Free Close Quarters by Lucy Monroe Page A

one’s threatened to terminate my contract.”
    â€œAnd if they did?”
    â€œThen, I’d have to look for another relief organization that could use my training and expertise.” Tanya’s voice rang with both certainty and sincerity, the tones of an idealist still convinced in her ability to do right.
    He had a very hard time reconciling this woman, one who would risk her position and the anger of a doctor she clearly admired, in order to do what she thought was right, with a woman who would sell her country’s secrets. Not only that, but if her espionage required the cover of traveling relief worker, she wouldn’t risk losing that position. If she was the information leak.
    Maybe it wasn’t just his libido telling him Tanya was innocent. Maybe his gut was saying the same thing. And maybe it was time he started listening.
    He’d screwed up badly once before, allowing personal feelings to blind him to the truth until it was too late. He’d vowed never to do that again.
    If he ignored Tanya’s innocence because of his feelings for her, he would be doing the same thing. That would be stupid. Monumentally so. And Roman was not a stupid man.
    â€œSo, why this village?”
    â€œIt has a large population of children, and the mothers are more open to modern medicine than in other villages. We’ll be doing a wellness check, weighing children, checking for disease, treating what we can.” Her hazel eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
    If it wasn’t genuine, he could not see it, which would make her more than an expert liar. It would make her a master at the craft. And that? He did not buy it.
    â€œSounds like you’ll be busy.”
    â€œI will, but it’s worth it. So many villages continue to rely on the old ways. If a child gets sick, the village shaman or a medium will be called in and asked to intercede with the ancestors on their behalf.” She bit her lip, her expression turning troubled. “They reject modern medicine, but going to the ancestors is not going to cure malaria, or AIDS. Not that we’ve got enough of the antivirals to touch that epidemic, even today.”
    â€œThat doesn’t discourage you?”
    â€œIt hurts that so many children die, but we make a difference. If only a dozen children live that would not have, isn’t it worth everything we do? And we treat way more than a dozen.”
    â€œI like your attitude,” he admitted.
    She cocked her head to one side, looking at him as if trying to decide his sincerity. “I thought you didn’t like me at all.”
    â€œI like you too much,” he said, with more honesty than he’d intended.
    He didn’t know what it was about this woman that made him admit something he would normally keep under wraps.
    â€œReally?” she asked, the shock in her voice belying any thought she was flirting, or coyly fishing for compliments.
    Without conscious volition, he ran his fingertip down her smooth cheek. She was just so damn sweet. “Yes, really.”
    Her eyes widened, the pupils expanding.
    â€œSo, what else happens at the village? Will you treat adults?”
    â€œSome, but most will hold off in favor of having the children seen. When we’re all done, we’ll share in the evening meal. There will be music, traditional dance, storytelling.” The soft breathiness of her voice did not match the mundane nature of her words.
    He reached out and ran his fingers through her golden-brown hair, the silky strands sensually caressing his hand. “That sounds like a party.” He could so do this woman.
    â€œIt is.” She grinned, her gaze both heated and teasing. “Why do you think I wasn’t willing to miss it?”
    Dropping his hand, he shook his head. “Somehow, I think the work actually takes precedence over the entertainment in your mind.”
    â€œDon’t be fooled. They’re both important.” Her tone was as