Anne Fraser - The Playboy Doctor's Surprise Proposal

‘I should have come sooner, Bri,’ Caitlin said softly. ‘I can’t believe it’s been three years since we saw each other! Why on earth did we leave it so long?’

The sisters shared a look. Why had they left it so long? They had always been close, and when Brianna and Niall had decided to emigrate to Australia, they had promised each other that they would visit at least every couple of years. But it hadn’t worked out like that. Apart from that one visit to Ireland three years ago, Brianna hadn’t made it back. And Caitlin had never managed to come to Australia. Work had always got in the way.

But then, three months ago, Brianna had phoned with the devastating news that she had discovered a lump in her breast. A biopsy had confirmed their worst fears. It was cancer. Caitlin wanted to fly to her sister’s side immediately, but her mother and Brianna had persuaded her to wait and apply for a sabbatical. That way her career wouldn’t suffer while she was away. Indeed, having secured a post at the prestigious Brisbane hospital, there was every chance her career would be helped by her time in Australia.

Despite being pleased at the way it had worked out and delighted to be in Australia with her sister at last, Caitlin wished the circumstances had been different. She couldn’t bear to think about what would happen if Brianna didn’t get better. Caitlin shook her head to get rid of the negative thoughts. They all had to remain positive and believe that Brianna would make a full recovery.

‘If it hadn’t taken so long to arrange the work visa, I would have come as soon as I heard. Or at least been here to help you through more of the chemo.’

Brianna reached over and squeezed her hand. ‘You’re here now and that’s what matters.’ Caitlin saw the tears in her sister’s eyes before she could blink them away. ‘You know we have Andrew to thank for getting you the job,’ Brianna continued.

‘It seems that I’m in his debt quite a bit,’ Caitlin said reluctantly. She hated being beholden to people.

Both women turned their gaze seaward. Niall and the children were finishing off the sandcastle. Out at sea, Caitlin caught her breath as Andrew and his board somersaulted into the air, turning over before landing and shooting along the water.

‘What is he doing?’ Caitlin asked, impressed. ‘I’ve never seen anyone windsurf like that before.’

‘It’s called kite boarding,’ Brianna replied. ‘It’s a bit like windsurfing, but with tricks. Andrew’s very good. He’s been trying to teach Niall, but it’s not as easy as it looks.’

‘It doesn’t look easy at all,’ Caitlin said as Andrew did another series of flips. ‘What happens if he crashes?’

‘He crashes fairly often.’ Her sister laughed. ‘But it doesn’t put him off. He just climbs back on, and away he goes again.’

The two women watched in silence for a while.

‘He says the Queensland Royal is delighted to have someone of your calibre there even for six months. It was good luck that one of the specialists wanted to spend time in the UK. I guess you’ll see a fair bit of Andrew at the hospital.’

Caitlin knew she would. As a specialist obstetrician she would be working a lot with the paediatricians, of whom Andrew was one. She wondered what kind of doctor he was. An image of him lounging around flirting with the nurses and female doctors flashed across her mind. She felt unreasonably disappointed. She had no time for doctors who didn’t take their work seriously. However, it was none of her business.

The sun had dried her damp skin and she slipped on her sundress. She stood, wincing slightly at the stab of pain in her calf.

‘It’s getting late, and everyone’s bound to be getting hungry. Shall we go back to the house and make the salads?’ When Caitlin had seen where her sister and her family lived she had been gobsmacked. Their house, an enormous lowslung affair, was perched on a hill just a few metres from the beach they were sitting on. It had several rooms, a hot tub and an infinity pool and views out over the sea. She had known her brother-in-law was doing well but had had no idea his fledgling business had been so successful.

‘Good idea,’ Brianna said, unwinding her long legs. ‘I’ll call Niall to start the steaks.’

‘No need to disturb him,’ Caitlin countered. ‘We can put them on when we get back.’

‘A word of warning, sis,’ Brianna said, laughing. ‘Men out here take their barbies seriously. Women are allowed to make the side dishes, but that’s it. The cooking of the meat is a man’s job.’

Caitlin laughed, then, seeing Brianna was perfectly serious, stopped. ‘Fine by me. You know I hate cooking anyway. Salads are about my limit. If the men want to cook, more power to them.’

By the time the two women returned with salads and rolls, Niall and Andrew were by the fire, flipping burgers and steaks. As the smell tickled her nostrils, Caitlin realised she was starving. She had taken a couple of minutes back at the house to have a shower to rinse the sand out of her hair and off her body, and a little longer to blow-dry her hair, returning it to its smooth waves. She had tied it back in a ponytail to prevent the breeze that had whipped up from blowing it into her eyes and finally had changed into a pair of lightweight trousers and T-shirt. Impulsively, without examining her motives too closely, she applied some lip gloss in the lightest shade of pink. Putting her glasses back on, she looked at her reflection and wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction. Not normally concerned with make-up, for the first time ever Caitlin wished she took more time and care with her appearance. To impress Dr Bedi? a small voice niggled at the back of her mind. Caitlin dismissed the thought immediately. Definitely not! she told herself. The important thing was that she felt and looked in control once more. Back to Dr O’Neill, obstetrician and consummate professional.

When she returned to the beach, the scent of cooking meat was drifting tantalisingly on the slight afternoon breeze. The two men seemed to be taking their cooking duties very seriously, Caitlin thought, amused as she heard them discuss whether a steak needed more marinade. Andrew had turned his wetsuit down to his hips, revealing his muscular chest. Despite herself, Caitlin felt her eyes travel over his torso, admiring the tautness of his abdomen and the defined muscles of his chest. Andrew turned, as if sensing her approving look, and caught Caitlin’s eye before she could look away. He winked and she felt herself grow flustered again. Damn the man, she thought crossly.

‘How’s the leg?’ he asked innocently.

‘As you predicted, it feels a bit bruised, but otherwise fine. Thanks again. I feel such an idiot.’

‘Australia can take a bit of getting used to. I’m sure once you’ve been here a bit longer you’ll know what’s safe and what isn’t. The coast here has some fantastic beaches, as you will see, but you have to be very careful about where you swim.’

Niall heaped food onto plates and everyone helped themselves to salads and buttered rolls. Niall had set up a table and chairs under the shade of an orange bougainvillea and as Caitlin ate she breathed in the tang of sea air. For the first time in months she felt energised. There was something about being here that made her realise how boring her well ordered life back in Ireland had become. As if he’d read her thoughts, Andrew turned to Caitlin.

‘I understand you’ve been working at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Dublin for the last few years. Your colleagues must think highly of you. From what I hear, it’s very difficult to get accepted onto the permanent staff there. And you couldn’t be more than, what—thirty?’