Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection. Rebecca Winters

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      Michael’s head peeked around the door.

      ‘Are you decent?’

      ‘It’s a bit late if I’m not, isn’t it?’ I laughed as Pilot charged in through the door. He bounded up beside the bed and stood there, tail whacking the duvet, with a big, happy look on his face. This was what I loved about dogs: You could be gone for two minutes and they would greet you like it had been weeks. I rubbed his head and he did his little four paw bounce thing until Michael told him to sit, which he did, one side of his body pressed into the bed.

      His master entered the room at a more sedate pace, carrying a tray. As I glanced up I felt a whoosh of heat hit my chest and zoom up my face.

      ‘You all right?’ he asked, concern in his voice. ‘Still getting those hot and cold flashes? Hopefully it’s on its way out now though.’

      ‘Mmmhmm.’ I smiled and dropped my gaze back to the dog for a moment, willing my colour back to normal. The truth was I was pretty sure the reason for my sudden temperature fluctuation was far more basic, and more to do with the fact that one of the most good-looking men I had ever met was now stood at my bedside, bearing a thick bacon sandwich that smelled divine. In fact, there was a split second when I wondered if the whole bug thing had actually been a little more serious than I thought and I’d passed on: There was a gorgeous man, a lovely dog, a comfy bed and bacon sarnies. If Heaven doesn’t contain those things, then frankly I was far less keen to go. And then Pilot did something that confirmed I was still firmly earthbound.

      ‘Holy shit, Pilot,’ Michael cried, shoving the long sleeve of his T-shirt over his nose and hurriedly leading the dog out of the room. I meanwhile had slid back under the duvet which was now pressed against my face, just my eyes peeping over the top.

      ‘Sorry.’ Michael’s voice was muffled by the fabric and his arm when he spoke. He pointed at the window. ‘Just for a minute.’

      I nodded vigorously.

      Thankfully the air interchange was swift and effective, and, actually, it was pretty nice to breathe in the cool air after the last couple of days.

      ‘I’m so sorry about that. I’d say I don’t know what’s got into him, but I think I do. Janey and Patrick were overjoyed that my nephew finally ate his Brussel sprouts for the first time at dinner last night. I didn’t say anything, but I’m fairly confident Joey wasn’t the one who ate them.’ He pulled the window closed again, and I emerged from the duvet, whereupon Michael handed me the sandwich.

      ‘Does Joey know you know?’ I asked, taking a bite of the sandwich.

      He screwed up his nose for a second. ‘I’ve a horrible feeling I might have been the one to give him the idea.’

      I tilted my head for an explanation as I chewed on the sandwich, which tasted even better than it had smelled.

      ‘A while ago we were all talking about this old dog we used to have back home, when we were kids. None of us were fussy eaters but I did have a loathing for broad beans. Still can’t stand the things. When Mum mentioned that I was such a good lad, because I ate them anyway, I had to admit then that I’d actually fed the beans to the dog under the table when no one was looking. I guess little Joey stored that away for future use.’

      ‘Are you going to tell Janey?’

      ‘Do I look like a snitch to you?’ He grinned and I took an extra big bite to distract myself from how good that looked on him. ‘Besides, I’m his favourite uncle and I’m not about to relinquish that title by dobbing him in on something I used to do myself.’

      ‘That’s fair.’

      ‘You can’t tell Janey either, though!’ This time his face was serious.

      I shook my head. He did the grin again but I’d run out of sandwich so I buried my face in the mug of tea instead.

      ‘Is it snowing?’ I asked, reappearing and squinting at the window.

      ‘Started about half an hour ago. Fairly heavily too.’ He slid a glance sideways at me. ‘So if you’re thinking you can just toddle on home, you can’t. I’ve strict instructions to keep you exactly where you are.’

      I smiled. ‘Is that so?’

      ‘It is. And as you know, not much scares me, apart from my baby sister so please don’t make me do something drastic like tie you to the bed.’

      My eyebrows shot up involuntarily, immediately followed by Michael’s.

      ‘Admittedly that came out a little wrong.’ He looked at me and I saw the twinkle. ‘Although…’

      The look I gave him caused his face to crease and a laugh rumble from his chest.

      ‘Maybe when you’re feeling a little better.’

      I flopped my head against the pillow.

      ‘I’m not sure which version of you I like better: the grouchy, moody one or the cheerier, but infinitely more perverse one.’

      He wiggled his eyebrows and then flopped onto the end of the bed.

      ‘I have to say thanks Katie. I can’t believe the difference you’ve made. Home actually feels like home now. I’ve always loved the house but now it feels…different somehow.’

      ‘You sound surprised.’

      He fiddled with the pintucks on the duvet cover, not looking at me. ‘I am, if I’m honest. You know I only started all this because I had to. But it’s really been good for me. In a lot of ways.’

      ‘I’m glad to hear it Michael. Really glad.’

      He smiled back and, for a moment, I thought he was going to say something else. Downstairs the front door closed and we heard voices.

      ‘Still alive up there?’ Patrick called.

      ‘No thanks to Pilot,’ Michael quipped, shooting a look at the dog who had been lying at the doorway since his dismissal earlier. Pilot hid his nose under his paw.

      Lily and Joey tore into the guest room. ‘Katie! Uncle Mikey! It’s really snowing! Like proper snow! Will you come out and play with us? Mum said we can go out after dinner.’ Joey’s face was shining with excitement.

      ‘Did she now?’ Michael bent his knees and scooped up his nephew. Lily, meanwhile, was clearly of the more sensible disposition and saw the snow for what it was: cold and wet but pretty to look at it from inside. She had now climbed onto the bed and was sat beside me, playing with my hair.

      ‘You have pretty hair. I wish mine was longer.’

      ‘Well you’ll have to make do playing with Katie’s because I don’t have to deal with tantrums washing hers,’ Janey puffed out as she entered the room. I saw Michael’s eyes scan her face.

      ‘Everything all right? Why didn’t you call up? I can get whatever it is you need.’

      ‘Stop fretting Mikey. It’s good exercise. And I’ve done this twice before, don’t forget.’ СКАЧАТЬ