She reached up and it didn’t seem to matter that she had to use the back of her hand to stroke the kitten. Bib nimbly climbed a little further, settled into a sphinx-like shape on the platform of a shoulder and started washing the nearest patch of skin she could find. Just beside the diamond stud twinkling in Lady Dorothy’s earlobe.
Lady Dorothy sniffed and smiled, tilting her head to the side a little as a form of caress for the kitten.
Bella had to swallow a lump in her own throat as she observed the pleasure being taken on both sides of the newly formed friendship. When she heard the masculine throat being cleared behind her, she turned in astonishment. Was the poignancy of Oliver’s mother’s joy enough to give him a lump in his throat? Maybe hewascapable of caring about others.
Maybe she was going to have to readjust her opinion of him.
* * *
Oliver knew he had to say something but, for the life of him, he couldn’t think what.
He’d seen this nurse in pale-green shapeless theatre scrubs with a hat trying to cover her hair. He’d seen her in a dark-blue, only slightly less shapeless nurse’s uniform, with her hair scraped back and tied into a semblance of submission. When she walked into his mother’s room, it was like seeing a totally different woman.
The oversized T-shirt had a neck big enough to have fallen over one shoulder to reveal a singlet top beneath. Long, long legs were encased in tight leggings and ended with shoes that had impossibly high heels. And the hair was loose. A glorious cascade of golden curls that went halfway down her back and would make any man’s fingers itch to bury themselves in them.
Dear God, what was he thinking? This was the nurse who had elderly patients up line dancing. Who was breaking umpteen rules right now bringing ananimalinto a hospital ward. Who bumped into things and huffed germs all over Theatre because she was clearly distracted by more important things – like the next new pair of shoes, perhaps?
Except that right now she wasn’t thinking about shoes. And if she’d brought any germs into the room with that kitten, the risk was more than worth it because his mother had not only forgotten why she was here, she had tears of joy rolling down her cheeks and Oliver had never seen that before.Ever.
His mother was not the only one crying either. Bella had turned towards him when he’d cleared his throat a moment ago, and those extraordinarily big blue eyes were shining with moisture. Those full, soft-looking lips were curved into a smile, too. Not the mischievous type of grin they usually looked ready to impart. This was much softer. An expression of empathy and an invitation to share the gift of what was happening with his mother and the kitten.
He really ought to say something. He couldn’t sit here staring at her. Not when she was staring back at him and the eye contact had gone on just that shade too long.
An urge to say something about hospital regulations regarding the lack of visitation rights for pets sprang to mind as Oliver managed to break the eye contact, but his gaze fell on the evidence of his appalling dinner still spread over the bed. If his colleagues heard about this, especially the cardiac surgeons, he’d be a laughing stock, and avoiding any such humiliation had always been inbred in any member of the Dawson family.
Oliver sucked in a breath as he looked back at the kitten and then at Bella.
‘Ah… could I suggest that whatever happens in Lady Dorothy’s room after hoursstaysin Lady Dorothy’s room?’
Relief flooded Bella’s face, which then lit up with precisely the kind of mischievous grin he knew she’d been capable of. Oddly, it had a glow that he hadn’t expected. One that crossed the room and madehimfeel… warm. Happy? Oliver couldn’t be sure because it was a very unfamiliar sensation. Definitely not unpleasant, however.
‘Sweet,’ Bella said. She cast a significant glance at the remnants of fast food, and dimples flashed in her cheeks. She was obviously trying not to laugh.
Which was good because it annoyed Oliver and dispersed the strange effect of her smile.
‘I’d better go, though,’ she added. ‘I wouldn’t want to get caught by anyone else doing something so illegal.’
‘Don’t go,’ Lady Dorothy begged. ‘Not yet.’
‘I’ll be back tomorrow. I really should take Bib home.’
‘But…’ There was a vaguely desperate undertone in Lady Dorothy’s voice. Oliver found himself holding his breath. Judging by the sudden anxiety on Bella’s face, it looked as if she was doing the same thing.
‘What is it, Mother?’ Oliver prompted gently.
‘I… I need some help. To get ready for bed. And…’ Her lips were visibly trembling now, but her face said it all. It was Bella who she trusted and wanted to help her.
Bella carefully lifted the kitten from where she’d climbed down to go to sleep on Lady Dorothy’s lap. ‘No worries.’ The tone was casual enough to make it seem like no big deal, which seemed to remove any of the embarrassment that was most likely causing his mother’s distress. ‘I’ll put Bib back in her box and then we’ll get you sorted.’
Oliver got to his feet. ‘I’ll get out of the way.’ He paused as he got near the door, having kissed his mother’s cheek and wished her a good night. He took a final glance at Bella.
What an extraordinary girl she was. Both intensely irritating and utterly remarkable. How did she know exactly what to do or say to make something that couldn’t possibly be all right at least acceptable? And how on earth could he thank her for what she’d already done for his mother? Something nobody else had been able to do. Something huge. As big as showing her that life was still worth living?
Something too big to put into words, anyway.
‘Thank you, Bella.’ The words were totally inadequate. Oliver could only hope that trying to convey his appreciation by holding her eye contact and smiling would be enough.
* * *
