About the Authors

SUSAN CARLISLE’s love affair with books began in the sixth grade at school, when she made a bad grade in mathematics. Not allowed to watch TV until she’d brought the grade up, Susan filled her time with books. She turned her love of reading into a passion for writing, and now has over ten Medical Romances published through Mills & Boon. She writes about hot, sexy docs and the strong women who captivate them. Visit SusanCarlisle.com.

Cursed with a poor sense of direction and a propensity to read, ANNIE CLAYDON spent much of her childhood lost in books. A degree in English Literature followed by a career in computing didn’t lead directly to her perfect job—writing romance for Mills & Boon—but she has no regrets in taking the scenic route. She lives in London: a city where getting lost can be a joy.

Also by Susan Carlisle

Nurse to Forever Mum

The Sheikh Doc’s Marriage Bargain

Pups that Make Miracles collection

Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue

Festive Fling with the Single Dad by Annie Claydon

Available now

And look out for the next two books

Making Christmas Special Again by Annie O’Neil

Their One-Night Christmas Gift by Karin Baine

Coming soon

Also by Annie Claydon

London Heroes miniseries

Falling for Her Italian Billionaire

Second Chance with the Single Mum

Pups that Make Miracles collection

Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue by Susan Carlisle

Festive Fling with the Single Dad

Available now

And look out for the next two books

Making Christmas Special Again by Annie O’Neil

Their One-Night Christmas Gift by Karin Baine

Coming soon

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue

Susan Carlisle

Festive Fling with the Single Dad

Annie Claydon

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90197-4

HIGHLAND DOC’S CHRISTMAS RESCUE & FESTIVE FLING WITH THE SINGLE DAD

Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue © 2019 Susan Carlisle Festive Fling with the Single Dad © 2019 Annie Claydon

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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Table of Contents

Cover

About the Authors

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue

Back Cover Text

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

Festive Fling with the Single Dad

Back Cover Text

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

EPILOGUE

About the Publisher

Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue

Susan Carlisle

A chance to mend her body…

A doc to heal her heart?

In this Pups that Make Miracles story, search-and-rescue worker Cassandra Bellow arrives at Heatherglen Clinic injured and reeling from the loss of her faithful rescue dog. But a Christmas romance with the gorgeous clinic manager, Dr. Lyle Sinclair, along with Heatherglen’s adorable therapy dogs, restores Cass’s lust for life. Except soon she must return to America—unless guarded Lyle asks her to stay…

To Dallas

I’m proud of the man you are,

and your father would be also.

CHAPTER ONE

AS THE TAXI rolled up the rise Cass Bellow looked out the window at the snow-blanketed Heatherglen Castle Clinic in northern Scotland. Why had she been sent here?

More than once she’d questioned her doctor’s wisdom in transferring her to this private clinic for physical therapy. Weren’t there plenty of other places in warmer climates? Particularly in her native US. Or, better yet, couldn’t she have just gone home and handled what needed doing on her own? But, no, her doctor insisted she should be at Heatherglen. Had stated that he sent all his patients with extensive orthopedic injuries there. He declared the place was her best hope for a full recovery. Finally, at her argument, he’d bluntly told her that if she wanted him to sign off on her release she must complete her physical therapy at Heatherglen.

As the car came to a stop at the front door she studied the Norman architecture of the building with its smooth stone walls and slate roof. The place was huge, and breathtaking. There were more chimneys than Cass had a chance to count. This place was nothing like what she’d expected. Though it was early November, festive Christmas wreaths made of greenery and red bows already hung on the outside of the lower floor windows. They further darkened her mood.

When she had been given the search and rescue assignment assisting the military after an explosion in Eastern Europe, she had never dreamed she’d end up in traction in an army hospital on a base in Germany. Her shattered arm and leg had finally mended, but she needed physical therapy to regain complete use of them. Now she’d been sent to this far-flung, snowy place to do just that. All she really wanted was to be left alone.

She opened the cab door and wind blasted her. Despite the heat coming from the still running car, she shuddered. As Cass stepped out, one of the large wooden castle doors, decked with a huge Christmas wreath full of red berries, opened. A tall man, perhaps in his mid-thirties, with the wide shoulders of an athlete stepped out. With rust-colored hair and wearing a heavy tan cable sweater and dark brown pants, he looked like the epitome of what she thought a Scottish man should be. As he came down the few steps toward her, he smiled.

“Hello, you must be Ms. Cassandra Bellow. I’m Dr. Lyle Sinclair, the medical director here at Heatherglen. You may call me Lyle.”

His thick Scottish brogue confirmed her earlier thoughts. Yet she was surprised by the way the sunny cheerfulness of his voice curled around her name, nudging at her icy emotions. Irritated, she pushed that odd notion away. This doctor was far too happy and personable for her taste. Her goal was to do what must be done with as little interaction with others as possible. She planned on nursing her wounds in private.

“Yes, that’s me.” To her satisfaction her flat, dry tone dropped the brightness of his smile a notch. If she could just get to her room and collapse she’d be happy. Her right side was burning from the ache in her arm and the agony of putting her full weight on her right leg.

“Flora McNeith, the physiotherapist whose care you’ll be under, couldn’t be here to greet you and asked that I get you settled in.” Concern filled his face. “Do you need a wheelchair? Crutches?”

“No, I can walk on my own. Run, that’s another thing.” She pulled at her jacket to stop the biting flow of air down her neck.

A light chuckle rolled out of his throat and over her nerve endings. “I understand. Then let’s get inside out of this weather.” He looked up at the sky. A snowflake landed on the dark red five o’clock shadow covering his cheek.

Cass averted her eyes and gave the cobblestone drive, cleared of snow, a searching look. It was farther than she wanted to walk, yet she wouldn’t let on. The three steps up to the door looked even more daunting.

All she needed was fortitude to make the walk and climb those steps. She had plenty of that. Soft snowflakes continued to drift down as she took a deep breath and steeled herself to put one foot in front of the other. With another silent inhalation, she started toward the entrance. Dr. Sinclair walked beside her.

She managed the first two steps with no mishap but the toe of her short boot caught the edge of the last one. Grabbing at air, Cass finally found the fabric covering Dr. Sinclair’s arm. She yelped with the effort to hold on. Being right-handed, she’d instinctively flailed out that arm and immediately regretted it. Pain shot through it, but not as sharp as it had been weeks earlier. She gritted her teeth, thrusting out her other arm to ease the fall.

Instead of tumbling onto the steps, her body was brought against a hard wall of human torso. The doctor’s arm circled her waist and held her steady. Her face smashed into thick yarn. A hint of pine and smoke filled her nose. For some reason it was reassuring.

“Steady on, I’ve got you.” His deep burr was near her ear.

Cass quickly straightened, getting her feet under her even though pain rocked her. She refused to show it, having already embarrassed herself enough. Her lips tightened. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

Glancing at him, she got the weirdest impression that the concern in his eyes had nothing to do with her physical injuries, as if he was able to see her true pain. That was a crazy idea. She shook that odd thought off and focused on where she was.

Taking a third fortifying breath, Cass stepped into the massive foyer.

No way was she going to let him see the effort it took to keep walking. She’d lived through much worse. She’d always been self-sufficient. Weakness wasn’t in her vocabulary. As a young girl she had learned the power of being emotionally strong.

Still, that brief human contact had been nice.

There were two enormous cement urns filled with pine and berries on either side of the doors. Cass looked further to see the stone arched beams of the ceiling then on to a grand staircase. On the floor beside it lay a pile of pine wood. Here she was in this strange place for the holidays when all she wished for was home. She would get her arm and leg strong again as fast as she could, then return to America to grieve her loss in private.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” The doctor stood too close as if he was afraid she might stumble again.

“I’m fine.” The words sounded sharp and overly loud in the cavernous entrance hall. If she could just get to her room, she could nurse the excruciating throbbing in her arm and leg. She would be limping by then as well.

“On our way to your room, let me tell you where a few things are. This is Admissions.” He waved a hand to indicate a room off the hall. “Louise, my administrative assistant, and I have our offices there. She’s out this afternoon as well. You two can sort out the paperwork in the morning. I’m sure you’re tired.”

Cass was beyond tired. The effort it had taken her to travel from Germany to Fort William then the drive north had worn her out. She hadn’t recovered anywhere near as much as she wanted to believe.

“Over here is the dining room.” He walked across the hall and stood in a wide doorway.

Cass joined him. Despite her physical distress, she loved his accent. It was soothing, for some reason.

The room he wanted her to see was long and wide with a dark barrel ceiling sculpted out of wood from which hung large, black iron chandeliers. A fireplace Cass could stand up in filled the wall on the far end with flags arranged overhead. The walls were partially covered in wainscoting. Above that were a few male portraits in impressive frames. A huge table, surrounded by imposing matching chairs, capable of seating at least twenty people, stood in the center of the room. An oriental rug in blue and red lay beneath it. The only thing out of place was a pile of greenery on the floor in one corner and a few boxes stacked beside it.

He must have noticed the direction of her gaze. “Pardon the mess. We’re in the process of decorating for Christmas.”

Cass pretended he hadn’t spoken. Not even the holidays could heal her broken heart.

Dr. Sinclair was saying, “All meals are served here, unless there’s a reason the resident is incapable of joining us. We dress for the evening meal. It’s at seven.”

“Dress? As in diamonds and tux?”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “No. More like no workout clothes allowed. The idea is for the residents to use their skills and have something positive to look forward to. We work on the principle that if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

She glanced at him. He really was quite handsome in a rugged way. “Like?”

“Fastening a button, passing a bowl or even manipulating a fork.” He turned toward the central hall.

“I have no trouble with any of those so why must I attend?” She joined him.

“Because we want our residents to feel like they’re part of our family, which they are,” he said over his shoulder as he started down the hall.

She had zero interest in being sociable. All she wanted was time to herself to think about what she would do next, where she wanted her life to go. How she could get past the mass of emotions churning inside her. Could she continue working in search and rescue? Work with a new dog? Learn to trust another man?

Maybe she could just make sure she wasn’t around when it was dinnertime. This place sounded more like a prison than a clinic. “Hey, do you mind telling me why I was sent here?”

That got his attention. “So you can regain your mobility.”

“I know that. I mean why here in particular? Couldn’t I have gone to a clinic in America? What makes this place so special?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “As I understand it, your orthopedic doctor believes this is the right clinic for you.”

She stepped toward him, pinning him with a direct look. “What led him to believe this specific clinic was the right place for me to complete my physical therapy?”

Dr. Sinclair shifted his weight and raised his chin. “I’m not sure what you’re looking for but our residents have an uncommonly high success rate of making as complete a recovery as possible, and by recovery I mean holistic recovery. Our state-of-the-art clinic features a peaceful atmosphere conducive to healing…” he waved a hand around, indicating the castle “…and our canine therapy has proved to be fundamental in facilitating that recovery as well. Does that reassure you?”

Canine therapy. Cass took a step back, her chest constricting. She couldn’t deal with this right now. It was too soon after the loss of her dog and partner, Rufus. “I’m not interested in canine therapy.”

Her German shepherd-wolfhound mix partner had been with her for four years. She’d had him since he was a puppy. She’d even gone to Germany to pick him up from the breeders. They had trained together at a search and rescue school in California. They’d understood each other, trusted one another.

Now he was gone. Despite him being an animal, the hurt of his loss was more acute than the pain of broken bones or her ex-boyfriend’s assessment of her ability to maintain a relationship. She and Rufus had been all over the world together, crawling in and over disaster sites that others only saw on TV while drinking their morning coffee. As a team, they had been a part of tragedies that no one should ever see or experience. Gratitude and guilt filled her in equal measure.

She felt the doctor’s keen observation and focused on his mild expression. He turned and started down an adjacent hall to the left, saying, “This way to the lift.”

