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Now he was really curious. ‘Why? Who is her father?’
Frank raised his eyebrows. ‘That would be Donald Williams.’ He paused for a second. ‘Major General Donald Williams. Our commander.’
Avery couldn’t help his head flicking sideways. It didn’t matter that Katsuko’s retreating back was nowhere in sight.
Of course. That was why the Major General had been looking at her. A giant of a man, notoriously strict, he’d commanded this base for over ten years. He also had pale skin.
There was no family resemblance at all.
‘Donald Williams is Katsuko’s father?’
Frank nodded. ‘Sure is.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘And watch out because he bites too, especially anyone who looks at his daughter the way you do.’
CHAPTER TWO
A TEN-HOUR SHIFT had turned into a fourteen-hour shift. There was no way she was going back home when the ER waiting room was so full that patients couldn’t find seats.
After a few hours some of the local police arrived to collect statements and details of injuries. ‘Any idea what happened?’
The first one nodded. ‘Delivery mistake. Chemicals for the printing factory had been mislabelled. They got mixed together as they normally do and...boom.’
Katsuko sucked in a breath. It all seemed so matter-of-fact. She’d seen exactly the damage those mislabelled chemicals had caused. The man who had been brought in by helicopter had died. Mahito was currently in their paediatric ICU. It would be a few days before they’d even attempt to wake him up from his induced coma.
Her paperwork was finally finished. The next shift had come on duty and all patients were currently being seen.
There was a nudge at her shoulder. ‘How about you show the new guy where he can get some food?’
Avery. That was his name. These US doctors rolled in, dated their way around every department and rolled back out without a second glance. Did he really think he was the first new doctor to show a spark of interest in her?
He leaned against the wall next to her, folding his arms, his Indiana Jones style hat back on his head.
‘I can’t believe you actually walk about like that.’
He tipped his hat at her. ‘What can I say? It’s a precious family heirloom. I don’t leave home without it.’
At some point he’d changed into a set of obligatory pale green scrubs. They suited him, matched his pale green eyes. There was a borrowed stethoscope around his neck and his military boots were still in place. His feet must be aching.
His blond hair was longer than normal for the military—most of the men had buzz cuts around here. She resisted the temptation to smile. Her father would have a fit. As soon as that tiny bit of forward-flopping hair touched his eyebrow there would be memos flying about the base.
He was still smiling at her. A lazy, sexy grin. This guy was movie-star material and he knew it. That rankled.
Now that he was dressed in thin scrubs she could see practically every outlined and defined muscle on his chest and arms. The scrubs were cutting into the muscle around the top of his arm. It was clear he worked out.
Another one. Cheeky. Sassy. Following her about the place. Most scattered when they found out who her father was. Well, not really her father, but as good as. The odd newcomer had thought it a challenge to try and date the Major General’s daughter. But she’d learned quickly.
It had only taken overhearing one conversation. A few sentences from one airman to another—that dating the General’s daughter would be a fast track to promotion—to make her stomach turn over and her blood boil.
She was immune. Immune to the too-long hair, twinkling eyes and defined muscles. She was immune to the cheeky innuendo and admiring glances.
No matter how cute the overall package.
‘I’m sure you can find someone else to show you where to eat.’
‘But what if I want you to show me?’
She shot him a beaming smile. ‘I’m busy.’
He lifted her stethoscope off her neck. ‘No. You’re not. Your duty shift finished four hours ago.’
She raised her eyebrows. ‘And yours doesn’t even start until tomorrow.’
He placed his hand across his heart. ‘Just shows you what kind of guy I am. Dedicated. Hard-working. Selfless.’
She grabbed her stethoscope back and started to walk down the corridor towards the changing rooms. ‘Big-headed.’
