From Hawaii to Forever

by Julie Danvers

  Kat groaned inwardly. Her irritation was all the worse because she knew that Jack was right. She shouldn’t take care of the cut on her leg by herself—especially with the risk of hypothermia. His stubbornness was a wall she wouldn’t get past, and he clearly wasn’t going to be intimidated by her medical credentials.

  She couldn’t decide whether his determination to take care of her was incredibly annoying or attractive. A little of both, she thought.

  And it didn’t help that the small, rebellious voice in the back of her mind was wholly in agreement with Jack, and was shouting that spending some time in the close quarters of an ambulance with him wouldn’t be an entirely unwelcome experience.

  Just get in! the voice screamed. He can be your next impulsive decision!

  Enough of that, she told herself.

  Jack Harper was certainly attractive; there was no question of that. Those blue-green eyes of his seemed to change shade every minute, as though their color changed with his mood.

  But Kat had felt herself getting swept away by the ocean, just moments ago. That had been scary enough. The last thing she needed now was to let herself get swept away by someone she’d just met.

  Although she had to admit that Jack’s air of authority was rather refreshing. She could see that no matter how much she argued he was taking her to the hospital—even if she went kicking and screaming.

  As a respected internal medicine physician, Kat wasn’t used to having anyone disagree with her. Her decisions were almost never questioned by her team. To have someone insist on taking care of her for once, in spite of all her protestations, was an utterly new experience.

  It was almost a little bit sexy.

  But sexy was the last thing Kat was looking for.

  Not now.

  Not three weeks after Christopher. Not after the disaster of their almost-wedding.

  “Is it really necessary?” she asked, knowing her appeal was doomed.

  “You know it is,” he said.

  His voice was that of a determined man who would not be denied.

  Definitely a little bit sexy, the rebellious voice in her head noted.

  She didn’t want this kind of complication right now. She didn’t want to be attracted to anyone. Three weeks ago she hadn’t thought she was even capable of feeling interested in anyone else, because she’d been about to marry the love of her life. She should be returning from her honeymoon now—not standing on a tropical beach arguing with a frustratingly attractive paramedic who didn’t understand when to quit.

  Kat saw the stubborn set of Jack’s jaw and realized that she really was going to arrive at her new place of work borderline hypothermic, muddy, and wearing a string bikini—in the company of one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen.

  This, she thought, was the opposite of learning how to relax.

  CHAPTER TWO

  KAT DECIDED THAT if there was no chance of changing Jack’s mind, she would try bargaining with him instead.

  “I’ll go if you insist, but at least let me find something different to wear,” she said.

  Riding in an ambulance with Jack while wearing nothing but a bikini would be bad enough, but she would do anything to prevent her new co-workers from forming their first impression of her while she was nearly naked and dripping wet.

  “Do you have anything else with you that you could put on?” Jack asked.

  “Oh!” Kat remembered. “My luggage. It’s right over there, down the beach.”

  She started to rise, but Jack pushed her down firmly. He wrapped a blanket around her and tucked in the ends as though she were a child. Kat’s cheeks burned.

  She started to protest, but Jack stopped her. “I’m not taking any risks just because you’re a doctor who thinks she knows better than a paramedic. Sit still and I’ll bring your luggage to you.”

  He headed down the beach while Kat fumed. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she was secretly glad that Jack had pushed her back into a sitting position. Her legs felt like jelly, and it would have been difficult to stand. And it was nice to have the blanket. But she needed him to understand that, as a doctor, she was perfectly capable of deciding what she did or did not need for herself.

  When he returned with her things she said, “Look, this is very kind of you, but all this attention just isn’t necessary. I happen to be an excellent doctor. I was the youngest chief resident of internal medicine that Chicago Grace Memorial Hospital ever had.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you were.”

  “And I graduated from Northwestern University in just three years. I was in the top five of my class at medical school.”

  “Sounds like you’re very smart.”

  Now her cheeks were burning with a different kind of embarrassment. Would he think she was the kind of person who bragged about her achievements? She realized that she was doing exactly that. Why was she acting this way? It was more than just wanting to appear competent in front of a potential new colleague. For some reason she couldn’t explain, she wanted Jack to think well of her.

  “I’m just trying to say that you don’t need to fuss over me. You don’t need to treat me like a patient,” she said.

  “Because doctors always know best, right?” he replied.

  She was flustered. “Well...yes. Frankly, I have the most medical expertise between the two of us. I think I’m qualified to decide whether or not I’m all right.”

  He looked directly into her eyes and she felt a jolt go through her. His gaze was really quite arresting.

  “As far as I’m concerned you are my patient,” he said. “No matter what your medical background is, I’m the one responsible for taking care of you right now, and I intend to see that responsibility through.”

  His voice was firm, but warm and resonant, and she felt all her resistance melt into a puddle under his gaze. She could listen to that voice all day... She made another feeble attempt to protest, but her breath caught in her throat as he continued.

  “You may think you’re all right but, as I said before, that’s the adrenaline pushing you through. You swallowed a lot of water out there, and I’m not leaving you alone until I’m sure you’re stable.”

