Georgia’s head snapped up and she froze. Callum walked past her, squeezed her shoulder, and handed Amanda a document.
What’s going on?
Ainsley, Mavis, and a group of locals stood behind him, grinning like they’d won the lottery. Callum stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Change doesn’t have to be a bad thing. More people coming into the town would create opportunities for the locals. Internet would help with e-commerce. I hope Mavis sells a ton of tea cozies and scarves, and Ainsley has people all over the world falling in love.”
On cue, Mavis walked to her boss and presented her with what looked to be a thistle tea cozy. Ainsley was next, presenting with a jar of her sauce. A grin split Amanda’s face.
It took all of Georgia’s willpower to keep her jaw from dropping. Her eyes found Callum’s. Something in his smile touched a place deep within her.
Amanda set down the gifts and flipped through the document Callum had handed her. All Georgia could do was stand and stare, thick blood barely crawling through her veins.
Amanda’s brow furrowed. “Not quite the standard contract.”
Callum nodded. “Aye. I’m willing to compromise but I’m not halving the rooms. At certain times of the year I can rent out three, and other times one, and I’m not modernizing, I’m restoring.” Callum turned to Georgia, a challenge in his eyes. “Some people and places do belong in the past, but some belong right here. I can’t see the future, but I’m willing to give this a shot. It might work, it might not, but I’ll never know unless I try.”
Time squeezed between them. After an eternity, he closed the distance between him and a trembling Georgia, tipped up her chin, and kissed her, his lips warm against hers.
“I’m going to do the hardest thing I’ve ever done and let you, Georgia Paxton, the woman I love, walk away. Mi an dòchas gun lorg thu do aisling. I hope you find your dream.” He stood with love in his soft eyes, giving her what she wanted, her freedom, and the town what it needed.
“You’ve worked your magic again,” Amanda said. “Well done, Georgia.” She handed Georgia a familiar envelope. Inside would be her next destination.
“You’re going to love it. Bermuda. Sunshine, sunscreen, and the margaritas you’ve been pining for. Go and work your magic again.”
No more Pie and Pint night, no more unexpected smiles that melted her insides, no more big hands holding her smaller one like she belonged.
That word again.
Delilah nudged her hip, having wandered from out back. Hello Kitty leaned against her leg and purred.
“Oh, this place is adorable. We’ll have this town bursting with people.” Her boss pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the goat.
Georgia’s heart was being pummeled by a wrecking ball of different thoughts and emotions. Her eyes tangled with Callum’s, who gave her a small nod, releasing her. He walked away, his hands deep in his pockets, shoulders hunched.
He’s setting me free.
She bent forward.
Don’t go. Please, don’t go.
She pressed her lips together, holding in wave after wave of feelings. I don’t want to go.
The townspeople also dispersed. Ainsley arrived with her bags, hugged her, and promised they’d keep in touch. That left her, Delilah, Amanda, and Kitty standing alone outside the hotel next to Georgia’s bags.
I’ve spent my life worried about being hurt, about getting attached. Well, I am attached. Callum won’t hurt me and I do belong.
I’ve found my home.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered.
Amanda blinked at her. “You don’t want to go to Bermuda?”
“No, I want to stay here. I want home.”
Amanda’s frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“I don’t, either, but…” Georgia chuckled a little bit.
And there it was. Everything she wanted was here. A town she adored, a crazy goat she couldn’t imagine living without, and a man who’d stolen her heart, her breath, her soul.
“I’m sorry but I have to go.”
She leaned in and hugged her surprised boss. The chuckle became laughter.
I am such an idiot.
“When will you be back?” Amanda’s voice rose.
“I won’t. I’m quitting.”
“Are you sure?” Amanda scanned her, worried.
“Yes, more than I’ve ever been.” She couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Walk around and see for yourself. This place is magical.”
Amanda looked down at her feet where Hello Kitty was circling. “What about your bags?”
She squeezed her ex-boss’s hand. “They’ll be fine. Everyone looks out for everyone here. Come down to the pub later, and I’ll buy you a pint.”
She ran to the pub. She grinned at everyone’s surprised faces, then sat at the bar.
I need to get the words straight in my head before I get tongue-tied.
The man of the hour emerged from the kitchen carrying two plates. He stopped when he saw her. She scooted off the stool, rounded the bar, and took the plates. “Two ploughmen’s for the posties in the corner?” Two men in uniform gave her a thumbs-up. “They’ll want two of those Bruce guys.”
She delivered the plates to the smiling men, then walked back to the bar where Callum stood, his face blank.
Oh, no, am I too late? He’s never had a blank look before.
She gripped the bar. “I was, ah, I was wondering if you needed a barmaid.”
…
“You’re quitting?” Callum stuffed his hands into his pockets so he didn’t grab her and shake her until he understood. “But you love your job.”
She nodded, her expression solemn. “I do, but I found something I love more.”
Hope built in his heart. “Is it Delilah?”
Her gorgeous green eyes sparkled. “I do love your goat.”
“Hello Kitty?” He took a step toward her.
“I do love her, too.” She stepped toward him, hesitated, then said, “Tha gaol agam ort.”
He blinked, taking in his beautiful woman who, in ten days, had captured his heart and his soul.
“Did I say it right?”
His throat constricted and he couldn’t speak for a beat. “Yeah, you did.”
“I’ve just murdered your beautiful language, but I love you, Callum Sofa MacGregor.”
That’s all he needed to hear. He crushed her to his chest. “I love you, Georgia Corporate Paxton.”
He captured her mouth and poured himself into the kiss, and she murmured her approval.
