The Surgeon's Surprise Baby. Tina Beckett

because of Anna would be wrong. And not fair to either of us.”

      He turned to face her with a frown. “Is there someone else?”

      “What? No, of course not.” She gave a nervous laugh. “I’ve just had a baby. There’s no time for romance.”

      “But there would be if the timing were better?”

      “That’s not what I’m saying.”

      “Well, I can’t move back to the States right now. Not with my caseload.”

      Disappointment winged through her even though she knew he was right. He couldn’t just pick up and leave at a moment’s notice. “It was just a suggestion.”

      He looked up, his gaze holding hers in a way that made her swallow. “You’re currently on maternity leave. No patients or boyfriends waiting in the wings, right?”

      Something began unfurling inside of her. Something she hadn’t thought about. Something she hadn’t even wanted to think about. Was he going to ask her to marry him again? If so, would she be able to resist?

      “No, but the no-patients thing is only for a month, and then I have to be back.”

      “What if you didn’t?”

      “Sorry?”

      “What if you didn’t go? Instead of me moving to the States, what if you stayed here—in Italy—instead?”