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The Secret Between Them Page 6
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Which was a shame because whenever Elliot winked at her or smiled at her or stood close to her, she found herself wanting to do nothing else except stare into his amazing blue eyes, eyes she knew she could lose herself in for ever if she was given half the chance.
‘But—’ Mackenzie began, but Sunainah held up her hand.
‘No.’
‘I will help. So will John and Richard and Bergan and—’
‘No.’ Sunainah calmly held up both hands, indicating Mackenzie should not continue with the subject. ‘I...I cannot. I am not... I do not want to...’ She sighed. ‘I am not ready.’
‘Fair enough.’
‘However, we should not sit here for too much longer or we will be at risk of chatting our day away.’
‘True. Lucky John has the day off, which means I’ve left him a long list of jobs to do.’ Mackenzie grinned as she unfolded her legs and stood, moaning a little as she stretched. ‘Ooh, I’m getting old.’
Sunainah laughed and said goodbye to her friend, before racing upstairs to have a shower and dress. ‘Elliot Jones is a nice man and a good father,’ she told herself as she flitted around her home, picking up different manila folders and other bits of paper and putting them carefully into her bag. ‘He has children who need him and no doubt has no room in his life for any sort of romantic entanglement. Neither, for that matter, do you. You have a busy department to run, you have patients who need your love and attention. That is enough for you.’
Sunainah sighed as she stood at the bench and quickly drank a cup of coffee. She had never been the type of woman to go on lots of dates, usually only agreeing to one whenever Reggie set it up. Sunainah would go, she would be polite, allowing herself to enjoy a man’s company for one night before she told him that they could never be anything but friends. It drove Reggie insane.
‘You deserve happiness, Sunainah,’ Reggie had said more than once.
‘I am happy, Reggie,’ she would reply.
‘There is a sadness in your eyes that will never leave you. I know that. I know what happened to you, remember, and from everything you’ve told me, it wasn’t your fault. You shouldn’t be punished for a barbarian’s mistake.’
‘And yet it is my burden to carry.’ Sunainah had looked firmly at her friend. ‘Leave it. Please, Reggie?’
‘All right,’ Reggie had grumbled. ‘But it’s still not fair.’
‘No,’ Sunainah whispered into the quiet of her kitchen. ‘It is not fair.’ Neither was it fair that she had finally met a man who intrigued her, who made her feel soft and sweet and feminine just by smiling at her. No doubt Elliot Jones had no thoughts about her of the romantic kind, no thoughts beyond the fact that she was simply another of his colleagues.
He seemed to enjoy working alongside her and she had to remind herself that he was just as bright and smiling with her as he was with Nicole or Bethany or any of the other female staff on the paediatric ward. She should not confuse politeness with flirting.
Sunainah finished her coffee, picked up her bag and walked through the lounge room, stopping to look at the family portrait hanging on the wall. It was something she had done every day since her father had passed away, to stop and say ‘See you later’ to her parents.
Both of them were smiling in the photograph, which had been taken not long before her mother’s illness had revealed itself, an illness that had ended up changing all their lives. For a while, though, they had been happy together, the Indian woman and the Englishman with their teenage daughter.
She shook her head and brushed a hand down her skirt. It would not serve any purpose to dwell on the past, to dwell on things she could not change. What did matter now was getting to the hospital before she was late for ward round.
Sunainah almost forgot her thermos of coffee and headed back into the kitchen to pick it up. Mondays were often too busy for her to have a proper break so eating at her desk while completing paperwork had become somewhat of a habit.
One week. She still could not believe she had known Elliot and his children for a week. Well, just over a week given their first meeting in the supermarket had really been the first time they’d laid eyes on each other. She sighed as she walked out to her car, thinking of little Daphne, so desperate to be helpful, and poor little Joshua, not feeling at all well.
The dinner they had shared last week at Mackenzie’s house had been filled with a lot of laughter and quite a bit of bonding. Ruthie had played well with Elliot’s children, keeping them well amused and entertained, leaving the adults to enjoy their time crowded around the dining table, sometimes talking over each other and at other times laughing at the idiosyncrasies that went hand in hand with hospital life.
Bergan and her new husband, Richard, had been married for four months, and where Sunainah had often thought that she and Bergan would remain the two unmarried out of their group of four, now it looked as though it would just be her. Mackenzie and John had been married for almost nine months and were talking of perhaps giving Ruthie a sibling or two to dote on.
‘She’s certainly good with your two, Elliot,’ Mackenzie remarked as she gathered the plates and took them into the kitchen.
While the conversation seemed to swirl around her, Sunainah could not help but to sneak small glances at Elliot throughout the informal evening. He really was a very handsome man. There were no two ways about it, with his dark hair and perfect blue eyes. But it was the way he genuinely loved his children that spoke most to her heart.
‘Daddy, Daddy, Daddy,’ Joshua whimpered as he came toddling into the room, holding his hands out towards his father. As soon as Elliot picked the boy up, Joshua put his head on his father’s shoulder and snuggled in.