‘Ouch.’ He gave a little stagger against a wall. He was still smiling at her. ‘First Lieutenant Williams, is that how you treat a fellow airman?’ He’d raised his voice a little and she could see heads turning in their direction. He opened his arms. ‘I’ve travelled halfway around the world. Billeted here at short notice. Walked in and worked a fourteen-hour shift.’ He shrugged his shoulders at two other amused staff members walking towards them. ‘I didn’t have time to check in with the housing officer and find out where I’m staying, let alone have something to eat.’ He gave them a conspiratorial smile. ‘Is this the kind of welcome Okatu gives new staff members?’
Katsuko felt the rush of heat into her cheeks. This guy was actually getting to her a little.
Caleb, one of the nurses, shook his head as he moved past and tutted. ‘Shocking.’ It was obvious he was trying not to laugh.
‘Not so much as a cup of coffee,’ added Seiko, one of the aerospace medical technicians.
It was odd. Avery’s grin was almost infectious. She could feel the edges of her mouth turning upwards even though she was willing them not to. She might not have paid enough attention before, but he did look tired. Who knew how many hours he’d travelled before he’d done an unexpected shift? And she couldn’t remember him taking a break at any point. The guy must be starving.
Avery shrugged. ‘Or maybe you have someone waiting for you at home?’
The flush in her cheeks warmed even more. Nothing like asking if she was single. What was worse was that she could see the exchange of glances between her colleagues.
Katsuko threw up her hands. ‘Fine. Fine.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘I’ll phone Barney, the housing officer, and we can pick up your keys before I show you where to eat.’
‘Food!’ exclaimed Avery. ‘It’s been so long I don’t even remember what it tastes like.’
He was walking right alongside her, so close their arms were almost brushing together. She bumped him with her hip and laughed as he lost his balance. ‘Cut it out, drama king. I’ll give you ten minutes to shower and get back into your dress uniform. If you’re not outside in ten I’m leaving you behind.’
He gave her a wink as he backed into the changing room. ‘Not a chance. I’m all yours.’
She gulped. The new guy was too smart for his own good. Too sassy. And a whole lot too sexy.
One of her colleagues gave her a nudge. ‘Hmm... Dr Flynn? Is he single? Because if he is, I’ll fight you for him.’
* * *
Ten minutes later she emerged from the changing room and walked straight into the chest of Avery Flynn.
‘Oof!’
He grinned. ‘I got you back. And at least I didn’t leave you sprawling on the floor.’
She straightened her blue jacket. She’d spent longer than she usually did getting changed. For some strange reason she’d felt the urge to check her make-up and spray on some perfume.
‘Maybe next time you won’t get in the way.’
If he’d looked good in the scrubs he looked even better in the dress uniform. The pale blue shirt and dark jacket fitted his frame perfectly. His eyes swept up and down her quickly, taking in the regulation skirt, her legs no longer hidden in scrubs. She resisted the temptation to clear her throat.
He waved his arm in front of him. ‘Lead on, then, First Lieutenant. I’d hate to get in the way.’
; She rolled her eyes and started walking. ‘Are you always going to be this annoying?’
His backpack was slung over his shoulder and his darned fedora was in his other hand. At least he wasn’t trying to wear it while he was in uniform. He fell into step alongside her. ‘Believe me, I’ve got annoying down to a fine art.’
He pushed open the door and held it for her. She swept through in front of him. ‘I bet you have.’
She pointed in one direction. ‘Let’s go this way. We’ll pick up your keys from the housing officer. I gave him a call and he told me where he’d leave things for you.’
Avery frowned and looked at his watch. ‘Is that the time? I’d no idea it was so late.’ He nudged her with his elbow. ‘Just as well I’m with you. The housing office would be closed at ten o’clock at night.’
She started crossing the road. ‘It might surprise you but we have lots of night-time deployment flights. The housing officer has a page. He wouldn’t have minded if you’d called him out.’
He gave her a curious glance. ‘Lived here long?’
‘Almost all my life.’
His footsteps faltered a little but she didn’t halt. She knew exactly what would happen next. He lengthened his stride and walked a little in front of her, turning around to catch sight of her face. ‘I didn’t think that was possible.’
‘It’s not.’
