrated from Wales with his wife Michelle five years earlier. They had a six-year-old son Tom, the same age as Emma.

  The final two members of the practice team were the receptionists. Fiona Morris was twenty-two, unmarried and, Tara noted, appeared to have a major crush on Ryan. She had only been with the practice for three months and was still learning the ropes. The other staff member, Jane Wilson, had the day off today.

  "The practice is very well set up,” Tara remarked, looking around her own office. It had facilities to examine patients, change dressings and administer tests. Before the trauma with Billy, she had been studying the database of patients, which was substantial.

  "Yes. As you've seen we have three consulting rooms plus your office. Next door Ryan has set up a mini operating theatre for emergencies and day surgery work.” Lauren sighed as she glanced around the waiting area. “The waiting room is only just adequate though. I guess the best thing is that Ryan's house is right next door, which makes it a lot easier for him."

  "How long has he had the practice?"

  "He set up here about three years ago and was determined to make it just the best he could. Did you know he was born in the High Country here at Glenroy Crossing?"

  Tara shook her head. “No, I'm afraid I don't know much at all yet. But I'll learn."

  "You'll be fine,” Lauren replied. “David and I wouldn't have chosen you otherwise! Don't forget, there's the weekly practice meeting at one o'clock so you'll get a better idea of things then."

  Tara continued to check through the database. There were quite a large number of patients who required home visits for various tests and dressings. She assumed she would be required to do them—if she was allowed to stay!

  At one o'clock Lauren called her into the lunch room, which had a large table and a number of chairs so it could double as a meeting room. A small kitchen lead from it. Tara hungrily eyed the large platters of sandwiches that Lauren had placed in the middle of the table.

  "Hi. How's your first morning?"

  Tara turned to the smiling face of David Lewis. “Sorry I wasn't here when you arrived. It was my morning off. I'm on call tonight,” he said.

  "Great to see you again.” Tara responded to David's natural warmth with a wide smile.

  "Right. Let's get this meeting cracking.” Ryan's tone was curt and David winked at Tara as the four sat around the table, leaving Fiona to look after the reception.

  Tara made notes for herself in between munching sandwiches with the others. Ryan discussed various patients and the treatments they had received. She was impressed with the management of patients and particularly with the input of David and Lauren. Altogether, they made quite a team.

  "Dave, you take surgery this afternoon, as usual. I'd like to drive Tara over to Marlston so that she can meet the key staff we deal with there and also get the lie of the surrounding district. Tomorrow morning we'll make a few house calls and I'll introduce Tara to some of the locals."

  The others nodded in agreement and didn't appear to see anything amiss but Ryan's voice sounded abrupt and tense. Tara was relieved when the meeting showed signs of closing.

  Lauren began to clear the remaining sandwiches when Ryan gestured for her to sit down again.

  "Before we finish I would like to mention something which is personal but I know you will treat in confidence."

  The three stared at him. Ryan's face was pale and strained as he said “I've received written notification today, which confirms a phone call Tara received from my ex-wife yesterday. Carol is re-marrying and intends to seek custody of Emma and Ben."

  The sudden silence was palpable. “I want you to know that things could get very nasty. I understand if we go to court Carol will produce witnesses to supposedly prove that I'm too busy to care for the children properly, that I've had a number of affairs during our marriage and I'm not a fit father.” He looked at Tara's still face. His eyes met hers for what seemed an age. “She is also going to claim that Tara and I are in the middle of an affair."

  There was an audible gasp from the other two as Ryan stood up, a look of finality on his tightly drawn features. “So, as I said last night Tara, you may wish to review any decision about staying here because I can assure you all, I intend to fight Carol to the Supreme Court, if I have to. She is not going to take my kids and that's final."

  Both David and Lauren instantly pledged their support for Ryan, their concern very real and genuine as they expressed their horror at the situation.

  While Tara listened to them she wondered about Carol's accusations. Yes, she was sure he was busy. Perhaps he'd had affairs, or was even involved with someone now. But why was Carol throwing Tara's name around, for heaven's sake? Because she was living under the same roof as her ex-husband?

  She was confused as she looked blankly at the others and then realised that Ryan had asked her a question. “I'm sorry?"

  "I said, perhaps you and I can discuss this further on the trip into Marlston?” Ryan repeated patiently.

  "Yes, of course.” Tara picked up her notes as they all rose from the table, Ryan and David returning to their rooms to attend to more patients.

