Free A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin Page B

had to be subtle or he’d never reach the target, that gold ring around her heart.
    Charlie thought Jack should slow down until he figured out Ruth’s problem, but what did Charlie know? He’d only had two dates in three years.
    Jack made out Ruth’s shapely figure coming down Northgate Street. She couldn’t afford the new olive drab uniforms some of the nurses wore, but she sure looked smart in the dark blue jacket and medium blue skirt.
    Jack stepped back around the corner. He unzipped his lightweight leather flight jacket, made sure his shirt collar was open, and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his olive drab trousers. Had to look casual.
    He let Ruth pass, then fell in behind her. “‘One misty moisty morning.’”
    Ruth looked over her shoulder and smiled.
    “‘When cloudy was the weather, I chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather. He began to compliment and I began to grin. How do you do? And how do you do? And how do you do again?’”
    Amusement crinkled her eyes. “It’s afternoon.”
    “Yeah, but it’s misty and moisty. Life in England has taught me what that means.”
    “No misty moisty mornings in California?”
    “In January, not August.” Jack proceeded down the flagstone sidewalk. “And look, you chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather.”
    Ruth held her purse in front of her stomach. “I’m supposed to say, ‘How do you do?’”
    “With a grin, please.”
    She didn’t. Her chin inched up, and she studied the twostoried houses crammed side by side. “First tell me why you’re in town this misty moisty afternoon.”
    The first flak burst. Jack ducked his head to the side. “No mission today. Bad weather and too much damage from Blitz Week. We have to wait for replacement crews and let the mechanics do their work. Thought I’d explore town.”
    “Hmm.” Ruth looked at a whitewashed brick house, her suspicion heavy as the fog.
    What did he expect? He happened to explore town the same day he knew she’d run errands? No unbuttoned collar could mask that. “Would you mind if I walked with you?”
    “As long as we’re not together.”
    “All right.” He strode into the street and spread his arms as wide as his grin. “There. We’re not together.”
    “Jack!” she cried.
    A honk. A delivery van lumbered all of five miles per hour down the street. Jack stepped out of the way and saluted the driver. In return he got a “Bloody Yank!”
    “Get back up here.” Ruth motioned frantically. “Don’t make me fix you up again.”
    He hopped back onto the sidewalk. “Just as well, now that I’m cleared for active duty. Besides, I’d like your full-time company again, but I’d rather have this.”
    Too much. Ruth’s eyes volleyed more flak at him.
    He released a sigh. “Oh, come on. You’ve known me almost three months. I’ve never made a move on you, and I’m not about to start now.” Nope, he had to wait a while.
    Her eyes fluttered shut. “I’m sorry. I—it’s a habit. I do—I do feel safe with you.” She opened her eyes and revealed how fragile her trust was.
    “Thanks.” Time to change the subject. He tilted his head downhill, and they continued on their way. “What do you think of Charlie de Groot?”
    “Charlie? Oh, he’s wonderful.”
    “He’s taken with May.”
    “I’m not surprised. She’s a remarkable woman.” A smile curved Ruth’s pretty lips.
    Jack was pleased that the two nurses were becoming friends. From what he could tell, Ruth hadn’t had a friend in years. “Is May taken with Charlie?”
    “Are you on a spy mission?”
    “No.” He laughed and plucked a handful of cherries from a branch overhead.
    “He asked her out yesterday.”
    “Yep, and she turned him down, even though he gave up cigarettes for her.”
    “Do you blame her?”
    “What?” Jack frowned. “First you say what a wonderful guy he is and then—”
    “Yes, he’s wonderful, and if we weren’t at war, she’d be a fool to turn him down,