by Robin Gianna
It took him a moment to respond, still astounded that in all their conversations about his work she hadn’t said a thing about being a diver herself. “What is this device they invented?”
“Earplugs that equalize underwater pressure on the ear canal, without the diver having to clear their ears manually. They’ve just begun testing it various places. When I got this chance to come work in Antarctica, we all thought it would be a great opportunity to see if there are any differences in the way they perform in extremely cold waters.”
“And you need volunteers to wear them. But why would you be diving, too?”
“Obviously, working in the clinic and hospital, I’d only be able to come along on dives occasionally. But I want to do that to record divers’ thoughts right away, take their vital signs when possible and...okay, I admit it.” A small smile played on her lips as her beautiful eyes met his. “I can’t wait to see what it’s like under the ice. Excited and scared, both, to be honest.”
“Scared? Why?”
“You know as well as anyone that it’s got to be different diving beneath ice than in the Caribbean. Isn’t it?”
“It is.” And he suddenly knew that, more than anything, he wanted to be the one diving with Jordan for her first time here, making sure she felt safe. “I’d be happy to be part of your trial. The rest of the marine biologists will be coming on the next boat. How about I talk with them about your trial as soon as they get here? And you and I can plan on a dive as soon as we can make it happen.”
“Sounds perfect. I should have known that you’d dive right in...ha-ha—” she sent him an adorable smile “—and take over to help make it happen. And you know what? I’m getting rid of that independent streak you’ve scolded me about to tell you I really appreciate it. Having you be part of the trial and talk with your colleagues about it is going to be hugely helpful.”
The smile on her face and the way she was looking at him seemed to show she felt sincerely pleased, and his chest felt like it was expanding as he thought about how good it would feel to help her. About how it would feel to spend more time with her and dive with her. Then he forced himself to remember that he couldn’t let himself get attached to Jordan, that he’d be there for her when it came to working and diving, but anything more was out of the question.
He couldn’t deny that the attraction he felt for her seemed to grow every time he saw her. But how he felt didn’t matter. She might not be interested in a relationship, anyway, but if she was, she deserved someone she could rely on in every way.
He definitely wasn’t that man.
* * *
Zeke doubled down to get everything ready for when the rest of the crew arrived so he and Jordan could get diving as soon as possible. He and some of the station crew spent the entire day out on the ice shelf, using chain saws, drills and heating equipment to cut two dive holes about twelve meters apart. Having them finished left him feeling satisfied and excited about getting down there to see what they’d find this trip, and to see how Jordan felt about diving under the ice.
His prediction? She’d love it, and he was counting the hours until the next ship would arrive with the other scientists, so he could get busy with his grant work and go underwater with her.
With the dive holes ready, he finished the aquarium setup and tested it to make sure it was operating properly. He checked the filter systems he’d had up and running for the past twenty-four hours, then the water quality. Pleased that all systems were go, he knew the other marine biologists would be glad he’d come early to get this done. Once they were diving, they’d bring back algae, zooplankton and other marine life samples to test, study and, in some cases, tag and return to the sea.
He forced himself to do paperwork so he’d have it behind him when everyone arrived. The ship should have left Chile an hour ago, which meant only two more days until he’d have dive partners as anxious as he was to get in the water.
Revision of his most recent academic paper, soon to be published in a science periodical, was the first priority. That study was complete, and an important piece of the complex data he’d be presenting to get his new grant application finished.
His current research project would take the full five months he’d be down here, but initial data had to be compiled in time for the first grant deadline, which was in just less than a month. For every grant available there were at least ten applicants, and getting the fieldwork done, the initial data compiled and the preliminary paper finished by early November would take hard work and a lot of hours.
Being one of the first to submit the application was critical. As a presenter at next year’s international climate summit, he needed to have additional, irrefutable evidence of how the ozone hole above the Antarctic would continue to affect coastal cities and its inhabitants. Proving ways to reduce the amount of ice melt and disturbing water temperature rise, which was affecting the size and impact of hurricanes and typhoons, was what his life’s work was all about.
He knew, firsthand, that people were dying because of it. Many more, if he failed.
Zeke drew in a deep breath. He’d get it done. Then he’d knock the socks off various nations’ leaders and private enterprises interested in making corporate changes, and the global impact of all that would save lives around the world.
His grandfather’s laughing face, his grandmother’s sweet one, floated in his mind’s eye, and with the ache and guilt came a familiar feeling of determination. He made a call to the vehicle coordinator to make sure they had a PistenBully or one of the six-wheel vans available to get to the ice shelf the day his colleagues showed up, so he could start pulling samples. Then he worked on more paperwork until his eyes were blurring.
“Might want to cancel your reservation for transportation,” Bob Shamansky said as he strode into the room. “Looks like both of us are going to have to find more lab-and paperwork to do for a while.”
“What? Why?”
“Just heard that John Stewart notified the base supervisor that he’s keeping the tub docked in Chile because of the weather. Forty-knot storm on Drake Passage right now, and with the ship full, he doesn’t want to risk it. Planning to wait a couple days and see if it calms down.”
