Suddenly she felt at ease with this man whose life had hung so precariously this very afternoon, and with the heat of his skin against hers came the reinforcement of his survival. The satisfaction grew that this Ben was here, safe and solidly warm against her, and the other world outside the house seemed a million miles away.
He turned and dropped a gentle kiss, warm and fleeting, on her lips. It was over before she could begin to avoid it—unlike the impact. Her lips seemed to vibrate with the memory, and she mashed them together as if to blot the imprint out, because the thrumming continued in decreasing waves.
She felt suspended in time and his voice floated over her. ‘Thank you for saving my life, Misty.’ She could do nothing but stare back at him. His eyes were as blue as the sea he’d come from, and his gaze roamed her face at will. She could feel the heat beneath her skin under his scrutiny, and suddenly there was a clawing tumble of unbidden thoughts.
Fiona McArthur brings you a fabulous new trilogy…
LYREBIRD LAKE MATERNITY
Every day brings a miracle…
It’s time for these midwives to become mothers themselves!
Previously we met single mum Montana Browne in…
THE MIDWIFE’S LITTLE MIRACLE
Now meet Misty Buchanan in…
THE MIDWIFE’S NEW-FOUND FAMILY
Lyrebird Lake is famous for bringing people together. Single dad doctor Ben is ready to claim Misty as his own—she’ll be the perfect mother and bride!
Look out for Mia’s story, coming soon in Medical™ Romance
A mother to five sons, Fiona McArthur is an Australian midwife who loves to write. Medical™ Romance gives Fiona the scope to write about all the wonderful aspects of adventure, romance, medicine and midwifery that she feels so passionate about—as well as an excuse to travel! Now that her boys are older, Fiona and her husband Ian are off to meet new people, see new places, and have wonderful adventures. Fiona’s website is at www.fionamcarthur.com
Recent titles by the same author:
THE MIDWIFE’S LITTLE MIRACLE
Lyrebird Lake Maternity THE MIDWIFE’S BABY THEIR SPECIAL-CARE BABY THE SURGEON’S SPECIAL GIFT THE DOCTOR’S SURPRISE BRIDE
THE MIDWIFE’S NEW-FOUND FAMILY
BY
FIONA McARTHUR
To midwives and mothers everywhere.
You continue to inspire me.
CHAPTER ONE
OUT of the mist she saw a man and a circle of shells.
Misty Buchanan knew it was the future and not a dream because she’d come to recognise the difference over the years. She hadn’t expected a premonition while beach fishing on this deserted coastline because she’d been so caught up in the pleasure of the salty breeze in her face.
Her sight shimmered and dimmed and she accepted she had no choice but to watch as she closed her eyes …
He balanced on a jumbled spit of rocks beside some seagulls, and even in the haze of time his torso looked spectacular against the backdrop of the ocean as he cradled the bird against him to unwind the twine. She couldn’t see his face but there was something about his concern for the tangled gull that felt familiar on a different level.
When Misty had been younger it had frightened her to see people and situations with such clarity with her eyes shut, but now she accepted it as part of her life, albeit a small part, for only rarely did the future affect her present.
Though this gift brought responsibility with it and her heart thumped with the double-edged sword of what could be revealed.
The bird in his hand was suddenly free and he stepped back out of the way.
Misty frowned as she lost the sight and then the mists cleared again. She drew her breath in sharply.
His head smashed against the rocks as he fell and then his body rolled into a green wave to float without direction away from the rocks.
The vision dissipated and she knew it was useless to attempt to retrieve it. She had been shown all she would be.
Misty spun and her fingers clenched on her beach rod and bucket as she raced towards her Jeep. Once there she tossed them into the back haphazardly as her gaze scanned the distance for clues.
The Southern Queensland beach stretched for miles both ways and each ended with a rocky outcrop into the ocean.
In the distance a flock of gulls soared above a tall white lighthouse that overlooked the water like a guardian.
The visions never came without the opportunity to somehow influence the course of events so she’d have to trust to instinct as she slewed the vehicle with reckless speed through the sand towards the lighthouse.
Misty’s vehicle slid to a halt and she threw open her door. She grabbed the boogie board she kept for belly surfing and the hot sand squeaked in protest as she tore across the beach and onto the grainy boulders of the outcrop. All she could do was pray this was the correct headland.
Her stomach plummeted as she gazed into the choppy green water between the swells. Nothing. It had to be the wrong headland!
As she turned to race back to the car her final glance caught the roll of a long brown arm and then she saw his lifeless body as he slid face down along the back of a wave.
‘Help,’ she muttered unhappily as she looked at the rocks that broke the swells as they drove in.
‘Big breath,’ she encouraged herself out loud, then scrambled inelegantly to the water’s edge and dived into the next wave with the board under her. Her breath sucked in as the cold water splashed around her and dormant resuscitation drills pounded into her mind as she paddled furiously towards her target.
The occasional swell washed over her face and she spat out salty water as she tried to calculate how long he would have been unconscious.
That first touch when she grasped his arm gave her a rush of relief that at least she’d made it out to him. His skin was warm even in the water and she heaved his arm and shoulder over until he rolled half over the board and she could tread water beside him. By default his head rose from the water. She sank below the surface to push his other armpit onto the boogie board and his weight came off her so she could rest.
‘Hello. Wake up. Open your eyes.’ But there was no response when she shook his arm. Twice she blew into his cold lips and twice he didn’t respond.
Another wave washed over both of them, She needed to get him to shore. ‘Stay with me, friend,’ she urged into his ear as she dragged the board around to face the beach. She steered him sideways away from the rocks as the desperate urgency of his condition propelled her through the water faster than she would have dreamed possible.
Twice more she blew into his mouth between swells and then a larger swell closed in on them and she angled the board so that they were lifted swiftly towards the beach. Another big swell carried them until a sudden wave swept them forward and tumbled them in an ungainly pile in the shallow water. She spat out seawater as she twisted on her