No Greater Love

by Cate Dean

“That makes two of us. I need to sit for a moment.” Lilian guided her to a chair set against the wall and eased her down. “Thank you.” She cradled her arm, which was in a sling, despite her arguments to Major Reed.

  The door at the end of the hut opened, and Nick appeared. Her heart beat faster as he approached, wanting him to hold her, and wanting him to stay far away. Her heart won, and she held her left hand out to him.

  “Victoria.” He dropped to his knees and took her hand, pressing his lips to her fingers. He lingered there for several moments, and she knew he was composing himself. His hand trembled against hers, and he took a deep breath before he lifted his head. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get her to snap.”

  Victoria stared at him. “You prodded her deliberately?”

  He shrugged. “I knew she’d try something stupid—and she knew how I feel about you. She put on a good act, pretending not to notice in the pharmacy, but I caught her watching you when she didn’t think anyone was looking. She’d make one fine actress.”

  “She fooled all of us.” Victoria sighed, her arm throbbing. She was exhausted, and her defenses fragile. “I do need to rest, Nick.”

  “Yeah.” He freed her hand and stood. She immediately regretted pushing him away. “I’m glad you’re okay, Victoria.” His polite voice hurt, so much more than she expected. “Sleep well.”

  He walked away from her before she was able to think of anything to say to keep him here.

  Lilian cleared her throat. Victoria jumped, completely forgetting the other woman was here. “You need to tell him how you feel, before he up and leaves on you.”

  “I am not—” She could not even complete the denial. “He told me he is leaving tomorrow. Today,” she whispered, looking at the window. Pre-dawn light filtered into the surgery, every moment that passed one less that she would spend with him before he walked out of her life. “I hardly know what to say.”

  “Tell him what is in your heart, Victoria.” Lilian laid her hand on Victoria’s shoulder. “He has more than earned that much. Then—let what will happen, happen. If he loves you as you love him, I predict a happy ending. Now,” she helped Victoria stand. “Will I be taking you back to your bed, or do you have another destination in mind?”

  Victoria closed her eyes briefly, such pain in her heart she found it difficult to breathe. Nick’s words refused to let her go. No matter how she felt, his insane story would always hang between them.

  “My bed,” she whispered.

  Lilian looked disappointed, but she nodded, leading Victoria to the door.

  Victoria ignored her aching heart, and moved outside. She would find her bed, and lose herself in sleep.

  It may take a lifetime, but she would find a way to get over loving Nick Saunders.

  Somehow.

  Twelve

  NICK NEVER WENT back to the hut he shared with Reed.

  Instead, he wandered—through the buildings of the hospital, the vegetable garden, and across the field. When it started raining, he pulled up the collar of his shirt, tucked his hands in the pockets of his trousers, and kept walking.

  After today, he’d never feel rain again, or walk outside, or experience the joy of living from one second to the next.

  He planned on walking until the pendant yanked him back to his personal hell.

  “Nick.” Her voice stopped him. He spun, finding Victoria a few steps behind him.

  “What the hell are you doing out here?”

  He didn’t give her time to answer. Striding forward, he grabbed her around the waist with his right arm and carried her off the field, not stopping until they were under the eaves of the closest building. He lowered her to the ground, his shoulder screaming at him.

  “You should not be picking things up, Nick. Certainly not something as heavy as a person.”

  He crowded her until she backed against the wall. “You should not be traipsing around in the rain, after what you went through.”

  She lifted her chin, anger flashing in her eyes. “I am not a shrinking violet, Captain Saunders.”

  “Never said you were, beautiful.”

  She fought a smile. “Hardly that, especially now.”

  He scanned her dripping hair. At least she’d had the sense to put on a coat before wandering out in the rain. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Looking for you.” His heart pounded, hard and fast. “Major Reed told me you never returned to the hut last night. I know how you enjoy walking, so I started with the garden. For your information, it was not raining when I began.”

