The Bridesmaid's Baby (5 page)

Lucy was adventurous and as curious about the world as he was, but unlike him, she hadn’t been keen to get away. She’d apparently wanted nothing more than to get straight back to Willowbank, to settle down in a veterinary practice.

Her father was a doctor and she’d claimed that she was anxious to follow his example. She’d worked hard to get her degree and she looked on travel as a waste of time. Why work at menial jobs simply to earn enough money to move on to the next travel spot, when she could stay in Willowbank and build her career?

At the time, when Will had left on his big adventure with Cara in tow, he’d had a vague idea that he might eventually return and find work closer to home.

The news of his brother’s engagement to Lucy McKenty had come out of the blue and he’d been shocked by how much it had worried him, by the urge that had hit him to hurry home. Not that he could blame Lucy for falling in love with Josh.

Everyone in the entire Willow Creek district had loved his outgoing, confident brother—and Josh Carruthers had a habit of getting what he wanted, especially when it came to women.

Will could easily imagine how his brother had flirted with Lucy. Hell, yeah. Josh would have charmed and courted her so expertly she wouldn’t have known what
had hit her. And Josh would have offered her the exact life she wanted—marriage and a family, with a sheep station thrown in as the icing on the cake.

But had Josh really, deeply cared for Lucy? Had he wanted to make her happy?

It surprised Will that he still let these questions bother him after all this time.

‘You look down in the mouth.’ Jake’s voice sounded at Will’s elbow. ‘Everything OK?’

Will turned guiltily and forced a grin. ‘It’s been a fabulous night,’ he said, hoping to avoid answering Jake’s question. ‘Ace wedding, mate.’

‘Glad you’ve had a good time.’ Jake nodded his head in Lucy’s direction. ‘She’s a lovely girl.’

It was pointless to pretend he didn’t know who Jake meant. Will nodded. ‘Yeah.’ He shoved his hands deep in his pockets, as if the action could somehow comfort him.

‘Mattie told me you two used to be really close.’

‘Close friends,’ Will corrected and he did his best to dismiss this with a shrug, but Jake was watching him in a way that made his neck burn hotly.

Jake smiled. ‘You look as miserable as I felt four months ago, before I sorted everything out with Mattie.’

‘This is totally different. More like a mystery than history,’ Will muttered glumly.

‘Perhaps. But, in the end, it all comes down to the same thing.’

Will glared at his friend. ‘I didn’t realise that a marriage ceremony turned a man into an instant relationship guru.’

Jake’s smile faded. ‘Sorry. Was I sounding smug?’

‘You were.’ Will gave another shrug. ‘But I’d probably be smug too, if I was in your shoes.’

‘Except that you’re right,’ Jake said, looking more serious now. ‘I know nothing about you and Lucy.’

A heavy sigh escaped Will and he realised that, despite his fierce reaction, he’d actually been hoping that his friend could reveal some kind of magic insight that would help him to clear the air with Lucy. Anything to be rid of this gnawing guilt he still carried.

‘I think we’re heading off soon,’ Jake said. ‘I guess I’d better find my wife and finish our farewells.’

They shook hands and Will wished his mate all the best and it wasn’t much later before the guests started gathering on the footpath to wave the happy couple off.

In the light of a street lamp, Will could see Lucy’s golden hair shimmering palely as she kissed Mattie and Jake, before she drifted back to watch their departure from the edge of the crowd.

Mattie was laughing as she stood at the car’s open door and lifted her bouquet of white roses. Will saw Lucy backing even further away, almost trying to hide.

Then the roses were sailing through the air in a high arc. There were girlish squeals of laughter and hands rose to try to grab the flowers, but Mattie’s aim was sure. The bouquet landed square on Lucy’s nose and she had no choice but to catch it.

A cheer went up and Lucy gave a bashful smile and held the bouquet high, no doubt knowing that all of Willowbank would love to see their favourite vet married.

But she was probably grateful that everyone’s attention quickly returned to the bride and groom. Jake was already helping Mattie into the car.

Over the heads of the crowd he sent Will a flashing grin and Will answered with a thumbs-up.

The car’s exhaust roared as they took off and the rear window was covered in ‘just married’ signs written in toothpaste, which only served to prove how old-fashioned this town really was.

