Hotel? He couldn’t stay at a hotel. Not only would picking him up of a morning cut into work time, but he’d traveled thousands of miles to help her. “Fine, but no hotel. You can stay here. The house has plenty of room.”
“Then why are ye nae stayin’ in the house?”
Freddy. “Freddy told you, didn’t she?” Sarah was going to wring her neck.
“She said ye’ve nae been in the house. That ye were mostly livin’ in the barn.”
“Yeah, but there’s only room for one out here, and even if there wasn’t, you couldn’t stay with…” Her eyes grew wide, and molten lava would have been cooler than her face.
He rubbed his knuckles across his jaw and grinned. “Is there a second place to stay in here, then?”
That mischievous smile of his made her want to wring his neck. “No.”
“Then I’ll sleep on the floor. I’m nae stayin’ in that house unless you are.”
Why did Freddy have to say anything? How was she going to get out of this? “No, that’s ok. I don’t mind staying out here.” Sarah was going to duct tape Freddy’s big mouth shut. “I could stay in the house. I just like staying out here. I can wake up and get to work quicker.”
“Will ye show me where yer stayin’?”
Of course, he’d want to see it. Sarah sighed and motioned for him to follow her. They walked to the front of the barn and Sarah stopped. “Now, before you see it, just remember, this barn was built twenty years ago. Yes, it has been updated, but most of the money went to improving the horse accommodations. It’s not huge, but it’s plenty—”
He put a finger to her lips. The light touch sent a shiver through her. “Show it to me. “
Sarah took a deep breath and opened the door. It was the very definition of a humble abode. The guesthouse in Rosegail Bridge, well, even the barn, was in better condition than the room she’d been calling home. Her bed was lumpy, the walls weren’t insulated very well, and it was barely big enough for her to move around in. It wasn’t meant for full-time stay.
His gaze darted around the room and then landed back on her. “How long have ye been stayin’ here?”
“Just a little while.”
“Try three months.” Trudy stopped next to Sarah. “I’m Trudy Marshall. I’m guessing you’re Taran. She said you were a looker, but she needs a wider vocabulary.” She reached a hand toward Taran.
Sarah squeezed her eyes shut, trying to squelch the growing desire to scream. Where was a rock, a large hole, or some natural disaster when she needed it? “Trudy is our longest volunteer.”
“It’s nice to meet ye.” Taran shook her hand and looked at Sarah. “A looker?”
Sarah looked down and away to avoid meeting his eyes. “You know, I’m starving. We should go.”
Taran stilled her with a hand. “Ye’ve been stayin’ in this for three months?”
“Well, it’s just to be closer to the horses. I mean, you roll out of bed, and, wham, you’re already here.” She shrugged.
Trudy lifted an eyebrow. “We both know that’s hogwash, don’t we, Taran?”
“Aye. I’ll take the money I was spendin’ on the hotel, and I can rent a room from ye at the house. On the condition that ye stay there as well.”
Sarah shook her head. “No, I couldn’t do that.”
“It’s either a room at my hotel or the house. Ye arenae stayin’ in this barn any longer. It’s nae fit to live.” Taran was talking to her but looking at Trudy.
Trudy nodded. “I’ve been trying to tell her, but the girl is hard-headed.”
“Stubborn as a mule on a hot day?” Taran asked with a wide grin.
“Exactly.” Trudy chuckled.
Sarah’s shoulders slumped. Outnumbered, she had little room to fight. The room wasn’t fit to live, but she couldn’t bear to live in the house by herself with her mom gone. Plus, keeping the bills low had given her more money to keep the horses taken care of. With Taran in the house and paying rent, maybe she’d feel better about staying there. “All right. I’ll move back into the house.”
“Good.” Trudy patted Sarah on the back and shook Taran’s hand again. “I’ll see you two later. I’ve got work to do.”
