Page 20 of Christmas Secrets

“She doesn’t even know about the pool,” Angus protested.

She eyed him in disbelief. “Seriously, Angus? Don’t be naïve, of course she knows. Everyone on Neamh, and probably in Inverness too, knows it. The better question would be how could she not know?”

Angus looked flummoxed. “I never meant to cause her a problem, we were just teasin’ young Dallas.”

“With all of ye men placing bets like dogs in that tasteless poker game painting, it’s a small wonder Dal even had a chance,” she scolded. “I predict he won’t be staying around Neamh now except to do his job until Ainsley has left. If she was even slightly interested beneath all that lady of the manor act that she’s been putting on, she doesn’t stand a chance now.”

Darro stared. “Do ye think she has an interest? Because she told me she didn’t.”

“If she did, she still wouldn’t fall right into his lap,” Lucerne protested. “The lass has her pride, as any woman should.”

“I think he’d like that,” Angus couldn’t help teasing. “The lad’s got the right idea anyway.”

Lucerne rolled her eyes. “Leave it to ye, Angus.” She headed for the door. “I’m going to feed the baby.”

The men watched her leave and Angus turned to Darro. “So, ye made the lass apologize. That’s it?”

Darro nodded cautiously. “Aye, that’s it. Wasn’t that enough?”

Angus scratched his chin. “Well...I’ve seen the time when ye have done more.”

Darro shook his head. “Not my jurisdiction anymore, Angus. Ainsley is a grown woman now and capable of making her own decisions. I’m not her disciplinarian, she’s too old fer that.”

Angus gawped, then hooted. “Since when is a lass too old to go over a knee?”

“Never,” Darro replied with a grin. “Just not my knee. Now it will be up to the man she chooses to take care of her and protect her in that way. I fully agree with Dal’s sentiment, but he didn’t take the initiative to do that. Mayhap he isn’t the one fer her.”

“Well, he did say if she wasn’t the boss’s sister...” His voice trailed off.

Darro chuckled. “Ye and I both know that wouldn’t have stopped us.”

Angus nodded. “Of course not. Then again, the world is changin’. Young men and women don’t react the same way anymore. Too much change if ye ask me.”

Darro snorted. “I’m not close to your age, Angus, and it still didn’t stop me.”

“Yer a different breed.”

“Mayhap. Then again, mayhap not so different. Mica is a younger man and ye heard him when Pauley wanted to go into Kelly Woods alone.” Mica was Pauley’s partner in the police force in Inverness.

“He’s one of us and so is Jamie,” Angus replied, nodding his head. “I know my oldest son is too, but I’m not so sure about Ben. I think he’s still wearin’ those rose-colored glasses in his marriage. He only sees what he wants to see.”

Darro’s eyes narrowed. “Aye, I can understand that. I highly doubt that Dottie made that lasagna, especially since she blushes every time anyone mentions it.”

“I’m afraid I have to agree with ye on this one,” Angus responded dryly. “She’s chewin’ that thumbnail back to the quick these days. The lad needs to start pickin’ up on things a little better. No one is sayin’ it, but I know we are all thinkin’ the same thing. Who do ye suppose made it?”

“Are ye certain Poppy didn’t make it fer her?”

Angus snorted. “I’d know if she did.”

“Ye sure about that?” Darro teased.

“Of course I’m sure,” Angus snorted. “Besides, ye weren’t here when we heated up the goods. Poppy was just as surprised as everyone else. I know she was wonderin’ if we’d have to throw it away and just pretend that we ate it.”

“Ah, so the plot thickens. Another Christmas secret to unravel.”

“Christmas is always full of secrets,” Angus chortled. “Some good...some not so good, but it’s always a good time figurin’ them out.” He picked up his tea glass for a toast. “Here’s to Christmas secrets.”

Darro chuckled and bumped his glass against Angus’s. “To Christmas secrets.”

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