Page 84 of Wild Scottish Rose

The hedgie turned, lifting its little head up at me as I worked to catch my breath, a slow smile spreading on its face.

I realized what he’d done.

Eugene had saved me.

“You’re my hero, buddy.” I scratched his little belly when he flopped over, while I took a moment to calm my racing heart.

The door to the cottage opened behind me.

“Owen?” Shona stepped out, letting out a soft gasp when she saw me on the ground. “Oh no, is Eugene hurt?”

“On the contrary.” I smiled down at him. “He’s very much a hero.”

“A hero? What do you mean? What happened?” Shona had pulled on baggy sweats and was rubbing sleep from her eyes as the first light of dawn scratched the night sky. Crouching, she took in my face. “Owen, you’re sweating. What’s going on?”

“I almost got them on camera,” I said, excitement pouring through my veins. “I was so close. They’d just begun to form in the water, but?—”

“Wait, are you saying you went to see the Kelpies?”

“I heard them. Their scream.” I shuddered. “Incredible. Terrifying, isn’t it? I needed to go see them.”

“You’re not just a fool, you’re incredibly stupid, aren’t you?”

My eyebrows shot up as I saw the anger on Shona’s face.

“It’s part of making a film, Shona. I have to get the evidence.”

“Get the evidence he says.” Shona sprang up and began pacing in front of me, smacking her fist into her palm like she wanted to do the same to my face. “Get the evidence? What? Like you’re some crime reporter hot on the trail of a murderer? Get over yourself.”

“Um—”

“No, Owen. Just stop. What you did was irresponsible, stupid, and frankly hurtful.”

“Hurtful, how?” I stood, feeling at a disadvantage, and cradled Eugene in my arms.

“How do you think I’d feel? Lying back here in bed while you were hurt, or worse, killed? Do you ever think about anything other than your stupid project? Screw your film, Owen. You could have been killed.”

It was then that I saw the tears reflected in her eyes, and my heart softened.

Nobody had ever been waiting at home for me before.

I’d spent years traveling the world, taking whatever projects fancied me, without ever having to worry about or be responsible for a wife or family. I’d say my mother worried about me, but only so much in the “when would I be next available to serve” capacity. This was something new. Different. My mindset shifted as I understoodwhat was happening.

“Shona, baby, come here.”

“Don’t baby me, you fecking eejit.”

“Darling, love, beautiful goddess of my heart who dances naked under full moons. Please, come here.”

At that, Shona dropped her face into her hands and openly cried.

“Oh shit.” I put Eugene carefully down on the grass and went to her, pulling her into my arms.

“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I was too caught up in the moment. I wasn’t thinking about getting hurt or how it would make you feel.”

“I don’t want to lose you,” Shona said, burying her face in my fleece, and I tightened my grip.

“I’m not going anywhere. How could I when the woman I’ve fallen for is right here?”

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