What Lies Between

by Miller, Charlena

  I stifled a chuckle, but my body had an entirely different response—his rugged good looks were even more irresistible immersed in this picture of domesticity. The entire scene made me feel cocooned from all the troubles outside but it also sent a buzz of longing through me. I focused on the pain in my knee to break the thoughts taking hold of me.

  The timer on the oven sounded, and he pulled out a tray of perfectly formed scones. The scent of cinnamon wafted into the air. Now I was sure that I hadn’t survived the crash. I had driven into the loch and drowned because this was what heaven must be like, a far cry from Todd’s fizzy drink.

  Never one to believe in luck of any kind, I now conceded it could only be bad luck that a man who was supposed to be my enemy cooked and baked and looked dead gorgeous in anything—kilt, apron, jeans, boxer briefs, and, I was sure, nothing. I couldn’t have been happier that city life had never appealed to him. Just a Highland laddie! Right! As if there was any just about it.

  I fought back a burst of laughter at my dilemma. Ben didn’t have a clue how hard he made me work to keep my distance. It would be easier to remember he was my enemy if he acted more like one instead of fixing me a gorgeous breakfast. The guy had skills in the kitchen—this much couldn’t be argued.

  He turned, caught sight of me. “Did you sleep well?” he asked casually, as if he had no idea what he was doing to me.

  “I was comfortable.” That much was true, better than saying I’d hardly slept at all, and having him ask why. And I’d have to lie. I couldn’t say I had lain in bed thinking about going into his room, climbing into his bed, and curling up in his arms.

  “Good, I think . . .” He waited, but I offered nothing more. “Are you hungry?”

  “Definitely.”

  He made a plate, handed it to me. “You can go through to the dining table or the wee conservatory off the back, whichever you fancy.”

  I chose the conservatory. The wind had banked snow high against the house and it covered part of the windows. As soon as he’d sat down and it was reasonably polite to dig in, I devoured my veggie omelet and cinnamon scone—better my breakfast than him.

  It started snowing again and we nursed cups of coffee watching the flakes swirl in the wind.

  Ben broke the comfortable silence. “I know you were joking with your comment about eating decently when I’m supplying the food, but it got me thinking. You have an opportunity to host a celebration of our favourite bard, Rabbie Burns. You likely already know but most places will have a Burns Supper, and I think it should be Glenbroch’s first event—a preseason run, if you will. It would be a chance for invited guests and locals to see what’s on offer,” he said, adding, “If you’re open to the idea, I’d like to help out.”

  Maggie had encouraged me to hold a Burns Supper and had offered assistance, but she would be having her own at the inn and wouldn’t be able to help much.

  “What do you have in mind?” I asked.

  “We could bring in some influencers in the industry—people who book sporting holidays.”

  “Even if I were willing to do it, I don’t have the staff to pull it together.”

  “I have some decent connections around here. I’ve only lived here nearly all my life.” He flashed a prize-winning smile. “I would like to supply the food and bring in some event staff and supervise them. The event would be a great way to kick off the New Year.”

  “But we’re not ready for business yet.”

  “It would only be a preview. Everything needed to host a dinner is in place, Ellie. It would be a grand time.”

  I sat back in my chair, eyeing him with suspicion. “Why would you want to make sure Glenbroch gets off to a good start this year?”

  He let out a long, weary sigh. “Contrary to what you think, I don’t wish failure on you or Glenbroch—at all. If you need me to have a selfish motive, don’t forget MacIver money is tied up in the estate. Granted, more of my father’s money than mine, and he is more concerned about controlling interest. Regardless of who ends up with it, the estate still needs to get up and running now.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Think about it. Talk to Jim, Maggie, Calum, whoever you want, but there is no downside here.”

  “I don’t need your help to make Glenbroch a success,” I said, my voice calm but defensive.

