The January Wish Read online

  The January Wish

  Juliet Madison

  The January Wish

  Juliet Madison

  From Escape’s queen of ro-magic comedy comes a sweet, emotional contemporary romance about the pleasures of making a wish and seeing it come true.

  When Dr Sylvia Greene makes an impromptu wish at the Tarrin’s Bay Wishing Festival, it’s the most out of character action she can think of. Hers is not a life of wishes. Hers is a controlled life of order, plans and preparation…of science and research and diagnosis and treatment. But her past has been weighing on her mind, and decisions made long ago have far-reaching consequences.

  A week later, the daughter she secretly gave up for adoption at sixteen arrives in Sylvia’s small coastal town with secrets that can’t be shared. Between feelings of guilt, gossip, and a growing attraction to an emotionally unavailable colleague, Sylvia’s well-ordered life is soon thrown into chaos. She is no longer alone, and for the first time she feels as if her world is open to possibilities.

  They say be careful what you wish for, but, for Sylvia, the unexpected consequences may be just what the doctor ordered.

  About the Author

  Juliet Madison is a naturopath-turned-author with a background in dance, art, internet marketing and perfume sales (yes, she was one of those annoying people in department stores who spray you with perfume). Nowadays she prefers to indulge her propensity for multiple careers by living vicariously through her characters. She likes to put these characters into extraordinary situations and take them on a challenging journey to discover their true passion and inner strength, weaving in some laughs, tears, romance and sometimes a touch of magic along the way.

  Living near the beach on the beautiful south coast of New South Wales, Australia, Juliet spends her time running her internet business, raising her son, writing as often as she can, and doing her best to avoid housework.

  Juliet is a proud member and volunteer with The Romance Writers of Australia and she loves to interact online with readers and writers via Twitter (@Juliet_Madison), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/JulietMadisonAuthor). She can be contacted through her website at www.julietmadison.com, where readers can also download some free short stories.

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to the wonderful association that is Romance Writers of Australia for their support, knowledge, conferences, and professional development. And thanks to the volunteer judges of the RWA competitions I entered who gave up their time to read and provide feedback, which helped me in shaping this novel to prepare it for publication. Thanks also to the judges of the Choc Lit Search for an Australian Star contest who helped this book to become a finalist.

  Mostly, a big thank you to Kate Cuthbert for saying yes to The January Wish, and the team at Escape Publishing for their efficient work in bringing books to life, and to my lovely editor, Belinda Holmes.

  For my parents, thanks for supporting my dreams and leading me to the town I now call home, which is the setting I’ve based this novel on, and to my late nanna, my mum, and my cousin, Jennie, for reading the first draft of this book and giving me your encouragement.

  Thank you, Alli Sinclair and Diane Curran, my supportive critique partners, for always being there to brainstorm and discuss ideas. I love sharing this journey with you. And thanks to my writing friends from around the world who make this career choice more sociable!

  Thanks again to my son Jayden for being excited along with me and for his advice that I should ‘get publishing contracts more often’ because of the super-happy mother I am when I get one! Happy to oblige.

  Lastly, thanks to YOU, the reader for choosing this book. Enjoy!

  To Mum and Dad, for helping me create a new beginning.

  CONTENTS

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Epilogue

  Bestselling Titles by Escape Publishing…

  Chapter 1

  Dr Sylvia Greene had never done anything like this before in her life. She wasn’t one for succumbing to fanfare or superstitious traditions. She didn’t knock on wood or cross her fingers, and couldn’t care less if she happened to walk under a ladder. But somehow, she’d found herself lining up to take part in the annual Tarrin’s Bay Wishing Festival.

  What on earth am I doing here? People I know might see me!

  Sylvia glanced around surreptitiously through the lenses of her Dior sunglasses. There were a few familiar faces, but most of the people wandering around and standing in line were tourists. Probably because the locals knew that wishes made by tossing a coin into the historic four metre tall fountain certainly didn’t come true. If they did, the local newspaper would be all over it. Not once had Sylvia read any proof that someone’s wish had come true. But every year on the 4th of January, the anniversary of the fountain’s construction, people came from far and wide to make their wish.

  She only meant to wander around the market stalls in Miracle Park, soak up the delicious summer sunshine, and pick up a jar of her favourite chilli and tomato relish from the ‘Homemade for You’ stall, but as Sylvia walked past the huge line-up near the fountain, her legs had other ideas.

  I should just go home.

  She turned to the growing crowd behind her. To leave, she’d have to excuse herself past about fifty people in line, making herself more conspicuous. Plus, she spotted one of her patients in the line. A particularly loud and talkative patient, Mr Benson. Damn it! She’d have to stay in line or get noticed backing out.

  When she was a hospital intern it had been easy to get out of difficult situations by simply pretending to be on call and rushing off to deal with a fake emergency. It certainly came in handy during many a disastrous date. Now though, she worked nine to five…well, to six or seven some nights, and was never on call. Sylvia loved her familiar routine. She’d been keen to get into general practice as soon as possible after receiving her qualifications, never having been able to cope with hospital shift work.

