She looked across the table. “I can still see the expression on his face; hear the disdain in his voice when he told me not to be so naive, that I was kidding myself if I thought I could make a difference.” She grimaced at the thought. “‘Get with the program Babe,’ he said, ‘This is where the real money is. Why would I go over there when my practice is starting to take off?’”

  Maartie nodded. “So it was about the money.” His tone was non-judgmental, but his eyes had turned flinty.

  “You’ve got that right.” She took a quick sip from her mug, surprised to find that it had cooled. “Of course by then I’d done a fair amount of research. I knew he wouldn’t be working on our guys, or any of the coalition soldiers for that matter, but I explained how someone with his skills could make a world of difference to the Afghan nationals.” She leaned forward. “I mean you’ve seen the condition of some of them when they come in. The local doctors do their best, but they just don’t have the equipment or the training to deal with the horrific injuries these people are sustaining.” Her face softened. “And the kids. For example that one last week, the one who went home the day after you got here. He probably wouldn’t have made it if his grandfather hadn’t brought him in.”

  A jet flew over, and Karen barely noticed it. “Anyway, and this is the worst part, Phil’s response was that if he wouldn’t do it for our guys, why would he do it for them?” Her gaze darted around the mess tent, not really seeing anything. “Anyway, that conversation convinced me that coming to Afghanistan was the right thing to do.” She took another sip of cold tea. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”

  “Because I asked, I guess.” Two Americans in combat gear came in and he lowered his voice. “I’m sorry for what happened with your doctor friend, and for what it’s worth, I admire you for making the commitment.”

  “Thanks.” She toyed with her mug. “Your turn. What about you? Why are you here, and was your wife supportive?” He’d shown pictures of his kids almost the first day he arrived.

  “My wife is amazing. She encouraged me when we talked it over. I had two reasons for wanting to come. One was for the experience with trauma surgery, and the other was to support our troops.” His gaze flickered over to the two men. “Especially when I learned that the Canadians were running the hospital. Don’t get me wrong. Americans are some of the most likeable people on earth, but we Dutch have always had a close connection with Canada.”

  “Well, we run the hospital for a few more months, anyway. The Americans will be taking it over in November.” She looked around, taking in her surroundings this time. “And there will be some brand new buildings before long. Bricks instead of plywood and canvas. It’s even going to be reinforced to withstand mortar attack. Much safer, thank goodness.”

  “I’ll be back home by then. I agreed to come for six months.” Maartie absently brushed some of the ever-present dust from the table. “How much longer do you have?”

  “Three weeks.” Karen paused, tilted her head to one side. “You know, I didn’t think it would go by so quickly. Speaking of which, I’d better get over to Intensive Care. My shift is about to start.”

  “It was nice talking to you.” He stood and she smiled at the old-fashioned gesture.

  “You too, Maartie, and I apologize for unloading on you.”

  “Not at all. And for what it’s worth, I think you could have the pick of any of the single guys around here.” He nodded toward the two Americans. “Those two have been glancing over here ever since they sat down.”

  Karen laughed. “No thanks. It’ll be a while before I get involved again.”

  “Not even with that good looking Canadian helicopter pilot?”

  “Brian?” Just saying his name made her feel safe. “He’s just a friend. He comes from the same area on Vancouver Island where I grew up. Imagine, coming all the way to Afghanistan to meet someone from the other side of town.”

  The grin on Maartie’s face said he’d heard the rumours, but there was nothing she could do about that. “That’s quite a coincidence. Listen, I think I’ll walk back with you if you don’t mind. I’d like to check on that British soldier who came in this morning.”

  “I heard that was pretty ugly.” She headed for the door. “I’d imagine he’ll be evac’d in the morning.”

  “Yeah.” They walked out into the compound and the Dutch surgeon paused and looked around. “This is just about the only time of day when the dust isn’t swirling around, isn’t it?” He continued walking. “That’s the one thing I really don’t like about this place. It gets into everything.”

  “Tell me about it.” She reached for the door of the hospital but he’d already pulled it open. “Thanks, Doctor,” she said, looking up at him.

  “I hear there’s a big hockey game tomorrow.” Maartie frowned. “What’s up with that?”

  Karen grinned. “We’re Canadian. What can I say?”

  He laughed and turned toward the surgery ward.

  * * *

  The next morning, after her shift, Karen flopped down onto her bed, fully clothed. It had been quiet last night. Unusual, but sometimes the lack of action could be more tiring than a busy shift. The temperature was already approaching 40 degrees, with no chance of relief. She closed her eyes and imagined herself walking along the sandy spit that jutted into the ocean back home near Courtenay. She could smell the tang of the ocean, could feel the cool spray on her face.

  It was dangerous to think of home when she was tired. A tear formed in the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek, settling in her ear. She flung an arm across her eyes and let the tears fall. It was eight months since her grandmother had died, but sometimes it felt like yesterday. She’d been working and living in Nanaimo when her grandmother suffered a massive heart attack. She’d died immediately, but that didn’t make it any easier. Karen still wished she could have been there. Her grandmother had raised her after both of her parents died. It was bad enough when her father died in a fishing boat accident off the west coast of the island, but soon after that her mother had died of ovarian cancer, and Gran became her guardian, as well as her friend.