Cass glanced at the staircase in relief then followed, taking careful steps to ensure there wasn’t a repeat performance of what had almost happened outside.

He looked over his shoulder. “As our residents improve, they use the stairs whenever possible.”

Cass once more eyed the daunting set of wide steps made of gray marble. “And that’s mandatory?”

Dr. Sinclair gave her a grin. “‘Mandatory’ is such an unfriendly word. Why don’t we go with ‘greatly encouraged’? It’s part of the graduation program to be able to walk up and down the stairs, but we don’t require that until you’re ready.”

Did her relief show on her face? “What makes you think I’m not ready?”

“Maybe the tight line of your lips that indicates that little stumble outside hurt more than you wish to admit.”

Cass grimaced inwardly. The man had an acute sense of awareness. Could he see that more than her body pained her? That her heart hurt? Cass hoped not. She was nowhere near ready to share her feelings. “I don’t hurt.”

“Liar.” He gave her a flash of a smile. One she was sure made people want to confide in him, which she wasn’t going to do. As if he knew what she was thinking, he said in a gentle manner, “You do know it isn’t weakness to admit you’re in pain or that you need help. That’s what we’re here for.”

She’d had enough of this. All she wanted was to get to her room. “Who’re you, the resident shrink?”

They walked out of the elevator and started down a wide hallway lined with portraits. A few decorations were already in place here and there. A red carpet runner muffled their steps.

“No, but as clinic administrator and emergency medical doctor I help develop the patients’ therapy. All the doctors here work together to form patient plans. Recovery is as much mental as it is physical.”

“So you think I have emotional issues?” Cass certainly did have them. She couldn’t keep her job without a dog, and she wasn’t sure she could handle having another one. To possibly lose another best friend would be too much, too painful. To get close enough that someone or something mattered was more than she wanted at this point.

Lyle’s…wasn’t that his name?…mouth quirked as he stopped to face her.

“Why, Ms. Bellow, in some ways I think everyone has issues. So don’t go thinking you’re special. Here we are.” He pushed open a thick wooden door. “Your room belonged to the lady of the castle.”

Cass couldn’t deny it was a grand room. Its large canopy bed was hung with seafoam green curtains and covered with a matching spread. Beneath a bank of windows was a seating arrangement of a loveseat and two cushioned chairs. A chest, which she guessed held a TV, was nearby and on the opposite wall was a large fireplace with a fire already burning. The gleaming oak floor had a plush rug in the center of it. The festive fairy had been at work decorating in here as well. There was greenery along the mantle and groups of candles on tables. If she must be in this clinic, then she had won the lottery for the perfect room. She could hide out here in comfort.

“One of the staff should’ve put your luggage in here.” He looked around. “There it is. Great.” He pointed to the far side of the room where there was another door. “Through there is your bath. You’ll find a hot tub, which I encourage you to use often. I’ll leave you now to settle in. You don’t have to be at dinner tonight. A tray of food will be sent up. Breakfast is between six and eight in the dining room. I’ll let Flora know you’ve arrived. She may not have a chance to check in with you this evening, but you can expect to see her first thing in the morning. One of the staff will come and collect you at seven for breakfast. Is there anything you need before I go?”

Cass had slowly wandered around the room as he spoke. “I don’t think so.”

“If you have any questions, just pick up the phone. Somebody is on duty twenty-four hours a day. I hope your stay is a positive one.”

Before he could say more a man appeared in the hallway behind him. “Lyle, you said to let you know when Andy Wallace arrived. The ambulance is at the back entrance. I’m on the way after the wheelchair now.”

“Thanks Walter. I’ll go down.” Lyle turned to her. “See you around, Ms. Bellow.”

Later that evening after dinner, Lyle bowed his head against the howling wind as he walked to his cottage. Seeing the once strong, always smiling Andy Wallace with sunken eyes and needing a wheelchair had made for a tough last few hours.

Andy was older than him. They had only been acquaintances growing up. Still, Lyle could remember Andy and Nick, Lyle’s best friend Charles’s older brother, laughing and always into something. Now Andy was a shell of that person. After an IED had exploded under his Humvee in Afghanistan he was a patient in a clinic started in honor of Nick. The irony was sickening.

Ms. Bellow wore the same sad expression as Andy. That look implied the weight of the world lay on her slender shoulders. His staff had their work cut out for them with those two. He and Charles, the Laird of Heatherglen and a doctor as well, had discussed both patients but Lyle suspected there was more to Cassandra Bellow than was on paper. She didn’t even try to hide her desire to be elsewhere.

That resolute and dejected air about Cass indicated a serious psychological injury, but she carried her issues like a backpack they were so obvious. Maybe being at Heatherglen would help her with not only her physical problems but with what was bothering her heart and soul as well.

He recognized that look in both his residents because he’d seen it in his own eyes every time he’d shaved while serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps. All the men in his family had been expected to make a career in the armed forces and he hadn’t disappointed. As one of his father’s two sons, Lyle himself had been encouraged, then expected, to join the army. The importance of serving had been drummed into him his entire life. Yet medicine had pulled at him. To find a happy medium he’d combined the two.

Despite that compromise, he’d found the discipline and unwavering devotion of military life wasn’t for him. He wanted to concentrate on caring for people in the way he loved best, personally. To his father’s disappointment and ongoing puzzlement, Lyle had resigned his commission and returned home, remaining in the reserves.

His father still hadn’t given up on the belief that Lyle would return to active duty someday soon. Every time they were together the subject came up. Now that his father’s health was declining, the pressure had grown. If Lyle resumed active service, he could make his father’s last few years happier, make him proud. But the exchange would be that Lyle would be miserable.

Charles had been in the process of setting up the clinic when Lyle had returned home from overseas. He’d asked Lyle if he would consider being the administrator, as well as run the emergency centre for the surrounding villages. Lyle had accepted and never looked back. He had found where he belonged. Still, his father’s disappointment weighed on him.

The decision to return to the military hung there. Then there was his obligation to the clinic…

While he’d been in the Middle East that hopeless look he recognized in Cass’s and Andy’s eyes had grown in his own after receiving his “Dear John” letter from Freya. He had been caught in a net with no way out. Freya had called a halt to their relationship while he had been thousands of miles away, unable to talk to her face to face. For months the pain had been like a gnawing animal in his chest. It wasn’t until he had returned and started work at the clinic that he could at last breathe and see the relationship for what it was.

Lyle continued along the snowy, muddy path toward his cottage. He knew this walk by heart. The moon was large tonight and he didn’t need his torch. From experience he was sure his housekeeper had left a fire laid. The thought of lighting it and a warm drink kept him moving. Thankfully he had a full belly from the meal he’d shared with the residents before leaving the clinic. He wasn’t required to dine at the castle, but Mrs. Renwick was a much better cook than he was. Since he didn’t much enjoy eating alone, he ate most of his meals at the clinic. And just as he’d expected, the two newest residents hadn’t been in attendance.

Going through some paperwork in his office the next morning, he allowed his thoughts to wander to Ms. Bellow. He had gone to Andy Wallace’s room to make sure he was comfortable and had spoken to the overnight nursing staff about him. Yet despite his curiosity about Cass, Lyle hadn’t searched her out. Because she wasn’t under his direct care, he couldn’t think of a reason to do so. Flora would have her case well in hand. Still, he felt compelled to see Cass.

She’d whetted his curiosity for some reason. Something about her sharp, self-assured tone and unwillingness to show her obvious pain made him want to understand what was going on behind those gloomy eyes. He’d felt her fragility when she had leaned against him. All bones and skin, as if she had lost weight. Being injured would have caused some of that but she was too thin. He felt the odd need to protect her, reassure her. Not that he would let that show. Still, just before lunch he couldn’t stop himself from walking to the physical therapy department.

Lyle found Flora, with her dark head down, working at her desk. He knocked lightly on the door.

She looked up and smiled. “Hello, Lyle. What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to check in on Cass Bellow. I haven’t seen her today.” He put his hands in his pockets.

“She was here for therapy this morning.” Flora put down her pen. “She was ready to start when I arrived.”

He leaned against the doorframe. “Great. When we met yesterday, I was afraid she might be resistant.”

Flora shook her head a little. “If there was a problem it was with her working too hard. She acted determined to be finished with her recovery well before the prescribed time. I had to remind her that she could hurt herself further if she pushed herself too hard.”

“I’m sure that you’ll see she takes it slowly and easily.” Lyle took a step into the office. “By the way, did you tell her there’s animal therapy as well? I got the impression it was a surprise to her when I mentioned it. I don’t think she was told by her doctors in Germany that it’s a central part of our program here.”

Flora’s eyes darkened with concern. “I did mention it but was called away before more was said.”

“I’ll speak to Esme. If Cass doesn’t show up at the canine therapy center, then I’ll talk to her.”

Flora nodded. “Good.”

“I told Cass the residents eat together, and she didn’t look any happier about that.”

Flora picked up the pen and tapped it on the desk once. “You and I have been at this long enough to know how to handle an uncooperative patient. We know physical issues often include adjusting to a new way of life.” She lifted her shoulders and let them drop. “Why would Cass be any different?”

“Agreed. What about Andy Wallace? Have you had your session with him?”

“I’ll see him this afternoon.”

“Let me know how it goes. I don’t think he’s in any better frame of mind than Ms. Bellow.”

Flora grinned. “We don’t get all those great accolades for being the best therapy clinic for nothing.”

“You have a point.” He nodded his head at the door. “I’m on my way to get a sandwich for lunch. Care to join me?”

“Thanks, but I need to finish some paperwork for the boss.”

Lyle chuckled. “And he appreciates your efforts. See you later.” He left, walking to the dining room to pick up some food before returning to his office. Lyle planned to continue checking up on Cass and Andy for a few days until he was satisfied with their compliance, then he’d back away.

After lunch, Cass sat in her room by the fire, rubbing her thigh, glad therapy was over for the day. It had been grueling. Less from what she had been asked to do and more from her pushing herself. She had broken into a sweat and had clenched her teeth more than once not to cry out as pain had shot through her leg. Flora had warned her to slow down. It had been strenuous and stressful at best. Even her arm had resisted a couple of the exercises.

Making matters worse was the discovery Cass had made that she had stamina issues. The hospital stay in traction had taken a lot out of her. She’d always been fit, had worked out regularly with ease. Now she just felt frustrated. Regaining her strength wasn’t going to happen fast enough.

That morning she’d been up and dressed by the time Melissa, a staff member, had knocked on her door. She had slept well the night before. Sleeping in the hospital hadn’t been ideal. The peace and quiet of this country castle did have its appeal.

She had on some of the few clothes she habitually kept packed in her to-go bag. The knit sweatpants and T-shirt would have to do for workout clothes. When she and Rufus had caught the transport plane to Eastern Europe, nowhere in her plans had she thought to prepare for weeks of being in a hospital or being in a physical therapy clinic in Scotland in the winter.

Melissa had escorted Cass by elevator to the ground floor. There she had been led to the dining room.

“I’ll return in a few minutes to show you to the physical therapy department,” Melissa had said.

There hadn’t been anyone else in the room. Cass had been thankful for that. She’d gone to the buffet and helped herself to a boiled egg and a slice of toast. She had just finished her second glass of orange juice when the woman returned.

“Flora’s ready for you.”

After placing her dishes on a tray, Cass followed Melissa down a long hall off the main one. They entered an area that looked like a gym where exercise equipment faced a bank of three large windows. In another corner of the spacious room were mats. Two high padded tables sat in the middle.

“You can have a seat on a table and I’ll let Flora know you’re here,” she’d been told.

Cass scrambled up on the table with more effort than she liked.

A leggy, dark-haired woman wearing what looked like the latest fashion in exercise clothes soon joined her. Dressed in a hot pink jacket over a black top and leggings that came to mid-calf she made Cass feel extra-frumpy in her outfit. The woman even wore makeup.

