by Lucy Clark
‘This is the one characteristic all big hospitals have—long corridors.’ His soft, deep tones washed over her and Melody smiled, pleased to find he had a sense of humour.
‘And this one has lovely paintings to glance at as people stride by in a rush,’ she pointed out.
‘True.’ There was a wistful note in his tone. ‘It’s the same in every hospital we’ve visited. Busy people, rushing here and there and never really stopping to...gaze at the art.’ He pointed to a painting of native Australian animals, his pace slowing marginally as he spoke.
‘I presume life has been very hectic on your tour?’
‘Yes. On the go, non-stop, busy, busy, busy.’
‘Have you had any time off during the tour?’ she asked as they walked along together.
‘We had a month off in June. It was needed by then because we’d all been living in each other’s pockets for the past five months. Plus, we get every Saturday off—if we’re not flying somewhere, that is. Carmel’s very organised.’ There was the slightest hint of sadness in his tone and she wondered why. Was he sad that the tour was almost at an end? Would he miss jet-setting around the world, being adored and praised for his innovative surgical techniques?
‘How do you cope with the jet-lag?’
‘Stay hydrated and sleep on the plane.’ George recited the phrase as though he’d said it over and over. ‘Actually, the jet-lag hasn’t been too bad because we’ve done small hops between countries, but when we arrived back in Australia three weeks ago we took a week off to acclimatise ourselves to the Aussie weather, especially as we landed in Darwin.’
‘Wise decision, and October is still nice and mild compared to summer.’
‘I’ve missed it, though.’
‘The Australian summer?’ She looked at him as though he was crazy, given that summer temperatures were usually exceedingly hot.
He laughed. ‘Yes. The heat, the people, the accent. You have no idea how great it was to hear that Aussie twang at the airport.’
Melody smiled as she pressed the button for the lift. When he laughed like that, when his smile was full, she was astonished to discover her knees weakening at the sound. He really was handsome. When she’d been planning for the visiting orthopaedic surgeon’s tour, she hadn’t given a lot of thought to what type of man he might be. She’d just expected him to be a surgeon who was intent on explaining his operating techniques and research projects, before moving onto the next hospital to do the same thing. She hadn’t expected him to have a sense of humour that matched her own. She also hadn’t expected to be so instantly attracted to a married man—something she normally avoided.
Ian had been married. Of course, he hadn’t told her that until they’d been dating for three months. She frowned as she thought about the first man to break her heart but when George looked her way, Melody quickly pushed all thoughts of the past from her mind and concentrated on the present.
Professor Wilmont had a lecture to give in twenty minutes and she needed to get him to the venue without mishap. The lift bell dinged and a moment later the doors opened. ‘All right, can everyone fit in?’ Melody asked as she held the doors open. ‘Everyone in?’ When she received affirmative murmurs, she allowed the doors to close and pressed the button for the fifth floor. She refused to focus on the way George was standing right behind her, nice and close, the natural warmth from his body causing a wave of tingles to spread over her. She also refused to allow the fresh spicy scent he wore to wind its way about her senses. Why weren’t these lifts bigger?
She cleared her throat and forced her mind back into gear. ‘The hospital’s main lecture facility, which is where you’ll be giving most of your lectures, had a complete upgrade last year,’ she informed them. ‘I’ve been assured that all the gadgets are in working order but if you find we don’t have everything you require, please let me know.’
‘Thank you.’ George replied, his tone as polite and professional as Melody’s, yet she could have sworn she saw a slight smirk touch the corners of his lips. Was she entertaining him? Or had he simply heard similar spiels at different hospitals around the globe? When the lift doors opened, they all exited, again George waiting until Melody had preceded him. She nodded politely before leading the way to the lecture room.
When she pushed open the large double doors, George’s team instantly fanned out to check the facilities. One of his assistants headed to the audiovisual desk to connect his computer to the system, another did a sound check. They scuttled back and forth, checking things with each other and ensuring the slides and short snippets of operating techniques were ready to go.
George walked over to the podium, where Carmel gave him several instructions as well as handing him a folder with notes inside. He familiarised himself with where his water glass would be, where to find the laser pointer and how to adjust the lapel microphone.
Melody wandered over to a seat in the front row and sat down, mesmerised by the confidence he exuded—and he wasn’t even giving a speech. Lecturing wasn’t one of her strong suits so she was always willing to learn. Just by watching him, she knew she could learn a great deal.
Is that the real reason you’re watching him? The question crept into the back of her mind before she could stop it. She’d been doing her best to think of him as Professor Wilmont rather than George, as he’d instructed, but as she sat there, gazing at him, she realised she already thought of him as George. He was a very personable man but, then, he’d need to be in order to carry out the duties of the travelling fellowship. She tilted her head to the side, her gaze following his every move. He was classically tall, dark and extremely handsome.
There was no denying to herself that she found George...intriguing, which made him a man to be avoided at all costs. The last man who had ‘intrigued’ her, Emir, had broken her heart into tiny pieces and discarded her as though she was nothing more than an inconvenient diversion. One broken engagement was more than enough for Melody, so the last thing she should be doing right now was ogling a married man.
Then again, the irrational side of her mind pointed out, there was no harm in looking, right? She closed her eyes to block out the image of George and concentrated on controlling her warring psyche. Professor Wilmont would be gone at the end of the week, finishing the rest of his tour. He’d be gone and she’d be here, still trying to focus on the duties of being acting head of department. Their worlds were miles apart and the only thing they had in common was that they were both orthopaedic surgeons.
