My Scottish Summer

by Connie Brockway

  “I’m here now,” Maddie defended herself. “And I’m determined to relax.”

  “She’s promised us two weeks,” Sara said, “which I’m holding her to. Imagine Maddie away from the office for two weeks. She’s already gotten twelve phone calls, and it’s Sunday.”

  “Oh, that’s just Larry.” Maddie laughed. “My lunatic boss,” she told Derek.

  “I was tempted to tell him ye’d never arrived,” Keith said.

  Maddie laughed again. “Another few phone calls like today, and you’ll have my permission. He’s a bit… hyper.”

  “Hyper! He’s a heart attack in the offing. And soon. Oh, look, they’re here!” Sara said as the door opened and her grandparents joined them, all smiles.

  Magnus MacDonald held his arms open, and Maddie ran into them with a cry.

  “Madeline,” he said with moist eyes, “ye’ve done an old man proud, lassie. I knew ye couldn’t resist me. Few women can.”

  Maddie laughed with him while Anne shook her head and reached to embrace Maddie, then Derek and Keith, who had risen as well. Magnus insisted that Maddie sit with them while Sara bustled around getting whisky and wine, and he studied Maddie while Anne asked her about her trip.

  “The same dark hair, the same eyes,” Magnus said. “Ye even have that way he always raised his head when he laughed. Ye look like Charlie’s granddaughter.”

  “That’s because she is,” Anne said crisply. “Magnus, we said we’d be happy.”

  “My wife tells me that I’m no’ supposed to remember anything,” Magnus said with a wink at Maddie.

  “No,” Anne said. “Yer wife tells ye that ye’re supposed to remember the happy times, not the sad ones. This, Magnus MacDonald, is a celebration.” She turned to Maddie. “He still misses yer grandfather. Theirs was a wonderful friendship.”

  Magnus nodded. “He was my closest friend for fifty-two years. Aye, I miss him. He should be here, with a whisky in his hand. Is that not right, Maddie?”

  Maddie felt her eyes fill. “He should. I miss him too.”

  “I know ye do,” Magnus said, patting Maddie’s hand and gesturing to Anne. “But for him I wouldn’t be here, wouldn’t have had this wonderful woman who has endured me with such grace for all these years. Wouldn’t have had our children, or these grandchildren.”

  Anne leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “Ye’re getting maudlin, love.”

  Magnus nodded and smiled more cheerfully. “I’ve earned it. And Bonnie Charlie always did love a good party. He should be here.” He looked across the room. “Sara, tell me this is going to be a grand party.”

  “It’s going to be a grand party, Granddad,” Sara said with a grin. “It will be brilliant. Everyone on Skye will talk about it for decades.”

  “I love it when women tell me what I want to hear,” Magnus said to Maddie. “Ye look the same, child. A wee bit pale, but we’ll change that, aye?”

  “She’s not a child, Magnus,” Anne chided. “She’s a grown woman.”

  “She’s a beautiful woman. We saw that when we went to Charlie’s funeral.”

  Anne smiled and nodded. “We saw that when she was fifteen.”

  Maddie felt her color rise. “That’s very kind of you,” she said. “You two never change. You look wonderful, exactly the same as the last time I saw you.”

  And they did. Magnus did not look like a man about to turn eighty. His back was still straight, his posture as rigid as she’d remembered, his blue eyes still bright with mischief. Magnus MacDonald was a man who had lived life with enthusiasm and saw no reason to change that just because he was getting older. And Anne had the serenity of a woman who has been cherished for decades.

  Dinner was wonderful, full of lively conversation and a lot of laughter, the sort of meal Maddie remembered from her last visit. Magnus and Anne had not changed, and Keith was a great addition, witty and affectionate with Sara, who beamed at him. It was obvious Sara’s marriage was a great success, and Maddie felt a twinge of jealousy as Keith watched Sara with glowing eyes. Had a man ever looked at her like that? Sara, she decided, was very lucky. Magnus and Anne said their good-nights shortly after dinner, and Derek offered to show Maddie the pub while Sara and Keith checked the dining room.

