The Fling That Changed Everything

She wasn’t interested in meeting someone, she reminded herself.

But if she was, there would have been no contest between Sam and Jack, so it was probably just as well Sam hadn’t shown even a glimmer of interest in her. Quite the opposite, in fact, judging by the way he’d turned his back and walked away.

‘Looks like we’ve been abandoned.’ Jack shrugged. ‘Want to have a look at the helicopter before I give you the grand tour of everything else?’

‘Sure.’ Lia turned her head, her smile polite. ‘It’s a BK117, isn’t it? Fully specced?’

‘We’ve got everything your paramedic heart could desire. Even a portable ventilator and ultrasound.’

‘Awesome. The only other thing I need is a pilot with exceptional skill.’

‘At your service.’ Jack tugged at his fringe. ‘I might push the boundaries but I’m not about to risk killing myself or any of my crew.’ He returned her smile. ‘And, judging from your CV they sent through, you’re going to be one of the best I’ve worked with. And...um...sorry about, you know... I’m not usually a jerk. This job is my life. Maybe I got a bit overexcited about meeting someone who has the same passion.’

He wouldn’t be trying it on again, either. This time her smile was genuine. ‘We’re going to get along just fine, Jack.’ She couldn’t help turning her head to where a golf cart was sending up a cloud of dust as it carried Sam and Matt away from the airstrip. The question of how well she might be going to get on with the medical staff here was an entirely different matter.

‘Are we...um...going to have a look around the hospital some time, too?’

‘It’s our base.’ Jack nodded. ‘We hang out in the staffroom on our downtime so that we’re within coo-ee of the radio. You’ll probably get roped in to help with some of the medical stuff, I expect. We always seem to be a bit short-staffed.’

So she’d be seeing Sam again. Probably quite a lot of him.

Not that it should matter. If anything, it should be something that could be seen as a potential conflict, given the odd vibe he’d put out.

So why were her spirits lifting again?

Because she couldn’t resist a challenge? It was intriguing, that was all. She wouldn’t mind finding out how he’d ended up here and why he’d stayed.

And she’d definitely like to rub his nose in that attitude to how capable a female paramedic could be.

Yep. That would be a bonus.

And Lia was very good at rising to any challenge to prove herself.

She followed Jack towards the helicopter, which was well anchored to cope with the rising wind gusts. Not that they were likely to be flying anytime soon in these conditions, but the sooner the better, as far as she was concerned.

She could feel her fingers curling into fists.

Bring it on...

CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_3fc6a68b-7ca9-55f5-97d8-4e0c91f7c1b2)

‘WHAT’S WITH THE white coat, Sam?’

‘It’s my doctor coat.’ The grin on his favourite nurse’s face was irritating. ‘You get to wear a uniform every day, Ana. What’s wrong with me looking a bit more professional? Besides, I never realised how useful all these pockets were. Look—I can fit my diary and phone and even my stethoscope in here...’ Sam pulled some sterile gloves from the wall dispenser and shoved those in another pocket. ‘I’m ready for anything.’

‘You look more like you’re about to front an advertisement for washing powder or something. You know...’ She dropped her voice. ‘Laboratory tests have proved Wonder Wash to be a thousand percent more effective than other leading brands.’

Sam snorted. ‘You’ve changed, Ana. You used to show a bit more respect.’

The grin widened. ‘Maybe it’s because I’m a happily married woman now.’

He had to smile back. ‘You are. And it’s great. I’m really happy for you, even if you didn’t invite me to the wedding.’

‘Like you would have dropped everything and come all the way to London for a few days. It was hard enough persuading my mother to be there. And you’ll get your wedding fix soon enough.’

‘True. Is it next week that Caroline and Keanu are tying the knot?’

‘The week after. Oh...who’s this coming in with Jack?’

Sam turned his head. Sure enough, there were two people entering the wide walkway that linked the three wings of Wildfire hospital around its lush tropical garden. Something in the garden had clearly attracted Lia’s attention and they had paused as she’d pointed. Maybe she’d spotted an exotic bird near the pond in the garden’s centre. Sam found himself checking that the lapels on his white coat were sitting flat. Not that he was about to tell Ana but there was a reason he’d wanted to look particularly professional today.

‘That’s the new FIFO paramedic. She came in yesterday with the new nurse. Have you met Matt yet?’

‘Of course. He’s giving Rangi his bath.’ Her lips twitched. ‘It may take a while. There’s a lot to wash.’

‘We’ve got to try and get his weight down. The diabetes and skin sores are only going to be the start of his health issues.’

‘Mmm. I have to say it’s going to be a treat to have a male nurse on board for a while. Matt didn’t even need the winch to get Rangi out of bed.’ But Ana’s interest was elsewhere for the moment. ‘Has our new paramedic got a name?’

‘Lia...something. Sounded Italian.’

‘She looks Italian. And...gorgeous...’

It was Sam’s turn to make a sound of feigned interest but he had to turn his head again. Jack and Lia were much closer now and it was no wonder Ana was impressed.

The short shorts and wild hair he remembered from the airstrip yesterday were gone. Lia was wearing long, dark cargo pants and the black T-shirt with the red emblem of Wildfire’s rescue service. Her hair sat smoothly against her head with a complicated braid arrangement that went from her forehead on both sides to merge into a thick rope at the back.

She looked...professional.

‘Hey, Ana. This is Lia, my new crewmate. Lia, this is Anahera Kopu, one of our permanent nurses.’

‘It’s Wilson now, Jack. I got married, remember?’ Ana held out her hand to shake Lia’s. ‘You’ve got to show me how to do my hair like that. It’s amazing.’

‘It’s dead easy. And...um...congratulations? I’m guessing your wedding was recent?’

‘A couple of months ago. I just got back from London. And a honeymoon in Paris.’

‘Wow... Two places I’d love to visit.’

‘You haven’t been yet?’

‘Travelling’s never been in my budget.’ But Lia was smiling. ‘That’s why it’s so exciting to be here.’

Because it was a new country or because it was adding to the reserves in her budget? The knot of tension in Sam’s gut was as unfamiliar as the starched fabric of the coat sleeves on his bare arms. He started rolling the sleeves up a bit.

‘We’ve got an outpatient clinic to get started, Ana.’ He nodded at Lia. ‘Has Jack got you settled in all right? Happy with your accommodation?’

‘It’s fantastic. I love it. I woke up this morning and looked out at the view of the sea and all those islands and couldn’t believe how beautiful it all is.’