  “You’re wrong. You do need help. Anyone would in your position, including me. I have no intention of making excuses for my father, but all he sees is a young, beautiful woman who doesn’t know the slightest thing about the Highlands or running a business like this. In his view, this will end in disaster.” Ben’s eyes narrowed with resolve. “Let’s prove my father wrong; show him that MacIvers and MacKinnons can work together.”

  Beautiful?

  I couldn’t be sure I’d heard anything else that he said. Beautiful was a word so rare in reference to me that his words caught me by surprise and tears sprang up in response. I’d always told myself that wanting to hear that word was weak, but it fell soft and sweet on my heart all the same. I forced the tears back where they came from.

  His eyes fell on mine and the way he was looking at me threatened to sweep my footing out from under me.

  It’s only a word. Keep hold of yourself.

  I shoved my plate away and began stacking the dirty dishes on the table, the activity breaking the spell and summoning reality back.

  “What you’re saying is all well and good, but someone cut my gate, sabotaged my computer, and canceled the electrical inspector,” I reminded him. “If not Bethanne, you and your father are the only other ones with anything to gain. Calum tells me your father hasn’t been out on his own property, let alone mine, in a long time.”

  Ben’s jaw clenched with controlled deliberation as he set aside his utensils. “I can see it from your perspective, but it wasn’t me. And I can’t see my father doing those things either. He’s not handy with tools and can barely send an email. No way would he have messed with your gate or computer. As much as I hate to admit it, not everyone around here is happy to see you take charge of the estate. It could have been someone else, Ellie.”

  I didn’t want to hear that. “You’re right. Your father wouldn’t bother himself to get out in the snow—he’d get someone to do his dirty work—someone like Bethanne. And if she’s involved, it’s all about you anyway.”

  But what if Ben was right? “Are you saying that you think other people feel as strongly as your father about me being here? I can’t see that. Are you trying to deflect my attention from him?”

  Ben rubbed his face with both palms, ran his fingers through his hair. “Och, you drive me mad. Of course I want you to believe I’m not involved or my father. He can be a bampot, but I don’t think . . .” His hands dropped heavy to his sides, and he let out a long sigh. “Truth is, I don’t know what my father would or wouldn’t do, or Bethanne. She’s unpredictable, but I can’t believe it. This is going too far. And I truly don’t think my father would get involved with what happened to you or with someone like her. My father can be vengeful, true, but he’s not completely mad.”

  Ben’s eyes turned to the snowdrifts, his jaw slack, shoulders slumped, sadness darkening his face. My heart curled up tight in response, squeezing a painful knot into my throat.

  He kept his eyes on the falling snow. “And yes, I think that there are some folks here who are capable of taking matters into their own hands. But if my father was involved with any of this, then he needs to answer for it.”

  I remembered Ben’s pain and anger when he talked about his father on our trip to Inverness. In spite of the troubles between them, he loved his father. It would break his heart if John was involved.

  My own heart ached to think of Ben facing that kind of loss. The last thing I wanted to do was to take someone’s dad away. I needed to remember that if John had anything to do with this, then he was the one taking himself away from his son.

  Ben was right. It was one thing for John to want to take Glenbro
ch. It was another to run me off the road. Still, it was easier to hold John or Bethanne accountable. I didn’t like the idea of it being a stranger.

  Ben loaded the truck with chains and a chainsaw and then came back in. “No reason for you to be out in this. I’m meeting Richie and a couple of the lads from the crew and we’re going to remove the tree and get them back to work. I’ve rung up a man I know who has a shop in Broadford. He’ll pull out the Land Rover and get it repaired.”

  He held out a set of keys. “These are for the cottage. Make yourself at home. I have a container of stovies in the fridge—a sort of Scottish leftovers. There’s mince in it; know you’re not keen on it, but it’s there if you get hungry. And keep the keys. If you ever need a safe place, you can come here. Lock the doors after I leave.” He gave me an apologetic look. “Guess you were right about that. I never thought it was necessary. Use the house phone to call me. I know this will sound ridiculous to you, but if anything happens, my dad is five minutes away.”

