Kate Hardy - The Children's Doctor's Special Proposal

What people are saying about Kate Hardy…

‘THE ITALIAN GP’S BRIDE is a

spellbinding romance that I devoured in a single

sitting! Kate Hardy is a fabulously talented writer

hose books never fail to make me laugh, cry and

care, and THE ITALIAN GP’S BRIDE is the latest

in a long line of captivating romances that have

made her one of my all-time favourite writers.’

– Cataromance on THE ITALIAN GP’S BRIDE, edical ™ Romance August 07

Look out for Kate Hardy in Modern Heat™ !

‘BREAKFAST AT GIOVANNI’S is simply terrific!

Sexy, funny, tender, passionate and romantic,

this engrossing tale features a loveable heroine

and a gorgeous Italian hero who will make you swoon!

Kate Hardy is a writer readers can count on in order to

deliver an entertaining page-turner which

they will devour in a single sitting, and

BREAKFAST AT GIOVANNI’S is certainly

no exception. So take the phone off the hook,

put your feet up and lose yourself…’

—Cataromance on BREAKFAST AT GIOVANNI’S, July 07

Kate Hardy is the winner of the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romance Prize 2008 for her Modern Heat™ novel BREAKFAST AT GIOVANNI’S.

Kate Hardylives in Norwich, in the east of England, with her husband, two young children, one bouncy spaniel, and too many books to count! When she’s not busy writing romance or researching local history, she helps out at her children’s schools. She also loves cooking—spot the recipes sneaked into her books! (They’re also on her website, along with extracts and stories behind the books.) Writing for Mills & Boon has been a dream come true for Kate—something she wanted to do ever since she was twelve. She’s been writing Medical™ Romances for nearly five years now, and also writes for Modern Heat™. She says it’s the best of both worlds, because she gets to learn lots of new things when she’s researching the background to a book: add a touch of passion, drama and danger, a new gorgeous hero every time, and it’s the perfect job!

Kate’s always delighted to hear from readers, so do drop in to her website at www.katehardy.com

Recent titles by the same author:

Medical™ RomanceTHE SPANISH DOCTOR’S LOVE-CHILD THE DOCTOR’S ROYAL LOVE-CHILD (Brides of Penhally Bay) THE ITALIAN GP’S BRIDE

Modern Heat™ HOTLY BEDDED, CONVENIENTLY WEDDED SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER! BREAKFAST AT GIOVANNI’S

Dear Reader

Sometimes you really, really fall in love with a hero. And I fell head over heels for Rhys. Firstly, he’s a fabulous doctor—caring, gentle, and very good at what he does. Secondly, he has the most gorgeous voice. And thirdly, he understands Katrina’s hearing problem—he rescues her when she needs it, just as my husband rescues me when I haven’t caught what someone has said.

I also fell for Katrina’s family—because they remind me of mine! The kind of people who’ll celebrate the good times with you and always be there for you in the bad: the kind of family my hero Rhys has never had, but definitely deserves.

As I was writing the wedding scene, I was privileged to attend a special family wedding (my daughter was the flower girl). It was in a beautiful little country church, and I couldn’t resist borrowing both the wedding cake and the weather from the day! That’s why I’ve dedicated this book to my cousin Lee and his lovely bride Lucy, with congratulations and lots of love.

I’m always delighted to hear from readers, so do come and visit me at www.katehardy.com

With love

Kate Hardy

BY

KATE HARDY

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For Lee and Lucy,

with love

CHAPTER ONE

‘WELCOME back.’ Lynne greeted Katrina with a broad smile. ‘So how was Italy?’

‘Fabulous. Italy in late September is just perfect. It’s my new favourite place in the world,’ Katrina said. ‘Pompeii was stunning. And the Blue Grotto. And…’ She laughed. ‘That isn’t what you really want to know, is it? Yes, I brought Italian biscuits back for the ward. Seriously nice ones.’ She dangled a carrier bag in front of the charge nurse. ‘A big tin of them.’

‘Good girl.’ Lynne patted her on the back. ‘Just what we all wanted to hear. Though I’m glad you had a good time on holiday.’

‘How’s Sadie doing?’ Katrina asked, walking with Lynne to the kitchen and placing the biscuit tin on the worktop along with a note saying, Help yourself, with love from Kat .

‘Fine. Though she’s been missing your stories and wants to know when Doc-a-rina’s coming back.’

‘Oh, bless.’ Sadie, a two-year-old with a clicky hip that had been reset by the orthopaedic surgeon, was one of Katrina’s favourites; even though lying on a cot in traction must have been uncomfortable for the little girl, she never once complained and always had a huge smile for the medical staff. ‘I’ll go and see her in a minute before I start the ward rounds.’ Katrina switched on the kettle, then she slapped a hand to her forehead. ‘I almost forgot. The new consultant.’ He’d started the day after she’d gone on holiday, and she’d been off duty the day he’d come for his interview and a look round the ward, so she hadn’t yet met him. ‘What’s he like?’

Lynne nodded with obvious approval. ‘Gorgeous. And as soon as you hear that voice you just want it to start whispering sweet nothings to you.’

‘Except he’s unavailable because, like you, he was snapped up as a teenager?’ Katrina teased.

‘Nobody has a clue, but I’d say probably not. He’s excellent with the children, he’s polite and pleasant to the parents and the staff, but as for what makes him tick…’ Lynne shook her head ruefully. ‘Your guess is as good as mine. He’s refused every single invite to a team night out so far—politely, but very definitely.’

Katrina frowned. Most new consultants would accept every invitation going in the first couple of weeks, to help them get to know the team outside work and bond with them. ‘He’s not one of those who spend the bare minimum of time here and as much as possible in private practice, is he?’ she asked.

Lynne shook her head. ‘Far from it. He puts in the hours. He stays late—and if he does leave early, he’ll either ring in or come back to chase up some results.’

A workaholic, then, Katrina thought. Just as long as he didn’t expect everyone else to follow his lead—it wouldn’t be fair on colleagues who happened to have young families. ‘What’s he like to work with?’ she asked.

‘Quick, intuitive and—well, you’re about to find out for yourself. He’s just walked in.’ Lynne glanced towards the door. ‘Morning, Dr Morgan.’

‘Rhys,’ the doctor corrected with a smile.

And what a smile.

Lynne was right, Katrina thought. Rhys Morgan was absolutely gorgeous. Tall, with dark hair and fair skin and blue, blue eyes—pure Celtic colouring. And with a name like Rhys Morgan, she would’ve been very surprised had his voice not had that faint Welsh lilt.

That incredibly sexy Welsh lilt.

And an incredibly sensual mouth.

She pushed the thought away. Rhys Morgan was her new colleague, and she didn’t date colleagues. Not since Pete. She didn’t make the same mistake twice.

‘Good morning, Lynne,’ he said.

‘Rhys, this is Katrina Gregory, our senior house officer.’ Lynne introduced them swiftly. ‘Kat, this is Rhys Morgan, our new consultant.’