Outback Doctor, English Bride. Leah Martyn

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СКАЧАТЬ throwing out armfuls of hay from the trailer.’

      ‘It must be exhausting in this heat.’ Maxi’s heart went out to the young mum. ‘And Dean, the husband, can he not take over the chore until Karryn’s quite fit again?’

      ‘He’d like to, I’m sure,’ Jake said. ‘But their present bores are drying up and they have to sink for more water sources on the place. The alternative is that they sell their livestock, getting a pittance for it because there’s a glut on the market. And then basically…’ Jake paused for effect. ‘They’ll walk off their farm.’

      Maxi winced. ‘I’m beginning to get a handle on things now. Could they buy in water, perhaps?’

      Jake shook his head. ‘Not when every spare dollar has to go to buy feed for the cattle.’

      ‘I understand your concern as Karryn’s doctor, but realistically how far can you interfere?’

      ‘Maxi, credit me with a little sense. I’ve no intention of interfering. I just need a reason to keep Karryn for another few days. And then to think of a possible solution to ease her workload when she gets home.’

      Maxi frowned, beginning to understand just how swamped he must be feeling with his patients’ stress rapidly becoming his own. And obviously Karryn and Dean were just one of many families facing similar scenarios.

      But Maxi had a few ideas of her own. ‘Does the town have a physiotherapist?’

      ‘Not any more. She left a month ago. And I know where you’re going. Some appropriate exercise would up Karryn’s fitness considerably.’

      ‘Yes, it would. But we can get round that. I have the basics to know what I’m doing. But I’d like a chat with Karryn first. And I promise I won’t go over the top.’

      Jake’s mouth crimped at the corners in a dry smile. ‘Can I trust you, though, I wonder?’

      ‘Give me a break, Jacob.’ Maxi hastily turned towards the door. ‘You’ve told me I have a job here—for the present, at least. So just let me get on with it, please?’

      Jake pushed himself away from the couch, his jaw working for a moment. ‘I’ll introduce you to Karryn, then leave you to it,’ he said, grabbing the swing door before it slammed in his face. ‘And, Max?’

      Maxi felt an odd little dip in her stomach as her gaze flew up to meet his. ‘Yes?’

      He shrugged a bit awkwardly. ‘Just—thanks, I guess.’

      She huffed a jagged laugh. ‘I may need that in writing later.’

      Jake was as good as his word, taking his leave as soon as he’d courteously introduced Maxi and adding for good measure that she’d come from England on a working holiday.

      Maxi shrugged inwardly. It wasn’t quite the truth but it would do for the moment.

      ‘You must be wilting in our summer weather,’ Karryn said shyly, pulling herself higher on to the pillows.

      ‘Just a bit,’ Maxi admitted with a smile. ‘But, then, I gather it’s not been an easy time for you either. How’s your bub doing?’

      Karryn’s gaze went softly to the downy head in the cot beside her. ‘Really well. He seems a placid little guy. After Nate, that’s a blessed relief, I can tell you.’

      Maxi husked a low laugh. ‘Handful, was he?’

      ‘Like you wouldn’t believe. Always on the go. Still is, for that matter.’ She blinked, her eyes filling suddenly. ‘I hate being away from my kids…’

      Maxi placed her hand on the young mum’s shoulder and squeezed. ‘I’m sure you do, Karryn. And that’s what I want to talk about. How best and how quickly we can get you ready to go home to them. Dr Haslem has told me a little of your circumstances. I hope that’s OK?’

      Karryn nodded, palming the wetness away from her eyes. ‘It’s hard for everyone around here at the moment. Not just our family.’

      ‘So I believe. How about you, though?’ Maxi persisted gently. ‘How do you feel in yourself?’

      ‘It’s been good just to be able to stay off my feet, I reckon,’ Karryn said honestly. ‘But I have to get back to help Dean. I don’t really have much choice.’

      ‘Perhaps you do,’ Maxi’s voice firmed. ‘If we put our thinking caps on.’

      ‘How do you mean?’

      ‘Well, how would you feel about having a few more days with us?’

      The young mother looked torn. ‘I don’t know…’

      ‘I promise we’d use the time well,’ Maxi coaxed. ‘For starters, I could give you a daily massage.’

      Karryn bit her lip. ‘I’ve never had one of those.’

      ‘I used to do it back home for my new mums. They always found it brilliant.’

      ‘My tummy is a disaster area,’ Karryn mourned.

      ‘Hey, that’s only to be expected,’ Maxi returned bracingly. ‘At this stage your tummy will naturally lack muscle tone. And don’t forget, it’s your third pregnancy.’

      The young mother laid a hand across the tummy in question. ‘It just seems a bit more wobbly this time,’ she reflected.

      ‘Your ligaments and joints will be loose for about three months,’ Maxi explained. ‘But in the meantime I could show you a series of exercises to get you on the right track again.’

      Karryn looked uncertain.

      ‘It would all be very low-impact,’ Maxi promised.

      ‘What kinds of things would I have to do?’

      ‘Nothing more taxing than sitting and keeping your lower back flat,’ Maxi illustrated. ‘Then breathing out and drawing your belly button towards your spine, holding the position for a count of ten and then repeating it. Think you’d be cool with that?’

      Karryn grinned. ‘I reckon. And I could keep the exercises going when I got home.’

      ‘That’s the general idea,’ Maxi affirmed with a smile.

      A flicker of uncertainty crossed the young mum’s face. ‘But…I couldn’t afford to pay much. Would this extra stuff cost a lot?’

      ‘Well, I certainly won’t be charging anything,’ Maxi dismissed. ‘I’d guess you’ll simply transfer from Jake’s list to mine so I’ll be treating you. If that’s all right with you, of course?’ And all right with Jake, she willed silently.

      ‘Oh, yes,’ Karryn asserted quickly. ‘I mean, Jake’s always very kind and I don’t know what the district would do without him—but sometimes it’s just nice to be able to speak to a woman doctor. We only ever had another one out here and that was when I was having Belinda. But she left soon after. I don’t think she really took to the place…’

      Maxi СКАЧАТЬ