  Taking hold of my arms, he faced me. “Everything is okay. Honestly, Ellie, I wouldn’t leave you here if I believed he was capable of hurting you.”

  “I know. I believe you.”

  I wasn’t convinced John didn’t have a hand in this, but I was safer on MacIver land right now than anywhere else. A dog didn’t make a mess in his own doghouse. No one would touch me here.

  I cozied up in front of the fire Ben had started in the sitting room. He’d built a fire in the guest bedroom as well. He was going out of his way to be hospitable, but doubt crept in. Ben had shown up just at the right time.

  Convenient, now that I think about it . . .

  But also silly. I was clearly looking for reasons to keep him at arm’s length. I didn’t believe for a minute Ben would do anything to physically harm me. As much as I wanted to despise him for not telling me who he was, Ben just wasn’t the kind of person to harm me the way the person on the road had clearly wanted to.

  On the other hand, John’s hatred scared me.

  Shaking off the dark thoughts, I turned my attention to hosting a Burns night. Ben was right. I needed to build the estate’s reputation and hosting a Glenbroch Burns Supper provided the perfect opportunity to get started. Good publicity, experience hosting at the house, free food and staff. Nothing to lose.

  I rang Ben and accepted his offer.

  14

  Ben collected me at the cottage and dropped me off at Glenbroch where the police he had called met up with me. Reporting the incident on the loch road left me more encouraged than I’d imagined. Even though they informed me they hadn’t found any paint from another vehicle on the Land Rover after carefully inspecting it at the mechanic’s shop in Broadford, I still felt it was positive. They acted as if they took it seriously in spite of the lack of evidence. I was mindful not to accuse Bethanne or John and decided to let the police do their job. In the meantime, I needed to go about Glenbroch’s business and put it all out of my mind as best I could.

  Anna’s car pulled up in the drive as the police drove away. Jazz jumped out and barreled through the snow toward me.

  “Hey there, boy, go on inside.” Jazz ran through the open door and headed for the private quarters’ kitchen, where he knew I kept his treats. “Anna, it’s good to see you.” I planted a kiss on each of her cheeks as she did the same on mine. It was her way.

  “What is this business about you crashing into a tree? How dreadful!” She took my hands, spread them wide to get a good look at me. “Are you quite sure you’re all right?”

  “I’m fine, just a bruised knee. The police were here and took my statement. I wish I had seen the car but the snow was blinding. The police are investigating.” I met her eyes, not believing she would have any part of this but wondering if she had any suspicions of her husband’s involvement. Did she think he was capable of this?

  Nothing in her eyes hinted that she was harboring any sort of guilt.

  “I wish Ben had called and told me what happened,” she said. “I couldn’t have made it back down from Dornoch in the storm but at least could have checked in on you by phone.”

  “Did you have a nice visit with your niece and her new baby?”

  “He was gorgeous, the wee bairn. The mum is doing well in spite of having to manage on her own what with her husband Charles away at work much of the time. I was able to be a hand and had a lovely time.”

  We made our way to my kitchen. I gave Jazz his treat then put on the kettle and checked my phone. It had gotten enough charge to turn back on. Ben had searched the Beast before it was towed and found the phone wedged in between the passenger seat and the floor. I was glad not to have to trek to Inverness to get a new one and then turn around and make another trip there next week to meet with Katherine Helm, the accountant for the MacKinnon family—for me now. The Beast would be in the shop for a few days anyway.

  “Anna, do you mind if I listen to my voice mails?” I asked, pouring the hot water over the tea bag resting in her cup. “I see I have several.”

  “No bother at all.”

  I retrieved spoons and the milk from the fridge and laid them on the island as the voice mails played in my ear. The first was from Maggie wanting to know why I hadn’t called her to say I had gotten home. Where was I? Maggie again, her voice growing more agitated. Then Ben saying he was headed to Glenbroch to look for me, could I call him?

  I punched to the next message.

