Page 99 of Wild Scottish Rose

“Water horses, right?”

“Right.” I held my breath, wondering if he would connect the two. Ryan paused.

“Is that what …”

“Hard to say, man. I haven’t been able to record any evidence of them.” It wasn’t a lie, but it still wasn’t the whole truth. I had resigned myself to walking that line, in order to protect Loren Brae. I’d promised myself, since Ryan was all healed up, that one day long down the road when the Kelpies were quieted and Loren Brae was at peace, I’d tell him over a pint. Until then, I’d stand by Shona’s side.

“Fair enough. It’s all a bit fuzzy for me, to be honest.”

“No kidding, you knocked your head pretty hard. Any residuals from that?”

“Nah, man, I’m good. Gotta run though, can’t wait to meet this Shona of yours. Sounds like you finally landed a good one.”

“The best.”

I clicked off, feeling lighter for having navigated a conversation that I’d been putting off for a while now.

“Ready to go?”

I turned to where Shona stood in the doorway, in jeans and a frayed sweater, the knit cap with the pink pom-pom I’d bought for her pulled over her hair. My heart smiled whenever I saw her.

“How can I be ready when I don’t know where you’re taking me?”

“I’m not telling you because you tried to hide your birthday from me.”

“I didnothide it. It just didn’t occur to me to share it. Honestly, I just forgot.”

“Who forgets their birthday?” Shona narrowed her eyeswhen I moved closer, helpless to not touch her in some way when she was in the same room as I was.

“I mean, I remember the date. I just wasn’t paying attention. My mind’s been on other things.”

“Aye, I know it. I’m proud of you, you know.” Shona stretched up and gave me a lingering kiss that had me thinking about dragging her back to the bedroom. Pulling back, she smiled. “I think your fantasy movie about the Kelpies will be fantastic, plus it will highlight Scotland’s myths and legends. And give work to Scottish actors. It’s going to be grand, I’m sure of it.”

“Well, I’m still a long way out from all of that. But I’m enjoying the process.” Much to my surprise, I was. I’d taken over Shona’s cottage as my writing studio, continuing to pay Shona rent, even though she’d stomped her foot and had a “wee” tantrum about it. When I finally calmed her down and explained it was a business expense, she accepted the money, and I had a charming spot to dive into a part of the industry that I’d never really given a proper go before.

The cold had settled into Loren Brae, and I zipped my coat as Shona dragged me to the car.

“Did I tell you that I heard from Greta? She’s doing much better, well, I suppose as well as she can be. She’ll be at the market this weekend.”

“It’ll be nice to meet her.” Reaching over, I squeezed Shona’s leg as she drove.

Once I’d been able to wrap my head around Shona being a garden witch, I’d pestered her with an endless slew of questions until she’d limited me to three a day. I respected the limit but kept a running list in my phone as they occurred to me. I knew my thirst for knowledge couldbe exhaustive, and since she was still learning about her magick, I realized it was probably like me learning to write a screenplay. I’d likely be deeply annoyed by someone bugging me with a crap ton of questions about something that was still new to me as well.

My gaze fell on the island.

Even now, weeks later, my heart skipped a beat when I saw it. I’d been so close to losing Shona, all because of my own stubbornness. I never looked away though, I refused to. I needed the reminder that refusing to bend, even when the person you care about most is asking you to, can break you in more ways than one.

Shona’s wall of greenery still stood, protecting the island from anyone who would even think about trying to penetrate it. For a moment, the moody grey clouds shifted, and a shaft of wan autumn sunlight speared down, highlighting the island. The water rippled around it, shifting ever so slightly, and I realized I’d never look at a loch in quite the same light again.

Shona slowed, turning down a lane of the village that I hadn’t explored yet, and pulled to a stop in front of a rustic grey stone building, with a deep green door, and a wooden sign hanging over the front.Ramsay Kilts.

“You’re buying me a kilt?” I asked, surprise filling me.

“Aye.” Shona laughed at my surprised look. Kilts weren’t cheap, and I immediately felt guilty about her spending the money. “Don’t try and talk me out of it. Scottish lads get theirs on their eighteenth birthday, and I want to do this for you.”

“Is this just because you want to see me in a kilt?”

Shona’s cheeks reddened but she threw me a cheekywink as she exited the car.

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