“I guess they do. Well, I’d better mingle. Nice to meet you, Phoebe.”
“Bye.” Once again Ryan had proved that he was well liked and respected. So why didn’t he socialize with his colleagues?
A few minutes later the guests were called to dinner. On a table outside the room was a place card with Ryan’s name on it and a table number. He picked it up and led the way.
The room was stunning. Round tables with white tablecloths covering them to the floor filled it. Chairs were also covered in white with matching bows on the back. At the front of the room, facing the guests, was one long table for the bridal party.
By the time they arrived at their table, Isla and Darcie, the two women who had sat behind them during the ceremony, were already there. Ryan took the chair next to Darcie, and Phoebe sat on his other side. Another couple who knew Isla joined them and took the last seats. Everyone introduced themselves. Most of Phoebe’s time was spent talking to the woman beside her. Occasionally, someone across the table would ask a question but hearing was difficult with the amount of chatter in the room.
The bridal party was introduced and Sophia and Aiden took their places before the meal was served. The noise dropped as people ate.
“So, Phoebe,” Isla asked from directly across the table, “when’s your baby due?”
That was the most popular question of the evening. “In a couple of weeks.”
“Are you being seen in the MMU?”
“I am. Sophia was my midwife but she thought falling in love was more important.” Phoebe smiled.
“That does happen. Who’s following you now?”
“That would be me,” Ryan announced. There was a note of pride in his voice.
A hush came over the table. Phoebe didn’t miss the looks of shock on the two women’s faces. Was something wrong? She glanced at Ryan. It wasn’t a secret. Why should it be?
“Phoebe needed someone and I volunteered,” Ryan offered, as he picked up his water glass and took a sip.
Both women looked from him, then back to her and back again. Ryan didn’t seem fazed by their reaction.
Finally Isla said, “Ryan’s one of the best. You’ll be happy with his care.”
After they had eaten their meal, Ryan watched Phoebe make her way to the restroom. His attention was drawn away from her when Isla sat down in Phoebe’s place.
Isla leaned close and hissed, “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
He sat back, surprised by her aggression. “Doing?”
Darcie moved in from the other side, sandwiching him in. “You’re dating a patient!”
“I am not.”
“What do you call it when you bring the woman you’re going to deliver for to a wedding as your date?” Isla asked.
“I call it dating,” Darcie quipped.
“Look, Phoebe is the widow of a service buddy of mine. All I’m trying to do is be her friend. She doesn’t have anyone else.”
“That wasn’t a friendly arm around her at the ceremony. Or a friendly look just a second ago when she walked away,” Isla stated, as if she were giving a lecture to a first-year student.
“Or when you were looking at her as she fixed your tie,” Darcie added.
“You saw that?” Ryan was amazed. They had seen what he’d believed he’d been covering well—his attraction to Phoebe.
“Yes, we …” Darcie indicated her date “… went past you and you didn’t even see us, you were so engrossed.”
“I was not.”
“You can deny it all you want but I’m telling you what I saw. The point here is that you shouldn’t be dating a patient. It’s bad form and if someone wanted to make a big deal of it you might lose your job.” Isla looked around as if she was checking to see if anyone was listening.
Ryan chuckled. “You’re overreacting to two friends spending an evening together.”
“I still say you better be careful. You’re stepping over the line with this one,” Isla said.
Darcie nodded her agreement.
He leaned back and looked at one then the other. “Well, are either one of you going to report me?”
The two women looked at each other. Both shook their heads.
“Thank you. I asked Phoebe to come with me because she’s had a rough year, finding out her husband was killed and then that she was pregnant. This was her big night out before the baby comes. In any case, all of that about me delivering the baby will be a moot point in a few weeks. So, ladies, I appreciate your concern but I’m going to show Phoebe a pleasant evening and if that looks bad to you I’m sorry.”
They grinned at each other.
“You were right, Isla. He does care about her.” Darcie smirked.
Isla patted him on the shoulder. “Good luck.”
Ryan wasn’t sure what that meant but it was better than being reprimanded for something he didn’t believe was a problem.
Phoebe returned, and Isla moved back to her chair and kissed her husband on the cheek as she sat down. She smiled at Phoebe.
After Phoebe sat she leaned over and whispered, “Is everything all right?”
He took her hand beneath the table, gave it a squeeze and held it. “Everything is great.”
Dessert had been served by the time the bride and groom started around the room, greeting their guests. When they reached Phoebe and Ryan’s table Sophia hugged each person in turn until she worked her way to Ryan.
“Well, I’m glad to see you. I wasn’t sure you’d be here.”
Ryan hugged Sophia in return. “O ye of little faith.”
She laughed and turned to Phoebe. For a second there was a look of astonishment on Sophia’s face when she saw her but it soon disappeared. “Phoebe, I’m so glad to see you. I’d like you to meet my husband, Aiden.”
While Phoebe spoke to Aiden, Ryan didn’t miss the look that passed between Sophia, Isla and Darcie.
Did his feelings for Phoebe really show that much? They must if they were that obvious to the three women. How had he let it happen? He glanced at Phoebe. The devil of it was, he hadn’t. All it took was just being around Phoebe to make him care. And that he did far too much.