She offered her hand, “Hi, I’m Flora McNeith. It’s nice to meet you, Cass. I apologize that I wasn’t here to meet you yesterday. I’m sure Lyle took good care of you.”

“Who? Oh, yeah, the doctor.”

She chuckled. “Most woman consider him more memorable than that. We should get started on your therapy.”

Over the next hour Cass showed Flora the range of motion in her leg and arm. For the first thirty minutes they concentrated on her leg and the last half-hour on her arm. Flora applied a cold compress before working with either part of her body, then a warm one after.

When they were through Flora said, “I’m sending you to the whirlpool for half an hour. After lunch someone will show you to your afternoon therapy at the canine therapy center.”

She didn’t give Cass time to respond before she turned to another patient who had entered the room. Cass had no intention of going to the canine therapy center. She wasn’t ready to be involved with a dog again, any dog. Wasn’t sure she’d ever be ready. Why had her doctors in Germany insisted on sending her to this clinic when they knew her background? Maybe they had thought it would be what she needed since she had been a dog handler, but she wasn’t emotionally ready. She would just make it clear, without explanation, that she wouldn’t be going to the canine therapy center.

As she walked toward the door marked “Whirlpool” Cass groaned. She almost cried with pleasure as she slipped into the hot swirling water. Today she had taken the first step towards her complete discharge and regaining her life. The one that didn’t include Rufus.

After her trip to PT she’d stopped by the dining room long enough to grab a sandwich, leaving the soup behind. With food eaten, a warm shower taken and clean clothes on, Cass now had a nap on her agenda. She would be perfectly happy spending the rest of the day in her room.

She woke with a start when there was a sharp knock on her door. “Coming.” Cass opened it to find a staff member there. This time it was a young man.

“I’m here to show you the way to the canine therapy center.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t feel like going.” What she really meant was she wasn’t going.

The man studied her a moment as if he expected her to say more, then nodded. “I understand.”

Cass settled back in the chair and looked into the fire. She knew her abilities and strengths. The wound of losing Rufus was too raw. Her emotions in general were stretched to snapping point. She couldn’t cope with the thought of interacting with a dog even if it was supposed to speed up her recovery.

She loved her job, but could she ever return to it, ever get so involved with another animal that she risked reliving this almost unbearable suffering? What if it wasn’t a dog? Could she ever open up enough to anyone again to take the chance of losing her heart?

CHAPTER TWO

LYLE STOOD OUTSIDE Cass’s door. She had refused to go to her canine therapy appointment. From the information he’d received from Flora she’d been more than game to do the work in physical therapy. Why was she balking at the rest of the program?

It was important. He and his colleagues had been highly successful in using canine therapy in the recovery of their patients. Cass needed to participate. He had read in her paperwork that she’d worked as a dog handler for search and rescue. Certainly she wasn’t afraid of dogs. If anything, he would have thought that she would be eager to meet her assigned dog.

Lyle rapped on the door twice.

He heard a voice call, “Just a minute.” Then a few seconds later the door opened.

Cass was dressed in a T-shirt, a zip-up hoodie, jeans and socked feet. She only came as high as his shoulders. She pushed at her short blonde hair, her tone demanding as she said, “Yes?”

“I understand that you don’t want to go to your canine therapy appointment.” Frustration with her resistance made him sound sterner than he’d intended.

“You understand correctly.” She stepped back into the room.

He moved to just inside the doorway. “It’s part of the program here. Everyone’s required to participate.”

“Why?” She stood feet slightly apart as if preparing for a fight.

He lowered his voice. “Because we’ve found that people recover faster when part of their therapy involves a dog. It’s almost crucial to full recuperation. Why don’t you let me show you the way to the center?”

“No, thank you.” She put her hand on the door.

His brow rose. Did she intend to close it on him? “Are you in pain? Do I need to speak to Flora?”

A look of something close to panic filled her eyes. “No, I’m just tired. I don’t feel like it today.”

He checked his watch. It was too late now for her to go anyway. She had already wasted half her time. “Okay, that’s understandable. Rest is good. Take the remainder of the afternoon off. I’ll see you at dinner.”

She made no comment as she closed the door.

Lyle had to back out into the hall to avoid having the door shut in his face. When was the last time he’d been thrown out of a room? He couldn’t even remember one. People didn’t treat him like that, yet Cass had effectively done so. He shook his head. She would be a tough nut to crack.

It was almost dark when Lyle started for home. Cass hadn’t been at dinner. Neither had she ordered a tray. He had left his meal long enough to go to her room, determined he’d be less understanding this time. If she couldn’t follow the clinic protocols, she would be transferred elsewhere.

There was no answer when he knocked on her door. He tried three times before he called her name. Finally, he opened the door a crack and listened for the shower running. Nothing. He called again then stuck his head in to look. Cass wasn’t there. First thing in the morning he was going to confront her when she showed up for her PT session with Flora.

A short time later Lyle turned to go through the gate leading to his cottage when he saw a dark shadow of a person down the way. They were sitting on the fence. Who was it? He was acquainted with most people around here but didn’t recognize this person. The locals knew better than to sit outside at this time of year. His conscience wouldn’t allow him to go home without first checking on the stranger.

He didn’t wish to scare whoever it was, so he approached slowly. Still, there was no movement. Were they so deep in their thoughts they didn’t hear him walking up? He stepped closer. He still couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman. The person didn’t move. He went nearer, close enough he could touch them. Just as he was about to, they turned and looked at him. Cass! He had assumed she was safely in the castle somewhere, if not already back in her room. He would have never thought she might wander out into the night and cold. What had possessed her to come outside?

All she wore was a thin jacket. Her hands were shoved into her pockets. She wasn’t dressed adequately for this weather. She should have on a woolly hat and scarf and a thicker jacket. “What’re you doing here?”

She looked away, toward the last of the dying light.

“Are you okay? It’s much too cold to be sitting here.”

“I had to get out. I’ve been cooped up in a hospital for weeks. I needed some fresh air.” Her words were so soft he leaned forward to hear them.

Lyle glanced in the direction she was looking and saw nothing that should hold her attention. He could only guess that her thoughts were so deep she had no idea what danger she was in. Could she even find her way back to the castle?

But first things first. “How long have you been out here?”

It took a moment before she answered, “I don’t know.”

Had frostbite started? He needed to get her out of the cold.

“Why’re you here, Doctor?” Her voice sounded stronger.

That was encouraging. Much more like herself than her first few words. He pointed. “I live just down the lane there.”

“Oh.” Cass glanced over her shoulder then shrugged as if disinterested.

“I went to your room looking for you during dinner. I thought by now you would’ve come out of hiding and gone to your room for the night, prepared to ignore any knock on your door.” He took a seat beside her.

This time she really looked at him. “What gave you that idea?”

“The expression on your face when I told you that you’d be expected for dinner in the dining room. I guessed you weren’t planning to come. However, I didn’t expect you to run outside to get away.”

She pursed her lips and nodded. “Yeah, I don’t think I’m gonna make those communal meals. And I’m not running away.”

“We’re not going to discuss that now. What we need to do is get you inside and warmed up.” He stood.

Cass didn’t move. Instead, her attention went to the sky once more. “Don’t worry about me. I’m all right.”

Lyle’s brows drew together. He was sure she didn’t appreciate the full effect of his reaction because of the dim lighting. “So you’re knowledgeable enough about the area that you can get around without getting lost?”

Cass straightened and glared at him. “I work in search and rescue. I assure you I can manage to get myself back to the castle.”

There was spunk in her voice. “That remains to be seen. You’re obviously ignorant of the danger of being out in this weather without adequate clothing. I’m not taking any chances on losing one of our residents to exposure. Right now, you’re going to the closest warm place and that’s my cottage. When you’re defrosted and dry, I’ll walk you back to the castle.”

It wasn’t until that moment that Cass registered she was bone cold. How long had she been sitting here, staring off into space?

“Come with me. My cottage isn’t far.” He offered his large gloved hand, palm up.

She stared at it a moment. Was she acting crazy, like he already thought she was? Cass took his hand just long enough to slide off the wall. He turned and she trailed after him. They didn’t go far before they entered a small clearing with a two-story stone cottage sitting in the middle. Trees surrounded it. A light over the door was on and another burned brightly in the window. Someone was expecting him.

“Is your wife going to mind you bringing a wayward patient home?”

“If I had one, she wouldn’t mind.” He walked to the door and opened it, then turned and waited for her to enter.

Cass stepped in, giving him room to follow. They stood in a small hallway. He waved a hand toward a room off to one side as he closed the door and began removing his coat. “Go on in and take off your shoes. They must be wet. I’ll have the fire burning in a minute.”

She entered what must be his living area. There was a small couch and a large leather chair situated close to the fireplace. The seat of the chair had a dip in it. It was obviously the doctor’s favorite spot. A lamp and a stack of books sat on the floor beside it. A desk with papers strewn across it was against the wall with a window that faced the front lawn. Behind the desk stood a wooden chair. On the other side were shelves full of haphazardly placed books and a few framed pastoral scenes on the wall. The room had a very masculine feel to it. The man certainly owned his space. Cass found that comforting and reassuring in some odd way.

Lyle soon joined her, minus his outer clothing and shoes. He was in his socked feet, which made him seem even more approachable. “You don’t have your shoes off yet? You need to get that jacket off as well. It looks like it’s soaked through.”

Cass started to remove a boot. “I can tell you spend a lot of time telling people what to do.”

“You can thank my father and time in the army for that.” He pulled a box of matches off the mantel, knelt and lit the fire. It soon came to life. “You really don’t have any idea how long you’ve been outside?”

Cass considered pretending she hadn’t heard the question. She’d gotten lost in her thoughts, her disappointment and grief, but the last thing she wanted to do was confess why she’d been out there. “No, I’m not sure.”

He stood. “You really are going to have to be more careful around here. It’s easy to wander somewhere you shouldn’t. With or without snow.”

Although she hadn’t yet gotten her boot off, Cass removed her coat. It was heavier than usual. He was right. She hadn’t noticed how wet she had become.

The doctor reached for it and she allowed him to take it. Going to the desk, he hung it over the back of the chair, which he then pulled closer to the fire.

“Do you regularly bring patients home to sit by the fire?” She dropped one boot to the floor.

He grinned. It was a nice one. The kind that made her want to return it. “No. I’d have to say you’re the first. But then I only do it for people sitting on my fence who are obviously about to freeze to death.”

Shivering, Cass removed the other boot and let it drop beside the first one.

He pulled a colorful knit throw of orange, browns and tan off the back of the leather chair and draped it over her shoulders. She pulled the edges around her. Warmth filled her immediately. After letting it seep in, she removed her wet socks and spread them on the hearth. With a sigh, she stretched her ice-cold feet out toward the flames. Rubbing her stiff damaged leg, she got comfortable on the small sofa.

“I’ll go and brew a pot for tea.” Lyle started out of the room.

“The English and their tea,” Cass murmured.

“I heard that. And I’m Scottish. Not English,” he said with a clipped note.

Cass winced. She’d just been chastised. Her mother would be displeased with Cass for being rude, no matter what the circumstances.

He looked over his shoulder. “I forget you’re American. Would you prefer coffee? I think I have some in the back of the pantry.” He waited, an expectant look on his face.

She mustered a slight smile. “No, tea is fine. You’ve already gone to a lot of trouble for me.”

“No trouble.” He left the room.

While listening to him moving around in another part of the house, Cass laid her head back against the cushion of the sofa and gazed into the flames. The feeling was returning to her feet. She wiggled them. This was nice. The most peaceful she had felt in weeks.

Lyle returned with a small tray. On it were two steaming mugs, a milk jug and a sugar bowl. “Do you take yours with sugar and milk?”

“I don’t know. My coffee I like with both.”

“Then let’s try it that way.” The doctor mixed the ingredients in and handed her a mug.