  The pub, in its own wing, jutted at an angle from the main structure to perch on the very edge of the cliff, its large flagged terrace overlooking Duntober Bay and the islands beyond. It was, Derek told Maddie, a very popular spot in the summer, both with hotel guests and locals, and tonight it would be jammed. As soon as they entered, she saw he was right. The bar was three deep, the servers hurrying to hand out drinks and food. She stood to one side while Derek braved the crowd, joking with many he knew among them. The pool tables in the back room were crowded with players and observers, and the terrace was beginning to fill up as well.

  She saw him at once. He sat in the corner with three other men, his back against the wall. The table before them was littered with glasses and empty plates, the four men talking easily. He was smiling as he listened, then said something that had them loudly laughing while he drained his ale and rose to his feet in a single fluid motion. He wore a black knit shirt that outlined his shoulders against the light gray stone and jeans that showed off his lean legs. The light above his head made his hair, neatly combed now, look even more golden. Maddie caught her breath. No, she’d not remembered wrong, nor made too much of him. He was simply the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. He pulled bills out of his pocket and put them on the table amid protests from the others, saying something as he put the money down that made them laugh again. He grinned, waved as he left, then turned and saw Maddie. And smiled.

  Maddie smiled in return and watched him walk toward her.

  3

  “Here, Maddie,” Derek said, handing her a glass of ale. “Pure Skye magic.”

  He sure is, she thought, turning to accept the glass with thanks.

  Derek nodded and grinned as the blond man joined them. “Well, look who’s here. I’m surprised to see ye away from the job.”

  The Scotsman grinned back. “It’s Sunday, Derek. I am occasionally allowed time off for good behavior.” He turned to Maddie with a softer smile. “Ye’ve no’ told him about this afternoon, have ye?”

  “Oh, God, it was ye who nearly ran her over!” Derek cried. “I should have known it, ye’re that determined to win. Maddie, this is our favorite reprobate, Iain MacDonald. Same name, no relation, thank God, Iain, Maddie Breen.”

  “Can ye ever forgive me?” Iain asked her.

  “For not being related to Derek? Easily,” she said and watched him laugh.

  “I think he meant nearly killing ye, Maddie,” Derek said, looking from Iain to Maddie. “But I can see ye already know that. I’ll just see if they’re needing any help at the bar. Tread lightly, Iain. This is Granddad’s favorite American.”

  Derek left with a grin, and Iain nodded at the terrace.

  “Would ye like to go outside where it’s quieter?”

  Maddie nodded and followed him outside to a table next to the wall that overlooked the water. The light was diffused, and the moon was just rising. I’d love to capture that, she thought, then glanced at Iain as they sat down. Or capture him. Iain MacDonald. The name suited him. He looked tamer, more civilized, than he had earlier, but there was still that energy, that sense of power about him that was so arresting. His eyes were just as blue as she’d remembered, and yes, those cheekbones were as sharp as she’d drawn. He had a powerful face, a powerful body.

  “I was just coming to see if I could find ye,” he said with a smile. “Didna know ye were that American.”

  “What American?”

  “The one all the MacDonalds talk about with such affection. Magnus is very pleased that ye’re here, I can tell ye that.”

  “You know Magnus too?”

  He gave her an amused glance. “I went to school with Derek, and I’ve known the family ever since. Derek and I spent a lot of time together in those day
s.”

  “And now?” She took a sip of her ale. Derek was right; it was wonderful.

  “And now I’m here with them again.”

  “For the party?”

  “Working. And where are ye from, Maddie Breen— NewYork or L.A.?”

  “New York.”

  He laughed.

  “How did you know that?” she asked.

  “Black clothes. New York is the city of perpetual mourning.”

  Maddie looked down at her black short-sleeved sweater and slacks, then up to meet his eyes. He was laughing again, and she joined him.

  “Might as well wear a sign, I guess,” she said.

  “It’s in yer bearing as well. Ye look very… sophisticated.”

  She smiled, and he leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched her. “So, Maddie,” he said, his eyes merry, “why are ye mad?”

  She shook her head. “Do you know how many times I’ve been asked that?”

  “And here I thought I was so clever. Well, lassie, what’s the answer?”

  “Maddie is short for Madeline.”

  “So ye have French blood?”

  She laughed. “No, I’m all Celt. Irish and Scottish on both sides. My grandmother was a MacGannon. She and my mother loved the Madeline books, so I was named after the little girl in them.”

