Annie Claydon - English Rose for the Sicilian Doc

Uncovering a sizzling attraction...

Burned in love, Dr. Matteo Di Salvo knows he should stay away from single mother Rose Palmer. But as he gets to know the beautiful English archaeologist, he longs to chase the shadows from her eyes...

Rose is drawn to the handsome radiologist, though after her disastrous marriage, getting emotionally entangled is out of the question! But as the sun-drenched island of Sicily works its magic, she wonders if she’s finally found a man she can trust...with her heart and her son.

‘Is that all you have to say?’

‘No.’

This time he kissed her. And Matteo did it properly—taking her in his arms and letting her feel the heat build, stopping just a whisper away from her lips until they opened in a tremulous gasp. Then he took everything that she offered and made it his.

Another first. He didn’t remember ever having felt quite so lost before. So aware of his own strength and yet so conquered by hers. He made it last for as long as he could, and when finally they both had to breathe again he kept her locked in his gaze.

‘This doesn’t have to be like the last time, Rose. You don’t have to keep this away from everyone.’

‘You don’t understand…’

‘Then tell me.’

Dear Reader,

I’ve long wanted to have an archaeologist hero or heroine. My own love of digging started early. Beaches, fields, gardens… You name it, they were all subject to my scrutiny in the hope that the earth might give up buried treasure in the form of fossils, crystals or—best of all—an old coin. I never did find very much, but that didn’t stop me. And when I deconstructed the crazy paving in my aunt’s garden I was just as enthusiastic about my punishment—which was to put it all back together again, in the right order—as I was about the crime. Years later I did a subsidiary course in archaeology at university, but it turned out that I was more interested in reading than digging—although at the time it was a close call.

So I was interested to read that archaeologists have, in the past, used hospital CT scanning equipment on an out-of-hours basis. As an archaeologist Rose does very different work from Matteo, who is an interventional radiologist, but some of the tools and skills that they use are very alike. Working together gives these two very different people a chance to get to know and love each other.

Thank you for reading Rose and Matteo’s story. I’m always thrilled to hear from readers, and you can contact me via my website at annieclaydon.com.

Annie x

English Rose for the Sicilian Doc

Annie Claydon

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Cursed with a poor sense of direction and a propensity to read, ANNIE CLAYDONspent much of her childhood lost in books. A degree in English Literature followed by a career in computing didn’t lead directly to her perfect job—writing romance for Mills & Boon—but she has no regrets in taking the scenic route. She lives in London: a city where getting lost can be a joy.

Books by Annie Claydon

Mills & Boon Medical Romance

Stranded in His Arms

Rescued by Dr Rafe

Saved by the Single Dad

Daring to Date Her Ex

The Doctor She’d Never Forget

Discovering Dr Riley

The Doctor’s Diamond Proposal

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.ukfor more titles.

To teachers everywhere. Amongst them, my mother, who taught me how to read, and my old Latin teacher, who told me that one day I’d be glad I’d learned how to conjugate a Latin verb. Writing this book has finally proved him right.

Praise for Annie Claydon

‘A compelling, emotional and highly poignant read that I couldn’t bear to put down. Rich in pathos, humour and dramatic intensity, it’s a spellbinding tale about healing old wounds, having the courage to listen to your heart and the power of love that kept me enthralled from beginning to end.’

—Goodreads on

Once Upon a Christmas Night…

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Praise

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

THE BUILDING SHONE white in the sunshine, a line of tall palm trees announcing that this was a place of some importance. Rose Palmer gripped her son’s hand, walking through the wide entrance doors and into a spacious reception area, refreshingly cool after the heat of the afternoon.

A building like this showed intent. Any archaeologist would tell you that buildings gave an insight into what a community thought was important, and Rose was no exception. The high ceilings and clean lines were a clear statement that the work that went on here was both vital and serious.

She hung on tight to William’s hand, for fear of losing him in amongst the melee of people who criss-crossed the space. She couldn’t see a reception desk, and she supposed the best thing to do was to ask someone. Easier said than done. Everyone seemed too intent on getting wherever they were going to stop and give directions.

‘Scusi...’ A woman in a white top that bore the insignia of the hospital stopped, and smilingly asked her something in Italian. Hopefully she wasn’t in need of directions too.

‘Inglese.’ Rose proffered the piece of paper that her friend Elena had given her, with details of William’s appointment, written in Italian.

‘Ah. Sì...’ The woman scanned the paper and shot a brilliant smile at William. Rose was getting used to the way that Sicilians always reserved their brightest smiles for young children, and so was her son. William reached up, and the woman took his small hand in hers.

‘Terzo piano...’ The woman gestured towards the lift and then thought better of it. Taking a pen from her pocket, she walked over to a water dispenser, leaning on the side of it to draw on the paper, smiling at William as she did so. Then she proffered the hand-drawn map, holding up her thumb and two fingers and pointing to the lift to indicate that Rose should go to the third floor.

Third floor, turn right and then the second on the left. She got it. Rose nodded and smiled and thanked the woman falteringly in Italian. William waved goodbye, and the woman responded cheerily, watching her all the way to the lift.

Upstairs, the corridors were less grand and more utilitarian. Rose followed her map, and found herself in a small, comfortable waiting room. A receptionist scanned her written directions and waved her towards the rows of chairs, before picking up her phone.

Rose made her way to the far corner, and sat down. She would rather have flown back to England to do this, but Elena and her husband would have none of it. All of the visiting archaeologists working at the dig were covered by private health insurance and this hospital was one of the best in the world. They would make the appointment for her and request a translator, and William would be in good hands. She was a guest on the island and anything less would be considered as a lapse in hospitality.