“I’ll see you later, Trudy.” Sarah could hear the defeat in her own voice. Their concern was appreciated, but it was one more thing to worry about. She turned to Taran. “Really, you don’t have to pay to stay here. I just—”
He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. She’d been so lonely, and to have him holding her was better than a hot bath. “Listen to me. I’m stayin’ until I’m sure yer okay. And we’re friends, remember? Friends are allowed to swoop in and rescue other friends.”
She couldn’t resist hugging him around the neck. “Thank you. I won’t ever be able to repay you enough.” No matter how short his stay, she appreciated him coming.
“This’ll work.”
It certainly worked for her, but it wouldn’t, or couldn’t, last. She could already feel her heart breaking.
Chapter 6
Taran smiled as he watched Sarah sitting across from him. They’d swung by his hotel to pick up his luggage and then stopped at a little burger joint for lunch. “What’s good?”
She shrugged as she lifted her gaze to his. “Everything, really. But I’d go for the green chili bacon cheeseburger with seasoned fries.”
He balked at the description. If he wanted his heart to burn, he didn’t need all that. The woman in front of him could do it, but in a much better way. “That sounds like a stomachache waitin’ to happen.”
Sarah laughed. “No, I promise it’s good. Like, crazy good. The meat is juicy, and the cheese is gooey. Really, it’s absolutely fabulous.”
“I’ll take yer word for it and try it, then.” He smiled.
A waitress stopped at the table, and her face went slack. “Are you…”
Sarah pulled her lips in and hid behind the menu, choking back a laugh.
Taran shook his head. “Naw, that’s my brother.”
“But you look so much like him.”
Taran grinned. “Aye, I do, but I’m nae him.”
The waitress nodded like she was still starstruck. “Okay, well, can I take your drink order?”
“I’ll take a water. How about ye, Sarah?” He eyed her as she put her menu down.
“The same. Oh, wait, unsweet tea. I need the caffeine.”
Dark circles under her eyes said she needed more than caffeine. She needed several good nights’ sleep. And there was no doubt she’d lost weight. Some of her vibrancy was dulled as well. Penelope and Paige were right. She was struggling.
“Okay,” the waitress said and left.
“Ye havenae been sleepin’ well at all, have ye?” Taran pierced her with a look.
She looked down at the table. “I’m fine. I’ve been sleeping fine. I know that little room doesn’t look like much, but it’s warm here. It doesn’t get that cold at night, and I had a few blankets if it did.”
Taran leaned forward and took her hand. “It was nae fine. Why did ye nae at least call me? When ye left, ye said ye would. “
He hadn’t told anyone that she was supposed to call him if she needed him. Yes, they’d left things as friends, but he did care about her. If she needed him, he wanted to be there for her even if she didn’t want a relationship. He couldn’t live in Pensacola, but he could visit. Although, now that he was with her, leaving might be harder than he anticipated.
Sarah looked up. “We said we would leave things as friends. Besides, it’s not like you live an hour away. Plus, you have the farm and obligations. It’s not fair to pull you away from that for my craziness.”
His eyebrows knitted together. “But if ye needed me…”
She straightened, pulling her hand from his. “I’m fine. Really. I’m thrilled you’re here, but you don’t need to stay. Things will be fine. “
Something about the way she said that put him on alert. She wasn’t being completely honest with him. “
Tell me what’s goin’ on.”
“Nothing’s going on.”
The chair legs squeaked on the floor as he pulled it around until he was sitting next to her. “Tell me.”
For a split second, something flashed in her eyes. “Nothing’s going on.”
Taran exhaled sharply. “Yer nae tellin’ the whole truth.”
“Fine. I need a date to the Pensacola Charity Ball this weekend.”
That wasn’t it either, but he did like the idea of taking her to something like that. He loved her in jeans, but dressed up, Sarah was a star on earth. “Done.”
Sarah leveled her eyes at him. “What? You can’t stay that long. What about the farm? Seriously, stop dodging that.”
