by Cali MacKay
She blamed it all on those cursed emails. Angus had months to wear down her defenses with his humor and good will. And seeing him in person? It only made matters worse, weakening her resolve to keep her distance. Curse him.
Pushing him from her thoughts, she slid her chair away from her desk and got to her feet, her body aching in protest after too many hours of sitting. She’d spent the entire day going through the photos she’d taken, answering emails and catching up with her clients. When she finally pulled her thoughts away from her work, it was to find the day had passed her by.
It was close to dinner time, and she’d yet to get to the supermarket. Supplies in the house were running low, and with her stomach rumbling in protest, she figured she’d best do something about it. Heading for the kitchen, she grabbed the keys neatly hanging on the hook by the back door.
She smiled at that. Everything seemed to have a place, as if Angus had set everything out in an orderly fashion. It could have been the tenant before him-or her grandfather even-though she somehow doubted it was either of them. She’d seen how organized Angus kept the trunk of his car with all his supplies, and he knew precisely where everything was stashed in her home. He seemed neat and kempt, even with his unruly hair and stubble.
Shaking her head clear of him, she headed for the door while musing how he always managed to slip back into her thoughts. Stepping outside, the wind whipped her hair free from where she’d loosely pinned it back. Tucking the strands behind her ears to try and keep them from her face, she headed to the garage-an old stone building set to the side of the garden and separate from the house. Fumbling through the keys, she tried one on the lock to the doors, had it jam part way, and then tried another. The second key slipped fully into the slot and opened the lock after a quick jiggle.
The hinges squeaked as Rowan pushed open the doors and set them against the ivy covered walls so they’d be out of the way. The smell of damp and fumes had her nose wrinkling in response, yet one look at the car and her worries melted away.
She found herself smiling, despite the mood she’d been in. It was yellow and tiny, like something you’d see at the circus crammed to the ceiling with clowns. A Mini Cooper-but not the new-fangled model. It was an Austin Mini, complete with white racing stripes on the hood and additional lights in front of the grill.
She had to wonder if this too belonged to Angus. She tried to picture him squeezing his six foot plus frame into the tiny compartment, and thought if it was indeed his, it would only endear him to her further. Not some macho sports car to match a massive ego, but rather a fun car with tons of character. He had no reason to overcompensate-that much was clear.
She wandered over to the left side of the car and pulled open the door, immediately realizing her mistake when she found the steering wheel on the opposite side. And damn if that wasn’t a stick shift poking up in the middle between the seats. She’d forgotten Angus mentioned that.
Sliding into the seat behind the wheel, she adjusted it forward and tried to recall how to drive a standard. It quickly occurred to her that the last time she’d attempted it, she’d been away at college when her friend’s declared her the designated driver and tossed her the keys.
The car started up on the first try. With her hand on the shift and her feet on the break and clutch, she jerked her way out of the garage and then steeling herself, made it down the drive, pulling out onto the road with a buck. She thanked the gods there was no one else on the road as she continued to figure out the balance of gas and clutch, the engine revving in protest and lurching forward and back. She debated whether or not she was on the right side of the road, her brain completely confused as to what was right or wrong.
Finally getting the hang of it, she relaxed enough to enjoy the sun setting over the ocean. From pinks and oranges to blues and purples, the clouds streaked across the sky to catch the dying light in painted hues. It would be a straight shot into town, but before long, she’d love to take the day to go wandering about with no destination in mind. She found it the best way to get acquainted with an area and always managed to find some hidden gems along the way.
The port town of Dunmuir sat right on the water’s edge with its main street cradling the harbor. Each building was a different pastel color, bright and cheery in contrast to the grey sky and turbulent ocean. Lights dotted the street and shop windows, as night slowly blanketed the area, despite it being barely half past five.
Rowan parked and then wandered down the street, taking in the shops, the storefronts painted a rainbow of pastel colors. There was even an empty store-front for lease, which sent Angus’s words about selling her artwork buzzing through her brain. She’d always wanted to open a gallery, and this would be all too tempting. She peeked through the glass. It had plenty of space, a fair amount of light and was in a great location. Maybe once she’d tracked down her father. Until then, she didn’t want to spread herself too thin.
Pulling herself away from the empty store and her dreams, she headed to the market and grabbed a tiny shopping cart at the entry. It was a large enough shop, given the size of the town, and seemed to stock all the essentials with a few indulgences and several locally made products. She quickly filled her basket with fruits and vegetables, picked up some free-range chicken, a bottle of wine and, unable to resist, a scrumptious looking sticky toffee pudding.
There were a few others in the shop, and it was clear they’d pegged her as someone new in town, their eyes wandering over in her direction as whispers were murmured. It was only natural that they’d be curious.
Rowan emptied her cart onto the counter, and gave the older woman a smile and a simple greeting. She said little while the woman scanned her items in, though it was hard to miss the scrutiny she was under, the woman’s eyes barely leaving Rowan’s face.
“Not from around here, aye?” Another item scanned.
“No, I’ve only just arrived. It’s a lovely town though, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the area and the people.” Rowan managed a sincere smile, despite the woman’s blank face. Angus mentioned it might take the locals a while to warm up to her and the last thing she wanted was to get off on the wrong foot with them.
