Men of Midnight Complete Collection by Emilie Richards

Author:Emilie Richards [Richards, Emilie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488026720
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2017-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Like most of Druidheachd, the cottage hospital was gray stone and charming, although in the gloom of a winter morning even the smoke frothing from the chimney and the warm glow of lights through the windows failed to make it seem welcoming.

Billie stepped inside and closed the door securely behind her. A woman in her seventies sat in the tiny reception area shuffling papers at a long table. She spared Billie one glance before she returned to her work. “You’ve come to see young Dr. Melville?”

“Yes. But I’m not a patient. I just need to talk to him, if he’s not too busy.”

“I’m certain he’s no’. You’re the American? Billie Harper?”

Billie wasn’t even surprised her identity was known. “That’s right.”

“I’m Jeanne Sutherland. Just dinna think you can persuade Alasdair to leave his employment here. My husband could no’ find another to replace him.” She looked up. “He’s the third young doctor that’s come, you know. No’ a one of the others could get along with Angus.”

Since the entire conversation was preposterous, Billie ignored the majority of it. “And Alasdair does?”

“Aye. He knows what to say and when to say it.” She did a quick visual examination that made Billie feel as if she’d just had her annual physical. “You’ll find him at the end of the corridor.”

Billie passed two large rooms with hospital beds. Iain’s father had probably died in one of them. She kept her eyes averted.

There was a small room at the end of the hallway with a battered metal desk and a wall crammed with filing cabinets. Alasdair sat at the desk, reviewing a folder. She paused in the doorway. “Alasdair?”

He looked up, and his smile lit the morning. “Billie.” He stood. “Come in and close the door.”

She did. “Alasdair, who’s the Rottweiler at the front desk?”

“Jeanne? Why she’s the very heart of this hospital.”

“I think she believes I’m going to capture you, drag you back to America and lock you in a room until you marry me.”

“There would be only a wee bit of dragging, I ken,” he said gallantly.

She smiled, but it faded quickly. She was here now, clutching the satchel she’d used to protect her reason for coming. And she didn’t know where to begin.

“This is no’ a social call, is it?”

“I’ve brought you something. I need this translated, Alasdair, and you’re the only person I can trust to do it.”

“Would you like to have a seat?”

She shook her head. She thought she should probably face the next few minutes on her feet.

“I’ll be pleased to help if I can.”

Billie reached inside the satchel and took out a piece of paper. “You remember the stone we found, and the inscription?”

“Aye.”

“Well, I’ve found the other half. It’s imbedded in Ceo Castle. I’ve put the rubbings together and copied the letters. It’s so old that some of it was a little hard to decipher. This was the best I could do.”

Alasdair reached inside his pocket and pulled out glasses. Billie handed him the paper, and he studied it intently.

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