Chapter Fifteen
When her alarm went off at 5.00a.m., Brianna was forced awake from a deep and dreamless sleep. With her mind still foggy, she sat up in the camp bed and looked around the place she’d called home for the last week. Her discarded shorts and vest top were the only clue as to how she’d spent most of the night. She could remember, vividly and with the utmost pleasure, rolling around on the floor with Mitch. But she couldn’t remember when Mitch had left her, or how she’d got into bed. Sadly, memories were all she’d have from now on. It was time to go home.
She dressed quickly and walked out to wait for Dan.
‘Are you off then?’ At the sound of the cool female voice, Brianna turned to find Tessa behind her.
‘Yes.’ She smiled warmly at the head nurse. They hadn’t spoken to each other since that episode in the bar, Brianna figuring it best to stay out of Tessa’s way. Though she’d never experienced unrequited love, she’d seen how hurt Tessa was and had felt for her. ‘I hope there are no hard feelings,’ Brianna began, but Tessa’s stony glare stopped her in her tracks.
‘It won’t last.’
Brianna gave a casual shrug. ‘Who says I want it to last?’
‘You’re not right for him.’
‘And you are?’ The sympathy she’d been feeling was fast receding.
‘You think just because you’ve got money, you can get anything, or anyone, you want.’ The words were laced with bitterness. ‘Well, don’t think Mitch will be that easily bought. He’ll always be his own man, not some sort of lapdog to a pampered princess.’
God how she hated that term, but she was too busy laughing at the picture of Mitch as her lapdog to take offence. ‘I know that. And as his own man he can choose who he wants to sleep with. He chose me.’ Oh, what was she doing, getting involved in a demeaning war of words over a man? It was ridiculous. ‘Look, let’s not argue over this. As you say, it’s not as if Mitch and I will ever be an item. To be honest, I don’t even know if we’ll even see each other again.’ Hearing Dan coming towards them in the truck, she stared directly into Tessa’s eyes. ‘It was good to meet you, Tessa. You do a great job here, you really do.’
Gratefully Brianna climbed into the passenger seat. All of a sudden she was desperate to get home. Away from injured children, traumatised villages, and a tall, fair-haired man with intense dark brown eyes and a rough, tough attitude.
* * *
Many weary, bone-shaking hours later, Brianna reclined in the first class cabin of a 747 that would whisk her back to London. As the bubbles of champagne fizzed delicately over her tongue, she reflected on her trip. Already she felt a different person from the one who’d flown out, only seven days ago. Now she had a focus, a purpose. She knew what she wanted to do and even had a plan of how to get there. All that remained was to convince Margaret her ideas were sound and that she was capable of carrying them out.
Leaning back against the soft pillow, she took another sip of the liquid nectar and decided to be honest with herself. The change in her wasn’t all to do with her desire to work for the charity. Some of the increased spring, the giddiness, euphoria almost, was to do with a very different desire. She’d finally found a man who really interested her. Not just sexually, though he did that in spades, but emotionally. Mitch McBride had captivated her. She wanted to spend more time with him, to get beneath the tough outer layer he showed to the world. Even as she was flying away from him, she knew she’d have to see him again.
She’d just have to.
* * *
While Brianna was sleeping in the luxury of the first class cabin, Mitch was in the middle of his ward round with Tessa. Was it his imagination or was she being frosty with him? He respected Tessa hugely, but couldn’t say he understood her. Most of the time she was friendly, but there were times he had the distinct impression she was angry with him. Like now.
‘Is everything all right, Tessa?’ he asked when they’d finished checking on all the patients.
‘Yes, why wouldn’t it be?’ She busied herself with filing away the patient’s notes. ‘I saw Brianna go off this morning.’ Suddenly she looked up and scrutinised his face, obviously waiting to observe his reaction.
Mitch knew they were all aware he and Brianna had slept together. Toby had taken much delight in watching his boss squirm when he’d let slip that little nugget. But it was his business, his alone. He wasn’t about to discuss it with anyone.
