Read Online A Christmas Knight by Kate Hardy - Free Book Online

you’ve known me since we were both in nappies,’ Dominic said, ‘I’ll forget you said that.’
    â€˜Because I’ve known you that long, I’m about the only person who could say it to you.’ Ric gave him a searching look. ‘Except maybe for someone who’s known you a teensy bit longer. Who worries about you, too.’
    Dominic frowned. ‘Have you been talking about me?’
    â€˜If someone rings me when I’m up to my eyes in paperwork and in a filthy mood,’ Ric said, ‘then I’m not really responsible for my mouth running away with me.’
    Dominic narrowed his eyes. ‘Mum or Oliver?’
    â€˜Irrelevant.’
    â€˜Oliver,’ Dominic guessed, ‘otherwise I would’ve had a parental summons to Sunday lunch and general smothering. What did you say?’
    Ric sighed. ‘Just that I agreed with him. That it’s time you let people back into your life.’
    â€˜Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I let people into my life.’
    â€˜Let people close, then. Someone besides your family, me and Bea. And Pegasus agrees with us—don’t you, boy?’
    The horse whickered.
    Dominic grimaced. ‘Traitor.’
    â€˜We’re worried about you,’ Ric said. ‘Because we love you. So just ask her, will you?’
    â€˜Yeah, yeah. If I get time.’
    But Dominic thought about it a lot, over the next few days. Days during which the more he saw of Louisa, the more attracted he was to her. Just as he’d admitted to Ric, she was warm, she was kind, she was great with people.And those serious grey eyes drew him. Particularly when they were lit with laughter.
    And maybe his best friend had a point.
    Â 
    â€˜It’s the team night out on Friday. Ten-pin bowling. Are you coming?’ Essie asked on the Monday morning.
    â€˜I’m not sure yet,’ Louisa hedged.
    â€˜If you can’t get a babysitter, Ty could come and watch a film with my lot. They’re going to have pizza, so he’s very welcome.’
    â€˜Thanks for the offer, but—’ Louisa began.
    Essie patted her arm. ‘It would do you good to have an evening out, plus it’s good for team-building. Even Dominic always turns up to team nights out.’
    The idea of seeing Dominic outside work, and not just at the stables—oh, help. But Louisa duly rang her parents that evening. ‘Mum, I hate to ask, but there’s a team night out on Friday and Essie asked me to go—I wondered if you could come over and sit with Ty for a couple of hours, if you’re not already doing—?’
    â€˜Going out with your workmates would do you good,’ Gillian cut in firmly. ‘Of course we’ll have Ty—he can have a sleepover at ours, and you can pick him up before his riding lesson on Saturday.’
    â€˜Thanks, Mum. I owe you.’
    â€˜Nonsense.’ Gillian sighed. ‘You’re too independent, you know.’
    â€˜I don’t want you to feel I’m taking you for granted.’
    Gillian tutted. ‘Don’t be so silly. Of course you don’t take us for granted. We love spending time with our grandson. I’d be very happy for you to ask me to babysit more often.’
    Particularly, Louisa thought, if a date was involved. It was one of her mother’s favourite subjects: how it waslong past time that Louisa put Jack behind her and started dating again. Not that she intended to be drawn on that one. ‘Thanks, Mum,’ she said.
    On the Friday lunchtime, Dominic said casually, ‘I’m giving Ronnie and Jess a lift to the bowling place. So there’s a spare seat in my car if you’d like a lift, too.’
    â€˜Thank you. That’d be nice.’
    â€˜So are you a demon bowler, Louisa?’ Ronnie asked as they walked into the centre later that evening.
    â€˜I’m afraid I’m absolutely hopeless,’ Louisa said. ‘I’ve been about