Harlequin Medical Romance: August 2022 Box Set 2 of 2 by Ann McIntosh

Author:Ann McIntosh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Trudy had drunk half her tea by the time Susanna had told her all about the vet, the issues hampering her charity-drive rollout, and Roz’s threat to out her if she didn’t ask Chris out.

‘And what’s the dirt she’s got on you?’ Trudy pressed, a wry smile across her features.

‘My dancing.’

Trudy tried not to laugh but failed miserably. ‘Oh, that Roz, she’s a wily one.’

‘She’s evil incarnate, and she has video evidence.’

Trudy whistled through her teeth.

‘Oh, then you’re just going to have to do it! It will be fine, I’m sure. You get on, right? You and Chris? I’ve only met him once. He came to check on Misty. He seemed nice. Misty liked him well enough.’

Misty was her mare, a black horse with white markings that was a bit of a character around the village, known for picking apples off people’s trees on her hacks out.

‘Well, yeah, now I suppose we do, but there’s more to this. He’s not in the right place to date anyone.’

Trudy frowned. ‘But you are.’

‘Yes!’ Susannah exclaimed. ‘I mean, no! No, well, not on an app anyway. Oh, God, Trude, I don’t know.’ She sagged down in her chair, hating her own indecision. She wished she could rip it out, like the grey hair she’d yanked out earlier that morning in the mirror. ‘Roz has a point, but I’m okay on my own.’

Trudy pointed to the pristine kitchen floor. ‘Yeah, sure you are.’

‘I was only cleaning!’

Trudy shook her head. ‘This isn’t cleaning, this is...something else.’

‘A bit of obsessive bleaching is hardly a sign of sexual frustration, Trude.’

‘No, but it’s not as much fun as the alternative, is it? You look great; you’re athletic, independent. You have your own house and car. Why wouldn’t a man love to meet someone like you? You don’t have to go mad with it. A couple of dates won’t kill you, Susie.’ She eyed the closed study door, where the two women could hear Issy’s teacher instructing the class. ‘Listen, I would love to have a night out. One where I can dress up and not be Issy’s mum. Just for one day. It’s not good to be isolated, trust me.’

Susannah felt awful for offloading about her problems to her friend. She knew that Issy’s condition meant that Trudy often preferred her own company, and the comforts of home. Trudy was a foster carer because she wanted to keep busy at home. Susannah suddenly felt awful for appearing so selfish.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to moan at you.’

Trudy waved her off. ‘Don’t be daft! I’m happy with my lot, Susie. I have my house, and my work, and Issy is my priority.’ She looked around her at the immaculate home that Susannah had cultivated since her divorce. ‘You have a lovely life too. I just sometimes wish you would realise that you don’t have to be alone if you don’t want to be. I’m happily single for now.’

That was the difference, Susannah realised. Trudy was busy with a full life, just like her, but she didn’t need anyone else in her life.

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