'In the chest of drawers in the box room.' Lindsay gave a moan. 'Ellie, will you hold her for a minute? Just until we get this bit over with?'
Ellie took the baby immediately, staring in awe at its delicate features. 'Oh, you are so beautiful,' she cooed. 'No way can you be Lindsay's...'
Lindsay gave a weak laugh and the midwife gave a grunt of satisfaction as she finally delivered the placenta.
"There we are, pet. All done.' She checked it carefully and dropped it into a kidney dish. 'Now then, let's get that baby on the breast to help your uterus contract.'
She helped Lindsay sit up and Ellie handed the baby back, still misty-eyed from the experience.
The baby was gorgeous.
'Right.' She cleared her throat and pulled herself together. 'Baby clothes.'
Ben appeared in the doorway, his handsome features unsmiling. 'How is she doing?'
'All finished,' the midwife said briskly. 'Just having a little feed.'
Ellie smiled. 'Come and see her, Ben—she's beautiful!'
Was it her imagination or did his entire body tense?
'I need to make a phone call,' he said curtly. 'Dress both of them warmly and I'll meet you downstairs in five minutes.'
Ellie watched as he strode out of the room, wondering what on earth was wrong. Because something was wrong, she was sure of that.
She had one of her feelings...
Ben had saved the baby's life. He'd been warm and kind to Lindsay, but now he was remote and untouchable again.
Why?
The midwife went downstairs to fetch something from her car and Ellie and Lindsay were finally left alone.
Lindsay turned to her with an excited smile. 'Ellie, he's gorgeous!'
'He?' Bemused, Ellie stared at the baby and then at her cousin. 'It's a girl!'
'I'm not talking about the baby!' Lindsay rolled her eyes. 'I'm talking about Ben. Superman, or rather Superdoctor. Where on earth did you find him?'
Ellie hesitated. 'I told you. My car broke down.'
'And?' L
indsay looked at her. 'When my car breaks down I get the AA. I don't get anyone like Ben.'
Ellie rubbed the toe of her shoe on the carpet. 'I flagged him down.'
'You thumbed a lift?' Lindsay's voice rose. 'Ellie, you shouldn't take such risks! It's dark, for goodness' sake!'
'You sound exactly like him.' Ellie suppressed a yawn. 'He's done nothing but lecture me since I climbed into his car.'
'And he's right!' Lindsay looked troubled. 'There are some real perverts in the world, El.'
Ellie sighed. 'You've been reading too many newspapers. Does he look like a pervert to you?'
'No.' Lindsay gave a sheepish grin. 'He's gorgeous. One hundred per cent virile male. Rough and wicked-looking. The sexiest man I've ever seen—apart from Paul, of course,' she added hurriedly; 'So what are you going to do about it?'
'Do? What do you mean, what am I going to do about it?' Ellie stared at her and laughed. 'What do you expect me to do?'