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‘Love often is.’ Gill stood up and adjusted her belt, before pacing over to the mirror and scowling at her reflection. ‘Dear me, the man’s right! I look like a panda!’
She wiped the mascara from under her eyes and turned back to Brooke, her expression kind.
‘Don’t let things be complicated, dear. Follow your instincts and don’t spend your life erecting obstacles to happiness.’
Brooke watched as she left the room, her heart thudding. Was Gill right? Should she follow her instincts? If she did that then she had no doubt at all where her instincts would lead. She loved Jed and all she really wanted was to be with him. In every sense.
But did she dare? Brooke closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Did she really dare expose her feelings like that and take the risk that he’d turn out to be like her father?
She opened her eyes and stared around the cluttered staffroom. Where was she going in her life? What was she doing? Turning down her one chance at happiness because she was too scared to trust Jed’s feelings. But maybe he did care for her. Maybe it was her he wanted and not just Toby.
She bit her lip and sorted through her tangled thoughts. She loved him so much. So very much.
* * *
Later that afternoon there was an unusual lull on the labour ward and Brooke popped up to the special care baby unit to visit Linda’s baby, who had been delivered after the car crash. It had been five weeks since that awful night and everyone was amazed by how well the baby had done.
‘He’s given us some nasty moments, if I’m honest, but he seems determined to hang on and he’s doing well now.’ Sita Patel smiled down at her little charge in the incubator and watched while one of the nurses fiddled with a monitor.
‘I can’t believe he’s still with us. When I came up a few weeks ago it was touch and go.’ Brooke stared down at the tiny scrap and her heart twisted.
‘Jed’s been checking up on her, too.’ Sita looked at her curiously. ‘Of course, you were with him when Linda had the accident, weren’t you?’
Brooke gave a stiff smile. Did the whole hospital know? ‘Well, yes…’
‘She was jolly lucky you were the ones who found her,’ Sita said, fiddling with one of the monitors again.
‘How is Linda?’
‘Well, she’s been discharged now obviously,’ Sita told her, ‘but she comes in every day and stays for as long as she can. She’s got five-year-old twins at home so it’s not easy for her.’
‘Poor lady. Still, we’ll keep our finger crossed.’
Remembering that Jed was going to be late and that Toby was staying at a friend’s for the first time, Brooke planned a relaxing evening with a long bath and a book.
It was late and she’d just climbed out of the bath and was drying her hair when she was suddenly aware that she wasn’t alone.
Her heart in her mouth, she turned with a gasp and then sagged with relief when she saw Jed standing in the doorway, his powerful legs planted firmly apart and those blue eyes roving hungrily over her body.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.’ His voice was gruff and he threw her a lopsided, apologetic grin as he turned to go. ‘I’ll go and fix us some drinks. Join me when you’re ready.’
‘Wait, Jed!’ Why was her voice so husky and why were her hands shaking so badly? How did you tell a man that you wanted him without looking like a shameless hussy? Because that was the truth, she realised suddenly. She wanted him with her whole heart and every fibre of her being.
‘What?’ Jed paused and glanced back briefly, his face looking taut and strained. Why was he in such a hurry to leave? She watched him closely, noticing his increased breathing and the snug fit of his trousers.
With a gentle, enticing smile that was totally feminine she walked towards him.
‘I don’t think I want a drink, Jed.’
He stiffened and watched her approach, his blue eyes wary. ‘Fair enough, I’ll have—’
‘Kiss me.’ Brooke felt her heart thump as he stared at her, stunned. Had he heard her? Was he going to refuse? ‘Kiss me, Jed.’
He shook his head slowly, his hard jaw rigid with tension. ‘I can’t, Brooke. If I touch you, I make love to you—it’s as simple as that.’ He took a
deep breath and rubbed his forehead with long fingers. ‘I don’t think there are any half-measures for you and I, sweetheart. I can’t just kiss you and then let you go.’
Brooke swallowed hard, her nerve failing. ‘I don’t want you to let me go.’
