Page 85 of Kilt Trip

“The clan seat is Dunrobin, actually.”

With a droll look, Addie dramatically Xed out Carbisdale and wrote Dunrobin. “The mix of spots people wouldn’t want to miss on a trip to Scotland and more personal places would set your tours apart.”

His pulse raced so fast he was in danger of keeling over.

Addie grabbed his shoulder, shaking him, her pen hooked between her fingers. “Logan, this could really work.”

“You think so?”

“Yes, it’s unique but has a broad market appeal. It could be perfect.” Her eyes shone in the fading daylight. “I love this.”

“I do, too.” Not just the idea but working with her. Traveling with her. Showing her his favorite places and finding new ones. The way she supported him, gave him the courage to take risks.

“And we know you’d be great at it because this weekend was amazing.”

A niggling thought slowed the joyful warmth spreading through his body. “What about your boss? This isn’t exactly what you’re supposed to be doing, is it?”

Addie bit down on her lip, eyes tracking across the horizon. Then she shrugged. “He’ll have to come around. This is so impactful.”

Logan’s heart was near to bursting out of his chest. They could do anything together.

“Let’s head back, and I’ll pull demographic data to back it up.”

A little chorus in Logan’s mind chanted This could work, this could work, and it wasn’t only singing about The Heart.

“I just need to make a call first.”

34

Addie walked along the banks of Loch Linnhe, trying to absorb the peacefulness from the water. The Highland air and Logan’s bracketing presence made her brave, some magical combination that made her feel like anything was possible. She could do this.

She calculated the time difference—8:00 a.m. in New Mexico—but her dad had always been an early riser. Finger hovering over his name in her phone app, she opened her email instead. Closed it. Pressed the phone against her forehead.

Just do it.

She took a deep breath and called.

Brian answered on the first ring, when she wasn’t at all prepared. “Addie?”

“Hi, Dad... Uh, how’s the weather?” Addie dragged a hand over her face. There were weather apps galore if she was dying to know the state of Albuquerque’s winter. But for them, How are you? was a loaded question to be avoided at all costs in order to keep the very delicate balance between them.

“We had a dusting of snow this morning. How’s the weather where you are?”

“Rainy. I’m in Scotland.”

“You are?” he said, surprise in his voice, and then he paused like he might say more. Like he might bring it up before she did.

He might remember where that fourth picture was taken since he’d been the man behind the camera and all. Addie switched the phone to the other hand, stuffing the frozen one deep inside her pocket, willing her mouth to ask the question.

This superficial connection wasn’t enough anymore, but she didn’t want to blow it up, either. And the surefire way to spark a months-long game of phone tag was any mention of Heather. It’d been years since she chanced it.

Addie’s ribs cinched down tight against the possibility of his retreat, steeling herself against the sting of rejection if he didn’t want to talk about her.

But it was his choice, and she needed to stop taking it personally. And stop taking away any opportunity for them to move forward.

No one would break the cycle but her.

“I, um, wanted to ask you something.”

---