Highland Doc's Christmas Rescue

by Susan Carlisle

  Her eyes widened as she broke off their kiss and stared into Lyle’s blazing ones. “Oh.”

  There was a lift to the corners of his mouth as she went over the edge of pleasure again.

  Returning to herself, she saw the tension in Lyle’s face that made his cheekbones more pronounced. His eyes were still locked with hers, but his attention was elsewhere. He thrust into her, faster and stronger. Throwing his head back, he let go a throaty groan as he found his release.

  Cass’s eyes slowly closed as Lyle shifted to her side, still breathing heavily. He intertwined his fingers with hers. Like their lives had become.

  Could she let them remain so?

  * * *

  Lyle returned to bed to find Cass napping under the covers with her head on his pillow. Her scent would linger there when she was gone. Fulfillment filled his chest, made his heart light. Cass had come willingly and given without reservation.

  He eased in next to her and pulled her close. She was warm and sleek along his side. After murmuring something unintelligible she settled like a kitten beside him. He brushed her hair from her face. Her lashes rested in a dark semi-circle long her cheek.

  With Cass he’d found the most pleasure he’d ever experienced. He’d had relationships since Freya but only Cass had managed to capture his attention so fully that he thought of her more often than his job. No matter what he was doing, she slipped into his mind. Even after she’d left the pub this afternoon, he had been more concerned about her reaction than his own to seeing Freya.

  Cass shifted against him. He looked down to find her watching him. “Hey.”

  A shadow of uncertainty filled her eyes. “Hi. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”

  “I’m not complaining.” He hoped it would happen often. His body was already coming to life. Leaning down, he kissed her.

  Cass stopped him from taking it deeper and further with a hand to his chest. “I’d better go. I don’t want to miss the head count at the clinic.”

  Lyle wanted her to stay but he wouldn’t make her. Still, he had to protest at her leaving. “They don’t do a head count, do they?”

  She smirked. “So asks the man running the show.”

  “I’m not a dictator.”

  Cass sat up, bringing the sheet along to cover her. To his disappointment. Was she still self-conscious about her scars? “I know that. In fact, next to my father you’re the nicest man I know.”

  Lyle’s chest tightened. Having felt his father’s disappointment most of his adult life, to hear Cass say that touched him. He felt valued. He put his hand behind her neck and brought her lips to his. “Thank you. I think that might be one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received.”

  “You’re welcome. Now I’d better get going.”

  By slipping off the bed and snatching up her clothes, she gave him no time to argue. “Bathroom?”

  Lyle gave a fleeting thought to outright asking her to stay. He didn’t. Apparently she needed distance to think about what had just happened between them. Maybe he wanted that as well. He pointed. “Door in the hall.”

  When he heard the door close, he got up, dressed and went downstairs. Cass didn’t even come into the living room where he was. Instead she went straight to her boots. It was as if she was running. Was she regretting what had happened?

  She was in the process of pulling on her jacket when he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Cass.”

  “Yes?”

  “What’s going on inside that head of yours?”

  She didn’t look up.

  Suppressing a sigh of frustration, he said, “I think we’ve come far enough in our relationship that we can trust each other. Why the speedy exit? At this rate you’re starting to put a dent in my self-confidence.”

  That brought her head up. “Oh, no. It has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with me. I don’t want the staff gossiping about us. But let me assure you your ego is well deserved.”

  He wanted to thump his chest but he settled for a big smile. “That’s good to hear. I’ll walk you back to the castle.” He helped her on with her jacket then pulled on his coat.

  Outside the cottage Lyle took her hand. He was relieved Cass didn’t try to pull free, half-afraid she would.

  At the side door of the castle, she held him back when he would have gone in. “It might be a good idea for us to say goodnight here. Do you really want the staff to know the despicable things you’ve been doing to a resident?”

  Lyle chuckled. “Despicable? What about the wicked things you did to me?”

  “Wicked?” She sounded appalled.

  “I like the wicked you. But I agree. We should keep this between us. There’s no reason we should be the talk of the clinic, or the village for that matter.” She already had enough troubling her. He didn’t want her worrying about gossip.

  Cass reached for the doorknob.

  “You’re forgetting something.” Lyle brought her to him and kissed her soundly. They broke apart and he searched her face. “Sometime soon I plan to have you to myself all night.”

  Cass’s eyes widened, as her mouth opened and closed before she shut the door between them.

  Gratification filled him. She was not as unaffected by what had taken place between them as she acted.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  TWO DAYS LATER Cass sat in the castle lounge in front of the roaring fire snuggled into one of the wing-backed chairs. She was attempting to read a book she’d found in the library about the history of Cluchlochry. What she was really doing was thinking about Lyle. She had only spoken to him briefly a couple of times since they had been together. He acted as if he was abiding by her implied suggestion they make their time in bed together a one-time occurrence. Even though she had intentionally given that impression, she missed kissing him or being held in his arms. It was driving her crazy not seeing him. But she would be leaving soon. Could her heart stand for her to take it further?

  Was he waiting for her to come to him? Could she let herself do that? Would she be able not to? Indecision roiled in her.

