Midwife...to Mum!. Sue MacKay

a medical practice on a permanent basis? Wouldn’t you prefer getting to know your mums, rather than moving on all the time?’

      If he hadn’t sounded so genuinely interested she’d have made a joke about being a wandering witch in a previous life and ignored the real question. But for some inexplicable reason she couldn’t go past that sincerity. ‘I get offers all the time from my bosses to base myself back at the midwifery unit, but I don’t do settled in one spot very well. Yes, I miss out on seeing mothers going the distance. I’m only ever there for the beginning of some babies and the arrival of others, but I like it that way. Keeps me on my toes.’

      ‘Fly in, do the job and fly out.’ Was that a dash of hope in his eyes? Did he think she might be footloose and fancy-free enough to have a quick fling with him and then move on? Because she’d seen the same sizzle in his eyes that buzzed along her veins.

      Then reality hit. Cold water being tipped over her wouldn’t have chilled her as much. Sorry, buster, but you’re married and, worse, you’re not even ashamed to show it.

      She spun around to stare at the screen in front of her. What was the name of her next patient?

      ‘Ally, I’ve upset you.’

      Of course he had. He only had to look at her to upset her—her hormones anyway. Flicking him a brief smile, she continued staring at the computer. ‘Holly Sargent, thirty-five weeks. Anything I need to know about her that’s not on here?’

      When Flynn didn’t answer, she had to lift her head and seek him out. That steady blue gaze was firmly fixed on her. It held far too many questions, and she didn’t answer other people’s enquiries about anything personal. ‘Flynn? Holly Sargent?’

      ‘Third pregnancy, the last two were straightforward. She’s had the usual colds and flu, a broken wrist and stitches in her brow from when she walked through a closed glass slider. Full-time mum.’

      Ally looked at her patient list. ‘Brenda Lewis?’

      ‘First pregnancy, took six months to conceive, family history of hypertension but so far she’s shown no signs of it, twenty-five years old, runs a local day care centre for under-fives.’

      Her anger deflated and laughter bubbled up to spill between them as she stared at this man who had her all in a dither with very little effort. ‘That’s amazing. Do you know all your patients as thoroughly?’

      ‘How long have you got?’ He grinned. ‘Makes for scintillating conversations.’

      Deliberately rolling her eyes at him, she said, ‘Remind me not to get stuck with you at the workplace Friday night drinkies.’

      ‘Shucks, and I was about to ask you on a date,’ he quipped, in a tone that said he meant no such thing.

      So he was as confused as she was. That didn’t stop a quick shiver running down her spine. She’d love to go out with this man. But hello. If that isn’t a wedding ring, then what is it? He’s obviously a flagrant playboy. ‘Sorry, doing my hair that night.’

      ‘Me, too,’ he muttered, and left her to stare at his retreating back view.

      A very delectable view at that. Those butt muscles moved smoothly under his trousers as he strode down the hall, those shoulders filled the top of his shirt to perfection. A sigh trickled over her bottom lip. He would’ve been the perfect candidate for her next affair. Flynn might be the one you can’t easily walk away from.

      ‘Get a grip, man,’ Flynn growled under his breath. How? Ally was hot. Certain parts of his anatomy might’ve been in hibernation for the past couple of years, but they weren’t dead. How did any sane, red-blooded male ignore Ally without going bonkers?

      ‘Flynn.’ Megan beckoned from the office. ‘Can you explain to this caller why she should have a flu jab?’

      ‘Can’t Toby do that?’ The practice nurse was more than capable of handling it.

      ‘Busy with a patient and…’ Megan put her hand over the phone’s mouthpiece ‘… this one won’t go away.’

      ‘Put her through.’ He spun around to head to his consulting room. See? You’re at work, not on the beach with nothing more important to think about than getting laid. Forget all things Alyssa. Alyssa. Such a pretty name, but it had been blatantly obvious no one was allowed to use it when talking to their temporary midwife.

      ‘Dr Reynolds.’ Mrs Augusta’s big voice boomed down the line, causing him to pull the phone away from his ear. ‘I’ve been told I have to have a flu injection. I don’t see why as I never get sick.’

      Except for two hits with cancer that had nearly stolen her life. ‘Mrs Augusta, it’s your decision entirely but there are certain conditions whereby we recommend to a patient they have the vaccination. Your recent cancer puts you in the category for this. It’s a preventative measure, that’s all.’

      ‘Why didn’t Megan just tell me that?’

      ‘Because she’s our receptionist, not a qualified medical person. It’s not her role to advise patients.’

      ‘All right, can you put me back to her so I can book a time? Sorry to have been a nuisance.’ Mrs Augusta suddenly sounded deflated, all the boom and bluster gone.

      ‘Pat, is there something else that’s bothering you?’

      ‘No, I’m good as gold, Doctor. Don’t you go worrying about me.’

      ‘How about you make an appointment with me when you come for your jab?’

      ‘I don’t want to be a problem, Doctor.’

      That exact attitude had almost cost her life. By the time the bowel cancer had been discovered it had nearly been too late and now she wore a bag permanently. ‘I’ll put you back to Megan and you make a time to see me.’ When he got the receptionist on the line he told her, ‘Book Mrs Augusta in with me at the first opening, and don’t let her talk you out of it.’

      A glance at his watch on his way out to the waiting room told him he was now behind the ball as far as keeping on time with appointments. ‘Jane, come through.’ As he led the woman down the hall, laughter came from the midwife’s room. Sounded like Ally and Holly were getting along fine. A smile hovered on his mouth, gave him the warm fuzzies. Everyone got along with their temp midwife.

      Jane limped into his room on her walking cane and sat down heavily. ‘I’m up the duff again, Flynn.’

      Not even ten o’clock and his second pregnant patient of the morning. What had the council put in the water? ‘You’re sure?’ he asked with a smile. Nothing ever fazed this woman, certainly not her gammy leg, not a diabetic three-year-old, not a drunk for a husband.

      ‘Yep, got all the usual signs. Thought I’d better let you know so I can get registered with Kat.’

      Now, there was something that did tend to wind Jane up. Kat’s attitude to her husband. Kat had tried to intervene one night at the pub when he’d been about to swing a fist at Jane. Something Flynn would’ve tried to prevent, too, if he’d been there. ‘Kat’s away at the moment so you’ll get to meet Ally.’ Of course, there were nine months to a pregnancy, and Kat was only away for one, but hopefully Ally could settle Jane into things so that she’d be happier with Kat this time round.

      ‘Is she nice?’ Jane’s eyes lit up.

      More than. ‘You’ll get along great guns. Now, I’m surmising that we need to discuss your arthritis meds for the duration of your pregnancy.’

      The light in those eyes faded. She accepted her painful condition without a complaint, but she knew how hard the next few months were going to be. ‘I’ve cut back already to what you’ve recommended before. There’s no way I’m risking hurting junior in there.’ Her hand did a circuit of her belly. ‘Can’t say I’m happy with the extra pain, but I want this wee one. Think I’ll make it the last, though. Get my bits