The Doctor's Longed-for Bride. Judy Campbell

she’d undergone, slipping the paper into the patient’s folder and putting it in the tray to be filed away later. It was quiet in the unit at the moment. She could hear Sister Kenney in the office instructing Cindy Wallace, the junior nurse, on how to administer injections, and at the end of the corridor a cleaner was polishing the floor. Suddenly Frankie wasn’t sure about being in the kitchen alone with Jack—then she felt a surge of annoyance with herself. Surely it hadn’t come to this, that a few days after meeting the man again she was so frightened of her feelings towards him that she couldn’t have a cup of tea with him? Purposefully, she turned towards the kitchen and went in.

      He looked up, smiling. ‘Ah, I wondered what had kept you. A cup of tea there for you—strong enough to stand the spoon in. I reckon we deserve it after dealing with poor Mrs Casson.’

      Frankie sank into a chair. ‘Makes you wonder what some of these people are on, that they’d do that to a woman trying to do her bit for others.’ She took a sip of the tea and wrinkled her nose. ‘Ouch. You’re right, this is strong. Any more milk in that jug?’

      He grinned and passed her the jug, and for a second their hands brushed against each other. With a jolt Frankie knew that she wasn’t imagining that zinging attraction she felt when she was near Jack. Her hands shook slightly as she put the cup to her lips again. He smiled at her, his intense eyes holding hers.

      ‘You did say that you might come to Abby’s sports day tomorrow. I hope you can manage it. She really really is looking forward to seeing you. My parents will be there as well—they’d love to meet you.’

      ‘Oh, I don’t know, Jack,’ Frankie replied, flustered. ‘I don’t want to butt in on a family occasion. Some other time perhaps….’

      His face fell. ‘Abby will be disappointed—and so would I. I’d really like to try and make amends for my rudeness when I left so abruptly before. Besides, aren’t you practically family anyway?’

      ‘That’s not going to happen, Jack,’ Frankie said firmly. ‘As I told you before, I’m not going to be your sister-in-law I’m afraid.’

      ‘I’m sorry—that was tactless of me. Still, I’m sure Abby thinks of you as an auntie.’

      His expression was wistful and Frankie sighed. Perhaps she was being silly, not taking the proffered olive branch. In any case, she’d love to see Abby again, and if his parents were there, it would sort of dilute the gathering. She smiled and nodded her head.

      ‘If you’re sure—then I look forward it.’

      ‘That’s wonderful. I’ll pick you up at about two o’clock.’

      ‘No need. I’ll meet you at the school field—I know where it is.’

      The wall phone jangled and Frankie got up to answer it, her eyes following Jack as he left the room. She attributed the little leap of excitement she felt at the thought of the next day to seeing Abby again and nothing to do with the fact that Jack would be there.