No Greater Love

by Cate Dean

  “Glad I can help.” Or at least try.

  He strode toward the small tents standing behind the first med hut. Will was in the second tent, and when Nick lifted the flap and stepped inside, the boy was struggling to sit.

  “Whoa—no need for that, Will.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Nick.” He pulled a stool closer to the bed, trying not to stare at the empty space below Will’s right knee. “I was sorry to hear that your leg couldn’t be saved.”

  “I am lucky to be alive, sir. Thanks to you, I didn’t die because of a simple cut.”

  “Major Reed tells me you’ve been having a hard time.”

  Will stared at his hands. “I will be fine, sir.”

  “Look at me, son.” Nick waited for Will to lift his head. His brown eyes were dark with pain—a familiar pain. “I know how it can be, afraid to fall asleep, because of the dreams.”

  Will’s head snapped up. “You have—” He cut himself off, his lip trembling as he stared past Nick. “The doctor who treated me at the field station told me it was my imagination.”

  “He was wrong. The mind is a complicated thing, Will, and what we experience can jumble itself, and turn upside down when we’re most vulnerable.” Nick took his hand. “What happened to you doesn’t get more real, and your mind is finding a way to deal with it.”

  “You have dreams?”

  “Ugly ones. They’ll go away for a long time, then something—a picture, a random statement—will bring them right back. Talking to someone helps. What doesn’t is denying that they’re happening, or thinking they’ll just go away.”

  “They terrify me, sir,” he whispered. “My friends die, over and over—”

  Nick wrapped one arm around his shoulder when he broke down, and let him cry. “It sucks, and it’s scary, but you’ll get past it, Will. You already have something I didn’t.”

  Will wiped his face. “What is that, sir?”

  “Someone who understands.”

  Nick rubbed Will’s back, let the boy get everything out of his system. Then they talked, until Will had trouble keeping his eyes open.

  “Thank you, sir,” he whispered, after Nick settled him against the pillow. “I think I might be able to sleep now.”

  “I’ll check on you later. Good dreams, Will.”

  Nick squeezed his shoulder, and waited for him to fall asleep before he left.

  The cold breeze felt good, after the warmth of the small tent. Spending time with Will was a distraction, but now, the fact that he was on day four hit him like a fist.

  He was falling hard for Victoria, already in love with her quick mind and her gentle heart—a first for him. The fact that she had a gorgeous body just completed the package of a woman he wanted for life.

  That would be up to her—and he was fast running out of time.

  He ran one hand through his hair and headed toward the officer’s mess.

  Victoria’s tall, slim figure caught his attention. He waited for her, and her welcoming smile made him want to take her in his arms. Instead, he shoved his hands in his coat pockets.

  “Headed in for breakfast?”

  She nodded. “Tea and toast. I prefer not to eat much before my shift.”

  “When does your shift start?”

  “At half past. I will be on all day. I am taking over Katherine’s shift, as she is still recovering from yesterday.”

  “I’ll see you then.” He smiled. “I was just added to the schedule yesterday.”

  “Nick.” She touched his right arm. “You should not be on duty, not with your shoulder. I will speak to Major Philips—”

  “Thanks for the concern, but I made the request. It gives me an excuse to hang around the wards, keep an eye on any potential victims.”

  “Oh. Of course.” She dropped her hand, and he felt colder without her touch. “Please, be careful.”

  “Come with me.” She blinked, then nodded, following him around to the back of the building. The huge vegetable garden was the only witness, so he took her hand. “I have something to live for now. I plan to hang around.”

  He kissed her knuckles, wanting to hold her for the rest of his life. He just hoped he got the chance.

  “Nick.” She twined their fingers together, the flush on her face telling him that she was nervous. “I like you, too much for my own good.” His heart pounded, part relief, part disappointment spreading through him. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but he contented himself with squeezing her hand, keeping his body between her and anyone who may wander into sight. “Losing Richard to this war nearly killed me. I can’t go through that again.” She looked up at him, tears filling her clear blue eyes.

