Jack’s grin was infectious, and she wondered how on earth he’d remained so upbeat amongst the chaos and devastation around them. But she wasn’t complaining; the day he’d woken from his surgery in Calais had been like a gust of fresh air blowing through the place, keeping her on her toes and somehow lifting the gloomy cloud that had settled over the hospital. Catching his eye, or his smile, was the one thing that seemed to keep her going each day, and she was dreading the morning she walked into the ward and found him gone.

“Water would be great, if it’s no trouble.”

She set down the bandages she was carrying and went to fetch some water, filling his cup and standing beside him. She didn’t let go of the cup until his hand had settled firmly around it, long fingers steady as they brushed hers and clasped it. It was only days ago that he’d been too weak to hold anything, yet today there wasn’t so much as a shake. It had been well worth all the extra hours she’d spent tending to him.

“Has anyone ever told you what beautiful eyes you have, Cate?”

Her cheeks ignited as she met his gaze. She very much doubted her eyes looked beautiful right now, not when she was so exhausted from all the long hours working. “I think you’re hallucinating, Lieutenant.”

“Jack,” he said. “How many times do I have to tell you to call me Jack?” He laughed. “And it’s polite to say thank you when someone pays you a compliment.”

“Thank you,” she said, feeling less exhausted nurse and more blushing girl than she had in a long time. “But that’ll do with the compliments. I don’t want anyone overhearing us and thinking something improper is going on.”

“Heavens no, what a scandal that would be,” he teased, his smile contagious as he grinned at her and patted the small empty space on the bed beside him.

Cate shook her head, even though she was sorely tempted. “You know I can’t sit with you,” she said, almost giving in and to hell with the consequences. But she was used to following rules, and she wasn’t about to turn rebel now.

“Well you could,” Jack said, passing her back the water but not letting go. “We’re at war. If we can’t break the odd rule now, when can we?”