Christmas Eve: Doorstep Delivery (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 7)

‘I can’t believe you just said that.’ Patrick’s grip didn’t ease. ‘It took me most of the night to work out why you would turn me down, Hayley. And then I realised that it’s my fault. The reason you won’t marry me is because of what happened with Carly, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. Partly.’ She didn’t deny it. ‘A baby isn’t a reason to get married, Patrick. You told me that.’

‘And I stand by that. It’s true. A baby isn’t a reason to get married. But the baby isn’t the reason I asked you to marry me.’

‘Of course it is. You said that—’

‘I proposed to you before I knew you were pregnant, Hayley.’

She opened her mouth and closed it again. Then opened it. But nothing came out.

Patrick gave a faint smile. ‘You’re doing it again. Staying silent when I need to know what you’re thinking. I never thought I’d have to say this to you, but could you please start talking?’

‘Patrick…’ Words failed her and he sighed.

‘That night in Chicago was incredible. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I even contemplated getting in touch with you but I had no idea what I’d say. I’d decided that it wasn’t fair to drag the children to the States, and I couldn’t ask you to come here. And when I opened my door on Christmas Eve and you were standing there…’

‘You thought I was pregnant,’ Hayley whispered. ‘And you were shocked.’

‘Yes,’ he said honestly. ‘I’d made that mistake before and I wasn’t going to make it again. But then I got to know you.’

‘It’s only been a couple of weeks—’

‘Yes. And those weeks have been incredible. You transformed our lives with your sunny personality, your goodness and your non-stop chatter. You made us happy. And I thought you were happy, too.’

Her eyes stinging, Hayley smiled. ‘I was happy. Very happy.’

‘Then why are you leaving?’

‘Because I’m pregnant and that changes everything.’

‘I asked you to marry me because I love you. Not because you’re having my baby. And I’m asking you again now, for the same reason.’ His hands shifted from her arms to her face and he gazed down at her. ‘I love you. I want to be with you. Will you marry me?’

‘Say yes, love,’ Jack yelled from the taxi, and Hayley gave a gasp of horror and buried her face in Patrick’s coat.

‘He can hear us?’

‘Every word,’ Patrick said calmly, ‘and I really couldn’t care less. It’s your answer I want, not his.’

‘Patrick—’

‘Answer me one question.’ He lifted her chin with his fingers and for once his voice wasn’t completely steady. ‘Do you love me?’

She gazed into his blue eyes, suddenly shy. ‘Yes, of course I do. You know that.’

‘How much?’

‘As much as it’s possible to love someone. I’m crazy about you. Do you really have to ask? I gave up everything to come here, Patrick. I gave up my job, my flat—I made a complete fool of myself over you. I followed my dream.’

With a groan he lowered his head to hers, his kiss unusually tender. ‘Now answer me another question.’ He murmured the words against her mouth, his eyes holding hers. ‘Do you love my children?’

‘I adore your children!’

‘Then what’s the problem?’

Distracted by the kiss, it took Hayley a moment to answer. ‘Pregnancy isn’t a good reason to get married.’

‘We’ve just established that I