to find old bones and carefully cleaning them with a brush.
“You didn’t want to become an archaeologist?”
“No. I thought about it, but my mom had complications during a pregnancy when I was young and lost the baby. She was never able to have another one. So, I guess it awoke an interest in prenatal health and delivery.” That interest had become bittersweet as she wrestled with her own fertility issues.
“I’m sorry. About your mum, not your interest in babies.”
Babies.
The way he’d said that word sent a shiver through her. She hadn’t said she was interested in children. But he obviously hadn’t meant it the way she’d taken it. There was no way he could know about her struggles. She decided to clarify, just in case.
“I’m interested in the moms and their babies.”
He took a sip of his coffee, regarding her over the rim of the cup for a few seconds with those dark-lashed eyes of his. “That is what I meant, of course.”
This time, the ripple of awareness had nothing to do with children and everything to do with the man himself. Oh, Lord, what was wrong with her?
“Of course.” She decided to change the subject to something less sticky. “So we’re getting portable ultrasounds. What’s the certification process?”
“I looked into it when I put in the request. If I understood correctly, if you have a nursing degree—which you’re listed as having—you’ll need to do a year-long course. For midwives without that, it would probably take two years. Another option is to schedule the use of one of the machines in the field and request that a tech accompany you to the appointment.”
That would work. “Will we have enough techs to go around?”
“That’s where having extra staff would help.”
“Frieda is a tech here at the hospital. We’re friends. She might even donate an extra hour or two a week like some of us who already work at the clinic.”
Adem set down his cup, hands resting on the table. His head tilted. “You’re donating hours?”
Uh-oh. He didn’t sound happy about that. “Is that a problem?”
“I’m just not sure why you would.”
She was right. He wasn’t thrilled. “The Queen Victoria uses volunteers for a wide range of services. Besides, I don’t want to strain the funding more than necessary. After all, we may not have gotten those portable ultrasound machines if we demanded to be paid for every single second we’re at the clinic. I know I’m entitled to be paid for rest breaks, but I like to donate hours where I can, just to help out.”
“Understood, Carly.”
The low gruff way he said her name made her insides quiver in a way that was too delicious for words. And that made her take a mental step back. Yes, he was a doctor, but he was also a man—and one she’d had trouble maintaining her cool around. She really didn’t want to get into another problematic situation with a colleague, the way she had with Kyle. And actually Adem was practically her boss. It was okay to fantasize about the man. But it was absolutely not okay for him to know about those fantasies.
“Seriously, it’s not a problem, right? I don’t always have something planned every night, and it’s not like I’m putting in a hundred hours a week.”
She’d gotten some ribbing recently from a couple of her friends who’d tried to get her to go out with them on a few double dates. But once burned... She really didn’t want to jump into another relationship. And working extra hours gave her a ready excuse to turn down those offers.
I know you’ve been hurt, but there’s such a thing as being too cautious. Wasn’t that what Frieda had said?
But her relationship with Kyle had left a sour taste in her mouth. And if he really had left her because of her inability to have his baby... She didn’t want to explain her issues to anyone else.
One side of his mouth kicked up again. “If we were talking about a hundred hours a week, that might be a problem. Since we’re not, then no.”
It took her a second to realize he was responding to her earlier comment. “I’m not. But I want to make a difference.”
“Oh, you are. More than you know.” There was a darkness to his gaze that hadn’t been there at the beginning of their conversation.
She gulped down the last sip of her coffee, which was now tepid, and decided it was time to get out before her straying thoughts gave her away. “Speaking of differences, I’d better get myself over to the clinic and start my shift. Thanks for letting me know about the ultrasound machines. Any idea of their arrival time?”
“Not yet. But you’ll be one of the first to know. In the meantime, I’ll confirm the certification requirements and put them on the board in the staff lounge at the clinic.”
“That would be great. Thanks.” She nodded at the silver teapot and, before she could stop herself, added, “Someday I’d like to try Turkish coffee.”
His eyes focused in on her. “Someday, Carly, I will make some for you.”
And just like that, the reactions that had been percolating in the background were suddenly right there for all to see—nipples tightening, breathing growing almost frantic.
Do not get caught up in the man’s charms.
“Thanks. See you later.”
“I’m sure you will.”
With a hard swallow, she forced herself to carry her cup and spoon up to the front of the canteen and deposit them on the conveyor belt. And then she pushed through the door and reentered the real world. A place where Adem was just an ordinary doctor and not someone who hit some of the buttons she’d done her best to deactivate. Evidently a few of them had decided to come back online of their own volition.
And that was the last thing she needed to happen with this particular man.
Today. Or any other day.
Adem sat back in his chair after Carly left the canteen and realized how little he knew about her. There was something reserved in her mannerism. Seeing her carrying that dress had surprised him, and he’d very nearly insulted her by blurting out the first thing that had come into his head.
The woman had a private life. At least she said she did. One where she wore dresses like that for parties he knew nothing about.
He’d heard about a broken engagement, but never bothered much with gossip, so he didn’t know the circumstances. Not that it was any of his business. It wasn’t like he had a stellar track record in the relationship arena. He’d left that to his brother, who was now married and hoping for children of his own. It seemed that Adem’s attempts to shield him from his parents’ fights might have paid off.
The image of Carly in a slinky blue dress that