He turned to leave, but Tessa hadn’t finished. ‘I’m surprised at you, Mitch, sleeping with her.’
Still with his back to her, he struggled to rein in his temper. His private life was just that. But he’d been reckless enough to conduct a physical relationship whilst on camp, something he’d vowed never to do, and now he was paying the price. Biting his tongue, he replied in what he considered to be a pretty measured tone. ‘Not that it is any concern of yours, but why do you say that?’
‘I didn’t think spoilt little rich girls were your type.’
Instinctively he opened his mouth to defend Brianna. She was rich, yes, spoilt no. But then he closed it again. Did he really know what she was like? At the camp she’d been out of her usual environment. Back on her own turf, with all the trappings of her wealth around her, she was probably a very different person.
‘They’re not my type,’ he replied shortly. On that they could agree. However much he might have been attracted to Brianna, she most definitely wasn’t the right type for someone like him.
Thankfully his bleep went off before Tessa could get in any further digs. He’d stick to concentrating on his work from now on. It was the one blasted thing he was good at.
* * *
It had taken the best part of a day and a night, but Brianna was finally home. Home was the house she still shared with her parents. Not that they were on top of each other. With four floors, umpteen bedrooms and acres of square footage, it wasn’t what most people were lucky enough to call a home. Brianna had an apartment on the first floor of the impressive London mansion house. Her place had its own entrance and stretched all the way from the front of the house to the rear. Four bedrooms and bathrooms, three reception areas, a study and her own kitchen. She had all she needed for her own independence, with the comfort of knowing her parents were just down the hallway. Sometimes she could go days without seeing them, though usually at some point she’d open the interconnecting door and wander down the corridor for a chat. She was incredibly lucky, and not just in material terms. More important than any amount of wealth, she was loved and cherished. The apple of her parents’ eye. Sometimes it was hard being the only child, the sole focus of all that devotion. But mainly it was heart-warming, comforting. Whatever happened in her life, her parents were always there to pick up the pieces. To console her and then encourage her into the next venture.
Brianna found her mother in the family kitchen, discussing recipes with the cook. She stood and watched for a moment, appreciating her mother’s grace, the way she spoke to the cook in a way that made her an equal, not a member of staff. When she finally caught sight of her daughter, a huge smile swept across her face. Brianna dropped her bag and rushed to hug her. Now this was what she called home. Not the bricks and mortar, but her mother’s arms.
‘You look happy, Brianna,’ she announced when she’d checked her over from head to toe. ‘The trip has obviously done you good.’
‘Oh, Mum, I can’t begin to tell you some of the things I’ve seen. It was heartbreaking and inspiring. Depressing but strangely uplifting.’
‘Wow, it certainly seems to have made a big impression.’ She squeezed her daughter’s hand. ‘Come with me. Let’s sit down with a cup of tea and you can tell me all about it.’
Her mother made the drinks and they carried them through to the sitting room, where Brianna took her mother through all she’d experienced. She made her laugh with tales of the primitive accommodation and the cold shower. She made her cry with tales of the mudslide and the mounting body bags. Finally she conveyed her real admiration for the medical team out there, how hard they worked, how many lives they saved. Brianna was careful not to mention any names specifically. Her mother had an uncanny ability to sniff out the merest hint of any gossip and Brianna wasn’t sure she was ready to share Mitch with her yet.
‘So you see, I really think getting Medic SOS to specialise in the serious trauma cases is the way forward. Not only would it give them a clearly defined role, but it would make fund-raising easier, helping them to stand out from the other charities.’
Her mother sat back on the sofa. ‘Look at you, my darling, your eyes all bright with excitement. You’ve no idea how pleased I am you’ve taken this to heart and I’m sure Margaret will be delighted to hear your ideas.’ She held her daughter’s hand and studied her face. ‘Now tell me what else has you so buoyed up.’
