Neil followed her gaze. ‘That’s Finn McEwan. Bit of a legend. He’s climbed almost all the big ones, but Everest has always eluded him. Mostly because the guy is always playing the hero. Two years ago he risked his neck bringing an injured climber down from the South Col, the year before that he rescued a bunch of climbers who’d been caught in an avalanche. I hope he makes it this year. Handsome devil, isn’t he? Can’t believe you don’t know him.’
For a moment Juliet didn’t respond. She was held, locked in visual communication with the man on the opposite side of the runway. ‘I’ve read his research,’ her voice was croaky. ‘I’ve seen him interviewed and I—’
‘That’s not the same,’ Neil interrupted her with a wave of his hand. ‘It’s time you met each other in the flesh, so to speak. Come on.’ He grabbed Juliet’s arm. ‘I’ll introduce you. He’s the male equivalent of you. Both doctors, both climbers, both driven and competitive. And both single.’ His tone was dry. ‘It’s a match made in heaven.’
Panic fluttered inside her but before she could reply Neil propelled her across the airstrip and the next moment she was standing in front of the man.
‘Finn.’ Neil greeted the man with a handshake and a warm slap on the shoulder that suggested familiarity. Then he turned back to her. ‘This dizzy-looking blonde is Dr Juliet Adams. Don’t be fooled by the fact she looks like a teenager. Her qualifications are impressive. Frankly, I can’t believe the two of you haven’t met before now, given that you climb the same mountains, are on the same lecture circuit and the fact that you’re never one to let a pretty girl pass you by, but there you are. This is your lucky moment.’
Juliet tensed, stiff with embarrassment at the introduction, but the expression on Finn McEwan’s hard, handsome face didn’t flicker and his gaze lingered thoughtfully on her flushed cheeks.
‘Dr Adams.’ He extended a hand and she had no choice but to take it. Strong fingers closed around her palm and the contact made her pulse race even faster. In contrast he was totally relaxed, his voice deep and steady. ‘I read your last paper on the effects of altitude on asthma. Your conclusions were interesting. Are you carrying out any research at the moment? What’s your purpose on Everest this year?’
Juliet hesitated. ‘To climb it.’
She saw something dark flicker in the depths of those dark eyes. They continued to hold hers. Continued to probe.
‘You should stick to research.’ His tone was low and measured. ‘Or being Base Camp doctor. You shouldn’t be up on her slopes.’
She lifted her chin, needled by his unwarranted advice. ‘Why is that, Dr McEwan?’
There was a long silence while he watched her. ‘I think you know why.’
A sudden tension snapped the air tight and for a moment his eyes held hers in silent communication.
Her stomach tumbled and her pulse raced and she cursed herself silently for feeling something she really didn’t want to feel. ‘I wish I had the time to argue the merits of being a woman on Everest, Dr McEwan, but I’ve got places I need to be.’ Her tone was cool and formal and lacking in any reaction other than politeness. ‘And now we need to get going because we’ve got some walking to do before we settle down for the night.’ She jerked her hand away and turned to Neil. ‘We’re sleeping lower down the valley. It will be easier to breathe.’
Neil gave a slight frown. ‘I know our itinerary, but I thought you—’
‘We should really get going.’ Aware that she was repeating herself, Juliet shifted the pack on her back and gave Finn McEwan a quick nod. ‘See you at Base Camp, I expect.’
The sudden narrowing of his eyes was his only reaction to her almost curt dismissal.
‘Oh, we’ll see each other long before that.’ His voice was a deep, lazy drawl that hinted things that she really didn’t want to think about. ‘We’re following the same trail as you at the same pace, Dr Adams. There’s a strong chance we’ll get the chance to enjoy a yak burger together.’
Her gaze maintained a glacial cool. ‘I don’t think so. It was nice meeting you, Dr McEwan.’ And with that she walked over to the trekkers, careful not to look back in case those watchful blue eyes were still trained in her direction.
‘Well!’ Neil joined her, not even bothering to hide his astonishment. ‘What was all that about?’
Juliet bent down to adjust her boots. ‘Clearly your Dr McEwan has a problem with women climbing Everest.’
Neil frowned. ‘I don’t think so. I mean, he’s been on loads of expeditions with women. The man loves women—’
Juliet stood up. ‘Must just be blondes he has a thing against, then.’
Neil shook his head. ‘I don’t get it. You’re the most sociable person I know and normally if you meet another doctor I can’t stop you talking. Finn is the best there is but you behaved as though he were carrying the plague, not here to treat it.’
Juliet didn’t answer. Instead, she took her water bottle out of her pack and drank deeply. She knew the importance of keeping herself hydrated at altitude. And the activity gave her time to settle her thoughts. ‘Perhaps I’m just not in the mood to argue about a woman’s right to climb mountains.’ She took another drink, aware that Neil was staring at her.
‘But you love arguing. It’s what you do best. You’re sassy and sparky and you love it when people challenge you just so that you can prove them wrong.’
Juliet lowered the bottle, her peaked cap hiding the angry flash of her eyes. ‘Perhaps I don’t feel the need to prove myself today. We’ve got a schedule to keep, Neil. Let’s do it.’
He stared at her. ‘And that’s it? You just met the heartthrob of the mountains and all you can think about are schedules?’ Neil scratched his head, his expression amazed. ‘You’re the first woman I’ve ever met who hasn’t gone dizzy at the sight of him. Women usually can’t leave the guy alone. He’s Mr Super-Cool. Real hero material.’
‘Surely you mean Dr Super-Cool.’ Juliet stuffed the water bottle back in her pack. ‘And I don’t need a hero. Let’s just say that Dr Finn McEwan isn’t my type.’
‘But you don’t know him.’
She thought of those wicked dark eyes and that lazy look that could seduce a woman at a glance. She thought of the cool self-confidence and machismo that was part of the man. ‘I know all I need to know. That sort of guy you can read at a glance.’ She checked her boots were comfortable, swung her pack onto her pack and jammed her cap further down over her eyes. It was a ritual she followed before she walked. Boots, pack, cap.
‘Oh, right.’ Neil gave a disbelieving laugh. ‘You don’t go for strong, handsome guys who are clever and bold as brass?’
‘That’s about the size of it.’ Juliet shifted the pack slightly and made a mental note to remove something that evening. It was too heavy. She was carrying too much gear.
‘If I live to be a hundred, I will never understand women.’ Neil shook his head. ‘That guy scores with every female he meets. He fights them off.’
‘Sounds exhausting. I’m sure he’ll be relieved to know that I’m one less woman he’ll have to keep at a distance.’ She strolled towards the trekkers who were hovering, determined not to let her mind linger on Finn McEwan for even a second. He didn’t think she should be on Everest. But she wasn’t interested in his opinion, she reminded herself. His opinion didn’t matter to her. ‘I just want to watch them load my medical equipment and then we’ll start the walk to the village. The sun is hot at the moment but once it dips behind those clouds the temperature will drop sharply so make sure you have an extra layer handy.’
Sally,