by Cali MacKay
He could just imagine. “Don’t forget, things were a bit different back then. This was what? Twenty-six years ago, right? Out of wedlock pregnancies-and worse, pregnancies that didn’t end with a wedding-weren’t exactly looked upon too kindly.”
“That would probably account for the whispers and stares, not to mention the woman behind the counter-she said something about not being the only one familiar with my mother. It was the way she said it-like there was some sort of innuendo.” Rowan shook her head and scoffed. “Makes sense now.”
“Listen, love. Ye can’t pay them any heed.” His chest was tight with a brewing anger, his muscles tense. She’d barely been here more than a few days, and already she’d been made to feel uncomfortable. “Don’t let them get to ye.”
“Oh, I won’t.” For a moment, she looked like she was mulling something over, but then a sly smile tugged at her lips as if she’d come to some sort of decision. “And I want to make sure they know that they can’t get rid of me so easily. I’m not going to be intimidated or run out of town.”
A smile like that looked far too mischievous to be any good. “What are ye up to, Rowan?”
“I’m taking your advice.” She beamed at him, and though he was happy to see her worries fade, the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach made him nervous.
“What advice would that be?” He ran through all the things he’d said to her, wondering what she’d latched onto, and what she could possibly be thinking.
“I’m going to open a gallery in town.” Her grin was now joined by a sparkle in her eyes. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and it’ll give people a chance to get to know me.”
“Och, aye. They’ll get to know ye, all right.” He laughed, relieved it was nothing so troublesome. She was going to take the town by storm, and they wouldn’t know what hit them. “So what will ye do about yer father?”
“I guess that’s where I could use some help.” She bit her bottom lip, her eyes locked on his. “Since my mom never spoke about her past, I don’t really know where to start. And after today? I’m wondering if anyone will talk to me, even if they have information I could use.”
She was right to worry. Angus knew they wouldn’t give up any information to someone they didn’t know-not that they wouldn’t gossip to each other, given half the chance. “Let me see if my Ma knows what happened. She might be able to help.”
In her excitement, she grabbed his arm, her touch making his heart pound all the harder. “Do you really think she would?”
“Aye, love. I do.”
***
Angus kept himself busy with work throughout the morning, though his mind kept wandering back to Rowan. Unfortunately, he had quite a bit of travelling to do, and driving did nothing to distract him.
He’d thought of asking her to join him, but didn’t want to suffocate the poor girl with his attentions. She’d made it quite clear that she didn’t have any desire to start any sort of romantic involvement, and though he hadn’t given up hope of changing her mind, he did understand that she had a lot going on in her life, and a relationship would only complicate matters.
That was fine. He was fairly patient, and happy to give her all the space she needed. It’s not like he was going anywhere.
Not far from his parents’ home, he decided to swing by to see if his mother was in. If Rowan was going to go digging into her mother’s past, then he thought he should give his Ma a head’s up. Not that his mother wouldn’t help any way she could, but the issue might be a touchy one and he didn’t want her to be caught off guard.
He let himself in and wandered towards the kitchen, knowing he’d find his parents there at this time of the day. “Hey, Ma.”
“Now there’s a pleasant surprise. Hadn’t been expecting ye.” She wiped her hands on a dish towel, and leaned in so he could kiss her cheek. “The kettle’s boiled if ye want a cuppa.”
“Aye. Can I get ye one?”
“May as well.” She smiled over her shoulder at him, while throwing some spices into a pot she had simmering on the stove, the smell of it heavenly. Some sort of meat stew if he had to guess, the scent of wine, thyme and bay leaf heady in the air, the heat from the pot fogging the windows.
He poured them each a cup of tea and doctored them both with milk and sugar, before grabbing the biscuits. “Where’s Da?”
“Out with Callum MacCraigh, though he’ll be back in time for dinner. Will ye be staying?” She sat at the table and took her tea from him.
He should stay, if only to keep him from wandering over to Rowan’s. “Nae… I’ve got some work I need to get done.”
