“Loo’s through there. I left a stack of clothes on the sink.”
“I’m wet though.” I pointed at my legs.
A tiniest quirk at the corner of his mouth and just the hint of a raised eyebrow had my face bursting into flames.Could I have chosen any other words? Any at all?Mentally slapping my face, I kicked off my trainers and sailed past Luch, almost slamming the bathroom door behind me. Bloody hell, but why did the man have to be so ripped? Just like the other week when I got the impression that he sucked up all the molecules in the room to make space for him, I was once again overly aware of his every movement. It was a palpable thing, this energy radiating from him, and it put me on high alert. Before, I’d been certain I was in danger, but now my thoughts were going an entirely different direction. What I needed to do was trust my first instinct, which was to run in the opposite directionof him, not be in his bathroom changing into a pair of loose joggers and a faded button-down flannel shirt.
I couldn’t help myself. I buried my nose in the collar of the shirt and took a deep inhale. It smelled like him. Like fresh soap and a hint of something earthy. Cedar maybe.
Pausing to look at myself in the mirror, I sighed. My hair was a bedraggled mess, and two bright pink spots stood out on my cheeks, highlighting my thoughts. The curse of Scottish skin, I supposed, where any flush stood out against my fair complexion. Luch’s shirt draped to my knees, and even that surprised me. I was not a small woman and even so, I had to roll up the arms and the waistband once on the pants to keep them up. Realizing that this was the best I could do, I gathered my damp clothes, tucking my pants and bra into my wet trousers and shirt, rolling it all into one neat ball so he wouldn’t see anything. Yes, I was aware we were both adults and had likely seen underwear from the other sex before. I wouldn’t call my sports bra the most enticing of undergarments either, yet … I trailed off my mental debate and blew out a breath.
“Get it together, Dr. Fletcher.” Good reminder that I was a professional and could handle difficult situations.A necessary pep talk at times.Holding the ball of clothes, I cracked the door open to see Luch, thankfully with a T-shirt on this time, at the counter pouring two cups of tea. I swallowed. I just wanted to get home, not have a cozy cup of tea while the storm thundered outside.
Oban trotted over to me and pressed his nose to my leg.
“There’s a good lad. Looking well enough, aren’t you then?” I scratched his ear and then crossed the room to tuck my wet clothes in the pack I’d left by the door.
“Cuppa tea?” Luch asked as I straightened. The rain still slashed against the windows, and I hoped that Gloam had found himself a cozy spot somewhere to hole up against the sudden storm.
“I should really get?—”
“Happy to drive you home shortly. Best to wait until it lets up a bit though,” Luch said. He was right. When the rain came down in heavy sheets like this, it made driving particularly tricky.
“Right. Tea would be grand, thanks.”
“Milk? Sugar?”
“A touch of both, thanks.” I crouched next to Oban, needing something to do with my hands, and stroked his silky coat. Checking my sutures, I was happy to see they’d been removed, likely by Luch, and the scar was healing nicely. “Oban’s looking well. Has he had any behavior issues since the accident?”
Oban huffed, slanting me a look, and I grinned. Animals often knew I could understand them even though their owners didn’t know I could.
“Och, he’s as cheeky as ever.” Luch rounded the kitchen table and gestured toward the couch by the fire. “By the fire?”
“Here’s fine.” I pointed at the kitchen table and waited until Luch sat and then took a seat a few chairs away from him. Space was needed, not cozying up on a couch by the fire.I was already warm enough just being near this man.A thought I’d really need to file away for further examination. Later.Muchlater.
“So what brings you to Loren Brae, Faelan? Can I callyou Faelan?” Luch leaned his elbows on the table, propping his chin in his hands.
“Aye, that’s fine.” I shrugged one shoulder, blowing on my tea. “I’d seen the practice was for sale and the area looked like a nice spot to settle in. So far it’s been grand. People are friendly, it’s a pretty town. Today was the first day I got out for a proper wander, and it was lovely. Out in the hills, gorgeous forest. No complaints so far.”
“Och, Loren Brae’s a belter, isn’t she? It’s got a bit of everything—the loch, a few good hiking hills, the woods. I’ve been really pleased with it myself.”
“Are you new to the area?” I asked, casually, as though I hadn’t researched him on the internet.
“Just over a year here.” Luch shifted, and something flashed behind his eyes.
“Where were you before this?”
“Here and there.” Luch took a sip of his tea and leveled me a look. “And you?”
“Here and there,” I echoed, burying my nose in my mug.
“Is that right? Is there much call for traveling vets?”
“Certainly. Just as much as there is for traveling nurses and doctors. You’d be surprised the need, particularly in under-served communities such as this one. I’ll be hiring help soon enough.”
“Not necessarily a bad problem to have. As a business owner, that is.” Luch leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his biceps popped with the movement. I swallowed thickly and took another sip of my tea.
“No, not really. Though I don’t particularly likemanaging people, I’ll admit.” I laughed softly, twisting my mug in my hands. “But it’s helpful to have someone on hand when we have distraught owners come through the door. In emergency situations, that is. What kind of doctor are you?” I wanted to switch the conversation back to him and away from me. There was something about the way he continued to stare steadily at me that made the hairs at the back of my neck stand up.
“A&E. I can certainly understand your need for help in emergency situations. The nurses are a godsend when it comes to managing panicked families and getting the patient ready for any surgery. I’d be lost without them.”
