As Cate studied him, she could see he was in pain from the lines that bracketed his eyes, the way he cringed as he moved closer; and the bulky bandage beneath his shirt was another giveaway. But she could worry about him later, for now all she had time to care about, to fight for, was Jack.

“I might need help,” she said. “Perhaps you could talk to him? Keep him calm and try to talk him through the pain?”

The man nodded. “I’m Harry,” he said, holding out a hand. “I should have introduced myself straight away.”

“Cate,” she replied, shaking it quickly before moving back closer to Jack. Seeing this other soldier in the house had thrown her, made her wonder how on earth they’d all ended up in the same place, but there would be time for questions later.

She felt fiercely protective of Jack, now more than ever; even though she knew he was in no danger, or should be in no danger here, she suddenly wanted to be by his side.

“Has he been shot?” Harry asked.

“Some time ago, yes. But he’s post-surgery for internal injuries.”

Cate knelt, the warmth of the fire caressing her cheeks. It was the perfect place for Jack’s body to thaw out, and as she flexed her fingers, she realized how much she needed it, too. The rain had turned into a thunderstorm the night before, unseasonably wet and cold, and she was certainly grateful for the timber burning beside them.

With Addy crouching beside her, Cate took a deep breath, smiling down at Jack. His eyes were open now, and she was grateful he was still conscious, that his lips were capable of forming a smile still, even if it was a small one.

“Could someone please get me some towels or cloths, hot water and scissors?” Cate asked, remembering her training, focusing on the task at hand. She suddenly remembered the bandages she’d taken from the ambulance and stuffed into her pockets. How had she not remembered them when they’d been lying in the ditch? It was as if her brain was full of fog that she couldn’t seem to clear no matter how hard she tried. She went to move then but Jack groaned, and she took his hand, staring into his beautiful brown eyes; eyes that had followed her every movement back at the hospital from the moment he’d gained consciousness.

“I left bandages in my pocket, in my nursing uniform,” she said, looking up at Elise, who was standing, hovering now. “Could you find them for me? And a needle and thread would be useful, too.”

“A regular sewing needle and thread?” Elise asked, as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was being asked for.