“So how is the lass? Have ye gotten her settled in?” Her eyes lingered on her youngest, but they were always too knowing, despite being kind, and they missed nothing, especially where her children were concerned.
“Aye, she seems to be adjusting just fine, though I’m not sure how others are adjusting to her.” He let out a weary sigh, before taking a sip of his tea. “I know ye warned me they’d be hard on her, but bloody hell. I don’t know what happened with her Ma, but people are giving her looks and whispering behind her back. I worry things will only get worse.”
His mother frowned, her gaze on her tea. “After so many years, ye’d think they’d leave it be. I was hoping they’d have forgotten, but people have a hard time letting things go.” When she swore under her breath in Gaelic, Angus knew just how angry she was.
“There’s more, Ma. She’s looking for her father. She doesn’t know who he is, and wants to speak to ye about what happened.”
His mother looked away with a shake of her head. “Och, Angus. She can’t go looking for him. I mean it. I don’t know who her father is, but I can tell ye now, she can’t go looking for him. It just won’t do.”
It was like he’d been punched in the gut. It was the last thing he’d expected her to say. “Ma… ye can’t mean that. It’s the reason she’s come all this way. It feels like she’s got her entire life on hold. She won’t ever be able to move forward until she has some answers.”
What the hell had happened all those years ago? He dunked a few biscuits into his tea and ate them in two bites. Repeating it a few more times, the ritual of sitting there in the kitchen with a cuppa, slowly calmed his nerves. “She’s already run into Conall Stewart, and I don’t know what the hell’s up with him, but his normally cantankerous mood has suddenly turned chipper in her presence.”
“Perhaps he’s putting their family’s issues to the side. If the girl looks anything like her mother, then I could see why he might be smiling, aye?”
Her gaze held his as if looking to see if he’d fallen under the same spell. It had him pursing his lips and trying not to blush. “Still… I don’t like that he’s done such an abrupt turnaround. Makes me wonder what he’s up to.”
“Och, Angus. He’s not a bad lad, so don’t let him bother ye. And I’ll tell ye now, he’s the least of our problems if Rowan’s going to go looking for her father.” Her lips pursed into a thin line, her brow furrowed. Angus had never seen her looking so worried.
“Ma… she needs to do this.”
“Aye, son. I know. But I swear, I’ll ne’er forget how shaken Iona was after coming home from university. She made me promise to not go digging into who the father was. Said it was for my own good-and I believed her, scared as she looked. I don’t know who she got involved with, but if Rowan’s going to go looking for the man, then it leaves me worried. There was a reason Iona never returned home and left her father on his own. And to not tell Rowan who her father is, even when she was sick… there had to be a reason, Angus.” She let out a weary sigh, her brow furrowed and her jaw tight. “It could put her in danger, son-and though I don’t have any answers for ye, I can tell ye that Iona’s fear was real.”
“So, what am I to do? I told her I’d help her.” Angus’s head was spinning and his heart was heavy. He knew what finding her father meant to Rowan, and didn’t know if he could stand in her way.
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br /> “Above all else, ye need to keep her safe, Angus. For Iona’s sake. Her mother was like my sister, aye? Ye do what ye must to keep her from finding him-to keep her from harm. Even if she’ll hate ye for it. I’m sorry, son. I really am. I know ye like the lass and want to help her, but it’s for her own good.” With sadness in her eyes, she patted his arm and got to her feet.
“Ma… I don’t know if I can do that. Ye know I’m not any good at lying, and doesn’t she have a right to know?” Though he could normally lie without anyone ever knowing, it usually didn’t take long before he confessed it all, unable to deal with the burden of his lies.
She gave him a worried smile. “Aye. I know this will be hard on ye. Ye always had too guilty a conscience.” Her smile then faded to concern. “But it’s for her own good, Angus, and ye’ll need to do all ye can to make sure she doesn’t find him or start asking too many questions. Make sure she doesn’t go looking for him. Find a way to distract her or keep her busy. And if she does go looking, make sure she doesn’t find anything, aye? It might be the only way to keep her safe.”