Brianna blinked. Surely her mother’s romance radar wasn’t that good? ‘What do you mean?’
‘My darling child, I know you. It isn’t just the idea of working with the charity that’s put a smile on your beautiful face. What else has happened?’ She smiled as her daughter’s cheeks began to turn pink. ‘Ah, it must be a man.’
‘How do you do it, Mum?’ Brianna shook her head and laughed. ‘I’m never going to be able to keep a secret from you, am I?’
‘No, and don’t you forget it. Now tell me who is responsible for putting a sparkle in my daughter’s eyes.’
‘Mitch.’
‘Mitch McBride? The chief medic?’ She waited for Brianna’s nod of affirmation. ‘I remember him. Serious, somewhat distant, but with an edge to him that was rather attractive.’
This time Brianna’s laugh was rich and explosive. ‘That’s just him, to a tee. He’s all those things, and more. Oh, Mum, he’s not just sexy, he’s dedicated. You should have seen him out there, cool, calm, in control, saving lives.’
‘Can this really be the same daughter who is usually so dismissive of men? Who delights in telling me all men are weak and pathetic, apart from her father?’
‘Up to now, that’s been true. But Mitch is neither weak nor pathetic. In fact I’ve never met someone so mentally strong, so sure of himself.’
Her mother studied her carefully. ‘Watch out, Brianna. You mustn’t let your admiration for his skill build up into anything more than that. I know it’s exciting, meeting someone a bit different to your usual type, but don’t go doing anything foolish. He moves in very different circles to ours.’
‘Now you’re being a snob.’ Brianna dismissed her mother’s concern. ‘Just because he doesn’t have rich parents. Not many men do.’
‘That’s not what I meant,’ her mother replied seriously, her pale blue eyes showing nothing but love and concern. ‘I remember when Margaret first talked about giving him a permanent job with the charity. She ran it by me, as her checks had revealed he’d been in trouble with the police when he was younger.’
‘I’m sure it was just childhood rebellion,’ Brianna replied dismissively, recalling her conversation with Mitch about cars.
Her mother rested a hand on her arm. ‘I’m sure you’re right,’ she agreed softly. ‘That’s why we decided to recruit him anyway. From what I hear he’s doing a sterling job and Margaret has never regretted it. He’s a good man, I have no doubt. But I don’t want you to get hurt, my darling.’ Tenderly she tucked a loose curl back behind Brianna’s ear. ‘Your father and I have a really happy marriage. I think that fact alone gives me some right to advise you. The reason we get on so well is because we’re two similar people, from similar backgrounds, wanting the same things out of life. As exciting as Mitch may seem, he is very different to you. He doesn’t look the type who’d ever want to settle down. From what I recall, he pretty much went from the army into this job. He’s never put down roots. Remember that.’
‘Come on, Mum, it’s not like I’m thinking of marrying him.’ Brianna forced herself to smile, though the truth of her mother’s words stung.
‘Good, because I’m not sure he would be right for you. You want someone more like your father. A man who understands you and where you come from. Who can mix with your friends. A man who loves you for you and not the money you come with.’
Though it hurt, Brianna knew what her mother was saying made sense. ‘Well, you don’t have to fret. Mitch and I haven’t even arranged to see each other again. It was probably just a thing of the moment. A build-up of the emotion and tension that was part of being at the camp.’
They exchanged another long hug and Brianna disappeared thoughtfully back to her apartment. Why did it feel like she was deceiving her mother and herself with her words of reassurance? If it was just a casual fling, why did her heart lurch whenever she thought of him? Why, when she closed her eyes, could she still picture him so vividly? His stern, rugged face and deep brown eyes.
Brianna went to the bathroom and turned on the taps to the bath. She was tired from the journey and wasn’t thinking straight. What she needed was a long, hot soak and a good night’s sleep. Please God, when she woke up in the morning let her silly schoolgirl crush be a thing of the past.