Reclaiming Her Army Doc Husband

by Sue MacKay

‘So you were aware of what was happening all the way through?’

  ‘Until I hit the road. I didn’t see the vehicle as it ran onto me. It hurt. A lot. Mostly later.’

  Vicki was blinking hard and fast. ‘Thank goodness for small mercies. That’d be a picture most likely to stay with you for ever.’

  His throat thickened. ‘I remember being relieved when I came round and saw the medics beside me. It meant I was alive.’

  ‘Now I understand your reaction when I braked too hard.’

  ‘Instinctive, I suppose.’

  ‘It seems weird that after all the time you served on active duty overseas you got injured in a traffic accident.’ Those eyes were still blinking. ‘Though you wouldn’t have been there if not for the army, so I suppose it does make sense.’

  Don’t cry on me. Or for me. I don’t deserve your tears.

  His throat was closing. ‘Them’s the breaks.’

  As she ate, she seemed to withdraw. Then, ‘So where do you stand with the army now?’

  ‘I’m on paid medical leave for another month while receiving ongoing treatment, then I’m taking early discharge due to my injuries. There was another contract on the table but I never intended to continue as a career soldier. I wanted to come home. I’m a doctor and would like a full-time career as a general practitioner. A real job.’

  ‘The army wasn’t real?’ Vicki snapped.

  He huffed a low sigh. ‘One where I’m fixing people, not driving around in armoured vehicles looking for trouble, and then picking up the pieces when we find it.’ Serving his country was one thing, but soldiering had never been him. Sure, he’d been a good officer, had looked out for his men, but he’d done what he’d set out to do and kept his promise. Now he wanted to get back to his real passion—medicine. And Vicki.

  ‘Don’t regret what you did or it becomes worthless.’ There was an accusation in Vicki’s voice that stabbed hard, like a sharp knife under the ribs.

  ‘I do have regrets, and they’re all about you, me, us. But I can’t change a thing. All I can do is go forward.’

  ‘You want a hot drink?’ When he nodded she got up to put the kettle on. ‘That’s true for both of us.’

  What was she saying? That she didn’t want to go back to being with him? Or, if she did, it was going to be different this time? Or that she had things to tell him he wasn’t expecting that might blow his socks off? Here he’d been tentatively thinking the evening was progressing in a good way, and now the doubts were back. The edginess in Vicki’s stance, in his thoughts, was tightening with every moment. ‘Vicki?’

  Sliding her hands into the pockets of her shorts she stared at the spot between her bare feet. ‘I would’ve come to you, you know?’

  ‘Yeah, I do.’ Hadn’t they dealt with this earlier? ‘Whereas I couldn’t fly over to you. I would’ve if it had been at all possible.’

  The kettle switched off but Vicki didn’t move. ‘Which is one reason why you didn’t believe you could ask me to join you. Not only the spinal injury. Do you know how that makes me feel, Cole?’

  ‘Hurt.’

  ‘Try angry. Try let down. Try disappointed. And hurt, sure. You were injured the same day I had the miscarriage. I would’ve joined you. No question.’ She hesitated, drew a breath. ‘It feels as though you were paying me back for something I have no idea about.’

  It was his turn to be hurt. ‘You’re wrong,’ he growled. ‘I believed I was doing the right thing.’

  Those sad blue eyes locked on him. ‘By me? Or by yourself?’

  ‘You said you’d had enough, our marriage was over. Would you have thanked me for guilting you back into it?’

  Her eyes widened. ‘Guilt wouldn’t have had anything to do with it. Instead we could’ve talked face to face, fixed the problems pulling us apart, not made them worse.’

  ‘Isn’t that why I’m here now?’ The divorce couldn’t happen, not until they’d covered everything lying between them.

  ‘It’s too late.’

  His heart plummeted to his toes. ‘Why?’

  ‘You’ve never really heard anything I’ve said about what I might want. Even now you can’t accept I would’ve rushed to you, for you and us.’

