The Midwife's Marriage Proposal by Sarah Morgan Page B

shoulder as Tom stuck his head into the tent. ‘Are we ready? The baby’s feeding.’
    â€˜Great.’ He smiled at Lucy. ‘When you’re ready to move we’ll get you to the helicopter and take you to hospital. It’s a very short hop.’
    * * *
    Tom stood in the doorway of the side ward, watching as Sally helped Lucy latch the baby onto the breast.
    â€˜He really is a natural,’ she murmured, a satisfied smile on her face as the baby started to suck. ‘And now you’re both safe and sound.’
    She was still dressed in her mountain rescue gear, her fair hair tangled from the wind and the drama, her cheeks flushed from the warmth of the room.
    Tom felt something shift inside him.
    She’d been fantastic.
    She’d treated every moment of what could have been an obstetric nightmare as if it had been totally normal and wonderfully exciting. As if she’d delivered hundreds of babies outside on a freezing March day.
    And she’d been in control every inch of the way.
    She’d been the one to give him instructions, acting quickly and competently as soon as she’d realized that the baby had been coming.
    He was more than impressed. He was amazed.
    At that moment Lucy glanced up and saw him. ‘Mr Hunter!’
    â€˜You look comfortable.’ He walked into the room and Lucy smiled down at the nursing baby.
    â€˜I am comfortable. And relieved. Thank you so much, both of you.’
    Tom smiled. ‘I’d like to say that it’s all in a day’s work, but I’d be lying.’ He ran a hand over the back of his neck and let out a breath. ‘Next time go for a walk in a town. And make it a short one.’
    Lucy chuckled. ‘I’ll try and remember that.’
    Sally stood up. ‘I’d better go and get changed. You did well, Lucy.’ Impulsively she leaned forward and hugged the young mother, and Lucy hugged her back.
    â€˜Thank you just doesn’t cover it.’
    â€˜I loved it,’ Sally said simply, and Tom looked at her closely, seeing the brightness of her eyes.
    Had it hurt her, seeing the baby born?
    He knew how badly she’d always wanted children of her own. Part of him was surprised that she hadn’t met someone on her travels and settled down.
    And part of him was relieved.
    He followed her out of the room just as she was tucking a tissue into her pocket.
    His insides twisted and he resisted the temptation to haul her against him. The way things were between them at the moment, she’d slap his face.
    â€˜Sal?’ His voice was soft. ‘Is something wrong?’
    Her slim shoulders tensed and then she turned and gave him a cool smile.
    â€˜Nothing at all. I’m going back to the unit now. I’ll see you later.’
    â€˜Wait.’ Tom caught her arm. ‘Emma said that you can start your weekend early. They’re quiet up there for once and you’re off duty in a few hours anyway. She said that you were to go home. She’ll see you on Monday.’
    She digested this and then stirred slightly. ‘Right.’ She stepped neatly away from him, removing her arm from his grasp. ‘I’ll see you Monday, then.’
    â€˜How are you getting home?’
    She looked at him blankly, as if the question hadn’t occurred to her until that moment. ‘I’ve got my bike.’
    â€˜I’ll give you a lift,’ he said immediately, and he braced himself for rejection as he saw her tense. ‘You must be tired. We can drop some of the equipment off at the mountain rescue base on the way past.’
    â€˜I don’t think so.’ She turned and walked away from him, and he gritted his teeth with frustration.
    She seemed determined not to spend one single second in his company, and her casual dismissal bruised his ego more than he cared to admit.
    Seven years ago she’d adored him and hadn’t been afraid to show it.
    Now all she felt was