  "I'm so sorry, love.” Lauren's expression was full of compassion as she patted Tara's arm. “We didn't dream Carol would cause this sort of problem and that you'd walk into the middle of it. I hope you don't decide to leave."

  Tara studied Lauren's earnest face and found herself reassuring the older woman. “Don't worry. I'll talk it through with Ryan this afternoon. I'm sure things can be sorted out,” she said.

  Lauren made a tutting noise of exasperation. “You don't know Carol Wade,” she replied. “She's a monster!"

  * * * *

  "Seatbelt fastened?"

  "Yes, thanks.” Tara shifted in the comfortable seat of Ryan's four-wheel drive. As he pulled away from the surgery she wondered how she would cope with being so close to him for the next few hours. She felt like a schoolgirl with all the fears, dreads and anticipation of a first date.

  "It takes about an hour to get into Marlston, but it's a bit of a windy road. Still, it's not bad and allows us to transport most emergencies or hospital admissions in an acceptable time.” Ryan swung the vehicle from the main street of the small town and on to the Marlston Road.

  "What if there isn't time?” Tara asked, beginning to relax a little and enjoying the distraction of the autumn sunshine reflecting on the green paddocks as the vehicle gathered speed through Australia's bushranger country.

  "Then we cope and do the best we can. Glenroy Crossing is halfway between Marlston and the snow skiing fields so our patients are sometimes tourists staying at the ski lodges in the holiday season. Occasionally, but not too often, we're called to nasty skiing accidents and the weather can be treacherous. After all, this is the High Country and we're heading into winter."

  Tara was silent as she contemplated Ryan's words. The High Country! How romantic it had sounded when she had seen the advertisement in the Melbourne paper a few weeks ago. Visions of drovers on horseback had come to mind, galloping across the plains, leaping raging rivers and plunging down mountainsides just as in her favourite movie “The Man from Snowy River.” She had grasped the opportunity with both hands. A fresh start, a new life! The only trouble was she seemed to have walked into the middle of Ryan's nightmare and it was rapidly becoming a nightmare she was being forced to share.

  "I supposed we should come to a decision about me staying before we go much further?” Tara was pleased that she sounded so controlled. The one thing she didn't want Ryan to know was how disturbed she was that he might not want her in the job. Surely they could come to some sort of understanding?

  "You're right. There's a roadhouse five minutes from here. We'll have a coffee and talk this through before we reach Marlston. I don't want to introduce
you to staff and patients at the hospital if we decide that you're leaving tomorrow."

  Tara's spirits plummeted. He sounded as though it was a foregone conclusion that she would need to leave, and she knew with all her heart that she wanted to stay. Everything about the job was appealing despite the comments from Ryan's former wife. She needed time to sort herself out. She needed a place to hide!

  Tara glanced around. There was only one other couple in the cafe area of the roadhouse and Ryan had chosen to sit well away from them so they were quite private. He placed a coffee on the table in front of Tara and took the chair opposite.

  "I'm not going to bore you by giving you a blow by blow history of my marriage.” Tara watched Ryan's mouth tighten and lowered her eyes. This was ludicrous. She could see he was uncomfortable and yet obviously felt that he owed it to her to at least expand on his explanation of the previous day.

  "Suffice to say our marriage wasn't happy. Carol's home is in Sydney where we met and married ten years ago when I was at med school. I'd never made a secret of the fact that if I could get my qualifications in general practice, I wanted to settle in Glenroy Crossing where I was born. We came back here when Emma was three."

  "Didn't Carol like it here?"

  "At first she was okay, but it was only a matter of a few months before she changed and decided she hated the place. Then she became pregnant with Ben and things settled down for a while. But three months after he was born, she said she was returning to Sydney permanently."

  Ryan stirred his coffee absently and Tara watched some grains floating against the rim of the cup.

  "You didn't consider returning to Sydney?"

  "No. And I'd rather not go into the details of why."

  Tara stared into his moody, dark eyes. Did he have a lover here? Is that why he wouldn't go with his wife?

  "Can I ask why Carol didn't take the children with her? After all, Ben is so young.” Tara frowned at the thought of leaving such precious little children.

  "It's a complex situation.” Once again Ryan was only prepared to give Tara minimal information. “At that time she didn't want the kids—now she does. God knows why. I assume it's because she's getting married again and feels able to provide a happy family life for them. She knows I won't let go without a fight, so I'm afraid things are going to get nasty."