Six Sexy Doctors Part 2. Joanna Neil

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СКАЧАТЬ an excited-looking Ian and ashy Effie.

      ‘Dr Galbraith.’ Ian ran up to Meagan. ‘We’re going out in the boat. And Daddy said I could ask if you’d come. You will come, won’t you? You said you would.’ The little boy was hopping excitedly from foot to foot. ‘We have a flask of orange juice and some scones from Jessie.’

      Cameron looked apologetic. ‘He’s been on at me ever since you told him you like going out in boats. I told him that you’d have other things to do, but I agreed we’d ask you.’

      All of a sudden she wanted nothing more than to be out in a boat with the wind in her hair. It was such a beautiful day, with just the right amount of breeze. On the other hand, the children had probably put Cameron in a difficult position. Somehow she doubted that he wanted to spend time with her away from work. And did she want to spend more time than absolutely necessary with him?

      ‘Oh, I’m sure you and your daddy will enjoy it better without me,’ Meagan said. ‘Besides, you have Effie here for company. How are you, Effie?’

      Before the small child had a chance to answer Ian interrupted

      ‘Daddy says we need two adults if Effie is coming too. And she wants to come, don’t you, Effie? And Mummy won’t come. She says she can’t bear boats.’ Meagan almost laughed out loud. He had mimicked his mother’s voice perfectly. ‘Please, Dr Galbraith, say yes.’

      Meagan looked at Cameron. She was sure this hadn’t been his idea.

      ‘I think Dr Galbraith has other plans, children,’ Cameron said softly. ‘We can go another time. Why don’t we go to the beach instead? We can look for starfish in the rock pools.’ He turned to Meagan.

      ‘I’m sorry for the interruption. We’ll be on our way. Come on, guys—back into the Jeep.’

      But one look at the two small disappointed faces was enough for Meagan to make up her mind. Then she remembered. Even if she wanted to go she couldn’t, it was her turn to be on call.

      ‘I’d love to go with you and Effie,’ she said a little wistfully, ‘but I’m afraid I’m supposed to stay here in case any one gets sick and needs a doctor.’

      ‘If that’s all that’s stopping you,’ Cameron said, ‘I’ve already arranged cover.’ He looked a little sheepish. ‘One of the GPs in the other practice phoned earlier, asking if they could do this weekend in return for us doing another weekend for them. One of the practice staff is getting married in Inverness in a couple of weeks and they all want to go. They had arranged a locum, but that fell through so they’re kind of stuck. I hope that’s OK with you? I’m happy to do it if you’re not.’

      ‘No, no, don’t worry. I’m happy to swap. Any weekend is fine with me. I don’t have any plans.’

      ‘Anyway, I thought that this would be a good opportunity for me to take you out and show you where the safe channels are. It means you can go out on your own next time.’

      That was the clincher for Meagan. She knew Cameron would never let her use Colin’s boat until he was satisfied that she knew where the dangers were.

      ‘In that case,’ she said, ‘I’d love to come. You need to give me a minute or two to get ready, though. I’ll be as quick as I can.

      Ian ran around in circles, clearly delighted. Meagan laughed. ‘He’s a bundle of energy, isn’t he?’

      She left Cameron and the two children outside while she changed into jeans and a thick jumper. Although it was a beautiful day, she knew once they got out on the water, it would get much cooler. In a small backpack, she packed some waterproofs and a flask of coffee. She hesitated for a moment before picking up a woolly hat she had found lying around. She added it to her bag, along with a picnic blanket. After slipping on some plimsoles, she was ready.

      By the time she walked down to the bay below the house, Cameron and his two small helpers had already rigged the boat.

      ‘We’ll go out under the engine and put the sails up once we are clear of the bay,’ Cameron said. ‘It’s pretty rocky just here and I need more manoeuvrability than the sails allow. I’ll be helmsman, if you’ll crew?’

      That agreed, and with all of them wearing lifejackets, Meagan cast off and they were on their way. Cameron handled the boat easily, smoothly navigating their way into the open sea. Meagan watched him as he concentrated. At the tiller, he seemed more relaxed than she had ever seen him. It was as if he was in his element. The wind ruffled his almost too long dark hair.

      Once they were out at sea, Meagan and Cameron unfurled the sails. They worked easily together, almost as if they had sailed in partnership for years. Soon they were speeding along. Meagan was thrilled to be back out on the sea. Until now she hadn’t realised how much she had missed being on the water.

      ‘Where are we heading?’ she yelled across to Cameron.

      ‘If you are up to a bit of hillwalking, I thought we’d take her to the foot of Eaval.’ He indicated a hill in the distance. ‘It’s the highest hill on Uist, although it’s a baby compared to most in Scotland. It’s an easy climb, even for the children. I thought we could picnic at the top—the views are great there—before coming back down. Is that OK?’

      ‘I’m sure if it’s manageable for the children it’ll be OK for me.’ Meagan grinned back at him. ‘Is this as fast as this boat can go?’ she challenged.

      ‘It’s as fast as I’m prepared to take it with children on board,’ Cameron said. ‘Perhaps after we drop them off later we can go out again. Then you can show me what you can do.’

      Meagan accepted the challenge with a grin. Cameron Stuart had no idea just what she could do with a boat. She was looking forward to showing him. She hoped it would wipe that confident grin off his face.

      Before long they were coming into a sheltered bay. Once again they lowered the sails and came in under the engine. Out of the wind, Meagan could feel the heat of the sun on her shoulders. She removed her sweater and tied it around her waist. Cameron indicated for her to hold the tiller then, as they came in, he leapt off the boat onto nearby rocks and tied the boat securely.

      ‘The tide will be on its way out by the time we come back down. ‘We’ll be able to wade out then. In the meantime, could you pass the children across?’

      ‘I can jump!’ Ian protested. ‘I’m too old to be lifted—by a girl,’ he added, giving Meagan a look of disdain.

      ‘You’ll do as you are told, young man,’ Cameron said severely. ‘Remember what I said. When you are out on a boat you always do exactly what the skipper says. Without argument.’

      Something in his father’s voice must have told Ian that there was no point in arguing. After Meagan had passed Effie across, Ian allowed Meagan to help him on to the rocks and into his father’s arms.

      ‘Wait for us up the hill a bit,’ Cameron said, holding his hand out to Meagan. She grabbed her rucksack and took hold of his hand. She felt his roughened hand take hers and she leapt lightly onto the rocks beside him. For the briefest moment he held her to him. She could feel the rough texture of his sweater on her bare arms and the heat of his body on hers. She looked up to find his eyes on hers. They held for a moment then he stood back to let her past.

      They walked up the СКАЧАТЬ