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

Tom smiled and led Sally away from the table and out of the room, leaving the others to their champagne and gossip.

‘Where are we going?’

‘Somewhere where we can talk in peace without an audience. I don’t mind proposing in public but I draw the line at having observers for the next bit.’

He pulled her into a small library where a log fire burned and closed the door, turning the key in the lock.

‘There are still things that haven’t been said. Let’s start with why you waited up half the night at the rescue centre and then cycled to the hospital.’

She couldn’t stop looking at the ring that glittered on her finger. She twisted it, staring down at her finger in awe.

A feeling of perfect happiness spread through her and she lifted her eyes to his, unable to resist teasing him just a little. ‘I waited at the rescue centre because I wanted to keep Sean company.’

His blue eyes gleamed. ‘That’s what I thought. And you cycled to the hospital because you thought Ben wouldn’t be able to stitch me up without your help.’

She fiddled with the ring again. ‘Sounds about right. And I also thought that, given you were injured, I might be able to have my evil way with your body.’

He laughed. ‘So now the truth is out. Even though I was injured, all you could think about was seducing me.’

‘I’m afraid so.’

‘You had designs on my body.’

‘I’ve had designs on your body since I found out what a boy’s body is for,’ she murmured softly, her smile all woman as she finally looked at him. ‘Is it my fault if you’re a bit slow?’

His eyes narrowed. ‘Last night in the hospital …’

‘I wanted to tell you that I loved you.’ Her voice was soft. ‘But we were surrounded by people and then you seemed so desperate to get away from me.’

He gave a wry smile. ‘I’d reached the point where I could no longer be in the same room as you and not commit an indecent act.’

She gave a chuckle. ‘In that case, I’m glad you just locked that door.’

He slid his hands round her face. ‘I love you, Sally Jenner.’ His voice rang with sincerity. ‘Do you believe me?’

‘Yes.’ She nodded. ‘And I love you, too.’

He closed his eyes and breathed out heavily. ‘I never thought I’d get you to admit that again. You used to say it to me all the time, and you have no idea how much I missed hearing those words from you.’

‘And I missed saying them.’

His mouth came down on hers and he kissed her gently. ‘Am I allowed to know what changed your mind, or was it just an intolerable increase in your levels of sexual frustration?’

She smiled, stroking a finger over his rough jaw. ‘I suppose you should thank Sean.’

He frowned. ‘Sean?’

‘I never doubted that I loved you, Tom,’ she said softly, ‘I just doubted that I could give all of myself to you again. I was afraid to risk rejection for a second time.’

‘And what did Sean have to do with that?’

‘He pointed out that risk plays a part in so much of life, especially the parts that we especially value.’ She slipped her fingers inside the buttons of his shirt and heard his sharp intake of breath. ‘And right now we’re standing in a library with one hundred and fifty guests less than a shout away. Just how much of a risk taker are you, Tom Hunter?’

He gave a slow smile and brought his mouth down on hers, unzipping her dress with a skill that would have earned admiration from James Bond.

‘I’ve always been a risk taker, as you know.’ His voice was husky as he backed her towards the sofa. ‘And I don’t intend to stop now.’

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