The pub erupted in hoots and applause. Laughing, she pulled back. “I’d like to stay for good.” She glanced around. “Do you know if there are any vacancies in your hotel?”
“Aye, there’s a vacancy.”
He couldn’t believe this bewitching woman wanted him. His dream was standing in front of him, and she wanted to stay, to share his bed, to share his ideas, and he wanted to share hers.
“We need you, your ideas, help with e-commerce, but more importantly, I need you. I want our little town to shine and with the revenue we make, we can fix the pipes and restore the hotel, for us, for our family.” He kissed the top of her head, and she melted against him.
“I guess the heart knows what the heart knows,” she murmured before she leaned up and kissed him. “You never did show me what was under your kilt.”
He laughed and pulled her closer. “You’ll see.”
“And I missed out on Sausage and Stout night.”
“I think you missed Haggis and Hair of the Dog night.” He pulled a long lock of her hair and twisted it around his finger, anchoring her to him.
Her nose wrinkled. “I think I’ll keep missing that one.”
“I fast-tracked an internet booster.” He ran his fingers through her soft hair. “You think we could help Mavis make a home page, see if anyone else is interested in blogging?”
She chuckled and rested her cheek against his chest. “After we’ve come up
for air, after you’ve shown me what’s under your kilt.”
“Mmm. Going to show me your tan lines?”
She gave him a saucy smile. “Every last one of them.”
Epilogue
Six weeks later…
“Oh, I like that one.” Georgia reached across Callum for her phone, then kissed him while Ray Charles cranked out “Georgia on My Mind.”
“Every minute of every day, you’re on my mind.” His husky voice and scruffy beard stirred heat between her legs.
Callum had made it his mission to regularly change her ringtone. The Beach Boys had blasted “California Girls.” He’d kissed her awake to “Rainy Night in Georgia.” She’d retaliated with Tom Jones’s not-so-happy ballad of “Delilah,” then felt awful for the goat she loved.
Murmuring and the sound of shuffling of feet came from downstairs.
“Who’s here at this hour?”
“Let’s go find out.” He pulled her from the bed, where she landed on her feet, his arms around her. He kissed her slowly, his tongue sliding into her mouth.
He pulled away. “Coconut and sunshine.” He cocked his head. “I think that sounds like Mavis.”
He pulled on jeans, and she got to ogle his muscled ass, strong legs, and hips that always brought her mountains of pleasure.
“I know you’re checking me out.” He pulled on a sweater, blocking her view.
“Of course I’m checking you out. The view’s magnificent.”
He chuckled, then turned. She’d pulled on underwear and was looking for her clothes that Callum had yanked off last night. Poor old Spock hadn’t been worn in six weeks. Every night, Callum worshipped her body then held her in his arms until she’d drift off, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.
“The view I’m looking at isn’t half bad, either.” His hungry gaze roamed over her body.
She laughed. “At this rate, we’ll never make it downstairs.”
A lot had changed in six weeks. She now helped out at the pub, enjoying the time spent with Callum and people she now regarded as family. She picked up Robert and brought him to the pub three afternoons a week, where he told his tales. She did the same for Mary twice a week for a couple of hours of palm reading, which was a hit. Instead of tiring her, it had given her a new lease on life. As promised, they’d installed a number of internet boosters around the village. Last night, she’d held a class in the pub on designing web pages and writing blogs, how to access the web, and using search engines. Everyone had been awestruck and delighted.
She finally found her jeans, and pulled on those, rugby socks, and a sweater. Callum grabbed her hand, and together they walked down into the reception area and stopped dead.
“I’ve met a Nigerian Prince,” Ainsley said, laughing.
“I’ve had a hit on my blog on marrows,” Frank said.
“Ekaterina in Russia wonders whether I’m married. She can love me long time,” James, who ran the supermarket, laughed. “Better not tell the missus.”
“A man with a wee shop called Barneys in New York has sent me an email about my scarves and beanies,” Mavis said. “And he’s interested in my tea cozies.”
“Hey, I can grow my old fella five inches,” Hamish said, laughing.
“Someone has posted a recipe for haggis on my page. They’re from Australia. How dare they,” an outraged local said.
“Have you been up all night?” Georgia asked, leaning into Callum.
“Yes, dear. It’s all quite exciting. We’ve made everyone email addresses.” Mavis smiled at Callum. “I hope you don’t mind, but you’re now Want_Spotted_Dick.”
Laughter spilled out of Georgia. “Jesus, can you imagine how many porn site hits I’m going to get with that name?” He nuzzled Georgia’s hair, a smile in his voice.
Mavis turned to Georgia. “You’re California_Dreaming.”
“I think you need to change that to Scottish_Dreaming.” She leaned up and kissed Callum softly on the lips. “I’ve found my forever home.”
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About the Author
I love The Princess Bride, The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives—the drama is deliciously addictive. Big Bang Theory, but will take Wolowitz over Cooper. Star Trek not Star Wars. Undercover Boss, Secret Millionaire—any story that shows the little guy making it. I follow the Buffalo Bills like a religion. I am spellbound by showjumping and equestrian eventing. I love curling up and reading all books—no genre is off-topic. I like ironing, hate peas, love donkeys. I think I play a killer game of Scrabble, but never win. I will often be heading toward the fridge for another Diet Coke. I eat nothing with legs and believe wine goes with everything, oh and I’m an expert at finding new and inventive ways to avoid exercise.
I live in the sparkly beachside suburb of Redondo Beach in California with my fake Gordon Ramsay and two boys who speak in mystifying grunts.
I’d love to hear from you: www.haysonmanning.com
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