The Surgeon King's Secret Baby

“Captain Cote, you’re officially off duty,” said Major Smart as she came to the hospital tent. “You’ve done a wonderful job, but we’re getting ready to pull out. The next rotation is here and you need your rest.”

“When does my transport leave, Major?” Reagan asked.

“Zero one hundred. I suggest you get some rest—and that’s an order.”

Reagan saluted Major Smart and stood there for a few moments. She had been relieved of duty and at one in the morning she’d leave Isla Hermosa and head back to Petawawa, before being formally and honorably discharged from the Canadian Armed Forces.

“You hungry?” Kainan asked. “You look like you need food and rest.”

“I do—but don’t you have to move to the front with the Hermosian Army?”

Kainan shook his head, a strange expression crossing his face. “Not yet. I have time. Why do you think I came here to help with the wounded when our mobile medical unit is further up the line?”

Reagan smiled. “I’ve just got used to seeing you hanging around these last few months. Usually getting in my way.”

Kainan grinned that mischievous grin which always caused her pulse to race. If they weren’t here in the middle of a war... But they were, and Kainan was off-limits. She was leaving in a matter of hours and she wasn’t even sure that she’d ever see him again.

“You have a beautiful smile, Reagan.”

A blush crept up her cheeks. “What?”

“You never smile for me. You’re always so serious.”

“This is war. I don’t feel much like smiling.”

Kainan stopped and took her hand, those intense dark eyes focused on her. She wasn’t used to that. She wasn’t used to the attention.

“You look tired, Reagan. You need sleep and food.”

“I’m fine.”

“Come.”

It wasn’t a request, it was an order, and technically he outranked her. Kainan placed his hand on the small of her back and led her toward the mess tent.

She was so exhausted that she let him get food and a Thermos of coffee, but he didn’t let her sit down at a table. Instead he led her outside.

“Where are we going?” Reagan asked tiredly. “The beach is full of armed personnel.”

“We’re not going to the beach. We’re going to my tent. It’s in a shady spot and we won’t be in any danger.”

“There was mortar fire not that long ago,” she said, falling into step beside him.

Kainan sighed. “The rebels have surrendered and there’s a cease-fire. We should be at peace for a while.”

Kainan’s tent was on the edge of the Hermosian camp that bordered the Canadian forces’ camp. And it was in a shady spot, with camouflage netting. They took a seat down in the sand under the awning, and felt the breeze blow in off the Atlantic.

Reagan closed her eyes and let the cool air wash over her.

“Here, drink this.” Kainan passed her some coffee.

“I’m supposed to be resting.”

She took a drink of the dark, sweet Hermosian coffee. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been able to savor a cup of coffee. Usually she downed it quickly, burning her tongue in the process, as she tried to patch together the wounded soldiers and the unfortunate civilians who’d got in the line of fire.

“If you go to bed now you will be even more tired by the time your transport comes because you won’t sleep when you’re so stressed. Unwind and relax.”

“This is nice,” she admitted.

“I will miss you,” he said out of the blue, and he smiled sadly at her. “You have been a great friend and you’re an amazing surgeon. I’ve enjoyed working with you.”

Reagan was shocked, but pleased, and she squeezed his hand. “Ditto.”

“Really?” he asked, surprised.

“Of course.”

“You could’ve fooled me. You’re so closed-off around me sometimes.”

“Then why will you miss me?”

Kainan grinned. “Because you’re brave, compassionate...”

“You just called me closed-off,” she teased.

“Compassionate with your patients. You have a kind heart.”

She blushed again. “Thank you.”

“You’re also beautiful.”

He ran his thumb across her knuckles. His hands were rough from the dry heat and the tough conditions, but they were strong, surgical hands. And the simple touch was both calming and exciting at the same time.

“You’re the most beautiful soldier I have ever seen.”

His eyes twinkled and he smiled, causing a dimple to pucker in his cheek under his stubble.

Blood heated her cheeks at the compliment. No one ever paid her compliments. She wasn’t sure how to take it.

“Why do you need my approval all the time, Reagan? For goodness’ sakes, leave me alone. You don’t need validation for something that is so ordinary.”

Her mother’s harsh words rang in her ears.

She began to tremble, thinking about her mother and the lack of parental compassion she’d had growing up.

“You’re trembling.” Kainan pulled her close and whispered, “Why?”

“Tired. That’s all.” She was lying, but she didn’t want to think of her mother now.