A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,71

to laugh off Steph’s comments. ‘Don’t take any notice of her – she doesn’t know what she’s on about. Whoa!’

Steph had slumped lower. Lottie dived in to support her. Even with her and Jay on either side of her, she was struggling to stay conscious.

Lottie was in despair. ‘I’m not sure we’ll make it all the way to the Bothy.’

Jay’s jaw was set. ‘Let’s give it a try.’

Somehow, they managed to cajole and half-drag Steph out of the house. Lottie decided not to bother with the wrap and instead, Jay retrieved his jacket from a chair in the ballroom and helped Steph into it. There was no way she was going to be persuaded into the wellies though so they decided to hope for the best.

While Jay supported Steph, Lottie scrambled into her own boots. Big wet flakes were falling, soaking them within moments of leaving the house. Slipping and slithering, they carried and coaxed Steph across the terrace and down the steps to the cottages. Without Jay, Lottie could never have managed.

Despite her sodden dress and feet, Steph thought it was all a huge laugh.

‘You’re a keeper,’ she kept telling Jay.

‘Shh. Steph.’ Lottie was mortified.

‘A real nice guy … not like C—’

‘Steph!’ Lottie said, dreading what might emerge next from Steph’s mouth. Thank God they were now into the garden of the Bothy. Lottie was exhausted, her muscles were aching and her sparkly wrap was a cold wet rag. Jay was right. Taking the weight of a whole person was no mean feat.

Lottie had to let go of Steph to open the door, leaving Jay supporting her. Unexpectedly, she decided to break free of him and lie on the small patch of lawn outside the cottage. ‘Oh no, she’ll freeze,’ Lottie said.

Steph was having a wonderful time, lying in the snow, waving her arms and legs up and down. ‘Iman angel. Angellll …’

‘More like a stranded beetle!’ Lottie cried in frustration. ‘Come on.’

‘Think I’ll go sleep now,’ said Steph, closing her eyes.

‘No. Not here. Oh God, she’s soaked and so’s your jacket.’

‘I don’t care about that.’ Jay kneeled down in the snow. ‘Help me get her sitting up. I’ll have to carry her.’

It was hard enough helping her sit up but somehow Lottie and Jay did it. Grunting, he managed to get Steph in his arms and with Lottie’s help, hoisted her onto his shoulder, fireman style. He did let slip a few grunts and rude words, but Lottie didn’t think Steph was in any fit state to be offended.

He made it through the front door and hallway into Lottie’s sitting room. Steph was dumped rather unceremoniously on the sofa but at least it was a soft landing.

She lay back with a dramatic sigh and a beatific smile on her face, oblivious to the fact her clothes were dripping. Lottie wished she hadn’t let the fire die down in the sitting room.

‘I don’t think I can undress her but we could get the jacket off,’ Lottie suggested.

Together they pulled off the soaking jacket and removed Steph’s silver sandals. Lottie fetched some towels and rubbed her feet and legs dry while Jay went to put the heating on and find the spare duvet from the airing cupboard. While she was upstairs, Lottie changed into her pyjamas and a dressing gown. Passing the cubby hole, she had a thought.

‘Oh!’ She couldn’t stifle her surprise when she found Jay shirtless in the sitting room, rubbing his torso with a large towel. She’d imagined how his body might look but wasn’t prepared for the reality. Years of outdoor work, hauling logs and wielding heavy equipment had given him a naturally honed physique. It was impossible not to gawp and the sight of him stirred up the same feelings of desire she’d felt when he’d kissed her, except this time they were undercut by her concern for Steph and unease at her hints about Connor.

He wrapped the bath sheet around his shoulders.

‘I brought you this, in case … it’s the only thing big enough.’ She handed over a large knitted poncho that had been a present from her auntie. ‘You don’t have to wear it. I won’t be offended.’

She held it out, expecting Jay to laugh but only being met with a murmured ‘Thanks.’

‘It was from my auntie. It’s miles too big but it will keep you warm until you’re back in the cottage. I don’t think it would do you any good to walk even that far without your top on,’ she said,