Fiona McArthur - A Very Single Midwife

“So you’re never going to get involved with a man again?”

Bella shook her head vehemently. “I didn’t say that. I’m just not going to lose myself in the process. And if I find someone, then he’ll get a better bargain. Not some wimpy clinging vine.”

She smiled. “I was getting a bit serious there. Sorry.”

He shook his head and captured her chin in his hand. “You were telling me how you feel. And I’m privileged that you feel you can talk to me.” He let her go.

Their eyes met and there was silence for a moment as everything from the past seemed to shimmer between them. “I’ve always felt I could talk to you,” she said.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE Copyright ,

The MARRIAGE AND MATERNITY trilogy follows three dedicated and devoted sisters who believe that marriage and midwifery don’t mix, and acknowledge the important impact each sister has on her siblings’ life. After sharing more than a year with them, I feel as though the Wilson sisters are part of my own family. I wish they were.

In A Very Single Midwife, Bella Wilson is the beautiful sister and the one that everyone feels they have to take care of—especially Scott Rainford. When the worst happens, it is Bella who surprises everyone with her strength and determination not to break under the strain. Bella is for all the women who battle through soul-searing experiences and emerge stronger and even more beautiful. Scott needs to learn that even more difficult than staying away from Bella, is accepting that she knows best.

I hope you enjoy Bella and Scott’s story, and look out for the last story in the trilogy, The Pregnant Midwife, coming soon in Medical Romance™!

Very best wishes,

Fiona McArthur

A Very Single Midwife

Fiona McArthur

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Cover

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE Copyright , The MARRIAGE AND MATERNITY trilogy follows three dedicated and devoted sisters who believe that marriage and midwifery don’t mix, and acknowledge the important impact each sister has on her siblings’ life. After sharing more than a year with them, I feel as though the Wilson sisters are part of my own family. I wish they were. In A Very Single Midwife, Bella Wilson is the beautiful sister and the one that everyone feels they have to take care of—especially Scott Rainford. When the worst happens, it is Bella who surprises everyone with her strength and determination not to break under the strain. Bella is for all the women who battle through soul-searing experiences and emerge stronger and even more beautiful. Scott needs to learn that even more difficult than staying away from Bella, is accepting that she knows best. I hope you enjoy Bella and Scott’s story, and look out for the last story in the trilogy, The Pregnant Midwife, coming soon in Medical Romance™! Very best wishes, Fiona McArthur

Title Page A Very Single Midwife Fiona McArthur www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

Copyright

Friday

THE birthing suite was quiet as Bella Wilson refilled the cup for Abbey to scoop ice chips as she needed.

Bella glanced across at her brother-in-law, Rohan, as he gently stroked his wife’s back. Arched protectively around her on a low chair, his legs were either side of Abbey’s thighs as she perched upright on the big blue ball. She rocked and moaned softly with the strength of the contractions and Rohan winced in sympathy with the sound.

Her sister’s time was near. ‘I’ll ring Scott,’ Bella whispered, and Rohan nodded. Nobody else seemed to notice the tremor in Bella’s voice as she said it.

Although a very experienced midwife, Bella had chosen to be an onlooker at the time of birth rather than the person responsible for the safe arrival of the new Roberts baby. She wanted to see Abbey’s face, and Rohan’s, as her niece or nephew was born. She wanted to be a part of the whole experience and not just the mechanics of the birth. Scott should be the acchouchier.

Bella couldn’t think of anyone she trusted more than Scott Rainford, Gladstone Hospital’s Director of Obstetrics, to bring a baby into the world. Despite the fact there was still awkwardness between them, at least on Bella’s side.

When she returned from the phone, Abbey’s moans were a little louder and Bella went across to lay her hand on her sister’s shoulder. ‘It’s OK, you’re doing beautifully, nearly there.’

Abbey opened her eyes and stared at Bella as if to ground herself.

‘I think I want to push.’

Bella nodded. ‘Do what your body tells you to do.’ Both women, as midwives, smiled at the litany and then Abbey’s eyes widened as the feeling became stronger.

Rohan sat up straighter as he felt his wife tense with the change in sensation. ‘You OK, sweetheart?’

Abbey nodded and Rohan rested his hands on her shoulders as if to transfer energy from his body into hers as she began second stage. ‘I love you, Abbey,’ he said, and kissed her shoulder.

Bella turned away. The strength of the bond between Abbey and Rohan brought tears to her eyes. She’d thought she had her chance at being a part of someone like that once, but now she believed that type of relationship wasn’t for her. She could be strong on her own.

She heard the door open and there he was. The man who had once held her heart in his hands and let it go. Bella forced herself to meet Scott’s eyes and their glances clashed before she turned back to Abbey.

The next contraction would be here soon and the birth was very close. She switched off all thoughts of Scott. ‘Do you want the birth stool or are you going to move to the bed at the last minute, Abbey?’ Bella hovered to help her sister when she’d made her choice.

‘I’ll sit on the bed, so I don’t have to move afterwards.’

Bella nodded as she strained to hear Abbey’s answer and lifted the beanbag onto the bed in readiness.

After the next pain, Abbey stood up and Bella and Rohan helped her onto the bed until she was sitting upright with her hands behind her knees. The next pain came swiftly and the baby’s thatch of dark hair hovered at the entrance to the outside world before disappearing again.

‘The baby took a look and went back,’ Scott whispered, and they all smiled, though Abbey’s smile was tired.

‘I don’t know how many times I’ve heard you say that over the years…’ Her voice strengthened. ‘Just didn’t think I’d ever hear you say it to me.’

‘One more push, Abbey.’ Scott had always felt enormous admiration for the woman who had been midwife in charge until today, but during this labour Abbey had been inspiring with her belief in natural birth and her quiet acceptance of what her body required her to do.

‘Here comes your baby,’ Scott said quietly, and his heart constricted as the newborn eased into his hands as if the infant had finally decided it was time to arrive. Scott glanced at the clock as he gently lifted Abbey’s baby up onto her stomach. ‘Ten past three born. Wonderful, Abbey.’