She wrapped her hands around it, letting the heat seep into her icy fingers.

He sank into his chair with his mug in his hand. The chair fit him perfectly. “How’re you feeling now?”

“Much better. I had no idea how cold and wet I was.”

Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees with the mug between his palms. “You really need thicker socks and boots. There’s a good shop in the village for those.”

“My sturdy boots were cut off and discarded when I was taken to the medical tent. I went straight from the tent to the hospital and from the hospital to here. When I can, I’ll buy another pair. And maybe replace my cellphone.” She had said more than she had intended.

His brows went up. “Medical tent? I had no idea. Do you mind telling me what happened?”

“It wasn’t in my file?”

He pursed his lips and gave a noncommittal shake of his head. “Yes, but I’d like to hear it about it from you. I think you need to talk.”

“Being a shrink again, Doc?”

“It’s Lyle, and I was going more for being your friend.” He leaned back, looking completely comfortable. “If you don’t want to talk about it that’s fine.”

Now she was being put on the spot. If she didn’t tell him something he would think she was a head case. “There’s not much to tell. I was searching for a girl lost in the rubble of a building after a major explosion in Eastern Europe. It had been two days and there wasn’t much hope. I found her alive but in the process a wall fell on me. So now you have it.” Cass had been careful not to use the word we. She didn’t want to talk about Rufus. She refused to break down in front of this stranger, no matter how nice he was.

“Wow, that’s some story.”

And he hadn’t heard it all. Wouldn’t ever as far as she was concerned. “Yeah, makes for a great party story.”

He gave her a direct look. “I think it makes you a pretty impressive person. Your type of work can be both rewarding and very depressing.”

He was right about that. His piercing empathy made her conscious of her vulnerability. She wasn’t used to people seeing through what she said that clearly. The men she’d had relationships with certainly hadn’t—including Jim, her latest disaster. Now she had scars on her body. How would men react to them?

Lyle put the mug down. “How’re your hands and feet feeling now?”

Relieved he’d changed the subject, she answered, “Instead of being numb they feel like needles are being pushed into them.”

“That’s good. The feeling is returning.”

Giving him a wry smile, she brought the mug to her lips again. The warmth flowed through her, matching the heat in the room. “So how come the administrator of the prestigious Heatherglen Castle Clinic is living way out here in the woods?”

Looking over the edge of the mug, he gave her an indulgent look. “In the daylight it’s not that far out. This was the gamekeeper’s cottage. When I returned from serving in the Middle East I needed a place to live. Turned out this came with the administrator’s job.”

“I don’t see you as the military type.” He didn’t strike her as a squared shoulders, stand-at-attention kind of man. His smile was too quick, his manner too easygoing to fit into that strait-laced world.

“Aye. I was born and bred to it.”

The words were flat, suggesting that hadn’t been a completely good thing. There was more there but she didn’t ask. It wasn’t her business and she didn’t like him prying into hers, so she wouldn’t.

“You were overseas?”

“Aye, two tours in the Middle East.”

“That couldn’t have been much fun.” She was sure that was an understatement.

A dark look came over his face. “It wasn’t.”

He must have seen stuff similar to what she had in her work. She would never have guessed they’d have anything in common. Cass didn’t want to talk about the similarities in their backgrounds. Instead she would rather lock it away and not think about the past. Or the pain. “So you were raised around here?”

“Yes. In the village of Cluchlochry. My parents don’t live far from here. Where’re you from?”

His tone led her to believe he loved the area. “Indiana, but I live in Montana now.”

He raised his eyebrows and nodded approvingly. “I’ve been there. Beautiful scenery.”

“It is. That’s my favorite thing about it. But even with all the snow, it’s pretty around here as well.”

“In the spring it’s like living inside an emerald it’s so green.” Reverence made his Scottish accent more pronounced.

Did it do the same when he whispered in a woman’s ear when he desired her? Heaven help her! That wasn’t a thought she should be having. Where had that idea come from? She swallowed hard and wiggled her toes. Surely it was the fire making her skin so hot.

“Let me have a look at those. I want to make sure you don’t have the beginnings of frostbite.” He went down on one knee in front of her.

“Look at what?” Her mind had been in a completely different place. “Oh, my feet. I don’t think that’s necessary.”

He gave her an odd look then patted his thigh. “But I do. Put your foot up here.”

With reluctance she did as he requested. Lyle’s leg was firm beneath her bare sole, his corduroy pants soft.

He cradled her heel gently in the palm of his hand. All his touches were functional and professional, yet a streak of response zipped through her. She pulled back and sat straighter, watching the top of his head with its light, curly red hair. Were those coils as soft as they looked? She almost reached out a hand. Almost…

“Wiggle your toes for me.”

Her head jerked up. It took her a long second to comply.

His fingers traveled over her toes. She pulled back but he held her foot securely. He raised his head, a slight grin on his lips. “Ticklish.” It was more a statement than question.

“A little.” It sounded childish to admit.

Cass groaned inside.

“There’s no sign of frostbite here. That’s good.” He placed that foot on the floor. “Let me see the other one.”

Cass didn’t even try to resist this time. He gave that foot the same attention as the other, but without tickling her. For some reason that disappointed her.

“Wiggle,” he commanded.

She did.

“Good.” He rose from the floor and moved to pick up one of her socks. “These are still damp. You really are going to have to get some thicker ones when you buy those boots if you plan to take walks. When the snow melts it can get very muddy. I’ll get you some dry ones to wear back to the castle.” He left the room.

It was past time for her to get back to the clinic but his place was so cozy, so comfortable. Too much Lyle’s space. She shouldn’t be having such a reaction to him. This wasn’t the time to add more conflicting emotions to those she already had.

He soon returned and handed her a pair of thick, very masculine navy socks. She had no doubt these would keep her feet dry. He took his chair while she pulled them on. Immediately her feet were warmer.”

“These feel great. Thank you. I’ll have them laundered and returned as soon as possible.”

He poked at the fire, making sure the screen was secure around it. “No hurry. I know where to find them if I need them.”

Cass reached for her shoes. “I think it’s time for me to be going. I’ve taken up enough of your evening.”

Lyle didn’t disagree with her. Instead he rose and went into the hallway. With her shoes now on, Cass reached for her damp coat.

“Wait. You need a dry coat as well.” He had one in his hand, holding it open for her. She slipped her arms in and he settled the heavy jacket on her shoulders. There was that same smell she had caught when she’d first met him. The coat swallowed her whole but it was like being wrapped in his arms. Although that was an unsettling and unrealistic notion, it was nevertheless a reassuring one.

Lyle pulled on his own outdoor clothing while she waited. He studied her a moment. “You need a hat, scarf and some gloves as well.” Disappearing upstairs, he returned with a handful of woolen items.

“I can’t take these. Surely you need them.” She offered them back to him.

He shook his head. “I have a drawer full. My mother knits these.”

Cass ran her hand across them. The wool was so soft. “It feels wonderful.”

“Try on the hat. It may not be tight enough, but it’ll be better than nothing.” He watched her expectantly.

Cass pulled the dark tan hat over her head, tucking in stray hair around her face. She still held the scarf. “I’ll be all right without this.”

“No, you won’t.” His stern look stopped her from further argument.

Cass wasn’t used to having people tell her what to do. A bit irritated, she wrapped the scarf around her neck. It too smelled of pine and wood smoke, like him. Those scents would forever remind her of Lyle.

She forced that thought out of her head and focused on tucking the ends of the scarf inside her borrowed coat. “Your mother does a beautiful job.”

“Thank you. What I can count on is that you’ll stay warm in them. These gloves will be far too large but they will work for right now. You’ll need to buy some of those as well. Now, come on, it’s time we got you back to the castle.”

She inhaled. There was that scent again. Yes, she needed to get out of here. Something about Lyle and his home made her wish for things better left alone.

CHAPTER THREE

LYLE OPENED THE door and the bitter cold embraced her. Cass pulled the scarf a little tighter around her neck, glad to have it. Lyle closed the door behind them, blocking out all but the porch light.

It was cold and darkness had taken over. As they walked further away from the house she could see the stars shining brightly. She paused in awe. It was beautiful.

Cass had been to many places in the world, but few compared to how amazing it was here with the moon and the stars…and the peace. In the distance there was a rise with what looked like the ruins of an old building on its crest. She pointed. “What’s that place?”

“That’s the old castle keep. The first laird of Heatherglen build it. It’s a tumble of stones now but you can get a beautiful view of the valley, including the village, from up there. There’s a path to it, but I don’t recommend you go off on your own. The path can be a bit tricky in a number of places.”

“Are you worried about me wandering away?”

He searched her face for a moment. “I’d like to hope not, but based on the facts I have so far, I feel like you might.”

“I repeat, I was a member of a search and rescue team.” One that was broken now. She no longer had a partner.

He pulled a flashlight out of his pocket and turned it on now that they were way from the cottage. “I understand that, but surely you’ve always had help.”

She’d always had Rufus. Had relied on him to return them back home safely. Now she had no one. At this particular moment Lyle was fulfilling the role Rufus had had in her life. Still, she wasn’t sure she could ever let herself truly rely or care for anybody, whether dog or human, ever again.

“Search and rescue is an interesting vocation. How did you get started in that?”

“When I was ten my younger brother got lost in the woods while my family was on a camping trip. He was gone almost twenty-four hours. My parents and I were terrified we would never see him again. The search and rescue people saved the day. Later on in college I realized I wanted to help people like my family had been helped.” She paused. Why was she telling this virtual stranger all of this? What about Lyle had her talking so much?

He matched his pace to her slower one. “You and your kind are special people. I worked with a few of you while I was in the army. Did you do your training there?”

“No. I didn’t start that until after college. While I was in school I worked at the vet clinic at the university. I was there most weekends as a volunteer. Some of the dogs were retired search dogs. After working with them I had no doubt what I should be doing.”

“It sounds like an exciting way to make a living.” He sounded truly impressed.

Sometimes it could be too exciting. She had no interest in reliving the last few months of her life. “It can be, but it also has its downsides. It’s awful to see people desperately searching for loved ones or learn that a family member can’t be saved.”

“I know what you mean. War can do devastating things to a body. Trying to piece it back together can be the stuff of nightmares.” His sincerity convinced Cass he understood all too well.

In spite of her determined efforts to conceal her private hell, she was feeling uncomfortably vulnerable yet again. “I’d rather not compare notes on what we’ve seen.” Her last assignment was at the top of the list.

“You’re right. Some things are better left in the past.”

Cass couldn’t agree more. She’d had enough issues generated in the recent past to last her a lifetime. She wobbled when she stepped into a snow-covered dip in the ground.

His hand nestled in her elbow. “How’s that leg feeling?”

“Like a building fell on it and it had more PT than it liked.”

“I bet it does. You’re doing too much. A walk outside might have been over the top.” He moved the torch so that it illuminated the snow in front of her.

“I’m handling it.” She was, just barely though.

“I spoke to Flora and she said you might have overdone things today.”

She pulled her arm from his hold. “Are you going around checking up on me?”

“That’s part of my job.” Nothing in Lyle’s voice was apologetic.

Cass stepped as far away from him as the path would allow. “Well, I’ll have you know I don’t need a babysitter.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I also understand you’re in a big hurry to leave us. You know, you can hurt people’s feelings with that attitude.”

When was the last time she had been teased? Her personality didn’t make people do that often. “I’m not as interested in people’s feelings as I am in getting my leg and arm well again. You do know I could’ve made it back by myself. All I had to do was come out the gate and follow the fence back.”

“That may have been so, but I couldn’t take the chance of you getting lost. It looks bad in the press for the clinic to lose a patient.”

No matter how she tried to push him away, or how close she came to rudeness, he seemed to take it in stride. She had to appreciate his sense of humor and self-assurance. He had an ability to make her smile even when she didn’t want to or feel like it.

