Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands: A totally gorgeous and completely addictive Christmas romance by Donna Ashcroft

Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands: A totally gorgeous and completely addictive Christmas romance by Donna Ashcroft

Author:Donna Ashcroft [Ashcroft, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781803145228
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2022-09-27T06:00:00+00:00


15

The phone buzzed in Theo’s consulting room at the surgery and he immediately picked it up. ‘Doctor Ellis-Lee.’

‘How’s Merry?’ Noah demanded and Theo felt his shoulders sag.

‘Fine. Great,’ he said as his body immediately recalled how she’d felt pressed up against his chest the evening before – how sweet she’d tasted. But he was pretty sure Noah wouldn’t want to hear about that.

‘So she’s safe?’ her brother probed as Theo got up from his desk so he could pace the room. The desire to put Noah straight, to tell him to butt out, sat heavy in his throat but he knew if he did it, all three of her siblings would be in Scotland before the end of the day. This was the only way he could offer his invisible protection and help Merry to achieve the independence she craved.

‘She’s doing well.’ He swallowed. ‘The animals are great and she’s been… making friends, getting to know the locals.’ She’d got to know him pretty well last night and her scent still lingered on his skin, even after his morning shower.

‘Friends?’ Noah sounded suspicious. ‘Male or female?’

‘All women – she met them for cocktails,’ he shot back.

‘So she’s not putting herself in danger, there’s nothing for us to worry about?’ Noah asked, the tension in his voice easing a little.

‘She’s been writing her book,’ Theo explained, avoiding the question. He didn’t want to lie and couldn’t tell the truth, but the fine line between the two was delicate and perilous. He could only hope Noah hadn’t employed another spy in Christmas Village; if he had, Theo was sunk. What would her brothers say if they knew he’d taken Merry driving? What would they think about the forthcoming swim? He planned to ask her to ‘help’ with some of his veterinary visits later, too. He’d made a list last night of clients from the surgery and had a few more Secret Santa clues he could point out, ready for Merry to solve.

‘It’s good she’s working but please discourage her from sending off her manuscript to anyone,’ Noah continued. ‘Last time she shared it an idiot eviscerated her. If she does it again, I’m worried she won’t get over it.’

Theo grunted because he knew he couldn’t promise that – even if the idea of Merry being hurt sat heavy on his chest.

‘When will you see her next?’ a different male voice demanded. Theo heard the low buzz of voices in the background and realised he was on speakerphone. Probably all three of Merry’s brothers were listening in. Had he been this overbearing with past girlfriends, with Miranda and Jake? Hovering over them like a mother hen, not letting them make their own mistakes? The idea made him uncomfortable.

‘Later this afternoon.’ He was picking Merry up at lunchtime so they could go to the loch and swim. Apparently, on Tuesdays there was an afternoon meet. He’d fished out his wetsuit from the loft and planned to take a break in between appointments. He hoped Merry could swim.



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