The Italian's New-Year Marriage Wish by Sarah Morgan Page B

Lucy?’ Amy tried to ignore the heavy feeling of dread that sat in her stomach. ‘Is she doing all right?’
    â€˜Very well, considering the baby was premature. Annabel is still in Special Care but they’re hoping to be back home for New Year.’ Nick tapped his fingers on the desk, his expression thoughtful. It was clear that he was already planning, his mind on the practice and the needs of the local population. ‘So, Amy, it’s pretty obvious that you should just take on Lucy’s patients and the antenatal clinic. I seem to remember that obstetrics was always your big love so it makes sense.’
    Amy’s mouth dried. ‘No!’ Forgetting all about the sleeping arrangements, she shook her head. ‘No. I mean…could I do one of the other clinics?’ Not antenatal. Please, God, not that. Not now. ‘It would be great to do something different. Don’t you do the antenatal clinic? I’d hate to take it away from you.’ Aware that Marco was looking at her in astonishment, she tried to recover herself but Nick was frowning, too.
    â€˜Since Lucy left I’ve had to cover the minor surgery and I can’t do it all. Marco does child health, of course, and Alison Myers, our practice nurse, does a fair few clinics on her own with no help. Dragan has other responsibilities that take him further afield, so he can’t take on obstetrics.’ Nick narrowed his eyes, studying her face carefully. ‘You love obstetrics. Pregnant women were always your special interest. What’s the problem? Is it something to do with your stint in Africa? I mean, it’s not as if you’re going to be expected to deliver the babies or anything. Just deliver the antenatal care. Have you had a drama that we ought to know about?’
    â€˜No. Nothing like that.’ Her heart was galloping and her palms were damp. ‘There’s no problem, really,’ she lied, her voice barely working. ‘I just thought maybe it would be better to have a more permanent doctor doing that particular clinic. For continuity. Women like continuity, don’t they?’
    She wished Marco would stop looking at her. And now Nick was looking at her, too. And she had a feeling that the older doctor would be asking her questions sooner rather than later.
    â€˜Ideally, yes,’ Nick said slowly, his gaze intent on her face. ‘But in this case I think they’ll just be delighted to have afemale doctor with expertise in obstetrics. I can’t imagine that anyone is going to protest.’
    She was protesting. But now they were both staring at her and she knew that she’d already betrayed far too much.
    â€˜Well, if you’re sure they won’t mind—I’ll do the clinic, of course.’ She gave what she hoped was a casual smile. ‘It will be fine.’ Fine. Fine. Fine. She was a trained professional. She could deliver whatever medical care was required of her.
    She could do antenatal.
    She could switch off. Shut down her feelings. Wasn’t that what she’d done for the past two years?
    â€˜Good.’ Nick’s eyes lingered on her face for a moment longer and then he turned back to Marco. ‘So that’s decided, then. I’ll tell Kate and she can inform the patients. Good news. Thanks, Amy. A timely arrival on your part if ever there was one. Lucky for us.’
    Not lucky, Amy thought miserably, biting her lip so hard that she tasted blood. Not lucky at all.
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    â€˜All right, so what the hell is happening between you and Amy? Is this happy ever after?’ Nick hooked his hands behind his head and rocked back on his chair. ‘Are the two of you back together?’
    Marco lounged in the chair opposite, his expression guarded. ‘Are you asking as my friend or my colleague?’
    â€˜What difference does it make? It’s a simple yes or no answer.’
    â€˜We’re not back together again…’ Marco