Page 2 of One Week to Win His Heart

Professor Wilmont’s delegation had been organising these types of events in hospitals around the globe since the beginning of the tour in January, so they were very experienced at what they did. That was another reason why it was important for Melody and Rick to ensure St Aloysius measured up to the standards of professionalism the professor would have received from other medical institutions.

‘Not that I’m aware of.’ George answered Melody’s question but turned and raised an inquisitive eyebrow at his personal aide. ‘Carmel? Any changes?’

Carmel consulted the leather-bound book in her hands, then shook her head. ‘No.’ She was a small, thin woman who wore very high-heeled shoes and a tailored business suit, with her almost jet-black hair pulled back in a tight chignon. The consummate professional.

‘Excellent.’ Melody nodded. ‘Well, then, we’d better get started to make sure we don’t fall behind schedule.’

‘Carmel would never let that happen,’ George remarked as Melody walked towards the door and held it open. ‘She’s a hard taskmaster but a necessary one.’ His words were spoken with affection and joviality. Carmel’s answer was to provide a polite smile in their direction. ‘I’d have been lost without her during this tour.’

George was the last person to exit, apart from her, and Melody inclined her head towards the door. ‘After you, Professor Wilmont.’ She gestured, indicating he should precede her.

‘Ladies first,’ he insisted, and the smile he aimed in her direction was one that turned her insides to mush.

She was knocked off guard by the sensation, so mumbled a ‘Thank you,’ as she went through the door before him.

As they headed towards the operating theatres, Melody pointed out different areas of the hospital, trying to regain her inner composure. It had been quite some time since she’d reacted like this to a man’s charming personality, and the outcome of that experience had been one of heartbreak. If she was focusing on playing host, on being professional and imparting information, then her mind couldn’t dwell on the unexpected way she was responding to Professor Wilmont.

Once in Theatres, they did a tour of the operating room George would be using when he taught. It had a viewing gallery positioned on a mezzanine floor surrounding the operating table so that students, interns, nursing staff and doctors could easily see what was happening.

‘It’s also equipped with microphones and miniature cameras. There are two television monitors in the viewing gallery and, as would be expected, we’ll be recording the procedures for further study of your techniques.’

‘An impressive facility,’ George murmured.

‘I’m delighted to hear that. I’ll pass your comments onto the CEO,’ she responded, before they continued with their tour. They headed down yet another long corridor and it was only when George spoke that she realised how close he was to her.

‘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.’

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