“Yeah,” I said, my voice soft.
“Well then, let’s talk about something else. What did you do before this? Before the war.”
“I was a nurse.”
He laughed and the sound made my entire body light up.
“So, you’re either a glutton for punishment or a real-life heroine.”
I grinned, my shoulders relaxing as I sank back into the chair.
“I would say neither.”
“I would say that’s a nice story you tell yourself.”
Our eyes held, and after a moment I sucked in a breath and averted mine. It was like he could see into me. It was like I’d revealed a secret without saying a word, and I wondered then if he remembered hearing me speak to the German prisoner. If he’d somehow put together the puzzle pieces. But he couldn’t have. He’d have no way of figuring it out. For all he knew, I took a class to learn German or had picked up a few choice phrases thanks to my line of work.
“What are you thinking about so hard over there in that chair?” he asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Your marriage proposal,” I said, lying.
“We have so much planning to do.”
I could tell he knew I was lying, but was going to let it go, not wanting to press me. William Mitchell was a gentleman regardless of what situation he was in, bleeding out on a plane, or lying among dozens of other wounded men in a hospital. Shoot, he’d probably introduce himself and shake my hand while bleeding on the battlefield.
I grinned at the thought and he caught me.
“And what are you thinking about now?”
“Your manners.”
His eyes widened and he grinned. “My mama taught me well.”
“Well, she’ll be pleased to know what a fine man her son is, regardless of whatever terrible situation he’s in.”
“Lieutenant?” I turned at the sound of a man’s voice behind me and saw that it was Theodore. He glanced curiously at William, glanced at the paperwork attached to his bed, and saluted. “Sir,” he said before turning back to me. “Weather’s cleared enough to fly. We’re heading out in ten.”
“I’m right behind you,” I said, getting to my feet and reaching for my bag as I looked at William. “Get rest.”
“Seems I have no choice,” he said, pointing to each of his three wounds. “You be safe out there.”
“I will,” I said and started to turn away.
“And Kate?”
I stopped and met his eyes, a current of something passing between us and landing square in my chest, my heart racing in response.
“Yes?” I said.
“Come see me again?”
I wanted to put him off. To shrug. To not commit one way or the other. But there was something about him. A magnetism that drew me to him, shoving aside my resolutions not to get attached to or involved with a soldier. I was here to work. To do my part of righting a wrong. I didn’t have time to get distracted by charming smiles or eyes that reminded me of days lying on my back in the grass, staring at cloudless skies, a little voice singing silly songs as small feet danced around me. And I certainly didn’t have time to fall in love. I knew others had, and more would, but I’d always thought myself immune.
Perhaps I was wrong.
“I’ll see you soon,” I said, and hurried off after Theodore.
“So?” Hazel said later that night as we parked our bicycles out front of the house and made our way inside, our feet dragging after the long day.