  “It started raining almost an hour ago.”

  “I am quite aware.” She shivered, and Nick pulled her off the wall. “No,” she said. “I need to say this first, before I lose my nerve. I will not melt, so stop frowning at me.”

  He ran one hand through his dripping hair. “Say your piece. I don’t have much time left.” He could feel it—the end of his second chance. The pendant was heavier than just a minute ago, like a warning. “Spit it out, Victoria.”

  “This was not the moment I pictured when I said this to a man, but it will have to do.” She took a deep breath, and looked at him. “I want you to stay, Nick.”

  Regret shot through him, so painful he had a hard time catching his breath. He stared at the wall behind her. “That’s not enough, Victoria. Not enough to keep me here.”

  “What do you want?”

  “The words. I need to hear you say—” He groaned as heat flared across the pendant. The second flare knifed through him. “God—” He dropped to his knees, the pain as sharp as the first time he’d been dragged into the curse.

  “Nick—” Victoria’s voice filtered through the waves of fiery pain. “What is happening?”

  “Leaving,” he whispered.

  “It was true—what you told me was true. Nick—” She spread her hand over his aching heart. ‘Tell me what to do.”

  “Can’t—” He breathed through the pain, fought to say goodbye. “You have to—figure it out—shit—”

  The pendant punished him for the hint, driving fire into his veins.

  He arched backward and lost his balance. Cool fingers touched his cheek, and he knew he’d remember her touch, for the rest of his cursed existence.

  “—love you.” The fire receded, and he opened his eyes. Victoria leaned over him, anger lighting her beautiful face. “Do you hear me? I said I love you, Nick Saunders, so don’t you dare go anywhere.”

  “I don’t—” The pain died, leaving him limp and shaking. He watched the pendant rise, felt the chain free itself from his neck. “I don’t think I am.”

  Victoria stared at the floating pendant—and let out a gasp when it disappeared.

  “Nick—that was—” She met his eyes, and he knew she believed him. “You were—oh, dear God.”

  She covered her mouth, tears filling her eyes.

  “Victoria.” He pushed himself up, cradling her cheek. “It’s okay, love.” The word came out of his mouth, easily.

  “I was almost too late,” she whispered. “I almost lost you.”

  “Yeah, you almost did.” He smiled when she smacked his chest. “I deserve that. I’d also like to hear you say those words again, now that I’m not writhing in pain.”

  “Oh, Nick.” She pressed her face into his throat, and he wrapped his arm around her, hauling her against his chest. Her lips brushed his ear. “I love you.

  “Thank God.” Her laughter threatened to deafen him. “Ouch.”

  “Sorry.”

  “No, you’re not.” He turned his head until he could see her, and risked his shoulder going on strike to reach up and cradle her cheek. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  “I am not.” Her hand moved to her soaked hair. “The pain must still be affecting you.”

  He slid his hand around to cradle the back of her head. “I’m seeing perfectly, and what I see is a beautiful woman. The woman I love.”

  She kissed him, hot and desperate. Or maybe he was the one
feeling desperate. By the time she eased back, he needed the nearest flat surface—preferably with her next to him, both of them naked.

  “We should get you out of the rain,” she said, and kissed him again.

  This time, Nick pulled her on his lap, wanting to feel her body against his, to prove to himself this was real, that he wasn’t going to open his eyes and find himself in limbo. When she rocked against his hard length, he knew it was no dream.

  “Victoria.” He freed his mouth, and bit back a moan when she kissed her way down his throat. “I want you, love, but not on the muddy ground, in the middle of camp.”

  “A sensible idea, Captain Saunders.” Philips’ voice froze them. “I understand that you both survived a traumatic event, but we need to discuss what is between you, as well as your future here. I will meet you in my office. One hour.”

  He walked out of sight before either of them could say a word.

  “Shit.”

  “Nick—”

  “It’ll be fine, Victoria.” She met his eyes, and he tucked her wet curls behind her ear. “I need to ask you a question, and I want an honest answer.”