  “Unless the Germans come knocking at the door, I won’t be fighting again. I’m out, Victoria.” He caressed her hand with his thumb, needing to comfort her, to take away the pain he’d put in her eyes. “My shoulder made sure of it, and meeting you changed any thought I had of going back.” That much was true; even if he could join the fight here, he’d never put her through that.

  He loved her.

  The shock of it scared him much less than he’d expected. She made him feel whole—a feeling he hadn’t had in a long time.

  She gave him a shaky smile. “I am happy, and relieved to hear you say that.”

  With a last, gentle squeeze, he freed her hand. “I’m going to let you walk over to the nurse’s mess on your own, since I’ll want to touch you every other second.”

  She covered her mouth, stifling her laughter. “That would be awkward.”

  He winked at her, loving her humor. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  Fighting the need to kiss her goodbye, he moved around to the far side of the building. His plan was make it look like he’d taken an early stroll before heading to the officer’s mess—and wasn’t staring at the tall, beautiful nurse making her way to the building next door. It almost worked.

  “Nick.” Philips waved to him as he rounded mess. “You are up early.”

  “Rough night with my shoulder.” That wasn’t a lie. Sleeping on the hard bed didn’t do his shoulder any favors. “Walking helps.”

  Philips seemed to accept the reason. “Can we speak privately?”

  “Sure.” Nick pushed down his anxiety and followed Philips to the admin building. “What’s up?” He tried to sound casual.

  Philips waited until they stepped inside. “I have been attempting to compile some kind of suspect list. I need an objective eye, someone who does not have a tie to these people.” He pulled a piece of paper out of his desk and handed it to Nick. “I would appreciate your input.”

  Nick scanned the list of names, recognizing a few of them. To his relief, Victoria was not one of them. “You want me to watch them?”

  “Your duties start this afternoon. I will give the word to Reed that you are helping where you think you’re needed, that you are under my orders, due to your injury. That will help to give you free reign of the wards, without people questioning your presence.” Philips sighed, scrubbing at his face. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “I want you to observe. Since you have done this type of investigating before, I was hoping—” He shook his head. “I need these killings to stop, Nick. I need your help.”

  “You must be under the gun.” He held out his hand. “I’ll help, any way I can.”

  Philips shook his hand, clearly grateful. “You only need report suspicious activity. I do not expect you to become an informant.”

  “Understood. I’ll come here after my shift is over.”

  “Thank you. Having good soldiers die on my watch does not sit well with me.”

  “I’d feel the same, in your place.” Lack of sleep slapped him, and he gripped the back of the chair.

  Philips caught his left arm. “I’ll make certain to stress light duty for you. Go and rest. If you need a sling for your arm, let one of the nurses know.”

  “Thanks.” He’d gotten rid of the first one as soon as possible—
probably too soon. Pride had screwed up more than his relationship.

  With a nod, he left the admin hut and headed for his hut instead of mess. He could eat later—right now, his body wanted sleep.

  It looked like rain again, the air cold for spring. He huddled in the heavy coat, grateful for warm clothes. He’d be even more grateful for a comfortable bed. But right now, even the bed waiting for him was better than what he’d left behind.

  Long minutes later, he was finally undressed and prone. Instead of relaxing, his mind started making lists, going over what evidence he’d already seen. By the time he had to get ready for his shift, he was more exhausted than when he first stretched out on the bed.

  After redressing in the dark shirt and trousers, he made his way toward the med hut, automatically looking for Victoria’s tall, slim figure. He was disappointed when he didn’t spot her.

  “You’ve got it bad,” he muttered.

  Once he stepped inside, he was swept up in the routine. It was hours before he had a chance to take a break, but he’d gotten a better idea of how things ran here, and just how a killer could keep getting away with murder.

