The Doctor's Christmas Bride (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 1)

‘I know.’ Lizzie stroked the branches lovingly, watching as the needles sprang back. ‘I love it. It’s big. Like having the whole forest in your house. And I like the way it smells.’ She leaned forward and breathed in and Bryony sighed.

‘It won’t fit into our living room, sweetheart. How about that one over there—it’s a lovely shape.’

Lizzie shook her head, her hand still locked around one branch of the tree she’d chosen as if she couldn’t quite let it go. ‘I love this one. I want this to be our tree.’

Bryony closed her eyes briefly. ‘Lizzie—’

‘It’s a great tree and we can always trim the top,’ Jack said firmly, and Bryony lifted an eyebrow.

‘You’re planning to lop six feet off the top?’

He grinned. ‘If need be.’ He squatted down next to Lizzie, his hair shining glossily black next to the little girl’s blonde curls. ‘The lady likes this one. So the lady gets this one.’

‘You need to learn to say no to her, Jack.’

‘Why would I want to say no?’ He scooped Lizzie into his arms and grinned at her. ‘So you want this tree

?’

Lizzie nodded and slipped her arm round his neck. ‘Can I have it?’

‘Of course.’ Still holding the child, Jack slipped a hand into his pocket and removed his wallet. ‘Here we are, Blondie. Merry Christmas.’

Bryony shook her head. ‘I’ll pay, Jack.’

‘My treat.’ His eyes locked on hers, his expression warm. ‘Please.’

She hesitated and then smiled. ‘All right. Thanks.’

Lizzie tightened her arms round Jack’s neck. ‘Why do you call Mummy Blondie?’

‘Because she has blonde hair, of course.’

‘But I have blonde hair, too.’

Jack gave a start. ‘So you do! Goodness—I never noticed.’

Lizzie gave a delicious chuckle. ‘Yes, you did. I know you’re joking.’ She hugged him tight and then looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Jack…’

His eyes narrowed. ‘Don’t tell me, you want to go home and play Weddings?’

‘No.’ She lifted a small hand and touched his cheek. ‘I asked Santa for a daddy for Christmas.’

Jack went still. ‘I know you did.’

‘Well, now I wish I’d asked him to make you my daddy,’ Lizzie said wistfully. ‘I love you, Jack. No one plays Weddings like you do.’

Bryony swallowed hard, the lump in her throat so big it threatened to choke her.

‘Lizzie…’ Jack’s voice sounded strangely thick and his hard jaw was tense as he struggled to find the right words. ‘I can’t be your daddy, sweetheart. But I’ll always be here for you.’

‘Why can’t you be my daddy? I know Mummy loves you.’

Bryony closed her eyes, fire in her cheeks, but Jack just gave a strange-sounding laugh.

‘And I love your mummy. But not in the way that mummies and daddies are supposed to love each other.’

Bryony rubbed her booted foot in the snow and wished an avalanche would consume her. But there wasn’t much chance of that in the forest. So instead she looked up and gave a bright smile.