The Great Scot

by Donna Kauffman

  Then he gazed directly into her wide, green eyes, and laid it all on the line. “Although, you’ve already made a believer out of me.”

  Chapter 18

  Erin was still in a complete dazed fog of confusion as she stumbled her way around the maze of crew and camera cables running up and down the corridors on the second floor of the hotel, in search of Dana. They’d commandeered the entire floor in order to complete the first round of one-on-one tapings with the contestants. This time, the women would each privately confess on camera why she’d decided to come halfway around the world in hopes of meeting the man of her dreams.

  Erin didn’t want to think about that. While she was proud of the show’s success rate with matching couples together, she’d never really fantasized about applying the format to herself. She figured she’d spent more years behind the scenes making it work for everyone else to ever really be able to open herself up to the process. Until today…

  Today, wandering the halls, hunting down her assistant, she’d gotten glimpses and peeks at the women currently taping, most of them talking about being skeptical of finding that special someone on a television program, but confessing they were secretly hoping they would be the one lucky enough to do so. And for the first time, Erin actually found herself identifying with them. Terrifying, really.

  She hadn’t come halfway around the world looking for romance, much less love. She’d come here to work. Then up popped Dylan and suddenly everything she thought she knew and understood about herself was all a confused jumble. Falling in love didn’t fit in with her life, her career, her…anything. Most especially falling for a Scotsman half a world away. It wouldn’t work. It couldn’t work. “He doesn’t fit into my plans.”

  “What plans?”

  Erin whirled around to find Dana right behind her. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you, and trying to avoid Tommy.” She took Dana by the arm and steered her into the nearest empty room. There was a padded armchair and lighting all set up for the next confessional, but no crew or contestants about at the moment. “So, what’s going on?” Erin asked. “Why is he moving the women to Glenshire early?”

  “What plans?” Dana persisted. “And where were you all morning?”

  “I told you, I needed a quick shower so I could feel human again. The schedule has been brutal.”

  Dana batted her eyelashes. “And would Dylan have been part of this humanizing morning break?”

  She was like a dog with a damn bone. “Please,” Erin said, thinking she lied pretty convincingly, though she might have had a little problem meeting Dana’s eyes.

  Apparently that little slip was enough. Dana tilted her head, then a smile broke out across her pretty face. “You dog!” She spontaneously hugged her. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Erin wasn’t exactly a huggy person or much for spontaneous contact, though she’d certainly enjoyed a great deal of spontaneous contact with Dylan in the past twenty-four hours. Which was entirely different. Still, rather than feel awkward, it felt good and she found herself hugging Dana back. And for reasons completely unbeknownst to her, she began tearing up. In horror, she backed away and dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “An eyelash or something,” she murmured.

  Dana sobered instantly. “Oh. Wow.”

  Erin frowned as she blinked hard and pretended to see if she’d gotten that stray eyelash out. It could have been a stray eyelash. Why else would she suddenly get so stupid? “Oh, wow, what?” she grumbled, examining her fingertip to see if she’d removed the offending lash.

  “And here I always thought you’d be more suited to it than me, but no, huh?”

  “More suited to what? What are you talking about? And why do I care?” Dammit, her eyes wouldn’t stop leaking.

  Dana put her arm around Erin’s shoulders and gave her a friendly squeeze. “Because I care, and I realize now you aren’t used to anyone caring. Which is why you’re not good at flings, Highland or otherwise. But that’s okay. I should have known. You really do have a soft, gooey, marshmallowy center, don’t you?”

  Erin looked at her like she’d sprouted three heads. “What? And since when does everybody think they need to psychoanalyze me, anyway?” She sniffed and wiped one last time at her eyes.

  “Everybody? You mean besides me?” The knowing smile returned. “Ah, so he wasn’t just interested in getting in your pants, he wants inside your head, too?” She gave her a light shoulder punch. “That’s a very good sign, Erin. Very promising. Trust me.”

  “A very good sign you’re both crazy.” She threw up her hand, palm out. “We’ve got to figure out a way to get Tommy to let you go to Inverness for the weekend. I really need that overnight date site.”

  “And we need the perfect replacement candidate for next season.”

  Erin was nodding her head, but that was the other thing that had been eating away at her since she’d left her room. Dylan had offered her the perfect solution to both of her problems. The smart thing to do would be to take him up on it. Then he’d let go of this ridiculous fantasy he’d concocted whereby she was actually someone he could be interested in for the long haul, about, oh, two seconds after he signed on to be the next Prince Charming. Of course she knew he’d just said that to bait her, and that his feelings about starring on a reality dating show had not changed. But they would. Or they could. She’d seen it happen too many times.

  She ignored the sick twist in her belly as she was reminded how the women had clamored all over him this morning. And it would only be worse when they really were there for him. The knot tightened up a notch, but she chalked that up to the fact that she’d just been with him an hour ago in the shower. Of course she’d have jealous feelings. Didn’t mean she was in the love with the guy. Just meant she didn’t play well with others.

