The Doctor's Christmas Homecoming by Alison Roberts

Author:Alison Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-08-16T14:00:21+00:00

* * *

Harry had never been in a situation quite like this.

He was acutely aware of everything happening around him—the noise of the pneumatic gear, every bump or shudder in the metal framework of the machinery he was leaning against, even anybody walking past who might be close enough to interfere with his task of keeping Jason’s body as still as possible.

Should he have tried to talk Tilly out of putting herself at risk by having her own arm inside that machine as they tried to dismantle it? If Harry could have taken her place he would have, in a heartbeat, but all he could do now was his absolute best to keep Tilly as safe as possible. And applaud her, silently, for her courage as the rescue workers worked, slowly and carefully, to get him free.

The farmer who’d raised the alarm had a toolbox in his truck so some machinery parts could be unbolted and prised free. The ‘Jaws of Life’ cutter and spreader took care of other barriers to get in to where Jason’s arm was impaled but each step was being taken with the utmost caution.

Harry was not only focused on keeping Tilly safe, he was doing his best to both distract and reassure Jason as well as watching for any warning of him losing consciousness or going into respiratory or cardiac arrest.

Tilly was clearly thinking along the same lines.

‘I can’t believe you’re a dad, Jase,’ she said at one point. ‘Doesn’t seem that long since we were at school.’

‘I’ve got three... Oldest is nearly five...she’s so excited about Christmas...’

‘I’ll bet she is,’ Harry said. ‘What’s she asked Father Christmas for?’

‘She won’t tell me. She’ll only tell Santa... Hey...isn’t it your dad, Tilly, who does that?’

‘Don’t spread it around,’ Tilly told him. ‘But it’s going to be Harry this time. Father Christmas with an Irish accent. We’ll have to see how that goes.’

‘Ireland’s closer to the North Pole than New Zealand,’ Harry protested. ‘It’ll be all good. And Jase? I promise I’ll let you know what it is she’s set her wee heart on. With a bit of luck you might have it already wrapped up and under the tree.’

Jason made a sound that was almost laughter. ‘Hope not... We’ve got her a pony...’

‘Oh...she’s going to be so excited. I’ve still got my first pony, Spud. He’s really old now but I still love him to bits. You’re close to the pony club grounds so that’ll be handy.’ Tilly was doing her best to keep Jason distracted. ‘How big is the pony you’ve got?’

‘Not big. He’s a Shetland.’

‘What colour?’

‘Sort of yellow, I guess. With a white mane and tail.’

‘A palomino. My favourite colour. What’s his name?’

‘Pudding.’

Tilly laughed. ‘That’s a great name. Is he nice and quiet?’

‘Bombproof, they said.’

‘Sounds perfect.’

When exterior sections of the machine had been cut clear and the rake was exposed, they had to switch to the oxy acetylene torch. Wads of gauze soaked in saline were passed up to Tilly, who covered the exposed

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