Someone sat in the chair next to her, bringing her out of her reverie. Was it time for people to start arriving for George’s first lecture already? She opened her eyes, only to find she was face to face with the man himself. ‘Sleeping? I’m not boring you already, am I?’ George’s deep baritone washed over her.
Melody smiled. ‘Not sleeping, just thinking.’
‘You were right. This is a great lecture room. One of the better ones.’
‘I’m glad.’
‘When I visited Bangladesh, I did this same talk in a small annexe next to the hospital. Dirt floors, tin roof, more like a lean-to, and everyone who came huddled around my computer to watch the slides and short recordings I showed.’ He nodded. ‘It was one of my best talks because I was so relaxed.’
‘You’re not relaxed today?’
He shrugged one shoulder and checked his tie was securely in place. ‘I didn’t have to wear a suit there either. Far too hot. How anyone can be completely relaxed whilst wearing a suit, I don’t know.’
‘You don’t like wearing a suit?’ There was a hint of incredulity in her words. ‘Surely, on this tour, you’ve had to wear one most days.’
‘Yep.’
‘Then why do the tour in the first place?’
For the first time since she’d met him she saw a hint of sadness in his eyes but he quickly looked away, checking his watch. ‘People should star
t arriving soon.’
‘Yes.’ A strange awkwardness seemed to settle over them, although Melody had no idea why. She’d asked what she had thought to be a general question and George’s whole demeanour had changed from light-hearted to sad to professional. She wanted to ask why, not to pry but because she was genuinely concerned, but, then, the visiting professor’s psyche was none of her business. ‘Er...you certainly have a great team,’ she stated, taking her lead from him and keeping their conversation to a strictly professional line. ‘A well-oiled machine.’
‘They certainly are. At first it was all rather strange, having people ordering me about every step of the way, but now, after months of travelling and lecturing, I’ve learned to trust them. They’re all extremely good at their jobs, and if we each do our own thing and avoid getting in each other’s way, then things generally run smoothly.’
‘I guess that’s the name of the game when you’re on one of these visiting professorships.’
‘Absolutely. Besides, in spending so much time together, we’ve also become friends.’ He gestured to where Carmel was discussing something with Diana, one of the administrative assistants. ‘Carmel’s amazing. How she keeps all the schedules and travel details and names of people correct, I’ll never know.’
‘It’s definitely a skill.’ Melody was equally impressed. ‘My PA, Rick, has the same knack. Give me a scalpel over a mound of paperwork any day.’ She chuckled. People were starting to arrive and take their seats.
‘Making friends with your work colleagues can be an advantage. Of course, when you’re a small group, it can sometimes be dangerous.’ George sighed as he continued to watch Carmel and Diana.
‘Dangerous?’ She followed his gaze, picking up on the wistfulness of his tone. Was George involved with Carmel or Diana? Relationships were bound to happen in such a small group that spent so much time together.
‘Carmel and Diana.’ George shrugged one shoulder. ‘They’ve been on and off again for most of the trip, I can’t keep up any more.’ As the two women smiled warmly at each other, George nodded. ‘Definitely on again at the moment.’ Carmel finished talking to Diana, then turned and beckoned to George. ‘I’m being summoned.’
‘Off to work, Professor,’ Melody said with a smile, and as George stood, he returned her smile—a bright, happy smile that made her feel all fluttery and feminine. Why? Why would she feel like that because a handsome man smiled at her?
* * *
George listened to what Carmel had to say but his thoughts were still with the delightful Melody Janeway. It wasn’t often he met people he instantly connected with, so when it happened it took him by surprise. He glanced once more at Melody, who was now talking with Rick.
‘George?’ Carmel snapped her fingers at him and he immediately returned his attention to his PA. ‘Focus.’
‘I’m focused, Carmel.’ He chuckled at the way she’d snapped her fingers at him. That usually meant she was in organisational mode. ‘I like relaxed, chatty Carmel better than Ms Hospital Corners.’
‘Tough.’ She handed him the laser pointer then walked over to Melody. George watched as Melody chatted with both PAs before standing and heading to the podium. She moved with grace and ease, smoothing a hand down her skirt before adjusting her papers. She held herself perfectly, her back straight, her shoulders square as she read from the notes, glancing up to look at the assembled crowd. Her voice was clear and her words well modulated. He liked listening to her talk.
Before too long, she was turning to face him, smiling at him, and he realised he hadn’t heard a word she’d said. He’d been so captivated by this new acquaintance that he really had drifted off into la-la land. What was wrong with him? It wasn’t like him to behave in such a fashion, and especially not when he was standing in front of a large crowd of people—people who were all looking at him expectantly.
He needed to pull on his professionalism, to brush aside any intriguing thoughts he had about Melody Janeway, and do the job he’d been sent to do. He was Professor George Wilmont, orthopaedic surgeon, and widower. He was not a man who experienced an instant attraction towards a colleague, or acted on it.
This time, when he politely shook her hand to thank her for introducing him, he exuded a cool reserve. This time there was no jolt of awareness. This time he was the consummate professional and he was determined to remain so for the rest of his stay in Sydney.
Copyright © 2018 by Anne Clark
ISBN-13: 9781488079672
Falling for the Pregnant GP
First North American Publication 2018
Copyright © 2018 by Anne Clark
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