The House Sitter (The Braes, Band 1)

Julie Larkham and Gregor MacGregor, "Mac" were living a fairy tale existence in their whitewashed croft overlooking Kincaird Loch in the Scottish Highlands. Mac's inheritance, a dilapidated castle and estate were transformed into a boutique hotel and sports leisure centre with the help of Julie and her friend Chrissy, both Australian.
Mac was now focussed on Julie and the baby growing inside her. He was overjoyed, while Julie was in despair as she suffered extreme morning sickness.
Running the estates Highland pony treks, Julie was heading to work knowing that Mac and his father, the estate's manager, had to find and kill a rampant stag who was attacking the herd.
Mac kissed Julie and made her promise to stay away from her stallion, and told her he would be out of radio contact and would see her in the morning.
He didn't.
It was nine months before he saw Julie again.
Waking up in hospital Chrissy was at Julie's bedside. She told Julie that she had been found unconscious in the stallions stable. She didn't have to tell her the baby was gone.
Chrissy told Julie that Mac was too busy to visit as he had to find replacement staff.
Chrissy told Julie that Mac thought it would be easier if they returned to Australia and Julie could recuperate with her family.
Chrissy told Julie that Mac was going to focus on building the business.
Julie could have added and not building his family.
Julie knew Mac did not forgive or forget.
Arriving home to Australia and her overwhelming family, Julie agrees to join her sisters housesitting business, and for the next eight months, she hides at rural farms and concentrates on her first love - horses.
When her sister asks her to housesit an equestrian property near her family, Julie is worried that it is a bit too close.
The property owner, Lily Butterworth, shows Julie the apartment she will live in. She tells her the main house will be locked, and Julie's duties are to look after the dogs, the horses, the pot plants and the Highland cattle.
Julie was surprised when she found out her aunt is Lily's housekeeper, and her niece was supposed to housesit but had decided to join her boyfriend in Byron Bay.
Julie was shocked when she heard that her niece was giving up the opportunity to be coached by the famous French four-star eventer - Tomas Fournier. Julie took on the challenge and becomes friends with Tomas. She invites him to the property for a horse ride to the beach, and to meet her family.
Her aunt had suggested that Julie move into Lily's room and use her bath and spa, to help relax her back - as - 'what Lily doesn't know won't harm her.' Julie reconnects with her brothers, nephews and nieces, while they use the gym, spa and media room. Julie's mother leaves her father and moves in.
Lily's smarmy ex-husband, offers to pay Julie to look after Daisy and Poppy at the weekend. Julie accepts.
Julie's life is moving forward. She is leaving her past behind when she receives a phone call from her niece in Byron Bay, who tells her that she was given a missing person leaflet.
The photo on the leaflet was Julie's.
And the person to contact was Mac…