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who was racing for the ward. Then the loudspeaker crackled to life and told them what they needed to know. ‘Cardiac arrest, room four.’

      ‘Tommy Jenkins.’ Kay shoved the fire door back so hard it hit the wall. ‘It’s so unfair.’

      Alex ducked around the door as it swung back, and kept running. ‘Who’s Tommy Jenkins? Fill me in. Quickly.’

      ‘He and his mother moved to Nelson to be closer to Tommy’s grandparents last month after his father died in a fishing accident. Tommy has cystic fibrosis and was admitted five days ago with a massive chest infection that’s not responding to any treatment.’

      ‘What an awful time to shift the boy.’

      ‘Tell me about it.’ Kay scowled. ‘He’s missing his mates, and isn’t happy about getting to know new medical staff.’

      Room four was chaos. The boy lay with his head tipped back while a nurse, Rochelle, inflated his lungs with an Ambu bag. Jackson, an intern, crouched astride him, doing compressions on his chest.

      ‘Hand me the tube,’ a deep male voice Alex had never heard in her life ordered calmly. ‘Now, please.’

      ‘Here.’ Kay obliged in an instant.

      Alex pushed in beside Rochelle, ready to take over. She needed to be in control of this situation. Staring at the stranger, who admittedly seemed to know what he was doing, she demanded, ‘Who, may I ask, are you?’ He certainly wasn’t the man she’d Skyped with about taking her place on the ward. This man she’d never forget. A strong jawline, a mouth that smiled as easily as breathing. Eyes that demanded attention.

      ‘Mario Forelli.’ He didn’t look up, didn’t falter in suctioning the boy’s mouth. ‘This lad’s arrested.’

      Since it didn’t look like she’d be pushing this man out of the way any time soon and wanting something to do with her hands she reached for the drugs bag. ‘What are you doing here?’ Alex asked, feeling even more perplexed, while at the same time recognising the name on that note in her office. Not Maria, but Mario. Not a woman, but a well-muscled, broad-chested, dark-haired male.

      ‘Mr Forelli, as in paediatric specialist,’ Kay spoke from across the bed where she read the monitor keeping track of Tommy’s status.

      ‘Stop the compressions.’ The stranger spoke clearly but quietly as he deftly inserted a tube down the boy’s throat.

      ‘How long has Tommy been down?’ Alex asked while her brain tossed up distracting questions. Where had Mr Forelli come from? More importantly, what was he doing on her ward? And taking care of all her paperwork? Where was John Campbell? Big changes, Kay had said. Presumably this man was one of them. Alex forced herself to concentrate as she drew up the drugs in preparation to inserting them into Tommy’s intravenous line. Right now this lad depended on her being focused on him, nothing or anyone else.

      This Forelli character had no qualms about taking command as he asked Jackson to move aside so he could resume the chest massage. His hands were ludicrously large against the boy’s thin, pale chest. He explained to the room in general, ‘I found Tommy lying half out of bed a few minutes ago.’

      ‘I’d popped out to get his meds only moments before.’ Guilt laced Rochelle’s voice as she glanced at Forelli, a disturbingly ingratiating look in her calf-like eyes.

      ‘You mustn’t blame yourself, Rochelle. No one could’ve predicted he’d go into cardiac arrest at that moment.’

      Relief poured through the young nurse. ‘Thank you, Mario,’ she murmured.

      Blimey. ‘Just as well you were here, Mr Forelli,’ Alex muttered, trying to ignore the flare of anger that there was a new doctor on her ward whom she knew nothing about. What was the point of being head of department if no one consulted her about something this important? Even if she hadn’t been here, someone could’ve mentioned it in one of the many emails she’d been sent throughout her trip, supposedly keeping her up to date with staff gossip and scandal. She’d have preferred knowing about Forelli’s arrival than Rochelle’s cousin’s car accident.

      Forelli gave a quick flick of his dark head in her direction, a beautiful, winsome smile lightening a seriously good-looking face. ‘You must be the marvellous Miss Prendergast I’ve been hearing so much about.’ There’d been no change in the rhythm of the compressions. Very smooth.

      ‘I am,’ she retorted. Think you can charm me? Think again, buster. So why the flutter in her tummy? Why the sense of something she couldn’t quite fathom slipping past her fingertips? Her reaction had nothing to do with that sexy voice with a hint of an accent that made her melt inside. No, it had to be the fear of them losing Tommy. There was so much she needed to find out about.

      After they’d saved the boy. According to the notes Tommy was fourteen years old. Too young to be in this situation. He hadn’t even begun to experience life, and if his heart didn’t start soon he’d never get the chance.

      Squashing the distress flaring within her she focused on the monitors and pleaded for Tommy’s weary heart to start pumping, itching to take over the compressions, feeling ridiculously useless as everyone worked well together.

      The room went quiet as everyone concentrated on bringing Tommy back to life. More compressions, drugs and oxygen. Finally, Forelli sucked a lungful and commanded, ‘Stop.’ Everyone held their breath and watched the monitor’s screen.

      At last a rhythm appeared. A collective sigh of relief and a thankful ‘Yes’ resounded around the small room.

      Alex fought to keep her shoulders from slumping. That had been too close. ‘Is Tommy’s mother in the hospital?’ she asked Kay after she’d administered another dose of adrenaline.

      ‘No. She usually comes in about nine and spends an hour or two with Tommy before going back home to work. She’s still got her old job, working online. A tax lawyer for the government, I think. I’ll phone her to come in early.’

      ‘Thanks, Kay. I’ll talk to Mrs Jenkins when she gets in. In the meantime I’d like to be brought up to date on everyone else on the ward.’ Her eyes clashed with Forelli’s pewter-coloured gaze. ‘That includes you.’

      He shrugged eloquently. ‘No problem.’

      ‘We’ll talk after I’ve spoken to whoever’s in charge of Tommy’s case.’

      Those eyes twinkled at her. ‘That would be me. I’ve been taking care of this young man since he was admitted for the first time a month ago.’ Before she knew what was happening Forelli put out his right hand to engulf hers in a warm, firm grip. ‘We haven’t had a chance to meet properly. Mario Forelli. Your new paediatrician.’ He shook her hand, but didn’t immediately let her go, holding her hand in an almost caress.

      ‘Excuse me?’ She tugged free, trying to ignore the spear of warmth zooming up her arm. ‘Do you mind telling me how you fit in here?’ Talk about being on the back foot in her own department.

      ‘Certainly. Shall we each grab a coffee and go to your office, maybe after I’ve talked to Carla Jenkins?’

      Her eyes locked on to Mario Forelli. Another charmer. The world seemed full of them. And yet his return gaze showed understanding and commiseration at her situation. Which rattled her further, cranking her stress levels dangerously high. Breathe deep, one, two, three. ‘Thank you. I’d appreciate it.’

      She headed for the nurses’ station. Mr Forelli strode alongside her, towering above her, making her feel even shorter than usual. Strangely, that didn’t bother her the way it usually did. Who was this guy? How did he so easily get under her skin? She spun around to get a better look at him and tripped over her own feet. She would’ve fallen flat on her face if he hadn’t caught her elbow.

      ‘Careful.’

      ‘Thanks.’ Again. Alex glared up at this disturbing man, and stretched onto the toes of her new Italian shoes from Los Angeles. Still way too

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