Meredith Webber - New Doc in Town

New Doc in Town

Meredith Webber

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Cover

Title Page New Doc in Town Meredith Webber www.millsandboon.co.uk

Praise Praise for Meredith Webber: ‘Medical ™ Romance favourite Meredith Webber has penned a spellbinding and moving tale set under the hot desert sun!’ — Cataromance on THE DESERT PRINCE’S CONVENIENT BRIDE ‘Medical ™ Romance favourite Meredith Webber has written an outstanding romantic tale that I devoured in a single sitting! Moving, engrossing, romantic and absolutely unputdownable. Ms Webber peppers her story with plenty of drama, emotion and passion, and she will keep her readers entranced until the final page.’ — Cataromance on A PREGNANT NURSE’S CHRISTMAS WISH

About the Author MEREDITH WEBBER says of herself, ‘Some ten years ago, I read an article which suggested that Mills and Boon were looking for new Medical ™ Romance authors. I had one of those “I can do that” moments, and gave it a try. What began as a challenge has become an obsession—though I do temper the “butt on seat” career of writing with dirty but healthy outdoor pursuits, fossicking through the Australian Outback in search of gold or opals. Having had some success in all of these endeavours, I now consider I’ve found the perfect lifestyle.’

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Copyright

Praise for Meredith Webber:

‘Medical ™Romance favourite Meredith Webber has penned a spellbinding and moving tale set under the hot desert sun!’ — Cataromance on

THE DESERT PRINCE’S CONVENIENT BRIDE

‘Medical ™Romance favourite Meredith Webber has written an outstanding romantic tale that I devoured in a single sitting! Moving, engrossing, romantic and absolutely unputdownable. Ms Webber peppers her story with plenty of drama, emotion and passion, and she will keep her readers entranced until the final page.’ — Cataromance on

A PREGNANT NURSE’S CHRISTMAS WISH

Don’t miss this heartwarming new duet by Meredith Webber!

NEW DOC IN TOWN

Jo Harris has given up on love— but gorgeous Cam might just be able to light the sparkle in Jo once more!

MEREDITH WEBBERsays of herself, ‘Some ten years ago, I read an article which suggested that Mills and Boon were looking for new Medical ™Romance authors. I had one of those “I can do that” moments, and gave it a try. What began as a challenge has become an obsession—though I do temper the “butt on seat” career of writing with dirty but healthy outdoor pursuits, fossicking through the Australian Outback in search of gold or opals. Having had some success in all of these endeavours, I now consider I’ve found the perfect lifestyle.’

THE psychedelic camper-van spun through the entry to the parking lot with a squeal of tyres, startling Jo as she inserted the key into the deadlock on the surgery door. She watched, fingers tightening on the key she’d just turned, as a man in tattered board shorts and a bright Hawaiian-print shirt emerged from the van.

A very tall man, thickset.

With very broad shoulders.

Her heart might have skipped a beat but that didn’t stop her medical mind checking the man out.

He didn’t seem to be bleeding, and he wasn’t limping or doubled over in pain, so sending him on to the hospital was definitely the best idea …

Definitely!

But do it politely.

Don’t freak him out.

Calm voice, no sudden moves.

‘I’m sorry but the clinic is closed,’ she called out to him. Took a deep breath and added, ‘If you follow the main road down through two roundabouts then turn right at the third you’ll find the hospital. It has twenty-four-hour Accident and Emergency cover.’

Jo—Dr Joanna Harris to give her full title—carefully unlocked the door she’d just locked, and prayed that she sounded confident. The man didn’t move, standing motionless beside the van, studying her with a slight frown on his face, as if her words hadn’t made sense.

Then, like the sun bursting through clouds on a showery day, the frown cleared and the big man smiled.

Against all common sense Jo felt her tension ease, which was ridiculous given that the local pharmacy had been robbed three times in the last six months.

‘Shouldn’t there be more than one person locking up a medical clinic?’ the giant asked, his deep voice rumbling up from somewhere inside a broad chest that was barely hidden by the hula girls, hibiscus flowers and palm trees—a lot of palm trees.

Tension returned despite the fact the voice was warm—teasing almost—and held no hint of threat.

‘There are no drugs kept on the premises,’ Jo told him, pointing to a large sign posted on the glass door.

‘Do people actually believe those signs?’ the stranger asked, and though she knew people probably didn’t, Jo defended her sign.

‘Of course they do! And we’ve got cameras.’ She pointed to the camera angled downward from the corner of the building. ‘Now, if you’d just move your vehicle, I can put up the chain across the car-park entrance. We’re not open at all on Sunday. I was doing some tidying up.’

Stupid thing to say—now he’d know there was no one else around—although he’d probably guessed that when he’d seen her locking up. Maybe it was because the man wasn’t sending out scary vibes that she’d been prattling on to him.

She still had her fingers on the key and the key was in the lock and she was pretty sure she could get inside before he reached her if he did make a move in her direction.

Cam studied the woman who was resolutely—and foolishly—guarding the clinic entrance. She was a midget—five-three at the most, slim built but curvy for all that, and with a wild tangle of pale red hair—yet she was standing her ground.

He’d driven in on a whim, noticing the sign—Crystal Cove Medical Clinic—at the last minute, wanting to see the place, not expecting anyone to be there on a Sunday morning. It hadn’t been until he was out of the van that he’d seen the woman. Now he was trying to look as non-threatening as possible, arms hanging loosely at his sides, joints relaxed, although there was no way he could minimise his six-three height.

‘I’ll be going,’ he said, keeping his voice as soft and low as he could. ‘I noticed the sign as I was driving past and thought I’d take a look. I’m coming to work here, you see.’

Even across the car park he saw the woman turn so pale he thought she might faint, while her loss of colour made a wash of faint golden freckles stand out on her skin.

‘You’re coming to work here?’ she demanded. ‘ You’re coming to work here?’

‘That’s right,’ Cam told her in his gentlest, most encouraging tone. The one he usually used to calm barking dogs and tearful small children.

And women who maybe weren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. This one had had to repeat his words a couple of times before she got the picture.

‘I’m the new doctor,’ he added. After all, people were usually reassured by doctors. ‘Got the job through Personal Medical Recruitments in Sydney.’ He offered another smile. ‘Not exactly looking the part at the moment, I’ll admit, but I polish up okay.’

‘You can’t be the new doctor,’ the woman wailed, and shook her head so bits of hair flew everywhere. ‘You can’t possibly be! You’re a man !’