Polly was standing by the fireplace when Elliot went into the sitting room. Her head was bowed and the expression on her face made his stomach churn. It was obvious that she was having second thoughts and he knew what about too. Oh, maybe she had meant to be kind, but she should never have told Joseph that and led him to think that she wanted to be part of his life. Elliot felt a rush of anger seize him. She should never have led him to believe that she wanted to be part of his life either!
‘I hope you’re pleased with yourself,’ he snapped, trying to contain the agony he felt. Somewhere along the line he had started to dream about the future and it had been a huge mistake.
‘I beg your pardon?’ She turned to face him and he felt himself waver when he saw the pain in her eyes. However, he couldn’t afford to worry about her feelings when it was Joseph who mattered.
‘What you told Joseph just now was completely out of order. How dare you let him think that you really care?’
‘How dare I?’ She rounded on him in fury. ‘How dare you, you mean. I told him the truth and if you don’t like it then there’s not a lot I can do. It’s not my fault if you’ve got a massive hang-up about women, Elliot. It isn’t my fault either that Joseph’s mother ran out on you. I’m sorrier than I can say that your ex-wife hurt you, Elliot, but you must know by now that I am nothing like her!’
‘No. You’re not.’ Elliot felt a huge great wave of relief wash over him. All of a sudden all those doubts he’d had seemed pitiful. Polly was right because he had allowed past events to influence his thinking. He took a step towards her, seeing the wariness on her face and he understood why. They’d had their differences ever since they had met, but now it was time they faced up to how they really felt. He smiled to himself. Polly was as guilty as him in her own way. She too had tried to hide her real feelings, but that was about to change if he had anything to do with it.
‘You’re not like any woman I’ve ever met.’ He touched her cheek, his breath catching when he felt the softness of her skin. It took a massive effort of will not to let himself be side-tracked. ‘You’re brave and strong and loving and caring and I adore you, even though it’s giving me hot and cold chills to admit. I’m sorry I said what I did just now. I was scared because I can’t bear the thought of Joseph getting hurt.’
‘I would never hurt him.’ She looked into his eyes and he shuddered when he saw the conviction in her gaze. ‘I would never hurt you either, Elliot. I love you both far too much to risk hurting you.’
‘Oh, Polly!’
The rest of what he’d been about to say got swept away as she stepped into his arms. Elliot held her close, held her as though he would never let her go again. He couldn’t remember feeling like this before, safe and completely secure, and it overwhelmed him. He bent and kissed her, letting his lips say everything he couldn’t put into words. He’d had so little practice at expressing his feelings but it didn’t seem to matter: Polly understood everything he was trying to say. There were tears on both their faces when they broke apart but they were tears of joy and relief and he wasn’t ashamed of them. He wanted her to know how deeply he felt about her, about them, about their future together.
‘I love you, my darling, and I want us to be together for ever if it’s what you want,’ he whispered, holding her close so that he could feel her heart beating in time with his.
‘It is.’ She kissed him gently on the mouth then sighed. ‘Oh, I know some folk will think it’s far too soon to be starting another relationship, but this is what I want. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.’
‘Not even your fiancé?’ he asked, because he had to know.
‘No.’ She took his hand and led him to the sofa, nestling her head on his shoulder when they sat down. ‘My feelings for Martin were based on what happened in the past. My parents died when I was twelve, you see, and my brother and I went to live with Martin and his parents. It was a huge upheaval, not only losing my parents but leaving everything I knew. I think that was the reason I agreed to marry him. He represented security and familiarity, and they were things I was desperate to hold on to. However, I was never really in love with him.’
‘So you aren’t pining to get back with him?’ Elliot said, his head spinning.
‘No.’ She laughed softly. ‘When I told you that I felt guilty it was because I was afraid that you would regret it if we’d carried on kissing. It had nothing to do with Martin.’
‘How could I have got it so wrong?’ He shook his head. ‘I thought you were still in love with him and that you were on the rebound.’
‘I know. But you were completely wrong. I care about Martin as a friend but I’m not in love with him—I never was. I know that now.’
‘Because you love me?’ he said, holding his breath.
‘Yes.’ She kissed him gently then drew back and he could see the sudden fear in her eyes. ‘You said just now that you love me, but do you? Really? It wasn’t just gratitude that made you say that because I’d found Joseph?’
‘No. You can put that idea right out of your head.’ He kissed her lingeringly and would have loved to carry on kissing her, only they needed to get everything straight before they went any further. The thought of what ‘further’ might entail made his heart race and he hurried on. ‘I love you, Polly, and it’s not just because you brought Joseph back home, although that’s part of it in a way.’ He took her face between his hands so that there would be no doubt about what he was saying. ‘It’s typical that you would risk your life to rescue him from the river. It’s part and parcel of who you are, another reason why I fell in love with you. You’re not only beautiful but you’re brave and kind and…’
‘Stop! I’ll get a swelled head if you carry on showering me with compliments,’ she protested, and he laughed.
‘No way. It’s not in your nature. I’m just trying to make sure you understand that I love everything about you. It’s what makes you so special.’
‘And what about Joseph’s mother? Are you really over her?’
‘I was over her a long time ago. Any feelings I’d had for her quickly died after we were married.’ He sighed. ‘I was ready to ask her for a divorce when she discovered she was pregnant. That’s why we stayed together—for the sake of the baby.’
‘I see. It must have been difficult.’
‘As I told you, it was, especially when we found out that Joseph had spina bifida. I only wish I’d kept a closer eye on her from the start of the pregnancy.’
‘What do you mean?’ Polly asked, frowning.
