The Mills & Boon Sparkling Christmas Collection. Kate Hardy

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СКАЧАТЬ What if he went to the beach? What if Hamish went down to the water? Oh God –’ She ran a hand distractedly over her face.

      ‘How long have they been gone?’

      ‘Almost an hour I think … I just know he wouldn’t take that long unless something had happened. I’m out going to look for them.’

      Ben placed his hands gently on the top of her shoulders forcing her to look at him.

      ‘Listen to me. They’ll be all right. Jamie’s a sensible boy.’ He hoped his reassurance would somehow infiltrate her panic. The look of fear on her face was almost destroying him.

      ‘I have to go and find him,’ she said determinedly, starting to move away from him.

      ‘Eva, what if he comes back and you’re not here? You have to stay here and let me go. Have you any idea where they might walk?’

      Eva ran a hand distractedly through her hair. ‘Not really – I thought they’d go to the end of the street and back.’

      Ben took a step closer to her, took her hand in his. ‘It’s going to be okay. I’ll bring them back.’ Eva looked at him with huge eyes, and nodded mutely.

      Ben pulled up his hood against the rain and headed straight to the beach. Despite reassuring Eva, he didn’t like the idea of Jamie being out in this and the water was his biggest fear. Within seconds he was drenched and as he approached the beach he could see the wind whipping at the water’s edge and thought how easy it would be to become disorientated in this weather.

      Wherever he was, he hoped Jamie wasn’t frightened. Images flashed into his mind of the time he’d got lost on holiday and he hated to think of Eva now and how frantic she must be. He continued to walk along the water’s edge scouring the wet sand for footprints, the wind buffeting against his body.

      He walked the full length of beach shouting out Jamie’s name, then Hamish’s but the wind snatched his voice away. By the time he reached an outcrop of rocks at the end of beach there was still no sign of them and he started back the way he’d come, this time keeping in close to the shelter of the dunes.

      After a few minutes, he stopped dead in his tracks, listening to a noise. Barking. He kept walking, following the sound at it became louder and suddenly, out of the darkness Hamish appeared. Behind him, looking small and exhausted, was Jamie.

      ‘Jamie!’ Ben raced towards them and bent down to him, holding him by the shoulders. ‘Are you all right?’

      ‘I – I’m okay,’ his voice sounded small. ‘Is Mum angry?’

      ‘Of course she’s not. She’s worried sick but she’s going to be so happy to see you. Come on, let’s get you home.’

      ***

      ‘I can see them! Ben’s coming with Jamie and Hamish,’ Heather called from the window where she’d been looking out while Eva paced up and down. She had come straight from her mother’s house after Douglas had relayed Eva’s phone call to her.

      ‘Look – they’re here.’

      Eva joined her at the window, hardly daring to believe Jamie was coming home. Relief flooded her body, every fibre of her being thankful to see her son. She cried out as he came through the door. Ben and Hamish following behind, all of them looking miserable and soaked to the skin.

      ‘Oh, Jamie! Are you all right? I’m so sorry – I should never have asked you to go out.’

      ‘I’m sorry, Mum.’ His voice wobbled for a moment before he gave her a small smile. ‘I’m fine, honest. Just a bit wet and cold,’ he tried to reassure her through chattering teeth. Eva wrapped her arms around him and held him close, breathing him in. He was safe. She pulled away from him, watching him closely.

      ‘What happened? Where did you go?’

      ‘You looked kind of angry so I thought I better take Hamish for a long walk. We went all the way up North Street and then along Market Street …’

      Eva bit her lip as she listened.

      ‘Then we came back down towards the beach. My hands were like really cold and wet and the lead just kind of slipped. Hamish ran off and I just couldn’t get him back. Every time I got near him, he kept running off. I think he thought it was a game. I managed to get hold of him at the dunes and that’s where Ben found us.’

      ‘Oh, Jamie.’ Eva put her hand over her mouth, half laughing, half crying.

      ‘Are you angry with Hamish?’ Jamie asked uncertainly.

      She looked at the dog who let out a little whimper and she realized how relieved she was to see him too. In that moment she knew he was part of their family.

      ‘No, of course not,’ she reassured Jamie giving Hamish a cuddle.

      Heather had swung into full maternal mode and had miraculously appeared with towels and hot chocolate for Jamie. Eva realized Ben and Heather hadn’t actually met yet and Heather was now introducing herself to him, unashamedly giving him the once-over. She turned to Eva, mouthing ‘Oh my God!’ before switching her attention to Jamie.

      ‘Right, a hot shower for you, young man. And don’t look at me like that. I’ll leave you to it, don’t worry.’

      Eva glanced over to where Ben was rubbing a towel over his hair, his eyes fixed on her. His breathing was heavy, his hair and clothes were damp, and even though she could hardly think straight, some part of her registered how wantonly gorgeous he looked. ‘Thank you for bringing Jamie home.’ She hated that her voice sounded so remote but she couldn’t help it.

      ‘Are you all right?’ he asked.

      She nodded but wasn’t sure at all. Her head seemed to be full of nightmare images of Jamie and water and her whole body was feeling weak, her eyes unable to focus properly. She blinked a few times, reaching out to try and steady herself before suddenly everything went black.

      ‘Whoa there.’ She heard Ben’s deep voice, vaguely aware of his arms reaching to catch her just as her legs gave way.

      A few moments later Ben’s face came into focus. She was surprised to find herself sitting on the floor, Ben beside her. She shook her head.

      ‘Oh God, what happened?’

      ‘It’s okay – just take it easy. You fainted, but only for a second.’

      Eva remained on the floor, feeling herself supported by one of Ben’s legs as he crouched beside her. He was studying her, concern etched on his face. ‘Eva, what happened to your finger?’

      ‘What? Oh, I cut it earlier,’ she mumbled vaguely. Ben exchanged a look with Heather.

      ‘Can I take a look at it?’ Ben gently unwound the dressing she’d applied earlier and she saw him flinch as he examined her finger. ‘That’s going to need a couple of stitches. I’m taking you to hospital.’

      Eva shook her head, which only made her feel more dizzy. ‘No way, I’m fine. I’ve just got a cold. I’m not leaving Jamie … or the guests.’ Eva attempted to stand but her legs had other ideas. Jamie came СКАЧАТЬ