  The men trusted their caregivers, as they should. That made it even easier for the killer to get close, to cut them before they even knew what was happening. That was if the killer even did it while they were conscious. He guessed she was taking the coward’s way, and waiting until they were asleep.

  He still believed a woman was doing these—even more so, now that he’d experienced a shift in the wards. The nurses ruled here. He remembered it being the same when he was in the base hospital.

  His shoulder throbbed from too much movement, and all he wanted was to sit for a few minutes without being ordered to do something. He’d always been the one giving orders, and he still had a hard time taking them.

  When he finally had a few minutes for a break, he headed outside, leaning against the nearest wall. He’d find a chair. In a minute.

  “It looks busy in there.” Victoria’s amused face appeared in front of him when he focused. The amusement faded as she studied him. “Your shoulder is hurting you. Come with me.”

  She took his left arm and guided him to the pharmacy, pushing him to a chair before she carefully removed his shirt.

  “I see now.” He smiled up at her. “This was an excuse to get me alone.”

  The pretty flush coloring her cheeks told him she’d been thinking along the same lines. “I was hoping that later tonight, we might...” Her blush deepened, and she bent over his shoulder. “Does it hurt only when you move, or continuously?”

  “All the time, at the moment. And yes,” he cupped her chin with his left hand, waited until she met his eyes. “I’d like to see you tonight.”

  “Katherine has the night off, but I will figure out a place for us.”

  “A nice, private broom closet works for me.”

  She laughed, and he captured her joy by kissing her. Long before he was ready, he eased back, aware that anyone could walk in on them.

  “Nick.” He met her eyes, startled by her sober expression. “I want you to know that I have never spent time with a man outside the marriage bed. What almost happened between us—I do not—I am not promiscuous—”

  “I never thought you were, beautiful.”

  “I—” She swallowed, and dropped her gaze to his chest. “Nick, I—”

  “Here you are!” Katherine burst into the pharmacy. “I have been looking everywhere for you, Sister. We were supposed to meet for supper.”

  “Is it so late already?” She kept her hand on Nick’s shoulder. “I was examining Captain Saunders’ shoulder. He was a bit too enthusiastic during his first shift.”

  “Did you need help?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She mouthed an ‘I’m sorry’ to Nick before she stepped back. “Now, examine his shoulder, gently. There is a great deal of scar tissue. Ask him where he feels pain.”

  Nick relaxed, let Katherine probe his shoulder. Victoria was conducting a training session, and cleverly directing Katherine’s attention away from the fact that she’d found them alone in here.

  “Tell me when I hurt you, Captain.”

  He sucked in his breath when she pressed into the long scar over the top of his shoulder. “Now.”

  “It is swollen.” Katherine lowered her hand. “You really should have that arm in a sling.”

  “Thanks for the diagnosis.” He smiled at her. “I’ve been abusing it lately, so maybe I will take you up on the offer of a sling, Sister.”

  Katherine grinned at him, then rushed over to find a sling. While she was distracted, Victoria moved to him.

  “I am sorry,” she murmured.

  “Nice cover, Sister Belham.” He winked at her. “A sling will make me look less threatening, and be a ready excuse if I need to step away in a hurry.”

  “Why would you...” Understanding crossed her face. “You are assisting in the investigation.”

  “I’d appreciate you keeping that to yourself.”

  “Keeping what to herself?” Katherine appeared, holding a thick roll of bandage and a sling. “Sorry—I tend to talk first and filter after, according to my father.”

  Victoria touched her wrist. “There is no need for an apology. We were just discussing the horrible deaths.” Nick raised his eyebrows, and she shook her head. “I know how difficult the last weeks have been for you, since two of the men were your patients.”

  Now he understood why she talked.

  Tears slid down Katherine’s cheeks, her healthy color gone. “All they wanted was to go home. Losing one leg was not going to keep them from living their lives, and they told me as much. Why would anyone—”

  Her sobbing choked her off. Victoria hugged her, rubbing her back as she muttered soothing words.