“Rory and Angus are takin’ care of it. With Paige and Penelope pregnant, they’re home for a while. Angus has even postponed his next film so he can stay with Penelope since she’s high-risk.” He cupped her cheek. “Besides, I dinnae take vacations often. Why should I nae get to stay a while? “
He could swear she leaned in a little. If they weren’t in public, he’d lose all self-control and kiss her good and proper. He hadn’t kissed her yet, and it was something he’d thought about nonstop since she’d left Scotland .
Her skin was so soft, and her nearness was intoxicating. All he could think was that he wanted her. Always. There was something electric between them, and there was no way she couldn’t feel it .
Then reality hit. He dropped his hand and pulled away. It wasn’t fair to either of them for him to get too close. Their situation hadn’t changed. And she hadn’t indicated that she’d changed her mind. It was a road that led to heartache.
The waitress stopped at the table again and set their glasses down. They ordered their food, and she left again.
“Taran, I don’t think this is a good idea. This friend thing only works if we’re keeping our distance. And we have to keep our distance because both of us are needed where we are.” Sarah looked as pained as he felt. Her eyes went wide. “I mean, I don’t want emotions to run high and get caught up in anything. I don’t have time for anything messy right now.”
He rubbed his jaw with his knuckles. She’d slipped up. Had she thought there was something between them too? The temptation to press her on it was there, but he’d just arrived. Plus, he wasn’t sure what exactly he wanted. “I know, but we can do this. I’ll stay long enough to take ye to the charity ball thing and then get the sanctuary runnin’ smooth. I cannae see where it’d be much different than runnin’ a farm.”
Sarah laid her hand across his forearm, and his skin sizzled. He was talking a good game, but he wasn’t sure he could follow. Not when just a simple touch made him want to tug her to him and kiss her before God and everyone .
“No, stay until the ball, and then go home. I’ve got Trudy, and she can help me. That’s the deal.”
“Naw.”
“Yes. It’s Tuesday. You can help until Saturday, but on Sunday, I’m taking you to the airport so you can return home.” Her tone was firm.
Taran didn’t like it. He knew she needed his help for more than a few days.
Sarah pointed her finger at him. “I can see you wanting to argue with me. Don’t. If you do, I’ll take you straight to the airport from here.”
Laughter poured out of him. “I’d just keep comin’ back. I can call a taxi, ye know.”
She put her elbow on the table and her head in her hand. “Please don’t fight me on this. I know you mean well, and I appreciate the thought, but I think it’s for the best.”
It made sense, of course, but he hated it. He liked being near her. He liked holding her. He liked how she made him smile and laugh. He liked so many things about her. Taran loved his family, he did, but a woman like Sarah only came along once, maybe twice in a lifetime, and he wasn’t sure he’d have a second chance .
“Aye.” He took her hand and shook it. “It’s a deal.”
“Good, now, tell me how Paige and Penelope talked you into coming, and don’t deny it. I know they did.”
He grinned. “They did, but I did want to see ye.”
“Right.”
“What? Ye dinnae think I was pinin’ for ye?” He was. He wouldn’t admit that to anyone but her—at least, not aloud—but he was.
She popped him lightly on the bicep. “Seriously, don’t slather me with your charm.”
“Oh, ye think I’m charmin’. I distinctly remember ye callin’ me somethin’ other than charmin’.” He chuckled as the memory flooded back to the morning he’d caught her in his barn and he’d been his typical gruff, ornery self. Being angry with Angus had bled out into every part of his life, but she hadn’t put up with it. She’d promptly returned to what she was doing, completely ignoring him. And when he’d yelled, she’d put her hands on her hips, pointed to the door, and told him where he could go.
She scrunched up her face. “Like you didn’t deserve it. You were so mean.”
He nodded. “Aye, I guess I was.”
Her eyebrows went up. “You guess?”
“More than guess.” He had been, but he enjoyed teasing her.
Sarah leaned in, and he fought the intense desire to bridge the remaining space. “You were so flabbergasted that I stood up to you. I wish I’d gotten a picture that first couple of days. You really thought you could run me off. I showed you.”
