A Highlander For Christmas

Doctor Daniel Lee Jacob

I muttered and rubbed my hands together as I made my way to the barn. The sheep were bleating and complaining loudly. I wonder why the veterinarian was here, I knew they needed checkups and wormings. But if one of my delinquents were sick shouldn’t Sinclair say something?

Worry started gnawing at me as I pushed the door open and was overwhelmed with the stink of wet wool and cranky sheep. Sinclair was standing next to a man who was kneeling by one of the ewes and administering medication to her.

“You didn’t tell me that one of them was sick? I would have come out here and helped.” Both men turned to look at me and my jaw dropped at the guy cradling the ewe. He had creamy skin, soulful dark eyes, thick black hair that was slightly damp with sweat, cheekbones, and a jawline you could cut glass with.

“No one is sick, just routine checkups and wormings. All done here, Mr. Abernethy.” He brushed off the hay from his legs and whipped off the rubber gloves he wore.

“Daniel Lee Jacob, you must be Melinda’s great niece. I am sorry for your loss.” All I could do was gawk at him. He looked like my favorite Korean American actor. Oh man, I am in the land of sexy men. Well, Mack is a huge pain in the rear, but if he didn’t speak, he was pleasant.

“Nice to meet you. So, my sheep are fine?” He gripped my hand and I nearly melted at the smile he shot me.

“Aye Doc, would you like to take a ride with the lass? There is a storm brewing, and I would feel better if ye went with her.” I shot Sinclair a look and he winked at me. That clever old goose.

“If she doesn’t mind, I would like to take out Baxter, he is getting a little portly and could do with the exercise.” Sinclair snorted and disappeared out of the barn with the sheep following him like he was the Pied Piper.

“Have you always taken care of Aunt Melinda’s animals?” I was trying to get my brain to function again and was trying not to sound too much like an i***t.

“I just took over old Thomas Firth’s practice, so for three years I have become acquainted with your animals.” He put his tools away and sat the bag on the workbench and started pulling on his coat, gloves, and hat.

“Thank you for looking after them. You really don’t mind going for a ride with me?” I hid my face; my ears were burning, and I was probably blushing. My inner ho was already thinking of throwing the good doctor in the hay loft and rolling around with him.

He came up behind me and leaned in close. He smelled like woodsmoke and pine. I wanted to rub my face in the crook of his neck. I wonder if I could bottle his scent, what was with the men in Scotland. They all smell so great. Or maybe it was just my libido that was in overdrive.

“You look very cute when you blush, Miss Annabelle. I wonder what you were thinking that made you blush so hard.” I nearly jumped out of my skin when he whispered in my ear. Squeaking, I ran out of the barn and nearly skidded into Sinclair who was coming back to the barn. He looked at me and then at the grinning veterinarian and grinned.

“Look here, Sinclair…” I growled at him, and he started laughing and patted me on the arm.

“Tis OK lass, the horses are tacked up and ready to go. Just be sure you are back in two hours. I say ye have until then before the storm hits.” He was chuckling to himself as he walked back to the house. I’m sure that he and Eugenia will be gossiping like schoolkids.

“Alright Doc, let us go check out the land. I don’t know if Sinclair told you about the cave on the property, but that was where I went before. I heard the sheep were being seen by the vet.” I was babbling but I needed to distract myself from the sexy veterinarian and his schmexy voice.

“I have heard about the cave; I have never seen it.” His phone started ringing and he apologized as he took the call. I saw his face fall and he started pacing.

“Are you sure? I am kind of…no, I understand, but where am I going to keep her? We don’t have the space for a full-grown emu.” My ears perked up, an emu? I wanted one of those for the longest time. I moved closer to him and tried not to look like I was eavesdropping, but he caught me staring at him with interest. Raising an eyebrow, he looked at me.

“Hold on Emmy.” Taking the phone from his ear, he was looking at me and I was practically bouncing on my feet.

“Soooo what was this about an emu? Does said emu need a home? If she does, I know a slightly deranged American that knows nothing of emu but will gladly learn and give the said dinosaur a home.” I was dancing now, and he smiled at me, if I was not so excited about a six-foot bird, I would be a melty puddle of goo at his smile.

“Emmy looks like you could have them bring the emu to Sheep’s Lodge. Yes, you heard me correctly, no Melinda passed remember, I’m talking with her niece.” He frowned and mouthed the words thank you to me and I danced off to go tell Sinclair we were getting an emu.

I was not going to worry about why he was arguing with this Emmy person, maybe she had a thing for the veterinarian or maybe they were an item. At this moment, I could care less, I was getting an emu, the closest thing to a living dinosaur that was not a chicken.