‘Getting tired, little man?’ Elliot asked, then glanced at his watch, surprised at how late it was. ‘And with good reason. It’s way past your bedtime.’
He stood from his chair as Ruthie and Daphne came into the room. Sunainah watched as the little three-year-old rubbed at her eyes, clearly tired as well. What had surprised Sunainah most was Daphne. Seeing her brother firmly settled in their father’s arms, she ran to Sunainah and held her arms up.
‘Soo-nen-nah?’
‘Aww. How gorgeous is that?’ Mackenzie remarked when Sunainah instantly obliged and picked her up.
‘It’s settled, then,’ Elliot said, smiling at her. ‘You have been chosen to assist with the Jones children’s bedtime routines. Come along, Dr Carrington. Help me get my children to bed.’ Elliot had spoken without concern or compunction for how his words might be interpreted. He had called a cheery goodnight to all gathered, as though he’d been a part of their group for years, then headed towards the door, holding it open for Sunainah and Daphne.
‘After you, pretty ladies.’
Daphne giggled. Elliot winked. Sunainah blushed.
They headed out into the cool March evening. ‘I’m so glad I decided to move here. The weather is far nicer than in Melbourne.’
‘You have missed Queensland’s tropical summer. Sticky, humid and hot with a lot of rain. Now the weather is not too bad, although I must warn you that it can still get very hot during the middle of the day. The children must always have their hats and sunscreen on.’
Elliot nodded. ‘Duly noted. Thank you.’ He opened the door to his new residence and headed inside, sidestepping the boxes scattered here and there.
‘I meant to ask you before, Elliot. Are you just renting or did you buy?’
Elliot looked at the walls and nodded. ‘I bought this place. I was determined the move here would work, and it will.’
‘Yes. Very determined.’ She could not help but smile at him, liking his display of courage. As she watched him carry Joshua through the house, the little boy already asleep on his father’s shoulder, Daphne started to snuggle in further.
‘Are you getting sleepy, pr
etty girl?’ Sunainah asked, and Daphne nodded. Then, as though realising she had Sunainah all to herself, she lifted her head, her brown eyes alive with happiness.
‘You help me, Soo-nen-nah. You help Daphne.’
Before Sunainah knew what was happening, she was helping the three-year-old get ready for bed, Daphne clearly knowing her night-time routine.
‘Brush teef. Do night nappy. Put on nightie. Story time. Song time then sleep time.’ Daphne ticked the things off on her little fingers, looking very adult and quite serious. Sunainah could not repress the smile that instantly touched her lips.
After they had ticked the other things off the list, they were finally up to song time. Sunainah sat in the large rocking chair, the only other piece of furniture in the room besides Daphne’s bed. While the little girl snuggled warmly into her, Elliot came into the upstairs room.
‘I can take it from—’
‘Shh,’ she whispered, before continuing with her soft song. It was the lovely Indian lullaby she had sung to Joshua the first day they had met. Elliot did as he was told and when she’d finished, he pulled back Daphne’s bedcovers, making it easier for Sunainah to put the sleeping three-year-old into her bed.
‘You really do have a lovely voice,’ he said as they headed downstairs.
‘Thank you.’
‘What do the words mean?’
‘They are a way of expressing gratitude and appreciation to a specific person.’ Sunainah’s eyes twinkled with a teasing light. ‘Hence the “you” tagged on at the end.’
Elliot stared at her for ten seconds before he noticed the small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she walked towards the front door. Stunningly beautiful, sensitive and funny. No wonder it was becoming increasingly difficult for him not to think about her.
‘I meant the lullaby, not the words “thank you”,’ he said with a soft, rich chuckle, the sound settling over her like a warm and comforting blanket.
‘Oh. The lullaby.’ Her smile brightened and she nodded. ‘They say to rest in your dreams and to know that tomorrow will bring happiness and peace to your soul.’
‘How enchanting.’
Sunainah nodded, waiting for Elliot to open the front door. Instead, when he simply stood there, staring at her with an odd expression on his face, one of surprised happiness—or so she hoped—she started to feel a little self-conscious.
‘Sunainah, please allow me to offer you my...gratitude and appreciation for your assistance this evening.’
She smiled at his words. ‘You are most welcome.’
Then, before she had gathered any idea of what he might do next, Elliot leaned across and brushed a soft and lingering kiss to her cheek.
Sunainah’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘I think I’m going to like working and living here.’ He nodded. ‘The people are...very nice.’
She felt stunned, unable to think of anything in reply, and after Elliot opened the front door, bidding her farewell once more, Sunainah walked on numbed legs back to her place, constantly caressing the place on her cheek where his lips had left their mark.
She touched her fingers to her cheek once more, even though it had been a week since that light kiss. There was no way it could mean anything other than a gesture of friendship as he had already confessed that his wife, Marie, had been the love of his life. It was good that he was moving forward with his life, especially where his children were concerned, but she had seen the look in his eyes when he had spoken of Marie. He had been deeply in love with his wife, of that she was certain, and just because he was making changes to his life, it did not mean he was looking for any sort of romantic attachment.
