Susanne Hampton - Unlocking the Doctor's Heart

Beth found his unremitting and unjust criticism more than she could handle. She paused for a moment before replying. She wanted to gather the last shreds of composure she possessed. Australia was supposed to be different. A new start, where she would be valued as a doctor, and also as a person. She had to make that clear now.

Finally, with a calm that belied her still shaky confidence, she challenged her aggressor. ‘You’re wrong with both suggestions, Dr Harrison. It appears that Australian men are not astute enough to get the message when it’s delivered politely. But don’t worry. I’m sure I can alter my delivery to suit the occasion. I learn quickly.’

She watched as the corners of his mouth curved slightly. Not a full smile, but Beth was relieved to see that at least it wasn’t the face of a man about to end her medical career. In fact, to her surprise, she found herself thinking it was a very handsome, almost roguish face. The blue eyes that had threatened her only minutes before now seemed to sparkle as they lingered on hers. She felt her pulse quicken and blood flow into her cheeks.

Conscious of her blushing, she abruptly turned her gaze from him, trying to concentrate on her case notes, but still she felt strangely distracted by his presence so close to her.

Matthew liked her spirit. She had just stood up to him, and not many people could do that. They cowered to his seniority and his reputation. But Beth didn’t flinch when she gave back as good as she got.

‘OD in Priority One,’ called a nurse as she raced past them.

Beth felt a firm hand on her arm.

‘Well, Dr Seymour, let’s see just how fast you learn!’

Dear Reader

I am so excited to introduce Beth and Matthew in my very first book, UNLOCKING THE DOCTOR’S HEART. I feel so privileged to be able to bring these characters to you and tell their very special love story.

The fact that I am able to do this as a Mills & Boon ®Medical Romance™ author is a very special story too. An incurable romantic, and an avid reader of Mills & Boon books, I have wanted to write for this publisher for the longest time. I started writing romance a few years ago and, although I did occasionally dare to dream of one day using the title ‘Mills & Boon Author’ I wasn’t totally convinced that it would actually happen. But, just like falling in love, it happens when you least expect it.

I continued writing because I can’t imagine not doing it. And, having a medical background, I wanted to write a romance set in a busy hospital. So that is just what I did—and I added the element of travelling around the world to find love. Beth is a young Englishwoman with a feisty spirit and a desire to find her own identity and fall in love, and she travels to Australia in search of both. Matthew is a man who needs love but has locked away his heart after being badly hurt. They are two wonderful people who have never found ‘the one’. When I felt sure that this story was finally ‘the one’ I sent it off. And then it happened. I received the call from Mills & Boon with the exciting offer of a book contract.

I am thrilled that my first book is set in my hometown of Adelaide, in a fictitious hospital, the Eastern Memorial. It is loosely based on a large city teaching hospital and the story includes local landmarks, including my favourite shopping destination of Rundle Street. I hope you enjoy the rollercoaster ride that takes these two wonderful, dedicated doctors from colleagues to lovers and manages to mend a broken heart along the way.

Warmest wishes

Susanne

Married to the man she met at eighteen, SUSANNE HAMPTONis the mother of two adult daughters—one a musician and the other an artist.

The family also extends to a slightly irritable Maltese shih-tzu, a neurotic poodle, three elderly ducks and four hens that only very occasionally bother to lay eggs. Susanne loves everything romantic and pretty, so her home is brimming with romance novels, movies and shoes.

With an interest in all things medical, her career has been in the dental field and the medical world in different roles, and now Susanne has taken that love into writing Mills & Boon ®Medical Romance™.

UNLOCKING THE DOCTOR’S HEART is Susanne Hampton’s debut title!

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This book is dedicated to Peter, Ori, Tina and all of my wonderful family and friends who supported this dream of mine for so long: Sylva, Yvette and Sandra, my very first homegrown editors; The South Australian Romance Authors and Romance Writers of Australia for all of their encouragement; Flo Nicoll for her amazing patience, guidance and advice.

And finally to my brother Rod—always a hero in my eyes

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

‘DO I LOOK like a mop?’

Beth wondered if this was a trick question, considering the young man asking was quite tall and wiry, not unlike a stick in stature, with a head of loose brown curls. She resisted the temptation to acknowledge an odd similarity.

‘Pardon me?’ she asked.

‘I’m sick and tired of Harrison cleaning the damned floor with me. I tell you, he treats residents like they’re not fit to be in his god-like presence.’

Beth watched from the corner of her eye as the stranger paced the lift. Adding an exaggerated depth and hint of sarcasm to his voice, he continued, ‘And short of lying comatose in ICU, there’s no excuse for arriving late at work while I’m in charge!’

Beth turned around to fully face the figure sharing her lift. ‘Please tell me you’re not talking about Dr Harrison, the senior A and E consultant?’

‘Afraid I am.’

‘I was hoping—’

‘Well, you’re out of luck,’ he cut in. ‘The other consultants are saints compared to our Hannibal Harrison.’

The lift stopped on the third floor, the doors opened to an empty lobby and after a prolonged wait slowly closed again.

‘Why do people push the button for every lift on the floor?’ the lanky man growled, before giving in to a lopsided smile. ‘Better watch my temper, I’m starting to sound like Harrison!’

Beth breathed a heavy sigh. This man had just confirmed the rumours she had overheard when she’d visited the human resource department only minutes before. She had tried to dismiss it as idle gossip.

‘That’s just wonderful,’ she said. ‘I start work with him this morning.’

‘So you’re the newest victim.’ He smiled sardonically, rubbing his hands, then offered one in friendship. ‘Just joking, it’s a bad habit of mine that you’ll have to get used to. I’m Dan Berketta, and you must be our RMO exchange from London. Let me be the first from Cas to welcome you to the Eastern Memorial.’

Beth met his handshake. ‘Beth Seymour.’

The lift stopped again, this time on the first floor.

‘This is where I get off,’ Dan explained. ‘I’ve been sent on an errand by the man himself. I’ll catch up with you later.’

The doors closed, leaving Beth and her thoughts alone as she travelled down to the ground floor. Somehow she had to make the best of it, despite Dan’s bleak report and terrible impersonation. She had no choice, she mused as the lift came to a stop. In vain she tried to tuck back a wisp of hair that escaped from her chestnut plait. She sighed when another frizzy strand fell across her eye. The humid Australian summer weather was playing havoc with her curls and that was just what she didn’t need. She feared frizzy curls around her face made her look even younger and she wanted desperately to appear every bit of her twenty-eight years today.