Will, however, was watching Lucy. She stood in the shadows at the back of the throng, clutching the wedding bouquet in one hand while she used the other hand to swipe at her tears.

L
UCY
wished the ground would open up and swallow her. It was bad enough that everyone knew the bride had deliberately thrown the bouquet to her. To cry about it was beyond pathetic, but to do so in front of Will Carruthers was more embarrassing than she could bear.

Turning her back on him, she gave one final swipe and an unladylike sniff and she willed her eyes to stay dry. It wasn’t a moment too soon.

Will’s voice sounded close behind her. ‘We can leave whenever you like,’ he said.

She drew a deep slow breath and turned to him with a smile on her face. Any number of people would have given her a lift, but she was determined to show Will that his comments about the two of them being a pair of old loners had not upset her.

‘Could you give me just a moment?’ she said. ‘I’d like to say goodbye to a few people.’

‘By all means. I’ve said my farewells. Let me know when you’re ready.’

‘I shouldn’t be long, unless Mrs Carey needs my help with anything else. Shall I meet you at the truck?’

‘Sure.’

It was crazy the way her stomach tightened as she crossed the road to Will’s parked truck. Crazier still the way her heart thrashed when she saw his tall figure waiting in the shadows beside the vehicle. He stepped forward when he saw her and the white shirt beneath his jacket glowed in the moonlight. Fire flashed in his light grey eyes.

‘Let me help you up,’ he said as he opened the truck’s passenger door.

‘I can manage.’ Lucy was anxious to avoid his gallantry. If Will touched her now, she might self-combust.

But managing alone wasn’t easy. With her arms filled with her bridesmaid’s bouquet as well as the bride’s white roses and with the added complication of her long straight skirt and precarious high heels, the whole business of clambering up into the truck was fraught with difficulties.

Will was full of apologies. ‘I forgot how hard it is to climb into this damned thing.’

‘If you hold the bouquets, I’m sure I can swing myself up.’

Without waiting for his reply, Lucy thrust the flowers into his arms. Then, grateful for the darkness, she yanked her skirt with one hand and took a firm grip of the door handle with the other. She stepped high and hauled herself up, and everything would have been fine if one of her high heels hadn’t caught on the step.

In mid-flight she lost her balance and then lost her grip on the handle and, before she could recover, she was slipping backwards.

Into Will’s arms.

She was crushed against his chest, along with several dozen blooms.

‘I’ve got you.’

Lucy wasn’t sure if the pounding of Will’s heart and his
sharp intake of breath were caused by shock or the exertion of catching her.

Desperately, she tried to ignore how wonderfully safe she felt in his arms, how beyond fabulous it was to be cradled against his splendidly muscular chest. The wool of his expensive suit was cool and fine beneath her cheek. She could have stayed there…

‘I’m sorry,’ she spluttered. ‘Anyone would think I was drunk.’

‘The thought never crossed my mind.’

‘You can put me down, Will. I’m quite all right.’

‘I think it might be better if we do this my way.’

His face was in darkness so Lucy couldn’t see his expression, but his voice was deep and warm, like a comforting blanket around her, and he hoisted her up onto the front seat of the truck with astonishing ease.

‘Put your seat belt on,’ he said, as if she was a child. ‘And then I’ll pass you what’s left of the bouquets.’

Chastened, Lucy thanked him.

The glorious scent of crushed rose petals filled the truck’s cabin as Will climbed behind the wheel and pulled the driver’s door shut. But the fragrance couldn’t disguise the smell of ancient leather and it couldn’t block Lucy’s memories.

This was the first time in ten years that she’d been alone in the dark with Will, and stupidly she remembered that embarrassing kiss on the shadowy veranda at Tambaroora. She could remember exactly how he’d tasted and the warm pressure of his lips, the sexy slide of his tongue…

He turned to her. ‘Are you OK now?’

‘Perfectly,’ she said in a choked whisper.

‘Are you sure?’ he asked, frowning at her, watching her intently.

She pressed a hand against her heart in a bid to calm its wicked thudding. ‘I was hobbled by this jolly dress and I slipped in the stupid heels.’ She sounded more astringent than she’d meant to. ‘After tonight, these shoes are going straight to the Country Women’s second-hand store.’