He groaned, his heart and head filled with dread. “Aye, Ma. I’ll try my best.”
She nodded, worry lining her face. “Let her know she’s invited to dinner. Tomorrow, if it’s convenient for her. If ye could pass on the invitation, I’d appreciate it.”
“Aye, Ma. I’ll let her know, though I can tell ye now, she’ll ask about her father.” What a bloody mess. He finished his tea and put his cup in the sink, before kissing his mother on the cheek. “Tell Da I stopped by.”
He’d need to see Rowan to tell her about dinner with his parents, though what he’d do about helping her search for her father, he hadn’t a clue. This was the last thing he needed, especially the way he felt about her. Already his heart beat faster to know he’d soon be with her again-and the guilt had his stomach in knots.
The friendship they’d developed via email and the attraction he felt for her was only solidified when she closed the distance between them with her move. He knew he shouldn’t grow so attached to her, yet he couldn’t help himself. She was even more tempting in person with those fiery locks, green eyes, and luscious curves.
And now? He’d be putting everything at risk to try and keep her safe. By the gods, she’d hate him if she ever found out he was keeping her from finding her father.
Driving by the port, he caught sight of his little yellow mini-not many of those around. That meant Rowan was in town. He parked, and with a quick look up and down the road, spotted her stepping out of a shop a few blocks up.
Heading down the road towards him, a smile sprung to her lips-and by the gods, he was a goner. The fact that he could make her smile like that, the fact that the smile dancing on her lips and the light in her eyes were because she’d seen him… it only reinforced how he felt about her, how she made him feel.
She closed the distance between them, giving him a quick hug, and in European fashion, a peck on the cheek, his pulse tripping to have her so close. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“The yellow Mini’s hard to miss, and since it’s the only one in the area, I figured ye couldn’t be far behind.” He leaned back on his old ride, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “I spoke to my Ma-she’d like to have ye over for dinner if ye’re available tomorrow.”
“I’d love to…” When she bit her lip and her brow furrowed, Angus knew what would be coming next. “Did you ask her? About my father?”
That put a damper on his enthusiasm. How the hell was he going to deter her when it was the only thing on her mind? It’d be impossible to keep her from looking for her father. “Aye, lass. I asked, and she’d love to help, but unfortunately, she doesn’t really have a whole lot of information for ye. I’m sorry, aye? Yer ma didn’t give her any details.”
She nodded and reached out to give his hand a squeeze. “Still. Maybe she’ll recall something once we start talking. And one way or another, it’ll be a start, even if it’s to cross her off my list of people I’ve spoken to.”
He heard the emotion in her voice and saw the sparkle of unshed tears in her eyes, unable to imagine what an emotional journey it must be for her. It must be so difficult to try and stay positive and keep looking.
His mother said Iona seemed scared before leaving for the States. The question was why? His Ma might be wrong, of course, but could he take that risk? And did that mean Rowan might be stirring things up when they should be left alone? Or was the threat long gone?
“Aye, love. It’ll all work out for the best.” He managed a smile and was happy to see her eyes clear up, though he already felt horrible that he wasn’t being completely honest with her.
“I’ve got good news.” She bit her lip again. “I bought the shop, so I can open a gallery and studio.”
“Bought it? I thought it was for lease?” Bloody hell, the lass worked fast. It’d be impossible to keep her out of trouble.
She cocked her head and a smile tugged at her full, kissable lips. “It was, but when I asked if I could purchase it instead, the owner was happy to sell-and for a good price too. I wanted to make a statement. I want people to know that I’m going to make this my home, and I won’t be driven away by their whispers and cold shoulders.”
“Have people been giving ye a hard time?” His brow furrowed at the thought, and he now found himself worrying about how the locals would respond to her buying the shop. If things escalated, he’d not be happy.