  The point apparently settled, he lifted her luggage onto the back of the ambulance and began to rummage through it.

  “Hey!” she cried. “That’s my stuff! How about a little privacy?” What did he think he was doing, rummaging through her personal things?

  “Here we go,” he said, pulling her white coat out from beneath a tangle of bathing suits and flip-flops. “Looks like your sweater’s all sandy—you don’t want to put that back on. But you can wear this.”

  She pulled the white coat over her swimsuit and wrapped it around herself. “Are you always this stubborn and bossy?” she said.

  “Afraid so,” he replied. “Especially where my patients are concerned—no matter where they ranked in their class at medical school.”

  As irritating as he was, Kat had to admire his persistence. Jack Harper might have his flaws, but being lax about patient care obviously wasn’t one of them. His stubbornness both annoyed and intrigued her. Who was this commandeering man with the arms that had fit so perfectly around her waist?

  At least she had one clue: the tattoo in flowing script along his arm. “‘The only easy day was yesterday,’” she read. “You were a Navy SEAL?”

  He nodded, clearly surprised. “Most people don’t recognize the motto,” he said.

  “My grandfather was a SEAL,” she said. “He always said Navy guys make the best boyfriends.”

  She flushed even more deeply. Why had she said a thing like that? She sounded like some sort of man-hungry flirt. It was all his fault—he had some sort of effect on her that made her want to punch him and jump into his arms all at once.

  Her resolve to get away from him bef
ore she embarrassed herself further returned. She removed the blanket and tucked her white coat around herself. “Look, it’s very kind of you to offer me an ambulance ride, but I’ll be fine on my own,” she said.

  “Be my guest,” he said, clearly deciding on a different tack. “But, just so you know, it’s a long walk, and I’m going to be driving alongside you the whole way.”

  “That’s your prerogative,” she said.

  She stood up, prepared to march away from the beach—and immediately began to sink into the sand as her legs shook under her. Her entire body was shaking.

  Just before she fell onto the sand Jack caught her and lifted her into his arms. She was surprised at the surge of relief that flooded through her as she felt his strong arms scoop her up. As much as she hated to admit that he’d been right, she could tell that shock was hitting her, and she knew that the time for trying to prove she was strong was over—realized that the adrenaline rush had indeed been carrying her through the moment.

  And now Jack was carrying her through this moment.

  “Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to head to the hospital,” Kat said, her voice shaking. “But no sirens, okay? I really don’t want to make a big entrance. This is already embarrassing enough.”

  “No sirens,” he agreed.

  He lifted her into the back of the ambulance and nodded to the driver before hopping in himself and closing the doors behind them.

  * * *

  Jack berated himself for agreeing not to use the sirens as he climbed into the back of the ambulance. Kat was probably fine, but she was still a patient in his care and he didn’t want any harm to come to her. She was such a typical doctor—assuming she knew best, even when she was the one who needed help.

  Of course the first woman he’d been genuinely attracted to in ages would have to be a co-worker. And not just any co-worker, but apparently an ambitious and career-driven doctor.

  Jack had one hard and fast rule when it came to dating: no doctors. After everything that had happened with Sophie and Matt, he didn’t need yet another doctor involved in his personal life. But he couldn’t help but notice that the white coat Kat wore over her bikini made her legs look even longer.

  None of that kind of thinking, he told himself sternly.

  Kat might be attractive, but it would be best for the two of them to put some distance between each another after today.

  Although if they were going to be co-workers, distance might not be an option.

  He wondered how long she would be at the hospital—what department she would be in. Maybe he wouldn’t have to see her that much. He decided to do some casual reconnaissance, hoping she wouldn’t pick up on just how curious he really was.

  “So you’re the new doctor at Oahu General?” he said, as he settled himself across from Kat and pulled out his suturing kit.

  But instead of responding, Kat angled her leg away from him. “Oh, no, you don’t,” she said, as he opened the kit. “The cut’s not that bad. It just needs a stitch or two. I could probably do the suturing myself.”

  Jack glared at her. He had to admire her persistence, but there was such a thing as taking it too far. The fact that Kat would even suggest doing stitches on herself told him that she was probably still experiencing some mild shock.

  Besides, it would be a crime to allow a scar to form on one of those legs.

  “How about you let me be the one to take care of the patient right now?” he said, glowering at her to make sure he’d got his point across.

  “It’s not as though I can’t do a simple stitch,” Kat muttered rebelliously.

  Jack gently shifted Kat’s leg toward his body, so he could reach the cut. He leaned forward and locked her gaze with his. “Listen, I know you were in the top five percent of your class at Northwestern, but I promise you’ll be better off if you let me handle this,” he said. “If you’d stop being so stubborn and let me be in charge for one minute, I’d actually be able to help you.”

  Kat fell silent, and for a moment Jack regretted his harsh tone. She was probably mortified at the thought of meeting her new co-workers in a few moments, dressed like this. But no, he thought, it was better to be harsh. For her own safety as well as his. She needed to accept that she was in the patient’s role—a hard thing for a doctor—and he needed to make sure that he didn’t get carried away by the effect she was having on him. Being clear about maintaining firm professional boundaries from the start would be the best thing for both of them.

