Hired: GP and Wife / The Playboy Doctor's Surprise Proposal (30 page)

‘I know now why I always told myself I didn’t want children,’ she mumbled into his chest. ‘It was because I saw so much fear and longing with my own patients. It was easier to pretend that that wasn’t for me, rather than imagine going through all that heartache. And I thought my career would be enough. But that was before I met you.’ She pulled her head back, her eyes searching his. He had the right to know the truth. She took a deep breath. ‘Andrew, I might have breast cancer too. That’s why I wasn’t sure if I could carry on with the pregnancy.’ The thought of losing the life inside her welled up again, and Caitlin choked back the tears that were threatening to overwhelm her.

‘I love you,’ she added, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. ‘I love you more than life itself. I know that now. But this has to be my decision and despite what I said earlier, I don’t know if I could go through with a termination.’ Caitlin shuddered at the thought.

Before she knew it, Andrew was across the room and lifting the telephone. ‘Who is doing the tests for you?’ he asked tersely.

‘Dr Sommerville,’ Caitlin replied. ‘But, Andrew, it’s only 6.30! You can’t get her up…’

‘Can’t I? Watch me!’ His eyes held hers as he waited for the operator to pick up. ‘You’re not going through another second of this agony, waiting to hear whether you’ve got cancer or not.’ He turned his attention back to the receiver. ‘This is Dr Bedi—can you page Dr Sommerville straight away? Yes, yes, I know what time it is, but tell her it’s an emergency.’ Dropping the phone back in its cradle, Andrew pulled her back into his arms. ‘If the test is positive, I’ll respect your decision—no matter what it is. All I know is that I want you in my life. Strong and healthy. That’s what matters.’

Caitlin attempted a smile. ‘Whatever happens, I’m not going to take the post in Ireland. I’m going to live here with you and near Bri. She can help with the baby.’ She smiled at the image.

‘You’d do all that? For me? Risk your life? Not that there’s a chance in hell I’m going to allow you. And give up your career?’ He pulled her closer. ‘I love you more than I thought it was possible to love a woman.’

‘I don’t mean give up my career entirely,’ she said warningly. ‘I have to work, but there’s no reason, if you help, that I can’t have both.’ She snuggled into his arms. And if she had cancer, well, life sometimes dealt a blow. She would just have to take her chances. She knew that even short a life with Andrew was better than a long life without him.

‘I suppose I can learn how to change a nappy,’ he said. ‘Better men than me have managed. Just don’t expect me to make a very good job of it.’

Caitlin giggled, imagining his large hands struggling with the fiddly ties of a small nappy. Just then the phone rang. Andrew and Caitlin stared at one another, the air suddenly thick with tension. They both knew it was Dr Sommerville returning Andrew’s page. The next few seconds would determine their future—and that of their baby.

Caitlin picked up the phone. She was right. It was Dr Sommerville.

‘Oh, Dr O’Neill, I thought it was Dr Bedi who was paging me. It sounded pretty urgent. Switchboard must have put me through to you by mistake.’ Before Antonia could end the call, Caitlin interrupted.

‘Please, don’t go. He was phoning on my behalf. We were wondering whether you had my results. I know it’s pretty early to be calling but…’ She was aware of Andrew hovering directly behind her. She knew he was perfectly capable of wrestling the phone from her hand.

‘Of course. I know you must be anxious. As it happens, I have your results right here. I did try to catch you at home earlier, but Brianna said you were out on a call.’

Suddenly Caitlin couldn’t bear to know. If it was bad news, she didn’t know if she could hold it together. But for once she had someone to share the burden with. She didn’t have to be the strong one all the time. Not any more.

‘Antonia,’ she said softly, ‘I’m going to pass you to Andrew. Could you tell him the results please?’

As she held out the phone to Andrew their eyes locked. As he took the receiver he tipped her face to him.

‘I love you,’ he said. ‘Whatever happens, it’s you I want. You will always be enough for me.’ As she returned his steady gaze, she felt his strength flow through her. With him by her side, she could face any thing.

It was only when Andrew replaced the receiver that Caitlin realised she had been holding her breath.

Fear clenched her throat as she noticed tears glistening in Andrew’s eyes. Her heart sank. She had cancer. Instinctively, her hand fluttered protectively over her stomach, until she realised Andrew was smiling.

‘What…what did she say?’ she whispered.

‘The tests have come back negative. It’s a benign cyst. You’re all right. Thank God!’

And then there was no more need for words. Wrapping her arms around him, Caitlin knew she would never live in fear again. With Andrew by her side, and their baby to look forward to, life was going to be a real roller-coaster. And she couldn’t wait for it to begin.

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

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First published in Great Britain 2009

Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,

Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

Hired: GP and Wife
© Judy Campbell 2009
The Playboy Doctor’s Surprise Proposal
© Anne Fraser 2009

ISBN: 978-1-408-91205-8