Bride for Glenmore (15 page)

He opened his mouth and she plunged on, afraid to let him speak in case he said something that she couldn’t bear to hear.

‘Or is it the people?’ she said, finally standing still and daring to look at him. He was unnaturally still as he watched her, his eyes fixed on her face. ‘It’s true that everyone on this island is interested in everyone else, but that’s because we’re a community. We’re not just a bunch of faceless individuals living isolated lives that never interconnect. We
care,
Ethan. We care in a way that you’re never going to find in a city. We mind what happens to people. We care about each other and we care about you. I care about you. I love you, actually—’ Suddenly awkward and embarrassed, she broke off, suddenly wishing she’d been born with some of his natural reticence because she knew that she’d given away far too much. She’d given away everything.

But then she decided that he’d probably guessed anyway, and remembered Evanna’s words.

Pride isn’t going to keep you warm on those long winter nights, Kyla.

He rose to his feet and walked round the desk towards her, and she felt the steady, rhythmic bump of her heart against her chest.

‘You love me?’ His voice was deep and she felt herself backing away.

‘Yes, but that doesn’t have to be a problem. You can stay on the island and not have a relationship with me. We could—’

‘Can we start from the beginning? What makes you think I’m leaving?’

‘Something Aisla just said, about your post only ever being temporary. I know that this island is different to everything you’re used to. I know that you’re used to living your life very much on your own. You say it’s the only way you know, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a different way if you want to. Catherine did it.’

‘Kyla—’

‘You
feel
it, I know you do. The magic of this place. I’ve seen your face when you run on the sand in the morning. I’ve seen the tension melt away from you when you breathe in the sea air. I
know
you love it here. And you care about the patients. You cared enough to dangle off the end of a rope to save a little boy from a dark dungeon.’

He brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her hard.

Her head spun, her knees sagged and she gave a little murmur of shock as his hands slid into her hair and he held her firmly, exploring her mouth with feverish intent.

When he finally lifted his head she blinked and tried to focus. ‘That isn’t fair. You shouldn’t do that when I’m trying to concentrate. W-why did you do that?’

‘I was showing you that I care about the inhabitants of the island.’

She swallowed hard, her hands still clutching the jacket of his suit for support. ‘I’m just one inhabitant.’

‘But the most important one,’ he said softly, the hint of a smile touching his mouth as he studied her face. ‘I had no idea that you loved me. That changes a lot of things.’

‘You didn’t know?’ She felt her cheeks colour. ‘You think I strip naked in the ruins of the castle for every man?’

‘I certainly hope not.’ He stroked his fingers through her hair. ‘But I thought the fact that I kept a secret from you damaged what we had.’

‘I was angry with you and hurt that you didn’t trust me.’

He drew in a breath and his eyes narrowed questioningly. ‘And now? How do you feel now?’

‘Now I just feel miserable that you’re leaving.’

He released her then and walked over to the window, staring out across the fields that stretched from Logan’s house towards the sea. ‘When I first arrived here, I wasn’t even sure why I’d come. It was too late for Catherine and me, but I suppose a part of me wanted to identify the last few pieces of the puzzle. I wanted to understand what it was that had changed her and now I do, because it’s changed me, too. This place restores your faith in humanity. This place doesn’t allow selfishness because it’s all about sharing. The island only works because people share.’

‘I think that’s what Catherine discovered. She said that she suddenly felt as though she belonged somewhere.’

‘Yes.’ He turned to look at her and her heart pounded.

‘I thought you were going to walk away from me,’ she whispered, trapped by the look in his eyes. ‘I thought you were going to walk away from what we have.’

‘Never.’

‘But—’

He walked towards her and put a hand over her lips, humour dancing in his eyes. ‘I think when we’re married I’m going to have to gag you for part of the day or I’ll never get a chance to speak and then you’ll accuse me of being hopeless at communicating.’

Her heart almost stopped and she wanted to ask him to repeat what he’d just said, but his fingers were still covering her mouth so she was only able to make a ‘mmm’ sound.

His fingers brushed her lips. ‘You’re right that I love Glenmore island. You’re right that I love sea breezes and soft sand. You’re right that I love to swim in the ocean, and it’s certainly true that there’s more than enough of a medical challenge here to keep me satisfied. And, of course, I love Kirsty and want to watch her grow up. But none of those are the reasons that I’ll be staying here.’ His gaze was gentle. ‘I’ll be staying here because of you. Because I love you, Kyla. I love everything about you. I love your warmth and generosity and the way you care for everyone. I love your slightly wicked streak and the way you love your family. And I want to be part of that family.’

He moved his hand from her mouth and looked at her expectantly, but now that he’d given her the opportunity to speak she discovered that the words were stuck behind the giant lump in her throat.

‘Kyla?’ His gentle prompt made her open her mouth and croak something incoherent.

‘I didn’t— You said…’

He lifted an eyebrow. ‘I said?’

‘A few sentences ago you mentioned…’

‘I mentioned…?’

‘Marriage.’

‘Yes, I did.’ He looked around his consulting room and rolled his eyes. ‘I’m thirty-two years old and when I finally propose to a woman we’re surrounded by medical equipment.’

‘I don’t care about the surroundings,’ she murmured, hardly daring to believe what was happening. ‘I haven’t even noticed them.’

‘Good. So is the answer yes?’

‘You came here to find Kirsty—’

‘I came here because I was drawn by the letter that Catherine wrote. Because I wanted to see this place.’ His ran a finger over her cheek. ‘But I’m staying because of you.’

‘You’re staying on the island?’

‘It’s going to be hard to be married to you if I don’t,’ he drawled softly, ‘because it’s obvious to everyone that this is the place you were meant to be. And, anyway, we have a responsibility to the community to have lots of sex.’

She gave a gasp of shock and glanced towards the door, but it remind firmly closed. ‘Ethan!’

‘Stop looking scandalised. You were the one who told me that the population has a duty to have plenty of sex and produce lots of children.’

She started to laugh. ‘Yes, but—’

‘If you’re worried about the school closing, we’d better get cracking. If we start now we can have a child in every class right the way through primary school.’

‘Ann Carne would have an asthma attack if they were all little versions of me.’

‘But their daddy would be delighted. I can’t think of anything better than living my life surrounded by ten little versions of you.’ He bent his head and kissed her. ‘I love you. And I’m looking forward to populating the island with you. Just say the word and we’ll start straight away.’

‘Ten? I don’t think we’ll be having ten.’ She wrapped her arms round his neck, unable to control the happiness that bubbled up inside her. ‘I can’t believe you mean this. We’re so different. You don’t say much. Oh, Ethan!’

‘I’ll try and say more,’ Ethan murmured against her lips with a smile in his eyes, ‘providing you’re silent for long enough for me to speak. Is it a deal?’

She loved the feel of his arms around her. ‘Do you think you’ll be able to stand living here, surrounded by islanders who want to know what you ate for breakfast and a big noisy family who frequently turn up to eat that breakfast with you?’

The smile in his eyes faded. ‘The answer to your question is yes. But you haven’t answered
my
question yet. Will you marry me?’

‘Yes.’ Her voice was soft as she reached up and kissed him. ‘Of course.’

ISBN: 978-1-4268-7880-0

A BRIDE FOR GLENMORE

First North American Publication 2007

Copyright © 2007 by Sarah Morgan

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.

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.

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