Family practice was so much broader than any other specialty. She got to see a little of everything and she loved it—from young people to old, from runny noses to lumps and bumps. More than anything she got to spend more time with her patients and follow through on their care. It was a better fit than she could ever have imagined.
She smiled and straightened her flowery summer dress before joining the family at the front.
The ceremony was over quickly. The family gave thanks and Jonas was officially named, with Callie and Sawyer the proud godparents.
Just when she thought it was time to head for the buffet lunch, Alison turned to face her friends and colleagues. “If you’ll just give me a few more minutes.” She waited for people to settle back into their seats.
She smiled at Sawyer and Callie. “Most of you will know how I met Jonas’s godparents. And I’m delighted that they agreed to take the role today and join us in this beautiful location.”
She paused, before giving Callie a knowing smile. “And it seems such a waste to let this be over so quickly.” Then, in the blink of an eye, she sat back down.
Callie was stunned. Had she missed something? What had just happened? Was that it? Were they supposed to head off to the beautifully decorated buffet tables for lunch?
A glass was pressed into her hand, the cold condensation quickly capturing her attention. Sawyer was grinning at her. She took a quick sip. Champagne with a strawberry at the bottom. Delicious.
She watched as waiters appeared and passed glasses to all the guests. How nice. Had Sawyer arranged this to drink a toast to the baby?
He straightened up and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for stealing Alison’s thunder, but she gave me a severe talking to a few weeks ago.” He gave her a little nod. “About not wasting time.”
Callie felt her heart start to flutter in her chest. No. He couldn’t be.
But he was. He’d dropped to one knee.
“Callie Turner, I’ve only known you for twelve months. And it’s official—you drive me crazy.”
The guests started to laugh.
“I’ve never met anyone who can burn mac n’ cheese like you can. Or who can take up an entire closet with shoes.”
She felt herself blush. Maybe she had gone a little overboard in making him build her a special shoes closet, particularly when she wasn’t wearing any right now.
“But what I’ve realized in this life is that when you find someone who makes your heart sing like you do, who makes you think about everything that you do, and who you don’t want to spend a day without, then you should never let them go.” His pale green eyes met hers and she could see his sincerity.
“Callie, when I met you I thought I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I couldn’t believe I was so unlucky to come across an infectious disease and be stuck in the middle of it all again.” He shook his head. “I didn’t know how wrong I was.”
“I’d been stuck in the wrong place and the wrong time for the last six years. This time—for once in my life—I was in the right place at the right time. Because it’s where I met you.”
The crowd gave a little sigh.
“Callie, the whole world knows that I love you. I want you to be the first thing I see every morning and the last thing I see every night. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
He’d opened a small box and a beautiful solitaire diamond glistened in the sun.
She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t say anything. She was too stunned.
Sawyer, the man who couldn’t plan anything, had completely and utterly sideswiped her.
“I can read your mind, I know this isn’t in the plan, honey, but do you think you can say something? I’m getting a cramp down here.” Beads of sweat were breaking out on his forehead.
He was nervous.
For the first time since she’d known him Sawyer was nervous. It was kind of cute. But she didn’t want to prolong his agony. She didn’t want to panic the man she loved.
And she didn’t want to give him a chance to change his mind.
She bent down and didn’t hesitate. “How about a yes,” she whispered.
“Yes!”
He swept his arms around her waist and swung her round.
She was laughing and he was squeezing the breath out of her with his enthusiastic grip. “Wait a minute, there’s one condition.”
He settled her feet back on the sand and slid the diamond ring onto her finger. “Anything, honey, you name it. Your wish is my command.” He gave her a low bow.
She smiled. Plans could work both ways. “Well...” she ran her finger down his cheek “...since you made such good plans for today, I’m thinking that maybe you should be in charge of the wedding plans too.”
His face dropped instantly then he tried to recover with a nervous smile. “If that’s what you want, honey.”
She reached up for him again and planted her lips on his. “Perfect.”
* * * * *
ABOUT THAT NIGHT…
Scarlet Wilson
That night…
When Dr. Evan Hunter had no resistance to Dr. Violet Connelly in her silver dress and spiked heels…
That night…
When her kiss made him forget he was her boss, and the consequences of his actions…
And the next day…
It was as if nothing had ever happened. Because nothing could happen between them. Ever.
Until they are sent to Africa on a vaccination campaign together, where the hot climate and the less than ideal sleeping arrangements make working together difficult—and forgetting that night impossible!
Dear Reader,
This is the second story in my duet, Rebels with a Cause, set around my Disease Prevention Agency. This story looks at another aspect of the DPA and their international role in the fight against polio—a disease that is the subject of a global eradication program.
Violet Connelly has her own reasons for wanting to be part of the program. After hiding away for the past three years at a desk job, she feels the time is right to get back out there. Evan Hunter isn’t so sure. He’s already worked with Violet in the DPA and knows she’s hiding something. But is here, the heart of Africa, the place to find out what’s been stopping her from forming relationships with those around her and, more importantly, him?
There are some serious issues at the center of this story. Stillbirth is a very sensitive issue—particularly for Violet, as her circumstances mean she hasn’t shared with her family what has happened to her. And Evan already has issues with Violet’s brother.
r /> The bad blood between Evan and Sawyer is one of the key linking elements of these stories. Evan was in charge of the mission where Sawyer’s wife died. Neither of them has ever spoken about it, but now, with Violet at the heart of things, it’s time for them to resolve their issues.
Because—as we all know in the world of Harlequin®—everyone deserves a happy-ever-after!
Please feel free to contact me via my website, www.scarlet-wilson.com, and let me know what you think of these stories. I love to hear from readers!
Scarlet
Praise for Scarlet Wilson
“Stirring, emotional and wonderfully absorbing, It Started with a Pregnancy is an impressive debut novel from a fabulous new voice in category romance: Scarlet Wilson!”
—www.Cataromance.com on It Started with a Pregnancy
“Scarlet Wilson continues to get better with every book she writes! West Wing to Maternity Wing is a tender, poignant and highly affecting romance that is sure to bring a tear to your eye. With her gift for creating wonderful characters, her ability to handle delicately and compassionately sensitive issues and her talent for writing believable, emotional and spellbinding romance, the talented Scarlet Wilson continues to prove to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary romantic fiction!”
—www.Cataromance.com on West Wing to Maternity Wing
In my late teens and early twenties I had the most fabulous group of friends. We’ve all grown older, maybe a little wiser, and families and continents keep us apart.
So, to the nights in the Metro, Sullivans, Club de Mar and Ayr Beach Promenade with Julie Paton, Gillian Lapsley, Joyce Kane, Jaki Lynch, Shona Kennedy and Marianne Stevenson. I’ve never laughed so much. Whose turn is it to drive?
And to @stephenfry, @justinpollard and the lovely elves at QI who gave me sleeping sickness just when I needed it!