The Midwife's Little Miracle by Fiona McArthur Read Free Book Online Page A

sun that reflected off the lake and yet he could see she had no idea how much he delighted in her company.
    He’d been watching her for a while from the lounge and she’d looked so peaceful he’d been reluctant to break into her thoughts.
    ‘Are you settled here?’
    ‘Unless you’re planning to evict me, I have no thoughts of moving on. Why?’
    He couldn’t help but smile at her. ‘Fancy a bit of work?’
    Her chin went up along with the sparkle in her eyes. ‘I was just thinking that.’
    Good, he thought, satisfied she was at ease. ‘There are a couple of things I want to run by you.’
    She turned towards him and regrettably it became harder for Andy to concentrate with her brown eyes on his so expectantly.
    He regathered his wits. ‘Ned mentioned your well-women’s clinic idea. I think that would begreat. We could do it when one of us isn’t here to give you the other consulting room. Maybe we could run it a couple of hours one morning or afternoon a week?’
    ‘That sounds fine.’ Montana nodded.
    She looked happy with that, Andy thought, pleased. He hoped she’d be as interested in his next proposal. ‘The other thing is that one of my younger patients, Emma, is pregnant and due in July. I wondered if you would be interested in chatting to her about labour and birth over the next few weeks or months?’
    ‘Of course!’ Montana sat up straighter and Andy smiled at her passion.
    ‘How old is Emma?’ she asked.
    He frowned as he thought of Emma and the lacklustre person she’d become in so short a time. ‘She’s sixteen and about twenty weeks pregnant. My concern is that she’s changed from an outgoing girl to an introverted and withdrawn wraith. I know the family well and I’m worried about her.’
    Montana’s fine brows drew together and he wanted to follow the movement with his fingers and trace them straight again, but this was too important to be sidetracked by fancies.
    ‘Depression, you mean?’ she asked.
    He concentrated his brain on Emma. ‘Yes. I think there’s a risk she could become seriously depressed, especially as her mother seems to be going through a low period at the moment.’
    The malady of Clare, Emma’s mother, still puzzled him. ‘I’d like to think with a bit of positive feedback from you, Emma will turn back into herself before she gets used to being miserable. She’s only a child.’
    Montana raised her eyebrows. ‘If she is old enough to become pregnant then she’s no child. She’s a woman. Make no mistake about that.’
    He could see the midwife in her and he knew he’d been right in thinking she would be good for Emma. ‘I stand corrected.’
    She smiled gently. ‘That’s my own opinion and Emma’s lucky she has you to look out for her. Though if she’s only halfway there, she may not want to know about labour and the birth process just yet,’ Montana said thoughtfully.
    She captivated him. ‘Why’s that?’ He just wanted her to keep on talking so he could watch and enjoy.
    ‘Labour is the last thing a young woman wants to hear about when she’s still dealing with the shock of being fertile.’
    ‘Women’s intuition?’ He was happy to learn. ‘What do you suggest?’
    She pursed her lips and he was distracted for a moment again as she went on. ‘Maybe some sessions on pregnancy health and lifestyle choices? We still have time to engage her for the benefit of baby and her own health. And that information is not so scary initially.’
    His brain had become stationary again for a few seconds and he had to blink several times to get his head back together. He kept seeing Montana’s mouth and that frozen moment had stunned him silly. He didn’t want to go there—or he did and he knew he couldn’t—and needed to stay focussed on what she was saying.
    ‘I’m sorry.’ He blinked again. ‘So you’d be happy to do a couple of sessions with Emma?’
    Thankfully Montana seemed oblivious to his mental disorder and he was glad about that. Very