  He was not going to be forgiven in a hurry. If at all. His gut crunched hard. This wasn’t going well. Not that he’d expected to be wrapped in another hug and kissed wildly, but just a little understanding would go a long way right now. He’d have sworn Vicki never held grudges. Seemed he’d got that wrong too. Or had she learnt to because of him? He could do with some levity before he sank too low. ‘Can I ask you something?’ Since when did he have to check before saying whatever was on his mind?

  ‘That depends.’

  ‘Can I have tea? Not coffee.’ When her mouth started to flatten again he hurried to carry on. ‘I’m not taking any of this lightly. It’s hard, and I want to cheer you up. Though I guess that’s expecting too much.’ Not once in the years he’d spent with Vicki had he felt so useless, unable to say what he wanted without looking for implications he didn’t mean.

  With quiet efficiency, Vicki made two mugs of tea. ‘Here, get that into you, though we’ll probably end up sweating something awful in this humidity.’ She sat down opposite him again and picked up the TV remote.

  Obviously the conversation was over—for now. ‘Thanks.’ For the tea and backing off the hard stuff for a while. It didn’t mean the problems had gone away, they were only on hold. Then the urge to pick up Vicki and kiss her long and hard, to make love tore through him. Flapping his hand in front of his face, he muttered, ‘It’s damned hot.’ Every inch of his body was heated, pounding with need.

  ‘That’s Northern Queensland for you. I’m used to it and yet it still gets to me.’ The news channel came up on the screen.

  Could he get used to it? Move here if that’s what Vicki wanted?

  They watched in silence for a little while, then he said, ‘Nothing’s really changed from earlier. That has to be a good sign.’

  ‘Or we’re in the eye of the storm.’

  Like their marriage. ‘You’re a box of cheer, aren’t you?’ he groaned, finally at ease again, though still a little tight in the groin. The need to kiss her wasn’t backing off.

  She yawned, and checked her phone. ‘Blimey, where did the evening go? It’s after midnight. I should go to bed, though I doubt I’ll sleep.’

  So much for kissing. She wasn’t inviting him to join her.

  ‘Might give it a try myself. It’s been a long day.’

  If only they were going to share a bed, he could deal with the ache that had taken over his body. But he’d been shown to the third bedroom without a hint of remorse on Vicki’s part when they’d first got here. It was the first time they’d been in the same building and not slept together since the night they’d met.

  His gut tightened in on itself. Talk about bringing home how far down the wrong track they’d gone. Would there be any turning around, getting back together? Behind his ribs, his heart slowed to a sad rhythm. Did Vicki see this weekend as their final time together? Was she going to tell him she didn’t love him any more? That the divorce was a foregone conclusion?

  ‘Or we could sit up all night and thrash out what’s bugging us,’ he said quietly, suddenly desperate to move on. Get this done one way or the other. No. He would not give up. He loved Vicki. There was only one conceivable outcome.

  Vicki’s head flipped up, her eyes wide and startled. ‘No,’ she gasped.

  ‘Why not?’ At least they could start the ball rolling so he knew what he was up against. He waited. And waited as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, looking everywhere but at him.

  Finally, she raised her head and locked her gaze firmly on him. ‘You’re right.’ She stopped, the heat in her eyes fading. ‘Oh, Cole. This is crazy. Who’d have thought we’d come to this? I can�
��t believe it.’

  ‘It doesn’t have to be all bad. We need to discuss everything that’s worrying you. That’s why I’m here.’

  ‘Don’t you have concerns about how we’ve blown it?’

  ‘I understand you’ve got issues with the time I’ve spent away from you, and because I didn’t ask you to come to me when I was in hospital.’ He sipped his tea, staring over the rim of the mug at the woman he loved so much. ‘I’m here to listen, to work with you to get our marriage back on track.’

  ‘It’s not that straightforward, Cole. There’re two of us in this mess.’ She fiddled with her fingernail, picking at it with her other hand. ‘Why did you really join the military? You always avoided the question. I might’ve understood and coped better if you’d told me.’

  The doorbell rang loud and sharp, cutting through the air like a laser.

  Vicki scrambled to her feet, muttering, ‘Go away. Can’t you see we’re busy?’