“Damn.” Zeke pressed his palms to the table, trying to figure out how to get rolling on fieldwork without waiting another four or five days. “Maybe you can be my dive partner. Just to be ready to throw me a line if something happens.”
“Pretty sure you need someone who can actually dive with you, in case you get the bends or a tear in your hose or whatever the hell can happen down there. Those things being why I don’t participate in that particular activity.”
“Yeah.” Diving alone wasn’t a great idea under normal circumstances, and here in Antarctica? Doing that would qualify as just plain stupid. “I’m going to see if anybody who’s already here is a diver.”
Except he already knew of one. Jordan Flynn. Would she be interested in diving with just him? Thinking about the excitement in her eyes when she’d spoken about it, he had a feeling the answer was a clear yes.
“Might be,” Bob said. “Don’t worry. If I know you, you’ll get that grant money done come hell or high water.” He clapped Zeke on the shoulder. “Time for first-round lunch. Why don’t you go to the galley and ask around to see if there’s a diver you don’t know?”
“It’s worth a try.” Without much hope that he’d get lucky and find someone, he headed to the galley and, as expected, struck out. Feeling too restless to go back to his paperwork, he decided to see if Jordan was willing to dive with just him, and if she was, find out when she could take the time to do it. And it wasn’t just an excuse to see her. He needed to get to work on gathering samples.
Though he couldn’t lie to himself—the thought of seeing her did make his step feel a little lighter, whether he wanted it to or not.
He found her in the storage room
of the clinic, sitting on the floor with her legs crossed. Bags of medicines and medical supplies were sorted in front of her, next to multiple zippered satchels, her head tipped forward, a waterfall of smooth hair covering her profile. He knew how soft it felt from when he’d glued her wound and now stood there a moment, wishing he had an excuse to skim his hand down all that dark silk.
He cleared his throat. “I wanted to talk with you, but looks like you’re busy.”
Her head lifted and her eyes met his, her fingers pushing her hair behind her ear as she smiled up at him. “No, just getting travel bags ready. Which I’m sure you know all about.”
“What are you packing?”
“Drugs, syringes and other equipment, labeling each bag. Catheter. Fluid. Trauma. Circulation. IV. The usual.”
“The usual for Antarctica. I’m impressed that a hospital-based surgeon knows everything you might need down here for out in the field.”
“Well, much as I like to impress people whenever possible, I can’t lie. I was given a list when I was hired, before I even came down here.” She held up a sheaf of papers with a cute self-deprecating smile on her face. “Want to take a look and see if anything’s missing?”
He lowered himself to sit next to her and liked the way his shoulder felt pressed against hers as he leaned in to read it. “Looks pretty complete to me. You’re ready to go if there’s an accident or illness in the field, Dr. Flynn.”
“Good. I was a little worried that I hadn’t finished this yet, so I’m glad to get it done.”
“I’m glad, too. Because I came to talk to you about your work schedule and diving.”
She began to push to her feet, and he regretted no longer getting to sit so close to her, oddly comfortable considering how hard the floor was. He stood and held out his hand to finish helping her up, taking as long as possible to release her hand’s warmth. She didn’t seem in too big a hurry, either, looking up at him expectantly until she finally slid her hand from his.
“Do you have a dive scheduled with the new crew that I can come on?”
“Not exactly. Drake Passage is acting up again, and nobody’s getting here for a few days. I don’t want to get behind on gathering the samples I need for my grant application so I’m wondering—are you willing to dive with me alone?”
“Well, let me think.” She tapped her finger against her chin. “You’ve been diving in Antarctica during thirteen trips and I doubt if anyone coming can beat that. So, is that a real question?”
“Wasn’t sure if you’d feel safer as part of a bigger group, since you haven’t been under the ice before.”
“I know I’ll feel totally safe with you,” she said. The eyes meeting his were serious and trusting, and a strange feeling filled his chest that she seemed to truly feel those ways about him.
“We won’t wander too far from the hole, and stick close together. And whenever you’re ready to go back up, just let me know and we’ll finish right away.”
“When can we go?”
“Does tomorrow afternoon work for you? Bob Shamansky said he’d come with us whenever I get a dive pulled together, and I know he won’t be free until about three o’clock. He doesn’t dive, but whenever we go out, we have at least one tender along to help with all the equipment and keep an eye out up above.”
“An eye out? For what?”
“Marine mammals, among other things. Most are fun to see, like the penguins and the various seals, though you’ll notice that some of the male seals glare at you if you get too close. Especially underwater, so give them a wide berth if you can.”
“Sounds amazing.”
“It is. Except there is one thing you have to steer clear of—leopard seals. They’re dangerous, and if we see any in the water we move on and keep our distance.”
“Do they attack people?”
“Sometimes, and even follow divers occasionally, like the predators they are. They have sharklike teeth and are huge. Males are about a thousand pounds and females even bigger. A few years ago, an intern was badly mauled by one at a station south of here. Just one more reason why diving here isn’t like diving other places.”