A whimper from somewhere up ahead caught Cass’s attention. Her senses went on full alert. She searched the ground for who or what was making the noise. Her reaction came from years of being vigilant at her job. Unable to see clearly in the small amount of light, she angled her head to listen. There it was again.

Lyle turned his flashlight toward a hedge nearby. The sound came again. It was animal, not human. This time Lyle stepped in the direction of it.

“Do you hear that?”

“Yes.” She didn’t move from her spot. The noises brought back painful memories. Like the ones Rufus had made just before he’d died.

“It’s an animal in trouble.” Lyle took small steps toward the shrubbery, making the light arc back and forth. The whimper came again, and he focused the beam in that spot. “It’s a dog.”

Cass’s chest tightened. She couldn’t deal with a dog right now. Even a stray.

“Hey, buddy, do you need some help?” Lyle asked in a tender, soothing tone. His shoulder moved as if he were reaching out a hand.

There was a growl.

Cass still remained rooted where she was. She couldn’t make herself step forward.

“We can’t leave it out here in the cold. It looks like it’s starving.” Lyle reached out his hand again.

Another growl.

Lyle spoke over his shoulder. “If I can get it to come to me I’ll take it to the canine therapy center. Esme will check it out and see about it.”

Cass forced herself to take a step closer. She looked over Lyle’s back to where the light was directed. He reached forward once more.

The dog snarled, showing its teeth.

“It doesn’t look like it’s going to let me take it. I can’t just leave it here. I’m afraid it’ll freeze before morning.”

Cass was shocked back to reality. The animal was so obviously undernourished. It shook in the cold. Its big brown eyes had a pitiful, fearful look. Cass’s heart lurched. She had to do something. Everything in her that made her vulnerable to getting hurt again reached out to this pathetic animal. She didn’t want to care but couldn’t help herself.

Lyle didn’t understand Cass’s standoffishness. After all, she had worked with a dog. He glanced back at her. She just stood there, staring at him and the dog. “I don’t recognize it as anybody’s around here. I know them as well as I know their owners.”

Finally, Cass blinked and stepped forward, but there was little enthusiasm on her face. “Let me see if I can help.” She went down on her knees, paying no attention to the wetness that must be seeping into her jeans. Removing a glove, she reached out her hand, letting the small scruffy dog smell her.

The dog slowly extended its nose. It obviously liked Cass far better than him. It crawled out from under the hedge and came to Cass. Just a puppy, it was small with muddy matted hair. One of its ears stood up while the other flopped. It had an oddly patterned coat, making it look of mixed breed. Cass lifted the dog to her chest.

Lyle stood. “It figures. I’ve always been far better with people than animals. It likes you.”

Cass gave him a dry smile. When she struggled to stand he helped her.

“The canine therapy center is right down this way. Not far. Just behind the castle. It used to be the stables. It’s just through the woods.” He led them back to the path. “We’ll take it there. Esme will see to it.”

Cass didn’t say anything as she came to stand beside him. As they walked she held the dog close but not overly so. Was she afraid of the dog? Or was there more going on? Lyle would have thought she’d be the first in on a rescue.

Soon they reached the center. The lights were still on. “Esme must be keeping another late night. I’m glad I didn’t have to call and get her out in the weather again. She’s the veterinarian. This therapy center/veterinary center is Esme’s brainchild.” He hurried ahead and held the door for Cass.

She moved in past him.

“Esme, it’s Lyle,” he called as the door closed behind him.

“Hey, be there in a sec,” came Esme’s voice from another room.

She soon appeared with a broad smile on her face. Her short blonde hair was disheveled, as if she had been running her hands through it. “What’s going on?”

Lyle nodded toward Cass, who still held the dog. “We have a patient for you.”

Esme looked at the dog then gave Cass a questioning look.

“Esme, this is Cass Bellow, one of our new residents. She hasn’t made it down to meet the dogs yet, so you haven’t met her.”

“Welcome, Cass. So, who do you have there?” Esme reached for the dog.

It growled.

“Aw, I see you have that special touch,” Esme said, speaking to Cass. “Bring it back here and I’ll give it a look.” Esme led them down a short hall into an examination room. “Put it on the table.”

Cass did as she was told.

Esme went to touch the dog again and it rumbled a complaint deep in its chest.

“I’ll give him something to ease his anxiety.” Esme went to draw up a syringe of medicine.

“Apparently Cass has that special something with animals.” Lyle looked at her, expecting to see a positive expression, but instead she appeared distraught. What was wrong?

Esme quickly and efficiently gave the dog an injection. It soon rested easily in Cass’s arms. “You can put him on the table now. He shouldn’t be any trouble.”

Cass placed the dog on the metal table and backed away. “I think you have this now.” She looked at him. “I can find my way back to the castle from here.”

Cass was out the door before Lyle could stop her.

“She seemed in a hurry,” Esme murmured as she started examining the dog.

Lyle agreed. That accompanied intense curiosity about the stricken look on Cass face as she’d fled.

The next evening Lyle entered the dining room. A number of the residents were already there and engrossed in conversation. Cass wasn’t one of them. He hadn’t seen her since the night before. The few times he had left his office during the day she hadn’t been anywhere in sight. After her reaction to the dog he’d been very interested in how she was doing.

Everyone was seated at the table and the food was ready to serve when Cass entered the room. Relief washed through him. He had feared he was going to have to go and find her and he hadn’t been looking forward to the conversation that would have taken place.

She was dressed in a simple white button-down shirt and jeans. On her feet were the same boots she’d worn the night before. Her hair was brushed back and it didn’t look as if she had any makeup on. There was a fresh, simple air about Cass that appealed to him. Something he was completely unprepared for.

For too long he’d held onto Freya because she had been something safe and secure in a world he’d been unable to control. He had been too young, too unsure of life and couldn’t see that before he’d gone overseas. Still, the way their relationship had ended had colored how he viewed potential partners. He was gun-shy, and he’d be the first to admit it. The next time he got involved with a woman he wanted it to be a mature, mutual lifelong commitment. That certainly couldn’t be with a resident who would soon be gone and had her own life thousands of miles away. He needed to stop any kind of thoughts like the ones he was having now.

“We’re glad to have you join us,” he informed Cass as he stood and pulled out the chair next to him. Smiling, he added, “I was worried I might have to go out in the weather to hunt you down.”

She gave the therapy dog belonging to the resident on the other side of her a long uncertain look before taking the offered seat. “It isn’t because I didn’t think about skipping out.”

“I’m glad you changed your mind.”

She gave him a direct look. “Hunger pangs changed it for me.”

He nodded. “Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

“You don’t—” She didn’t finish the sentence when those at the table turned to look at her.

“Everyone, this is Cass.” Lyle then went round the table, giving each person’s name. They either nodded or said hello to her as he went. She offered them all a tight smile.

The food was served family style out of large bowls and platters, passed around the table. Cass only took small amounts of a few items. At this rate she would never gain back the weight he suspected she had lost.

“I thought you might like to know that the puppy we found last night is doing well. Esme said he’s fine except for being underweight. He should make a full recovery.”

“That’s good.” She started picking at her meal.

Cass wasn’t helping much with making conversation. Lyle made another effort. “She’s going to ask around and see if anyone claims him.”

“That’s nice.” Cass took a bite of food as if she loathed doing it.

Roger, the man sitting on the other side of her, asked her a question. Cass gave him a two-word answer. Apparently, she didn’t want to carry on a conversation with anyone. But she needed to. If he had ever seen someone badly in need of interaction, it was Cass.

He tried another approach. “I see the residents and staff have been busy in here today. It looks festive.”

Cass looked around as if she was seeing the room for the first time.

How could she not react to the greenery and red bows hanging from the chandeliers, along with the large matching centerpiece of green boughs, velvet bows, and crimson balls? Or the mantel filled with decorations? In his experience it was the kind of stuff women loved.

Other than her hesitant look at the dog beside her, she appeared unaware of everything and everyone. He’d forced Cass into noticing him, but only for an all-too-brief moment. For some reason he wanted her to initiate an interaction with him. He wanted her to like him.

Lyle transferred his attention to Alice, who sat on his other side. Maybe giving Cass space would help open her up a bit. He and Alice carried on a lively conversation about the upcoming village Christmas market beginning this weekend. They went on to discuss some of the other events planned for the festive season, like the annual Christmas festival at the castle, and the live nativity in the village.

“I was told there would be a tree lighting in the village and a parade in a few weeks.” Alice’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“There is and they even include some of the dogs from the center.”

He glanced at Cass a few times during the discussion and caught her listening. When she saw him looking, she focused on her food again. He decided to try to draw her into conversation once more. “Cass, do you like craft markets?”

Her head jerked up. “I…uh… I do.”

“Then you’ll want to be sure and catch the minibus into Cluchlochry on Saturday morning. The village has a pretty impressive one. Great place to buy Christmas presents.”

“I’ll think about it.” She pushed back her chair. “Right now I need to go for a walk before it gets dark.”

“Hey, before you go could I speak to you for a moment in private?”

Her expression said no. Yet she answered, “Okay, but just for a minute. I really want to walk.”

“I promise not to take up too much of your time.” He rose when she did and followed her into the hall. “Why don’t we go to the lounge?” With a hand he directed her down the hall. She headed that way and he joined her. They turned a corner and entered another hall. At the first doorway, Lyle opened the door to the large room with numerous sitting areas. A fire roared in the fireplace in the center of the main wall. Windows filled the opposite side.

“Why don’t we have a seat?”

“I’m starting to feel like I’m being brought into the principal’s office. You could have gotten on to me about not going to canine therapy again today in the hall outside the dining room.” Cass sat on the edge of a cushion of the closest sofa.

“I could have, but I’m more interested in finding out why you’re so resistant to the idea of canine therapy. Especially since I know your job entailed working closely with a dog. I assume you at least like animals a bit. I noticed you were slow to help with the dog we found and left the center as quickly as you could. I read in your file that you lost your partner.” He didn’t miss the stricken look that flickered in her eyes. “Is that what the problem is? I’d like to help. The staff here would like to help.”

Cass shot to her feet. “I don’t want your help or anyone else’s. If you want me to go to canine therapy, fine. I’ll be there tomorrow.”

“There you are.” Charles walking toward them stopped anything further Cass might have said.

Lyle came to his feet. “Hi, Charles. I’d like you to meet Cassandra Bellow. She’s one of our newest residents. Cass, this is Dr. Charles Ross-Wylde. Also the Laird of Heatherglen and Esme’s brother.”

Charles smiled at Cass. “It’s nice to meet you. Please call me Charles.”

“Hello. You have a lovely home…castle.” Cass’s words were tight and formal. She glanced toward the door.

Charles chuckled. “Thank you. You’re American, aren’t you?”

“I am.”

“You must be the woman who works in search and rescue?” He gave her an earnest look. “Interesting job.”

“It can be.” Cass looked toward the door again. “Why don’t I let you two talk?” She slipped away.

Lyle watched her go. He had no doubt Cass would keep her word about going to therapy. How much she would get out of it was another question. He’d just have to trust that the dog she was paired with would do what was needed to help her heal.

“Lyle.”

He looked at Charles, who was grinning at him with twinkling eyes. “What?”

“You like her, don’t you?”

“Why would you say that?” Lyle didn’t want to discuss his confused reactions to Cass Bellow. Not even with his best friend Charles.

He laughed. “Because I called your name three times before you answered!”

Lyle wanted to groan. Now Charles would ask questions every time he saw him. “Did you have something important you wanted to talk to me about?”

Charles looked at him with a knowing smile on his lips. “It isn’t as interesting as Ms. Bellow but we need to talk about Andy and his progress.”

“Ah. Why don’t we go to my office to do that?”

Cass was still stomping and swinging her arms in exasperation when she reached the main road after the long walk down the castle drive. How dared Lyle treat her as if she were a disobedient child? She was doing her physical therapy. Aware of what she needed, it wasn’t canine therapy. But he wasn’t going to give up.

