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…

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.

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

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Highland Doc’s Christmas Rescue

Susan Carlisle

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09027-8

HIGHLAND DOC’S CHRISTMAS RESCUE

© 2019 Susan Carlisle

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 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.

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To Dallas

I’m proud of the man you are,

and your father would be also.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

Extract

About the Publisher

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.

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