  She’d taken a month off to settle her grandmother’s estate which included a condo in an assisted living facility. Phil had offered very little in the way of support, either emotionally or with the physical work involved in clearing out her grandmother’s belongings. Looking back now, she realized that those difficult weeks had been the beginning of the end for their relationship. Was it any wonder she’d been so interested in the notice on the bulletin board in the hospital about the need for nurses in Afghanistan.

  A jet came in for a landing and she swung her feet onto the floor. A shower would make her feel better, and then she’d grab a bite to eat and check out the hockey game. Brian would probably show up...that would definitely make her feel better. She grabbed her kit and headed for the shower.

  ***

  “Pardon me, Captain. May I join you?”

  Karen looked up from her book, and couldn’t hold back the grin that spread across her face. “Hi, Brian. I was just thinking about you.” He was so tall, so broad-shouldered and handsome. The few single women inside the wire were practically falling at his feet, but he didn’t seem to notice.

  He raked a hand through his curly blonde hair. “I checked the hockey game first, but you weren’t there, so I tracked you down in here.” He motioned to her book. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a book. You read more than anyone I’ve ever known.”

  Karen pulled the book toward her defensively. It was by her favourite author, Bryce Courtenay, and she was savouring every page. “What’s wrong with that?”

  He held up both hands, palms out. “Nothing, nothing. You don’t have to be so touchy.” He leaned forward, and peered into her eyes. “Have you been crying?”

  He knows me too well, she thought. “Don’t be silly.”

  “Look, do you mind if I grab an iced tea? It’s really hot out there and I’d just as soon stay here for a while.”

  Karen tugged at the neck of her shirt where it was sticking to her skin. “Sounds good to me. Grab a couple of bottles of water too, will you?” She watched him stride away. Here in the heat of the desert, Brian Calder was a like fresh ocean breeze. They’d met the first week she was here, when he came into the hospital to bring a stuffed toy to an Afghan child he’d medevac’d in from an outlying province. His concern had touched her, and even though she’d vowed not to get involved with anyone here, she’d agreed to meet him at Tim Horton’s on the boardwalk for coffee. She didn’t know who first came up with “The Boardwalk” for the string of commercial outlets, but they were immensely popular and added a touch of normalcy to an otherworldly environment.

  * * *

  It hadn’t taken long to discover that he was from Courtenay on Vancouver Island and she was from Comox.

  “So how come we never met?” she asked, nibbling on a donut. “It’s not as if our high schools were that big. Seems to me we were always playing against each other.”

  “Well.” Blue eyes the colour of chicory flowers looked at her steadily. “I went to private school at Shawnigan Lake.”

  He was embarrassed. “I won’t hold that against you,” she said with a grin. “Your parents were only doing what they thought was best.”

  “I suppose so.” He rubbed his eyebrow reflexively. “But they came close to yanking me out when I almost drowned.”

  “Good Lord. What happened?”

  “I was sailing alone.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “They warned me about the sudden gusts on the lake, but I was young and cocky, I knew everything. Anyway, the boom came around and clipped me on the head.” He pointed to a fine white scar that ran through his right eyebrow. “Knocked me out and the boat heeled over. Fortunately there was a power boater nearby and he came and rescued me.”

  “What happened to the sailboat?”

  He threw back his head and roared with laughter. “Thanks a lot!”

  Everyone looked their way, and Karen caught envious looks from several women. She looked back at the man across from her. His former cockiness had mellowed into a self confidence that he wore well. Paired with his good looks, it was a potent combination.

  As the weeks turned into months, they became a couple, but it was the oddest relationship Karen had ever experienced. They went to the movies together, where he draped an arm over the back of her chair and whispered comments into her ear. He held her hand walking across the compound late at night, and squeezed it at the door to her barracks. Several times he leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek, murmuring goodnight as he did so. Often, in her dreams, she felt his lips on hers, felt his strong arms enfold her. She’d wake up with her heart racing, wondering if she was missing out on something special. But then sanity would prevail, and she’d remind herself of their agreement.

  It had come almost two months after she arrived. They’d gone for a walk, and were sitting on a cement form by the edge of the runway.

  He’d picked up a handful of loose rock, and was tossing them at the fence. “Do you ever wonder why I don’t put a move on you?”

  His tone was casual, but Karen sensed that they were in for a serious discussion. Her pulse quickened. “I suppose so, yes.” His face was shadowed by the artificial light.

  “It seems only fair that I tell you this. After all, you told me about that creep in Nanaimo. What was his name? Phil the Pill, wasn’t it?” He turned in her direction.

  She smiled. “His name was Phil, yes.”

  “Well, I had a similar experience, only I was the one who got dumped by the girl I thought I was going to marry.”

  She pulled back and gave him a sharp look. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You mentioned that you had a relationship that didn’t work out, but I didn’t realize it had gone that far.”

  “Yeah, well.” He fidgeted for a moment, then continued. “Her name was Crystal, or I should say her name is Crystal. She works at Island General.

  “The hospital in Comox.” Karen knew it well.

