swap anything, you can take this one for me.’
‘Where are you up to with the boy?’ Sam held out a hand for the notes being extended in his direction.
‘Waiting on bloods before putting him out so as we can extract what’s left of his teeth.’ Jock fidgeted with other files on his table. Everyone knew he hated working with children, found it too stressful since losing a child in an emergency operation under extreme conditions in Afghanistan two years ago. He’d been on a hiding to nothing before he’d even picked up the scalpel but no one had been able to make him see that then or afterwards.
Sam could’ve asked to change places on patrol in return for taking over the boy’s case and Jock probably would’ve obliged but, damn it, he wouldn’t do that to his pal. All right, Jock was a pal, was getting closer all the time, but not so close Sam would hurt him. Good to have him at his back, though.
‘Would you look at that?’ Jock’s eyes were so wide he appeared blinded by bright lights.
Sam didn’t have to turn in the direction his mate was staring to know Maddy had entered the room, way earlier than he’d expected. ‘She’s quite something, isn’t she?’
‘Can see why you were mooning at the window.’
‘I wasn’t mooning.’
Jock’s head bobbed like a balloon on the water. ‘You sure you don’t want to stay on for the next six months?’ he cracked.
Sam laughed, if that’s what the strangled sound that burst from his mouth was. Bitter, dry and full of despair. ‘I’m no good for her.’ But he had to face up to her—now and again and again over the coming days—without becoming mesmerised by her. He turned to nod abruptly at Madison. ‘That was quick.’ Some colour had returned to her cheeks, but the exhaustion remained.
‘The shower was cold.’ Her shrug was defensive.
‘That happens around here.’ Relief softened him. Her fear had backed off. He doubted it was gone, but right now she wasn’t being crippled by it. Wariness now met his gaze. Was she worried he’d told everyone she’d freaked out over a dust cloud? Not a chance. ‘Cold water’s just another thing to get used to. Come and meet the crew. Jock, Madison Hunter.’
Jock was on his feet in an instant, his hand extended in greeting. ‘Hey, great to have you on board. Sam says you two know each other from school.’
Her mouth twisted into something resembling a smile. Not her old full-on, love-me-or-get-out-of-my-space smile, but something softer and more cautious that inexplicably settled over Sam’s heart, loosened some of the tension he wore twenty-four seven. She said, ‘That’s an exaggeration.’ She might’ve been talking to Jock but those weary eyes were on him. ‘I didn’t play rugby and Sam wasn’t into debating.’
‘You still do that? Belong to a debating team, I mean.’ Damned if he could turn away. It felt as though he was falling into a pit, a deep one filled with the scent of home, the warmth of people he’d grown up with, the lure of a future he’d denied himself too long. And would continue to deny himself. But he would not hide from Madison for the next week. Decision made, he closed the gap between them. ‘You used to be very good.’
‘At arguing a point?’ Her mouth softened. ‘I still argue about most things, but no longer under the guise of representing a team.’
‘You sure Sam wasn’t in your team?’ Jock filled the sudden silence developing between Madison and Sam and halting the prickly sensation tripping down Sam’s spine. ‘He’s always disputing everything around here.’
‘Really?’ Those brown eyes widened, lightened into the colour of his favourite milk chocolate. ‘So you know better than the army?’ she teased.
‘Don’t tell the commander.’ He grinned.
‘As if he doesn’t know,’ Jock quipped, before heading towards the room where his young patient waited.
‘I said I’d take that case,’ Sam called after him. He needed to get out of here anyway. ‘You give Maddy the rundown on how the clinic works.’
‘No, you do that.’ Damn the guy but he’d shut the door on anything else Sam had to say.
‘What case?’ Maddy asked. ‘Can I do something to help?’
‘No, everything’s under control. Anyway, you’re not fit for duty until you’ve had some sleep.’
‘I guess. One of the troops unwell?’ She didn’t let a subject drop easily.
‘A child was brought in to have teeth removed.’ Now she’d really crank up the questions.
‘One of those waiting outside earlier? I thought you said they weren’t allowed in very often.’
‘There are exceptions. Especially with children.’
‘I’m glad.’ Her hand hovered over her stomach. ‘Kids shouldn’t be denied treatment because of the adult world around them.’
‘Agreed.’ He took a long breath, pushed aside thoughts of children and babies, especially those he’d once hoped he might have with a special woman he could give his heart to. When Maddy opened her mouth he rushed to close her down before she said something that might have him saying things he told no one. ‘You like kids?’
That hand flattened hard against her belly. The fingers whitened they were so tense. ‘Adore them.’ Her voice quivered.
Why? What was going on? Things weren’t adding up. Earlier she’d been terrified of smoke that hadn’t been smoke, now there was a distinct hint of sadness in her expression. ‘So do I,’ Sam commented, still wondering if Madison had problems at home. There were no rings on her fingers. Her surname hadn’t changed. ‘You haven’t married or got into a full-time relationship?’ he asked, oh, so casually, so as not to wind her up.
‘Divorced and single,’ she muttered after a long minute contemplating the wall behind him.
He hadn’t realised he’d been holding his breath until he heard those words. Would’ve been better if she was hooked up with someone. Then he’d be able to laugh at this annoying sense of wanting to get closer to her. He’d never step on another man’s patch. What did that matter when he had no intention of having a relationship at all? ‘I’m sorry to hear that. About the divorce, I mean,’ he added quickly, in case she misinterpreted his comment.
‘So was I. At the time.’ Then she winced. No doubt thinking she’d said far too much about herself. ‘Shall we go and see if we can help Jock?’
‘Sure.’ The boy did not need three doctors but Sam needed to get back on track with keeping away from Maddy, and she, he suspected, needed a diversion after revealing something so painful. The divorce must’ve been something she hadn’t wanted. Had she got over it? For her sake, he hoped so. Wasting life pining for what might’ve been would be a shame, thought the expert at it.
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