wouldn’t lead to thoughts of Tori. “What got you into humanitarian work?”
She swallowed before answering. At least she was eating again. “I was at loose ends mainly. Between jobs and trying to figure out what to do next. Then I saw a news report about the need for surgeons and other physicians. When I checked out the qualifications, I met all of them. Best move I ever made. I think fulfilling my need to serve was a big part of it.”
“Don’t you worry about your safety?”
She shrugged. “I take precautions, and we’re surrounded by security forces. Because we’re not taking sides in the conflict, we usually aren’t targets. We also make sure all warring factions are aware of our coordinates.”
“There’s such a thing as friendly fire. No one’s safe in a war zone.”
“True. But this is what I’m compelled to do. Just as Gunnar makes regular missions in the same region. It’s hard to turn your back on those in need.”
“There are those in need here, too.”
“I know. And when I’m tired of working with this organization, I’ll search for a way to help closer to home. I just didn’t choose the right practice to work with before and wanted to place some distance between us.”
He wondered what had happened. “I’m in awe of those with your courage and conviction.”
“I look at it as my job.”
“Yeah, that’s how Gunnar describes what he’s been doing since he joined the Army.” Didn’t make Kristoffer any more reassured about his cousin’s safety. “I’m going to worry about you now when you go back.”
“That’s sweet, but don’t lose any sleep over me.”
Too late .
“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.” She smiled, but her green eyes shot sparks at him. Clearly, he’d struck a nerve.
If she only knew how much sleep he’d lost in the last few days thinking about her, although not exactly because he was worried about her. Until he’d spoken to the hospital administrator, at least. Still, he wasn’t her keeper. He held up his hand in truce. “No offense. I worry about my cousin going over there, too, even though I know he can take care of himself.”
Pamela glanced down at her too-full plate. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to jump down your throat. That was a knee-jerk reaction. I think you reminded me of my dad for a minute.”
Man, I must be getting old . “I can only imagine how worried he is when you’re overseas.”
This time when she smiled, her eyes actually twinkled. “Yeah, typical overprotective father. Not that he, too, hasn’t been in some insanely dangerous situations before. But he never worries about himself. I’m glad he retired before anything bad happened.”
“Retiring to teach is a lot safer than what Gunnar did post-retirement.”
“I think danger is in Gunnar’s blood,” she ventured.
“Probably so.” Kristoffer tended to gravitate toward much less excitement in his life. Hell, there was no excitement in his life. Not anymore.
As it appeared they were finished with lunch, and he had no other business to discuss, perhaps it was time to wrap things up. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any reason for them to meet face to face on a project like this, although he tried to think of one.
Before he came up with anything, she spoke. “If you need any help tracking down sources for the equipment, let me know.”
“Actually, that might help a lot. Your medical knowledge will be invaluable in choosing the right equipment and supply companies.”
“Great!” She seemed as happy as he was they’d be able to continue to work together in person. “When should we meet again?”
“Well, Gunnar wants a detailed preliminary report next week, so why not tomorrow? Lunch or dinner?” He wanted to make sure she ate and more than a salad next time. “I know a great Greek place, if you’re into Mediterranean cuisine.”
“Love it. Lunch sounds perfect.”
He settled the bill and found himself looking forward to meeting again
She swallowed before answering. At least she was eating again. “I was at loose ends mainly. Between jobs and trying to figure out what to do next. Then I saw a news report about the need for surgeons and other physicians. When I checked out the qualifications, I met all of them. Best move I ever made. I think fulfilling my need to serve was a big part of it.”
“Don’t you worry about your safety?”
She shrugged. “I take precautions, and we’re surrounded by security forces. Because we’re not taking sides in the conflict, we usually aren’t targets. We also make sure all warring factions are aware of our coordinates.”
“There’s such a thing as friendly fire. No one’s safe in a war zone.”
“True. But this is what I’m compelled to do. Just as Gunnar makes regular missions in the same region. It’s hard to turn your back on those in need.”
“There are those in need here, too.”
“I know. And when I’m tired of working with this organization, I’ll search for a way to help closer to home. I just didn’t choose the right practice to work with before and wanted to place some distance between us.”
He wondered what had happened. “I’m in awe of those with your courage and conviction.”
“I look at it as my job.”
“Yeah, that’s how Gunnar describes what he’s been doing since he joined the Army.” Didn’t make Kristoffer any more reassured about his cousin’s safety. “I’m going to worry about you now when you go back.”
“That’s sweet, but don’t lose any sleep over me.”
Too late .
“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.” She smiled, but her green eyes shot sparks at him. Clearly, he’d struck a nerve.
If she only knew how much sleep he’d lost in the last few days thinking about her, although not exactly because he was worried about her. Until he’d spoken to the hospital administrator, at least. Still, he wasn’t her keeper. He held up his hand in truce. “No offense. I worry about my cousin going over there, too, even though I know he can take care of himself.”
Pamela glanced down at her too-full plate. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to jump down your throat. That was a knee-jerk reaction. I think you reminded me of my dad for a minute.”
Man, I must be getting old . “I can only imagine how worried he is when you’re overseas.”
This time when she smiled, her eyes actually twinkled. “Yeah, typical overprotective father. Not that he, too, hasn’t been in some insanely dangerous situations before. But he never worries about himself. I’m glad he retired before anything bad happened.”
“Retiring to teach is a lot safer than what Gunnar did post-retirement.”
“I think danger is in Gunnar’s blood,” she ventured.
“Probably so.” Kristoffer tended to gravitate toward much less excitement in his life. Hell, there was no excitement in his life. Not anymore.
As it appeared they were finished with lunch, and he had no other business to discuss, perhaps it was time to wrap things up. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any reason for them to meet face to face on a project like this, although he tried to think of one.
Before he came up with anything, she spoke. “If you need any help tracking down sources for the equipment, let me know.”
“Actually, that might help a lot. Your medical knowledge will be invaluable in choosing the right equipment and supply companies.”
“Great!” She seemed as happy as he was they’d be able to continue to work together in person. “When should we meet again?”
“Well, Gunnar wants a detailed preliminary report next week, so why not tomorrow? Lunch or dinner?” He wanted to make sure she ate and more than a salad next time. “I know a great Greek place, if you’re into Mediterranean cuisine.”
“Love it. Lunch sounds perfect.”
He settled the bill and found himself looking forward to meeting again
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