Chapter 9
Because of its remotelocation and the highland grasslands surrounding Neamh and Thistlewind, it was easy to spot vehicles that didn’t belong in the area. And unless someone really planned on coming in on an alternate form of transportation, Angus felt it was safe to take Poppy for a moonlight drive and show her Thistlewind.
Vince had been talking to Darro after supper and had reported no suspicious activity that he could see or find so far. Dal and Henry were on horseback near the turnoff to the only road into Neamh and they had reported no activity either, not even a car passing on the main road.
Angus brought his pickup around to the back door and Poppy came to meet him dressed in those figure-hugging jeans lassies wore these days, a casual white blouse with the sleeves rolled up her forearms, and the brown loafers she’d had on that first day. She looked tense, cool and comfortable, not to mention beautiful. His heart tripped faster as she smiled at him and tucked one wave of her shiny brown hair behind a delicate ear.
“I’m ready,” she said as she stopped in front of him, her eyes glistening in the moonlight.
His nostrils quivered with the wisp of the scent he’d caught on her before. “Ye look beautiful, lass, and ye smell good enough to eat. I’ve been meanin’ to ask ye what that scent is, I’ve never smelled it before,” he added as he lifted her into the seat of his pickup.
“It’s one I had made up for me by a master perfumer,” she replied. “I’m glad you like it because I love it and I wear it all the time.”
“A what?”
She chuckled. “A master perfumer. You know, one of those people who create one-of-a-kind perfumes and other scents for people?”
“I didn’t know they were called that but I have heard of it,” he replied. She started to speak and he held up a finger. “Hold that thought while I get in or we’ll never make it to Thistlewind.”
She nodded with a grin and Angus shut the door and came around the truck to climb in. After he shut his door, he put his hand on her forearm and gently urged her towards his side. “Ye are too far away, lass. Come over here and tell me about yer master perfumer.”
She hesitated. “Angus...I...I...”
“If ye don’t want to, that’s okay too,” he replied stiffly, trying to stifle his disappointment. They already had a history. Okay, so it was just one real boner of a kiss, but maybe today hadn’t meant anything to her.
Gently she put her small hand on his forearm. “I-It’s not that, Angus. It’s just that everyone is watching us, and I feel like a goldfish in a glass bowl. I’m more of a private kind of person, you know?”
Angus was relieved and he folded her small hand into his. “Aye, they are at that,” he chuckled, noting the furtive glances from a few of the men stationed to keep an eye on the back of the house. He could care less who knew how he felt about Poppy but he would respect her wishes.
Once they started down the lane out of Neamh, Poppy scooted over immediately. Feeling much better now, he put his arm around her and hugged her in close, loving the feel of her warm contours. With the subject of her perfume forgotten, Poppy marveled at the sights around her.
“The highlands are beautiful in the moonlight, Angus. The stars are so bright, it’s as if the land is closer to the sky in Scotland.”
“Which is why Darro’s ancestors started callin’ this land Heaven’s Gate,” Angus replied with a chuckle.
“Angus! What are those white flowers among the grasses? I don’t remember seeing those before,” she exclaimed.
“Those are called Night Blooming Moon Flower, or fragrant Moon Vine, or other derivatives of that name. Some flowers only bloom at night and that’s one of them. One evenin’ I’ll take ye to the waterfall just before twilight. There ye can see the night flowers open up all around ye. Wild Jasmine is especially thick around that area,” he added.
Poppy’s gaze caught him, her eyes bright and shining. “I would love that.”
“Rosie’s garden is full of the Blooming Cereus, also called Queen of the Night. If ye like flowers, I’ll show ye.”
“Yes, please. I love flowers but I’ve never been much of a gardener. Was Rosie your wife?” she asked gently.
Angus nodded and chuckled wistfully. “Aye, she was. That lass loved her flowers.”
Poppy squeezed his hand sympathetically.
“Ye might want to duck now, or move over. Dal and Henry are coming up at the main road entrance,” Angus quipped.
The awkward moment past, Poppy squirmed sideways and laid her head down on Angus’s upper thigh with a giggle.