The Army Doc's Secret Princess

by Emily Forbes

  ‘I came to take some photographs, but I have been talking to some of the competitors and now I am looking for stories.’

  ‘Stories?’

  ‘I want to tell the stories of the competitors. Do you think people would be willing to talk to me?’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘I want to acknowledge the struggles and the sacrifices you have all made. I know not everyone will want to tell their stories publicly, but I’m sure, out of a thousand competitors, some will. What do you think? Could I interview you?’

  He hesitated. She could see his deliberation. ‘Me?’

  She nodded. ‘Prince Alfred is keen to showcase the benefits of exercise in promoting recovery, both physical and mental, and I think this is a way we could do that. Will you help me? Can we at least give it a try?’

  ‘I’ll think about it.’

  Viktoria spent the rest of the afternoon talking to various athletes before making her way to the medical centre. She had dropped in there earlier and asked for a time to catch up with Cam. She hadn’t heard from him at all and, after speaking with Freddie about her idea, she wanted Cam’s opinion.

  ‘Hello, Viktoria.’ Cam stood up as she entered his office. ‘What can I do for you?’

  ‘I need your opinion.’

  ‘You didn’t need to make an appointment to see me for that,’ he said as he repositioned a chair for her.

  ‘I had not heard from you today,’ she replied with a shrug, ‘and I did not know if I would see you...so...’ She sat and Cam perched on the edge of his desk. ‘I saw Mark today when I was at the pool. He’d been swimming. I wondered why, when he is injured, you did not tell him to stop.’

  ‘That’s what you wanted to see me about?’

  ‘Not only that, but it is related in a way.’

  ‘I can’t discuss Mark with you.’

  Cam stood and moved around the desk to sit in his chair and Viktoria wasn’t sure if he was distancing himself from her or just her line of questioning. She rephrased her question.

  ‘I am not asking you to discuss his injury—he has already explained the problem to me—I am simply asking you to explain why you did not stop him from training.’

  ‘Because it was highly unlikely that he would listen. These men and women who have seen active service aren’t likely to let someone like me, or something like this—a relatively minor injury—stop them. It’s about managing the problem, not dictating to them what they can and can’t do. They’re used to taking orders in their job; it’s important to give them some control of their bodies.’

  Viktoria could respect their need to have some control. She felt the same way.

  ‘Mark is intelligent enough to make his own decisions,’ Cam continued. ‘You’ll see. He’s swimming in a relay—if he doesn’t pull up well enough I’m sure he’ll make the right decision for the team. If there’s one thing most soldiers are good at it is being part of a team. But tell me, how is that related to your other question?’

  ‘After speaking to many of the competitors today I also spoke with Prince Alfred and we think that it would be good to do some articles on what soldiers go through emotionally and what families or loved ones can do to support them. Obviously, getting back into physical exercise is a great outcome for a lot of people but it is a challenge for so many. There must be a lot of stress on everyone, the families and the soldiers, when they are dealing with these issues. I wanted to link the benefits of exercise to positive mental health and Prince Alfred and I think this could be a good way to do that. Your insight would be really useful. Would you be prepared to talk to me about your views?’

  ‘My views?’

  ‘Oui.’

  ‘On what?’

  ‘To get a professional perspective on what the athletes have gone through.’

  She’d noticed his limp and wondered if he had his own personal story to tell but she suspected he wouldn’t be very forthcoming. He asked questions of her but had given her nothing personal. She thought she was a master of being able to make conversation with all types of people, but she struggled to get anything much out of Dr Campbell Hamilton. Perhaps a professional opinion piece would build some trust and, if nothing else, she was sure it would be interesting.

  ‘I can’t give you any specifics about the athletes and I really don’t have the time.’

  She had hoped he would agree. It would be a way to spend a bit more time with him. She was attracted to him. He was sexy in a brooding, distant way and she wanted him to like her. She was used to people being excited to meet her, being keen for her attention, but he seemed as if he just wanted to be left alone. If he wasn’t so sexy, she’d be inclined to do just that but she was very aware of him and she wanted to get to know him better.

  She definitely had a type and Cam fitted into that perfectly. She had always been attracted to tall, dark and handsome men but usually they were charming too. Cam was an enigma. His manners were impeccable, but he seemed to be operating on autopilot.

  He was a challenge.

  And she was definitely up for the challenge.

  ‘It would not take a lot of time.’

  She waited for him to relent but he said nothing. The silence stretched between them.

  ‘Would you think about it?’ she asked with a smile. ‘You have to admit it would be a good way to raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health.’

  ‘Do you think you can simply smile at me and get your own way? Hasn’t anyone ever said no to you before?’

  ‘Not often,’ she admitted. She wasn’t used to being told no. She was used to people doing what she asked. She supposed it was one of the perks of being a princess, but it looked as if she had her work cut out for her trying to get favours from Cam. ‘Please, think about it. I am happy to go over any concerns you might have. We can discuss it over dinner?’

  ‘Dinner?’

  She nodded. ‘I am free tonight.’

  ‘Tonight?’

  ‘Yes. Are you busy?’ Nothing ventured, nothing gained, she figured.

