Free Dating the Millionaire Doctor by Marion Lennox Page A

trouble you to look at it. Just to tell us what you think?’
    â€˜I’m not sure that I could help—and I don’t have registration to practise in this country,’ Jake said, sounding flummoxed.
    â€˜No, but you could give us advice.’
    â€˜I don’t think I can.’
    â€˜If you’re Old Doc’s son you could try,’ Doreen said, suddenly stern, and Tori remembered she’d been a school-teacher. ‘She’s in such pain. She hasn’t slept for weeks. It hurts and hurts, and she doesn’t tell me but I know she lies awake night after night. She doesn’t want to go to bed because the pain takes over again. I’m so worried about her I don’t know what to do.’ The sternness left her. She sniffed, and then she sniffed again and finally she hiccupped on a sob, while Glenda stared at her in horror, as if she’d been betrayed.
    â€˜Doreen, don’t.’
    â€˜He’s Old Doc’s son. He’ll help us. He even looks like his father.’
    â€˜I didn’t know my father,’ Jake said tightly. ‘You should go back to see your own doctor.’
    â€˜They just give her sleeping pills,’ Doreen retorted, gulpingback more tears. ‘Sleeping pills and those other blue things that stop it hurting for a little bit but then her stomach gets upset and she won’t keep taking them. And the sleeping pills don’t work. She can’t go on like this. Neither of us can.’ She touched her chest, a fleeting gesture that spoke volumes. ‘It hurts us both. Please help us.’
    â€˜We have no right to ask,’ Glenda said, sounding angry and distressed.
    Glenda was right, Tori thought. They had no right to ask for professional help from this man. He wasn’t even qualified to practise in Australia.
    But then, Tori thought of the way he’d worked with Manya, of the skills he’d shown. And he was an anaesthetist, she thought. He’d know about pain management.
    Maybe he could help.
    And despite her absolute certainty that she should stay out of this, Tori found herself inexorably caught up in Doreen’s plea.
    â€˜Glenda, Jake’s my friend,’ she said softly, ignoring Jake for the moment and concentrating on Glenda. ‘He helped me try and save my koala. Doreen’s right. You knew Jake’s dad so you know him. Will you let him help? Jake, can you see if there’s anything you can do?’
    She caught the flare of shock on Jake’s face—but she’d started now. There was no way she could back off.
    â€˜Jake’s also an anaesthetist,’ she told Glenda, firmly but softly. ‘Pain relief is what he does. Isn’t that right, Jake?’
    â€˜Yes.’ He had no choice but to agree.
    â€˜We know you don’t practise medicine in Australia,’ she continued, inexorably hooking him and keeping him hooked. ‘But if all Glenda’s been offered is sleeping pills and little blue pills… Morphine?’
    â€˜Yes,’ Glenda said hopelessly. ‘But my arm’s better. They put a plate in it, and screws. It’s as good as they can get it.’
    And then…
    â€˜Can I see?’ Jake said, and it was as if the whole world held its breath. Can I see . Those three little words had the capacity to turn this desperate little scene around.
    Glenda stared at him, wide-eyed, and Jake gazed right back, not speaking, giving her time to make up her mind. The room held its collective breath.
    And then, very slowly, Glenda held out her arm, and Tori wondered if Jake knew just how much trust went into that gesture.
    Glenda had been postmistress in the valley forever, and her independence was legendary. When her postboys called in sick Glenda had been known to get on a bike and deliver herself, often two or three mail runs in the one day. For her to accept help…
    But it seemed she was. Jake was pulling his chair round the table so he could sit