She giggled at something Sophia said. He wanted her too much. There was little that was professional about his feelings. How would she take it when he told her that he could no longer be her midwife?
The strains of an orchestra tuning up came from somewhere in the house.
Sophia’s father asked everyone to join them for dancing and a toast to the bride and groom in the solarium. Ryan took her hand as they made their way there. It was as if he didn’t want to break the contact with her. She didn’t want to, either.
Phoebe had been sure that what she’d already seen of the castle couldn’t be surpassed, but she’d been wrong. Two-thirds of the solarium consisted of glass walls and glass ceiling. It had turned dark and small lights above created a magical place.
Ryan directed her to one of the café-size tables stationed around the room. They sat and watched the bride and groom dance their first dance. The staff saw to it that everyone had a glass of champagne to toast the couple. Ryan smiled as he tapped her glass. Phoebe took the smallest sip and set the glass down. His joined hers on the table. The orchestra began to play again.
Ryan stood and offered his hand. “It’s time I made good on my promise. Would you care to dance?”
“Why, sir, I think I would.” Phoebe smiled at him and placed her hand in his.
“I’ll have to tell you that I’m not a very good dancer,” Ryan said, as he led her out on to the floor.
She laughed. “Have you looked at me lately? I’m not very graceful so I don’t think it’ll matter if you’re a good dancer or not.”
“Then I guess we’re the perfect match.”
Were they really?
Ryan took her into his arms, holding her close as they moved around the floor. He’d touched her before but had never put his arms completely around her. It was lovely to have him so close. He smelled like a
warm forest after a spring rain. She leaned in and inhaled. Wonderful.
The overhead lights were turned low and the tiny ones became more brilliant. They slowly swayed to the music. Did fairy tales really come true? Phoebe had no idea if they were with the beat or not. It didn’t matter. The next song was a faster one and they separated. She felt the loss of Ryan’s warmth immediately and her body waited impatiently to have it returned. Not allowing her to completely lose contact, he continued to hold one of her hands. As soon as the faster dance was over, he brought her back into his embrace. Her fingers rested on his shoulders and his found her waist. As they moved slowly, they looked into each other’s eyes. Something was occurring here that she’d never planned, never thought would happen. She was falling in love.
“Does dancing with me make you think of that game you might have played in gym class where you had to keep a ball between you and your partner without using your hands?”
He stopped moving. “How’s that?”
“Dancing with the baby between us.”
Ryan laughed. “I had skill at that game. Always won.” He pulled her closer. “You’re the best partner I’ve ever had.”
Her hand cupped his face. “You’re a nice guy.”
Ryan’s eyes grew intense and he cleared his throat. “It’s warm in here. Why don’t we go outside for a few minutes?”
She nodded. He led her through a half-hidden glass door that looked like part of the wall, onto a brick patio.
“It feels good out here.” Phoebe breathed in the cold evening air. The music from inside drifted around them. It was painfully romantic. Was Ryan feeling the same need?
“It does.” Ryan stood a couple of steps away, just out of touching distance.
She wanted his touch. Wanted to feel desired. It had been too long. Even with Joshua the last time she hadn’t felt desire. Sex had become more of an obligation, expectation than anything else. There should be more than that in a relationship. There was with Ryan. Would he think she was too forward if she reached for him?
A wide set of steps led to a pond below. Surrounding it was an extensive grassy area. The lights of the solarium reflected off the water, making the view even more dreamlike. Phoebe started down the steps.
“Where’re you going?” Ryan asked.
“I thought I’d stand in the garden and admire the solarium.” She was already watching the others dance when Ryan joined her.
“It reminds me of a carousel music box I once had as a child. As it played, horses with people riding them went by in shadow. It was like watching something magical. I could look at it for hours. I loved it,” she whispered, as much to herself as to him.
“You are a romantic.” He now stood close enough that his arm brushed hers as their fingers intertwined.
“Because I think there can be fairy tales?”
He didn’t say anything for a while. “I haven’t believed in fairy tales for a long time, but somehow when I’m around you they do seem possible.”
“I know you’ve lived through some horrible things you can’t seem to leave behind, but you need to know there’s good in life, too. Happy times that can replace the bad. Like this baby. Joshua is gone, yet in a way he’s bringing new life into the world. Something good for me.”
“Good can be hard to find.”
His fingers tightened. Phoebe glanced at him. He stood rigid, as if the discussion was painful for him. His gaze met hers and she said, “It can be. And it can come from unexpected places, too.”
“Like you?”
“I like to think so but I wasn’t talking about me so much as from friends and family. Finding people that matter to you. Letting them know they are important to you.”
“I can’t do that.”
She stepped closer, her body touching his. “I think you can. In fact, I know you can. You’ve been a friend to me these last few weeks.”
They continued to stand there, not saying a word. It wasn’t until the doors were opened wide by the Overnewton staff members that the spell was broken and they broke apart. The crowd poured out of the solarium and began lining up along the steps.
“I guess it’s time for Sophia and Aiden to leave,” Phoebe murmured.
