Page 64 of The Midwife's Marriage Proposal (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 3)

Sally paused. ‘Yes, I can forgive him.’ She stared at her reflection in the mirror, thankful that the glass only reflected what was on the outside. If people could see what was going on inside, she’d be in big trouble. ‘But I can’t let him be everything to me any more. I can’t take that chance.’

Bryony opened her mouth again but Helen lifted a hand to silence her and stood up.

‘Surely love always means taking a chance,’ she said quietly. ‘There are never any guarantees for any one of us. All we can do is make the best decision we can at the time and take any chance of happiness that comes our way.’

Sally’s face was stony. ‘And learn from our mistakes.’

‘But what if Tom has learned from his?’ Helen’s voice was soft. ‘What if he truly does believe that he was wrong? Are you going to risk letting that chance of happiness slip away?’ She gave a rueful smile. ‘Look at me. Oliver asked me to marry him within about three seconds of meeting him. I just couldn’t believe that he could possibly mean it. How could I trust that something so new could last?’

Sally stared at her. ‘So why did you?’

Helen gave a soft smile. ‘Because the alternative—losing Oliver—was more than I could bear. Tom made a mistake, Sally, but, if anything, that mistake will make your relationship stronger. Everyone can see how much he loves you and how much you love him. He’s a proud guy and yet he’s willing to humble himself in public in his attempt to persuade you to forgive him. That’s got to tell you something about the way he feels. Take a leap of faith.’

Sally was silent, her fingers playing with the silky fabric of her dress. ‘I don’t think I can do that.’

It was asking too much.

Bryony gave a short laugh and exchanged a satisfied glance with Helen. ‘Well, if you’re not going to, you’d better brace yourself for a siege,’ she said lightly, ‘because, judging from the set of his shoulders, my brother isn’t about to take no for an answer.’

* * *

The next day Sally walked into the storeroom to collect some equipment and gave a soft gasp as Tom walked in behind her and closed the door.

The room was small and presented absolutely no opportunities for escape.

There was no need for build-up.

The sexual tension between them had reached flash point.

Taking refuge in defence, she gritted her teeth and glared at him. ‘Don’t you have anything better to do than corner me in the storeroom? You’re becoming boring, Tom.’

And she wanted him so badly the ache was becoming intolerable.

His firm mouth curved into a smile. ‘Boring?’ His voice was husky and very, very male. ‘Is that right?’ He slid a hand behind her neck and drew her closer.

She felt her knees weaken. ‘Tom, for goodness’ sake …’

‘You look tired.’ His mouth hovered wickedly close to hers. ‘Are you sleeping at night, sweetheart? Or is something keeping you awake?’

The soft endearment made her heart turn over and she had to bite back the sob of need that rose in her throat.

‘I’m sleeping perfectly.’

She wanted him to kiss her.

She needed him to kiss her so badly.

Without even knowing that she was doing it, she rose on tiptoe and tried to close the distance between her mouth and his, but he drew back just enough to prevent the ultimate contact but not enough to ease the frantic throb that tortured her pelvis.

Her body was on fire.

‘Marry me, Sally.’ His mouth was so close to hers that she could almost taste him and her eyes closed and she swayed towards him.

‘Tom, please—’

‘Marry me.’

Through the fog of sexual need, a question formed in her brain.

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