She’d gone to dinner like he wanted, wasn’t that enough? She would go to the canine therapy center tomorrow all right, but her participation in the therapy would be minimal and uncooperative. That should keep him off her case.

“Be strong,” she said to the trees, and shoved her hands into her jacket pockets. When her brother had been lost, her mother and father had hugged her too tightly and had constantly reminded her they all had to remain strong. Afterwards Cass had used the mantra “Be strong” whenever she’d felt helpless. Even now, years later, she was using it to defy that feeling.

“Be strong!” she yelled to the sky.

She’d been strong when Jim had broken her heart, then soon after that when she’d learned that Rufus was gone. She’d been strong when the doctors had warned her she might never regain full use of her crushed arm and leg. She had been strong during the grueling hospital stay. During her agonizing physical therapy sessions here. Only it didn’t matter how strong she was. Nothing changed. She was alone with no one to lean on.

The sound of a vehicle coming up the road drew her attention. The driver was going too fast for the icy conditions. As it came around the curve the back end went one way and then the other. The skid landed the front end of the car in the stone wall between Cass and the road.

She hurried out the castle gate and over to the car with her heart pounding, ignoring the ache in her leg. The engine was still running even though the hood was crumpled. The hot air of the radiator hitting the cold air created stream, making it difficult to see.

Cass reached out to touch the side of the car with a shaking hand. She’d not done any rescue work or even given anyone medical attention since her last assignment. Now here she was faced with an accident without the support of her partner. Could she do it? Would she break down and cry? She inhaled deeply, bracing herself. “Stay strong.”

She ran her hand down the side of the car to keep her bearings as she worked her way to the driver’s door. Cass pulled it open. She could, would, get through this.

The driver groaned, his palm pressed to his forehead.

“Are you okay?” Her instinct and training kicked in. “Don’t move. You could have more injuries.”

“I’m fine.” His words were slurred.

She placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “I’m an EMT. I know what I’m talking about. More help will be here soon.”

The man pulled his hand away from his head. Blood covered it.

“Don’t move,” she said firmly. “Keep your head back. I’m going to reach in and turn the engine off.” She found the ignition key and turned it. The steam dissipated.

There was a moan from the back seat. She had someone else to check on. If she only had a cellphone to call for help. Hers had been damaged in her accident and she hadn’t had time to replace it yet. Surely the driver had one. “Sir, do you have a phone? Tell me where it is, don’t try to find it yourself.”

The man gave her a weak yes and told her it was in his jacket pocket. Cass carefully reached inside his pocket and retrieved it.

Cass quickly dialed 999. When a person answered, Cass gave the call handler all the necessary information. She then stepped to the rear passenger door. Pulling it open, she found crumpled in the footwell a lady of around sixty. “You’re going to be fine. I know you’re in an uncomfortable position but try not to move.”

The woman groaned, but Cass knew from the sound she was barely conscious. Using her fingers, Cass searched for a pulse in the woman’s neck. She located one but it wasn’t strong.

A voice she recognized as Lyle’s said from behind her, “Don’t move her. She may have concussion.”

Cass said over her shoulder, “I’ve already told her that. And I’ve already called for help.”

“I know. I must have called right after you.”

She needed to get the man’s bleeding under control. “Do you have any supplies?”

“No. I was on my way home when I heard the crash.”

Cass stood. “You see about this woman and I’ll look for a first-aid kit.”

She worked her way to the front passenger door. Opening it, she searched the glove compartment for anything they could use. All she found was a stack of napkins. Those would have to do.

“Cass, we need to lay this lady down on the seat so I can examine her properly,” Lyle said.

“Okay, take these napkins and have the man hold them to his head. I’ll crawl in the back and help lift the woman up.”

Lyle accepted the napkins and applied them to the man’s head. “I need to get him to the clinic to stitch him up, but first we need to take care of this woman. She’s lost consciousness.”

Cass had been busy climbing into the backseat on her knees while he talked. Her leg rebelled at the position but she continued. She reached under the woman’s arms and locked her hands across her chest. To Lyle she said, “Ready?”

“On three. One, two, three.”

Cass pulled the woman against her chest. As the woman’s back came up on the seat, Lyle grabbed her ankles and lifted. Soon they had her lying across the seat. She moaned and her eyelids flickered.

“Will you check her pulse and heart rate while I see if she has any internal injuries?” Lyle asked, as he started pressing on the woman’s midsection.

“Her heart rate is steady but not very strong,” Cass reported.

“Okay. So far I can’t find any additional injuries.” He continued to examine the woman.

A minibus pulled out of the castle gate and drew up alongside them.

“We need to get them both up to the clinic where I can give them a thorough evaluation.” Lyle continued searching for problems.

Cass looked at the top of his head as he worked. “Shouldn’t we wait on an ambulance?”

“That’ll take too long. It has to come from Fort William. We’re the emergency care for this area.”

“Really?”

Now he met her look. “Rural area. That’s how it is.”

That made sense.

He was an impressive man to assume the responsibility for so many lives.

The staff member who had been driving the minibus joined them.

“Ron,” Lyle said, “we need to get these people to the clinic ASAP. The man should be able to sit up front. We’ll need the stretcher for the woman.”

Ron nodded and headed back to the minibus.

Lyle backed out of the car. “Cass, would you please continue to monitor her while I have a look at the man?”

“Okay.” Cass picked up the woman’s wrist and placed two fingers on the inside. It took a second but she located a pulse. Still shallow but steady.

“I’m going to get this man into the minibus,” Lyle called. “You good there?”

“Yes.” Cass remained focused on the woman, trying not to think about her own recovering leg and arm as she began to worry about the injured woman being exposed to the cold. “Bring a blanket if you’ve got one.”

“Will do.” A few minutes later Lyle returned, pushing a gurney with Ron’s help. “It’s going to take all of us to get her loaded.”

The two men positioned the gurney right outside the door.

Lyle handed her the blanket. Cass spread it over the woman. He tucked it around her legs. “Cass, if you’ll support her head and shoulders while Ron and I get on either side of her and lift her out, I think we can make it work.”

Cass wasn’t looking forward to the pain she was sure would rocket through her leg and arm from the exertion. That didn’t matter. Caring for the hurt woman was more important. Cass worked her hands under the woman’s shoulder blades and supported her head with her upper arms. “Ready.”

“Okay Ron. One, two, lift!”

Slowly the two men maneuvered the woman over the seat onto the gurney. Keeping the woman’s upper body and neck as straight and stable as possible, Cass crawled across the seat and out the other door. By then electrifying pain was coursing through every nerve of her leg. Her arms and back were convulsing under the strain. When she tried to stand, her traumatized leg gave way. She grabbed the gurney. Though it wobbled on its wheels, she managed to balance on her other leg.

“Damn,” Lyle swore as he reached for her. “I can’t believe I got so caught up in what was happening I forgot you were a recovering patient. Sit down.” He guided her to a seat of the vehicle. Giving her a stern look, Lyle ordered, “Stay there while we get this lady loaded.”

Cass hated to admit it but she was relieved to sit. Her eyes were watering from intense pain. As she took a moment, emotions swamped her. Her loss of direction, missing Rufus, the fog of her future all came down on her. Sorrow tightened her chest.

Lyle gave her a concerned look. For a second Cass feared he would question her but instead he said, “Ron, let’s get this woman strapped down and loaded.” Mere moments later he returned to her. “It’s your turn.”

Clenching her jaw, she stood. No matter how sick and unsure she felt inside, Cass refused to let it show, even if she had to struggle to do it. She feared Lyle was too perceptive and had already guessed. Cass said with more confidence than she felt, “I can walk.”

“Maybe so, but you aren’t going down on my watch.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her to the back of the vehicle.

Hot awareness of his strong sturdy body zipped through Cass as Lyle held her tight. Unable to stop herself, she leaned against him. After hesitating a moment, she rested her arm around his middle back and hobbled to the minibus. She couldn’t ignore the sensations simmering in her core any more than she could ignore her agonizing leg.

Lyle held her steady until she reached for the frame of the door. Cass was climbing into the minibus when she was lifted off her feet and placed gently on the floor. She looked over her shoulder. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Have a seat and move down.” Lyle wasted no words. He was all business.

She did as she was told, scooting down to the end of the small bench seat. Lyle joined her. Their bodies touched all the way along one side. Strangely she wanted to rest her head against his shoulder but she resisted the urge. She refused to show any more weakness. What would Lyle think of her if she had given in to that impulse?

Ron close the doors. They were soon moving. Lyle’s attention remained on the woman on the gurney, which was locked to the floor with straps. She still hadn’t regained consciousness. Lyle took her pulse as they rode. He gave Cass a nod.

From what Lyle had said, Cass assumed that they were headed to the castle. By the winding of the road she could tell she was right. After making a big circle, Ron backed the minibus to a stop. Seconds later he opened the door.

Lyle climbed out with one agile move. “You stay put,” he told her. “I don’t want you to fall. Someone will be out to get you.” He didn’t wait for her response before he and Ron unhooked the gurney and rolled the woman inside.

Cass forced herself not to shake. Memories of lying in the rubble of that building flooded back. The sound of her calling Rufus’s name and him not answering. The waiting until someone could get to her. Panic rose when Lyle didn’t come. Pain throbbed through her body. She needed to get out of here.

She searched the area she could see. It was a part of the castle she wasn’t familiar with. The vehicle was backed up to a small loading dock with two double doors. Her impatience grew to be an almost living thing. She had to do something. What if Lyle needed her help? Just as she was about to rise, Ron came through the doors, leaving them swinging. He gave her a glance then hurried down the steps nearby. Her heart dipped. He must be going after the man up front.

With Ron and Lyle concentrating their energies on the injured people, it would be some time before someone would come to assist her. She decided she wasn’t in so much pain that she couldn’t get herself inside.

Giving her leg a rub, she pushed up off the bench, making sure she didn’t use her right arm. It took effort. With a tight jaw she made it to her feet. She slowly moved out of the minibus, steadying herself by pressing her hand on the side of it. Just as she was stepping off, the doors swung open again and out came Melissa, pushing a wheelchair.

She positioned the wheelchair just outside the van doors and stepped inside. “Lyle sent me out for you. He said you wouldn’t stay seated long. I guess he was right.”

Cass didn’t like Lyle thinking he knew her that well, but she couldn’t deny he was right. She took a step forward, trying to keep as much weight as possible off the leg. Cass couldn’t deny the wheelchair was welcome.

“Here, let me help.” Melissa supported Cass to the chair and assisted her into it.

With Cass secure, she pushed her inside. They entered a large emergency examination room complete with all the most up-to-date equipment. Cass was fascinated. She’d had no idea this area of the clinic existed. There were many facets to Dr. Sinclair and his “clinic”.

Lyle stood beside the older lady, who still lay on the gurney. Thankfully she was now conscious and talking to him. Ron was busy cleaning the driver’s head wound at an exam table nearby.

“What can I do to help?” Cass asked, putting her hands on the arm of the wheelchair, preparing to stand.

Lyle gave her a piercing look of reprimand. “Nothing. You’ve done enough. You need to take care of yourself.”

“Surely you need some help.” Cass looked from him to the man Ron was seeing to and back.

Another member of the nursing staff rushed in. Behind her came another.

“We have plenty of help. Melissa, please see that Cass gets to her room. I’ll let Flora know what’s happened. She may want to examine you. Melissa, Cass actually might also benefit from some time in the hot tub.” Lyle’s attention returned to his patient.

Seconds later Cass was being wheeled out of the room. It didn’t take Melissa long to get her up to her room and hot water running in the tub. Cass gratefully slipped into the whirling water, looking forward to the relief it would bring her leg and arm. She’d survived her first emergency without Rufus. It had been a sad moment but somehow an encouraging one. In a small way, Cass was moving forward.