  “Ye’re a MacGannon? From Kilgannon?”

  “Originally. I’d love to find the castle while I’m here. I can’t find it on the maps, and no one seems to know how to get there.”

  “I do. Ye have to go by sea. The old road’s gone and has been for years. Did ye come across from Mallaig?”

  Maddie nodded.

  “Well, when ye return, look to the south. On the other side of the headland that juts out the farthest, the southernmost one ye can see, is Loch Gannon. It takes two turns and brings ye directly to the castle. It’s a beauty, but ye need permission to visit it. It’s unsafe.”

  Maddie leaned forward. “Who do I need to talk to?”

  “I can ring a few people. One of them is sure to know how to do it.”

  “Oh, thank you so much! That would be wonderful! “I’m very grateful!”

  “A lovely emotion for a woman to have.”

  She laughed, then turned as Sara called her name from the doorway. Sara waved at them, then made her way through the tables.

  “Sara has come to rescue ye,” he said.

  “Do I need rescuing?”

  He let his gaze lift slowly from her waist to her eyes. “Ye tell me.”

  “I see ye’ve met our Maddie,” Sara said to Iain with a smile. “That didna take ye long. She’s been at the pub for ten minutes is all.”

  Iain grinned. “We met this afternoon. I was running Blaven and near trampled her. She dinna think it was a proper welcome to Scotland.”

  “I wonder why.” Sara laughed and gave Maddie a measuring glance. “Ye didna mention that.”

  “She was still recovering, I’m sure,” Iain said, then looked at Maddie. “I’ll ring up about the castle on Monday.”

  “Iain’s going to try to get permission for me to visit Kilgannon,” Maddie said.

  Sara nodded. “I’d forgotten ye wanted to do that. Listen, I came to steal ye away. And to tell ye that yer Larry called again. Twice in the last half-hour.”

  Iain arched an eyebrow.

  “My boss,” Maddie said quickly. “He’s not my Larry, Sara.”

  “Well, ye’re the only one who can abide him. He says he wants a quick word with ye and he canna reach ye on the mobile.”

  “That’s because I left it in my room,” Maddie said with a smile.

  “That’s a good lass! Ye’re learning.” Sara laughed and turned to Iain. “Maddie works too much. Ye wouldn’t know about that sort of thing, would ye?”

  Iain shook his head. “Not anymore, Sara. I’ve reformed.”

  “Good. We want this to be a memorable summer.”

  Iain stretched his arms wide and grinned. “I’ll do my best to make it so. But dinna steal her, Sara. We’re just getting to know each other.”

  “Ye’ll see her again. She’ll be here for a fortnight,” Sara told him. “Iain MacDonald, ye are such a flirt. Off with ye, then. Make yerself useful in the pub.”

  “I will see ye again, Maddie Breen,” Iain said and made his way through the tables while both women watched him.

  “Trust him to meet ye yer first day,” Sara said. “Isn’t he something?”

  “Yes,” Maddie said with a sigh, and Sara gave her a sharp glance.

  “Ye didna mention meeting him earlier. What happened?” When Maddie explained, Sara nodded. “That stupid race! I’m just glad Keith and Derek aren’t in it. Now, if ye’re not too tired, I thought I’d show ye the ballroom and see if one of the dresses I have would fit ye.”

  “Dress? For what?”

  “For the party. Ye didna think ye could wear a little black dress to it, did ye?”

  Maddie laughed. “Actually…”

  Sara laughed, then shook her head. “I knew it. Well, ye canna. We’re all wearing traditional dress, and I don’t think ye have anything that’ll be right. Are ye too fashed to come with me? Want to wait until morning?”

  Maddie glanced at the pub. She could see Iain and Derek laughing just inside the door. A pretty blond girl leaned against Iain, and he smiled down at her.

  “No,” Maddie said, standing up. “Let’s go.” She followed Sara without a backward glance.

  The ballroom was huge, a simple rectangular space with high ceilings and French doors that opened onto another terrace. Maddie had not been in here during her last trip, but she remembered looking through the glass doors at the large paneled room. Cleaning supplies were in readiness next to the door, and chairs and round tables stood in a corner waiting to be unfolded. There was a stage along one side, already draped in white. Sara explained where the food and manned bars would be.