  The coin in Sylvia’s pocket cooled her warm fingers as she fiddled with it impatiently. At least this was all for charity. That would be her excuse if anyone asked why she, Dr Sylvia Greene, sceptic and all round party pooper, was making a wish. She had a great life; an interesting career, a best friend, good health, a nice house, and even a new boyfriend. What else could she possibly wish for? What was she doing here?

  Distracted by her thoughts, she jumped when the person behind tapped her shoulder and flicked a hand towards the front of the line. Sylvia took a step forward. Only one person to go, then it would be her turn. A teenage girl stepped forward and threw her coin joyously into the fountain, a hopeful smile on her face. Probably wishing for the boy she liked to notice her, Sylvia though
t. The girl walked around the fountain three times, before exiting the cordoned area framing it and running off to hug her friends waiting nearby.

  Legend says on the day of its completed construction in 1907, a young woman tossed in a coin to make a wish and walked around the fountain three times. That evening, her missing husband returned safe and sound. Another woman made a wish that day and not even a week later was cured of a potentially fatal disease. Or so the legend says. Again, there had been no proof.

  ‘Step right up, ma’am,’ said the guy with the microphone whose nonstop commentating brought more people to the line by the minute.

  No turning back now.

  With her wish in mind, Sylvia tossed the coin. A gentle plop sounded and circular ripples spread outward through the water. Tiny bubbles rose to the surface as the coin joined the others that had gone before. She walked quickly around the fountain three times, adjusting her sunglasses and dipping her head on the way. The process seemed to take forever, conscious that all eyes were on her.

  Relief greeted her as she merged back into the crowd, but only for a moment.

  ‘Doc! Who’da thought we’d see you here today, huh?’

  Sylvia’s patient waved as he waited his turn in line.

  ‘So, what did you wish for, Doc? Wait! Don’t tell me.’ He covered his ears. ‘If you tell someone your wish, it won’t come true, will it?’

  ‘I’m, er…just doing my bit for charity,’ Sylvia said in her best doctor-like voice.

  ‘Good on ya, Doc. Oh, I’ll see you next week. First patient for the year I am, 9 a.m. sharp Mondee mornin’. Been waitin’ patiently for you to resume work. Ya see, my constipation’s returned, and geez, this prostate of mine, whoa! I tell ya, the nasty little bugger’s givin’ me such a hard time!’

  Mr Benson would quite likely be perfectly okay with Sylvia doing a consultation and examination as he waited in line.

  ‘…And don’t get me started on me arthritis, let me tell ya —’ the person behind him, gesturing to move forward, politely cut off Mr Benson. ‘Oh, anyway, we’ll discuss all the details next week. See ya then, Doc!’

  Sylvia waved, thinking she should have wished for Mr Benson to switch doctors.

  The sun warmed her skin as she walked out of Miracle Park, past the historic terrace shops with their homewares, boutique clothing and unique gifts, and up the road towards her house. The afternoon ocean breeze ran like fingers through her hair as Sylvia thought about her wish. Eighteen years had passed since the day that changed her life forever, the memory playing on her mind more and more lately. She lived a satisfying life, but a part of her, deep inside, needed to fill the void that sat there.

  Sylvia came to an abrupt stop and shook her head. What was she thinking? She should try to forget about that day, just like she did before. Why dredge up the past? The chance of her wish coming true was unlikely anyway. After all, wishes don’t come true. Do they?

  Chapter 2

  ‘Twins?’ Sylvia looked at the ultrasound photo that was thrust in front of her.

  ‘I know, can you believe it?’ Samantha Roseford circled a palm over her belly. ‘Here I was thinking I might never be able to have children, and now I’ve got two on the way!’

  ‘What does your husband think about two babies?’

  ‘Mike’s over the moon. A tad anxious, but very excited.’

  Sylvia wrapped a cuff around Samantha’s arm and pumped the inflator. ‘He’s not the only one who’s excited, your blood pressure’s slightly higher than last time.’

  ‘It is?’ Samantha glanced at the numbers on the blood pressure monitor. ‘Not even halfway through the pregnancy and these little munchkins are already causing havoc.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be too concerned yet, but I’ll make a note in your referral letter to Dr Engelstein. You’ve booked an appointment to see him soon, I hope?’ Sylvia looked up with raised eyebrows after typing notes into the computer.

  ‘Yep. Two weeks time,’ replied Samantha.

  ‘Great. You can be confident in him to take over your prenatal care.’

  ‘I hope so. He’s not an old fuddy-duddy, is he?’

  Sylvia chuckled. ‘He’s been around for a while, but he’s one of the best obstetricians on the coast. Not that there’s many of them around. You’ll be in good hands.’

  Samantha leaned back in her chair, clasping her hands over her belly and looking down as though her babies had just been placed in her lap. ‘I’m so looking forward to being a mother.’

  Sylvia placed a hand on her patient’s forearm and smiled. ‘These twins will be lucky to have you, Samantha.’