Lyle was ready for some rest but he needed to check on Cass first. The ambulance from Fort William had arrived to take the injured woman to the hospital. Lyle had stitched the gash on the man’s forehead and sent him home with family members. After a quick check on Cass he was headed for his cottage and bed. The adrenalin spike of handling an emergency had worn him out.

He knocked lightly on Cass’s door in case she was already sleeping. After waiting a minute and getting no answer, he turned to leave. He would see her tomorrow.

The door opened a crack. “Yes?”

He could only see a sliver of her but it was enough to tell that her hair had been pushed back and her face was freshly scrubbed. She looked adorable and unsure at the same time.

What was it about her that captivated him? That pulled at him like no other woman he knew did. Was it her strength? Determination? Her vulnerability? He needed to solve the puzzle and move on. Cass wouldn’t be here long and he wasn’t going to waste his emotions on anyone he didn’t intend to keep forever. He’d already gone down that road.

The dirty street behind him was graveled with disappointment and heartache. He had vowed the lane ahead would be paved with the love and loyalty of a woman who wanted him as much as he did her. A lifelong partner. The next time he fell in love, he would get it right.

He shoved that fantasy aside and concentrated on what he was there for. “How’re you doing?”

“Better after a hot bath.”

“Good. You were impressive out there, Cass. You stayed in control. I know you must have been in pain. You should have said something. More than that, I should’ve thought.” Guilt filled him. “I’m sorry.”

She opened the door wider. “Hey, I’m an EMT. I’m trained to help.”

“True, but you’re also a patient here. I should have remembered that.” She looked cute in her T-shirt with her pink-tipped toes.

“I’m fine.” For once her eyes weren’t clouded with hidden feelings. In fact, there was a hint of a smile in them.

“I’m glad. Then I’ll let you get some rest.” He needed to go. Right now. He started down the hall.

“Hey, Lyle.”

He almost kept going, but curiosity got the better of him.

“You were pretty impressive out there too.”

He smiled. It felt good to have someone praise him, especially Cass. He was confident in his abilities, but it didn’t hurt to have others notice. His father certainly hadn’t. “Thanks. Sleep well, Cass.”

CHAPTER FOUR

CASS’S HAND SHOOK as she wrapped it around the handle of the glass door of the canine therapy center the next afternoon. She had said she’d keep her appointment and she would. But she wasn’t looking forward to it.

The thought of having anything to do with a dog made her want to break down and cry. The pain of losing Rufus was still too raw. It might be silly for a grown professional woman to feel this way, but she didn’t care. Rufus was gone. Some part of her clung to the irrational hope he would be waiting with his tail wagging when she returned home. No other dog could replace him.

She would do what she had to, then hurry to her room for a good cry.

When she jerked the door open the young man sitting behind the desk started. This was the same high-ceilinged room with the rough board walls where she and Lyle had brought the puppy a couple of nights before. He’d said it used to be the stables and she could now see that. The other night all that’d filled her mind was that she had a dog in her arms.

“Can I help you?” the man at the desk asked.

“I’m Cass Bellow. I’m a resident at the clinic.”

He looked down as if checking a list, then back at her. “Oh, yes, we’ve been expecting you.” As he got to his feet he added, “Come with me. Margaret assists with the canine therapy program. She’s back here.”

Cass forced her feet to move and followed him down a hall. It wasn’t the same one Lyle and Esme had led her down to the examination room the other night. The man pushed through a swing door. Cass entered a room furnished with easy chairs.

A dark-haired woman was down on her heels next to a woman seated in an easy chair holding a small black dog of no pedigree. Cass recognized the woman in the chair from the dinner table at the clinic. Lyle had introduced them, but Cass didn’t remember her name. Shame pricked her. She hadn’t even tried.

“Margaret, this is Cass Bellow,” the man announced.

The dark-haired woman looked at them, stood and came toward Cass with one hand outstretched. She smiled. “It’s great to finally meet you.”

Was that her subtle way of reprimanding her for not showing up for her earlier appointments? The temptation to run grew.

“I help Esme with the canine therapy here at Heatherglen,” Margaret continued.

The man quietly left the way they had come in.

Staring at the small dog that was enjoying the woman’s gentle pats, Cass’s chest tightened. She wasn’t ready for this. She had no interest in doing anything with a dog.

Margaret was saying, “I thought you might like to meet Muffin. He’s a sweet little dog. He’ll be your companion during your stay. Let me get him and you can get acquainted.” She stepped through a side door.

Cass stood, knees shaking, in the middle of the room, looking everywhere but at the other woman. She didn’t want any responsibility for a dog for the next month. Especially one named Muffin. Her breathing became shallow. Her mouth turned dry. She shifted from one foot to the other. The need to leave intensified. This was too much. A meltdown was building if she didn’t get out of there. She wasn’t ready, might not ever be. What if she became too attached to the ridiculous Muffin? She would be leaving soon. All this pain would be there again.

Without thought Cass bolted for the door and up the hall to the front room. She had to get out of there. Ignoring the man behind the desk calling her name, she shoved the door open and stumbled into the cold air. Sucking in a deep breath, she kept going, heading toward the castle. By way of a side door she’d found yesterday, she slipped inside unnoticed.

Instead of going to her room, where someone would surely look for her, she headed for the conservatory. While exploring she’d also found an alcove hidden behind some large palm plants and banana trees with only a small sofa. There she could lick her wounds in private.

Relief washed through her when she found the floral fabric-covered settee empty. She sat, pulling her legs up under her and wrapping the coat Lyle had loaned her tighter. When would the pain go away?

She had no idea how long she had been sitting there staring off into space when she heard, “Cass?”

Lyle.

She stiffened. How had he found her? It didn’t matter. She had no intention of explaining herself. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone? “Go away.”

He just stood there.

Finally, she murmured, “How did you know where to find me?”

“I saw you come in here. When I had a call from the center I knew where to look.”

Great. She’d believed she’d made her escape. Her focus remained on the green spots showing in the snow that was melting outside. “So now you’re riding to the rescue.”

Lyle came to sit beside her. “I’d just like to help. Be a friend. I was told you looked upset.”

Maybe if she ignored him he would go away. Instead of him taking the hint to leave, he settled further back into the cushions, his big body almost touching hers. They remained like that for a while, neither saying anything.

“You’re not leaving, are you?” Cass stared at the dust motes dancing in the sunbeam streaming through the glass.

“Not until I know you’re okay.” He stretched his legs out and crossed his ankles.

She huffed. “Let me assure you I’m not going to harm myself.”

“I didn’t think that but it’s good to hear.”

He settled back as though he was content to stay the rest of the day. As the silence between them grew so did her temper. She hissed, “What do I have to say to get you to leave?”

For a moment she thought he was ignoring her. When he did reply, concern laced his voice. “I’d like to understand why you’re determined to have no part in our canine therapy program, especially since you work with a dog all the time.”

Could she tell him? Would he understand? Was that the only way to get him to leave her alone? If he knew, maybe he would see to it she didn’t have to go to canine therapy.

She opened her mouth to tell him about Rufus but the words stuck in her throat. If she said it out loud, then it would make it true. She didn’t want that. Couldn’t live with that. She closed her eyes tight. Maybe if she said it really fast she could get it out. “Rufus, my partner, died. Now I don’t know if I can be around a dog all the time.”

The moisture she had been banking for days seeped out of her closed eyelids. She took a deep breath in an effort to stop the sob welling in her throat but it didn’t work. Instead she doubled over in agony. As she tried to catch her breath Lyle ran his large hand across her back in a comforting stroke.

Then he cupped her shoulder and pulled her against his chest. She buried her face in his shirt, her fingers clutching his sides. All the emotions she had held in check since the day that wall had collapsed flowed freely. The pain deep within her consumed her. Rufus was gone. Life as she’d known it had gone with him.

Lyle held her close, rubbing her shoulders and back. “Let it all out,” he whispered.

Cass did. All the raw feelings she’d held in check for weeks flowed, leaving her nothing but a heaving shell. She couldn’t stop the pain, fear and sorrow from escaping.

Lyle continued holding her and murmuring soft reassuring words while she clung to him.

She had no idea how much time had passed when she woke with a start. Disorientated, she still had a sense of safety. Slowly it dawned on her she was still in Lyle’s arms.

Embarrassment flooded her. Placing her palms on his chest, she pushed into a sitting position. Yet one of his hands remained on her back.

“I’m so sorry for that ugly scene,” she heard herself saying. “I don’t know why I fell apart like that. It isn’t like me.”

“I’d imagine it was because you needed to. You’ve been under a tremendous strain.” He shifted, putting his hands on his thighs.

She missed the reassuring weight immediately. Lyle was right, there was a lot of stress and emotion involved in her profession. She should be able to handle it. But where Rufus was concerned she was lost. Cass wiped at his sweater. “I’ve made a mess of your clothes.”

“I don’t mind. I’m glad I was here to help.” He sounded as if he meant it.

“So part of your job description is to have patients cry all over you?” Cass managed a weak smile.

He looked at her tenderly. “Not all patients. I have to say you’re a special case.”

Warmth gradually replaced the coldness running through her. Lyle was a nice man saying all the right things. For an instant she wished he wasn’t a doctor speaking to a patient.

“I knew about you losing your dog, it was in your file. But I had no idea that going to canine therapy would be so difficult for you. You’ve had a tough time physically and…” he paused “…emotionally. Flora, Esme and I didn’t recognize that. I’m sorry. Would you like to talk about what happened? I’m a good listener.” His words were encouraging, not demanding.

Cass shook her head, both in response and to clear it.

He waited a few moments then asked, “When did you learn the details of what happened?”

“I realized the wall was falling but I had no idea…” She swallowed. Her throat was tight and dry. Inhaling, she fought through the final pang of denial. “I didn’t find out Rufus didn’t make it until I woke up in the hospital. When I asked about him, one of the nurses had to ask around for the information.”

Lyle put his arm around her shoulders again and gave her a supportive squeeze. “I’m sorry. It shouldn’t have happened like that.”

Cass continued to look at the windowsill. It was such a large one. Almost big enough to use as a seat. “No matter when I was told, or how, it wouldn’t have made…the terrible truth any easier to hear.”

“Maybe not, but at the very least the news should have been given to you in a sensitive manner.” He sounded irritated on her behalf. “Will you tell me about your dog?”

She didn’t want to, but he deserved to know why she’d just sobbed herself into an exhausted sleep all over him. “Rufus was more than my dog. He was my partner and best friend.”

And her longest relationship. He been there more than once when a relationship with a man had ended. Those guys had either been intimidated by a woman who handled such an emotionally demanding job, or they didn’t like her leaving for weeks at a time on the spur of the moment. For a couple of them her relationship with Rufus had been a bone of contention. They’d wanted all her attention and hadn’t understood the uncanny connection between her and her canine partner. Now she had physical scars that they might find offensive, too.

Jim, the latest and the man she’d believed was The One, had felt her job was too risky. It had been nice to have someone worry over her at first, but it had soon started to feel restrictive. Despite their breakup he’d been kind enough to call her while she’d been in the hospital, but it had soon turned into a conversation that was more about him telling her I told you so than about his real concern for her. There had been no sympathy on his part for Rufus. She’d thought at one time they might have a chance at a real life together. Sadly, she’d really cared for Jim but there was no hope of that after their conversation.

Lyle removed his arm. She wanted it back. It was comforting. “How long was this dog your partner?”

“Four years. He was two when I got him. We spent the first eight weeks in training. He was born in Germany. Most good rescue dogs are. The Germans are known for breeding them to be work dogs. In fact, most of his commands I gave in German.” It felt better, and was easier, to talk about Rufus than she’d imagined.

“Interesting.” Lyle waited.

