Free The Doctor's Society Sweetheart by Lucy Clark Page B

gathering supplies together when Tarvon and Emerson came into the storage hut. ‘Call come in?’ Tarvon asked.
    ‘Yes. Nothing urgent. Medical assistance is required at Hunklu’s village. It’s not too far away so I thought I’d take Rick and Gloria and head off. Might be an overnighter but I’ll be back tomorrow morning, ready to transfer J’tagnan and his mother.’ He tried not to look at Tarvon and Emerson, keeping his focus on his work, getting supplies packed. He had no idea why he should feel animosity towards Tarvon simply because he was standing beside Emerson, had beentalking to Emerson, had been making Emerson laugh. She meant nothing to him.
    ‘You can’t go, Dart.’
    ‘What?’ Dart straightened and looked at his friend.
    ‘This is my testing week,’ Tarvon interjected. ‘I’m supposed to be point man on any emergencies, organising the teams and supplies.’ He grinned and shook his head. ‘You’re just so used to being in charge.’ He turned to look at Emmy. ‘Our Dart is a natural-born leader.’
    ‘So I’ve been told.’ Emmy was carefully watching the interchange between the two men. They were almost like two brothers, the younger begging for the chance to prove himself.
    ‘Of course you’re right, Tarvon.’ Dart straightened, shoved his hands into the pockets of his shorts and stepped back from the equipment. ‘The call is that two pregnant women are experiencing strong contractions.’
    ‘Double birth.’ Tarvon nodded and Emmy could see the young doctor’s mind whirring quickly into action. ‘I’ll take Belhara and Bel with me. Rick and Gloria have been angling for some “quality” time together so chances are they’ll kick you out of the hut tonight.’ Tarvon grinned at his friend.
    Emmy looked quickly at Dart. ‘Does that mean you’ll need to stay in the hut I was in last night?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Oh.’ She bit her lip and a slight tinge coloured her cheeks, Dart wasn’t sure why. ‘Can I go with you, Tarvon? Bring my crew to film the—’
    ‘Sorry, no can do,’ Tarvon interjected. ‘The Tarparniians are very private with their birthing practices. Family only. They won’t be appreciative of outsiders.’
    She turned to face Dart. ‘Well…looks as though you are going to be stuck with me.’
    Dart forced a smile, being polite. It seemed to be the nameof the game between the two of them, especially since the waterhole incident where her body had been pressed firmly against his. ‘Great.’ The word was said between clenched teeth, his lips pulled tight. For the first time he was grateful for the presence of her crew. At least they would be in the same hut all night long.
    After dinner, a much quieter affair than the festivities of the previous night, Dart collected his bedroll from the hut, Rick and Gloria thanking him for allowing them some time alone. Emerson was talking with her crew, who were standing by one of the transport trucks with their camera and sound equipment.
    When he entered the second sleeping hut, with its bamboo walls and thatched roof, which would provide more than adequate cover from any rain that might fall during the night, Dart couldn’t believe how exhausted he felt. It had been a hectic few days and it was all starting to catch up with him.
    As he readied for bed, brushing his teeth, rolling out his mat and setting up the blankets and pillows, he allowed himself to reflect that any wayward thoughts he had towards Ms Jofille were ludicrous and very temporary. She would walk in and out of his life, having no impact whatsoever before returning to her own privileged lifestyle, telling people to support the efforts of PMA by sending money to provide further medical care.
    He reflected on the time he’d spent with her so far, and in one respect he didn’t seem to know anything about her, yet in another it was as though he’d known her for much longer. He had been impressed when she’d spoken about her current project from the heart just