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

cheek but thought better of it. ‘You have my handprint on your cheek.’
    ‘Don’t mind him, deary,’ the woman manning the hat stall said. ‘He’s had worse than that before, ain’t ya, Doc?’
    ‘You are correct, Minerva.’ Dex nodded and smiled at Iris. ‘It was my fault. I shouldn’t have let my impulses get the better of me. Especially when I’m trying so hard to make a good impression on my new colleague.’
    Minerva chuckled. ‘Looks more like she’s left an impression on you, mate.’ And she pointed to his still-red cheek.
    ‘True.’ Dex looked at the hats, needing to change the subject and move things along. ‘How about this one?’ He handed her a navy-blue cloth hat which would well and truly provide enough covering for her delicate, fair skin. It hadwhite piping around the edge which folded up into a brim. Iris put the hat on, liking the snug fit and knowing it wouldn’t blow off on windy days. She looked at herself in the mirror and met Dex’s reflection. His eyes were intense, his voice soft so that only she could hear it.
    ‘I like that one the best. It really suits you. Frames your beautiful face to perfection.’
    She shouldn’t allow herself to be swayed by his words. No doubt he spoke to every woman in town this way, so intensely, so personally. He had the ability to make her feel as though nothing else mattered except her. That she alone was worthy of his one hundred per cent undivided attention and part of her really liked that feeling.
    The other part—the sensible part—told her not to believe a word he was saying. Trusting Dex Crawford in a personal capacity would only lead to trouble, of that she was certain, and so she schooled her thoughts and tore her gaze away from his and looked at Minerva.
    ‘I’ll get this one, thank you.’
    ‘Oh, please. Allow me.’ Dex was quick to pull out his wallet.
    ‘It’s fine. I’ve got it.’
    ‘But it could be a welcome gift. Or even an apology for my impetuous behaviour.’
    ‘All is forgiven,’ she said firmly, handing over the money. ‘I’m a big girl, Dex, and I can look after myself. I’ve been doing it for years now without your assistance.’
    Dex knew women and he knew when to back down. ‘Fair enough.’ He put his wallet away and waited for her to complete the transaction.
    Minerva cut the tag off the hat and Iris continued to wear it, liking the fact that it gave her even more of a shield against the charming Dexter Crawford. He really did have charm and charisma in abundance and she could quite see why there had been so many women lining up to kiss him.
    ‘So, where to next? Need to get your axe sharpened? Or perhaps you’re hungry? There’s a great stall over there.’ He pointed across the oval to where a long line of people were waiting to be served whilst others sat on the chairs and tables provided to eat their fare. ‘Stiggie’s. Stig owns a restaurant in town—well, really it’s the only proper restaurant in town so I guess it’s just as well that he serves the most mouth-watering food around.’
    ‘Stiggie’s?’ They started to walk towards the food stall, which was situated in the main clubhouse building. Iris guessed it was far easier to serve warm food from a place where electricity was readily available.
    ‘Yeah. Stig is a small Italian bloke who’s been in Didja a lot longer than I have. Goodness knows what made him come out from Italy and settle in the middle of nowhere, but he did and our gastronomic juices have been for ever grateful.’
    Iris smiled at his words. ‘Well, so long as the gastronomic juices are grateful, what else matters?’
    Dex grinned at her. ‘My sentiments exactly, Dr…’ He paused. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve forgotten your surname.’
    ‘And yet you’ve tried to kiss me. Do you often go around kissing girls whose names you don’t even know?’
    Dex exhaled harshly at her words and frowned a little. ‘Ooh. If I answer that question, I’m afraid I might