She looked at him. His expectant expression suggested he was truly interested in what she was saying. Yet she couldn’t imagine him actually caring.

“How did you train together?”

“Are you really interested?” What if he was just asking to keep her talking as part of her “therapy”? None of the men she had known before him had cared one way or another. Why would he be any different?

“Aye. I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.” His voice carried concern. It had been so long since she’d heard that in a man’s voice, it struck a deep chord within her.

“I had to do a written test and have a physical. Then I had to have a home visit so the powers-that-be knew I could care for a working dog. An animal like Rufus can cost as much as ten thousand American dollars so handlers are vetted closely. That kind of money can’t be wasted. Rufus had to have a physical as well, and learn obedience basics and detection, especially body odor recognition. It was pretty intense for both of us.”

“A powerful bonding experience for you both.”

Cass’s chest tightened from the memories. They had indeed bonded. She had loved the dog, heart and soul. At least Lyle seemed to understand. “Though he was only four, he was getting old for a working dog. Rufus was going to have to retire soon. I had already put in the paperwork to take him after he was done.”

“Going to canine therapy was almost like punishment for you. You should have said something.” His distress was evident in his voice.

She looked away in horror. “And embarrass myself, like I did a few minutes ago?”

Lyle took hold of her hand. His was large, secure…comforting. “You haven’t embarrassed yourself. It’s okay to be human.”

“Yeah, but blubbering all over you is a bit too human.”

He leaned closer until his shoulder touched hers. “I didn’t mind. I’m just sorry I kept pushing you into canine therapy.”

“I figured you’d seen it in my file.” She winced at how pitiful she sounded.

“Yeah, but that didn’t mean I understood how close you were.”

Great. He probably thought she had really gone off her rocker. “I don’t know if I can handle being around a dog right now. I’ll be leaving here in a few weeks and I, uh, just can’t risk becoming attached to another one.” What she wasn’t telling him about was the heavy guilt she carried over the fact that Rufus had sacrificed himself to save her life. If he hadn’t barked, she would have never looked up to see the wall starting to fall. Or that he’d jumped and pushed her out of the way. It had been a split second between her life and Rufus’s death.

“I understand completely,” Lyle said sincerely. “Would you consider an alternative kind of therapy, if we can come up with one? Maybe just helping out at the canine clinic. Not having a specific dog assigned to you.”

She was doubtful it would work but she could try. At least he was trying to work with her. Somehow she had to get past this grief, rebuild her life emotionally and move on. Yet her heart protested with a fresh pang even as she said with caution, “That might work.”

“If it doesn’t, then we’ll try something else.” His sincere tone and expression convinced her he would at least listen if she complained. Lyle’s comfort was the first she’d had since Rufus had died. She was going to hang onto it.

He let her hand go and shifted away. “Do you feel up to a bite to eat?”

“I don’t want to go to the dining room.”

“It’s too late for that.” He tilted his head toward the glass.

Cass was shocked to find it was dark. How long had they been sitting there? “I’m so sorry. I made you miss dinner.”

“Not a problem. Mrs. Renwick will have left me something in the kitchen. Let’s go see what we can find.”

“I think I’ll just go up to my room.” She wanted to get away. Regain her composure.

“Nonsense. You must be hungry, and I could use the company while I eat.”

She had kept Lyle from his hot meal. She owed him. “Okay, I can do that.”

“Not the most excited acceptance I’ve been given to a dinner invitation, but I’ll take it.” He stood.

Cass liked his sense of humor. He seemed to take life as it came without too much angst. She lacked that ability. Her way of meeting life’s challenges now consisted of worry, fear of failure and the guilty conviction she hadn’t done enough to make a difference. She wanted to save everyone, give them what her family had received. The chances of achieving that desire were slim to none, but still it was her goal. Now she was just a mass of nerves, help to no one. Not even herself. Squaring her shoulders, she said, “I’ll try to do better in the future.”

He offered his hand. “That’s what I like to hear. That old tough Cass. You had me worried there for a while.”

Lyle still thought she was tough? She would have thought he would have seen her as the opposite after the last few hours. She took his hand just long enough to get to her feet. “How’s that?”

He put his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “I don’t handle crying females well.”

“I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable.” She couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Hey, I’m glad I was here to help. Now, let’s go and get some dinner.” He started toward the hall and she joined him.

Lyle led the way to the kitchen. His heart went out to Cass. She was distraught over the loss of her dog. He knew well the empty hole loss could leave in your life. He had felt it intensely when Freya had left him. When he’d told Cass that he didn’t handle women crying well, he hadn’t been kidding. All he’d done was hold her.

The fact that he’d liked having her cry on his shoulder was a bit unnerving. What had begun as a professional obligation to check on a resident in crisis had ended in a very personal act of compassionate empathy. Was he drawn to her because he could sense her private suffering? Whatever it was, Cass held some sort of spell over him. One he didn’t mind being captivated by.

Cass followed him quietly to the kitchen, seeming fine with doing so. They walked through the now silent dining room to the swing door beside the fireplace. He held it open for her as they entered the large commercial-style kitchen.

“Have a seat at the table.” There was a small wooden one next to two corner windows in the large room. “I’ll see what I can find in the fridge.”

Her chair scraped over the tile floor as she took a seat.

Opening one of the doors of the very large fridge, Lyle announced with deliberate cheer, “Ah, we have roast beef and vegetable soup. How does a sandwich and a bowl of hot soup sound?”

“That’s fine.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Again, I was looking for a little more enthusiasm.”

A fake smile contorted her lips as she swung a fist overhead. “Great!”

He grinned. “That’s more like it.”

“Can I help?”

“Sure.” He started pulling bowls and a platter off the shelves. When Cass reached him he handed her a few of them. She carried them to the table. Lyle followed with the rest. “You unwrap the containers while I get plates and things together.” He searched cabinets and drawers for what they needed, making a couple of trips to the table to put everything down. She was halfway through removing the plastic wrap from the bowls when he said, “Now I’ll warm up the soup if you’ll make the sandwiches.”

“All right.”

He pushed the uncut loaf towards her. “I’d like two thick slices.”

“Noted.” She picked up a bread knife and start cutting.

Lyle ladled soup from its storage container into a saucepan and turned on the stove. As he stirred, he watched Cass work.

Standing, she placed two slices of bread on a plate and buttered them. That done, she unwrapped the rest of the containers. Next she cut slices of roast beef, laying them on the bread. She finished with condiments and lettuce.

Cass’s movements were concise and efficient. She had a no-nonsense way about her. Her blonde hair swung over her cheek and she pushed it back with impatience as if she had no time for things to get in her way. She cleaned up as she went. He got the distinct impression she took responsibility for herself and expected others to do the same for themselves. It must have been a rare event for her to let someone witness her raw emotions. Strangely, he was honored he had been the one there for her.

Lyle carried the steaming saucepan to the table and poured the soup into the bowls he’d found earlier, then returned the pan to the stove.

As he came to take his seat at the table Cass inhaled deeply. “That smells wonderful.”

He grinned. “I can take credit for it being hot but not for how it smells.”

She returned his smile and his heart made an extra thump. He filled the two tall glasses with milk. “Those sandwiches look good.”

“I can take credit for how they look but not how they taste.” Cass was trying to mimic his accent.

They both laughed as they settled onto their chairs.

She gave him a shy glance. “I don’t do Scottish well, do I?”

“I’m going with it needs work.” He looked at her over his sandwich just before he took a large bite. He appreciated the sparkle in her eyes that had replaced the earlier dull sadness.

They ate in silence for a few minutes before Cass let her spoon rest against the side of the bowl. “Do you know how the woman we helped is doing?”

He nodded. “I spoke to her doctor this morning. They kept her in overnight for observation, but she seems to be fine.”

Cass lifted a spoonful of soup to her mouth. “I’m glad to hear it. How about the man?”

“He’ll come in next week to have his stitches removed.” Lyle took another bite of his sandwich.

“You really are a jack-of-all-trades, aren’t you?” She appeared fascinated.

He rather liked that idea. In fact, he liked her. It had been too long since he’d let himself be drawn to a woman. It would be short-lived, of course, as Cass would be returning to the States soon, but why couldn’t he enjoy her company while she was here? It would certainly make his Christmas more interesting. “I wouldn’t exactly say that I’m Santa, spreading cheer, but I try to help out where I can.”

They finished eating and Lyle started cleaning the table. “Even with my special powers I’d better do the washing-up if I don’t want to get on the wrong side of Ms. Renwick.”

“I’ll help,” Cass said in such a firm tone he didn’t dare argue.

Together they covered the food and returned it to the refrigerator. His hand brushed hers as she handed him a bowl and he saw color bloom in her cheeks. Despite her tough exterior, her face couldn’t conceal her attraction to him. Her gaze met his before she quickly returned to the table to pick up their plates.

Instead of joining him again, she went to the sink and turned on the water. Now she was trying to hide from him. With that in mind, he did his best as he finished clearing away to give Cass space while she washed up. He was aware enough of her to realize she was trying to avoid more contact between them. Was she attracted to him? Was she noticing his every move, as he did hers?

Cass turned toward him, her hip resting against the counter. “Didn’t you say that Ms. Renwick leaves food for you?”

“She does, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t particular about how her kitchen is kept.” Lyle stacked the bowls in the cabinet.

“So, if I’m not careful I’ll end up on her wrong side?” Cass hung a dishcloth back just as it had been when they’d come into the kitchen.

“I wouldn’t worry about it too much, she’s really a softy at heart.”

Despite his assurance, they stood at the door and gave the kitchen one last look before they exited the room.

“I don’t think we’ve left anything out of place,” Cass said as the door swung closed behind them. “My mother is just as particular about her kitchen.”

“I’m sure Ms. Renwick will be pleased.” That was the first time she’d revealed a personal detail without being asked. He was delighted she had begun to open up.

Cass led the way through the dining room and continued into the hall, where she stopped and turned. Her eyes flickered up to meet his gaze then down to the floor just as quickly. “Thanks for supper…and for, you know…” she glanced up at him in a self-conscious manner “…a while ago. My…uh, meltdown.”

She looked so apologetic he crammed his hands into his pockets to keep himself from hugging her. “Not a problem.”

“I’ll give the canine therapy another try.” There was determination in her words.

“And I’ll speak to Flora and Margaret and see if they can work something out so you won’t have to work with one particular dog.”

Cass gave him an earnest look. “I’ll do what I can to make that work. I really do appreciate you letting me cry on your shoulder.”

To his complete astonishment, Cass placed a hand on his shoulder, came up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Pleasure zipped through him. When he saw Cass’s shocked face seconds later with its charming pink cheeks he was mesmerized. This tough woman appeared flustered. Her eyes had gone wide in surprise before she blinked a couple of times and looked away. She shook slightly and he feared she might fall. Lyle reached for her.

Cass stood close enough that he could smell the fresh scent of her hair.

“I’m sorry,” Cass murmured.

Lyle lowered his head to hear her words, bringing his lips closer to hers. He watched them, the soft full pads that looked so delicious.

“That was inappropriate. I shouldn’t have done that.” Cass glanced at him then away.

“I’m not,” he said quietly. “I rather liked it.”

Her eyelids fluttered closed, then her gaze met his. They stood there watching each other for precious moments. The tip of her tongue made a flicker of an appearance. Lyle wanted a taste, just a small one, of that glossy moistness on her bottom lip. He lowered his head and placed his mouth over hers. Cass remained still in his hands. Lyle took the kiss deeper.

Cass returned it for a second before she slipped out of his hands and whispered, “Goodnight.”

Lyle watched her walk away. Disappointment filled him. Everything in him wished he could stop her without frightening her. He wanted more than a chaste meeting of lips. It hadn’t been nearly enough. He sought a full, no-holding-back kiss from Cass. There was an attraction between them he wanted to explore. It had been a long time since he’d experienced such a driving need to kiss a woman breathless.

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