The Midwife's Marriage Proposal (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 3)

She felt him.

They shared a connection that was beyond the physical. It had always been that way with them.

He’d truly been her other half. Until he’d torn them apart.

‘Hi, Tom. You’re just in time for a coffee and an introduction to our new midwife.’ Emma’s voice was bright and cheerful, like sunshine playing innocently in front of an approaching storm.

Reminding herself that she’d been rehearsing this exact moment for years, Sally turned, the expression in her green eyes cool and totally devoid of emotion as she brought into play all the skills she’d carefully developed.

He stood in the doorway, powerful legs spread apart in an arrogant pose, his blue eyes fixed on her with shimmering incredulity.

Sally felt the past slide over her like a suffocating cloak and with a determined effort she thrust it aside, reminding herself that the past was all about yesterdays and that she was only interested in today and tomorrow.

And neither was going to feature this man, even if he was straight out of a female fantasy.

And he was.

He’d always been indecently good-looking, she thought numbly, but age and maturity had added a hard edge to his masculinity that would make even the most cynical, man-wary female catch her breath.

And the combination of jet-black hair and blue eyes was a killer.

Resolutely she reined in her feelings, holding them close, reminding herself of the price of loving this man.

It was high. Too high.

She’d paid it once with interest and she wasn’t prepared to pay it again.

So she held that dark gaze steadily and noted the shock that he couldn’t quite conceal with a flicker of feminine satisfaction.

He hadn’t expected her to come home.

But she had. And he was going to have to live with that.

Like it or not, she was back.

And she was staying.

‘Hello, Tom.’ Her voice was cool and formal. Not a tremor, not a shake, not a flicker of emotion. She was proud of herself. ‘It’s been a long time.’

* * *

Tom braced his shoulders and tried to counter the shock wave that pulsed through his body.

He’d always known that one day Sally Jenner would walk into his life again. That he’d be forced to stare his past in the face.

Acknowledge the guilt.

It had been seven years and yet he still wasn’t able to remember their final encounter without breaking into a sweat.

He gritted his teeth, telling himself that he’d made the right decision for both of them, even though she hadn’t been able to see it at the time.

At first glance she seemed hardly to have changed. Still the same intriguing green eyes that flashed a hint of rebellion and challenge, still the slim legs, the narrow waist and the delicate curves. She looked as though a strong gust of wind would blow her over, but he knew better. Sally was fit and strong, probably the most athletic woman he’d ever met. She was an accomplished rock-climber, an impressive long-distance runner, and her wildness and courage had stolen his heart. In all the years he’d known her, he’d seen her cry only once.

And that had been the day he’d ended their relationship.

Looking at her soft, perfectly shaped mouth, Tom suddenly had trouble remembering why he’d done it, and he cursed mentally, wishing that he’d had time to prepare himself for her arrival.