‘Marianna was very vain. I had no idea that she wasn’t taking the folic acid supplement her consultant had prescribed for her. She’d got some crazy idea into her head that it was causing her to put on extra weight—complete rubbish that she’d read online. I’ve always wondered if Joseph would have been born with his disability if I’d kept track of what she was doing.’ He sighed. ‘I’ve always felt guilty about it.’
‘There was no way you could have forced her to take the supplement,’ Polly protested. ‘And no guarantee it would have changed anything either.’
‘Do you really believe that?’
‘Yes, I do. Joseph is Joseph and he’s a brilliant little boy, so be proud of him.’
‘Oh, I am!’ He hugged her, loving the fact that she had made him feel so much better with just a few words of reassurance. ‘Anyway, what happened with Marianna obviously had a big influence on my life. I swore I wouldn’t get involved with anyone again, not when it could mean risking Joseph’s happiness as well.’
‘So it wasn’t because you were still in love with his mother? I saw that photo in your study…’ She broke off and he grimaced.
‘That’s there purely so Joseph could see what his mother looked like, no other reason. Even though she doesn’t play any role in his life, I think it’s important that he knows who
she is.’ He pulled her into his arms. ‘There’s only one woman I love, even though she has led me a merry dance these past few weeks.’
‘Hmm, I think I prefer it when you’re showering me with compliments,’ she murmured then stopped when his mouth found hers. She sighed in contentment when he raised his head. ‘Looks like I might not be leaving after all.’
‘Leaving?’ he echoed. ‘Leaving Beesdale, do you mean?’
‘Uh-huh. I had an interview today, as it happens. In Cumbria. They seemed quite keen.’
‘You’re not going to take it, are you?’ he demanded.
‘That depends.’
‘On what?’
‘You.’ She looked into his eyes and smiled. ‘Do you want to show me how much you want me to stay, Elliot?’
‘More than anything!’
Three months later…
‘It should be me leaving, not you.’
‘No, it shouldn’t. Stop worrying, I’ll be fine at Beth’s.’
Reaching up, Polly kissed him on the mouth, feeling excitement coursing through her. In just over twelve hours’ time she and Elliot were getting married. His proposal had come out of the blue but she’d had no hesitation about accepting it. The past three months while they had been living together had proved that their relationship was going to last and now it was time to show everyone else that it would last too.
‘Have I told you how much I love you?’ he murmured, pulling her into his arms and kissing the tip of her nose.
‘Hmm, I’m not sure.’ She pretended to think then laughed when he picked her up and spun her round. ‘OK, OK! You did happen to mention it, as I recall.’
‘Too right I did, Miss Davies,’ he growled. He kissed her again then drew back and stared at her. ‘I hope you’re going to pay a lot more attention when you’re Mrs Grey.’
‘I’ll try, although I can’t promise anything, you understand.’ She smiled up at him, marvelling at the transformation that had taken place over the last few months. Elliot was no longer afraid to show his feelings, telling her how much he loved her at each and every opportunity. The fact that he felt so comfortable doing so proved he was completely over what had happened in the past. He trusted her and knew she would never let him down. He was her whole world, him and Joseph, although there would be a small but significant change to their circumstances in the not too distant future. All of a sudden Polly knew that she couldn’t keep it a secret any longer. She wanted to share it with him so that when they stood before the altar tomorrow they would both know what they had to look forward to.
‘You know I was feeling sick the other day,’ she began.
‘After you’d eaten that prawn sandwich,’ Elliot interjected.
‘Yes. Only I don’t think it was the sandwich, after all.’
‘No? So what was it?’
‘I’ll give you a clue.’ She dipped her hand into her pocket and handed him what looked like a plastic stick. Elliot stared at it for a moment before his head lifted and she saw the shock on his face.
‘You don’t mean that you’re…?’
‘Yes! Congratulations, darling. You’re going to be a father again!’
‘I don’t know what to say,’ he began then stopped and swept her into his arms. ‘This is the best news ever!’
‘So you’re pleased then?’ she teased him because it was blatantly obvious how he felt.
‘Pleased, delighted, thrilled—every one of those and more.’ He kissed her hungrily and his face was alight with happiness when he drew back. ‘You’ve given me so much, my love, and now this. I couldn’t be happier.’
‘Neither could I,’ she whispered. She drew back and frowned. ‘I hope Joseph is pleased when he finds out.’
‘Of course he will be.’ Elliot grinned. ‘He’s been dropping hints about how much fun it would be to have a little brother or sister.’
‘Really? He’s never said anything to me.’
‘That’s because I told him not to.’ Elliot chuckled. ‘I didn’t want to scare you away by thinking you had to fulfil his request. I know how much you love him.’
‘I do. Just as I’m going to love this new little addition to our family.’ She kissed him softly then stepped back. ‘Now, it’s time I left. I’ll see you and Joseph tomorrow in church. He is going to make a brilliant best man.’
‘He is. He’s so excited about it too. Just like me, in fact. I can’t wait to put my ring on your finger and know that you’re mine for ever and always.’
‘Neither can I.’ She smiled, loving him with every fibre of her being. ‘One thing’s certain. This wedding is definitely going to take place!’
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781488020759
Bride for the Single Dad
Copyright © 2017 by Jennifer Taylor
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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ISBN-13: 9781488022142
Copyright © 2017 Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
One Night That Changed Her Life
Copyright © 2017 by Emily Forbes
The Prince’s Cinderella Bride
Copyright © 2017 by Amalie Berlin
Bride for the Single Dad
Copyright © 2017 by Jennifer Taylor
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All 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 incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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Midwife's Longed-for Baby & the Prince's Cinderella Bride & Bride for the Single Dad (9781488022142) Page 49