Alison Roberts - A Change Of Heart

“I’m older and wiser.” David’s smile was relaxed, but he felt disturbed. Just how much of a reputation had he left behind? Okay, so he’d played hard. But not that often and only as a counterbalance to the effort he put into his work. At thirty-three, David knew he was exceptionally young to have gained this surgical consultancy. He also knew that he deserved it, and he was looking forward to proving his abilities and commitment. This idea that he was a good-time guy might be an obstacle to professional acceptance.

Alison Roberts was born in New Zealand, and, says she, “lived in London and Washington, D.C., as a child and began my working career as a primary school teacher. A lifelong interest in medicine was fostered by my doctor-and-nurse parents, sharing apartments with doctors and physiotherapists on leaving home and marriage to a housesurgeon, who is now a consultant cardiologist. I have also worked as cardiology technician and research assistant. My husband’s medical career took us to Glasgow for two years, which was an ideal place and time to start my writing career. I now live in Christchurch, New Zealand, with my husband, daughter and various pets.”

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CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

HEARTSTOPPING!

David James knew his heart had stopped because he was a doctor and knew about such things. He also felt the distinct thump a second later which indicated that the organ in question had decided to make up for its momentary lapse. The surprising force of the thump still failed to break the mesmerising effect of the moment.

David James was a firm believer in lust at first sight but this was definitely one for the books! She had to be the most stunning woman he’d ever seen and so far he was only getting a profile. Tall, slim, shoulder-length wavy, dark blonde hair, expertly streaked with threads of silvery gold. He couldn’t see her eyes but they would have to be blue…David finally became aware that the voice beside him had continued unabated. With an effort he managed to change the static-like buzz back into words.

‘So we had a bit of a reshuffle. This office seemed the perfect choice, being at the surgical end of the cardiology suite.’

‘I hope I haven’t put anyone out.’ The husky drawl was a bit of a giveaway but had certainly not been intentional. Was it wishful thinking or did his voice have the effect of causing a momentary freezing of her decisive movements? The box was almost overflowing in any case.

‘Oh, no. Lisa didn’t mind a bit.’

Lisa. Perfect! It went with that elegantly tailored clothing. That fitting black skirt with the provocative little slit that went from the above-knee hem to halfway up her thigh. David rearranged his face into what he hoped was his most charming expression as the head of Christchurch Hospital’s cardiothoracic surgical team launched into a formal introduction.

‘Lisa, this is our new consultant surgeon, David James.’ Alan Bennett’s smile reminded David of a proud parent. ‘David, I’d like you to meet Lisa Kennedy, senior cardiology registrar. You two will probably be seeing quite a lot of each other.’

Play nicely, children, his tone suggested. Not a problem, David’s expression assured his senior colleague as the vision turned her head towards them for the first time. Her eyes weren’t blue, they were brown. Dark brown. Even better!

‘I’ll look forward to it,’ David said aloud. He felt his smile widen further than he’d intended. It felt disturbingly close to a leer. Hastily he cleared his throat. ‘I seem to have been a disruptive influence, even before walking in the door. I do apologise, Lisa. I had no idea I’d be kicking anyone out of their office.’

‘As Alan said, it was the obvious choice. Like everything else in the public health system, floor space is at a premium. And, as Alan also said, I don’t mind a bit.’

The tone was sweet. It just didn’t match the flash of annoyance in those velvety brown eyes or the defensive tilt of her chin. Lisa Kennedy minded all right. Fair enough, too. It was a very nice office. The window had a view out to the Avon River with the glorious backdrop of the botanical gardens. Where was she going now? Probably some windowless cubbyhole down behind the exercise testing laboratory. Never mind, he’d make it up to her. His smile was understanding. Sympathetic—but helpful.

‘Let me give you a hand with that.’

‘No, thanks, I can manage.’ Lisa hurriedly added a couple of items to the top of the carton and folded her arms around its edges. David’s glance took in the elegantly tapered fingers of her left hand. Not a ring in sight! He was straightening, ready to prove his helpful intentions by insisting on carrying the box, when his companion’s beeper sounded.

‘I’ll have to go and scrub,’ Alan Bennett informed them. ‘I’ll leave you to get settled in, David, and we’ll continue our tour later. You’ll find quite a few of the old crowd still around so you should feel at home pretty quickly.’

‘I do already.’ David smiled. ‘It’s good to be back.’

Alan nodded and returned the smile as he turned away. ‘You were a very popular choice for the consultancy. I wonder if so many people would welcome me back if I disappeared for a few years.’

David laughed easily but he had been surprised himself by the warmth of the welcome he’d received up until now. Up until he’d stepped into this office, in fact. Decisively, he moved forward.

‘Do let me take that, Lisa. It looks heavy.’

‘I said I can manage.’ Lisa took a sideways step to evade his touch on the box. The slippery journal covers on the top layer refused to support the final item added and it slid with remarkable speed to land on the floor with a thud. A large, plastic, anatomical model of a heart, it now lay in several pieces.

David swore softly but then felt the corners of his mouth lift and couldn’t suppress the smile.

‘I seem to have broken your heart, Lisa.’

She could smile. Even the fleeting glimpse of the accomplishment was enough to make something inside David tighten with a very pleasurable sensation.

‘Par for the course for you, from what I’ve heard, Mr James. Still, I imagine it takes first prize for speed.’

What did she mean? The tone did not suggest an attack but there was an edge to it that made David’s hackles rise defensively.

‘I’m sure anything you’ve heard is grossly exaggerated, Lisa. Pure fiction. Such rumours generally are.’ He stooped to pick up the pieces of the model. ‘Let me see if I can repair the damage. I’m a doctor, I know about things like this.’ His smile was back in place as he straightened. He would give her the benefit of the doubt and try again.

‘I wouldn’t worry about it.’ Her tone was offhand. ‘I can assure you my heart’s quite indestructible.’