  It was a relief to have the distraction when Melissa pushed a young man in a wheelchair into the room and over beside her. At least now she had something to take her mind off Lyle.

  The young man, dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants, looked older than she guessed was the reality. He was gaunt. Dark rings beneath his eyes emphasized his lost look. One of his hands had a tremor.

  “Hi, Cass. Have you met Andy Wallace?” Melissa asked as she parked the man near the fire. A small brown and white cocker spaniel jogged along beside him, coming to lie at his feet.

  “No, I haven’t. Hi, Andy.” A week ago, could she have sounded that friendly? Being at the castle had changed her...or had it been Lyle? The thought both worried and thrilled her.

  Andy nodded, then looked down at his clasped hands in his lap.

  Wasn’t he the patient who had been admitted the same day as she had been? In all the time she’d been there she hadn’t seen him. “I’ve heard of you. Nice to meet you.”

  Melissa locked the brake on the wheelchair. She patted him on the shoulder. “I need to check on another patient then I’ll be back to take you to therapy. I won’t be long.”

  She gave Cass a quick smile and was gone.

  Andy’s eyes flickered to Cass with a look of uncertainty before they jerked away.

  She leaned down and patted the dog. Not long ago she wouldn’t have done that. “I do know Molasses. I work at the canine therapy center every afternoon so I get to take care of Molasses when she isn’t with you. She’s a good dog.”

  “Maybe when I start walking I can do that as well. The doctors keep telling me I’ll walk again but I’m not sure that’ll ever happen.”

  “Getting well takes time. I’m sure you’ll get there.” Who did she think she was to give encour
agement when she’d been little more than a walking package of ugly emotions with a bad leg and arm a couple of weeks ago? This morning she’d even caught herself smiling when she thought of Lyle. Her leg was getting stronger and her arm was extending further. She smiled. Lyle had kissed her injuries. She had made more progress than she could have believed possible when she had arrived. For once she’d started thinking there was a future.

  Andy said nothing more as he stared into the fire.

  There wouldn’t be much conversation unless she helped keep it going. She sensed he needed it. Wasn’t that what Lyle had seen in her? The need to talk about the unseen trauma that physical therapy had no effect on? Could she help do for Andy what Lyle had done for her? Giving him an ear, just listen to him?

  She raised the book in her hand. “I’ve been reading about the history of Cluchlochry. This is an amazing area.”

  He grunted.

  A response. Somewhat.

  “We don’t have anything like this where I’m from.” She waved a hand indicating the castle. “It’s a special place.”

  “I used to spend a lot of time here,” he muttered.

  Cass had to lean forward to hear him. There was moisture pooling in his eyes.

  “You’ve been to Heatherglen Castle before?”

  “Yes. I grew up in Cluchlochry.” His voice had grown stronger.

  “It must have been a fun place for little boys. There are plenty of places to hide. Big spaces to run.” The castle and grounds would be a wonderful place to spend a childhood. Would Lyle’s kids one day do that? The thought of him having children with another woman caused a dull ache around her heart.

  Andy’s eyes took on a shadowed look. “Nick and I used to play hide and seek here all the time. I never could find him.” He didn’t say anything more, returning to staring at the fire. “He’s gone now.”

  “Gone?” she prompted.

  “Died in Afghanistan.”

  Cass sucked in a breath.

  “Nick was my best friend,” he mumbled.

  She wasn’t sure who he was talking about, but the name sounded familiar. Waiting, she hoped he’d answer her questions without her saying more.

  “It should have been me who died. He should have got out of the army. Should have come home. Not gone back. I told him not to,” he said, less to her and more to himself.

  Cass’s heart went out to him. She cringed, too well acquainted with loss. Of emotions so enormous and distressing they were difficult to live with. Hers had many fronts. Rufus being gone. What to do with her life now. Could she have a real lasting relationship with a man? Now to live with the scars. All of those were bundled into a massive ball of insecurity. She could understand the forlorn man beside her too well. That added to her discomfort. “Heatherglen was Nick’s home?”

  Andy gave her an odd look as if he was confused by her confusion. “Nick was Charles’s older brother. Dr. Charles Ross-Wylde, the Laird.”

  “Yes, I’ve met the Laird. I know who you’re talking about now. I’m sorry to hear about your friend. Losing someone you care about is hard.”

  “Have you lost someone?”

  This was not the direction Cass had anticipated their conversation going. If she had she wouldn’t have started it. Over the last few days thoughts of Lyle had managed to overtake all those ugly, sad feelings that had weighed heavy on her and she liked it that way. The pain had dulled. Maybe, just maybe, if she could share some of her pain with Andy, he wouldn’t feel so alone, maybe believe that life could get better.

  To her surprise, she had begun to believe that. It had slipped up on her but, yes, she did. “I have. It wasn’t a person but the next thing to it. He was my partner and friend. Rufus, my dog.”

  Andy gave her a long searching look. “What happened?”