  “No more secrets between us, Nick. Not ever.”

  “I agree.” Her secret nearly cost him everything. “Okay—if you had to leave for us to stay together, would you be able to?”

  “Without a second thought.” The speed of her answer surprised him. “I love you, Nick, and I never thought I would have that again.” She traced his cheek, and he swallowed, wanting her so much he ached. “Nursing is my job, but you are my life now. I will not give you up, not when I finally found you.”

  “Good answer.” He kissed her, hard and throbbing by the time he ended the kiss. “I’m assuming you want to get married before we—consummate our relationship.”

  “You look a bit pained, Nick.” She rocked into him, and he knew she was teasing him now. “I would prefer it, but I am no virginal bride. As long as I know there will be a ring on my finger, I can wait for the wedding until we return to England.” Uncertainty crossed her face, for the first time. “Unless you were not thinking of England as home.”

  “Victoria.” He framed her face. “I’m going wherever you go.” Gently, he kissed the tip of her nose, then her lips. “You’re my home now, beautiful.”

  She closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. When she finally looked at him, her joy left him breathless.

  “I am wet, exhausted, and my arm is hurting, but I have never been happier than I am right now.”

  “Let’s do something about the first three.” He eased her off his lap, then pulled her to her feet, tucking her into his left side. “I have a feeling Major Philips will want us spiffed up when he boots us out.”

  “You really expect him to act so rashly?”

  “With me, at the very least. I was caught ravishing his favorite nurse.”

  “I will not stay here without you.”

  “Good to know, but I don’t want you to say anything, until I have a chance to counter whatever he has in mind. Deal?”

  She looked up at him, and the smile tugging at her lips made him want to take her into the nearest quiet corner and kiss her until they couldn’t breathe.

  “Deal.”

  He had it bad—and for the first time in his life, he didn’t mind.

  VICTORIA HAD MADE her decision long before she stepped into Major Philips’ office. Her first look at Nick simply made her more determined.

  He was her life, and she wanted to start that life as soon as possible.

  Major Philips waved them into the office. “Close the door, Saunders.”

  Nick did as requested and moved to one of the chairs in front of the Major’s desk, easing himself into it. He did a remarkable job of hiding his pain, but Victoria could see it, in every movement, in his green eyes. How she wanted to take it away.

  What she was about to do would be the first step.

  “Thank you for giving me the opportunities I have had under your command, Major Philips. I am honored that you thought so highly of me—”

  “What are all the compliments leading to, Mrs. Belham?”

  She blinked at the use of her name, rather than her title. He knew what she was leading to, before she had finished.

  “I would like to resign my position, Major. It is time for me to go home.”

  He stood and moved around the desk, ushering her into the other chair. “It is long past time. I will be happy to send you both on your way, but I have one small problem.” He leaned against the front of the desk and crossed his arms, his gaze on Nick. “I have no paperwork for you, Captain Saunders, beyond the vague orders you had on you when you arrived.”

  “I don’t—”

  “Please.” Captain Philips held up his hand. “I would rather have deniability if I am asked.” He reached behind him and picked up a stack of papers. “I anticipated your request, Victoria. I hate to lose you, but I sincerely wish you both the best.”

  “Thank you, sir.” She took the papers. “We would like to leave as soon as possible.”

  “I anticipated that as well.” He pointed to the papers in her hand. “You will find reservations on a ship, leaving Boulogne. I called in a few favors.” He smiled. “The people who owed me called in a few of their own.”

  “You’ve been busy,” Nick said.

  “Moving quickly is a skill one acquires during war.” He rubbed his face, and Victoria saw the exhaustion he hid well. “You will have to leave tonight, if you want to make all of your connections. I am afraid there are many, as this was a last minute endeavor.”

  Victoria stood. “We are grateful, for all you have done.”