  ‘Who’s that at this hour? Have we got another accident to respond to?’ This time he definitely did not want an interruption to their evening. Leaping off his chair, Cole followed her down the hall where a large shape loomed behind the thick glass panel in the front door. ‘Careful,’ he warned. ‘Could be anyone.’

  ‘It’s safe around here.’ Despite her words there was tension in Vicki’s shoulders as she pulled the door wide. Then her shoulders returned to their normal position. ‘Hello, Merv. What’s up?’

  The fireman at the door was saying, ‘Hi, Vicki. There’s been a hill slide that’s taken out an occupied house. We need you and a doctor ready and waiting when the family’s rescued. Damon says your ex is here. Is that right?’

  Her ex! Cole’s blooded heated in an instant. Not bloody likely.

  I’m still her husband, thank you very much.

  He stepped up beside Vicki who’d turned to him.

  ‘Yes, Cole is here.’ Even though they hadn’t touched, she must’ve felt his anger because she laid a hand on his arm. ‘Sounds like we’re needed again,’ she said quietly, as though trying to ignore her own annoyance with the man before them.

  If only Vicki felt the same about him. She was the only person he wanted to need him.

  He nodded abruptly. ‘I’ll get the emergency kit. Do you know what we’ll be dealing with?’ He stared at the man, trying not to dislike him for his blunder.

  ‘I was only told to pick you up if you were available.’

  Well, he was, despite his anger. Being a doctor came before most things. Just not before Vicki, and she was going with him so he’d settle down and do what was required of him. And then get back to that conversation they’d begun.

  CHAPTER SIX

  ‘COLE’S FURIOUS,’ Vicki acknowledged as Merv drove them towards the hills on the opposite side of the main road north.

  So am I. For being interrupted at a crucial moment and for that ‘ex’ comment.

  They hadn’t made that a definite. Had Damon really called Cole her ex? Or was this man reading too much into whatever her brother had said about there being a doctor at his parents’ home?

  ‘Is Damon at the scene?’ she asked the fireman. Because if he was, he was going to get an earful. He should not be talking about her private life to anyone.

  ‘He was when I left. The guys are focused on stabilising the house to protect the family caught inside. Others, including neighbours, were trying to reroute the slip as small amounts are still coming down directly behind the property but it’s not really feasible in these conditions, especially without a bulldozer and digger.’

  ‘What state’s the house in?’ Cole asked from the back seat of the large four-wheel-drive vehicle. He sounded as though he’d got his anger under control, though Vicki knew he’d still be gritting his teeth.

  ‘The back’s stoved in. That’s where the bedrooms are—were. The front rooms look normal, except for a dangerous lean, and the ceiling’s down in places. When I left to collect you no one had been inside to check it out. It’s too dangerous until we get joists in place.’

  ‘Anyone been calling out?’

  ‘A woman, presumably the owner, was heard yelling to get her children out,’ Merv told them.

  Worry rolled through Vicki. Children in a disaster area. They’d be terrified, and so darned vulnerable.

  ‘I hope the kids don’t try anything silly to get free.’ Damon’s bollocking was on hold.

  ‘Two neighbours are talking to the children, though not getting any responses. They figure if they keep chatting it might help keep everyone calm.’

  ‘If it’s at all possible I’ll be going into the back section as soon as we get there.’ Cole wasn’t questioning Merv, he was telling him. Officer mode in operation.

  She smiled to herself, before announcing in a similar tone. ‘So will I.’ It didn’t come out as strong and determined as she’d intended.

  Naturally, Cole was onto her immediately. ‘You wait outside and I’ll bring those children out to you when possible. The firemen will help me.’

  ‘The hell with that. I’ll be needed there almost as much as you,’ she snapped.

  ‘Vicki, I don’t want you in any danger.’

  ‘Back at you.’ Cole was not getting injured again. For one: he wasn’t as fit as he used to be so recovery would be harder. For two: she loved him, and did not want anything bad happening to him. For three: ditto. She sighed. There was no doubt about her love for this man she’d always known to be her other half. Walking away would be nigh on impossible. Not that she wanted to.

