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No, he iined not Natalie’s resume was impressive

“She will be a great asset to your work at Memphis Children’s,” Dr Luiz continued “You’ll be lucky to have her on your team”

No doubt, but she wasn’t going to be happy

Nor was the hospital in Boston, his research team, his office staff

If he accepted the position in Memphis he’d miss his life in Boston He alreadycareer, loyal friends, good tihts

His gaze dropped to the child in his arood He didn’t resent Carrie—he loved the kid—but he kneasn’t cut out for raising a little girl, knew he longed for the freedoo, knew she’d be better off elsewhere His mother, his sister, his extended family were all in Memphis People whom he trusted to do as best for Carrie Asthe job he loved in Boston stung, what Dr Luiz offered was exactly what Carrie needed

If he said yes, he would be hurting Natalie, would be snatching away so she desperately wanted and, in ive him

Glancing down again at the sick child in his ar her care, Matthew adodsend His parenting skills weren’t up to par, and so far his live-in nanny interviews hadn’t turned up a single applicant he trusted

Had he been in Memphis he wouldn’t have had to call out of work today, wouldn’t have had to reschedule eries that weren’t easily rescheduled, because he would have had fa and able to help How many more times over Carrie’s childhood would she be ill, have needs that would require an unexpected change to their normal routine?

He liked to think he’d been an aweso a dad? Aboutthe emotional needs of a four-year-old who had lost everyone except him?

Nothing

Accepting the position in Memphis was a necessity

“You’re quiet,” Dr Luiz pointed out from across his desk

Having gotten lost in his thoughts that he’d soon coht about way too often over the past ed “It’s been a long day”

It had been a longwhich his best friends had died and fatherhood had been thrust upon him, ready or not