Will chuckled softly, then started the truck and soon they were rumbling down the street. Lucy buried her nose in the roses, glad that he didn’t try to talk all the way home.

But, in the silence, her thoughts turned back to their earlier conversation. Will had shocked her when he’d raised the subject of marriage and babies, but perhaps she shouldn’t have been so surprised. It was, as he’d said, happening all around them. Gina and Tom had their twins. Mattie was married.

She had been so busy trying to back away from the topic, so scared Will would discover how hung up she was about these very things, that she’d cut the conversation short.

Now she was left to wonder. Had he actually been leading up to something he wanted to discuss? She’d always been hurt by Will’s silence after Josh’s death and the miscarriage. He’d never given her the chance to confess why she’d become involved with his brother.

Of course, it would be dreadfully difficult to tell him the truth, but she’d always felt guilty and she wanted to come clean. Perhaps then she would be able to put it behind her at last. She might, at last, stop dreaming about Will.

As the truck rumbled down country lanes, past darkened farmhouses and quiet paddocks, a number of questions bumped around in her head and by the time Will pulled up in front of her house, Lucy couldn’t hold back. ‘Will, what was the point you wanted to make?’

In the glow of the dashboard’s lights, she could see his frown. ‘I’m sorry, Lucy, you’ve lost me.’

‘When we were talking at the wedding, you were carrying on about how old we are now and I got in a huff, but were you actually trying to make a point?’

He turned to face her, one hand draped loosely over the steering wheel. ‘Nothing in particular.’ He smiled shyly. ‘I simply wanted to talk to you—the way we used to.’

A ghost of a smile trickled across his face. Then he looked out through the windscreen and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. ‘We have a lot to catch up on, but it’s late. Why don’t I give you a call some time?’

How could such a simple question send her insides into turmoil? It was so silly to be incredibly excited simply because Will Carruthers planned to talk to her again.

With difficulty, Lucy overcame her desperate curiosity to know what he wanted to talk about. She managed to speak calmly.

‘I’ll wait to hear from you, then,’ she said as she pushed the door open.

‘Don’t move,’ Will ordered, shoving his door open too. ‘I’ll help you out. I don’t want you falling again. You’re an accident waiting to happen tonight.’

A hasty glance at the huge step down to the road showed Lucy the wisdom of accepting his offer, but her heart skipped several beats as he rounded the truck and helped her down.

‘Thank you,’ she said demurely. ‘My elderly bones couldn’t have taken another stumble this evening.’

His soft laugh held the hint of a growl. ‘Get to bed, Grandma.’

To her astonishment, Will’s lips feathered the merest brush of a kiss against her temple. Her knees almost gave way.

‘Perhaps I should escort you to the door,’ he said.

‘I think I’m still capable of tottering up my own front path.’

‘I’ll wait here till you’re safely inside.’

After years of being fiercely independent, Lucy had to admit it was rather pleasant to have a lordly male watching out for her. With the bouquets bundled in one arm, she lifted her skirt elegantly and took careful dainty steps as she made her way up the uneven brick path.

She’d left her car and her other set of keys at Mattie’s parents’ house, but there was a spare key under the flowerpot on the porch. Tonight, however, there was more than a flowerpot on the porch. A hessian bag had been left on the doorstep.

Lucy saw it and sighed. Caring for wildlife wasn’t part of her veterinary responsibilities, but people knew she had a soft heart and they were always bringing her injured bush creatures. Animals hit by cars were the most common and this was sure to be another one—a wounded sugar glider, an orphaned kangaroo, or perhaps an injured possum.

She was dead tired tonight, but now, before she could crawl into bed, she would have to attend to this.

She found the key, opened the front door and reached inside to turn on the porch light. Behind her, Will was waiting at the front gate and she sent him a friendly wave. ‘Thanks for the lift,’ she called.

He returned her wave and she watched as he headed back to the truck, then, with the flowers in one arm, she picked up the sack. The animal inside wriggled, which was a good sign. Maybe it wasn’t too badly hurt and she wouldn’t lose too much sleep tonight.

She heard her dogs scratching at the back door, but they
would have to wait a bit longer for her attention. She took the sack through to the surgery, put the roses and lilies in one of the huge metal sinks and set the bag down gently on the metal examining table.

First things first, she kicked off her shoes. That was
so-o-o-o
much better. Yawning widely, she unknotted the string around the neck of the bag.

