Second Chance with His Army Doc

They could barely keep their hands off each other on the ride up in the lift, grateful for the deserted corridors as they stumbled along, locating their room. And then they were falling through the door and all she could think about was finally, finally, reacquainting herself with the body that had made her ache with longing for far too long.

It was the flowers on the bed that stopped her. Pretty lupins, like they’d found in that ruin back during Operation Strikethrough. And on top of them was a distinctive square box.

Her heart caught in her throat.

‘Kane? What’s going on?’

‘Open it and find out,’ he told her hoarsely.

Her fingers were trembling as she reached over and took the box. This wasn’t what she’d expected, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself from imagining. Hoping.

It took her two attempts to open the heavy hinge on the box, and then she thought her legs might buckle beneath her because it wasn’t a modern ring, some exquisite, contemporary thing that Kane had scoured jewellery shops for.

This was her mother’s ring.

‘How...?’

‘I asked Hayd’s permission to ask for your hand—in lieu of your father.’ Kane shrugged. ‘He went straight upstairs and brought it down. So I guess you could say he approves.’

She didn’t answer him. Especially when he dropped to one knee in front of her.

‘So, Mathilda Brigham, after a decade and a half of waiting, of trying to live lives that were never going to be complete without each other, will you do me the honour of marrying me, and making my life whole once again?’

Mattie heard an incoherent sound and it took her a moment to realise it was her. Her chest was still tight and aching, but this time she knew it wasn’t because her heart was breaking. It was coming back together, each little shard slipping seamlessly back into place.

Like a little miracle that made her chest swell until she thou

ght it might explode.

‘I can’t believe this,’ she breathed.

Rising up again, Kane cupped her face in his hands and dropped a smooth kiss on her forehead.

‘Believe it, Matz.’

She shook her head, swallowing the lump of happiness that was lodged in her throat. Fighting to speak. She gripped his hands and held them in place.

He caught her against him, and she sighed at the way their bodies seem to mould perfectly to each other.

EPILOGUE

THEY WERE MARRIED the following year in the glorious, Grecian-style Guards’ Chapel in London’s St James’s Park, with a uniformed usher trumpeting Mattie’s arrival and an honour guard with their arch of swords over the happy couple’s departure.

Mattie, walked down the aisle by a delighted Hayden in lieu of her father, had chosen a sleek off-white gown with lace shoulder detailing for modesty, whilst Kane was resplendent in his new officer’s uniform.

‘I’m still not sure I can believe we get our happy ending,’ she whispered as she smoothed her dress in the back seat of the vintage car, and Kane slid in beside her, scooping his willing new wife into his arms.

‘It’s been a long time coming,’ he agreed, his lips brushing hers and instantly setting her body on fire. Making her suddenly wish they didn’t have to rush to the hotel to attend the wedding breakfast ‘But it is finally here. And it’s ours to enjoy.’

‘Do you think the guests will have time to get to the venue before us?’ She affected an air of innocence. ‘Or should we give them a little additional time, do you think?’

‘Colonel Brigham,’ he murmured against her mouth, ‘are you suggesting you can’t wait?’

‘I’m suggesting we’ve spent years waiting. Today, for once, is about us finally getting what we’ve longed for. I don’t want to wait any longer.’

‘Neither do I,’ Kane agreed.

And for the first time in forever they felt as if they had it all. And it felt right.