A Christmas Knight Read Free Page A

forart—something she could only assume came from Jack’s side, because nobody in her side of the family was arty. But there was nobody to ask, because Jack’s family had severed all connection with them as soon as Jack had left—and for the same reason.
    Though it didn’t bother her any more. She knew that she and Ty were better off without them. Her parents accepted Tyler as he was and gave him enough love for two sets of grandparents. They didn’t need the Listons.
    Tyler disappeared to his room as soon as they got home, and Louisa knew exactly what he was doing. Putting his drawing in a plastic wallet, labelling it and adding it to his database. One good thing about having a son who was obsessed with order was that she never had to tell him to tidy his bedroom. It was always immaculate. Smiling, she busied herself preparing dinner, and when everything was ready she called him down, careful not to let the new potatoes, chicken or vegetables touch each other on Tyler’s plate.
    He chattered happily about horses all the way through dinner; and then it was the usual routine of washing up while he had a bath, nagging him to clean his teeth, and giving him a kiss goodnight.
    Carefully, he turned the kitchen timer next to his bed to twenty minutes. ‘I’ll put my light out as soon as the alarm goes off, Mum,’ he promised.
    And she knew he would, even if he was in mid-sentence. Tyler was one for sticking to the rules. ‘See you in the morning, darling. Sleep well,’ she said, giving him another kiss.
    Then she curled up on the sofa with her laptop and looked up all the local riding stables, listing them with their phone numbers in her diary. She’d start calling them tomorrow. It was a pity that Dominic Hurst had turnedout to be so formal and unapproachable—she would’ve appreciated some tips on choosing the right riding school. But she was used to doing things on her own, so she wasn’t going to let it throw her.
    And as for stray thoughts of a tall, dark, gorgeous and reserved medic with a mouth that promised sin…she’d banish them all from her head, because there just wasn’t room in her life for someone like that.
    Handsome is as handsome does.

CHAPTER TWO
    T UESDAY went without incident in Minors, but on Wednesday Louisa was called in to help in Resus.
    â€˜Essie tells me you’re very experienced, so I’d like you to work with me, please, Nurse Practitioner Austin,’ Dominic said.
    She noticed again that he’d addressed her by her title rather than by her name. Was he just being like that with her because she was new, or was he like that with everyone? Then she remembered that Essie had called him by his first name. Better get things straight now, then. ‘OK, but can we spend thirty seconds now to save us a lot of time when our patients arrive?’ she asked.
    He frowned. ‘How do you mean?’
    â€˜It goes without saying that I respect your seniority, but I’m used to working on first-name terms. It’s quicker, easier, and less of a mouthful. Would you mind?’
    He blinked. ‘OK, Nu—Louisa.’
    â€˜Thank you, Dominic.’ She used his name deliberately. ‘So what’s happened?’
    â€˜Car crash. Three casualties,’ Dominic explained. ‘Both drivers are coming in with suspected whiplash, and the passenger has suspected multiple fractures. Ronnie and Sasha are going to treat the drivers, and I need you with me as lead nurse to treat the passenger—Sally will assist us.’
    She nodded. ‘How long have we got to prepare?’
    â€˜Five minutes. I’m going down to the ambulance bay now.’
    She busied herself getting the trolley ready; when Dominic came back with the paramedic and their patient, the team swung into action.
    â€˜Rhiannon, this is my team, Louisa and Sally,’ Dominic said calmly. ‘They’re going to help me look after