Career Girl in the Country / The Doctor's Reason to Stay Read Online Free

‘This is not an emergency and therefore we are
not
interrupting their family time, their fishing and sailing time, and, for some, their afternoon naps.’
    ‘Afternoon naps?’ Her voice rose in disbelief as her brain tried unsuccessfully to wrap itself around such a foreign concept. ‘You’re joking.’
    Matt gave a snort that sounded like a rusty laugh as his face creased stiffly into lines that bracketed his mouth and for a moment his lips broke their tight line. A streak of something close to warmth followed,giving life and character to his face, which up until this point had been almost a caricature of unmarred features.
    Her gut lurched as a flicker of delicious shimmers moved through her and she wished he’d stop. Perfection she could resist. Deep life lines around those dark and empty eyes, not so much.
    His expression neutralised as the shadows returned. ‘Life is slower here and, as you’ll discover, the humidity at this time of year really saps your energy.’
    She thought of the chief of surgery job back in Perth and went back into battle. She knew this game and she didn’t plan to give an inch. ‘Nothing saps my energy. I’m here to work, not to relax.’ She reached for her briefcase and pulled out a folder. ‘In regard to staff, I have a surgical budget and my own staffing ratios, and it’s my call when to operate, not yours.’
    ‘It is, and come tomorrow, your first official day, when David, the anaesthetic registrar, is back on duty, you can order him about to your heart’s content. Today, as the ED doctor and the back-up anaesthetist, it’s my call. We’re not operating on Sam just so you can rush in, set a precedent and get some runs on the board.’
    ‘This has
nothing
to do with me and everything to do with patient care.’ She protested too quickly as his words hit far too close to home. Sam’s case technically wasn’t an emergency but it wasn’t strictly elective surgery either. She hated that he’d guessed at her need to operate so she could stake her claim as the incumbent surgeon, competent and in charge.
    He slid to his feet, the movement as graceful as a gazelle’s but with the calculation of a panther. Everything about him screamed,
I don’t believe you.
    ‘Should Sam’s condition change, I’ll call youstraight away. Meanwhile, go stock your fridge and turn on the air-conditioning so you can sleep tonight.’
    Her body vibrated with rage. ‘Don’t patronise me.’
    Genuine surprise raced across his face and he gave a sigh filled with fatigue. ‘I’m not. I’m actually trying to help. Your life here will be a lot easier if you don’t get the staff off-side before you’ve officially started.’
    She wanted to stay furious with him, she wanted to cast him in the role of obstructive male, but his gaze wasn’t combative and amid the darkness that hovered around him, she detected a sliver of goodwill. It totally confused her.
    ‘I see. Well, we may not agree about Sam but I take on board what you’re saying.’ She made herself say, ‘Thank you.’
    ‘No problem.’ His fingers pushed through his straight hair, the strands sliding over them like water on rocks.
    With a shock she caught the glint of gold on his ring finger. How had she missed that? But it didn’t matter how or why—what was important was now she knew. Married men didn’t interest her.
    It’s been a long time since an unmarried one interested you.
    Get off my case!
    She had a gut feeling that she and Matt Albright would probably spend the next ninety days disagreeing but now it would be without fear of those strange and unwanted shimmers. Working with Matt would be uncomplicated and all about the job, and that was what she did best.
    She pulled out a business card and held it towards him.
    ‘This is my mobile number should Sam deteriorate,and meanwhile I’ll let you get back to your Sunday afternoon and your family.’
    The goodwill vanished from his eyes as his lean body ceased all movement,