Page 83 of Under His Guard

Nodding at Melody, I offer a small smile in return. “She does. I can only hope I become the type of surgeon she inspires.”

Reaching up over the counter, Melody puts her hand on mine.

“I’m sure you will, Dr. Stewart. I can see how much you care about your patients. Not all surgeons are like that, as you know. You’ll do great. I’m sure of it.”

Melody is a great nurse. She’s friendly with patients and staff, and she has a lot of life ahead of her—a bright future.

Suddenly, the nervous energy I’ve been fighting off increases tenfold.

I know I can’t be dwelling on the possibility that a Cobra is in the hospital again, but what can I do?

The chances are all too real. If one got in here, whoever they are, they could hurt Melody, one of my patients, anyone.

I can’t stand it.

My brain starts scrambling. Melody can’t be here. She’s too young.

“Thank you, Mel.” I swallow hard. “Say, when is your next day off? Soon? You’ve been working hard.”

“Yeah, actually. I have tomorrow off and thank you for noticing. Gotta put in those hours, though, am I right?”

I force a laugh.

“Yeah, of course. Well, hey, if I can manage to get some help, what if I see about getting you home early today? A thank you for all your support.”

Melody smiles, putting a hand to her chest as she starts to stand up.

“Aww, thank you. But this floor is short two nurses already. I don’t see that happening. But it’s fine. I love my job.”

Dammit. But it’s okay, right? There’s no one here. Everything is fine.

“Oh, right. Of course. Well, worth a shot.” I suck in a breath, trying to clear out the stagnant anxiety that hangs over me like a storm cloud. “What are you doing after work?”

Excitement bubbles up into Melody’s face, and she grins wide as she holds up a finger and digs in her purse.

“Here, look.” When she moves back toward me, Melody holds up her phone to a restaurant reservation. “My boyfriend is taking me here.”

It’s one of the nicest places in our small port town.

“Wow.” My eyes go wide. “He must be ready to wine and dine you if he’s taking you there.”

“I know, right!” She puts her cell away. “I’m so excited. He said it’s going to be a special evening. I think he’s going to propose or something!”

“What?” My heart drops into my stomach.

“Yeah, we’ve been dating since I was sixteen, and we’re always talking about getting married and starting a family. Ugh! I’m freaking out, Dr. S!”

So am I, kiddo. So am I.

Just as I’m about to respond, Dr. Carter walks up behind me, tapping me on the shoulder.

“Hey, Clara.” She’s wearing her serious face, and my chest aches for how hard my heart is beating. “We got clearance to start that ventricle repair early. Let’s go.”

The hits just keep on coming, don’t they?

“Oh, of course. I’m right behind you.” I look over at Melody with a goodbye smile. “Congrats, hon. Tell me all about it when I see you next, okay?”

“Of course. Good luck in there!” She calls out after me as I jog down the hall with Dr. Carter.

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