“I’m Kate,” I said.
“Kate,” he repeated. “I’ve always liked that name.”
“No, you haven’t.”
His eyes widened as if he were appalled I’d question this. “I have. It’s a sensible name. But also feminine and strong. It suits you.”
I looked away, unsettled by this man and the feelings he was stirring in me. I knew I should leave, but for some reason I found I couldn’t move.
“Where are you from, William Mitchell?” I asked, attempting to make innocent conversation.
“Seattle, Washington. And you?”
“Manhattan.”
“I was based there before I flew out. Fun city, although a little too big for me.”
“Is Seattle not big?”
“It is. But it’s also not.”
He rested a hand on his abdomen, winced, and laid it on the bed beside him instead.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “Do you need more pain medicine?” I looked around for the nearby doctor or nurse in charge of his care.
“Not yet,” he said, his voice quiet as he took in a couple slow breaths. “Tell me what you like to do when you’re not taking care of patients. When you’re not in the English countryside, flying back and forth to France to save lives like a heroine in some novel.”
I shrugged, ignoring his heroine comment. “I like to walk. Take in the city. Sit in cafés and read. Meet my friends for lunch. Sit in parks and feel the sun on my face.”
“I didn’t hear mention of a boyfriend or husband.”
“Of course not. I’m to marry you, remember?”
“Right,” he whispered, his smile faint.
“William?” I moved to the edge of my seat, slipping my hand into his as I did so. He squeezed. Hard. “You’re in pain, damn you. You should’ve said.”
“But then I’d have fallen asleep and you’d have left.”
I huffed and he smiled faintly.
“I’m mad at you,” I said, turning to wave down a nearby nurse.
“Is the wedding off?” he asked.
But I ignored his joke as the nurse hurried over.
“Yes?” she asked, glancing from me to William.
“He needs something for the pain,” I said.
She glanced down, noticed the sheen of sweat that had arisen on his brow, checked his chart, and nodded.
“I’ll be right back,” she said and hurried away.
“Don’t go,” William whispered to me, his hand still in mine.
I squeezed his fingers. “I’ll stay until you’re asleep.”
