The Forever Assignment

‘No?’ She laughed scornfully. ‘Come on, Adam, at least have the guts to tell me the truth. We both know that you didn’t want me along on this trip and we both know why, too.’

‘And that has nothing to do with my decision. I’m in charge of this team and it’s up to me what happens.’

‘Then why won’t you leave me in charge of this patient?’

‘Because it’s too dangerous, that’s why!’

He swung round and she took a step back when she saw the anger in his eyes.

Yet she knew on some inner level that it wasn’t directed at her but at himself.

‘I am simply not prepared to put your life at risk, Kasey. And if you don’t like it then there isn’t much I can do, because nothing you say or do will make me change my mind.’

‘I didn’t realise…’

It seemed too incredible to believe after what had gone on between them, yet there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he was telling her the truth.

Dear Reader

I have always been fascinated by the work that is carried out by overseas aid agencies, and really admire the courage and dedication of the brave doctors and nurses who volunteer to help other people under the most arduous conditions. Setting up my own fictional medical aid agency is my tribute to them.

The people who work for Worlds Together do so for many different reasons, but mainly because they want to help save lives. In this book surgeon Adam Chandler intends to do all he can to help the people of Mwuranda. He has hand-picked his team of volunteers and is confident that everyone going on this mission is the cream of the crop. It comes as a shock when one of his anaesthetists drops out and he is forced to accept the services of Kasey Harris.

Kasey isn’t sure why she volunteered to go to Mwuranda. She knows that Adam will give her a rough ride after she broke off their relationship, but she feels it’s time that they let bygones be bygones. However, it soon becomes apparent that she will have her work cut out if she wants to end the hostilities between them. What she has never anticipated is that working with Adam will arouse feelings which she’s tried to keep buried…

I really enjoyed helping Kasey and Adam work through their problems. However, no matter how difficult and dangerous their job is, it’s nothing compared to finally facing their true feelings for one another.

Watch out for more books in my Worlds Together series in the coming months.

Best wishes

JENNIFER TAYLOR

The Forever Assignment

Jennifer Taylor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CONTENTS

Cover

Dear Reader

Title Page

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Copyright

‘NO!’

Adam Chandler slammed his hand down on the desk. It was rare that he ever lost his temper and he could see the surprise on people’s faces as they turned to see what was happening.

The office was packed that day with members of his team and every single one of them had been hand-picked by him for their skills. Joan Simpson, for instance, was one of the world’s leading authorities on dengue fever—a virulent tropical disease—while Gordon Thompson knew more about typhus than any person alive.

Adam’s own speciality was reconstructive surgery and he knew without a shred of vanity that there were few people who could match him. This team was the cream of the crop and it had taken him months to put it together so it had been a huge blow when one of their anaesthetists had gone down with appendicitis the previous day. They were due to fly out to Mwuranda the following night and finding a replacement at such short notice had not been an easy task, so he’d been delighted when Shiloh Smith, the head of Worlds Together—the aid agency which was funding the trip—had phoned to tell him that he’d found the ideal candidate to go with them.

Adam had been on his way to Theatre at the time so he’d asked Shiloh to call at his office that afternoon and let him have the details then. There would be a lot of paperwork that would need to be completed before the newcomer could travel with them but he’d been confident he could get it done in time. Everything had been working out perfectly, in fact, until Shiloh had arrived and dropped his bombshell.

‘There is no way that I’m taking Kasey Harris along on this trip.’

‘That’s what she said you’d say.’ Shiloh laughed. ‘OK, so what’s the story? Do I take it that you two have a history?’

‘Ask Kasey,’ Adam replied shortly, standing up. He poured himself a cup of coffee, hoping Shiloh couldn’t tell how rattled he was. He and Kasey most definitely had a history although it wasn’t something he was prepared to discuss even with his oldest friend.

‘I already did and she gave me the same answer as you just did.’ Shiloh grinned. ‘I’m starting to build up a picture here. Do I take it that you and the lovely Dr Harris were rather more than colleagues at one point?’

‘You can take it any damn way you like,’ Adam retorted, refusing to be drawn into talking about that episode in his life.