“We should join everyone.” Ryan didn’t sound like he really wanted to. Had their conversation put a dampener on the evening? She would hate that to happen. Had she ever enjoyed a wedding more?
As they stood at the bottom of the steps, a gust of wind caught her shawl. She shivered and pulled it closer.
“You’re cold.” Ryan removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. It still held his body heat. His scent. She pulled it tighter around her.
Someone near passed them each a small container of bird seed. As Sophia and Aiden descended the steps they were showered with the seed for good luck. When they reached Phoebe and Ryan, Aiden whisked Sophia into his arms and carried her to a waiting car.
Phoebe looked down at her expanded middle. “I’d like to see someone whisk me up like that.”
Suddenly her feet were in the air and she was being held against a hard chest. “Oh.”
Her arms went around Ryan’s neck. He swung her around a few times. She giggled.
Ryan put her on her feet again. “I didn’t see it as a problem.”
As he smiled down at her, a tingle grew low within her from the warmth she saw in his eyes. She glanced around. Some of the crowd was watching them. She didn’t care. What she wanted was to help make Ryan see that fairy tales could come true. He had the biggest heart of anyone she knew, loyal, caring and generous. With a wicked sense of humor that only made her love him more. That’s what she felt. Love for him. She’d fallen under his spell. He wasn’t going to leave her. More than once he’d proved he’d be there when she needed him. She could depend on him.
Phoebe’s hands remained about his neck. She looked up into his eyes and smiled. “That was fun.”
“I think it’s time for us to go.” He looked down at her, his voice coming out soft and raspy.
Ryan walked Phoebe to her door. She’d been quiet on their drive home. Had she been thinking about those moments when they had looked into each other’s eyes? He’d known then there was no going back. He wanted her and she wanted him. It had been there in her crystal clear look of assurance.
As he’d pulled out onto the main road, he’d taken her hand and rested it on his thigh. She hadn’t resisted. For once she hadn’t fallen asleep during the drive. Had she been as keyed up as he’d been? He wanted her but he couldn’t lead her on. Have her believe there was more than just a physical attraction between them.
Her hand had remained in his the entire way back to Box Hill. She had asked for his help with her shoes when they’d arrived at his car. He had obliged. When they’d arrived at her house she’d stepped out of the car carrying them by two fingers.
They walked to her front porch. “It was a perfect evening, Ryan. Thank you so much for inviting me.”
“I’m glad you had a good time. Mine wouldn’t have been near as nice if you’d not gone with me.”
She fumbled with her purse.
“Hand those to me.” Ryan indicated the shoes. She found her keys and unlocked the door, pushing it open. Ryan followed her in.
“Would you like some coffee?” Phoebe dropped her shoes beside the door.
“I thought you didn’t drink coffee.”
She turned to look at him. “I don’t. I bought it for you.”
“Then, yes, I would.” It had been a long time since someone had bought anything especially for him. It meant she thought about him even when he wasn’t around. That idea he liked far too much.
He followed her to the kitchen. He leaned against the door frame and watched as Phoebe put a kettle of water on a burner. He was fascinated by the combination of her in a beautiful dress with bare feet, preparing coffee. There was something so domestic about the picture that it made him want to run as far away from there as he could get while at the same time it
pulled him in, making him wish for more, had him longing for someone special in his life.
Phoebe stood on her toes to reach the bag of coffee. Her dress rose enough that he had a view of the backs of her knees and thighs. An impulse to run a hand along all that skin and under her dress made his pants tighten. Heaven help him, he wanted her so badly. Right here, right now. The entire evening had been leading up to this moment. From the time he’d was on his knee, helping her put her shoes on, until now he’d known he had to have her.
He should walk away. Go out the door without a word said. The gentleman in him, the professional, screamed for him to leave. But he wouldn’t. The temptation to kiss her was too great. Unable to resist, he closed the small distance between them. Pushing her hair away, he kissed her neck. He pressed his front to her back, letting his desire be known. “I know what I agreed to, but I can’t stop myself. I want you.”
Before he could say more, she pushed back against him, gaining enough room to face him. She wrapped her hands around his waist and lifted her face. Her eyes were clear and confident. The quiver of her lips gave him a hint of what this boldness was costing her. Still, she was offering.
Slowly his mouth met hers.
A flood of disappointment went through him when she pulled away seconds later but quickly turned into a storm of longing as Phoebe’s lips met his again. They were soft and mobile. Small cushions of bliss. This was better than he remembered. He wanted more.
Ryan reached around her and turned off the burner, then pulled her closer. He brought his lips more fully against hers.
Phoebe’s hands moved to grip his biceps. She shifted, pressing her breasts to his chest.
The arousal he felt at the first touch of her lips grew, lengthened. Hardened. His mouth released hers and moved across her cheek. He left a trail of butterfly kisses on his way to the sweet spot behind her ear. Phoebe moaned, then tilted her head so that he could better reach her neck. She snuggled against him.
The desire to have her made his muscles draw tight. He wanted her here. Now. His hands caressed her back and settled low on her hips. He gathered her dress in his hands and pulled her against his throbbing need.
“Phoebe, you’ll have to stop us because I can’t,” he murmured as his mouth pressed down on hers, begging her for entrance.
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