The door to the restaurant opened, and the sunflower scent she was wearing swirled around him like an invitation to bury his face in her neck and drink it in. What if he could convince her to take a chance on them? Maybe the farm could survive without him. He could stay here in Florida with her, and they could build a life. He’d have her and horses. But he’d be leaving not just the farm but his family. Could he live without them? They gave him a sense of belonging. Could he live with just belonging now that he’d felt something so much more ?
“Aye, ye did. Ye were so cute bein’ feisty.”
She narrowed her eyes, but the smile on her face stayed. “I was not cute. I was a lean, mean, all-business machine.”
One corner of his mouth quirked up. “Of course ye were. Ye were absolutely frightenin’.”
“I totally was.”
The waitress stopped at their table again and served their food. He wasn’t sure if it actually smelled that good or if he was just realizing how hungry he was. His stomach rumbled.
“Smells great, huh?” Sarah chuckled.
“Aye, ye were right. It looks and smells delicious. Messy, though.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “I need you to repeat that so I can record it.”
“I’ll deny I ever said it.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Let’s eat so we can get the rest of our errands done.”
“You’ll get nae argument from me. I’m starvin’.” He scooted away so they would have space to eat, and he immediately felt her absence. How much worse would it be when he left Sunday?
Chapter 7
Sarah finished brushing her hair, and as she put the brush down, she stared at her arms. Muscles in her arms she didn’t know existed were now defined. As far as getting in shape, working nonstop had definitely helped.
Then her gaze landed on her face in the mirror, and her shoulders sagged. No wonder Taran was acting so concerned. With as exhausted as she looked, she was even a bit concerned. The loss of her mother had sent her into a tailspin for the first few weeks. Then she’d pulled herself together enough to start running the place. Between grieving for her mom and the stress of being in charge of such a large operation, it was a wonder she was standing.
With one last look, she opened the bathroom door and stepped into her room. Tonight called for comfy pajamas and hot tea again. Chamomile had worked the night before to help her sleep. Maybe if she was quiet, she wouldn’t run into Taran and she’d actually be able to relax .
Finished dressing, she opened her bedroom door to find Taran dressed in pajama pants and a simple white t-shirt with his hand raised like he was about to knoc
k.
“Is everything okay?” Because she certainly wasn’t now. Butterflies took flight, and her stomach did a jump. He looked and smelled great. His hair was damp, and pieces of it swept across his forehead and curled around his ears .
He put his hand down, and his lips curved into a smile. “Aye. I’m exhausted, but I cannae sleep.”
Sarah shut her door behind her and slipped around him. “I was just going to fix some hot tea. Would you like some?” There was no way she was going to be able to relax with him near her. She was already having trouble sleeping, and adding Taran into the mix was only going to make things worse.
And she had to stop making it sound like she wanted to be with him. Leaving Scotland had been almost as difficult as finding out her mom was gone. She’d purposefully told Taran she didn’t want a relationship. It hadn’t mattered if she did want one. He wasn’t going to leave his home, and she wasn’t going to be the reason he did. And why would he? Anyone that mattered at all to him was there. It would only cause him to resent her anyway.
“Sounds good,” he said as he walked next to her.
They weren’t even touching, and her skin tingled like mad. Sunday. She needed to keep it together until Sunday. As long as she kept her cool, he’d be gone in no time, and things could go back to normal. “Okay, I’ll fix us both some. If you want, you can sit in the living room while I get it ready.”
“Nae, I like the company.”
So did she, but he made concentrating so much harder .
They entered the kitchen, and Sarah filled the kettle with water and set it on the stove. “I’m not surprised you had trouble sleeping. I’m sure the jetlag is awful.” She pulled out the box of teas and opened it. Then she grabbed two teacups.
“I dinnae normally have trouble sleepin’.” He stepped next to her to look through the tea.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe if she did that enough, she’d have it memorized when he left. “I don’t either, but with mom dying and then the clause in the will…” Oops. Maybe he’d let that slide.
He tilted his head, and his eyes narrowed. “What clause? “
Mending The Billionaire Brother (MacLachlan Brothers Romance Book 3) Page 4