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“I guess they do. Well, I’d better mingle. Nice to meet you, Phoebe.”
“Bye.” Once again Ryan had proved that he was well liked and respected. So why didn’t he socialize with his colleagues?
A few minutes later the guests were called to dinner. On a table outside the room was a place card with Ryan’s name on it and a table number. He picked it up and led the way.
The room was stunning. Round tables with white tablecloths covering them to the floor filled it. Chairs were also covered in white with matching bows on the back. At the front of the room, facing the guests, was one long table for the bridal party.
By the time they arrived at their table, Isla and Darcie, the two women who had sat behind them during the ceremony, were already there. Ryan took the chair next to Darcie, and Phoebe sat on his other side. Another couple who knew Isla joined them and took the last seats. Everyone introduced themselves. Most of Phoebe’s time was spent talking to the woman beside her. Occasionally, someone across the table would ask a question but hearing was difficult with the amount of chatter in the room.
The bridal party was introduced and Sophia and Aiden took their places before the meal was served. The noise dropped as people ate.
“So, Phoebe,” Isla asked from directly across the table, “when’s your baby due?”
That was the most popular question of the evening. “In a couple of weeks.”
“Are you being seen in the MMU?”
“I am. Sophia was my midwife but she thought falling in love was more important.” Phoebe smiled.
“That does happen. Who’s following you now?”
“That would be me,” Ryan announced. There was a note of pride in his voice.
A hush came over the table. Phoebe didn’t miss the looks of shock on the two women’s faces. Was something wrong? She glanced at Ryan. It wasn’t a secret. Why should it be?
“Phoebe needed someone and I volunteered,” Ryan offered, as he picked up his water glass and took a sip.
Both women looked from him, then back to her and back again. Ryan didn’t seem fazed by their reaction.
Finally Isla said, “Ryan’s one of the best. You’ll be happy with his care.”
After they had eaten their meal, Ryan watched Phoebe make her way to the restroom. His attention was drawn away from her when Isla sat down in Phoebe’s place.
Isla leaned close and hissed, “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
He sat back, surprised by her aggression. “Doing?”
Darcie moved in from the other side, sandwiching him in. “You’re dating a patient!”
“I am not.”
“What do you call it when you bring the woman you’re going to deliver for to a wedding as your date?” Isla asked.
“I call it dating,” Darcie quipped.
“Look, Phoebe is the widow of a service buddy of mine. All I’m trying to do is be her friend. She doesn’t have anyone else.”
“That wasn’t a friendly arm around her at the ceremony. Or a friendly look just a second ago when she walked away,” Isla stated, as if she were giving a lecture to a first-year student.
“Or when you were looking at her as she fixed your tie,” Darcie added.
“You saw that?” Ryan was amazed. They had seen what he’d believed he’d been covering well—his attraction to Phoebe.
“Yes, we …” Darcie indicated her date “… went past you and you didn’t even see us, you were so engrossed.”
“I was not.”
“You can deny it all you want but I’m telling you what I saw. The point here is that you shouldn’t be dating a patient. It’s bad form and if someone wanted to make a big deal of it you might lose your job.” Isla looked around as if she was checking to see if anyone was listening.
Ryan chuckled. “You’re overreacting to two friends spending an evening together.”
“I still say you better be careful. You’re stepping over the line with this one,” Isla said.
Darcie nodded her agreement.
He leaned back and looked at one then the other. “Well, are either one of you going to report me?”
The two women looked at each other. Both shook their heads.
“Thank you. I asked Phoebe to come with me because she’s had a rough year, finding out her husband was killed and then that she was pregnant. This was her big night out before the baby comes. In any case, all of that about me delivering the baby will be a moot point in a few weeks. So, ladies, I appreciate your concern but I’m going to show Phoebe a pleasant evening and if that looks bad to you I’m sorry.”
They grinned at each other.
“You were right, Isla. He does care about her.” Darcie smirked.
Isla patted him on the shoulder. “Good luck.”
Ryan wasn’t sure what that meant but it was better than being reprimanded for something he didn’t believe was a problem.
Phoebe returned, and Isla moved back to her chair and kissed her husband on the cheek as she sat down. She smiled at Phoebe.
After Phoebe sat she leaned over and whispered, “Is everything all right?”
He took her hand beneath the table, gave it a squeeze and held it. “Everything is great.”
Dessert had been served by the time the bride and groom started around the room, greeting their guests. When they reached Phoebe and Ryan’s table Sophia hugged each person in turn until she worked her way to Ryan.
“Well, I’m glad to see you. I wasn’t sure you’d be here.”
Ryan hugged Sophia in return. “O ye of little faith.”
She laughed and turned to Phoebe. For a second there was a look of astonishment on Sophia’s face when she saw her but it soon disappeared. “Phoebe, I’m so glad to see you. I’d like you to meet my husband, Aiden.”
While Phoebe spoke to Aiden, Ryan didn’t miss the look that passed between Sophia, Isla and Darcie.
Did his feelings for Phoebe really show that much? They must if they were that obvious to the three women. How had he let it happen? He glanced at Phoebe. The devil of it was, he hadn’t. All it took was just being around Phoebe to make him care. And that he did far too much.
She giggled at something Sophia said. He wanted her too much. There was little that was professional about his feelings. How would she take it when he told her that he could no longer be her midwife?
The strains of an orchestra tuning up came from somewhere in the house.
Sophia’s father asked everyone to join them for dancing and a toast to the bride and groom in the solarium. Ryan took her hand as they made their way there. It was as if he didn’t want to break the contact with her. She didn’t want to, either.
Phoebe had been sure that what she’d already seen of the castle couldn’t be surpassed, but she’d been wrong. Two-thirds of the solarium consisted of glass walls and glass ceiling. It had turned dark and small lights above created a magical place.
Ryan directed her to one of the café-size tables stationed around the room. They sat and watched the bride and groom dance their first dance. The staff saw to it that everyone had a glass of champagne to toast the couple. Ryan smiled as he tapped her glass. Phoebe took the smallest sip and set the glass down. His joined hers on the table. The orchestra began to play again.
Ryan stood and offered his hand. “It’s time I made good on my promise. Would you care to dance?”
“Why, sir, I think I would.” Phoebe smiled at him and placed her hand in his.
“I’ll have to tell you that I’m not a very good dancer,” Ryan said, as he led her out on to the floor.
She laughed. “Have you looked at me lately? I’m not very graceful so I don’t think it’ll matter if you’re a good dancer or not.”
“Then I guess we’re the perfect match.”
Were they really?
Ryan took her into his arms, holding her close as they moved around the floor. He’d touched her before but had never put his arms completely around her. It was lovely to have him so close. He smelled like a
warm forest after a spring rain. She leaned in and inhaled. Wonderful.