  Jim here. I had a wee spell of trouble. Got a bang in the back of the leg with a branch. I think that’s what it was flying through the air. The wind was pretty high. Hobbling a bit, but I’m all right. With the snow and ice and having a bum leg I’ll need to see if you can check on the sheep. And here I was trying to help out yesterday and now I’m causing more work for you. I’ve called Henry. You should hear from him soon.

  And Henry. He had come by Glenbroch earlier after Jim called him, said he was headed out to check on the sheep and wanted to know where I was. Could we meet up?

  I turned to Anna. “Jim was hurt last night in the storm and is over at his cottage. My car is in the shop. Ben is around somewhere. I want to see if he’ll let me take his truck over to look in on Jim. Do you think the road will be okay out that way?”

  “I imagine about the same as the one at the front here. Four-wheel drive should be fine, and you’re welcome to my car. I can get a ride back home with Ben. Or I would be happy to drive you over. I’d like to see how he’s doing myself.” She took another sip of tea and then sighed. “As if there is not enough for you and Jim to be dealing with.” She shook her head, clucking her tongue. “I don’t like this. I don’t like any of this. Yes, let’s get over there and see how he is.”

  I called Jim to tell him I was coming, then Henry to tell him I was headed to Jim’s cottage, the Land Rover had slipped off the road, and that I would catch up with him after I returned.

  Jim’s house had been the gamekeeper’s cottage, one of the four that had been on the Glenbroch estate before the MacKinnons sold a good chunk of it to pay off debt. Debt proved more of a risk to the Glenbroch MacKinnons’ future than the lack of a male heir. Whatever situation my ancestors had gotten into, mine couldn’t be too dissimilar, except I didn’t have enough land to sell to pay this debt. And it was Glenbroch John wanted more than money.

  The one-story house was stone and looked hardly bigger than an American two-car garage from the front, but I caught sight of a conservatory off the back, which would provide more space. The snow had stopped and the clouds had cleared off, giving the glen a blissful appearance. Jim looked peaceful perched on a black bench beside his front door, taking in the sunshine and smoking his pipe in the frosty air.

  “Good morning, Ellie. Anna and Jazz too! What a lovely surprise!” He patted Jazz who had sat down in front of him, wagging his tail. “And how are you, bonnie lad?”

  Jim stood up, leaning on a sturdy branch that served as a makeshift cane. As he turned to enter the house, his limp caused my heart to lurch
. What if worse had happened to him? Daily life at Glenbroch without Jim was unimaginable. Even when the boggy, dung-covered ground sunk under my feet he was there, a layer of solid rock holding me steady.

  He fussed about, making tea and putting out a sponge cake. Prompted by my questioning, he admitted to baking the cake himself earlier in the morning.

  “It’s a practical thing, the fixing of good food,” Jim said. “Can’t be sitting about doing nothing.”

  “I wish all men saw it that way. Although I do have to say, Anna, you did a good job with Ben on the food front. He is a great cook.”

  As the words left my mouth, I wanted them back. I swallowed but they were gone. My eyes flicked from Jim to Anna as they looked at each other and back to me. “You know, last night Ben found me on the road and he made tea. It was lovely.” Time to change the subject. “Jim, I need to talk to you about Glenbroch. Anna, could I steal him away for a few minutes?”

  “Of course. I will have some of Jim’s lovely sponge. You carry on.”

  Jim hobbled out to the conservatory and we settled into the comfy chairs.

  “How bad is your injury? What happened?”

  “I told you, lass, it’s not much. I’m just a bit shoogly. I’ll be good as new as soon as the snow melts and the sun is busy working on that just now.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Aye, I’m sure. I’ve been at this for a long time and this is far from the first injury I’ve had. Don’t you worry.”

  “Well, whatever you need, just tell me.” Besides my concern for Jim, I needed to think as his employer and do whatever I was supposed to do. Making a mental note to call Calum, I forged ahead, wondering how Jim would take what I was thinking. “Henry and Ben don’t get along but I need them both to get the work done, especially with you out. Bethanne is being herself—outright hateful and insubordinate. She could have been the one who ran me off the road.”