Heart Of Courage: The Army Doc's Baby Bombshell / Taming Her Navy Doc / The Courage to Love Her Army Doc

* * *

Stretching out on her bunk twenty-four hours later, Sophie put her hands over her stomach and stared up at the ceiling. The heat had drained the energy out of her once again.

Kick.

‘You take your toll too, little one.’ Little one. Soon she’d have to decide on a name. There was a list in her drawer. Lots of names she liked but none that grabbed her. It wasn’t as easy to choose as she’d have believed. A name was for life. She didn’t want anything that could be shortened into an awful nickname, or something odd that might get her girl teased, but she didn’t want plain and ordinary either. Her friends on base were constantly teasing her about her inability to make up her mind. Said it was a prime example of baby brain in someone who usually knew exactly what she wanted.

But then this whole pregnancy thing had been a brain mess. It shouldn’t have happened in the first place, and would probably keep her celibate for a lot longer than she’d planned on.

Could just buy condoms by the ton.

Yep. That’d work.

Ha. She was only weeks away from becoming a mother. There wasn’t going to be time for having fun with men. Junior here would need all her attention, and any spare time would be taken up with work. If she could find a part-time position after baby arrived. She had to. How else would they live? Babies didn’t come free, and she wanted the best for hers. A cosy home—read a tiny but cheery flat. A loving mother—read one who’d never blame her daughter for holding her back from her career.

Somehow she’d find the balance between parenting and working, because one wouldn’t happen without the other.

Knock, knock. ‘Sophie?’

Cooper. The last person she wanted to see right now. But not acknowledging him mightn’t work. He appeared to be the kind of man who’d walk right on in, and that would only make her look stupid. Struggling up off the bed, she reached to tug the door wide. ‘Yes?’

Oh, but he looked good. More than good. Make that breathtaking. His white T-shirt accentuated his biceps and as for those pecs... Her cheeks reddened. They were out of this world. If she’d had to make a mistake then she’d made it with a seriously built guy. Her glance slid lower, took in the knee-length shorts that sat snugly on his slim hips.

‘Sophie, can we spend some time together?’

‘We worked in the same room all day.’ She’d deliberately kept any conversation focused on patients or upcoming health programmes. Last night she’d seen him leave base with Alistair so had relaxed about eating in the mess, knowing he wouldn’t suddenly appear at her side, full of awkward questions.

‘I’d like to get to know you a little better,’ he insisted.

Why so reasonable? At least she could argue with the angry version. ‘It’s hard to find privacy around here.’ Did she really want to be alone with him when all she could think about was the outstanding features of that body his clothes did nothing to hide? A body she’d seen little of yet had known intimately.

‘We could go somewhere there’s air-conditioning,’ he said with a tempting smile.

She made up her mind, hoping she wouldn’t regret it. ‘Air-con will get me every time. It’s stuffy in here.’ Learning more about Cooper couldn’t hurt. As long as she kept it all in perspective and didn’t start thinking they could have a future together. She hadn’t forgotten his reputation as a playboy. Or her mum and dad’s style of parenting. Which was what her baby would have if they got together. Very off-putting for her as well.

‘I do have another idea. Want to go for a swim? I hear there’s a nature park not far away that’s safe from crocs. We could take a picnic.’

She knew exactly where he meant. ‘You’d risk going that far in my car?’ What would she use for a swimsuit?

Cooper swung some keys from his finger. ‘Air con, remember?’

‘Who have you stolen that off?’

‘List.’ She must’ve gaped at him because he explained, ‘Alistair.’

‘Of course.’ Alistair would lend his vehicle to his mate.

Cooper jiggled the keys at her. ‘Your choice. Swim or bar. Which is it to be?’

As her skin was moist with sweat due to the soaring temperatures and the additional weight she carried the idea of slipping into cold water was impossible to let pass. ‘I’ll change into an old shirt and some shorts.’

‘Bring warmer clothes for later in case it gets chilly. I’ll go get a couple of things and meet you back here in ten.’

The heat wouldn’t cool down that much, and neither would she. Sophie watched him stride away, those long, muscular legs giving her heart palpitations. How could anyone be so perfect?

Aha, that’s physically.

What about his personality? Couldn’t be perfect as well. Probably not, but so far she hadn’t found anything to make her dislike him or even be wary of him. Right now she didn’t care. She was too busy enjoying the view.

Cooper waved over his shoulder at her without turning round. So he knew she was ogling him. Ego. He was so used to women falling all over him it would never occur otherwise.

Didn’t help that she’d proven him right.

* * *

The water was cool and immediately brought down the heat that had plagued her all day. ‘This is bliss.’

She was glad she’d come. Forget looking like a beached whale. For the first time in ages she was comfortable in the hot northern state. Auckland could be warm and muggy, but never did the temperatures reach the thirties. Which had to be a plus for when she got home.

‘You’re happy?’ Water splashed over her as Cooper dropped down beside her.

‘Very.’ She sighed her pleasure.

‘You’re easily pleased.’

Sometimes. ‘Where did you do your training?’

He went with the change of subject. ‘Auckland. Qualified as a surgeon four years ago and signed up for a short stint with the army straight away. You?’

‘Otago.’ She’d been in a hurry to get away from home. Nothing to keep her there. ‘I was four years behind you.’

‘Why did you sign up for the military?’

‘I love travelling and they were wanting surgeons for places I’d never been and was unlikely to visit on my own.’ Travelling kept her focused and didn’t allow time for the doubts and insecurities to creep in. If she didn’t stay in one place for long she wasn’t in danger of getting close to people.

‘You wanted to see Afghanistan?’

‘Why not?’ It hadn’t been her first pick but she’d signed up for an adventure. Not the army’s fault she’d got more than she’d bargained for. ‘Thank goodness it was only a twelve-month contract.’ She shuddered as vivid memories of that attack in Bamiyan struck.

‘Got more than you bargained for?’

‘I still have nightmares about that bomb blast. Do you?’

‘Often.’ Cooper traced a finger over her chin. ‘There are some good memories about what followed.’

Sophie’s head jerked back. She had those memories too. But that had been then, while now was a whole new deal. ‘I was incredibly naïve to think nothing would happen while I was there.’

I’m thinking bombs, not babies.