Free The Rebel and the Baby Doctor by Joanna Neil

quite affronted.’
    She winced. ‘I can imagine.’
    ‘Then when I mentioned that I was thinking of bringing in a business guru to explain to management how we could achieve higher quotas he told me I should find ways of making better use of all this spare time I seemed to have. Why didn’t I do as you had done, he said, and occupy myself by volunteering my services in other areas? Then I wouldn’t be so prone to stir up trouble?’
    Phoebe shook her head in dismay. ‘You never learn, do you? You have everything going for you, and yet you still manage to go and put a spoke in your own wheel.’
    He laughed. ‘You’re right…but I hate to see wasted opportunity. Things could be so much better if people would accept the notion of change from time to time instead of sticking their heads in the sand.’
    Just then the monitors began to bleep and they both hurried to find out what had set them off. The baby was squirming a little, appearing faintly distressed, and among other problems the heart monitor was indicating signs of cardiac excitability.
    ‘Her kidney function is failing,’ Phoebe said anxiously. ‘I’ll give her medication to compensate, and hope that things settle down.’ She prepared the infusion. ‘I wonder if we should look again at the ventilation?’
    ‘I’ll see to it. I’ll adjust the rate.’
    They both worked quickly to restore the balance ofthe baby’s blood chemistry, and after a while, when the monitors stopped bleeping and the infant was peaceful once more, Phoebe cautiously settled back in her seat.
    ‘I think she’s over the worst, for the moment. I hope they’ll be able to sort out all her problems at the hospital she’s going to. I’ve become really fond of her over these last few days, and I couldn’t bear it if anything bad was to happen to her.’
    ‘They have renal specialists there, and I’m sure the consultant will give her the very best attention.’
    ‘Yes, I know you’re right. It’s just…I’m letting myself become too involved.’ She pulled herself together and sent him a wondering look. ‘I still can’t believe you had the nerve to challenge a top consultant about his working practices. What were you thinking?’
    He shrugged. ‘If you don’t try, you’ll never get anywhere, will you? At least, that’s my philosophy.’ He looked her over for a moment, his thoughts obviously roaming elsewhere. ‘That’s why I…’ But then he stopped speaking and Phoebe sent him a questioning glance.
    ‘That’s why you…what?’
    ‘Nothing. Forget I said anything.’ He straightened, as though mentally bringing himself under control, and then he checked the baby in the incubator once more. ‘You said earlier that you had been brooding over this business of the activity centre. So what fiendish plan have you thought up to make me pay for involving you?’
    ‘Hah…worried now, aren’t you?’ She threw him a jubilant look. ‘Well, since you’re going to be taking up my leisure time, I decided I might as well take up yours in turn.’
    ‘Really? Is that a promise? I think I like the sound of that.’ His eyes took on a gleam of mischief and he edged closer to her. ‘Tell me more. I always thought we could spark a firework display if ever we were to get together.’
    ‘Back off,’ she said, fixing him with a laser-sharp gaze. ‘It’s a pity you can’t go and take a cold shower.’
    He shook his head. ‘You don’t mean that. You’re just playing hard to get, aren’t you?’
    She smiled at him sweetly. ‘There’s no playfulness about it,’ she murmured. ‘I’m deadly serious. You don’t stand a chance, not a smidgen, zilch. You’re about as likely to get close to me as you are to be Mr Kirk’s right-hand man.’
    ‘Ouch. That really hurt. I’m crushed.’ His expression was pained, and Phoebe laughed.
    ‘Yeah. Sure you are. Pull the other one.’ She looked at the baby and checked the monitors. When she had reassured herself that all was