MacLarens of Balmorie 05 - Once Upon A Time In Scotland

by Kam McKellar

  She wasn't going to take the chance.

  He saw it plain as day in her eyes.

  And nothing had gone as planned because she'd answered the door in those sexy glasses and ponytail and tight black pants that he almost had a fucking heart attack. Not that her answer would have been different, but at least he would've been a bit smoother, perhaps more convincing, and perhaps not as humiliated.

  He'd told himself that if he went through with it, if he faced Abbie and laid it all on the line, the doing so would prove to him that his feelings ran deep. And, apparently, they did.

  And now he was feeling the brunt of them.

  The sound of an electric saw greeted him as he came around the corner. A halo of wood chips and sawdust surrounded Malcolm. The day was warm, the work was hard, and Liam was ready to dig in and get started. The harder the better.

  The saw stopped, Malcolm lifted his goggles and glanced over his shoulder. His eyes narrowed and Liam felt like the big brute could see right into his angry soul. Malcolm didn't say a word, just nodded to the large pieces of lumber that had already been measured and cut. “Those can go to the second floor.”

  Liam nodded and went right to work, hoisting several on his shoulder and striding into the house.

  Aye,the harder, the better.

  * * *

  Abbie tried to work, but couldn't wrap her head around fiction; her real life drama completely overtaking every thought and every attempt to focus.

  “Fine,” she muttered to no one, shut her laptop, and went hunting for her sneakers.

  A few minutes later, she was outside, walking the bike down the gravel driveway in hopes a little fresh air and exercise would put her in the right frame of mind.

  The day was beautiful and bright, such a contrast to the chaos swirling around inside her. As she walked the bike along the track, her thoughts went back to earlier, before Liam had shown up. She'd called her parents, catching them at breakfast.

  Nine weeks total was a long time to be away from her kid. She was worried about Logan and missing him.

  “He has no concept of time, Abigail,” her mother had said when she expressed her concern. “If you're ever going to go away and have time to yourself, now's the time. Besides, he talks to you everyday. He's not going to forget you,” her mother had said with a smile in her voice.

  They'd gone on to talk about Balmorie and Abbie had told her about Riley's engagement party, the beautiful chapel, and her work.

  “I hope you know how jealous your father and I are,” her mother had said.

  “You can always come over.” After the words left her mouth—put there, no doubt by Riley's encouragement—Abbie forged ahead, curious what the reaction would be. “Book a room in the castle or rent one of the cottages. I've been thinking of bringing Logan next time.” Had Riley been right? Was it simpler than Abbie seemed to think? “It's so beautiful here, mom,” she found herself speaking from her heart. “There's just something so . . . right about this place. I wish you could see it.”

  Her mother was quiet for a moment. And then she said, “Oh dear. Logan just poured his chocolate milk into Miss Kitty's food bowl. I'll call you later.”

  Abbie had laughed, said a quick goodbye, and hung up, feeling completely unsettled.

  She swung her leg over the bike and started pedaling down the road. The thing was, even had she not met Liam, her love of the area wouldn't have changed. Before she'd gotten to know him, she'd truly felt a connection with the place. It was unlike anything she'd experienced anywhere else. It was as though some deep part of her had taken a breath of Balmorie air, soaked in the beauty of the landscape, and sighed a contented sigh, like she'd found a good place.

  A really good place

  As she reached the top, the ruins of Castle MacLaren came into view and her insides did that 'sigh” again. But this time, it hurt a little. Because Liam had kissed her there. And now he was asking her to be with him, to 'date', and spend time getting to know each other. The next six weeks could be unforgettable.

  She didn't go down the hill and instead chose to head along a small footpath that led to a bench she'd been frequenting since she'd arrived. It was the perfect spot overlooking the castle and the loch.

  “Oh.” Someone was sitting on the bench. “Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt...”

  The woman jumped, her hand flying to her chest in surprise. Abbie was equally surprised, immediately recognizing the woman she'd mistakenly thought had been Liam's date for Riley and Jamie's party.

  For a moment, she wasn't sure what to say, so she stared out over the landscape. “It's ridiculous, isn't it? How pretty it is.”

  “You're American.”

  “So are you,” Abbie said, smiling. “Staying at the castle?”

  She nodded. “You?”

  “Been renting one of the cottages. Third week.”

  “Wow, that's a long time.”

  There was something sad about the woman. Her eyes were glassy, her mouth tight.

  “Have six more weeks left.” Feeling like she was intruding, Abbie said, “Well, I'll leave you to your solitude. It's a nice place to come and think.”

  “You don't have to leave.” The woman made room on the bench and then seemed to chew over her next words. “If you don't mind me asking, why so long?”

  Abbie parked the bike and sat down.

  “I'm Harper,” the woman said, smiling.

  Ah, that's right. Liam had mentioned the name. “Abbie. The 'so long' is because I'm on a working retreat. What about you?”