  Yes, he was busy.

  ‘I’m going for a swim,’ he said, perhaps a little too abruptly. His leg was aching, and he knew he needed to exercise to loosen up his hip. He also needed to exercise to clear his head.

  He had known Viktoria was on the base today, but he’d deliberately steered clear of her. Even so, she had crept into his thoughts on numerous occasions, making it hard to concentrate on his work. It was a slightly infuriating situation. He liked feeling in control and he was definitely thrown by her. He didn’t like feeling off-kilter.

  ‘Are you swimming for exercise or therapy?’

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘I have seen you limping. You are injured, non?’

  He hadn’t disguised his limp as well as he’d hoped but his limp was none of her business. The rebuke was on the tip of his tongue, but she apologised before he could say anything, defusing his temper.

  ‘No matter. You cannot swim all night, surely?’ she asked. ‘Shall we meet afterwards?’

  Not everyone wants to talk to you.

  He bit back another terse reply, knowing it was his own guilt that was making him unsettled. His bad mood was not her fault.

  He hadn’t wanted her to see his weakness.

  He wanted to make a good impression on her and knowing that annoyed him. He hadn’t cared about impressing anyone for a long time. He had kept his feelings locked away—he didn’t want to share them; he didn’t want to let anyone in—and he wasn’t about to share his feelings with her. But he also didn’t want to appear rude.

  He was going to make up an excuse, but he didn’t want to lie to her. She hadn’t done anything to deserve that.

  ‘Or I could come with you,’ she said.

  She was persistent. He’d give her that.

  He didn’t mind a determi
ned personality unless it made his life difficult, and he suspected she would make his life difficult. Not in the sense that she would complain about his behaviour but in the sense that she would complicate his life.

  She was obviously used to getting her own way. It should annoy him, but he knew he wanted to give in to her too. But his stubborn streak made it hard to give in gracefully.

  After his swim he was supposed to be going to a fundraising function for Doug’s cricket club. He’d bought his ticket as a favour to Doug but he’d never intended to go, but somehow the night had arrived and he hadn’t begged off yet. He was about to put her off when he realised that she would give him the perfect excuse to get out of attending the fundraiser. He knew Doug had invited him partly to get him out socialising, but he also knew Doug would cut him some slack if he said he had a date. Maybe he was stretching the truth and the friendship, but he’d text Doug anyway—he would never know. He would make sure he gave a big donation instead. He was sure he wouldn’t be missed.

  So, instead of making his excuses to Viktoria he said, ‘Do you have a pair of swimmers with you?’

  ‘Non.’

  ‘Are you planning on skinny-dipping then?’ If he closed his eyes he knew he’d be able to picture her naked. He shouldn’t be able to, but he knew her features were imprinted on his brain already.

  ‘Quoi? Non! Where are you swimming? I can buy a swimsuit or you could lend me a T-shirt.’

  That conjured up a whole other image, of Viktoria in one of his T-shirts, wet and clinging to her curves.

  He fought the urge to close his eyes and said, ‘I was planning on swimming at home. Would you like to come with me?’ He spoke without thinking, without stopping to consider the consequences.

  She smiled in reply and he knew he was in trouble.

  She was beautiful, smart and she radiated warmth. The trifecta. And he was fascinated, intrigued, unsettled.

  He was in big trouble.

  CHAPTER THREE

  WHAT WAS HE THINKING?

  He wasn’t sure. He wasn’t thinking clearly, that much was certain. He was unsettled. Viktoria was disturbing his equilibrium and now she was about to step inside his house.

  What the hell was he doing?

  He didn’t know that either.

  He actually hadn’t thought she would take him up on his offer but when she had nodded and smiled widely he hadn’t regretted the invitation.

  He hadn’t brought a woman home in two years and he’d never brought a woman to this house. Gemma hadn’t even seen this house. He’d bought it after the incident, when he’d needed a single storey house with easy access. The pool was a bonus. The privacy even more so.

  The only female who had visited him here was his sister. And now Viktoria.

  Was he making a mistake?

  It was too late now, he thought as he unlocked his front door. The offer had been extended and accepted.

  He tried not to feel as if he was cheating on Gemma. Tried to convince himself that the invitation he’d extended to Viktoria was completely innocent, devoid of any attraction. But he knew that wasn’t the case.

  But that didn’t mean he was going to act on his feelings. For all he knew Viktoria had no interest in him. Why would she? He was certain she would have her pick of men. Why would she look twice at him?

  He was kidding himself, thinking he was in control of the situation because he had issued the invitation. He knew, very clearly, that she was in charge and he suspected he had just become one in a long line of men who hadn’t been able to refuse her requests. Another who had succumbed to her wishes because of an innate need to please her, to see her smile, to feel enveloped in her warmth.

  He pushed open the door and held it for Viktoria to enter first, but her way was blocked by a very excited Border collie with a rapidly wagging tail.

  ‘Bonjour. What is your name?’ Viktoria asked as she bent over and offered the back of her hand for the dog to sniff before rubbing his head.

