Just One Kiss (Hearts of the Outback Book 1) Read online

  Just One

  Kiss

  Susanne Bellamy

  Hearts of the Outback

  Book 1

  Copyright © 2015 Susanne Bellamy

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13:

  978-1522736363

  ISBN-10:

  1522736360

  Table of Contents

  DEDICATION

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Book 2 –Hearts of the Outback

  About the Author

  More Books by Susanne Bellamy

  DEDICATION

  Thanks to the men and women of the RFDS, medical, aeronautical, and support staff who do so much for distant and remote populations in our country.

  This is for the two doctors in my family, my father-in-law, Dr Eryl Rees, and his granddaughter, Dr Eliza Wziontek.

  Chapter One

  “The horses are at the barrier . . . and they’re off and racing in the Cloncurry Stakes. Big Mike takes an early lead but the favourite, Jester, is . . .” The race caller’s excited voice blurred amid cheers from the crowd thronging the remote north-west Queensland racecourse.

  Dr Dan Middleton glanced at the red dirt track and the dust cloud lazily settling over the race day crowd. Women dressed as smartly as those at Flemington on Cup Day teetered on high heels on hard-packed earth. If there were a few more plastic cups of beer than flutes of champagne, the effect was much the same.

  He swallowed the last of his beer and swatted at the flies hovering near his mouth. Horses thundered around the final bend and the crowd surged towards the barriers. A whirly-wind picked up dust, swirling and tracking behind a slim, young woman, the only other racegoer not focused on the race. Caught unawares by the sudden gust, she turned her back and struggled to hold her hat and dress as it lifted in the wind. Her pink dress ballooned and flipped up like one of his mother’s fuschias. Tanned legs went all the way up to a pair of silky white panties and Dan grinned.

  As suddenly as it had risen, the wind dropped. The woman exhaled and swatted dust from her full skirt. Twitching the outfit into place, she continued towards the beer tent. And Dan.

  Faint pink flared in her cheeks as her gaze connected with his and he realised he was still ogling her and grinning.

  “Perv.” She pushed past him, knocking the plastic cup out of his hand.

  By the time he retrieved it and stood, she had disappeared into the crowd around the bar.

  “Great way to make an impression, doc.” Mike Maguire, a mechanic with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Mt. Isa, raised his plastic cup of beer in a mock salute.

  “Bad timing. Story of my life.” How could he have let himself forget the perils of showing his appreciation of the female form? Surely he’d learned that lesson by now?

  “How so, doc? Thought you’d have nurses hanging off your arm. Besides, our Amy’s a pretty girl and—”

  “Drop it, Mike. Not interested.” Dan couldn’t afford to be. As much as his job with the Royal Flying Doctor Service let him follow his passion for rural medicine, like his mother and grandfather before him, it was an opportunity to get away from the mud slinging. Although he was pleased his staff at Gosford Hospital had told the truth and stood up for him. And now—

  “Don’t say that too loud. People might think you’re—”

  “Gay?” he finished off for the burly mechanic.

  “So you’re not interested in Amy? She’ll be relieved to hear that.”

  “I’m here to work. That’s all. Why?”

  “You’re rostered on together. She’s your pilot.”

  ##

  Amy Alistair peered into the small mirror in the ladies loo. Dust caked her face and her cleavage itched, and her new dress had acquired an unflattering layer of red that even the drycleaner would struggle to remove.

  And her last-in-the-field horse was probably still running, which was why she’d been heading to the beer tent when the willy-willy sent her skirt flying and Mr Smug and Brooding had copped an eyeful.

  Along with half the male population of town.

  He’d been the first male she encountered after the wind caught her unawares, and maybe she’d overreacted but his amusement had ratcheted up her embarrassment and her temper had run away with her. Dull red had stained his cheeks as he bent to pick up the cup she’d knocked out of his hand.

  She almost felt sorry for him. Until Mechanic Mark nudged him and nodded in her direction. Slinking behind two burly blokes propping up the bar, she sought a safe, non-windy corner where she could quietly sink into the floor. Thank goodness she’d be back in the Isa tomorrow and could get back into work trousers.

  Sharyn, her nemesis at high school and all-round stuck-up prig since she’d won Miss North West Queensland, popped her head around the entrance and chuckled. “Hey, Amy, nice knickers. Didn’t realise you were so hard up for a date that you’d flash everyone. But hey, you got the eye of the new hottie.” With a snort, Sharyn waved her mobile phone and withdrew.

  Damn the two-second rule. If Sharyn had seen Amy’s awkward moment, the whole region would know by—Amy checked her watch—now.

  Oh, hell, had Sharyn got photos too?

  ##

  Amy cruised along the strip of highway back to The Isa, her iPod on shuffle. As her red ute crested a slight rise, the headlights caught on metallic silver paint and flashing hazard lights. She eased back on the accelerator and pulled in behind a car with its bonnet raised. Someone had left the races earlier than her, it seemed. And by the large dent in the bonnet, they’d encountered a roo on the highway back to Mt. Isa.

  She switched her lights to low beam and stepped out of her ute. The driver appeared around the front of the car, holding a torch in one hand and shading his eyes with the other.