  “I am going to take Katherine back to our hut. Will you be all right from here, Captain?”

  “Go on and take care of her. I’m going to see if I can scare up a decent meal.”

  She nodded, and he knew she got his not-so-subtle message.

  Nick followed them out of the hut, and made his way over to the officer’s mess, his stomach rumbling at the scent of food wafting out of the windows. He had worked on a hard roll, and water whenever he could grab some, and his body was telling him it needed more.

  A familiar sound halted him on the boardwalk. The roar of a plane engine.

  He spun, searching the clouded sky. A plane burst out of the cloud cover, headed straight for the center of the camp.

  “Victoria!” She was already dragging Katherine toward the nearest shelter. Nick shouted at the nurses walking out their mess. “Get back inside! We’re under attack—”

  Machine gun fire cut across his warning. He grabbed the two nurses still on the threshold and dove for the ground. Seconds later a bomb exploded, blowing the boardwalk apart.

  The two women under him screamed, and beyond their panic he heard two more bombs. One of them sounded like it hit on the opposite side of the camp. Where Victoria had been headed.

  He scooted closer to the wall of the building, keeping himself between the women and the plane still strafing the camp. After another pass, it disappeared into the clouds. The cries of wounded filled the air.

  Nick straightened—and swore when he moved his left arm.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, thank you, Captain.” He recognized Lilian, the young nurse who had found the last victim.

  She bent over his left arm, carefully peeling back his torn coat sleeve, revealing a jagged gash just below his elbow. Splinters stuck out of the gash, and he found the weapon sticking out of the building, just above where he’d been. A piece of the boardwalk.

  “Shit,” he whispered. Another few inches, and it would have gone right through his back.

  “Thank you for risking your life to protect us. Get this taken care of—we have to go and see to the damage.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Go and see to Victoria,” she whispered. />
  He watched her tug the other nurse away, and they ran toward the smoking med hut. He sprinted in the other direction, where he last saw Victoria before the attack. His shoulder throbbed from diving to the ground, but he tore off the sling as he ran, clenching his jaw as pain shot through his left arm. He wanted both arms free, and he didn’t care how much it hurt—he was helping with any wounded.

  CASUALTIES WEREN’T as bad as they could have been. Nick chipped in where he could, pulling wounded out of the wreckage of the collapsed med hut, looking for Victoria every other second. A temporary triage was set up just outside the building, doctors supervising the order of treatment.

  After one of the nurses cleaned and bandaged his arm, Nick got rid of the torn, bloody coat and helped bandage limbs, hold men down when they fought treatment, and did as he was asked or ordered. Hours passed, without a single glimpse of Victoria, and dread gripped him harder with every minute that passed.

  He managed to free himself long enough to get a drink of water. His heart skipped when he finally spotted her, rounding the intact hut, covered in blood and supporting an equally bloody soldier.

  She lifted her head, and he ran forward, needing to touch her, to know she wasn’t hurt.

  “Help me with him, please. He was thrown by the impact of the bomb.”

  “Are you—”

  “This is not my blood, Nick.” She met his eyes, her gaze calm, her voice no-nonsense. “Help me get him to the doctors.”

  He moved to the man’s right side and took most of his weight. Up close, he could see the exhaustion on Victoria’s face.

  “Where have you been?”

  “I was trapped on the other side of the blast area. It hit the nurse’s quarters.”

  “Shit. Were any—”

  “No.” She closed her eyes briefly, then looked at him. “Thankfully, all of them were either on duty or at supper. The only injuries were those caught near the blast.”

  They reached triage, and Nick didn’t have another chance to talk to her.

  The sun set, with doctors still working on victims. Word of the bombings had traveled to the other hospitals, and they took in the extra patients. Philips had pulled Nick aside long enough to tell him that they weren’t the only hospital attacked; two others had been bombed, one of them more severely. They had lost personnel, people killed by the explosion.