Cinderella in the Surgeon's Castle


 
 
 
 “Good article?”
 He smiled, and Grace felt a sudden flush of something she’d left behind a long time ago.
 “It’s interesting.”
 “Thanks. I’ll check it out.”
 There was something about him. Something in that smile that made her want to talk. His eyes were the first thing she’d noticed, a jewellike, iridescent blue that seemed to sparkle with humor. His short, corn-blond hair might have put him among the surfers who spent their weekends in Cornwall, but something about the dark rings under his eyes and the set of his jaw indicated purpose rather than sunshine.
 He caught her looking at him over the top of her journal. When a smile began to play recklessly on his lips, she couldn’t quell the desire to return it.
 “I’m thinking...orthopedic consultant?”
 “Very good. Reasons?”
 “You have a subscription to an orthopedics journal...” She nodded toward the cover. “And you’re wearing a suit.”
 “I could be on my way somewhere that demands a suit.” He was teasing now, and Grace felt a thrill of excitement run up her spine. He chuckled suddenly. “Right in one.”
 
 
 Dear Reader,
 I love a long train journey—always have. There’s that magic of getting onto the train in one place and getting off again in another—fond goodbyes and the excitement around what’s waiting for you at the other end of the line. And then there’s the train itself. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve had my share of broken air-conditioning on hot days, uncomfortable seats and troublesome fellow passengers. But when things go well, it’s wonderful. A chance to talk to friends, read a book or just stare out of the window and watch the world speed by. The train’s doing all the work in getting from A to B, and I can relax.
 So being able to set a romance on a train was just bliss for me. Two people who meet on a train and find they have a lot in common. Penn and Grace have busy lives and many responsibilities, but during the train ride from London to Cornwall every Friday evening, they can just kick back and enjoy each other’s company. Although, what happens when their blossoming romance refuses to stay on the train is anyone’s guess... :)
 Thank you for reading Penn and Grace’s story!
 Annie x
 
 
 Cinderella in the Surgeon’s Castle
 Annie Claydon
 
 
 
 Cursed with a poor sense of direction and a propensity to read, Annie Claydon spent 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 Harlequin—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
 Harlequin Medical Romance
 Dolphin Cove Vets
 Healing the Vet’s Heart
 Winning the Surgeon’s HeartA Rival to Steal Her HeartThe Best Man and the BridesmaidGreek Island Fling to ForeverFalling for the Brooding DocThe Doctor’s Reunion to RememberRisking It All for a Second ChanceFrom the Night Shift to ForeverStranded with the Island DoctorSnowbound with Her Off-Limits GP
 Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
 
 
 To Charlotte. In gratitude for your company on the journey.
 
 
 Praise for Annie Claydon
 “A spellbinding contemporary medical romance that will keep readers riveted to the page, Festive Fling with the Single Dad is a highly enjoyable treat from Annie Claydon’s immensely talented pen.”
 —Goodreads
 
 
 Contents
 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
 EPILOGUE
 EXCERPT FROM SINGLE DAD FOR THE HEART DOCTOR BY KARIN BAINE
 
 
 CHAPTER ONE
 THERE WAS JUST one thing to keep in mind while negotiating a path through one of the main London stations late on a Friday afternoon. Watch your ankles.
 Grace Chapman had arrived just in time to get some coffee from one of the stands at Paddington Station, before catching her train. This was the first surge of the evening—people who’d left work a little early to miss the rush hour, and get a head start on wherever they were going for the weekend. She’d paused, studying the departures board, and someone had rammed an overnight case into her left ankle.
 ‘Sorry.’ The word floated back at her over the woman’s shoulder. No time to stop when you were hurrying to meet whatever delights the weekend might hold.
 ‘That’s...’ Grace shrugged. Clearly it didn’t much matter to the woman whether it was all right or not.
 Perhaps she really was becoming invisible. Lost amongst the ranks of an army of carers, who didn’t have too much time for social engagements, and so were tactfully left out when friends made their plans for the weekend. It felt sometimes as if she was fading in front of everyone’s eyes.
 Grace sighed, rubbing her ankle. This was what she’d decided to do. What she wanted to do. She’d stood too long now in front of the board, looking at the names of towns and cities that she wouldn’t be going to, and there was no time for coffee.
 There would be plenty of opportunity to grab a drink and let her mind wander when she was on the train. Grace started forward, weaving through a stream of people coming the other way, and made her way along the platform to the correct carriage for the seat she’d reserved.
 This week the train wasn’t too crowded, and the group of four seats had just one man sitting in the window seat opposite to Grace’s. She gave him a brief smile as she sat down, stowing her bag into the overhead rack, and caught the fleeting impression of a pair of bright blue eyes before she looked away again.
 It was tempting to take a second, much longer look. But this was her time. The next