  “And here’s the dance floor,” Sara said, spreading her arms wide over a portion of the hardwood floor. “Now, ye must picture all the chandeliers on and candles on the tables. Grandmother’s doing the flowers herself—and we’ll drape the room with MacDonald tartan. So, what’s missing?”

  “Nothing,” Maddie said, turning to take it all in. “It looks like you’ve got everything well thought out. Will your grandfather be announced, or be here to greet people as they arrive?”

  Sara explained the program as she switched lights off and led the way upstairs to the suite of rooms she shared with Keith. She pulled several dresses out of hanging bags and held them up to Maddie. Each was white, long, and very simply but beautifully made, with full skirts and dipping necklines.

  “Granddad always likes us all to wear white. He likes the way the red MacDonald tartan looks against it,” Sara said, smiling as she held a dress up to Maddie. “Ye’ll look beautiful. It really suits ye.”

  Maddie looked at her reflection. Not her usual style, which was so tailored that it bordered on stark, but it would certainly do. She tried the dress on with Sara’s help and laughed as she swished her way across the room.

  “I can’t remember the last time I wore a long dress,” Maddie said. “I feel like Scarlett O’Hara.” She twirled and watched the silk float back against her legs. “But what will you wear? Do you want to wear this one?”

  “I’ll be wearing one a size bigger than usual.” She paused, eyes filling with tears. “Maddie,” she said, her voice full of wonder, “I’m having a baby!”

  Maddie squealed and threw her arms around Sara. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone. It’s meant to be part of our gift for Granddad. But I couldn’t wait any longer to tell ye.”

  “Keith knows, right?”

  “Of course! And Mother. But no one else. Father would tell Granddad immediately if he heard.”

  “So mum’s the word,” Maddie said and laughed with Sara.

  A few moments later, as she eyed Maddie up and down, Sa
ra said, “This was much too easy. We’ll get this taken in, and ye’re set. Ye look like a princess.”

  “I feel like one!”

  Maddie embraced her friend again, then twirled, imagining dancing in this dress, in that ballroom. Perhaps with Iain? She felt her face flush and gave Sara a look.

  Sara, however, was busy putting the other dresses away. “We’ll have a fitting in the morning,” she said and helped Maddie out of the dress. “Wonder who ye’ll dance with?” Sara said with a laugh. “Haven’t seen Iain move that fast in years.”

  “I thought you liked him.”

  “I do, very much. He’s been a great friend to Derek, and Granddad thinks the world of him. Keith likes him very much, and so do I, but he’s just Iain to us and I’m accustomed to him. But I’m always amused by women’s reactions to him.”

  Maddie colored again, glad the dress was now over her head, hiding her face from Sara. “Well, not many men look like that. Did I look like an idiot?”

  “No, not at all. Ye looked like ye were having a good time.”

  “I was. He’s very nice.”

  “When he’s not trampling people. “There”, she said, arranging the dress on a hanger, then handing it to Mad-die. “We’ll have that done by tomorrow afternoon.” She tilted her head. “Iain’s not a bad man, Maddie, but he’ll never marry again.”

  “He’s divorced?”

  “Years ago now. She was horrid. Unfaithful liar. He’s better off without her. For years after that all he did was work, but now he’s sold his firm and made a bundle of money. Derek handled all the paperwork for him. Lovely to have a lawyer for a friend. Now, what about shoes?”

  Maddie’s dreams were a mixture of her late-night call to Larry, the airplane flight, and the drive to Skye. And a tall blond man in a kilt smiling down at her. The problem, she told herself in the morning, is that you haven’t dated anyone in such a long time, so you overreact to the first really interesting man you meet. She might pretend not to be affected by him, but she’d fooled no one. Sara, certainly, saw too much. Today she’d be safe, however. She’d have the dress fitted, then she and Sara would go up to Duntober, taking lunch to Magnus, who was spending the day up there with the workmen. Last night at dinner he’d promised her a complete tour of the castle. She couldn’t tell him she’d already been there, but she’d told Sara about the drawings she wanted to give him and that she’d need to visit Duntober a couple of times before the birthday party. Sara had laughed, saying she was sure Maddie would get cooperation from the man overseeing the restoration.