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Midwives On Call At Christmas: Midwife's Christmas Proposal
Abigail Gordon
Fiona McArthur
Jennifer Taylor
Special gifts this Christmas!Midwife’s Christmas Proposal Midwife Tara Dutton is looking forward to Christmas! Especially because Dr Simon Campbell has returned and promises Tara the future she’s always dreamt of…but does she dare believe that his Christmas proposal will finally lead to forever?The Midwife’s Christmas MiracleWhen bubbly midwife Lucy Harris meets Dr Max Curtis, she has no trouble believing his reputation as Dalverston’s resident playboy! But there’s something about Lucy that has him thinking long-term… As Christmas lights twinkle, Max’s thoughts turn from medicine…to marriage!Country Midwife, Christmas Bride Dr James Bartlett is captivated by new Willowmere midwife Lizzie Carmichael. So, with the help of his adorable twins, this Christmas James wants to convince Lizzie to join his little family – after all it would be the perfect present this festive season.
Midwives On Call at Christmas
Midwife’s Christmas Proposal
Fiona McArthur
The Midwife’s Christmas Miracle
Jennifer Taylor
Country Midwife, Christmas Bride
Abigail Gordon
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Table of Contents
Cover (#u23be62c4-b752-55a2-b286-a0ad2157845a)
Title Page (#u1eaca30b-6b2d-53ae-bc7f-ce68db0c9651)
Midwife’s Christmas Proposal (#u7d6c32b3-d8e5-517a-bcf0-4ad1d2c94d9a)
About the Author (#ucd5a5005-6047-5e7e-8124-be51a7a70f5d)
Dedication (#ud016a53f-f1ad-5bb6-a45c-b58bf883876c)
CHAPTER ONE (#u6c43d309-61bc-5b22-8a58-c666555a4c54)
CHAPTER TWO (#u1d767fde-3c91-540c-8010-9fc3e2dcb2db)
CHAPTER THREE (#uc41ae3bf-b3ca-5aa0-975c-0160613cd140)
CHAPTER FOUR (#u53ac5796-08c5-519c-a79f-00c20782696c)
CHAPTER FIVE (#u0a7732e7-fbd8-5a17-ab53-0b1abdb03fac)
CHAPTER SIX (#u88dfb14d-319c-5509-8a4e-59b09dc292c7)
CHAPTER SEVEN (#uce129c33-5252-5f88-acd3-a8e26915e58a)
CHAPTER EIGHT (#u013f4c81-0f9d-5fed-a7d9-05f2d46266e7)
CHAPTER NINE (#ue7a7b9f5-9add-5757-a0a3-69f3d1fccf75)
CHAPTER TEN (#uc1266c2c-47ec-5534-82e6-a790b60c7480)
CHAPTER ELEVEN (#u2c8c7490-60d3-5233-a696-5a3d3a244cc2)
CHAPTER TWELVE (#u0c842399-bae1-5358-b580-b22cda3e2afa)
CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
The Midwife’s Christmas Miracle (#litres_trial_promo)
Back Cover Text (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)
Dedication (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Country Midwife, Christmas Bride (#litres_trial_promo)
Back Cover Text (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWO (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THREE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Midwife’s Christmas Proposal (#u4458ba54-093b-5c04-b4a4-5700fe238f16)
Fiona McArthur
Mother to five sons, FIONA MCARTHUR is an Australian midwife who loves to write. Mills & Boon Medical Romance gives Fiona the scope to write about all the wonderful aspects of adventure, romance, medicine and midwifery that she feels so passionate about — as well as an excuse to travel! Now that her boys are older, Fiona and her husband Ian are off to meet new people, see new places, and have wonderful adventures. Fiona’s website is at www.fionamcarthur.com (http://www.fionamcarthur.com)
To my son Scott, who gifted me my first parachute jump and the pictures that went with it. And to the experience that I knew I would put into this book.
And to Lawrence, my chute buddy from Coffs Skydivers, who made it such fun that I was never, ever scared.
CHAPTER ONE (#u4458ba54-093b-5c04-b4a4-5700fe238f16)
SIMON LOOKED AWAY from the road as he drove and across to his sister. Saw the tiny furrow in her brow even while she was sleeping. His eyes returned to the car in front. So she was still angry with him. Where had he gone wrong? All he’d ever wanted to do was protect his family. Protect Maeve from making the same mistakes their mother had made.
