The Italian's New-Year Marriage Wish Read Online Free PDF Page A

.’ His voice was deep and soothing. ‘This mask is going to help you breathe and I want you to try and relax and forget it is there. You’re going to listen to me instead of thinking of the mask. The mask is doing magic.’ Still stroking the child’s fingers with his own, he lifted his head and looked at Carol. ‘What’s her favourite story?’
    â€˜Story? I—I don’t know…’
    â€˜â€œSleeping Beauty”,’ Lizzie muttered, and Amy glanced towards her, surprised.
    So she wasn’t as in different as she seemed, then.
    Assessing Michelle and sensing that Marco was going to choose to put a line in, Amy turned away and prepared an IV tray and then reached into the cupboard for hydrocortisone, which she was sure he was going to need.
    â€˜Ah, “Sleeping Beauty”. That is my favourite, too.’ Marco gave a smile that would have captivated the most cynical princess and stroked the little girl’s blonde curls away from her face, his eyes flicking to her chest as he watched her breathing. ‘So now I will tell you my version of the story. Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess called Michelle who lived in a wonderful castle by the sea— Amy?’ His voice lowered. ‘Can you get me a 24-gauge needle and fifty milligrams of hydrocortisone? Normally I would try oral medication but if she’s vomiting, we’ll go straight to IV.’
    Their differences momentarily for got ten, Amy handed him the tray that she’d already prepared and he took it from her, still telling the story. ‘Princess Michelle was very loved by hermummy and daddy and they decided to give her a big party for her birthday. Everyone was invited.’ He was a natural storyteller, his Italian accent curling around the words as he calmed the child. She looked at him, clearly listening as he spoke, and Marco stroked the back of the little girl’s hand, searching for a vein. Then he gave a nod and looked at Amy. ‘Can you squeeze for me? Michelle, I’m just going to put a little tube into the back of your hand so that I can give you some extra medicine to make you feel better. More magic.’
    Amy stared at Michelle’s plump, tiny hand and was suddenly relieved that she wasn’t the one searching for a vein.
    Carol looked the other way, her teeth clamped on her lower lip. ‘There isn’t another doctor in the world I’d allow to do this,’ she muttered, screwing up her face in trepidation. ‘It’s only because you used to be a kids’ doctor and I know you’ve done it before. Her hands are so small, let alone her veins. I can’t even think about it.’
    Amy was inclined to agree.
    She never could have chosen paediatrics as a speciality.
    But Marco’s expression didn’t flicker and it was obvious that he wasn’t concerned. This was where he excelled—where he was most comfortable. ‘And Princess Michelle invited all her friends to her party and her big sister Princess Lizzie, who she loved very much.’ He lifted his head briefly and flashed a smile at Lizzie, who blushed furiously under his warm, approving gaze.
    â€˜Michelle, you might feel a little scratch now.’ The movement of his fingers was deliberate and confident as he slid the tiny needle through the child’s skin and checked that he was in the vein. The child barely whimpered and Marco picked up the syringe of hydrocortisone, swiftly checked the ampoule and injected it into the child, barely pausing in his rendition of the story. ‘And it was the biggest and the best party that anyone had ever been to. Everyone was in pretty dresses and there was dancing and Princess Lizzie met a handsome prince.’
    â€˜Not likely in boring old Penhally,’ Lizzie muttered, and then started to cough again.
    Marco dropped the empty syringe back onto the tray and lifted his gaze to the teenager. ‘The prince was