Touch of Tenderness (Nurses of New York Book 3) Read online

  The last three months had been somewhat challenging as she had settled into her classes and learned to live with her new roommates. She and Lewis saw each other much less than they would like, as he was busy with rehearsals and she had a great deal of studying to do, but they knew this was temporary—they would be married immediately after she completed her schooling. Dr. Wentworth had promised to do all he could to ensure her a position at St. Timothy’s, and Dr. Russell had promised to do the same at Woman’s Hospital. With two such good opportunities, surely she would find a place that would be the best possible fit.

  She waited in the lobby for Lewis to come out. She could see his head bobbing up the aisle toward her, but he was stopped every few feet by people who wished to shake his hand and congratulate him on his first solo performance. When he finally reached her, he radiated confidence and self-satisfaction, and her heart swelled with joy. “You were wonderful,” she said, slipping her arm through his. “Absolutely wonderful.”

  He glanced around at the crowd. “Let’s get away from here,” he said. He steered her to a side door, where they were able to slip out into the evening air without having to push through well-wishers and trample their feet to escape.

  “That’s better,” he said when the door closed behind them and the sound was blocked out. “Wasn’t that the most glorious night? Libby, I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.”

  “And you shouldn’t. I’m so proud of you.” She smiled again, unable to help herself even though her face muscles badly needed a rest.

  He tugged her a little ways until they were bathed in moonlight. “There’s only one thing missing that could make this night perfect,” he said.

  “And what’s that? We’re already engaged—it’s not like you can propose or anything,” she said with a small chuckle.

  “True, but I can give you this.” He pulled a ring from his pocket and slid it on her finger. The stone was small, but it was beautiful, and it caught the moonlight as though they were made for each other.

  “I wasn’t expecting an engagement ring,” she protested. “Are you sure you can afford it?”

  “You are entirely worth it,” he said. “Entirely.” With that, he kissed her breathless.

  She pulled away and looked into his eyes. “And your piano?”

  He grinned and ducked his head. “I hope you don’t mind—I’ve been saving to send money home to buy the piano back, and then I bought the ring. Perhaps I should have made the ring my first priority.”

  “No, you did exactly right,” she said, slipping her arms around his neck. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  She loved kissing in the moonlight.

  The End

  The Kansas Crossroads Series:

  A New Beginning

  A Free Heart

  The Dark and the Dawn

  A Clean Slate

  A Clear Hope

  The Whisper of Morning

  A Careless Wind

  A Narrow Road

  The Bitter and the Sweet

  The Calm of Night

  And many more to be announced …

  The Nurses of New York series:

  Sea of Strangers

  Cause of Conflict

  Touch of Tenderness

  And many more to be announced …

  The American Mail-Order Brides series:

  Hope: Bride of New Jersey

  Tabitha: Bride of Missouri

  The Brides of Beckham series:

  Mail Order Molly