“I can deal with the locals, Angus. Let them talk all they want.”
“Rowan, I wish ye had waited a bit. Ye probably haven’t even recovered from jetlag and ye’ve already bought a place.” He wanted to be supportive, but she had him worried, damn it. Did she not think things through?
“And?” Her tone held an edge to it.
“Listen, lass. The decision’s yers to make, and no one else’s. I’m not saying it was a good move or bad, I just think ye’re moving a bit quick, is all.”
“Well, you’re right-it is my decision, and I’ve made it.”
When she crossed her arms in front of her chest, he knew she was annoyed with him. “So ye have. How about ye let me buy ye a pint and some dinner to congratulate ye on yer recent purchase and make it up to ye for speaking out of turn.”
He could see her debating whether or not to be angry with him. She then gave him a sideways grin, her red hair catching in the wind coming off the sea. “You’re just lucky you’re cute, and I know no one else in town.”
“Aye, a good thing indeed.” He tried to lighten the mood. “And a good thing I’m the one buying ye dinner. People might start to talk if you’re always the one paying my way.”
“And what exactly would they be saying?” She narrowed her eyes in question, a smile quirking at her lips.
“Nothing much at all-except that ye might have yerself a handsome and dashing boy toy.” He could barely keep a straight face, and it felt good to push his worries aside, even if it was just for a moment.
The tension melted between them as she barked out a laugh. “You’re lucky I have a sense of humor and I don’t tend to hold onto my anger. Not that you don’t have a right to your opinion… it’s just that I want you to be happy for me.”
“Och, love. I am.” He shifted himself off the car and stood, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets to keep from reaching out to take her hand. “So, where would ye like to go?”
“The pub’s fine.” She slipped her hand around his arm and beamed a smile up at him as they wandered down the road. “I can tell you all about my plans for the gallery.”
“I’d love to hear them.” He looked down at her, his heart racing to have her at his side, despite his mother’s warning niggling at the back of his thoughts, keeping him from fully enjoying his time with her.
They grabbed a booth by a window, the pub nowhere near as busy as it had been the last time they were there. It was too late for lunch and too early for dinner. The only ones there were those nursing a pint and
the ones who never left except at closing.
Lara came to take their order. “Back so soon? Must be my lucky day.”
Angus ignored her sarcastic glare. “How someone hasn’t snapped ye up for his own astonishes me on a daily basis, my dear.”
“Ye’ve always been cheeky.” Lara playfully slapped his arm and then turned to Rowan. “So ye really are staying? Here of all places? Why is beyond me.”
“As a matter of fact, I just bought the shop a few doors down.” Rowan beamed at her.
“Lovely. My day just keeps getting better.” She tilted her head towards the menus. “Do ye know what ye want then?”
They placed their order. Once Lara was gone, he leaned forward. “She’s really not that bad once ye get used to her.”
“I’m sure that’d be the case if I weren’t here with you. But she’s seen us together twice, and though we’re nothing more than friends, she doesn’t see it that way because you’re her ex.” She shrugged her shoulders, a knowing smile on her lips. “It’s just how women work.”
He ignored how much it bothered him that she still didn’t think of him as anything more than a friend. “So tell me about the shop. Ye said it was just a few doors down from here? The internet café?”
“That’s the one.” Her smile had him forgetting about his worries. “Don’t suppose you know of any good contractors?”
“Och, I can probably help ye with most of yer projects. What did ye have in mind?” It’d be a good way to keep an eye on her. Between the locals taking their sweet time to warm up to her, Rowan’s impulsive side, and trying to keep her from finding her father, it’d be a miracle if they managed to avoid trouble.
“Angus… I don’t mind hiring someone. You’re busy with your own stuff and besides, I know you aren’t too happy about my purchase.”
“Listen, love… I’m happy to help, and truth is, I’m glad ye bought the place. It just caught me off guard is all.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. He knew that by making such a purchase, she’d be less likely to pack her bags and leave-and for that he was grateful.