“Loads of cream and a touch of sweetener, thanks,” Gina said, and accepted the mug from him. For a moment or two she forgot who he was, what he was, and it felt just like two people having a coffee together. Like normal people would. Then she remembered. There was nothing normal about a man like Thomas.

“This isn’t your first time in this hospital, is it?” Thomas asked.

Surprised, Gina’s brows shot up. “What makes you say that?”

“For a traveler, you seem to know your way around this hospital very well.” Thomas gave a smile. “And your résumé shows that you did your nurse’s training here. I looked.”

“Cheat. I went to the university program here in Hidden Valley. Then I left right after graduation.” Couldn’t wait to get out, in fact. And had never thought she’d be back. “Seems like a long time ago.”

“Ever think of coming back?” Thomas sipped his coffee and contemplated her. “Being a travel nurse must have its appeal, but when you’re ready to settle down, had you thought of coming back here? You have family here, I assume.”

Gina cleared her throat and toyed with the cup handle. “My mother’s here, but I hadn’t thought of returning on a permanent basis.” She shrugged and chanced a look at him. “Nothing in my life is permanent, which is why I’m a temporary nurse.” Making things permanent meant giving up things she wasn’t prepared to give up at this point in her life.

“I see.”

Changing the topic, Gina needed to direct the focus away from herself. Sharing personal information didn’t come easily. “Your turn, Doc. What brings you to Hidden Valley? If you’ll forgive the observation, this doesn’t seem like your kind of place.”

“Me?” Why had he come here? He hadn’t thought about it for a long time. To get away? To run away? Not so unlike Gina, he thought. “My life…changed abruptly about a year ago, and I needed a quiet place to think.” He paused. Was that really it? “Hidden Valley is a good place to do that.”

“Not much to do in a town this size except think, is there? After that, then what? On to bigger and better things?” Gina asked.

“Something like that.” But had he thought about what would happen after this? He’d assumed that one day he’d leave, but didn’t have any immediate plans to return to the bosom of his family. Being away from them was actually a refreshing change from their high hopes and higher expectations.

“I know what you mean. If you stay here too long, you forget what else is out there.” There were so many things she wanted to see and do. But underneath it all she knew there was a loneliness that lingered over her life, no matter where she went. Gina glanced away, unable to hold his vibrant gaze. The man saw things too quickly, too clearly, and she would do well to remember that around him. “But this is a nice place for the summer. After that I’ll figure out what I want to do. Traveling does take a lot of energy, having to uproot myself every three months and go somewhere new. But for the most part I like it.”

“Why don’t you think about staying here for a couple of extra months?” Thomas asked. “Our hospital needs good nurses who know the community, and you certainly fit the need. And you could visit with your mother for a while.” He paused. “I’m assuming, of course, that you and your mother get along.”

Gina hesitated. “I don’t even want to think about it right now. For the time being I want try to relax a little, take a few trips to the mountains, and not have to worry about anything more.” Wouldn’t that be a lovely change? Not worrying? That’s all she’d done since she’d been a kid old enough to figure out what had been going on between her parents. At first she’d been afraid they would divorce, then she’d been afraid they’d stay together. The situation had been no-win from the start. Why they’d stayed together for so many years when they obviously hadn’t liked each other remained a mystery to her.

“Fair enough,” Thomas said, and they chatted about the hospital until they finished their coffee.

Gina looked away from his intense stare, not liking the way he made her feel. Having a squishy, excited feeling in her stomach for the boss was not good. If things had been different, if they’d had more in common than a job, a shared passion for medicine, if not for her past and his status she might have been able to look into his eyes with honest interest. But she couldn’t. Staying away from him was probably her best strategy to avoid repeating her mistakes. Mistakes that had almost cost her dearly.

She returned the mug to the sink and looked at a flyer posted on the message board.

“Are you going?” Thomas asked as he joined her.

“What is it?” She hadn’t seen anything of interest.

“It’s a fund-raiser for the cancer center. The staff go together to have a little off-time fun together, get dressed up, and raise money for a good cause.”

“Since I’m not really part of the staff, I’ll probably opt out.” Gina’s heart rate returned to semi-normal, and she returned to her chair.

“This will be my first time to participate as I’ve only been here a year, but it’s my understanding that the event has been going on for a long time. So us newbies should make an effort to go and be part of the team.” Thomas watched her. “What do you think?”

“Uh…no. Why don’t I work to relieve any staff member that wants to go?” She shrugged, trying hastily to think up an excuse. Events like that gave her hives. “Travelers usually fill staffing shortages. I don’t mind staying behind. Someone has to mind the store.”

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