Meet Me in Scotland Read Online Free PDF Page A

Emma shared a glance. Was this guy a wee daft?
    The big man laughed again. “Oh, you two, she’s my prize sheep. She’s feeling a mite under the weather. Gotta give her her medicine every hour, the veterinariansays.” He picked up a vial from the table along with his mug of coffee. “There’s only the one bed and one quilt. But I’m sure you’ll manage.” He winked at Gabe.
    As the man opened the door, snow flew in; then he was gone. When the door shut, the two of them were left inside, alone.

Chapter Two
    F or a long moment, they both stared at the closed door. Then Gabe turned to the wall phone. “While I make that call, you”—he pointed to Emma—“get those shoes and socks off now.” He tossed her the dry ones. “Put those on and get warm by the fire.”
    â€œYou are the bossiest man I’ve ever met.”
    â€œThank you.”
    She put her hands on her hips like she wanted to argue, but he assumed her cold feet convinced her otherwise. She slipped into the rocker by the fire and began untying her snow-covered laces.
    He retrieved his auto card from his wallet and glanced at Emma as she slipped off the first shoe. When he picked up the receiver, he was relieved that there was a dial tone. As he placed the call, he turned back to her as the second shoe fell to the floor. “If you don’t hurry and get those dry socks on, I’ll come over and do it for you.”
    She glared at him, but the person on the other end picked up and he turned away. Gabe explained the situation to the auto club, but it didn’t do any good. The earliest the tow company could get there would be in the morning. Basically, they insinuated he was crazy for suggesting otherwise.
    He hung up. “
Great.
”
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Emma leaned over and pulled on the second dry sock.
    â€œWe’re not getting towed out.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe crews are stuck themselves. As soon as they can, they’ll come to us.”
    â€œWhen is that?”
    â€œNot tonight. Tonight you’re stuck with me.”
    â€œMarvelous.”
The frown she gave him said she’d rather take her chances with the old guy and Miz Flanders. She stood. “I’d better break it to Claire.”
    He put his hand up. “You stay by the fire. I’ll call Dom’s cell phone. I don’t want to wake Claire. She has to get up early, remember?”
    â€œYes.” Emma plopped down in the chair. “The blooming scones.”
    Gabe tsked
at her, turned away, and smiled. He made the phone call and told Dom what was up.
    When Gabe hung up, he saw Emma rocking in the chair with her hands in front of the hearth. With the fire as her backdrop, her cinnamon hair glowed.
    He stopped breathing. The walls inched closer together. Suddenly the cottage felt too small and too cozy.
    One bed.
    One pillow.
    One quilt.
    Two adversaries.
    He cleared his throat. But his voice still came out husky. “You take the bed. I’ll sleep in the rocking chair.” The rocker wasn’t a high-back and would be uncomfortable as hell, but that’s what he got for offering to help out Claire and Dom. He gazed down at the stone floor, looking for a soft spot to lie on, but it would be too cold.
    â€œI can’t let you do that,” Emma argued. “I’ll sleep in the chair.”
    â€œNo, I insist.” Given his past, he wouldn’t dare offer for them to share the bed. She’d consider it an assault on her sensibilities.
    She didn’t understand, though, that she wasn’t his type—too high maintenance. Even if Emma Castle was
naked and willing
, she wouldn’t be able to coax him into doing more than sleeping. He was looking for a Scottish country lass, not a city woman. A girl who understood hard work and sharing the load. Not one with a maid who bustled around so she didn’t have to lift a finger.
    No, Emma