And right now her body was telling her she needed to move. She pushed herself to her feet as Jack came back into the cabin. A warm gush of liquid flowed down her thighs as she straightened up.
‘Oh, blast!’
At her yelp he came instantly to her side, his face sharp with concern. ‘What’s wrong? Should you be standing?’
‘My waters have just broken.’
She heard him swallow. ‘So the baby’s coming right now?’
‘Not this very minute, but soon, I think.’ She smiled at him, but he didn’t return it.
‘Let me help you sit. Should you lie down?’ He tried to turn her back towards the bed.
‘I’m fine, Jack.’ She reached up to touch his face. ‘Jack. Darling, I’m fine. I need to stand just now, maybe move around a bit.’
‘Oh. Okay.’ He ran a hand through his hair and suddenly looked a little lost. ‘What can I do?’
‘Help me change out of these wet clothes, please, darling.’
She looked down on his dark head as he bent to strip off her damp leggings then wipe the moisture from her legs with a towel. The tenderness of his intimate care melted her heart.
She reached out and touched the exposed nape of his neck.
He looked up, his eyes meeting hers for a long, silent moment.
‘Thank you for coming to find me.’
‘I had to, Liz,’ he said, rising to his feet and taking her in his arms, one hand resting on her belly. ‘I knew you needed me.’
‘I do need you. Always.’ She rested her head on his shoulder, rejoicing in the strength and comfort he gave her.
‘I’ve got a flannelette shirt in my kit that’ll keep you warm.’
After he’d helped her into the roomy garment, she rolled the sleeves up and tied the front ends together above her bulge.
‘The latest in delivery-suite fashion.’
‘You look stunning.’
‘Oh, sure.’
‘I’ve never meant anything more in my life, darling.’ He kissed her hard. ‘Okay, what’s next?’
An hour and a half later Liz watched as Emma Elizabeth Campbell made her entrance into the world straight into Jack’s strong, sure hands. He lifted the baby reverently to place her on Liz’s stomach.
‘She’s beautiful.’ His husky voice was filled with the same wonder that Liz felt.
‘Yes, she is, isn’t she?’ She stroked her daughter’s cheek, smiling when the baby turned her head, her little mouth making sucking motions. ‘I think she’s hungry.’
‘I guess being born is hard work,’ he said in hushed tones.
As she manoeuvred Emma’s mouth to her nipple, Liz heard him draw in a sharp breath. She looked up to see his eyes glistening with moisture, his throat working. ‘Darling? What’s wrong?’
‘I’m—I’m a dad.’ When he met her gaze his was dark and intense. ‘I want to be a good dad.’
She felt her throat close on a hot lump of emotion. After all Jack had done for her here today, the thought that he had any doubts about himself was intolerable. She could help him, that was her choice, her responsibility. To make sure he knew he was a welcome part of Emma’s life always.
‘You will be a good father, darling. You already are. The very best. Thanks to you, our daughter arrived safely.’
‘That was you, sweetheart. You did an awesome job.’
‘We did an awesome job here today. I couldn’t have done it without your support. You never faltered, never thought we couldn’t do it.’
His eyes slid away from hers guiltily.
She laughed softly, the urge to cry receding slightly. ‘Well, you never let me see your doubts. You were strong when I needed you to be and that takes courage. You gave me the confidence to believe I could do this. We’re a great team.’
‘We are, aren’t we?’ He gave her his gorgeous cocky grin. ‘I love you.’
‘And I love you, Jack Campbell. Emma’s very lucky to have you.’ She smiled at him through fresh tears in her eyes. ‘And so am I.’
Jack’s lips came down to claim hers in a tender caress.
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 2009
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
Bride on the Children’s Ward © Anne Clark and Peter Clark 2009
Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way © Sharon Archer 2009
ISBN: 978-1-408-91216-4
Table of Contents
Cover Page
Excerpt
Title Page
Bride on the Children's Ward
About the Author
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way
About the Author
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Copyright
Bride on the Children's Ward / Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way Page 34