  What? Wasn’t that what this weekend was supposed to be about? Not from the moment he’d said hello outside the medical centre it hadn’t. She straightened up in the seat. So she had to explain her plans carefully so he’d understand what she hoped to accomplish, or their love would eventually crumple into a bitter heap.

  ‘Settle, you two. No one’s going in that building until Damon gives the okay,’ Merv said. ‘As for you, Vicki, I doubt you’ll getting anywhere near those flattened rooms. We all know Damon won’t let you get within range of any danger.’

  True. Why did it have to be her brother’s crew working this job? ‘We’ll see about that,’ she grumped.

  Cole tapped her on the shoulder. ‘In, out, girlfriend.’

  Unexpected laughter bubbled over her lips. He’d came up with it the first time he’d ever seen her lose her temper. Tenderness stole through her. This was what she’d missed. The small expressions of love they shared, as much as the big ones. A light touch was as important as hot sex. A look, a kiss on his jaw, his fingers massaging between her shoulder blades. Communications that belonged only to them. A personal language all their own.

  Why am I doing this? Holding out on Cole when he’s my other, stronger half is crazy. And necessary.

  The doubts backed off slowly, to a point they lingered in the back of her head, not foremost for once. They hadn’t talked enough yet and the first night was well on the way to morning. The next few hours were going to be taken up with other people’s problems. Even if miraculously no one was injured, they’d still need checking over and given lots of reassurance that they were safe.

  ‘Here we go. Hold on.’ Merv dropped a gear and began driving slowly but purposefully into the torrent of water racing down the road in front of them. ‘That flood marker shows the depth hasn’t changed in the time I picked you up so we should be good.’ Just then the ute lurched sideways and he deftly swung the steering wheel left, then right, then straight ahead.

  Vicki gripped the edge of the seat and stared out the side window at the swirling brown water lit up by the headlights. Merv knew what he was doing. There was nothing to get stressed about, but this wasn’t something she’d done before. ‘Lots of logs and debris in there.’

  ‘Also mud from the landslides further up, though no other house has bought it that we know of.’

/>   ‘That’s good news,’ Cole said. ‘What’s the scenario with the rescue service? Are the helicopters still flying?’

  ‘They were last time I asked, but if anyone needs hospitalisation we’ll have to get them across this first. Can’t have a chopper anywhere near the hill. The pounding from the rotors could bring down more land and trees onto other houses near the one we’re going to.’ Merv hadn’t let up on the accelerator even when Vicki knew she would have. He was keeping the speed consistent, driving correctly for the situation.

  ‘You’re good at this.’

  ‘Had plenty of practice over the years in the service.’ Then the ute was climbing out of the torrent onto terra firma. ‘Right, nearly there.’

  Within minutes they pulled up beside the fire truck and bundled out into the rain. Cole retrieved the emergency pack, wincing as he slung it over his shoulder.

  Vicki studied him for a moment. He hadn’t mentioned an injury to his back or shoulder, but then a vehicle had parked on him so it stood to reason he had some muscular problems, and then there was that initial spinal issue. Again fear engulfed her for what might’ve happened to him. His injuries were bad enough, but what if they’d been worse? She might never have got the chance to talk to him again, might’ve had to live always knowing her last words to him had been terrible. ‘Sorry,’ she whispered.

  He glanced down at her. ‘Later, okay?’

  Nodding, she slipped her hand in his, drawing on his strength as she walked alongside him to find out what was happening regarding those poor people in the house ahead of them. Or what was left of it. Nearing the hillside, she gasped, ‘That’s unreal.’ The back of the house looked as though it had been built into the hill and then covered with soil until it could no longer be seen. ‘How can anyone survive that?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Cole sighed, his fingers tightening around hers before he pulled away. ‘You’ve got to wonder. Especially the kids.’

  ‘Cole, Vicki, there you are.’ Her brother crossed to them. ‘So far we know there are three boys, aged six to ten, and their mother in the rooms at the back under that debris. We’ve talked to the mother and one of the kids, but nothing from the other two youngsters.’