“Ye’re staying then?” Eyebrows perked in question as if daring her to admit it.
“I am.” Some of Rowan’s smile faded, though she held the woman’s gaze. She knew she was the stranger in the situation, but she refused to be intimidated. “I haven’t been here long, but I already love it and look forward to making it my home. I’m surprised my mother ever left.”
“Yer mother?” The woman’s eyebrows shot so far up her forehead, Rowan could barely see them peeking out from under the woman’s bangs. “And who would that be?”
“Iona Campbell. She moved away after college.” The surprise on the woman’s face caught Rowan off guard. “Did you know her?”
“Och, aye. And I wouldn’t be the only one familiar with her.” There was something in her tone… She then tilted her head towards the groceries. “That’ll be thirty-two pounds twenty.”
Rowan tried to puzzle out the woman’s reaction and response to her mother’s name while she paid her bill. She grabbed her things and headed out to the car, once more wondering what the hell was up. Was it just the bad blood? Or was there more to it? Angus had also been all sorts of weird when it came to discussing her mother and the past.
Maybe it was time she paid him a visit.
She gave him a quick call to make sure it’d be okay to drop in on him, and though he sounded surprised, he also seemed happy to hear from her. He gave her his address and she plugged it into her phone’s GPS. Before long, she found herself turning down the drive towards an amazing home.
Part stone and part stucco, it looked like a hunting lodge, with wooden beams exposed at the roofline and large windows gracing every wall. She didn’t know what condition the home had been in before Angus started his renovations, but she was damn well impressed.
She heard a dog barking ins
ide, and before she’d even had a chance to knock, Angus pulled the door open. “I’m glad ye called, love.”
“Don’t know if you’ve eaten, but I brought dinner.” She had to laugh at herself. “We just need to cook it.”
“Well then, ye’re in luck, since cooking is one of my specialties.” He grabbed the groceries she was carrying and closed the door behind her. “Welcome to my home. The dog desperately trying to get yer attention is Astro.”
“Astro, huh?” She gave the large grey shaggy mutt a good scratch, and then followed Angus to the back of the home and into the kitchen. The inside of the home left her even more impressed than the outside. “Angus, you realize this is an amazing house, right?”
“I’m glad ye like it. It’s still a long way from being done, but I managed to get the important stuff out of the way-the kitchen and baths, the living room and master. I’ll slowly finish up the rest once I figure out what I want to do, design-wise.” He put the bags on the counter and started emptying them, as Astro watched on with curiosity. “I think we’ve got the makings of a decent dinner here. Why don’t ye get us a glass of wine while I get started?”
“I can help cook, you know.” She poked around the cupboards until she found two wine glasses.
He gave her a smile over his shoulder as he started pulling out pans. “Sit and relax, love. I’ve got this. Anything ye won’t eat?”
“Not in this part of the world.” Rowan propped herself against the island.
“That’s what I like to hear.” Angus pulled out a cutting board and a sharp knife, and got started on the chicken as she poured them some wine. “I have to say, I was surprised to get yer call.”
“I hadn’t wanted to take up any more of your time, so I spent the day catching up on business. But the woman working at the market made me think I should come talk to you.” She watched him, looking for any sign that he was hiding something.
“Oh? About what?” He gave a quick glance in her direction, but was immediately back to deboning the bird. When Astro started to beg, Angus sent him to a dog bed in the corner of the kitchen.
“The woman working at the shop gave me a funky look when she found out who my mother was. And the last time I saw you, you sort of skirted around the issue.” She bit her lip, wondering what the hell was up. “Is there something I should know? ‘Cause I really don’t like being left in the dark.”
He stopped cutting for a moment, and then started up again. “Truth is, I know precious little, and frankly it’s not my place to speculate.”
“Angus, please.” It was bad enough she was a stranger town. But to not know something about her family when everyone else did, left her on edge. “I hate hearing the whispers when I don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“It’s probably nothing, aye? The locals are going to be curious, especially in such a small town. They’ll want to know why ye moved here, and if they recognize yer name, then they might wonder about yer ma. Don’t go reading more into it than there really is.”
“What about the bad blood you mentioned. Maybe it has to do with that?” She let out a weary sigh as frustration crept into her bones and knotted her muscles.
He finished boning the chicken and tossed into the pan, before cleaning his work area and scrubbing his hands clean. When he turned back to her, she could see the internal debate running through that gorgeous head of his. However, he didn’t say anything, and instead pulled out more ingredients, knives, and cutting boards.
She had to smile. “Are you ignoring me, Angus?”
“It’d be impossible to ignore someone as lovely as yerself, my dear.” He chopped at some mushrooms while giving her a flirty smile.
“Angus, please.” She reached out and touched his arm, needing to feel like he was on her side-especially since it was becoming clear that she’d need his help if she had any hope of finding her father. The locals trusted Angus-and she’d garnered nothing more than stares and whispers. It was doubtful they’d answer any of her questions, and though she might eventually finagle it, she couldn’t wait that long. Hell, they’d probably still see her as a stranger a decade from now.