  Then, in a small voice, Kat muttered, “Top five.”

  “What?” said Jack.

  “I was in the top five of my class at Northwestern. That’s much more impressive than being in the top five percent.”

  He was about to make a sarcastic response, but then, to his surprise, she winked at him.

  “I just wanted you to know that I’m a total big shot, okay?” she said.

  He couldn’t help but laugh. “Noted,” he said.

  Great, he thought. Smart and funny.

  Just what he didn’t need. He should keep up a detached, professional demeanor—he really should. But he couldn’t help teasing her back.

  “With all due respect, Dr. Big Shot, do you think you can relax and let me give this cut the attention it needs?” he asked.

  She groaned, startling him.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, immediately concerned. “Does it hurt?”

  “Oh, no,” she said. “It’s just...there’s that word again. Relax. You keep telling me to do the one thing I have no idea how to do.”

  “What...relax?”

  He started to apply lidocaine to the wound on Kat’s leg. He wanted to stay detached, but he couldn’t help being curious about her. Besides, if he could keep her talking it would take her mind off the stitches.

  “I’ve never been very good at relaxing,” she said. “I’ve gotten so used to having a busy life that I think I’ve forgotten how to live in the moment...or maybe I never really knew how. Just before I went down to that beach I thought to myself that I’d learn to relax or die trying. And I guess I almost did.”

  “Almost being the operative word,” said Jack. “Not only did you not die, you actually handled yourself really well out there.”

  “Really?” she said. “Because when you came out there and told me to ‘just relax’ that’s when I thought we were both doomed for sure.”

  Jack shook his head. “No, you stayed calm in a terrifying situation. Most people make a rescue more difficult by panicking, but you kept a cool head.”

  He saw her let out a slow breath that she probably hadn’t even realized she was holding.

  “I was so scared,” she said. “I didn’t feel calm at all. I was lucky that you were there.”

  She had been lucky—that was true enough. Rip currents were incredibly dangerous. But her survival had been more than just luck. Jack had been impressed by how well Kat had stayed focused on his instructions during the rescue, despite her terror.

  He started on the first stitch, trying not to notice the thin line of bare skin down her front where her white coat had fallen open.

  “You’re having an eventful first day in Hawaii,” he said. “Do you plan on staying long?”

  “Just a year,” said Kat. “I used to be an internal medicine doctor at Chicago Grace Memorial, but... I was offered a job here, and...and the timing was good, so I took it.”

  For a moment Kat seemed sad. Jack wondered what she’d meant about good timing, but he didn’t want to pry. If she was only staying for a year, then that meant her appointment at Oahu General was temporary. Maybe he wouldn’t even see her that much.

  He caught himself noticing how her red hair fell in delicate tendrils around her slender neck and decided that it would probably be for the best if they didn’t see each other much.

  He said, in what he hoped wa
s a light tone, “You’re a visiting doctor? We get a lot of those. What department will you be in?”

  “Apparently the infectious diseases department is short-staffed,” she said. “They need an internal medicine doctor with a specialty in infectious diseases to head up research and treatment on a new strain of flu.”

  So she was a doctor of internal medicine? That meant they’d have plenty of opportunities to work together—and he’d have plenty of opportunities to notice the way her hair offset her translucent skin.

  He finished the stitches he’d given the cut on Kat’s leg. “Infectious Diseases is always short-staffed,” he said. “We get new strains of flu every year, and we’re always hit by large outbreaks in the spring. It’ll be good to have more hands on deck at the hospital.” He gave Kat’s leg a pat, trying not to think about how her skin felt underneath his fingers. “There,” he said brusquely. “Good as new.”

  With the stitches complete, Jack realized he had no way to distract himself from Kat. There seemed to be nothing to do but sit across from her, trying not to notice that the outline of her body was clear underneath her white coat, which had become damp from the water on her skin.

  He cleared his throat. Stay professional, he thought to himself. Right now she’s a patient, and even if she wasn’t, she’s a doctor. You never date doctors.

  Jack decided to keep her talking—both to break the silence, and to distract himself from the way Kat’s coat was slipping off one shoulder.

  “There aren’t too many top med school grads taking jobs at little hospitals in Hawaii,” he said.

  “It seemed like a good opportunity,” she replied.

  “Really?” he said. “People usually don’t come to the islands to practice medicine unless they’ve got a personal reason—maybe family lives here, or maybe they grew up in Hawaii and want to move back.”

  For a moment that expression of sadness crossed her face once again. But then it disappeared just as quickly, to be replaced with cool professionalism. “It was a good opportunity,” she repeated. “And I won’t just be seeing patients—I’ve also been offered the chance to lead the internal medicine unit in an administrative role. I’ll be able to make some major changes to Oahu General’s hospital policy in a way that I’ve never been able to do at any other hospital before. I wouldn’t be able to do that at a larger or more prestigious hospital, so this could be an excellent stepping stone for me.”