Page 83 of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

“Don’t move.”

Like I could. Alexander had already clicked off, so I just did my best to soothe the puffin, wrapping the scarf a touch tighter around its wings so it didn’t flap about so much, and waited. It wasn’t long before I spotted Alexander coming at a dead run over the dunes, in just gray sweatpants and a hoodie. He must have been relaxing at home in front of his fire, a spot I desperately wished I could be in right now.

“I’m here,” Alexander said as he skidded to a stop by me, crouching.

I cried even harder. I couldn’t seem to stop.

He’d come for me.

Without a second thought.

I loved him. Oh, God, but I loved him. The truth slammed into me, and I gasped, not from pain this time. No, from the understanding that this man had irrevocably changed my life.

“Are you hurt anywhere else? Is it just the ankle?” Alexander ran his hands across my head, checking for blood.

“Bruised, I think. But just the ankle.” Angling my coat, I looked up at him through the blur of tears. “I have a puffin in here. Also with a broken leg.”

“Of course you do.” Alexander shifted and put his arms around me.

“What are you doing?” I gaped at him.

“Just hold tight to the puffin. I’m going to lift you.”

“You can’t lift me from a squat, Alexander! I’m too heavy!”

“Wheesht. Just let me carry you.”

I squeaked as he did just that, lifted me from the rocks and cradled me in his arms as I held tight to the puffin, crooning into my coat. He strode across the beach, as the first drops of rain stung my face, and I burrowed deeper into his arms, my emotions an absolute mess inside me.

By the time we reached his house, an ambulance had arrived.

“You called the ambulance?”

“I didn’t know how bad it was and I wanted to be sure I had proper medical help available.”

A paramedic with a stretcher moved toward us and Alexander placed me gently on the stretcher.

“Here. You have to help her,” I said, motioning to the puffin. The paramedic looked down at the bird and shook his head.

“I don’t do birds, lass.”

“I’ll take her.” Alexander reached for the puffin, and I handed her over, trusting that he knew what to do.

“Right to the vet? You’ll make sure she’s okay?” I was worried.

A brief smile crossed Alexander’s face and his eyes softened when he looked down at me.

“Aye, lass. I’ll take care of her.”

“And this, give this to Tattie.” I handed the gift bag,which was still hanging off my shoulder, to Alexander who took it with a bemused smile.

“I will. I’ll call Esther and make sure she knows where you are,” Alexander said. He tapped the paramedic’s shoulder, who was already urging me to lie down so he could take my boot off. “Take care of her. She’s important to me.”

My heart swelled.

And then he walked away.

There was nothing else to do.

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