Leah Martyn - Wedding at Sunday Creek

Jack scrubbed a hand roughly across his cheekbones, reminding himself to get some eye drops. His eyes felt as though a ton of shell grit had been dumped there.

He hadn’t slept well. His thoughts had spun endlessly, always centred on this waif of a girl sitting opposite him: Darcie Drummond.

But she wasn’t a waif at all. That was just his protectiveness coming into play. And she wouldn’t thank him for that. She was capable of taking care of herself. More than OK. He’d better smarten up.

‘Darcie, I need you on board with all these changes. Otherwise nothing’s going to work for us in any direction, is it?’

His plea came out low and persuasive and Darcie felt relief sweep through her. What he said made sense. They couldn’t afford to be offside with one another. Professionally, they were doctors in isolation. It was simply down to her and Jack to make things work. Otherwise she’d have to leave. And she definitely didn’t want that.

LEAH MARTYNloves to create warm, believable characters for the Mills & Boon ®Medical Romance™ series. She is grounded firmly in rural Australia, and the special qualities of the bush are reflected in her stories. For plots and possibilities, she bounces ideas off her husband on their early-morning walks. Browsing in bookshops and buying an armful of new releases is high on her list of enjoyable things to do.

Recent titles by Leah Martyn: Recent titles by Leah Martyn Title Page Dedication CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN Copyright

OUTBACK DOCTOR, ENGLISH BRIDE

REDEEMING DR RICCARDI

DAREDEVIL AND DR KATE

WEDDING IN DARLING DOWNS

THE DOCTOR’S PREGNANCY SECRET

These books are also available in eBook format

from www.millsandboon.co.uk

Wedding at Sunday Creek

Leah Martyn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For Claire, for professional insight

and delicious bubbly as we celebrate

the launch of my twentieth book for Mills & Boon.

Contents

Cover

Excerpt Jack scrubbed a hand roughly across his cheekbones, reminding himself to get some eye drops. His eyes felt as though a ton of shell grit had been dumped there. He hadn’t slept well. His thoughts had spun endlessly, always centred on this waif of a girl sitting opposite him: Darcie Drummond. But she wasn’t a waif at all. That was just his protectiveness coming into play. And she wouldn’t thank him for that. She was capable of taking care of herself. More than OK. He’d better smarten up. ‘Darcie, I need you on board with all these changes. Otherwise nothing’s going to work for us in any direction, is it?’ His plea came out low and persuasive and Darcie felt relief sweep through her. What he said made sense. They couldn’t afford to be offside with one another. Professionally, they were doctors in isolation. It was simply down to her and Jack to make things work. Otherwise she’d have to leave. And she definitely didn’t want that.

About the Author LEAH MARTYN loves to create warm, believable characters for the Mills & Boon ® Medical Romance™ series. She is grounded firmly in rural Australia, and the special qualities of the bush are reflected in her stories. For plots and possibilities, she bounces ideas off her husband on their early-morning walks. Browsing in bookshops and buying an armful of new releases is high on her list of enjoyable things to do.

Recent titles by Leah Martyn Recent titles by Leah Martyn: Recent titles by Leah Martyn Title Page Dedication CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN Copyright OUTBACK DOCTOR, ENGLISH BRIDE REDEEMING DR RICCARDI DAREDEVIL AND DR KATE WEDDING IN DARLING DOWNS THE DOCTOR’S PREGNANCY SECRET These books are also available in eBook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk

Title Page Wedding at Sunday Creek Leah Martyn www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication For Claire, for professional insight and delicious bubbly as we celebrate the launch of my twentieth book for Mills & Boon.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

DR JACK CASSIDY, trauma surgeon, part-time explorer sometimes lover, stood away from the aeroplane, slowly absorbing the rich, bold colours of the Australian outback. And thought, unlike England, there was no elegant restraint out here. The colours were in-your-face heart-stopping and glorious.

He breathed in deeply, his eyes picking out the silhouettes of a family of kangaroos grazing in a nearby paddock. Big reds, he decided, feeling exhilarated by the sight. It felt good to be home. Added to that, he’d finally stepped away from the train wreck of a long-term relationship and felt freer than he had in months. Riding the upbeat feeling, he wheeled back towards the plane, where his luggage was waiting on the airstrip, and bent to pick up his bags.

The hospital was only a short walk away. He understood from his telephone interview that presently there was only one doctor at the Sunday Creek hospital, Dr Darcie Drummond. And that’s where his knowledge of her began and ended. He just hoped Dr Drummond wasn’t into role demarcation in the practice. If she expected him to just sit in his office and administrate, then she’d have to change her thinking.

Jack Cassidy intended to be a hands-on boss.

* * *

With the merest glance at her watch, Darcie decided it was time to go home. The hospital would call her if she was needed. Rolling her chair away from the desk, she stood and moved across to the window, looking out.

It was still hazy towards the west and she knew the grey bank of cloud in the sky was caused by intermittent bush fires. Nothing to worry about, the locals had assured her. It was the regular burning off of long grass or bushfire fuel and the rural fire brigade would have everything under control.

Darcie just hoped they did...

‘Knock, knock.’

She spun round, several fronds of dark hair zipping across her cheekbones as her gaze swivelled to the open doorway. A man, easily six feet if she was any judge, and someone she didn’t recognise, lounged against the doorframe.

Out of nowhere, every nerve in her body jumped to attention. Darcie blinked, registering blue eyes, dark hair, knife-edge cheekbones and a mouth that had her instantly imagining fantasies that only existed in her dreams. She swallowed dryly. ‘Can I help you?’

‘I sure hope so.’ He gave a cool imitation of a smile. ‘I’m your new medical director.’

He had to be kidding.

Darcie’s disbelieving gaze ran over him. She wouldn’t have expected a suit and tie but this guy looked as though he’d just come down from a Himalayan trek. He was wearing combat trousers and a black T-shirt, his feet enclosed in hiker’s boots that came up over his ankles.