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Nancy climbed down and looked directly at Hannah. The two of them had never openly discussed the past but based on the discussion they’d had about making this Christmas special, it was clear Nancy knew at least some of the story. Knew why the decorations had remained untouched in the bags on the floor.

‘It looks beautiful.’ Hannah mumbled the words through the cotton-wool dryness of her mouth. ‘Thank you.’

Nancy’s shoulders dropped a fraction, as if she’d been holding her breath and could finally let it go. ‘My pleasure.’

Another item ticked off the list. One step closer to the worst day of the year.

Chapter 10

Cole Harrison was the last person Hannah expected to see when she opened the door. But there he was, all six foot four inches of him, in his signature faded jeans and checked shirt, looking for all the world like a country-rock star.

‘Hi.’

Was he here to find out how things were going with Owen? Sharing anything from the sessions would be crossing a boundary, but it wouldn’t hurt to give a general overview of how things were progressing. Maybe find out a little more family background in light of what Owen had shared at their last session.

‘Hello?’ Cole ducked his head, putting him at her eye level.

Oh, shit. She’d been staring at him like a child adoring a puppy through a pet-store window. ‘Sorry. Off with the pixies.’

He lifted his hands and between them was a copy ofThe Love Hypothesis.The one she’d bought—and he’d paid for—at the market stall? How and why was it in his possession? Hadn’t she put it in her bag?

‘You dropped this the other night. When you left the carols.’

In a mad lunatic rush. Not the words he used but no need to state the obvious.

‘Oh.’

Something about being in his presence either rendered her speechless or had her babbling like a kid who’d single-handedly gobbled a full bag of sweets. Today, apparently, it was the former.

Cole scratched the back of his head. ‘I thought I’d return it. In case you wanted to read it.’

He handed the novel across and the memory of the bookseller’s recommendation, his leery smile as he delivered it, tripped across her brain.Nice and spicy. Hopefully Cole had forgotten about the review.

‘Thank you.’ She forced a smile, despite the rising tide of warmth emanating from a certain part of her body. She really needed to do something about her celibacy. Just not right now. And not with anyone remotely connected to a patient. Or who was clearly younger than her—a good six years, if he was thirteen years older than Owen. And a farrier. ‘You didn’t need to go to so much trouble.’

‘No trouble.’ He swivelled as if to leave then turned back. ‘You wouldn’t have a minute for a quick chat, by any chance?’

The house sat empty behind her, Nancy and Lenore having taken themselves on a day trip and Crystal having Friday off. All Hannah had on her agenda was paperwork. Easily delayed.

‘Sure. Come on in.’

All the way to the living room, she waged an internal war with herself:

What the hell are you doing?

Being polite. The guy did bring my book back.

He’s a client’s brother!!!

Who’s asked for a moment of my time.

Who you have the hots for!

There’s no harm in acknowledging a person’s good looks.

But there is harm in fantasising—

I am not fantasising!