A snake’s head shot out.

Lucy screamed.

Panic flooded her!

A snake was the last thing she’d expected. The worst thing. She loved animals. She loved all animals. But she still couldn’t help being terrified of snakes.

Her heart leapt in a rush of instinctive primeval terror. She couldn’t deal with this.

Not now. Not alone in the middle of the night.

Paralysed by fear, she thought of Will driving off in his truck and seriously considered chasing after him, yelling for help. She whimpered his name and was ready to scream again when footsteps thundered up the path and Will appeared at the surgery doorway.

‘Lucy, what’s the matter?’

‘A s-snake! With a shaking hand she pointed to the sack.

‘Let me deal with it.’ He spoke calmly and, just like that, he crossed the floor to the wriggling hessian bag.

Lucy watched, one hand clamped over her mouth to hold back another scream, as Will carefully pulled the top of the sack apart, then, with commendable cool, gripped the snake firmly, just behind its head.

‘It’s a carpet python,’ he told her smoothly as he lifted it out and took hold of the tail, while the snake thrashed wildly. ‘And it’s wounded.’

A carpet python.

Right. Lucy drew a deep breath. Her racing heartbeats subsided. Carpet pythons weren’t poisonous. Actually, now that she was calming down, she could see the distinctive brown and cream markings on the snake’s back.

‘I’m afraid I panicked,’ she said. ‘Someone left the bag on my porch and I was expecting a small motherless furry creature.’

‘Instead you have an angry snake with a nasty gash on its back.’ The expression in Will’s grey eyes was both tender and amused.

No longer trembling, Lucy came closer and saw the wound halfway down the snake’s length. ‘I’m afraid snakes are the one species of the animal kingdom I find hard to love. But this fellow’s actually quite beautiful, isn’t he?’

‘As snakes go—he’s extremely handsome,’ Will said dryly. ‘What do you want to do with him? Would you try to treat a wound like this?’

‘I can at least clean it up. Maybe give it a few stitches.’

‘Can you leave it till tomorrow? Shall I put it in a cage for you?’

She bit back a sigh and shook her head. ‘The biggest threat for him is infection, so I really should see to the wound straight away.’ Shooting Will an apologetic glance, she said, ‘It won’t take long, but I’m afraid I couldn’t possibly manage without an assistant.’

He chuckled. ‘No problem. I’m all yours.’

The sparkle in his eyes sent heat flaming in her cheeks. Tightly, she said, ‘Thank you. If you’ll keep holding him right there, I’ll get organised. First, I’m going to have to feed oxygen and anaesthetic down his trachea.’

‘You’re going to knock him out just to clean up a wound?’

‘It’s the only way to keep a snake still. They’re actually very sensitive to pain.’

As Lucy set up the gas cylinders, her mind raced ahead, planning each step of the procedure. She would place a wooden board between the python and the metal table to keep him that little bit warmer. And she needed something to hold the wounded section steady while she worked on it. Masking tape would do the least damage to the python’s sensitive skin.

Quickly she assembled everything she needed—scissors, scalpels, tweezers, swabs, needles—and then she donned sterile gloves. ‘OK, let’s get this gas into him.’

Will held the snake’s head steady while she fed the tube down its mouth, and she was amazed that she wasn’t scared any more.

‘How many pythons’ lives have you saved?’ Will asked as they waited for the anaesthetic to take effect.

‘This is the first.’

He smiled. ‘I can remember your very first patient.’

She frowned at him, puzzled. ‘You were in Argentina when I started to work as a vet.’

‘Before that. Don’t you remember the chicken you brought to school in a woolly sock?’

‘Oh, yes.’ She grinned. ‘The poor little thing hatched on a very cold winter’s morning and I was worried that it wouldn’t make it through the day.’

‘You kept it hidden under the desk.’

‘Until Mr Sanderson discovered it during biology and turned it into a lecture on imprinting.’

Their eyes met and they smiled and for a heady moment, Lucy was sixteen again and Will Carruthers was…

No, for heaven’s sake.

Shocked by how easily she was distracted by him, she centred her thoughts on cleaning the outside of the python’s wound with alcohol wipes and foaming solution. Then, when her patient was completely under, she began to debride the damaged tissue.