The Army Doc's Baby Bombshell. Sue MacKay

      His house was just fine, thanks very much. ‘Says the man who plays the field even harder than I do.’ He’d ignore the barb List had delivered.

      Or so he thought. ‘Sure I do, but I’m looking, man. I want the wife and kids, the whole nine yards of snotty noses and nappies. The football in the back yard. The romantic nights under the stars when the kids are asleep in bed.’

      Cooper rubbed his hands over his head. ‘Thought I knew you. When did you get so staid?’

      His pal laughed. ‘When the plane landed here six months ago. I climbed down onto home turf and knew I was ready to settle down. I’ve had enough running around with the boys and not having anyone special to come home to after a particularly messy tour.’

      ‘You’re going to quit the army? And you’re aiming to convince me to join up with your lot?’

      ‘Don’t put words in my mouth. I’m merely trying to get you to think things through clearly, make the right decisions with all the facts.’

      There was that nudge again. This time like a bulldozer. List did know something about him and Sophie. He’d swear it. But he wasn’t going to ask. A barrage of questions would follow. Questions he had yet to work out the answers to. ‘Is there any other way?’ he asked acerbically. Then shrugged. ‘Up for a beer when you’re done here?’ Thinking could be highly overrated and right now he’d had more than his share of it. ‘I could do with a distraction—and something cold and wet.’

      And I do not want any innuendo about Sophie.

      ‘Let’s go. I’m not even meant to be here today, only came on so as I could give you a hard time.’

      ‘Got my uses, then.’ Cooper followed his mate out into the glaring sun, looking forward to catching up properly with him.