  “Well, if that doesn’t put the icing on this day.” She bit her lip, hoping her muttered comment hadn’t carried to the man.

  “Thanks for stopping. I’ve lost a headlight and—” Mr Smug and Brooding stopped as she walked past the front of her car. Of course it had to be him broken down at the side of the road. She contemplated jumping back in her ute and hightailing it. For all of five seconds.

  “Yeah, well, let’s see how bad the damage is.” Even to her own ears, her voice sounded snarky. But dammit, she’d bought a new dress and that stupid hat and even crammed her feet into high heels for the racing carnival in celebration of her promotion.

  Stupid choice. When did any male look at Amy Alistair with more than friendship on his mind? She was one of the boys, not tall and elegant like Sharyn.

  She held out her hand for his torch, stalked around to the front of his car and peered under the hood. With an ease born of familiarity with machinery on the family property, she assessed the damage. “Your radiator’s taken a beating as well as the bonnet. I doubt it will get you to Mt. Isa tonight. You do know you can’t drive over eighty on these roads after dusk?”

  “I doubt I was doing even that. The roo was going faster than me.” Annoyance tinged his voice and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Any chance I can catch a lift with you?”

  The last thing Amy wanted was this prig invading her space. But leaving him by the side of th
e road waiting for another ride wasn’t an option. She wouldn’t leave her worst enemy in such a fix, and he was far from that. Even if he had smirked at her wardrobe malfunction. She shuddered as she imagined the phrase with Sharyn’s intonation. “Hop in.”

  “Thank you.” Stiff formality crackled in those two words.

  Amy sniffed and thumbed the torch off. Let him be in a snit. Maybe he wouldn’t want to talk as they drove, and that would suit her fine.

  ##

  Dan reached into the boot for his medical bag. He needed travelling with the belligerent blonde like he needed a hole in the head. Petite and feisty, she clearly didn’t want his company. Maybe Amy had been given the lowdown on him already. If his reason for leaving Gosford had been leaked to his new employer, he could hardly begin with a clean slate. The thought depressed him before he remembered her obvious embarrassment at the races.

  A memory of white silk and tanned thighs rushed back as he thought of their unfortunate meeting, and he slammed the boot. Thank God she didn’t realise how clearly her ute’s lights had outlined her curves as she’d approached him. High heels had been replaced by a pair of unlaced work boots but headlights through her filmy skirt revealed far more than swirling wind. Better not share that titbit or she’d order him out of her car. Being stranded sucked, especially when he had several articles he needed to read before reporting for work tomorrow.

  He climbed into the cabin and put his bag on the floor. Turning to her, he waited until she was seated and reached for her seatbelt. “I’m Dan. And you’re Amy?”

  “S’pose Mark told you. I’m surprised you noticed my face.”

  “Look, I’m sorry I laughed. I didn’t intend to embarrass you.” Another woman would have laughed off the incident, or played it up. Amy’s response suggested she lacked confidence.

  Not his problem.

  In the soft glow of the dashboard light, her chin tipped higher and her knuckles tightened on the wheel. “Can we not mention that again?” She pulled out onto the highway.

  “Consider the subject closed.” But Amy was mistaken if she thought he’d forget her. He folded his arms across his chest and closed his eyes.

  Thirty minutes later, lulled by the motion of the car and several poor nights’ sleep, Dan woke with a start as Amy pulled into the first service station on the way into town. He sat up and rubbed the back of his neck.

  “I’ve got to pick up a few groceries. Where do you want me to drop you off?” She opened her door and jumped out before turning and pinning him with her hazel gaze.

  “Uh, I can catch a taxi from here.”

  Amy nodded, rummaged in the side pocket of the door and took out a business card, which she passed across the centre console. “If you’re sure. That’s for a towing company. Ask Derro to organise a tow for your car in the morning. Night.”

  Dan looked at the card before opening his door. “Thanks for the ride.” He shoved the card in his shirt pocket, grabbed his bag and made for the taxi rank across the side street without looking back.

  Under other circumstances, he might have asked Amy out to dinner. Just to say thanks. But she’d made it clear she didn’t want to see him again. Which would make tomorrow very interesting.

  Chapter Two

  Amy finished her pre-flight checks on Jessie’s Girl as someone climbed aboard the Beechcraft favoured by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The new doctor was on time, a point in his favour. She clipped her pen onto the clipboard and slipped out of her seat on the left of the cockpit.

  First impressions were so important. Straightening her brand new captain’s bars, she stepped into the main cabin. The doctor had his back to her, squatting as he added a box to the lowest storage cabinet. Faded blue jeans lovingly moulded his backside, which rested on a pair of well-worn work boots.

  Amy tipped her head, admiring the view and wondering about the face beneath the dark brown hair curling onto his collar. He stood and turned in an athletic movement that barely gave her any time to hide her scrutiny.

  “Morning, Amy.” A pair of sea-blue eyes looked into hers and a half-smile flashed across his face before his expression returned to neutral. He offered a hand. “Dr Dan Middleton, reporting for duty.”

  Shit, shit, shit. Dan from last night, the ‘perv' she’d chipped for ogling her, had caught her out. She waited for the gloating to begin.