  “Right. We met there at a staff party. I’d been flying for the Ambulance Service and somebody invited me to come along.”

  “What does she do? Is she a nurse?”

  He shook his head. “She’s in personnel. No, wait. They call it Human Resources these days. She took some kind of a course in hospital administration and between you and I, I think she wants to run the whole place some day. Anyway, we’d been going out for almost a year. I’d introduced her to my family and everything, and we’d been talking pretty seriously.” He scrubbed his face with a hand. “At least I thought we were serious. She wasn’t keen on me coming to Afghanistan, but I thought she understood how important it was to me.” His eyes took on a far-away look. “Come to think of it, my family wasn’t too thrilled either. Afraid of the danger, you know.”

  Karen wished she had someone to worry about her, but said nothing. This was Brian’s story, and she was interested in what was to come.

  “So, I decided to ask her to marry me on the day I was leaving for Edmonton, for indoctrination to the Afghan experience.”

  Karen gave him a lop-sided grin. “I like the way you word that.”

  He nodded. “I was out of my depth when it came to choosing a ring. I talked it over with my grandmother, who is, without a doubt, the coolest lady in the world, and she offered to give me her engagement ring. She was way ahead of her time; she chose it herself.” He patted his breast pocket, unbuttoned the flap and pulled out a ring.

  Even in the reduced light, sparks flew from a circle of diamonds surrounding a small, pale blue cushion-cut sapphire.

  Karen gasped. “It’s gorgeous!” Brian handed it to her and she slipped in on the end of her forefinger, turning it one way and then the other. “Your grandmother has wonderful taste.” She handed it back to him. “So what happened?”

  Chapter Two

  “I had it all planned. I was leaving late in the afternoon, so I invited her for lunch at our favourite restaurant. She told me not to pick her up, that she’d rather meet there, which I thought was kinda odd at the time, but I agreed.” He paused, then took a deep breath and went on. “When I pulled up in the parking lot, she was sitting in her car with the window down. I was so nervous and excited that I ran over to her and pulled out the ring and asked her to marry me.”

  He looked down at the ring. “In my memory, the rest of that scene happened in slow motion. She stepped out of the car and looked at me as though I was crazy or something. ‘But Brian,’ she said, ‘I can’t marry you. I’m in love with someone else.’”

  “I thought she was kidding at first. ‘Come on, Crystal’ I said. ‘Stop kidding around.’” His voice faltered for a moment, but when he looked up his eyes were clear. “She wasn’t kidding.”

  Karen frowned to herself. “I think I’ll save myself a lot of time and start hating her now.”

  Brian tossed another rock at the fence. “That’s the way I felt.” He looked down at the ring, still clutched in his hand. “But at the end of the day, as they say, she didn’t want to marry me. I don’t know how I got things so wrong, how I misread the signals. I never did find out who the other guy was, and now I don’t think I want to know. Anyway, I couldn’t bring myself to go back and face my grandmother and tell her I’d been rejected, so I put the ring in my pocket, went to the airbase, and left for Edmonton.”

  “And you’ve been carrying the ring around with you ever since.”

  “Yup.” He tucked the ring back in his pocket and patted it.

  Karen had to know. “Do you still love her?”

  Brian gave a derisive laugh. “Are you kidding?” He lowered his voice. “No, I don’t love her but I have to admit that I was thrown for a loop. That’s why I’ve been cooling it. Not only is this a lousy place for relationships, but I want to make sure I’m free of all negative thoughts before I start dating again.” He looked into her eyes. “And I could tell you were still hurting about that guy in Nanaimo.”

  Karen sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”

  Brian gave a nervous laugh and tossed away the rest of the stones. “And that brings me to something else.”

  “There’s more?” She pulled back. What other surprises was he going to spring on her?

  “I’d like your permission to start dating you when we get home.”

  She couldn’t hold back a delighted laugh. “My permission?”

  “Well, yes. I mean, if you’re not interested, I won’t bother you, but I kind of thought...” his voice trailed off.

  She slid down from the cement form. “Brian Calder, you big goof, of course I’d like to see you when we get home.” She took a few steps toward him and he reached out and grabbed her around the waist. “I’d like that very much,” she whispered.

  He studied her face in the glow from the overhead lights. “So it’s a deal?” he said, drawing her closer.

  “Uh huh.” Her senses were spinning.

  “Good.” He tilted his head and his lips closed over hers. It was a sweet kiss and she leaned into him, revelling in the sensation of being held. But before she was ready, he pulled back. “Sorry, kiddo, I couldn’t resist.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” she said. “I’m not.” And she wasn’t, not really. The kiss hadn’t curled her toes, the way she thought it would. But after all, they were in the middle of a war, where all bets were off.

  He held her away. “I know we just agreed to wait until we get home, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my hands off you for the next few months.”

  Karen looked into the eyes she’d come to know so well. A few months would help her figure out how she really felt about him. “You were right when you said this is a terrible place for a relationship.” She laid the palm of her hand against his cheek and held it there, looking into his eyes. “You’re probably the most decent man I’ve ever met, Brian Calder, but this is as far as we go for now. Agreed?”

  He groaned. “Okay, but it’ll be hard.”