St Piran's: The Brooding Heart Surgeon. Alison Roberts

did it. This time, at least.

      The triumph that was there was on the patient’s behalf. Behind that was the acknowledgment of defeat in other cases and the sadness that they couldn’t always win. Shining over both impressions was a kind of promise. A determination to always fight the odds and do the best possible job.

      It sucked her right in.

      She could work with this man. Could respect him. Like him.

      More than that, in fact, judging by the odd ripple of sensation that caressed her spine and sent tingles through the rest of her body.

      Dear Lord, she was attracted to him? No wonder she’d been so aware of her own appearance when she’d been standing in line with Charlotte. It explained a lot but it was a reaction that had to be crushed instantly. Allowing something that personal to threaten a professional relationship would be the ultimate play on femininity.

      The reason women couldn’t be seen as equals in this arena was largely because of the perception that they allowed emotion to cloud their judgment. Or, worse, they put a priority on relationships and undermined their careers by taking time off to have babies.

      Not Anna Bartlett. It wasn’t on any agenda she’d ever had.

      Luke’s return and—worse—his attractiveness were roadblocks. Ones she could detour around, which would see her working somewhere else, or deal with if the pull to stay put was strong enough. Either way, getting even remotely close to Luke Davenport would be a mistake.

      It was Anna who broke the eye contact.

      And turned away.