  Cass wasn’t sure she could go into the details but she’d opened the door so Andy deserved the truth. Her eyes clouded over. “We were a search and rescue team. We had just saved a child when there was a ground tremor and the wall of the building started to fall. Rufus barked, warning me. The wall fell on him. Hit me in the leg and arm.” She could say this next part. Had to say it. “He saved my life and lost his.”

  Andy gave her a compassionate look. “I’m sorry about your dog.”

  Moisture filled Cass’s eyes, making Andy a foggy blur. “I miss him every day. I’m not sure if I can or want to return to my job without him. It may be just too hard. But search and rescue is all I know.”

  * * *

  Lyle walked to the lounge door when he heard Cass’s voice. He halted inside the door, just in time to hear her confession about Rufus. He listened for more. She hadn’t told him the entire story. No wonder she had been so devastated by what had happened to her. The loss of the dog was some of it but her fears and agony went deeper. Her world had been turned upside down. She was unsure what direction to take. The change in her life must be terrifying for her. She’d experienced a major loss of not only her dog but life as she had known it. He knew her well enough to know that, for her, losing her job was like losing her identity.

  Yet she had shared her grief and feelings with another hurting person. That had to have been difficult for her. He should feel hurt that she had confided the deeper meaning of the loss of Rufus with Andy and not him, but what Lyle had just heard told him what a large heart Cass had for people.

  Andy had refused to come out of his room for days. Lyle had finally convinced him to come down. On top of not wanting to interact with others, Andy refused to talk about his accident and about losing Nick. Lyle would be eternally grateful to Cass for getting him to open up, to take a metaphorical step forward.

  Cass and Andy were so adsorbed in their conversation they didn’t see or hear him. He shouldn’t stand here eavesdropping but he couldn’t move either. Thankfully that was taken out of his hands when Melissa brushed past him.

  “Hi, Lyle. How’re you today?” She kept going until she reached Andy.

  Cass’s head whipped around so that she looked directly at him. Surprise, concern and happiness ran over her features in rapid progression.

  Lyle was glad to see her as well, but he was still disturbed by what he had heard and what it meant in her life. He had made less of it in his mind than he should have. He now understood why Cass acted the way she did about the dog they’d found, the sadness about her when she’d first arrived, even her not wanting to get too involved with him. Her emotions must be in turmoil. She had been and was suffering far more than he’d given her credit for.

  He stepped forward as Melissa announced as she took off the brake on the chair, “They’re waiting for you in therapy, Andy. We must go.”

  Andy gave Cass a nod.

  She offered him a wry smile. “See you soon, Andy.”

  Melissa rolled him back, turned him and they headed out the door.

  Cass’s eyes rose to meet Lyle’s. “You heard?”

  Lyle nodded. He didn’t even try to question why she hadn’t shared with him how losing Rufus had affected her. Now wasn’t the time to analyze that. There might never be one. She didn’t owe him anything. One hot evening together didn’t mean they could or should bare their souls to one another. That was the way she seemed to want it. Didn’t he as well?

  Pushing herself to her feet, she said, “I’d better go.”

  He took a couple of steps forward, his voice going low. “I’ve missed you, Cass. I was coming to look for you when I heard your voice.”

  “Did you want something?”

  “I’d like a kiss.” He looked around, “But I won’t do that here.”

  Cass rewarded him with a blush. She might be acting as if she was immune to him but she wasn’t, not even a little bit.

  “I’ll wait until later. But I will kiss you.” He stressed the last sentence.

  She grinned at him. “Is that a promise, Docto
r?”

  Lyle’s heart soared. He liked that much better than her sad look. “It is. I do have something to ask you, though. My mother rang and would like me to bring you around to Harlow House for dinner this evening. She wants to keep her promise to teach you to knit.”

  Cass looked away as if she was unsure. “That’s not necessary.”

  He waited until she met his gaze again. “My mother will be disappointed if you don’t come.”

  Cass looked down as if her shoes required her attention. “I’m just not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not? You have been invited.” Lyle watched her closely. It shouldn’t matter so much that she agree.

  “I don’t want to give her any ideas about us, with me leaving so soon.”

  “If that’s now you feel...” He turned to go.

  She reached out and grabbed his forearm. “Wait.”

  Lyle didn’t realize until that second just how much he’d missed Cass’s touch. He placed his hand over hers.

  Cass’s eyelids fluttered as she gave him a wary look. “I guess I could go. I’d never want to hurt your mother’s feelings.”

  He made a tsking sound. “And here I was hoping you wanted to spend time with me. I’ll meet you in the foyer at five.”

  She nodded.

  Lyle ran his thumb across the top of her hand. “By the way, Cass, you’re beautiful both inside and out. You really helped Andy out today. He needs someone to confide in, someone who understands where he’s coming from. You’re a special person, Cass Bellow.”

  Her eyes softened. Lyle had to leave before he kissed her right then and there.

  * * *

  A few hours later Lyle strolled into the foyer, expecting to see Cass waiting near the door. Instead he found her with a staff member and a couple of other residents, tying large red bows on the banister. The greenery had been draped the week before.

  “It’s really starting to look like Christmas in here.” His attention was directly on Cass.