  “I’d like to know why,” Nick said. He moved to her side, and he would have most likely had his arms crossed, if they were not injured.

  “Victoria Belham is the finest woman it has been my pleasure to know. Because she cares for you, because I have seen your integrity firsthand, I am taking a chance, and letting you go without an explanation for your presence.” He straightened, moving past them to the door. “There is no record of you here, and there will be nothing in the report I file on Katherine’s arrest; only that soldiers apprehended her. Which is the truth.” He raised his eyebrow.

  “It’s the truth. I was a soldier.”

  “There you have it. Now go, live your lives, forget this bloody damned war.” He kissed Victoria’s forehead, then shook Nick’s hand. “Thank you for finding the murderer. I will be able to sleep now, knowing the men under my care are safe.”

  “Thank you,” Nick said. “For what sounds like it’s going to be the longest trip of my life.”

  Major Philips laughed. “I do like you, Nick Saunders. Take care of her; she has earned a lifetime of leisure.”

  Nick met her eyes, his voice low when he spoke. “I plan to.”

  A shiver of anticipation and nerves went through her. When she took Nick’s hand, she knew she had made the right decision.

  It was time to go home.

  Thirteen

  NICK AND VICTORIA walked up the gangplank of the black and white painted ship—one of the dazzle ships he’d read about—after the longest twenty-four hours of his life.

  Philips hadn’t been joking when he’d told them there would be many stops. Nick had never been so tired, and so sick of public transportation.

  Victoria leaned against him, her face pale under her hat. Their trip from hell had been harder on her, with only one working arm. Nick was used to the constant pain, but he could see it wearing her down. The second they reached their destination, he was tucking her into bed.

  “I am fine, Nick.” He looked down at her. “Your thoughts are all but shouting at me.” She let out a sigh, and stepped to the crowded deck of the ship. “We made it.”

  “Yeah—us and half the British Army.”

  She laughed, and took his hand. “It was the first ship Major Philips could secure passage.” More soldiers stepped off the gangplank, giving Nick and Victoria space
when he glared at them. “Stop, Nick. They earned their place here.”

  When Nick had learned they were boarding a ship full of soldiers heading for leave, he almost backed out. Only Victoria’s exhaustion, and his need to get her out of here, kept him from walking away.

  The soldiers stared as they made their way along the railing. One of them whispered to his mate, and whatever he said passed through the soldiers. They quieted, those still wearing hats taking them off.

  “Thank you, Sister.” One of the soldiers stepped forward. “Thank you for taking care of us.”

  “I—it was my pleasure. How...” Her voice faded as a soldier pushed through the crowd, his arm around a familiar figure. “Will?”

  “I learned that some of my mates were heading back on leave, and I asked to sail with them.”

  “You should be on a hospital ship—”

  “Have a doctor traveling with me.” He grinned at her. “Now I have my favorite nurse.” He turned to the soldiers closest to them. “She saved my life.” He looked at Nick, the happiness in his brown eyes dimming. “They both did.”

  Nick nodded to him—and had to step in front of Victoria to block the sudden and enthusiastic attention. “Okay, boys. You have the trip across the Channel to express your appreciation. One at a time.”

  They took the hint, and gave him room. He turned around when Victoria touched his wrist.

  “My hero.” She smiled up at him, then let out a sigh. “Can you save me again, and find me a place to sit?”

  “I am yours to command, milady.” He picked her up, ignoring her protests and the pain in both arms. A folding chair appeared, the soldier setting it against the metal wall. “Thanks, son.” The kid looked like he was sixteen.

  A blush reddened his cheeks, and he bowed awkwardly to Victoria. “Thank ye, Miss. Will’s my friend, and he’d be a dead friend if not for yer interference.”

  “I’m glad I was there. Put me down, Nick.” He obeyed, and she let out a sigh as she lowered herself to the chair. “My feet thank you, Private.”

  His blush deepened, and he stared down at his feet. “Least I can do, Miss.”