CHAPTER TWELVE

Louisa kneeled on the floor at Danny's side, his hand encased in both of hers, and she watched him with a worried expression. He was resting comfortably now; the needle I had inserted in his chest had aided his respiration and he was in no immediate danger. Now we waited for the ambulance to arrive. It had been a while since I had seen or spoken to Louisa, and I glanced at her occasionally as I repacked my medical bag, wondering if I should begin a conversation with her.

'Thank you for coming, Martin,' she said quietly, before I had the chance to speak.

'I'm only doing my job,' was my reply.

'I know.'

I cleared my throat. 'If Danny had heeded my advice and worn a mask while he sanded the floor, he could have saved himself a trip to the hospital,' I added with a tinge of irritation. Yet another example of one of my patients completely ignoring the fact that I may actually know what I'm talking about…and doing whatever they wanted anyway.

Louisa sighed. 'Yes, Martin. I know.' She sounded weary. 'He can be very stubborn. He will be okay, though, won't he?'

'Yes,' I nodded. 'He may be in hospital for a few days, but he'll be fine.' We sat in silence for a few moments, and then Louisa took a deep breath.

'He asked me to marry him,' she blurted. 'Just last night.' She looked up at me, gauging my reaction. I raised my eyebrows.

'Um…congratulations,' I lamely replied, not sure what I was supposed to say.

'Thank you,' she said, her smile wistful. More silence.

'It seems…um…quite soon. Er…only, Danny hasn't been in town long, has he?' I mentioned, waiting for Louisa to become defensive at my comment. I knew it wasn't my business, but I was very surprised that he had proposed so quickly, after they had been together only a few months. But she took no offense—even agreed with me.

'It was a bit sudden, to be honest,' she conceded, her voice soft. 'But we've known each other since we were kids. He was my first kiss, my first proper boyfriend…my first love. Even though I hadn't seen him in years, when he came back to Portwenn, it just felt…right, I suppose, being with him.'

I waited a beat. 'And will you?' I added. 'Uh…marry him, I mean?'

I watched as her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away before they could fall. 'I hadn't really decided…I didn't know, until this happened. Before, it seemed like we should stop and think about it, if it was really the right thing to do. But when I saw him collapse…' she shook her head, biting her lip. 'I was so afraid he was going to die, and I wouldn't get the chance to tell him how much…I love him.'

I swallowed, uncomfortable. 'Right.' I was surprised Louisa was being so forthcoming with her feelings, and the intensity of them. Annoying, patronizing, sanctimonious Danny Steel—she obviously saw something in him that was completely lost on me.

'I'm…uh…glad you and he are…happy,' I murmured, my voice gruff. 'That's all I ever wanted, really, is for you to be happy, Louisa.' Our eyes met, and we shared a brief moment of understanding.

'Oh, Martin,' she sighed, her eyes glistening again. 'It's what I want for you too—to have happiness, however it comes to you. I do care about you…nothing is going to change that. You're in my heart, Martin.'

Louisa's words caused my throat to become uncomfortably tight. I knew she was being sincere. I wished I knew how to respond; I wished I could tell her I still carried a fondness for her, that I still loved catching a glimpse of her smile as I passed her in the village. I had been frustrated with myself when things between us hadn't worked out, knowing there was nothing I could do to become the partner that she needed and deserved. Now, I knew it hadn't ever been meant to happen…and it was okay.

The sound of the ambulance approaching shook me out of my thoughts. Louisa hurried downstairs to let in the EMTs while I did another check of Danny's vitals.

The emergency workers made quick work of loading Danny into the back of the ambulance. 'Are you the wife, then?' one of them asked Louisa.

'Uh, no….fiancé,' she answered, and then looked a bit surprised at her own answer, as if it had just dawned on her that she was indeed going to be married to Danny Steel. Turning to me, she asked, 'are you going in the ambulance with him?'

I shook my head. 'There's no need. They will keep me informed,' I replied with finality.

'You coming with us, then, love?' the EMT added, his hand on the door handle. Louisa deliberated.

'No, I'll follow in my car.' The EMT nodded and closed the back door of the ambulance, which quickly pulled out of the drive and sped off toward the hospital.

Louisa and I spent an awkward moment just standing there, looking at each other, each waiting for the other to say something. Louisa was the first to speak.

'Right, then…I'd better…'she began.

'Right. Yes.' I walked with her to where she had parked her car. She fumbled in her purse for her keys, and then looked up at me.

'Thank you again, Martin.' She hesitated, and then taking a step toward me, stood on tiptoe to plant a sweet, lingering kiss on my cheek. 'Take care,' she whispered. I swallowed and gave her a brief nod.

'Yes…you as well,' I murmured. She smiled at me as she closed the car door. I continued to watch her as she pulled on to the road, my eyes never leaving her until she was completely out of sight.

Special thanks to faithful reader Kumquat12, who has been a great encouragement this week!