‘He is nice and good and kind to everyone,’ she told herself as she finished packing her handbag and picked up her car keys. If she did not stop staring off into space, recollecting the past, she would continue to make herself late for work.
‘So you can stop this silly nonsense, the silly dreams. It can go nowhere and you will only end up hurting yourself if you persist with these schoolgirl fantasies.’ She continued to speak sternly to herself as she headed towards the garage, pressing the remote-control button for the roller door. ‘You are his colleague and his friend and that is all.’
‘Ah...Sunainah! Good. You haven’t left yet. I’m so glad I caught you.’
Elliot’s voice came from the other side of her garage and as the door continued to rise, so Sunainah’s spirits lifted up towards the heavens at the sight of him. So much for all the lectures she had just given herself. At the first sound of his voice she was right back to where she had started when she had first opened her eyes that morning. Her smile brightened as she caught sight of the man who was plaguing her dreams. He looked even better in real life.
‘I’m having car trouble. Mackenzie’s agreed to take the children to the daycare centre for me and I was hoping I could get a lift to the hospital with you.’
‘Of course.’ Sunainah unlocked her car and held the passenger door open for him.
‘Thanks. I’ve already called the car-hire place and they’ve said they’ll send someone out to deal with it later today.’
Sunainah slipped into the driver’s seat, trying not to be so aware of everything about him. The way his clothes seemed to have been tailor-made to fit his perfect body. The way his spicy scent filled the car, intoxicating her senses. The way his deep, rich voice washed over her as he talked so easily, in such a friendly way to her. It was difficult to keep her mind on the task at hand, especially when he smiled at her as though she were his own personal angel, helping him out in his time of need.
How on earth was she supposed to drive now? She stared at the steering-wheel for a moment while Elliot buckled his seat belt. It was no good. Rational thought was not returning. She closed her eyes for a moment, willing logical thought to return.
‘Sunainah?’ Elliot’s deep voice snapped her back to reality, and she quickly looked at him. ‘Are you all right?’
Hearing the concern in his voice made her feel as though she was a fraud. ‘Yes, yes. I am fine.’ She started the engine and reversed out of the garage, pressing the button on the remote to lower the roller door afterwards. ‘Er...do you have any idea what might be wrong with your car?’
He nodded. ‘The alternator. John’s already been out and had a look and agrees with me. He’s rostered off today so at least someone will be around when the mechanic comes.’ Elliot shook his head. ‘Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for better neighbours and the fact that we’re all doctors and work at the same hospital is most definitely a bonus.’ He nodded.
‘Most definitely,’ she repeated. She forced herself to concentrate on driving and not on the fact that his presence seemed to fill her small car and overwhelm her senses. So busy was she, concentrating, that she slowly began to realise that neither of them were speaking. She glanced at Elliot then quickly returned her attention to the road when she realised he was frowning deeply.
‘Is something wrong?’ she asked, and was pleased when his frown immediately lifted.
‘No. No. Not really. As I said, I’m glad to have moved into the cul-de-sac and am now a member of the cul-de-sac crew. It’s highly fortuitous.’ Although there was lightness to his words, Sunainah also detected something deeper in his tone.
‘And yet there is something else wrong, is there not?’ She spoke softly and when she pulled up at a red light, she looked across at him. ‘You do not have to tell me, Elliot. I am not the type of person to pry. It is nice that you and the children are here in Maroochydore, making a new life for yourselves. It is also good that you feel settled at the hospital. It is a fresh start, as you have said before.’
‘One Marie’s parents felt I was incapable of making.’ The vehemence that accompanied his words did not surprise her because he had already mentioned that his wife’s parents h
ad tried to file for custody of his children. But why? What had given them cause to take such drastic action? It was clear to anyone who saw Elliot with Daphne and Joshua that he loved them. Before she could say anything, he shook his head.
‘I’m sorry, Sunainah. I shouldn’t drag you into the mess that is my life...or was my life.’
‘I do not mind, Elliot. We are not only colleagues but I would also like to think we are friends so if you ever need someone to talk to, I am here to listen, if it is your wish.’
‘Thank you, Sunainah.’ He pushed his hand through his hair and nodded. They were friends. It was good to have women friends and the fact that he was constantly dreaming about this particular friend meant nothing, or so he was trying to tell himself. He felt that lately all he’d been doing had been pushing a very large burden uphill, trying to keep things in some sort of order so he didn’t lose complete control of his life, but whenever he looked at Sunainah or saw her smile, or watched the graceful way she moved or listened to her soothing voice, he found himself drawn to her.
He was forever having to push the guilt away, the guilt that he was somehow cheating on Marie, that he was dishonouring her memory by moving on. The fact that Sunainah was willing to listen to what he had to say, was interested in what he had to say and was giving him her attention and support meant a great deal to him. He should at least tell her as much.
‘That actually does help. Ever since we met, you’ve somehow managed to boost my confidence right when it’s needed it the most.’
She smiled at his words. ‘I am pleased but your confidence...did it really need the boost? You are an extremely competent doctor and it is clear after the week you have spent in the paediatric ward that you are excellent with the young patients—as you are with your own children.’