The Lost Wife
Page 17
‘Well, well, well—what have we here? You’re looking particularly ravishing today, Mrs Larsen … Did you dress in that outfit especially for me?’ he drawled.
‘Yes, I did. They’re beautiful … are they for me?’ She gazed appreciatively at the flowers.
‘They certainly are. Put them on the sideboard there for a minute, will you? I want to kiss you hello.’
Seconds later she found herself enfolded in Jake’s arms, luxuriating in the sense of warmth and security and strong male protectiveness she always experienced whenever she leant her head against his chest and he embraced her. ‘Mmm …’ she murmured. ‘You smell nice.’
‘A man’s got to do his best to keep his woman satisfied—and that includes wearing her favourite cologne.’
Lifting her face up to his at that provocative comment, Ailsa happily received the urgent, hot, hard kiss he gave her. She made a little sound of pleasure as the tips of her breasts tingled fiercely, then drew her lips away so that she could talk. ‘The flowers are a lovely surprise. Coincidentally, today I have a surprise for you as well.’
‘You do?’ He gave her one of his charming crooked grins.
‘I do.’
‘Well? Are you going to tell me what it is? Or do you intend to keep me standing here in suspense all evening?’
She took a deep breath in, wanting to savour every moment of this time when she would share her momentous news with her beloved husband, knowing that the memory would be written on her heart for ever. ‘I’m pregnant.’
‘What did you say?’
‘I’m pregnant. As unbelievable as it sounds, I really am. I’ve done a test and everything.’
‘But … but how?’
Ailsa smiled. ‘Now is hardly the time for me to tell you about the birds and the bees, Jake.’
He held her away from him for a long moment, his hands curled round the tops of her arms, his expression stunned, as if he hardly dared believe that what she told him might be true.
‘I reread the doctor’s report I was given when I left the hospital after the accident and it said that I was “unlikely” to be able to get pregnant and carry a child to full term. It didn’t say it was impossible. I missed that crucial part, Jake. All these years I’ve believed that I could never have another child and it wasn’t true … it wasn’t true!’
‘What about the part that says you might not be able to carry the child full term? As wonderful—as beyond wonderful—as this news is, I don’t want you risking your life to have another baby, Ailsa. Just the thought I could lose you makes me go cold.’
‘I’m not going to risk my life, I promise. I’ll see a doctor as soon as possible. I’ll have all the checks, I’ll do everything I can to maximise my chances of having a healthy baby and a safe delivery. What do you say to that?’
She anxiously held her breath when Jake didn’t immediately reply.
‘Do you think it’s too soon?’ she asked. ‘Do you think we should wait until we’ve been together for a while again … before we have another baby, I mean?’
Just when she thought he might believe just that, his sculpted lips formed the most dazzling, heartrending smile. ‘Okay. Okay, this is really happening, isn’t it? Tomorrow I’ll take the day off and we’ll make an appointment with the best damn obstetrician I can find. You’ll have the best care—the best treatment that money can buy. And I don’t think we should wait to have another baby until we’ve been together for a while … are you crazy? Dear God, Ailsa … what did I ever do to deserve a miracle such as this?’
Pulling her into his arms again, this time Jake held her as if he never wanted to let her go, and in her mind she told herself that, whatever happened, everything would be all right. It would be all right because she was with the man she loved—this time for good. Whatever fate had in store for them they would face it bravely, hopefully and together—united as one …
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.
All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II BV/S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
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First published in Great Britain 2011
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Maggie Cox 2011
ISBN: 978-1-408-92615-4
Table of Contents
Cover
Excerpt
About the Author
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Copyright