Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Callie stood up. “That’s us.”
I followed, grabbing Callie’s large bag filled with baby stuff.
“Dr. Cameron Phillips.” The doctor held out a hand to Callie, his gaze flickering to me.
“Nice to meet you, Dr. Phillips. This is my daughter Harley. Oh, and this is my sister-in-law, Eilidh. Is it okay if she accompanies us in?”
“Of course. Nice to meet you.” Up close I could see his eyes were a light hazel. Very nice.
I gave him a flirty smile without thinking about it. “You too.”
His eyebrows rose ever so slightly, and I saw a small smile curl his lips before he turned, gesturing for us to follow.
“You must be the new doctor all my customers have been talking about,” Callie observed. This was news to me.
“Customers?” The doctor held open the door to the back of the clinic and we filed past him. He smelled good.
“I run Callie’s Wee Cakery with my mum.”
“Oh, the bakery. I’ve heard amazing things. I just haven’t had a chance to pop in yet.” Dr. Phillips turned to Harley. “Now, how can I help this little beauty?”
I watched as the doctor examined my niece, talking softly to her in a soothing, calm voice. He was great with her and she even offered him a small, tearful smile by the end.
“Oh, you’re a heartbreaker, aren’t you?” Dr. Phillips looked up at Callie with a sympathetic smile. “Seeing her like this must be hard. But it is just a cold that’s taking a wee bit longer to shift than we’d all like. She’s very congested. I’m going to give you a prescription for saline nasal drops and a nasal aspirator. Harley will definitely not appreciate the experience, but it should help clear the congestion right up.”
“Okay, thank you, Doctor.” Callie cuddled her daughter into her chest as the doctor filled out the prescription.
“So, what made you move to Ardnoch?” I asked nosily.
He looked over at me. “Needed a change of pace. I was working in a very busy clinic in Leith in Edinburgh and I just wanted a little quiet. This surgery has more doctors than some of the city clinics, which means I can take my time with patients rather than rushing them out of the door like they’re an inconvenience.” Dr. Phillips handed Callie the prescription. “Bring little Harley back if you don’t see a difference in a week or if she’s getting worse.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“Aye, thank you, Doctor.” I grinned at him and I swear I saw a little flush on his cheeks before Callie led us out.
As soon as we were outside, my sister-in-law frowned at me. “What was that?”
“What was what?”
“You were flirting with my doctor.”
“Was I?” I shrugged as I opened the door to Callie’s SUV and placed her bag inside. “He was good-looking and being all sweet to my niece. It flipped my flirt switch.”
Callie chuckled but shook her head. “Well, just keep in mind that three weeks ago, you told a man you were in love with him. The last thing you need is another guy messing with your head.”
“I know. It’s just harmless flirting,” I promised. It was nice for a minute not to think about Fyfe and the crushing emotions that accompanied thoughts of him.
“Eilidh, right?”
I looked up from the rosé selection in William’s Wine Cellar and stared into the handsome face of Dr. Cameron Phillips.
It had been two days since Harley’s appointment, and I was searching for a couple of bottles of wine to go with the Italian dinner I was making for my family this evening. Mum and Dad were always working so hard, so I’d roped Mor into helping me. Lewis and Callie were bringing Harley over too.
“Hi.” I blinked, surprised to see the doctor so soon. I didn’t know why. Ardnoch was a tiny place and it was inevitable we’d run into each other. “Yes. Eilidh.”
“Cameron.” He gestured to himself.
I smiled. “I remember.”
“Special evening planned?” Cameron gestured to the wine.
“For my parents. I’m staying in their guest annex for a while and thought I’d make dinner to say thank you.”
“Oh, you don’t live in Ardnoch permanently?”
I stiffened. Did he not know who I was? A slight thrill coursed through me at the thought. “Now I do. But I’ve just returned home after a few years away working.”
He leaned in, looking genuinely interested. “What do you do for work?”
He didn’t.
He didn’t know who I was.
A flutter of excitement caused my lips to curl at the corners. “Acting.”
Cameron winced. “That’s a hard game. But I guess being near a place like the Ardnoch Estate is inspiring. So … it just didn’t work out?”
Oh my goodness, this was hilarious and amazing all at once. And I technically wasn’t lying when I replied, “No, it wasn’t for me. I’ve come home to rediscover myself. Does that sound terribly self-indulgent?”
“Not at all. I think it’s great that you have family support so you can do that. When I told my friends and family I was leaving Edinburgh for the middle of nowhere in the Scottish Highlands, they all thought I was having a midlife crisis.”