  Cam was treated to a delightful and distracting view of Viktoria’s backside as she bent over in front of him. He did his best not to stare, focusing on his dog instead. ‘This is Rex and it looks like he’s expecting a walk.’ He gave two short, low whistles followed by a slightly longer one and Rex left Viktoria and came to his side, allowing Viktoria space to enter his house. She took three steps and came to a halt again as her attention was captured by the view.

  ‘Oh! Très magnifique!’

  To their right a passage led away to the bedrooms but in front of them the entry hall opened up into a large open-plan kitchen and living space. An expanse of windows stretched across the far wall, making the room seem part of the outdoors. Through the windows the eye was drawn over the infinity pool to the ocean beyond and Cam knew that was what had caught Viktoria’s eye. The view was incredible.

  His house was stunning, simple and modern with clean lines, but it was the view that captured one’s attention. The house was perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking a small private beach which only a handful of houses had access to and the view and the seclusion were the reasons Cam had chosen this property over the other single-level houses he had inspected. He had sunk his inheritance and his compensation from the incident into this house, but it had been worth every dollar.

  He’d bought it eighteen months ago. After the incident. Gemma had never seen this house and that was how he liked it. There were no memories here.

  The views over the ocean were stunning but the house itself was a clean slate, a blank canvas. Somewhere he could escape to. Somewhere he could forget about the past. Somewhere he could have solitude.

  The furnishings were sparse and there were very few personal effects but that didn’t bother him; it was the view that captured the attention and furnishings and artwork were never going to be able to compete. It appeared as if the furnishings had been kept deliberately minimalistic but the reality was he had never bothered to furnish it properly. He never entertained and the only visitors were his sister, her husband and Doug.

  Rex was weaving circles around his legs and Cam decided that a walk would be a better form of exercise given the circumstances. He didn’t trust himself to take Viktoria swimming in one of his old shirts. A walk seemed like the safer option.

  He changed out of his army fatigues into a T-shirt and a pair of shorts, long enough to almost cover the scar that ran down the outside of his right thigh. He could just make out the end of it at the edge of his knee but if he walked on Viktoria’s right side he didn’t think she would notice the mark. He left his feet bare and led her down the wooden steps that led to the beach.

  ‘This is so pretty,’ she said as they made their way down to the sand.

  The beach was small, only a hundred metres from end to end, curved between two cliffs. The sand was golden and fine, and the water was crystal-clear. For now, they had it to themselves. A little piece of paradise and tranquillity.

  He threw the ball for Rex as Viktoria slipped off her shoes. She held her arms out wide and tipped her face up to the sun as she twirled in circles. She was like a bubble of sunshine, a balloon of happiness floating along the beach. If she had a string Cam felt he could grab hold of her and absorb some of her positive energy.

  ‘Are you always this upbeat?’ he asked.

  She wobbled slightly as she stopped twirling. ‘It is impossible not to enjoy this,’ she said with a smile. ‘It is a beautiful day in a beautiful place. I feel free. Like I am on holiday, far from everything.’

  ‘You mentioned you’re only working for Prince Alfred for these games. What do you do for work at home?’ Cam asked as he bent down to retrieve Rex’s ball.

  ‘I am involved in events.’

  ‘What sort of events?’

  ‘Polo matches, charities, galas.’

  ‘In Berggrun?’

  ‘Yes.’

 
‘Does your population support all those events?’

  ‘We are a tourist hot spot and in Europe there are constantly events. It is not far for people to hop from one country to another if there is an event worth attending.’

  They walked the length of the sand while Rex chased the ball until he started to tire. As they turned at the far end of the beach Viktoria stopped and rolled up the bottoms of her wide-leg navy linen trousers and waded into the water. Rex barked and dashed in after her, gently pushing against the backs of her calves, which Cam had to admit were rather shapely, until Viktoria found herself out of the water again.

  She was laughing as Rex herded her back to Cam. ‘What is he doing?’

  ‘He’s rounding you up. Bringing you into line,’ Cam said with a smile. He was surprised to feel a smile on his face; he couldn’t remember the last time he had smiled spontaneously, the last time he’d felt happy. Viktoria was making him feel things he didn’t expect. Her happiness and her delight in the day was rubbing off on him.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘It’s in his nature. He’s a sheepdog.’

  ‘Why do you have a sheepdog?’

  ‘He’s retired, or supposed to be, but it seems he hasn’t got the memo yet. He belonged to my sister, but when she retired him she thought he should come and live with me. That was kinder than trying to keep him out of the paddocks,’ he told her as Rex proceeded to shake the water from his fur and showered them with the droplets.

  Cam hadn’t wanted to take responsibility for a dog, but Skye had insisted. Tired of his stubbornness and his refusal to agree to her suggestion, she had arrived on his doorstep one day with the dog in tow, and left him with Cam.

  That had been a year ago. Cam had still been on medical leave from the defence force and the days had stretched endlessly before him. With no real reason to get out of bed, it had been all too easy to let the days blur together. Skye had insisted that having a dog would motivate him to get up and she’d been right. Having Rex around had made Cam get out of bed but, even better, the dog was company. He listened without judgement, and hadn’t minded Cam’s tears, and lay by his side when he cried.