“Aye, I suppose I can tell ye what I know, though it’s not much.” With a sigh, he gave the chicken a quick stir, added a few more ingredients, and then dropped some pasta into the boiling water. “It’s my understanding that yer mother and Conall’s father were engaged to be married when yer ma called it off. I’m not sure under what circumstances they split up, but I’m sure that’s what’s fueling the whispers from the locals. Back then, anything at all was fodder for gossip and a big scandal.”
Maybe that’s all it was, though her mother had never mentioned any sort of engagement-or anything else for that matter. “I guess that could be it.”
“Aye, love. No point in getting yer knickers in a twist o’er nothing at all-especially by today’s standards.” He tilted his head towards a cabinet. “Mind getting out a few dishes?”
She set two plates on the counter and then dug around for some silverware as Angus plated something that smelled absolutely incredible. Good looking, smart, sweet-and he could cook. He must have dead bodies in the basement or something.
“Hope ye like chicken marsala. Grab yer plate and wine, and we’ll eat by the fire in the sitting room.”
Astro was quick to his feet at the first sign the food would be moving locations, and followed after them. The sitting room left her impressed once more, with its cathedral ceilings, a massive stone fireplace flanked by a bay of windows, while exposed wood beams lined the roofline.
Once they settled in on the sofa, she took a bite of her meal and was blown away by the flavors. Rich and creamy, the mushrooms and wine played off the chicken and roasted garlic, while the pasta balanced out the dish. “Damn, this is good, Angus. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Well, I do try my hardest.” He gave her a wink and a smile, before twirling some linguine onto his fork. “Just don’t ask me to do any gardening. My Da’s the gardener in our family. He could make anything grow, no matter what the conditions. I, on the other hand, couldn’t manage to grow weeds if my life depended on it. And forget dancing. Having me as yer dance partner could easily land ye in a wheelchair. How about yerself? What are ye absolutely miserable at doing?”
“Do you really have time for that sort of list?” She had to laugh as she thought of the things she always managed to muck up. “I think of myself as being very good at a handful of things, and horrible at the rest.”
He sat back and gave her a teasing smile. “I don’t believe ye. Not one bit.”
“All right, maybe it’s not that bad, as long as you don’t ask me to sing or play an instrument-despite the collection I’ve managed to accumulate. And I can’t garden either. Or knit, no matter how many classes I take.”
“Och, well, if ye can’t garden, sing and knit while here in the highlands, then ye’ll ne’er manage to find yerself a husband. Good thing I’m willing to overlook those tragic faults.” He tilted his head towards her with a wink.
She burst out laughing. “You know, one of these days some woman’s going to take your offer seriously, and you’ll find yourself in a pickle.”
“Och, love, ye don’t think I’d proposition just anyone, do ye?” He feigned mock horror. “I have standards, my dear.”
“You’re trouble, Angus-and I know better. But you’re also sweet, smart and funny. I’ll give you that.”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s only because ye bring out the best in me.”
Maybe now would be a good time to ask for his help. She could put it off a bit longer, but she suspected she wouldn’t get far without him. Better to not waste any time.
“Angus, I have a huge favor to ask, and I feel horrible that I’m bugging you again after all you’ve done.” She took a deep breath and tried to ignore her racing heart and the twist of her stomach. “The truth is it’s the reason I came to Scotland, and I really don’t think I can do this without you.�
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“What is it, love? Ye have me worried.” His brow furrowed as he shifted towards her, his eyes locked on hers.
She let out a weary sigh. “I want to find out who my father is.”
Chapter Six
Angus wasn’t sure what she was going to ask, but her request caught him off guard. “I don’t understand-do ye not know yer father?”
She shook her head, her eyes shimmering in the firelight. “No. Nothing. No photos. No letters. Not even a name.”
He heard the catch in her voice and it left his heart aching for her. As close as his family was, he couldn’t imagine what she was going through. It’d be bad enough to grow up without a father in her life, but to not even know who he is… Angus couldn’t imagine what that would be like.
“Did yer mother not leave ye any information before passing?” When she shook her head no, he felt her despair. “Do ye have any clue as to who he may be? Any place to start looking?”
“There’s a bank account in my name that’s had deposits made into it annually-and generous amounts at that. I tried to get information on who’s making the deposits, but it’s listed as a law firm, and they won’t give me any information.” She sat back with a sigh. “The firm-it’s here in Scotland, but I have nothing else to go on.”
“Do ye think ye’re ma was pregnant when she called off her engagement?” Angus didn’t like bringing it up, but skirting around the issue because it might be rude certainly wouldn’t help her any. “It might be the reason they split. I hate to say it, love, but if they weren’t rushed off to the altar, then it’s doubtful he was the father.”
“I didn’t know about the engagement and she never said why she left Scotland, but it sort of makes sense. If she’d been engaged to Conall’s father and ended up pregnant by another guy, it’d be a good enough reason to fuel the bad blood between the families. It would also explain why she moved away. It’d have to be something pretty significant since my grandmother had already passed when my mom was young, and she’d be leaving my grandfather all alone.”