Maybe he felt more responsible than other siblings because the day he’d found out he was only a half-brother to Maeve and the girls had been devastating and he did wonder if he’d over-compensated.
But he was concerned about Maeve. About the way she’d been taken for a ride and she still couldn’t see it. If Simon was honest with himself, he was just as hurt because he’d thought Rayne was his friend and he’d been suckered in as well. His sister’s predicament had been all his fault.
Simon could feel his knuckles tighten on the wheel and he consciously relaxed them. He needed a holiday, and Maeve needed somewhere safe away from the baby’s father if he ever came back, so maybe Lyrebird Lake was a good choice, like Maeve said.
And it was Christmas.
Two hours later they drove into the driveway of the Manse Medical Centre, Lyrebird Lake. The long day drive north from Sydney had been accomplished with little traffic issues or conversation. The last hour since they’d turned away from the coast had been unusually relaxing as they’d passed green valleys and bovine pedestrians. It was good to be here finally.
Simon felt that warmth of homecoming he’d forgotten about in the rush and bustle of his busy life—almost like he could feel one of Louisa’s enthusiastically warm hugs gearing up—as he slowed the car.
The engine purred to a stop and Maeve woke. She smiled sleepily, then remembered they were at odds with each other, and the smile fell away.
He watched her twist awkwardly in her seat as she took in the dry grass and huge gum trees ‘I’ve heard such a lot about this place over the years. Thanks for bringing me, Simon.’
The tension in his shoulders lessened. At least she was talking to him again. He should never have mentioned his reservations about her idea of giving birth at Lyrebird Lake. That had been his obstetrician’s point of view. Life had compartments, or should have, and he usually kept everything separate and in control.
Look what had happened when Maeve had lost control.
Simon’s eyes travelled over the familiar sights—the hospital and birth centre across the road from Louisa’s house, the sleepy town just down the road, and the sparkling harp-shaped lake to the left behind the trees.
Unexpectedly, considering the mood he’d been in when he’d started out for here against his will, he couldn’t do anything but smile as he eased his car under the carport at the side of the house.
‘Curious.’ Simon admired the old but beautifully restored Harley-Davidson tucked into a corner and then shrugged. He couldn’t imagine Louisa on it but there were always interesting people staying at the manse.
It didn’t seem ten years since he’d first come here with his new-found dad, Angus, but this big sprawling house Angus had brought him to all those years ago looked just the same. He’d arrived expecting awkwardness with his fledgling relationship with his birth father, and awkwardness staying with strangers in this small country town. But there hadn’t been any.
He glanced at Maeve. ‘Louisa will have heard us arrive.’
‘Louisa used to be the housekeeper before she married your grandfather? Right?’
‘Yep. They married late in life before he passed away. I stay with her when I come at Christmas.’
Simon climbed out quickly so he could open her door, but of course, Maeve was too darned independent. By the time they reached the path out front Louisa stood at the top of the steps, wiping her hands on her apron, and beamed one of Lyrebird Lake’s most welcoming smiles.
Simon put his bag down and leapt up the two stairs to envelop the little woman in a hug. She felt just as roundly welcoming as he remembered. ‘It’s so good to see you, Louisa.’
‘And you too, Simon. I swear you’re even taller than last year.’
He had to smile at that as he stepped back. ‘Surely I’ve reached an age where I can’t keep growing.’ He looked back at his sister, standing patiently at the bottom of the steps. ‘Though with your cooking there is a possibility I could grow while I’m here.’
He offered a steadying hand but Maeve declined, made her way determinedly balancing her taut belly out front, as she climbed to the top of the stairs, so he guessed he wasn’t totally forgiven.
He missed the easy camaraderie they used to have and hoped, perhaps a little optimistically, that Lyrebird Lake might restore that rapport as well. He guessed he had been out of line in some of the things he’d said about her choice in men and choice in birthing place.
‘This is my youngest sister, Maeve. Maeve, this is my grandmother, Louisa.’
Louisa blushed with pleasure. ‘You always were a sweetheart.’ She winked at Maeve. ‘Grandmother-in-law but very happy to pretend to be a real one.’
Maeve held out her hand. ‘It’s nice to finally meet you. Simon’s told us a lot about you and everyone here. He says you’re a wonderful cook.’
He saw Louisa’s kind eyes brush warmly over Maeve and Simon relaxed even further. Of course Louisa would make them both feel wanted. ‘Boys need their food.’ He smiled to himself because he wasn’t sure how he qualified for boy when he’d left thirty behind.
