CHAPTER EIGHT

      AFTER BEING IN the countryside, the full-on hustle of Hanoi hit Bec like a ton of bricks. They’d flown in from Hué. Now the regional city suddenly seemed like a peaceful, rural village in comparison with chaotic Hanoi.

      Their driver abruptly changed lanes, narrowly missing a bicycle so laden with fresh flowers that the woman riding it was barely visible. He then headed south around Hoan Kiem Lake.

      Tom stretched, his long arms hitting the ceiling of the vehicle. Deep lines of fatigue surrounded his eyes. ‘Won’t be long now. It will be good to be home again for a while.’ He gave her a grin, his eyes dancing cheekily. ‘You can have that bubble bath you wanted.’

      She sighed in anticipation. ‘I can. And I plan to.’ She turned to face him, stifling a giggle, trying to ace him on his friendly flirting. ‘So take this as advance warning—the bathroom will be occupied and out of bounds for at least an hour.’ She raised her brows. ‘And the door will be locked.’

      He stroked his chin, deep in contemplation. ‘Take as long as you like. I’ll be busy.’

      ‘Really?’ She’d thought he’d at least take the rest of the day to recover before dealing with outstanding issues tomorrow.

      ‘Yep. This job can’t wait. While you’re having a bath, I’ll be fixing the cracked bathroom window.’

      ‘You devil.’ She gave him a gentle push. ‘I’ll have you know I have industrial-strength bubbles.’

      He laughed. ‘In that case, I could be up the ladder a long time.’

      His arm gently rested across the back of the seat, his fingers barely brushing her shoulder.

      She relaxed her head against his arm, a sense of contentment washing through her. She knew his teasing meant nothing and he had no plans to watch her take a bath. She couldn’t believe she could exchange banter with a man like this and be safe. But Tom not only made her feel safe but protected. She felt sheltered in his friendship, she enjoyed the fact that with him she could let her guard down and be herself.

      So much had changed in a short time. It was hard to comprehend that it had only been five weeks ago that she’d begged him to take her with him on the trip. The cholera outbreak had extended the entire journey by an extra three weeks but now her ‘Vietnam orientation’ was coming to an end.

      Tom had been very quiet on the flight back. An unusual tension seemed to surround him. But she hadn’t pushed him about it. She didn’t feel like talking, either. Everything was about to change.

      The time she’d spent with him in villages dotted across Vietnam had been brilliant. The best times of your life.

      The unwanted thoughts wove into her, making themselves part of her with their clawing sadness. Today it would all come to an end. Tom would continue with his work and she had to make a decision about how best to use her money.

      The dull throb under her ribs kicked into action, its ache becoming painfully familiar. She breathed in deeply, trying to empty her mind. Right now she didn’t want to think about any of it.

      The driver pulled up outside the ornate iron gates of the villa and quickly unloaded their gear. Tien met them at the door with cold, damp towels and deliciously refreshing iced lemon and lime juice diluted with mineral water.

      ‘Oh, I think I’m in heaven.’ Bec smiled at Tien, enjoying the coolness of the towel on her face and hands.

      ‘Tom!’ A man with bright red hair, glinting golden in the sunshine, bounded down the curved, terrazzo staircase, his energy filling the room. ‘Mate, it’s great to see you.’ He shook Tom’s hand enthusiastically with his right hand and thumped him on the back with his left.

      What was it about men and their overwhelmingly physical greetings? Bec almost expected him to finish off the welcome by putting Tom in a headlock.

      ‘Jason. How was the holiday?’ Tom extricated his hand from the man’s enthusiastic grip.

      ‘Fantastic. Caught up with the rels, and then I rode a 750 cc bike across the Nullarbor and soaked up the space. I didn’t realise how much I missed the wide open spaces of Australia or the low population, but after a year in Vietnam, it was the tonic I needed.’

      His voice suddenly deepened, its tone becoming serious. ‘You should visit the farm soon, Tom. Don’t leave it too long.’ Without waiting for a reply, he turned quickly and faced Bec, his expression open and questioning.

      ‘Jason, meet Bec Monahan.’ Tom made the introductions.

      ‘Ah!’ Recognition sparked in his blue eyes. ‘You’re the nurse with a plan and the money to execute it. We need to talk.’ He shot out his hand.

      Bec grasped it. ‘So you’re the Jason Tom suggested I speak to.’

      ‘That’s me.’ His eyes twinkled with a wicked glint. ‘But Tom quickly whisked you off to far-flung places before we could talk.’

      ‘You were in Australia at the time.’ Tom’s voice came out in an uncharacteristic growl. ‘She needed to experience the health issues firsthand before she could make a decision. That’s why she came on the trip.’

      A flicker of a frown creased Jason’s brow as he glanced quickly at Tom before focusing his attention back on Bec. ‘I’m very keen to sit down and talk to you in detail about all the projects Health For Life is involved in or wishes to be involved in.’ All signs of the Aussie lad had vanished. Jason had his professional, philanthropic hat on, and his sincerity shone through.

      Excitement fizzed in her veins. ‘I’d really like that. I have a few ideas I want to run by you before I interview other agencies.’

      ‘Fantastic.’ He pulled out a palm-top. ‘Now—’

      Tom interrupted. ‘She needs some time to catch her breath, Jason. We’ve worked flat out for five weeks in rough conditions. Right now we both need some time out. Surely tomorrow would be soon enough to talk.’

      Jason’s brows rose sharply at Tom’s protective tone. ‘Actually, I was going to suggest we set a date next week because tomorrow neither of you will be here.’