Page 35 of Twin Surprise for the Italian Doc

Could he do that? Not just get past the glaring fault of Georgia’s lack of honesty but be able to be a father to someone else’s child?

Sì...his heart whispered. Because it would mean you could spend the rest of your life with the woman you love...

No... His head shot back. Don’t even think about it. Change the subject. A countryon the other side of the globe was agreatsubject.

‘Isn’t that where you two are going on honeymoon?’

‘More than that,’ Luke said. ‘I haven’t had the chance to tell you about it yet, but Katy and I are thinking of emigrating there. We’ve got some job interviews lined up for next week.’

‘What?’ Okay, this was an effective distraction. ‘You’re serious?’ A pang of something like envy tightenedhis chest.

He was ready for something new.

An excitingly different challenge.

More people edged closer to congratulate Luke and Kate, which interrupted their conversation about how wonderful a country New Zealand was. Matteo drifted away—towards where Georgia was still standing with her boss. She must have seen him coming because she apparently spotted someone she was clearly keen to talk toand excused herself smoothly the moment he arrived by her side.

‘It’s Dougal, yes?’

The older man nodded. ‘And you must be Matteo, the “paramedic extraordinaire” from Milan that Luke was telling me about.’

Matteo laughed. ‘He trots that line out everywhere. I would take it with... How do you say it—a spoon of salt?’

Dougal grinned. ‘A pinch. But he was very believable, I have to say. If you’reever in the market for a new job, come and have a chat. We have a position on our helicopter team coming up very soon that I’m keen to fill with someone extraordinary.’

‘Oh?’

‘We have a very international team. In the past, we’ve had guys from all over the world.’ Dougal sighed. ‘I guess the characteristics that make someone extraordinary include the desire for adventure and travel. Which isgreat, but it does mean that I have to go through this exercise of finding new people a lot more often than I’d like.’

Matteo nodded, but he wasn’t feeling sympathy over Dougal’s extra workload. His mind had stopped at the ‘international’ reference.

‘Have you ever had someone from New Zealand working for you?’

Dougal blinked. ‘As a matter of fact, we did. A while back now, though. Must be aboutsix months since he left. It’shisreplacement that we’re trying to find someone to fill right now. Why do you ask?’

‘No reason.’ Matteo didn’t need to do the maths. It fitted. ‘It just seems a popular part of the world at the moment.’

‘Ah...because that’s where Kate and Luke are planning to live?’

‘Mmm.’ Matteo’s gaze was roving again and, of course, it settled on Georgia. Why was her bosshere if it wasn’t as her ‘plus one’? Kate and Luke were both doctors and it seemed surprising that they would count the director of a rescue service as a close friend.

Dougal had followed the direction of his glance.

‘You met Georgie, didn’t you? At the rally in Rakovi?’

‘Ah...yes.’ Somehow, he managed to make it sound as if he had to try to remember. ‘She was Kate’s partner.’

Dougal nodded.‘She was the one who introduced me to Kate. We had her come to do some training sessions on station about dealing with paediatric trauma and we’ve been friends ever since. Have to say I’m delighted to share her happiness this evening.’

Matteo mirrored his nod. And, slowly, the smile. So there was a reason for Georgia’s boss to be here tonight that meant he could let go of his suspicions.

Andthe probable father of her child was already back on the other side of the world, oblivious to what he’d left behind.

He took a sip from his drink as he relaxed.

‘Tell me more,’ he invited Dougal, ‘about this job you have available...?’

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