A Baby to Care for (Mills & Boon Medical) Read Free Page A

overseas.’
    ‘Wow. Whereabouts are they stationed?’
    ‘An island country called Tarparnii. It’s in the Pacific, not far from Papua New Guinea.’
    ‘I know where it is. I did a six-month stint there with Pacific Medical Aid about four years ago.’
    ‘Really?’ Iris was impressed. Was this another indication of his hidden depths?
    ‘Would I lie to you?’ His expression was so deadpan that she couldn’t resist laughing.
    ‘I don’t know. I’ve only just met you.’
    ‘And that is why we shall continue to stroll the heat-stricken grass of the Didja oval and remedy that fact.’
    ‘Oh, is that why?’
    ‘Look.’ Dex pointed. ‘A hat stall. Now, please tell me you have a hat in your car because here in the outback, a hat is essential.’
    ‘No. I’m afraid I don’t.’
    ‘Right, then.’ Dex picked up a straw hat with bright gerberas on the band and placed it on her head. He studied her for a second, pleased to have the opportunity to really look at her under the guise of checking out the hat. ‘Nice, but I think we can do better.’ He pointed to the mirror where she could look at her reflection. Iris liked the straw one but agreed with him. ‘Next…Hmm…how about this one?’
    He placed a bright yellow cotton hat on her head which was in the style of a go-go dancer.
    ‘Definitely not me,’ she remarked, her lips twitching at the sight she made.
    ‘Agreed, but you do look very cute. Ah…now, this one is an Aussie classic.’ And he dumped a bush hat onto her head which was surrounded by corks that dangled down around her face. ‘Keeps the flies away.’
    ‘And gives added protection from kissing booth personnel,’ Iris added jiggling her head from side to side as though to prove her point. Their eyes met in the mirror and both of them laughed.
    ‘Would you have worn that if you’d joined the line?’
    ‘Most definitely,’ she retorted.
    ‘Thereby making it difficult for me to kiss you.’ He was still joking. His eyes were alive with mirth, his lips were pulled into a teasing smile yet Iris was almost positive she detected a hint of underlying seriousness. No. Surely not.
    She therefore decided it was best to set the ground rules once and for all, especially given that Dex was her colleague. ‘Most definitely,’ she repeated.
    ‘What?’ He theatrically raised a hand to his heart. ‘Iris, you wound me deeply.’
    ‘And I wouldn’t even need the hat.’ She took off the hat, making sure the dangling corks didn’t twist.
    ‘Meaning?’
    ‘Meaning you ain’t ever gonna kiss me, buddy. The End.’
    Dex’s eyes sparked with the challenge. ‘Looks as though there’s an epilogue to this story,’ he murmured as he leaned in closer.
    She watched as in slow motion he came closer, closing the distance between them, entering into her personal space which had signs up everywhere reading K EEP O UT . Her mind worked frantically as she came to the realisation that he was planning on kissing her.
    Iris was stunned. Utterly and completely stunned at his gall, at his nerve, at his courage. Dex was about to kiss her! Her new colleague was about to press his lips to hers. She couldn’t believe it!
    Their breath began to mingle, their scents began to intertwine. Her heart rate increased with panic, her eyes widened in tumultuous fear and she did the only thing she could think of to stop him.
    Iris raised her hand and slapped Dex soundly across the cheek.

CHAPTER TWO
    T HE reverberating sound surprised them both.
    Several people, including a lot of women who were milling around them, all gasped in shock at what had just happened. Someone had slapped Dexter Crawford!
    Iris instantly covered her mouth with her hand as mortification ripped through her. ‘Oh, my gosh. Dex. I’m sorry.’
    Dex stepped back, putting distance between them, and rubbed his cheek. ‘Nice shot.’
    ‘It was reflex. A reaction. I just don’t like being touched. Especially by strangers.’ She reached out to touch his