“Being mauled by a leopard seal sounds about as appealing as hypothermia,” Jordan said, and her captivating smile showed him why he’d felt so attracted to her that very first day on the ship when she’d joked about that. “Which do you think would be worse?”
“Probably a toss-up. And I don’t want to experience either one to find out the answer.” But experiencing diving with the smart and fascinating Jordan Flynn? That he couldn’t wait to do. “Can you be ready tomorrow at three in the vehicle hangar? I’ll have all the equipment we need for when you and Bob get there.”
“I brought my dive clothes and equipment, but I’m not completely sure I won’t need something more. Do you have extra gear required for this kind of water?”
“Is that a real question?” For some reason, he couldn’t help but tease her. “Yes. And I’m sure you’re also prepared. All you have to do is wear what you’d normally wear when it’s twenty degrees below Fahrenheit.”
“Pretty sure there’s no ‘normal’ in that kind of water temperature. Except here.” Amused blue eyes met his. “Are you willing to try the earplugs?”
“Looking forward to it.” And he was, but not nearly as much as he looked forward to diving with her, and wished they could head out right then.
“I appreciate that. So—”
Voices from the lobby outside had them both turning their heads, and the deep stab of disappointment that he wouldn’t get to banter with her alone anymore surprised him.
“Uh...” He drew in a breath, knowing he had to quell this desire for her, because there was no point. “I guess you have a patient you need to see?”
CHAPTER FIVE
JORDAN GLANCED OUT through the door at the people filing into the meeting room, wondering how in the world she could have forgotten she had a group coming in for first-aid instruction.
Except she knew how. Something about Ezekiel Edwards seemed to make her forget everything except how much she enjoyed talking with him, and laughing with him, and looking into his deep, dark eyes, and she felt herself falling every time. A hardworking man dedicated to his job and who liked to help people. A man whose smile made her feel annoyingly gooey inside whether she wanted to or not.
“Um...” She glanced at her watch. “I actually have first-aid instruction scheduled. For crew members coming...right now. The first ten for two hours, then another ten after that.”
“Ah, the first-aid lessons. Need a hand?”
“Wow, you must be really bored.” Or could it be that he didn’t want to end their time together any more than she did? Which wasn’t something she should want. But she did, anyway, fool that she apparently was.
“Not bored. I just know from experience that teaching newbies how to stitch, and place IVs, isn’t easy.”
“Are you offering your arm to let them place the IV? That would be entertaining to watch.”
Amused brown eyes met hers as he laughed. “I’m not quite that much of a masochist. With this many people, I just know that having two instructors makes it go faster.”
“I’m sure that’s true.” Jordan hadn’t actually taught nonmedical people how to do the things on her list, but didn’t want to confess that. It sounded like Zeke had, and she felt a pang of disappointment that it was probably the reason he’d offered, and not because he found being with her fascinating, the way she’d unfortunately been feeling about spending time with him.
But she wasn’t too proud to learn something professionally from him, was she? Even if it was medical related? “We’re going to start with first-aid basics, like treating shock, how to stop bleeding and such. Then go to the stitching and IV placement. Sure you don’t want to be the human practice dummy?”
“Not that big a dummy
.”
That twinkle in his brown eyes and crooked, engaging grin were irresistible, and she couldn’t help but laugh. Standing there next to him in what should have been a normal, casual interaction between colleagues felt strangely intimate instead. Like they’d known each other a long time, and shared a closeness she shouldn’t feel after knowing him a matter of days. Though she supposed the time they had spent together had been unusual, with him patching her up and working at a science station that currently had a comparatively skeleton crew. Not to mention that she needed him to help her get underwater, and test her parents’ device.
She couldn’t seem to help that her breath felt a little shallow and her heart was doing that annoying pit-a-pat thing. Her brain knew very well that he was not at all the kind of man she wanted in her life, but her body hadn’t seemed to catch up with that fact.
She drew a deep breath and tried to shake it off so he wouldn’t suspect her unwitting reaction to him. Though she feared he already knew.
“Don’t worry, Zeke. I brought a phlebotomy and venipuncture practice arm, so your flesh and blood are safe.”
“And speaking of flesh and blood, can I check on yours?”
She nodded and he stepped close again, his wide palm cupping the back of her head as his other hand gently moved aside her hair to look at her scalp wound. He smelled so good, his own mix of the outdoors and a faint whiff of soap and of him, and she found herself wanting to lean into him. To feel his big body pressing against hers, the memory of which seemed imprinted in her brain from when he’d carried her to her bunk.
“It’s an even more impressive rainbow of colors, but the swelling is down. Looks like it’s healing well.”
“When I was a little girl I wanted to be a unicorn the worst way, so I guess I’ll think of having a rainbow on my head as a positive.”
He gave a soft laugh. “Maybe you’ll find something equally colorful and fantastic when we dive.”