The Army Doctor's New Year's Baby Read Free Page B

avoiding talking about himself, but she often
overanalyzed things. Relax and enjoy the evening, she told herself.
    Daniel's
arms came around her, strong and warm. As he eased her into his embrace, her
rational thoughts slipped away. She drifted into a dreamy heaven against his
chest, imagining he was really hers and he cared about her. She had known him
for only a few hours, yet already she was halfway in love with him.
    She leaned
her head on his shoulder and breathed in the spicy smell of his aftershave as
the singer crooned. They circled the dance floor with the other couples,
enjoying the strange intimacy of being in each other's arms amid the crowd. She
could not imagine a better way to bring in the New Year.
    Daniel
seemed in no hurry to sit down again. They danced together for at least an
hour, swaying to the rhythm. She wished the evening could go on forever, but
eventually the music ended and her brother Blair stepped up to the microphone.
"Charge your glasses, ladies and gentlemen. It's five minutes to
twelve."
    Daniel took
her hand and led her back to their table, where fresh flutes of champagne
waited for them. He picked up hers and handed it over, then lifted his own.
Blair started a countdown as the chimes of Big Ben were broadcast into the
ballroom. Everyone joined in, cheering when they reached midnight.
    "Happy
New Year!" Blair shouted over the joyful hubbub as people congratulated
each other.
    Daniel
tapped his glass against hers. "Here's to new beginnings," he said.
Then he set down his drink and drew Megan into his arms.
    Her heart
thundered and she could barely draw breath.
    "Happy
New Year, sweetheart," he whispered as he held her close. She melted into
his arms, resting her palms against his shoulders. He bent his head and his
lips brushed hers in a sweet kiss that was over far too soon.
    Then he
released her and turned away, kissing Olivia and Alice, shaking hands with
Radley and Cameron. Her mind fuzzy, her breath short as if she were standing on
a high mountain peak where the air was thin, Megan shared good wishes with the
others, kissing Radley and Cameron, hugging Alice and Olivia, all chatting with
excitement.
    Even as she
laughed with her friends, her attention was really on Daniel, her ears attuned
to the pleasant timbre of his voice, her fingers aching to sink into the warm
grip of his hand.
    When he
turned back to her, his arm slipping around her waist, sensation zinged along
her nerves. Daniel's touch made her feel more alive than she'd ever felt
before.
    She didn't
want this night to end. She didn't want to say good-bye to him.
    "Are
you staying in the hotel?" he asked.
    "Yes.
Duncan and Blair are too."
    He'd already
told her he lived in London, so he'd be returning home tonight for his last
week of leave before his new posting. When she inquired where he was being
sent, he'd been a little mysterious and hadn't answered.
    "Shall
we go outside to catch the end of the firework display over the River Thames?
We should be able to see some of them from here."
    "Oh,
yes. Good idea." Anything to extend the evening.
    Megan's
cheeks were warm, her head light from the champagne. Daniel took her hand and
led her into the reception area. He slipped off his jacket, draping it over her
shoulders. "It'll be chilly outside. I don't want you to get cold."
    "What
about you?"
    "Real
men don't feel the cold. Didn't you know?"
    She laughed
as he led her out the main door. "Real men feel the cold in Scotland, Daniel. Believe me."
    They crossed
the road to Hyde Park and stared into the sky, catching the last few minutes of
the massive pyrotechnic display over London to celebrate the New Year.
    When the
fireworks finished, Daniel took her hand. They wandered beneath the lit-up
trees, frost forming spiderwebs of ice on the grass and plants. Megan shivered,
more from excitement than cold. Had he brought her out here to kiss her again?
    "There's
something I need to tell you." The serious tone of Daniel's voice sent