City Surgeon, Small Town Miracle

to know.

‘Reluctantly, yes.’ Luke gave her a wry smile. ‘She wanted to come with us to make sure we had fun. She’s worried about whether I’ll be able manage on my own.’

‘Ah, more dating advice?’

‘Yes. We…’ He cleared his throat and she wondered what he’d been going to say. After a moment, he continued, ‘I must remember to remind her about this in a few years when she starts dating.’

Terri chuckled. ‘She’ll be mortified.’

‘I’m counting on it.’ His quick laugh made her pulse skip.

He put down his glass and reached across the table to cover her hand with his. His voice was soft and husky as he asked, ‘So, how am I doing? Are you having fun?’

‘Oh, definitely.’ With an effort she managed to keep her tone light. ‘I promise to send you home with a glowing report card, lots of gold stars.’

His eyes sparkled with a dark, sensual invitation. ‘In that case, I promise to do my best to earn every single one.’

Her heart did a slow, painful somersault into her throat, completely blocking her ability to reply.

When his hand slid away from hers a moment later in a smooth caress, she nearly protested. It wasn’t until his gaze released hers that she realised the waiter was standing beside them, holding their meals.

She let out a slow breath and looked at her wineglass. Only one tiny sip and good sense had deserted her. She felt sinfully frivolous, intoxicated. Luke. She was tipsy with the heady influence of his company.

‘Thank you,’ she murmured to the waiter as she smoothed the napkin on her knee. She’d ordered pan-fried fillets and they looked delicious with their crispy, golden-brown coating and side order of thick roasted-potato wedges. A bowl of tossed salad sat in the middle of the table for them to share.

‘Everything all right?’

She looked up to see Luke watching her. Her world seemed to tilt even further off its axis.

‘Yes, perfect.’ She forced her mouth into what she hoped was a reassuring smile and picked up her knife and fork. ‘This looks wonderful.’

Now all she had to do was eat it. Laughing and flirting with Luke had wiped out her appetite for food completely.

‘Did I tell you Dad’s talking about retiring?’ he said.

Thank goodness. A safe topic. Something to take her fertile mind off her overwhelming sensual awareness of the man opposite her.

‘Is he?’ She cut off a small forkful of fish, relieved when it melted in her mouth and slid easily down her throat.

‘Mmm.’

‘I know your mum would like him to take things a bit easier but I got the impression that he was adamant that it wasn’t going to happen any time soon.’ A second mouthful. She was getting the hang of this.

‘He’s mentioned it twice now with no prompting so I think he’s seriously considering it.’

‘Viv would be pleased, even if he only scaled back his hours.’

‘Yes, she would.’ Luke rested his knife and fork on the edge of his plate and reached for his wineglass.

There was a small silence during which Terri managed another couple of mouthfuls.

‘Dad asked if I’d be interested in staying on in the director’s position.’

The potato seemed to congeal into an unswallowable lump in her throat.

Luke.

Staying here.

Not going home to England. She couldn’t make up her mind if it was excitement or dread fizzing along her nerve endings.

She grabbed her glass and took a mouthful, using it to push the potato down her throat. ‘Did he?’ She put her glass back on the table. ‘What do you think you’ll do?’

He shrugged slightly. ‘I’m not sure. There’s no hurry to decide right now, but it’s something to think about.’ His gaze captured hers. ‘It’s been good to come home.’

Her chest tightened. She looked down at her plate, went through the motions of taking another forkful of food. ‘How do you think Allie would feel about it?’

‘I’d have to talk to her, of course.’ He swirled the liquid left in his glass. ‘But again, it’s not something I need to do immediately. She’s made great progress since you got us talking. I don’t want to throw anything disruptive into the mix yet.’

‘Yes. Although I think she’s quite resilient now that burden of guilt has gone. She’s really blossoming.’

‘She is, isn’t she? Maybe I’ll sound her out to see if her ideas about Port Cavill are more open now.’ His smile was filled with affection. ‘What about you?’

‘Me?’ Her eyes flew to his. ‘You have to make the best decision for you and Allie.’

‘That’s true.’ His eyes narrowed and she had the feeling his attention was suddenly scalpel sharp. ‘But what I was really asking was, what is your vision for your future?’

‘Oh.’ She pushed half a wedge of potato aside then carefully laid her knife and fork together in the space she’d created. Her fingers returned to adjust the position of the utensils before she moved the plate. ‘When I came here, I-I didn’t have a vision beyond putting myself back together after…’

‘After Peter’s death?’

‘Yes.’ She touched the base of her glass, twisting it slightly with her fingertips. ‘After Peter’s death.’

‘What about now?’

‘Now?’

‘Now that things have changed.’ With his elbows on the table, he steepled his fingers and looked at her intently. ‘Now that you’re in a relationship. How do Allie and I factor in your life?’

‘Oh. I’m-I’m not sure I want to look too far ahead.’ If she did, she’d have to face the fact that she hadn’t been scrupulously open with him. She’d have to face the things she’d baulked at telling him.

His expression fell for the tiniest instant before he covered his reaction. She’d disappointed him, hurt him. Shame cramped deep in her chest. She looked through the window at the lights reflected on the glass-smooth water of the sheltered port. In a way, Luke had offered her a safe place in the haven of his family and all she could do was selfishly protect herself. He deserved better. She wanted to give him something…

‘Luke…you and Allie are the most beautiful things that have happened in my life for the longest time.’ Her voice choked with emotion. ‘You’re both very dear to me. More than I can say.’

‘Thank you,’ he said softly, his fingers curling around hers. His smile was so sweet that the tears gathering at the back of her eyes pressed for release. ‘I’m glad. You’re very dear to me, to us.’

There was a small silence. Part of her wanted to hide from the power of her feelings. The other part revelled that she could feel so intensely.

‘Excuse me, sir, would you like to order dessert now?’

‘No, thank you,’ Luke said, still not taking his eyes off her. ‘I think what we’d like to do now is have a dance.’

‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘That would be lovely.’

As the waiter cleared their plates away, Luke took her hand and threaded his way through the tables to the dance floor.

Dreamy notes from the string quartet had lured many other dancers to the floor already. He stopped at the edge of the floor and took Terri’s other hand, guiding her into his arms. She came to him smoothly, fitted perfectly, as he’d known she would. Her lithe body swayed to the rhythm in easy, seductive movements.

He held her right hand, cradling it close to his chest. With his right hand splayed across her back, he felt the deep inhalation expanding her rib cage, then her exhalation whispered on the skin above his collar. A groan lodged in his throat. It was heaven and hell to hold her like this. He smiled slightly. He was going to enjoy every torturous, delicious moment of it.

He tucked her closer. ‘This is nice.’

‘Yes, it is.’

He could feel her fingers stroke along his collar. God, did she know what she was doing to him? He held his