  But if she didn’t want him enough to fight for the long haul, then taking what she could get short term wasn’t right either. Not fair to him, and not fair to her. Her heart was already taking a beating. Better to let the best Barbie win, right? If she was going to have to handle something, she’d rather handle the heartache now. At least they’d both come away with something. She’d keep her job and he’d get…someone who wasn’t a big, fat coward. Someone who deserved his dedication and commitment. She rubbed at the center of her chest.

  “Earth to Erin,” Dana said, waving her hand in front of her boss’ face.

  Erin immediately snapped to attention, and made her decision in the same instant. She turned her complete attention to Dana, who actually backed up a half step. “I do need the overnight date, but I won’t be needing a replacement for Dylan.”

  Dana frowned. “What are you saying?”

  Erin forced a smile. Certainly at some point they would start to feel sincere again. Probably when her body wasn’t still tender from the way he’d been buried inside of it a mere hour ago. Not to mention the way he’d kissed her. Had she ever been kissed so tenderly? Had any man ever made her feel so wanted, so desirable, so—

  “Boss?”

  Erin blinked the images away along with a few last tears. The accompanying tug on her heart wasn’t as simple. She’d have to work on that. “We won’t need a replacement because Dylan agreed to do it.”

  Dana’s mouth dropped open, then immediately snapped shut. “No way.”

  “Yes, way. So, one major problem solved anyway.” Now if she could just stop feeling like she wanted to throw up.

  Dana had to crouch a little to catch Erin’s gaze, which was presently on her feet. She’d have to work on that, too.

  “But you just told me that you two—”

  “No, I didn’t. You assumed.”

  “But…” Dana trailed off, then peered even more closely at Erin’s face. “I wasn’t wrong about that.” Her confidence in that statement wasn’t quite on par with her usual self-assuredness. “Was I?”

  Erin didn’t bother to confirm or deny. She was pushing the limits of her ability to hold it together as it was. “It doesn’t matter. Bo
ttom line is he’ll do it.”

  Now Dana folded her arms. “What did you do?”

  “What do you mean, what did I do? Who said I did anything?”

  A cameraman poked his head in the room at that moment. “I need this room in five.”

  “No problem,” Erin told him, relieved at the timely intrusion. A few more minutes and pit bull Dana would have likely had her babbling all about how confused she was about her feelings for Dylan and before you knew it, she’d be rethinking things all over again and, well—no. She’d made up her mind. It was over. Over before it could really get started. Dylan would be pissed, of course, but she knew that, in the end, it was better for everyone this way. “Come on, we’ve got to find Tommy and figure out how to open up the schedule a little.”

  Dana followed her out into the hall and had to skip a little to keep up with Erin’s quick pace. “Well, if we don’t need a replacement, do we really need to go to Inverness to find the overnight location? Surely there is something around here, some kind of romantic castle or something.”

  Erin’s stride faltered and she stumbled over a cable. Catching herself, she made a point not to look at Dana. She was pretty certain her neck was flaming red as it was. “Nothing suitable, really. Besides, we’ve got a few other things scheduled for the immediate surroundings. I think it’s a good mix and Inverness is a beautiful town with some historic architecture and lovely old hotels. In fact, you know, now that I think about it, maybe I should be the one to go after all.” Getting away for a few days right now was exactly what she needed to clear her head, get back on steady ground. Two days without Tommy in her face. Or Dylan in her bed. Or her shower. Or against the nearest wall.

  She really had to stop thinking about that.

  “Better for you to stay here and help Tommy with the transition to the Glenshire set.”

  “Are you sure? Because an hour ago you were set on having me—”

  “That was then, this is now. When I tell him we got Dylan for next season, he’ll probably let me do just about anything.”

  “Right.” She was still frowning. And staring.

  Erin knew Dana only had her best interests at heart and that she only wanted to see her boss happy. Dana would just have to realize that Erin knew what was best, and what was best right now was for her to get the hell out of Brigadoon for awhile so she wouldn’t screw things up by second-guessing her decision. She was weak where Dylan was concerned. That was half the problem. All of the problem, maybe. But admitting that was half the battle, right? She simply had to steer clear until she got past this infatuation she had with him, and that he had with her.

  Although telling him she was taking him up on his offer would likely take care of that last part.

  Then maybe her life would get back to normal. Or at least a normal she could handle. One that didn’t turn her emotions upside down and inside out every other second and have her questioning everything she ever knew to be true about herself.

  Tommy chose that moment to barge out of one of the rooms, barely stopping before plowing into them. “Perfect! Where the hell have you been?”

  Nice to see you, too, Erin thought. “Good news,” she said, preempting whatever lecture he’d been about to deliver. “I have Dylan ready to sign for next season.”

  Tommy’s bushy eyebrows lifted and he clapped his hands together. “Fabulous! About time something started going my way. Now, listen—”

  “There’s one other thing, though,” Erin broke in, knowing she had to milk her fifteen seconds of Tommy’s goodwill for all it was worth. “I really need to get out to Inverness to scout that last location this weekend. Dana can stay here and help you out with the Barb—I mean the women.”

