Free Swallowbrook's Winter Bride by Abigail Gordon Page B

return your emergency “comforter” when it has been washed and ironed. Thanks again for the loan of it.’
    She put down her knife and fork and observing him gravely commented, ‘I was only too happy to be of use with regard to that ,’ and to Toby who was looking around him, unaware of the undercurrents between them, she said, ‘I’ll see you soon, Toby. Do I get a kiss?’
    ‘Mmm,’ he said, and pursing his lips placed them against her cheek.
    As the two of them went out into the car park Nathan thought wryly that it was nice to know that one of them was in favour.
    If ever the day dawned when Libby was ready to wipe the slate clean he would feel that at last the wheel had turned its full circle for them. At the present time it was just something that only happened in his dreams.
    When she went to Reception to settle her account for the suite that she had occupied briefly she was told that it had been paid by Dr Nathan Gallagher.
    He was heaping coals of fire on her head, she thought miserably, with the memory of his cool comment that he would return her nightdress when it had been washed, and now she was discovering that Nathan had paid for the luxurious accommodation that she’d had little time to take note of the night before.
    The receptionist had noticed that she’d been taken aback, and volunteered the information that the account had been settled the week previously when Dr Gallagher had paid in full for everything that the hotel had arranged to provide, and as she went out to have a last stroll beside the lake she thought wretchedly that she’d been wrong about the ‘coals of fire’ and should be ashamed. He had treated her as he would any friend or acquaintance. The fact that the night before had escalated into something totally mind-blowing had been down to her as much as him.
    As she walked beside the still waters the house on the island that could only be reached by boat came into view. She’d heard recently that it had become a tourist attraction and was available to rent for those who craved solitude in one of the most beautiful settings for miles around.
    The next time she had the chance to take a break from the practice she would stay there if it was available, she decided. Where no one or nothing could take away the confidence in herself that had disappeared completely the night before when Nathan had begun to make love to her and the longing that she’d thought was under control had become a bright flame of desire.
    During the week after the party Libby and Nathan spoke only briefly about surgery matters and in the evenings stayed well apart, until the night when Toby turned up on her doorstep with the nightdress neatly wrapped and with a note attached to say, ‘Thanks again for the loan, Libby. I’m sending it with Toby as I have a strong feeling that my presence would not be welcome. Sorry I can’t make myself scarce during surgery hours, Nathan.’
    When she’d read it she looked across, knowing that he would be somewhere near, that he would not let Toby out into the wintry dusk even for a second without being nearby. Sure enough, he was standing in the doorway of the cottage next door where he could see him.
    ‘Can I come in, Libby?’ the young messenger asked once he’d delivered the package.
    ‘Yes, if it is all right with your uncle,’ she said immediately, and called across to ask if he could stay and play for a while.
    Nathan nodded. ‘Yes, for half an hour and then it will be his bedtime.’
    Exactly thirty minutes later she took him back and when he opened the door to them Toby said, ‘We’ve had lots of fun playing hide and seek.’
    ‘Really,’ was Nathan’s only comment as his young charge skipped past him. Giving in to the urge to get him talking on a more friendly level, she asked, ‘What have you got planned for Toby at Christmas?’
    ‘Nothing at the moment,’ was the answer. ‘Why, have you got any ideas?’
    ‘Er, no, but I could give it some thought.