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

‘You know you’re always welcome on my unit,’ Chantal murmured silkily. ‘Are you going to argue with me if I start her on diuretics?’

‘I’d be uneasy.’ Tom frowned. ‘Hypovolaemia will reduce the placental blood flow and that could have a detrimental effect on the foetus.’

Chantal smiled. ‘In that case, I’ll assess the degree of pulmonary congestion and talk to you before I do anything. Agreed?’

‘Agreed.’ He smiled. ‘Thanks, Chantal.’

Resisting the temptation to grind her teeth, Sally excused herself and went back to tell Mrs Singh what was happening, trying hard not to analyse her feelings.

Why should she care if Chantal Mornington clearly had a serious crush on Tom?

And why should she care if those feelings were reciprocated?

The guy was bound to have a love life of some sort, and they were welcome to each other.

She really didn’t care.

So why did she suddenly feel so crushed?

Trying hard to pull herself together, she helped transfer Mrs Singh to CCU and then returned to the labour ward.

‘Grab a cup of coffee while it’s quiet,’ Emma suggested, and Sally gave a nod and made her way to the staffroom.

She stopped dead when she saw Tom sprawled in one of the armchairs. He was scanning a medical journal and nursing a cup of coffee. He glanced up and saw her and his blue gaze was suddenly warm.

‘Hello, there.’ He uncoiled his length and stood up, dropping the journal on the coffee-table. ‘Can I pour you a coffee?’

She was tempted to refuse but she didn’t want him questioning her reaction so she nodded instead, forcing herself to walk into the room. ‘Black, please. No sugar.’

He reached for a mug and filled it. ‘So you came across pulmonary oedema in Pakistan?’

She took the mug. ‘Thanks, and to answer your question, yes, I did. The medical workers seemed to think that mitral valve disease was on the increase. We had a few women who came in w

ith problems in their pregnancy.’

Tom nodded. ‘The rise in cardiac output puts a tremendous stress on the heart. Patients can often deteriorate suddenly and unexpectedly, and if a diagnosis isn’t made quickly enough, the consequences are serious.’

Sally sipped her coffee. ‘I certainly saw a couple of cases similar to Mrs Singh’s. Do you think she’ll be OK?’

‘Who knows?’ He shrugged his broad shoulders. ‘But Chantal Mornington is an excellent cardiologist.’

‘Yes. I could see that you had quite a mutual appreciation society going on,’ Sally said tartly, and then wished she hadn’t spoken as he turned amused blue eyes in her direction.

‘Meaning?’

She shrugged, cursing herself for making such an impulsive remark. ‘Nothing.’

He was silent for a moment and then he put his coffee-mug down on the table and leaned towards her, his gaze searching.

‘If you’re suggesting what I think you’re suggesting, I could say that you’re being ridiculous—’ his voice was soft ‘—or I could say that I’m pleased that you are jealous.’

She stiffened. ‘I’m not jealous.’

‘No?’

‘No. There’s nothing between us any more, Tom. You’re perfectly entitled to see anyone you like.’

And she was going to do the same.