  Erin could see Dana shaking her head from the corner of her eye. It had been Dana who had come up with that nickname right after she’d been hired a few seasons back. Erin had given her grief over it from the beginning, telling her one of these days she was going to slip and use it at an inappropriate moment. “She knows the contestants better than I do,” Erin added, ignoring Dana’s smug smile. “And I’m sure she’ll be a great help to you in getting them all settled in over at Glenshire.”

  Amazingly, her assistant didn’t seem to be fighting a case of the snickers now. Erin only felt partially bad in sticking Dana with Barbie Detail. The chance to get away for a short trip and recollect herself was too important to pass up.

  To her relief, instead of arguing with her, Tommy bestowed one of his mad leprechaun grins on her.

  “You know, that’s a great idea.” He linked his arm through hers and started moving down the corridor. It was a miracle he’d stood still as long as he had. “I have an even better one. Our Mr. Chisholm has apparently made quite the lasting impression on the ladies. And despite the breadth and depth of the mansion, I am a little concerned with them being distracted by knowing he’s anywhere under the same roof. You need to convince him to relocate for the duration of initial filming. Have him shack up with one of his umpteen brothers or something.”

  “Three.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “There are only three of them, sir, and they’re all—”

  He waved a hand. “I don’t care about the particulars. Just make it happen. You’ll have all weekend to convince him.”

  “I’m not sure he’ll be—what? What do you mean, ‘all weekend’?”

  Tommy stopped as a phalanx of production assistants and crewmen descended upon him as the elevator door opened. He turned to her and took her arms in his hands. “Get him out of here. Take him to Inverness. Leave him there if you have to. Just make sure he’s staying anywhere but Glenshire when you return.” He released her and patted her shoulders. “We’ll talk about the plans for next season when you get back. Good work, Erin. I knew I could count on you!”

  He didn’t give her a chance to swallow, much less retort. He’d already turned to Dana and snapped his fingers. “You, with me.” Then he started barking orders at his crew and they quickly disappeared down the adjoining hall, with Dana sending her a weak wave over her shoulder.

  Leaving Erin standing in front of the elevators, scrambling once again to figure out a plan. Well, she’d gotten permission to take the trip to Inverness, which was a good thing. But she wasn’t taking Dylan with her. All she had to do there was track him down and tell him she’d already told Tommy he’d agreed to be next season’s Prince Charming. She seriously doubted he’d want to have anything to do with her after that. There was still the matter of getting him to relocate for the next month and a half, but, well, first things first.

  Absently rubbing the tender spot in the center of her chest, she stepped in the elevator and punched the right number, rehearsing what she was going to say as the lift slowly ascended each floor. He’d be understandably angry, or worse, hurt. Her stomach tightened at the thought, or maybe that was her heart. Then it skipped a beat entirely when it occurred to her he might actually try and get her to change her mind by seducing her.

  She could handle the first two. Probably. He’d asked for her honesty, after all. But if he tried that last one…well, that’s why she’d needed the weekend off in the first place. To build up her resistance. Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to build it up before telling him.

  She had to jam her key in three times before she could get the door to open. Only to find he’d already vacated the room. Which was a good thing, since her immediate reaction was disappointment, not relief. She missed him.

  Not a good sign.

  Trying not to think about what had taken place in this room mere hours ago, she quickly stuffed a few things in an overnight bag, grabbed what she could out of the bathroom—while studiously avoiding looking at the shower or the damp towels he’d hung over the curtain rod—then raced back out again. Maybe if she was lucky, Dylan was still somewhere in the village. But if not, she’d head out to Glenshire, deal with him, then get on the road to Inverness. She’d call Dana once she was underway and they could net
work the site details from there.

  Bag in hand, she resolutely marched to the door, but not before giving in and glancing at the rumpled sheets on her bed one last time. Her mind immediately flashed on a very naked, very relaxed Dylan, sprawled on her sheets, coaxing her to join him. A soapy, water-slicked Dylan, tugging her under the hot spray of the shower. She slammed the door shut behind her and almost ran toward the elevator.

  Yeah. She definitely needed to sleep someplace else tonight.

  She managed to get back downstairs without being waylaid by anyone, and was almost to her car on a side street a block off the square when someone called her name. Dammit. She just wanted to find Dylan, do whatever was necessary to get things over and done with, then get out of town before something else happened to complicate her life.

  “Erin!”

  She turned to see Daisy MacDonnell jogging across the small lot.

  “I’ve been trying to catch up with you,” she said, her ever present smile creasing her lovely face. “You’re one busy lady.” She glanced at the overnight bag in Erin’s hand. “And I can see you’re headed out. Listen, I won’t keep you long, promise, but if you could spare a few minutes.”

  Erin pressed her car key deeper into her palm, really wanting to get out of there before Tommy found some other reason to screw up her plans, but the least she owed Daisy for all her help was a minute or two of her time. “Sure. Just let me shove this in the backseat.” She stowed the bag and tossed her satchel on the front seat, then turned to face Daisy. “What’s up?”

  The wind tossed Daisy’s hair about and she fought to keep it smooth while she talked. “I know things are crazy for you, but I was hoping to maybe bend your ear for a minute or two at some point before you left town. I was thinking about the help you’d asked for, for the date sites. I understand some of them panned out for you and you’ll be using them in the show?”