From the day she decided to head back here she’d known she’d eventually catch up with Jack. This was the first city she’d ever returned to. She’d come back for Jack, because of Jack. Wellington was Jack. And yet she’d been dragging her heels about calling him. Afraid to find out he’d moved on and barely remembered her.
Ruby closed her eyes briefly. This was way too hard. Be strong, be tough. She repeated the mantra that had got her through the last few years, and then diverted the conversation to safe ground. Again.
‘I didn’t think you were starting with us until next week.’ Ruby huffed out a breath and tipped her head back to stare up at him. ‘Did I read the wrong memo?’
He grinned that grin, though his eyes were a little slow in keeping up. ‘I’ve been at the aero club for a couple of hours. Since the club’s almost next door I figured I’d cruise over here and meet whoever was on duty.’
‘Aero club? Your brother still flying those little things?’ She glanced across the tarmac at the tiny planes pegged down outside the clubrooms.
‘No, Steve’s on jumbos these days. It’s me who’s flying those Tomahawks you’re staring at.’ A deep chuckle rumbled through him. Another familiar, heart-warming thing she’d missed, desperately at times when she’d been terribly lonely.
‘No way.’ She grinned as she swivelled back to gape at him. Jack had never had time for play. ‘Really? You’re learning to fly?’
‘And loving every minute I get in the air.’ Another chuckle. But it sounded brittle. Something was wrong with this picture. Was happy Jack not really so happy?
‘Can you take me up one day?’ Bad question. Mouth on the run.
Taking a backward step, Jack told her firmly, ‘Sorry, no passengers allowed until I’ve got my licence.’
He needn’t look so relieved. ‘How many hours have you flown?’
‘Twenty-seven and I need at least fifty before my flight test.’ He looked towards the helicopter. ‘Want to introduce me?’
Yikes. She’d totally forgotten Dave waiting for her to help tidy up the aircraft’s interior. She spun back to the ‘copter looming above her, talking to Jack over her shoulder, trying not to stare at his beloved face. ‘I thought you two would’ve met already since it’s his job you’re taking over.’
‘When I came out here with the director, Dave was away on a job.’
‘Then you’ll both have lots to discuss.’ She called up, ‘Dave, come out here for a moment. Please.’
Dave poked his head out. ‘So how come you didn’t kill this guy for calling you Red?’
Because Jack had always called her that. She hated anyone else using the nickname because it tainted her sweet memories of him, and played havoc with the sexy ones as well. ‘He’s going to be my boss.’
‘Didn’t stop you reading the Riot Act when I dared to call you Red.’ Dave looked across at Jack, then back at her, a hint of worry in his eyes. ‘So you two already know each other.’ Was he wondering if this would affect the job situation? If it did then Jack could swap crews.
‘We worked together once.’ In another, totally different life. Ruby gritted her teeth. ‘I was a trainee nurse, Jack was a bossy intern.’
Jack grunted. ‘Me? Bossy? I’d have given you that hat, Red.’
‘Medicine’s a small world.’ The older man smiled down at Jack. ‘Well, hi, there, anyway, welcome aboard. You’re in for some adventures for sure.’
‘There’ll definitely be some interesting days,’ Ruby seconded her partner. Like when the weather was atrocious and any flying became scary. She never admitted to those fears, just tightened her harness and pretended nothing was wrong. Now she officially introduced the two men. ‘Dave, this is Jack Forbes.’ She watched them size each other up in a man kind of way as they reached to shake hands.
They must’ve decided the other was okay because within moments Dave handed down the packs to Ruby and invited Jack on board for a cursory rundown on how things worked.
‘I’ll leave you two to it,’ Ruby said as she slung one pack over her shoulders. ‘When I’ve topped these up, I’ll put a brew on.’ And finally get to eat that pie. It’d be cold and congealed but right now it made her mouth water and her stomach expand with hope.
Jack reached for the second heavy bag. ‘I’ll take this one in for you.’
Ruby grabbed it out of his hand. The bags were heavy but she never, ever let the men carry them for her, even on the days her damaged knee played up. Hauling them was part of her job. ‘I’m fine with it. Dave’s got lots to show you.’
‘I’m not a greenhorn, Red. I’ve done the training, know where everything is kept, how to activate the winch, how to use the radio.’ Exasperation tinged his voice.
‘Still, each ‘copter has a slightly different configuration. You might as well take a look with Dave while it’s quiet.’
Jack shook his head. ‘And I thought I was in charge.’
‘Not until tomorrow.’ Ruby winked at him. ‘And only once you’ve been out for three retrievals.’
Not entirely true but the crews checked out a newbie on the first few trips before accepting him or her completely. Being an A and E specialist with loads of experience wouldn’t save his backside. Working with the limited resources they carried in the helicopter was very different from being in a fully equipped emergency department, not to mention the situations they often found themselves in.
Ruby saw a frown developing on Jack’s forehead. He’d hate her telling him to take a back seat, but he’d better get used to it. The other crew members would be tougher.
His eyes narrowed. ‘Three? First I’ve heard of it.’
‘Don’t tell me that you didn’t keep an eye on any new staff in the emergency department?’
‘Of course I did. It goes with the territory,’ he snapped.
Where had that come from? ‘Relax, we’re a friendly lot. You’ll be a perfect fit in our team.’
Jack blinked, flexed and shook his hands, loosened his shoulders, then pushed a cautious smile across his mouth. ‘You’re presuming I haven’t taken up any edgy hobbies lately.’
‘You betcha.’ One thing she could be sure of, he didn’t do edgy. Except he was now learning to fly. For Jack, that really was putting himself out there, a bit like hanging off a cliff on a dodgy rope. Who was this Jack? She didn’t entirely recognise him and yet he looked the same. More mature, more handsome, sexier than ever but still the same. Yet something was different. That flicker of doubt in his eyes, that sudden annoyance with her, for starters.
Maybe she was looking too hard. More likely he was reacting to seeing her again. Not easy for either of them.
Ruby headed for the hangar before she got tangled up in trying to solve the puzzle. The next four months would give her plenty of time to sort Jack out. Not to mention her own mixed-up feelings towards him.
Jack’s hands gripped his hips as he watched Red lug those bags across the tarmac. She displayed all the nonchalance of a weightlifter. Her slight, short frame was taut, her boots heavy as they trod the concrete. She’d already got to him. Anger flared quickly, fizzed along his veins. This was supposed to be the start of a whole new life for him, not a revisiting of the old one. He’d broken his heart over her once. That had been bad luck. To let it happen again would be plain careless.
If