  ‘Thanks, Dr Greene.’ A tear dribbled down Samantha’s cheek. ‘I’m sorry, these hormones are making me cry at the slightest things.’

  ‘That’s normal.’ Sylvia smiled. ‘The referral will be ready to pick up from reception by tomorrow. Good luck. I look forward to seeing you down the track.’

  After Samantha left, Sylvia sat for a moment and imagined what she must be going through. The joy, the shock, the anticipation, maybe even fear. In a few months she’d be a mother, and her life would change completely.

  The phone beeped. ‘I have Mr Benson on the line, do you have time to speak with him about his results?’ Joyce, the receptionist asked.

  Sylvia sunk in her chair and sighed. ‘Sure, put him through.’

  Sylvia arrived home from work over an hour later, but after a quick clean of the fridge, a vacuum throughout the house, and a cup of coffee, she went out the door again.

  ‘Hi Sylv,’ Richard said, pecking her on the cheek and lifting the Louis Vuitton suitcase from her hands.

  ‘Perfect timing!’ Sylvia smiled as she angled into the front seat of Richard’s BMW, grateful for a chance to sit still for a couple of hours. Richard slid into the driver’s seat and drove towards the highway. She would have taken the train, but jumped at Richard’s offer to drive her to the airport.

  ‘Thanks again for this. I’m sure you’d rather be spending your day off doing something else,’ Sylvia said.

  ‘It’s my pleasure hun, gives us a chance to spend time together.’

  His lips curved into a smile, and the muscles in his forearm bulged through his olive skin as he switched gears. ‘You look nice,’ she said, only realising she’d spoken aloud once the words had left her mouth. After five weeks, their relationship was still in the early stages where hormones had first say. Wearing black pants and a charcoal grey shirt with the faintest silver pinstripes, even though his shirtsleeves were rolled up, Richard was dressed a little fancily for a drive to and from the airport. Not that she minded; nor did she mind the hint of cinnamon and spice circulating through the car with the help of the air conditioning.

  ‘Thanks,’ he replied. ‘I have a birthday party to go to in the city tonight, an old mate from my uni days.’

  So he wasn’t just doing this as a favour to her.

  It didn’t matter, she always made efficient use of her time as well. No harm in killing two birds with one stone.

  ‘Oh, well I chose the right day to catch a plane didn’t I?’ Sylvia said.

  ‘Sure did.’ Richard smiled. ‘Sorry I can’t pick you up when you return on Wednesday though.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter.’ She flicked a hand in the air. ‘I know you’re busy at work.’

  ‘I’m free next Thursday night, should we schedule dinner then?’

  Sylvia’s cheeks flushed with warmth. ‘How’s seven-thirty?’

  ‘Perfect, shall we eat in at your place this time?’

  Sylvia nodded, then added a reminder into her iPhone. Not that she’d forget, but she liked to be organised. ‘What’s your schedule like after that?’ she asked.

  ‘Doing nights from Friday, then afternoon shifts, and I’ll be on call the following weekend. What about the Monday after that?’

  That was a little over two weeks away. ‘Sure, I’ll mark it in my calendar.’ Sylvia tapped away on her phone. She’d have liked to see him sooner,
but understood his hectic work schedule came first. The life of a cardiovascular surgeon did not allow for much time off. If she worked at the hospital too there’d be more opportunities to see him. They’d pass each other in the halls, or collaborate on a patient’s care, but she’d grown used to working in general practice and wouldn’t leave it for anything, or anyone. Besides, her days were busy and went by quickly, and before long she’d see him again.

  By the time they pulled up in front of the airport, they’d discussed Richard’s recent surgeries, Sylvia’s clinical success rate with a new hypertension drug, and had arranged to set three more dates in the coming month, based on Richard’s schedule. He warned her that sometimes he may have to cancel at the last minute if the hospital needed him, or a surgery took longer than expected. But of course, she understood. A small part of her, though, wished he could join her in Melbourne for the conference so they could spend five nights together. Oh well, at least she’d get to catch up with some old friends from medical school.

  ‘Have a good flight, see you next Thursday.’ Richard effortlessly lifted the suitcase from the boot, extending the handle and rolling it towards her with surgical precision.

  ‘Thanks, enjoy the birthday party.’ Sylvia curved her hand around the back of his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. Short thick curls slid between her fingers as she moved her hand through the back of his hair.

  Beep beep!

  A car behind was waiting to take Richard’s spot, the driver motioning with his hand as if to say, ‘Are you going anytime soon?’ Richard nodded towards the driver, kissed Sylvia quickly on the lips, and returned to the car before driving off.

  Check-in was relatively quick, and despite setting off the alarm at the security screening point with the metal in her shoes, Sylvia had forty-five minutes to spare before boarding her flight. The aroma of roasted coffee beans enticed her to the café next to the newsagent. She picked up a copy of MasterChef magazine first, then ordered a large cappuccino, opting for takeaway so she could wander around, keeping the blood circulating in her legs after the car trip and before the upcoming ninety minute flight.