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They had so nearly lost each other. A shiver rippled her skin and then her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t heard him come but she knew he was here.
She spun round, her face alight, just as he entered the clearing.
‘Ben!’ She ran lightly towards him, into his arms, and he lifted her, spinning her round, then kissed her as if he was starving.
‘I didn’t expect you until tomorrow,’ she uttered breathlessly when they both gulped in much needed air.
‘I bunked off.’ He grinned at her, ruffling her hair. ‘You weren’t inside, and you weren’t in the garden—just all those weeds piled up on the paths which, no doubt, I shall be required to put on the compost heap. I knew you’d be here.’
Smiling, she kissed him again, and ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’
They both spoke together. Caroline said, ‘You first. Mine’s got to be better than yours!’
‘I wouldn’t bet on that!’ He drew her down onto the soft, mossy bank of the stream. ‘Now, am I right in thinking you look on this place as our real home, our special place? I know I do.’
She nodded, mock serious, but her eyes were dancing. ‘True. Is that it? Right, my turn!’
‘Shh.’ He laid a finger across her mouth to silence her. She nipped it with her teeth. Grinning, he told her, ‘I wasn’t too miffed when you said you didn’t want to come to Amsterdam. I missed you like crazy but it did give me the opportunity to get things moving without you breathing down my neck. I wanted it done and dusted, then spring the surprise. I’m going to work mostly from home—here—in the future. No more jetting round the continent at the drop of a hat. Any travelling we do in the future will be for pleasure—holidays—in any part of the world that takes your fancy. Of course—’ he traced the outline of her mouth with a delicate, sensual finger ‘—it will mean building on. Just a room to house the usual electronic communications systems. Is that OK with you?’
‘Couldn’t be better.’ She looped her arms around his neck and gently touched his mouth with hers. ‘It fits in so well with what I’ve got to tell you.’
‘Which is?’
‘I’m pregnant. I wasn’t sure but now I am. I didn’t go shopping, why should I? I have everything I could want or need. I had it confirmed. I had a scan.’
Ben just stared at her. Caroline said, ‘Aren’t you pleased?’ knowing he had to be. She knew him as well as she knew herself. And he confirmed it, his face lighting up in the grin that had the power to stun her.
‘I’m ecstatic, my precious darling! Over the moon! Well done, Caro!’
‘It takes two,’ she said, laughter lurking behind the prim expression she plastered on. ‘And that’s not all. We’re expecting twins.’
A breathless, adoring hug later she emerged from encircling arms that would have held onto her for ever. ‘We’ll have to build on a rumpus room. And being country babies they’ll grow up to want ponies. And that means building a stable, and fencing off a paddock. And if we have more we’ll need another bedroom. Or two. And an extra bathroom. The place will just get bigger and bigger. Do you mind?’
For answer he slid an arm back round her waist and drew her down with him onto the soft mossy grass. ‘I can put up with everything getting bigger—and better.’ A softly stroking hand slid over her still flat tummy, commanding fingers finding the button of her waistband. ‘Just like my love for you—bigger and better in every way, day by glorious day.’
