Cole had deferred to her request. Would his predecessor have done so? She doubted it. Not only had the man who’d gone through the training exercises with the ship been higher ranked but Dr Evans had been full of arrogance as well. He’d have insisted on checking the woman.
Cole didn’t pull rank. He listened, really listened. Just as he’d always listened to her. Whether in regard to a particular professor or a recount of her rounds, Cole had always had time to listen, to offer advice or guidance. He’d smile, offer a comforting word, a gentle pat of his hand across hers.
And she’d wanted more. Even in the earliest of days, she’d wanted Cole. Had been aware of everything about him. She’d denied her feelings, of course, even to herself. How could she not have when he’d belonged to Clara?
Even now, when she didn’t want to like anything in regards to Cole, she was finding way too many things to like.
The way he smiled, the way he volunteered to help, the way he interacted with the crew, the way he threw himself one hundred percent into everything he did, the way he looked at her as if she were the only thing he saw.
Yesterday in the gym, while she and Suzie had put their time in on the elliptical, with him on the machine next to theirs, she’d found herself laughing at his corny jokes.
And when had he fallen into sitting with them in the dinner wardroom each night? When had she stopped resenting him for doing so? When had she started looking forward to the moment he joined their table, adding a flavor to the meals no cook could produce?
Remembering that she didn’t like him was getting more and more difficult because, darn it, he was likeable.
More than likeable.
How could she like him when she was swamped with guilt? When each and every smile that passed between Cole and herself was a betrayal to her sister?
She ran her fingers through her hair, ca
tching his gaze as he glanced up from the group he was talking to. He wore navy pants and shirt with the navy medical logo on the left breast. The color only intensified the blueness of his eyes, making her think of childhood days of playing beneath a cloudless sky. That’s what Cole was. A sunny day. Only his sunshine was deceptive, more dangerous, threatening to burn her to ashes.
“Did you hear what Peyton said?” he asked, his smile lethal.
How was it possible for him to look so great when he should be dead on his feet? She must look like death warmed over. Yet he looked as if he could pull another clinic without batting an eyelash.
Amazed by his endless energy, she shook her head. “I think my ears are too tired to hear anything other than the call of my pillow.”
Concern flickered in his eyes. “You okay? You’re not coming down with the virus are you?”
She shook her head. “I’m just tired.”
And disgusted with myself that I’m falling for your charms all over again even though I know better.
Analyzing every feature to the point she felt as if she should put her hands in front her face, he didn’t look convinced. “You shouldn’t have worked through lunch.”
“I didn’t do anything you didn’t do,” she reminded him.
Despite the fact that he didn’t have to be there, Cole worked just as hard as the rest of them.
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m headed for a shower, then to grab something to eat.” Tracy spoke, tossing her stethoscope down on the counter. “I’ll see you guys in the morning. Let’s pray this virus passes quickly and doesn’t take hold of any of us.”
Amelia nodded, as did the rest of the crew as they broke up, each heading their own way, until the sick ward became eerily quiet.
Only she and Cole remained.
Slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, Cole crossed the room to stand close. Too close.
Running her hand over her tight neck muscles, she held her ground, pretended like his nearness didn’t make her nervous. “Thanks for your help today.”
“You’re welcome.” His response was low, husky, a bit succinct for a man who seemed to search for things to talk to her about.
The only sound in the room was the lub-dub of Amelia’s ticking heart. Ticking? Ha. More like ba-booming. That ba-boom was probably rocking the entire ship, causing tidal waves on far-away shores.
She stared at him, wondering at why he’d crossed the room, wondering at his silence, wondering at her foolishness for just standing there, waiting, for what?
Although they hadn’t had another talk about the past, she could honestly say there hadn’t been many awkward silences. Mostly because Cole always said something to fill any conversation void that arose. Something smart, witty, flirty, complimentary, something.