  Harper snorted and shook her head as though that question held a vast, complicated answer. “Long story. Lost loves, regrets, past coming back to haunt you,” she confided with wry humor. “That sort of thing.”

  Well, Abbie could definitely relate to the potential for lost love and regret. What a mess she was in, and she had the feeling Harper had found herself in one, too. One having to do with Liam's brother if she remembered correctly. “Well, in some cases,” Abbie began, wanting to help and hoping she wasn't overstepping. “regrets aren't so bad. Means you have something to regret. Instead of playing it safe and never doing anything at all.” And that was the problem, wasn't it? Did she want to end up like that? To live with regret?

  Harper seemed to consider her words. “Good point.”

  “Apparently, I'm full of them. Or so my friends say. You probably met them. They're staying in the cottage behind the castle.” Well, they had been anyway. Blake and Mia had gone back to their lives in the States.

  “Riley's friends?”

  “Mine as well. I came a little earlier than everyone else and decided to stay on after they left. Riley and I met in a creative writing class in college... She's a travel writer. I write mysteries. Do you know her?”

  “Yes, but not very well.”

  “She and James... Beautiful couple.” As she stared at the ruins, the memory of Liam came to her, standing by the water, the breeze ruffling his hair, the bad boy smile... “This place is full of beautiful things. And people.”

  Harper let out a half laugh. “Tell me about it.”

  They fell silent, both lost in thought, both gazing over the landscape. “Well,” Abbie said at length, getting up, “good luck with your, uh...long story.”

  “Good luck with yours. I'll remember what you said about regrets,” Harper's eyes went narrow and Abbie realized the woman was very astute when she said, “if you do the same.”

  Abbie couldn't help but laugh. Truth was the truth, wasn't it? She kicked the stand to the bike. “Single mom here. Taking risks kind of diminishes when you have a kid to consider. And I wouldn't change that for the world, so I'm good. Nice meeting you, Harper.”

  “You, too.”

  Abbie hopped on the bike, pedaled back to the track and then let the bike coast slowly down the hill, avoiding the pot holes and ruts as she aimed for the ruins below.

  CHAPTER 14

  Abbie stayed at the ruins late into the afternoon, exploring, sitting b
y the water, and taking photographs. She gave herself plenty of time to think about Liam's proposal, which of course led to a lengthy examination of her own life. The sky had grown as tumultuous as her thoughts and for a while she remained under the darkening clouds, letting her thoughts roll and turn.

  The wind picked up and the water on the loch whipped into a frenzy.

  Realizing she'd stayed too long and the storm was upon her, she shoved her camera into her bag and jogged to the bike. By the time she made it to the side of the road, the sky broke apart and graced the land with a hard downpour. In an instant, her clothes were soaked. Rain ran down her face and dripped off the end of her nose as she struggled with the kickstand.

  Her T-shirt stuck to her skin and all she could hear was the pounding of the rain. The wind sent chills racing along her skin. When she finally got the stand up and faced the hill, wiping the continuous water from her eyes, she found the hill had turned into a giant water slide. She'd have to stick to the tall grass on the side of the road or she'd never make it up. Or she could take cover in the ruined castle and wait out the storm. It was tempting, but then who knew how long the rain would last and she'd likely freeze while waiting.

  As she pushed the bike over the wet clumps of grass, slowly making her way to the base of the hill, headlights from the opposite direction flickered through the rain. And just in time, too, because as she hurried to flag the driver down, thunder rumbled far in the distance. Wiping her face again and peeling the wet strands of hair off her face, she recognized the familiar truck.

  Nerves rushed over her and she cursed softly.

  She wasn't ready to face him.

  The truck slowed to a crawl, the sound of its wipers reaching her over the rain. The cold was forgotten, overtaken by apprehension as she pushed the bike forward. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Liam hurried out, ducking against the downpour. The man had no raincoat, his clothes becoming soaked in an instant.

  As he reached for the bike, Abbie handed it over without a word. Once the bike was in the back of the truck, Liam snagged her hand and hurried to the passenger side, helping her in.

  The rain was louder in the truck, hitting the roof hard and echoing in the small space as the wipers continued their sweep back and forth. Liam got in and immediately turned up the heat. She hadn't realized she was hugging herself and shaking. “Thanks.”

  His nod was brief, his attention on the hill. She couldn't tell if he was frosty toward her or if he was simply focused on getting them out of the rain. Probably both. After all, he'd taken a risk, made an incredibly romantic gesture with the ribbon, and she hadn't been able to return the sentiment.

  Abbie clicked her seatbelt as Liam put the truck in four wheel drive and eased them toward the hill. They made it half way up before the tires started spinning and the truck began sliding to one side.

  “Shite,” Liam muttered, putting his arm over the back of the seat and reversing carefully down the hill. Once they were on level ground, he let the truck idle and stared at hill with a deep frown.

  “Sorry.” She felt miserable. For hurting him. For now.

