Highland Doc's Christmas Rescue / Festive Fling With The Single Dad. Susan Carlisle

forced herself to take a step closer. She looked over Lyle’s back to where the light was directed. He reached forward once more.

      The dog snarled, showing its teeth.

      “It doesn’t look like it’s going to let me take it. I can’t just leave it here. I’m afraid it’ll freeze before morning.”

      Cass was shocked back to reality. The animal was so obviously undernourished. It shook in the cold. Its big brown eyes had a pitiful, fearful look. Cass’s heart lurched. She had to do something. Everything in her that made her vulnerable to getting hurt again reached out to this pathetic animal. She didn’t want to care but couldn’t help herself.

      Lyle didn’t understand Cass’s standoffishness. After all, she had worked with a dog. He glanced back at her. She just stood there, staring at him and the dog. “I don’t recognize it as anybody’s around here. I know them as well as I know their owners.”

      Finally, Cass blinked and stepped forward, but there was little enthusiasm on her face. “Let me see if I can help.” She went down on her knees, paying no attention to the wetness that must be seeping into her jeans. Removing a glove, she reached out her hand, letting the small scruffy dog smell her.

      The dog slowly extended its nose. It obviously liked Cass far better than him. It crawled out from under the hedge and came to Cass. Just a puppy, it was small with muddy matted hair. One of its ears stood up while the other flopped. It had an oddly patterned coat, making it look of mixed breed. Cass lifted the dog to her chest.

      Lyle stood. “It figures. I’ve always been far better with people than animals. It likes you.”

      Cass gave him a dry smile. When she struggled to stand he helped her.

      “The canine therapy center is right down this way. Not far. Just behind the castle. It used to be the stables. It’s just through the woods.” He led them back to the path. “We’ll take it there. Esme will see to it.”

      Cass didn’t say anything as she came to stand beside him. As they walked she held the dog close but not overly so. Was she afraid of the dog? Or was there more going on? Lyle would have thought she’d be the first in on a rescue.

      Soon they reached the center. The lights were still on. “Esme must be keeping another late night. I’m glad I didn’t have to call and get her out in the weather again. She’s the veterinarian. This therapy center/veterinary center is Esme’s brainchild.” He hurried ahead and held the door for Cass.

      She moved in past him.

      “Esme, it’s Lyle,” he called as the door closed behind him.

      “Hey, be there in a sec,” came Esme’s voice from another room.

      She soon appeared with a broad smile on her face. Her short blonde hair was disheveled, as if she had been running her hands through it. “What’s going on?”

      Lyle nodded toward Cass, who still held the dog. “We have a patient for you.”

      Esme looked at the dog then gave Cass a questioning look.

      “Esme, this is Cass Bellow, one of our new residents. She hasn’t made it down to meet the dogs yet, so you haven’t met her.”

      “Welcome, Cass. So, who do you have there?” Esme reached for the dog.

      It growled.

      “Aw, I see you have that special touch,” Esme said, speaking to Cass. “Bring it back here and I’ll give it a look.” Esme led them down a short hall into an examination room. “Put it on the table.”

      Cass did as she was told.

      Esme went to touch the dog again and it rumbled a complaint deep in its chest.

      “I’ll give him something to ease his anxiety.” Esme went to draw up a syringe of medicine.

      “Apparently Cass has that special something with animals.” Lyle looked at her, expecting to see a positive expression, but instead she appeared distraught. What was wrong?

      Esme quickly and efficiently gave the dog an injection. It soon rested easily in Cass’s arms. “You can put him on the table now. He shouldn’t be any trouble.”

      Cass placed the dog on the metal table and backed away. “I think you have this now.” She looked at him. “I can find my way back to the castle from here.”

      Cass was out the door before Lyle could stop her.

      “She seemed in a hurry,” Esme murmured as she started examining the dog.

      Lyle agreed. That accompanied intense curiosity about the stricken look on Cass face as she’d fled.

      The next evening Lyle entered the dining room. A number of the residents were already there and engrossed in conversation. Cass wasn’t one of them. He hadn’t seen her since the night before. The few times he had left his office during the day she hadn’t been anywhere in sight. After her reaction to the dog he’d been very interested in how she was doing.

      Everyone was seated at the table and the food was ready to serve when Cass entered the room. Relief washed through him. He had feared he was going to have to go and find her and he hadn’t been looking forward to the conversation that would have taken place.

      She was dressed in a simple white button-down shirt and jeans. On her feet were the same boots she’d worn the night before. Her hair was brushed back and it didn’t look as if she had any makeup on. There was a fresh, simple air about Cass that appealed to him. Something he was completely unprepared for.

      For too long he’d held onto Freya because she had been something safe and secure in a world he’d been unable to control. He had been too young, too unsure of life and couldn’t see that before he’d gone overseas. Still, the way their relationship had ended had colored how he viewed potential partners. He was gun-shy, and he’d be the first to admit it. The next time he got involved with a woman he wanted it to be a mature, mutual lifelong commitment. That certainly couldn’t be with a resident who would soon be gone and had her own life thousands of miles away. He needed to stop any kind of thoughts like the ones he was having now.

      “We’re glad to have you join us,” he informed Cass as he stood and pulled out the chair next to him. Smiling, he added, “I was worried I might have to go out in the weather to hunt you down.”

      She gave the therapy dog belonging to the resident on the other side of her a long uncertain look before taking the offered seat. “It isn’t because I didn’t think about skipping out.”

      “I’m glad you changed your mind.”

      She gave him a direct look. “Hunger pangs changed it for me.”

      He nodded. “Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

      “You don’t—” She didn’t finish the sentence when those at the table turned to look at her.

      “Everyone, this is Cass.” Lyle then went round the table, giving each person’s name. They either nodded or said hello to her as he went. She offered them all a tight smile.

      The food was served family style out of large bowls and platters, passed around the table. Cass only took small amounts of a few items. At this rate she would never gain back the weight he suspected she had lost.

      “I thought you might like to know that the puppy we found last night is doing well. Esme said he’s fine except for being underweight. He should make a full recovery.”

      “That’s good.” She started picking at her meal.

      Cass wasn’t helping much with making conversation. Lyle made another effort. “She’s