The Midwife's Christmas Miracle (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 5)

‘You’re the one he wants.’

And he was the one she wanted, too.

And suddenly she knew that Christy was right. Jake was nothing like her father and nothing like Peter. He was strong and sexy, kind and tough, all at the same time. And she was crazy about him.

And Christy was right—he did know what he wanted out of life.

And he wanted her and the baby, so why was she turning down the chance of happiness when she was madly in love with him? When she knew he’d make a wonderful partner?

A slow warmth spread through her and she smiled. She was going to talk to him. As soon as he came home from work. She was going to tell him that she’d changed her mind. That she wanted him to adopt the baby. That she wanted them to be a family.

Wanting to look her best, she washed and dried her hair, changed into a loose, comfortable dress and made herself a drink.

But there was still no sign of Jake. And she was desperate to talk to him. Suddenly it seemed imperative that he know how she felt.

Feeling jumpy and restless, she stood up and paced around the kitchen and then moved into the living room. She was standing there, staring at the photograph of Jake rolling in the snow with his two nephews, when the first pain hit her.

She gave a cry of shock and clutched at her abdomen, winded by the pain and unable to move. Gradually it eased and she inched her way towards the sofa, trying to talk rationally to herself.

She wasn’t due for another month. These were just more Braxton-Hicks’ contractions, signs that her body was preparing for labour. She’d felt them before, although never with such severity. The pain would fade and then everything would be fine.

It took less than two minutes for her to realise that everything was far from fine. Less than two minutes for another pain to tear through her body, this time so severe that she was unable to breathe or cry out. She dropped to her knees, closed her eyes and forced herself not to panic.

She was fairly sure that she was in labour.

Fairly sure?

If she hadn’t been so frightened, she would have laughed. She was a midwife, for goodness’ sake. And she didn’t even know whether she was in labour.

Phone.

She needed to get to the phone.

Trying to be calm and rational, she waited for the pain to fade and then staggered over to Jake’s phone, only to discover that the line was dead.

Realising that she was going to have to do this on her own, she grabbed some cushions from the sofa and settled herself on the floor to await the next pain.

It would be all right, she told herself, rubbing a hand over her stomach and feeling the tightening against her hand. This time when the pain came she was ready for it and she closed her eyes and breathed the way she’d taught countless pregnant women to breathe in the antenatal classes she’d run.

The pain thundered through her, relentless in its intensity, and she suddenly knew why women were encouraged to have someone with them when they gave birth. You needed someone on the outside. You needed someone who was one step removed from what was happening. You needed love and support—

‘Miranda?’

Her eyes flew open and she saw Jake standing in the doorway. His dark hair was dusted with snow and a long coat emphasised his powerful physique. A rush of cold air blew into the room before he closed the door firmly.

‘Labour…’ she gasped, and then closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on her breathing as another pain hit.

‘How far apart?’ He was on his knees beside her, his hands freezing as they slid over her abdomen, feeling the contraction. ‘When did it start?’

She had to wait for the pain to fade before she could speak. ‘Not long ago. And hardly any time apart. I think it’s coming, Jake. I know it’s a month early, but I’m definitely in labour.’

‘You should have called me.’

‘Phone not working.’ She closed her eyes as she felt another pain hit and then swell to almost unbearable levels before fading back again. But this time she wasn’t on her own. This time she felt a strong arm round her shoulders as Jake held her and praised her.

The moment the pain had passed he reached for the phone and then cursed softly and slammed it down again. ‘The line must be dead and I’ve got no signal on my mobile.’

She looked at him with fear in her eyes. ‘Jake…’