Highland Doc's Christmas Rescue - Susan Carlisle

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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

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