“It’s Molly.”
“Hayden.” He held his hand out to shake hers, and as she took it, she felt a surge of electricity shoot up her arm.
Her puma started purring with excitement—she ignored it. She hadn’t come to Vietnam to start a relationship. She was here purely to help people.
“Are you all right?” Molly questioned the man, suddenly registering he was in a hospital bed.
“I’m good. I’ve got a couple of nicks from bullets and a ringing in my ears. They want me to rest up here for a few days before I go back to the front. Make sure there isn’t any permanent damage to my hearing. Do you think I’d be able to see my friend?” Hayden questioned.
“I’ll have to talk to the doctor and check if it’s all right, but I’m sure your friend would like to hear your voice. He’s in a medical coma at the moment, but I’ve always believed people can hear what’s happening around them when they’re asleep. Let me go and finish tidying up the operating room, and then I’ll come back and see what I can do to get you in to visit your friend.” Molly smiled at Hayden.
He’d continued to hold her hand while they were talking, and the spark of energy between them was still there.
“I don’t know how you do this job.” Hayden looked around the room where injured men were lying in beds in varying states of consciousness. “Is it hard?”
“Believe it or not, this is my first day. I only arrived a few minutes before your helicopter came in. Ask me that question again in a few weeks. Now, rest. I’ll return when I can.”
Molly reluctantly let go of Hayden’s hand and made her way back into the operating room. She’d certainly had a baptism of fire on her first day. She just hoped she was strong enough to survive this, day in and day out, for as long as the war continued.
Chapter Two
Hayden was glad to be out of the hospital after several days stuck in a ward doing nothing. He’d spent a lot of that time with Trent, his best friend and the man he’d grown up with. They’d signed up together, but Hayden would be staying in Vietnam while Trent was on his way back to America.
Trent had survived the critical twenty-four period and had awoken in a lot of pain but resilient as to what the future might hold. He was just grateful Hayden had saved his life, and he touted him as a hero to anyone who’d listen. Hayden would miss his friend being at his side when he returned to the front line. Until then, he had to entertain himself and debrief superior officers as to what had gone wrong with the mission he and Trent had been on. It was pretty simple in Hayden’s eyes. His best friend had stepped on a bomb and was lucky to be alive.
“Hi,” Molly greeted him as he made his way toward the entertainment tent. Hayden knew a dance was taking place there, and he needed to do something to take his mind off his friend being gone.
“Hi.” He smiled back, and Molly stopped what she was doing to talk to him. She’d been kept too busy to spend any time with him over the last few days,
“I just heard Trent got to Tokyo safely. They’re going to watch him there for a day or two and then transfer him back to a medical facility for amputees in California,” she told him.
“That’s really good to know. If you get any more information, please pass it on. I’d love to know how he’s doing until I can get back and see him for myself.”
“How long do you have left here in Vietnam?” Molly questioned with genuine interest.
It was night time, and the moon shining overhead illuminated her like an angel. Her brown hair was loose at her shoulders, and her brown eyes glistened with the kindness she always showed.
“I’m not sure. I guess until I’m told I can go home.”
“The way things are going, that could be another couple years.” Molly looked sad.
“That’s what I suspect as well. How are you settling in now? I hope you’ve not had any more days as frenzied your first.”
“We had another major trauma yesterday. Unfortunately he wasn’t as lucky as Trent. He lost more than just a leg. I’m not sure he’ll survive, but we’re doing all we can.”
“I’m sure you are. I can’t fault what you’ve done for Trent and me.” Hayden paused, then he asked, “Are you on duty now?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m just going to deliver some fresh water to a couple of my patients, and then I’m going to check out the dance going on tonight.”
“Would you like to go with me?” Hayden questioned nervously. He really enjoyed speaking to her and found her very attractive.
Molly bit her lip and looked down. He could tell she was nervous about their blossoming friendship. “I would like that very much,” she finally replied.
“Let me help you with the water, and then we’ll go.” Hayden took the vessel she was carrying from her.
“Make sure you watch out for the crickets. Those critters are massive and scare the life out of you. I was carrying a bedpan the other day, and the contents went everywhere when one jumped out on me.”
Hayden couldn’t help but laugh as he imagined Molly covered in someone’s urine.
“It’s not funny.” She pouted at him.
“I’m sorry. I’ll watch for crickets.”
It didn’t take them long to get water to everybody who needed it and then make their way to the dance. They both headed straight to the dance floor. He quickly discovered Molly was an exceptional dancer as she moved to the rhythm of the latest hits. He could watch her all evening, but needing a drink, he led her to the makeshift bar. He requested two beers, and having paid, he handed one to her.
“Thank you,” Molly smiled.
“Shall we find a table?” Hayden asked, looking around.
The music was loud in the tent, and he hoped to find a quiet location so they could talk and he could find out more about her.
“There’s one.” Molly pointed to a table tucked away in a corner, and he followed her to it.
They were both dressed in their military attire, and even though it was baggy on Molly, he could still tell underneath she had a killer body. Damn, it had been a long time since he’d been with anyone. He was only twenty, and his previous partner had been a fumbled one night stand just before he’d left to go to war. He wasn’t exactly a player, but something about Molly was captivating him.
“Where do you come from?” Hayden questioned,
Molly was still tapping her foot along to the music as she sat.
“I’m from Montana, my family lives close to the Glacial National Park.”
“Wow, that must be a killer coming here with the heat and humidity.”
Molly laughed, “Just a bit.” She opened her mouth to add to her comment but closed it again. He found that strange. “Where are you from?” she finally asked.
“Seattle, so not far from you. It took me a long time to get used to the weather here. I’ve been to the Glacial Park a few times. It’s stunning there.”
“I love to go running in the mountain tops—it’s so peaceful,” Molly informed him.
“Wow, you must be fit if you can get up there.”
She blushed. “Just a little. It’s my home. I know it well.”