  He finally met her gaze, his lips twisting into a shadowed smile. “Not your fault. I wouldn't have made it up anyway.” With a sigh, he dragged a hand through his wet hair. His lashes were spiky, his eyes vivid, and his shirt was plastered against his body.

  Abbie swallowed. Liam MacLaren made wet look really, really good.

  “So what now? Is there another way around?”

  “No. And if we go back the direction I came, it'd take us back to Malcolm's and the way to his place is steeper than this.”

  Abbie had no idea who Malcolm was, but she definitely didn't want to play slip and slide on another hill. Waiting it out in the truck seemed like the only option. “Maybe it'll pass soon,” she said, hopefully.

  “It won't. Weather is going to get much worse. It'll go on 'til morning.” Liam's sigh was heavy. He lifted his T-shirt to wipe the rain from his face. Abbie caught a flash of skin and looked away.

  “Well,” he said after he was done, “we can stay in the truck all night or walk back to your cottage. It's the closest thing around.”

  Abbie was willing to brave the rain and thunder for the comforts of home. Her cottage wasn't far away and she was already soaked anyway. “I vote for my place.”

  He seemed surprised by her decision. “Home it is.” He reversed the truck off the road and onto the grass. “We should make it before the brunt of the storm hits.” All business, he turned off the ignition, reached into the seat behind him, and handed her a rain coat. “Here, put this on.”

  The thing was huge. As she pulled it on, he grabbed a backpack from the back seat and slung it over one shoulder. “Ready?”

  With quick nods, they dashed outside and met in front of the truck. When Liam held out his hand, she didn't hesitate. He went slightly ahead of her, using his strength to tug her up the hill when the way became slick.

  Once they crested the hill, the way became easier and soon they were in sight of the cottage.

  * * *

  Liam removed his muddy boots at the front door as Abbie stood under the eave, pulled off the rain coat, and gave it a shake before toeing off her sneakers and entering the cottage. He followed with a sense of reserve, shaking his head slightly at the odds; he hadn't thought he'd be back here so soon. In truth, all he'd wanted to do was go home, eat, shower, and fall into bed. Malcolm had worked him like a bloody dictator, which had been exactly what Liam had wanted to erase the sting of earlier.

  And now he was right back where he began, standing inside the door and watching as Abbie hurried up the steps to get towels.

  He set his pack down and ran a hand down his wet face. On the kitchen table was the ribbon he'd snagged from Fran's sewing room. It was folded neatly. He wasn't sure if that meant something bad or good. Or maybe it meant nothing at all.

  “Here,” Abbie tossed a towel down the stairs. “I'm just going to rinse the mud off. Be right back.” And then she disappeared into the loft bathroom, no doubt peeling her wet clothes off and...

  Redirecting his thoughts, he made use of the towel, then went to the kitchen phone to call the castle. Lucy picked up. He relayed the situation and asked for one of the lads to pick him up as they'd have no trouble getting from the castle to the cottage.

  He was put on hold.

  When a voice came back, it wasn't Lucy. “Hey Liam, it's Riley. I'm really sorry, but the guys are, ah, indisposed at the moment.”

  “Really,” he said flatly, not believing her one bit. Probably because she hadn't bothered hiding the note of humor in her voice.

  “Yeah. Sorry.”

  “Is Hamish there?”

  “Um . . . Nope. Indisposed as well.”

  Liam sighed heavily through the phone. “You know I can just walk.” Her matchmaking attempt could easily be circumvented. He rubbed the back of his neck, annoyed, as thunder shook the cottage. “Just send someone out to get me.”

  “Fine. But you'll have to wait a little. Seriously, okay?”

  “All right.”

  “And, Liam?”

  His sigh crackled the speaker. “What?”

  She practically sang into the phone. “Have a great night.” The line went dead. Gritting his teeth, he set the phone down, wondering if he should start walking now because he had no idea if anyone would come or not. It was nearly dark outside and flashes of lightning lit the windows. The last thing he wanted was walk in the storm. In fact, he hated the sounds and the flashes...

  Shoving the thought from his mind and ignoring what was happening outside, he went into the living room and started a fire.

  Once the flames caught, he turned to find Abbie sitting on the steps watching him. She looked fresh and pretty with her wet hair and rosy skin.

  “Since you fixed the heater, there's hot water left if you want to use the shower.”

  Like his shirt, his trousers were soaked and mud caked the fabric to his knees. He had
a clean shirt and trousers in his bag, which he always carried due to his job—on the farm with Jamie or construction with Dev, one learned to be prepared. “Thanks, but I'm going to head out.” The words taste bad on his tongue. Yet, he didn't want to crowd her or make a nuisance of himself, which might be how she viewed him after his display earlier.

  Thunder rumbled again. “You're going to walk home in this,” she said in a dry tone.

  “The castle isn't far.”

  “Well, I'd rather you didn't. It's safer in here. There's fresh towels in the bathroom. We can probably figure out something for you to wear while your clothes dry...”