Libby was under the covers and ready to drift into oblivion when someone down below rang the doorbell.
She groaned softly but didnât move. When it rang a second time she slipped a robe over her nightdress and went quickly downstairs. Before opening the door she peered into the porch, and with the moonâs light filtering in saw the broad-shouldered outline of a man. Beside him was a small child dressed in pyjamas.
It all looked innocent enough, she decided. The two of them must be part of the family whoâd moved in next door. Without any further delay she unlocked the door.
âHello, Libby,â Nathan Gallagher said easily, as if it had only been yesterday that sheâd last seen him.
She could feel her legs caving in at the shock of seeing him there â¦
Hello Again, Dear Reader
It is lovely to be back with you once more, having left golden beaches and Devon clotted cream teas for a while. In this new quartet of books we once again open the door to romance with all its tender magic as we share the lives of The Doctors of Swallowbrook Farmâa friendly surgery in a beautiful English country village, where Libby Hamilton and Nathan Gallagher pick up the pieces of something that should have happened long ago.
My son and daughter-in-law live close to a place like this, and every time I visit them the beauty of it enfolds me just as it does Libby and Nathan, in this first book of four. If youâve enjoyed it do look out for Ruby and Hugoâs story, coming nextâanother reminder that true love breaks down all barriers.
So, may I wish you happy reading as you turn the pages of these stories about The Doctors of Swallowbrook Farm.
Abigail Gordon
ABIGAIL GORDON loves to write about the fascinating combination of medicine and romance from her home in a Cheshire village. She is active in local affairs, and is even called upon to write the script for the annual village pantomime! Her eldest son is a hospital manager, and helps with all her medical research. As part of a close-knit family, she treasures having two of her sons living close by, and the third one not too far away. This also gives her the added pleasure of being able to watch her delightful grandchildren growing up.
Recent titles by the same author:
VILLAGE NURSEâS HAPPY-EVER-AFTERâ
CHRISTMAS IN BLUEBELL COVEâ WEDDING BELLS FOR THE VILLAGE NURSEâ COUNTRY MIDWIFE, CHRISTMAS BRIDE* A SUMMER WEDDING AT WILLOWMERE* A BABY FOR THE VILLAGE DOCTOR* CHRISTMAS AT WILLOWMERE*
*The Willowmere Village Stories â Bluebell Cove
These books are also available in eBook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk
FOR MY NEPHEW SHAUN MURRAY
AND HIS SON ANDREW FAR AWAY FROM ME IN TEXAS
SPENDING two weeks in Spain with her best friend had been great, but as Libby Hamilton drove the last couple of miles to Swallowbrook village, nestling in a lakeland valley below the rugged beauty of the fells, she was happy to be back where she belonged.
A month ago, on what was not as frequent an occasion as she would like it to be, she had met up with Melissa Lombard for lunch in Manchester, and on seeing how pale and tired Libby looked, the only person sheâd ever told what a mistake her tragically brief marriage had been had said, âIâm going to our villa in Spain for a couple of weeks. That husband of mine canât go with me. There is a big audit due at the office and heâs in charge. So why donât you join me, Libby? It would be lovely if you could.â
Sheâd hesitated and Melissa had said coaxingly, âSurely they can manage without you at the Swallowbrook practice for once, and if they canât, they can get a temp. Iâm no doctor but I think I can safely prescribe two weeks of lazing in the sun to bring some colour back to your cheeks.â
âIt would be a change, I suppose,â Libby had agreed wistfully. âI havenât had any time off since Ian had the dreadful accident. Itâs as if I havenât been able to stop and think since the funeral. I guess Iâve been using work as an excuse these past few months.â
Melissa had nodded gravely and gone on to say sympathetically, âSo what better reason for joining me could there be than having spent months of hard graft without a break?â
Libby had smiled at her across the table and told her friend, âYou have just talked me into two weeks in Spain, Mel, but not a moment longer. Our senior partner, John Gallagher, retires at the end of the month and Iâve taken over as senior partner. He has virtually given up already, but I know if I ask him heâll take up the reins again for two more weeks while I have a break.â
Driving back now, alongside the fells beneath a harvest moon, she was feeling much more like her old self after a healthy dose of sun, sea and a complete rest. Yet as was always the case on the rare occasions she was absent from the practice, coming back to Swallowbrook and her cottage across the way from the surgery was heart-warming, and today was no exception.