  And waited.

  Dan opened his mouth and she stiffened her spine. Whatever he dished out, she deserved. Double standards hadn’t been tolerated at home and she wasn’t about to let them intrude at work.

  “Can you talk me through the preparations for this morning, captain? I’ve read up on everything but I’d appreciate your input.” Dr Dan’s gaze remained neutral but . . . something—appreciation, maybe—flickered through his eyes.

  Captain? Formality didn’t cut it here in the Isa, but warmth trickled through her at his use of her rank.

  “Certainly, Doctor, although we don’t stand on ceremony. Just Amy is fine.”

  “Dan.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Just Amy and Dan. Not doctor. So, give me your perspective on our work. I’m here to learn.”

  Amy shuffled her feet and hoped like hell he didn’t know this was her first flight in the captain’s seat. Within the rules, the plane and passengers were hers to command. Including Dr Dan. For the first time this weekend, her smile reasserted itself. “It’ll be a pleasure Doc—Dan.”

  ##

  Her smile charged the air, crackled around Dan and lit up the cabin. And contrary to expectation when he heard she was his pilot, her uniform accentuated her femininity. After Mike’s revelation, ‘she’s your pilot’ had throbbed through his dreams alongside images of her glorious curves.

  Knowing who Amy was, Dan had assumed she would also know him, which made her animosity last night appear rude and unpromising for their working relationship. It was the second reason for his poor sleep. Another toxic female with a grudge against him would stress anyone.

  And yet today, she’d seemed surprised to see him. Mike’s throwaway comment had prepared Dan for Amy’s appearance from the cockpit. But maybe nobody had bothered to enlighten her about the identity of her medical partner. Last night’s animosity might have nothing to do with knowing his background and everything to do with feeling embarrassed by her accidental flashing. The tension in his neck eased. Just maybe, he could get a fresh start here in the north west.

  Amy led the way into the back of the cabin and Dan allowed his gaze to drop for the first time since boarding. Black trousers outlined her curves and highlighted a small waist. ‘A waste of a waist’ as Grandpa often remarked when he tucked Grams in for a hug. Amy was built on similar lines to his grandmother, petite but with feminine curves.

  Dan bit back a groan and wondered which gods he’d pissed off. Assuming his flight team would be male had been sexist, but he’d hoped for one less stress factor after Gosford. Amy was not only all female but a very attractive woman.

  “Are you okay?”

  “What? Yes, why?”

  “You groaned. Too much grog yesterday?”

  “Not enough sleep.” Dan cleared his throat and clapped a tight lid on his straying thoughts. Appreciation of the feminine was a no-go area. Strictly business and patient care from now on. “Please continue. You were telling me about the pickup procedure.”

  ##

  Amy followed Dan out of the hangar into the golden afternoon. All day, he’d listened, asked intelligent questions, and been thoroughly professional. And when they signed out, he offered a respectful, “Thanks, Captain Just Amy. Appreciate the introduction.” Then he turned and headed onto the apron.

  ‘Captain’. The acknowledgement sent tingles up her spine and left a warm afterglow. None of the other men had said a word about her new status. Before she changed her mind, she jogged after him.

  “Hey, Dan, want a drink? My shout to welcome you.”

  The low sun silhouetted Dan as he turned back to her.
He didn’t answer immediately and suddenly she wished she could see his expression.

  “Thanks, Amy, but I’ve got medical journals to catch up on.” He strode through the gate into the staff car park. Not even a ‘some other time’ to make her feel better about her offer.

  Her happy glow faded quicker than an ice cube at a summer barbeque. Shoving her hands into her pockets, she kicked a tuft of grass that dared to grow in a crack. Sure, Dan had been professional and polite all day. He even seemed to enjoy her company, which had led to her letting down her guard and inviting him out. Okay. So they were colleagues and a team on the job. Off the clock, separate lives. Check. Message received loud and clear. She hooked her thumbs through her belt tabs and strolled towards the car park.

  Johnno’s dual cab reversed out from a space several up from hers and pulled up beside her. Mike leaned out the passenger window and thumped the side panel. “Hey, Ames, jump in. We’re going to The Tavern for a couple of coldies.”

  “Yeah, sure, why not.” She squeezed into the back of the cabin and tugged the door shut behind, and sat with one hip on the armrest and one cheek on the seat. Reaching for her seat belt, she tugged it down and held it in her right hand so it appeared from the outside that she was legally buckled in. Unless she was prepared to put up with ribald comments from Dave on Trev’s other side, the rest of her seatbelt would remain lost beneath Trev’s generous butt.

  As Johnno turned into the driveway of their local and drove over a speed bump, Amy hit her head. She rubbed the sore spot and let go of the seat belt. “Think you’re Peter Brock at Mount Panorama, hey Dave?”

  He pulled into a parking spot beneath a tree and killed the engine. “He was my hero. Gotta keep the memory alive.”

  Amy backed out of the cabin and led the way into the bar. Pool tables surrounded by off duty workers created an obstacle course. Amy followed the tiled perimeter to the bar, still three deep in thirsty men.