Page 10 of Wild Scottish Rose

“Mostly. It was a large order, so I had to source some from other places as well.”

“Impressive. Despite evidence to the contrary, Kennedy was very pleased.”

“Even though I couldn’t add wild haggis to the bouquet?” Despite myself, I grinned up at him, and he threw his head back and laughed.

“Man, she was pissed when she found out what haggis was. Glad I wasn’t the one who told her. I think she glared at me through the whole wedding ceremony.”

“Sister, right?”

“Correct.”

“Och, well, that’s some good banter between siblings then.” Turning, I crossed to the Murphy bed that was tucked into the wall. “Let me show you how the bed works, as well as where firewood is stacked. Otherwise, everything else is self-explanatory. I’ve left a welcome basket with some goodies for the morning, so you don’t have to rush out to find your brekkie. The shops in Loren Brae aren’t far at all, so you’ll be able to stock up on the rest.”

“Appreciate it.” Owen came to stand behind me as I reached for the handles on the bed. “Here, let me.”

I stilled as he reached over my head, towering over me from behind, and awareness rippled through me. There was something so intimate about a man standing behind you and reaching over your head, and I could blame Agnes for talking about liquid heat or whatever because now that was all I could think about. His chest brushed my shoulders lightly as he pulled the handle and unhooked the bed easily.

“Yup, just like that. It should pull down easily. Here, let me get out of your?—”

I turned, bumping his chest, his arms still holding the bed above me, caging me. Helpless not to, I looked up, and our eyes caught.

He really had no right to be this handsome.

The fact that I was even caught up on his looks, his nearness, his very essence, instantly annoyed me. I was not some kind of simpering girl who tossed her hair over her shoulder and fluttered her fake eyelashes at a man to get attention. Those were the type of women that Owen Williams of Texas likely went for, and I’d seen more than one of those types openly flirting with him before the wedding had started. No, the Owen Williams of this world didn’t go for the Shona Scotts of this world. We were like oil and water. A universal truth it was, and our kind simply did not mix.

“Sorry about that,” I finally said, ducking under his arms and stepping back as he lowered the bed to the floor. “Then, yeah, just flip down the leg supports as well.”

“This is great, thanks.”

“I hope so. I know it’s not fancy, but…” I found myself wanting to apologize for my darling cottage that I’d poured my heart into shining up, thinking about how Kennedy would have viewed the place. Likely found lacking by her standards.

“It’s perfect. Truly. Charming, cozy, and private. Exactly what I need.”

“Oh, well, good. I’m glad.” I stood awkwardly, the bed looming between us, and wrung my hands. “I can’t think of much else. Oh, Wi-Fi password is on the list on the mantel, along with local shops.”

“Perfect. Thanks, Shona.” Owen waited, and I stood, just staring at him, before I realized that I was being incredibly awkward. He wanted me to leave, of course, so he could relax after his tough day. What was I doing, standing in the middle of the cottage, and gaping at him like he was an alien that had just landed in my backyard?

“Right, I’ll just get on with it then.” Turning, I caught my shin on the corner of the Murphy bed, tripped forward, and sprawled face first across the bed.

My humiliation was complete.

I stayed a moment, frozen, knowing that my bum was up in the air, and my jumper had risen up based on the brush of cool air against my skin.Grace was so not my middle name.My face flushed with embarrassment. I wanted to lock Owen in the cottage, so I never had to see his face for the next thirty days.

“You okay down there?” Owen asked, amusement lacing his face.

“Yup, just checking the firmness of the mattress.”You bloodyeejit.

“There’s other, much more…satisfying … ways to test a mattress, Shona.”

Dear God, was this man determined to make my insides light on fire? Because he was doing a damn good job of it. Maybe he didn’t even realize he was doing it. Perhaps he was one of those men who flirted as easily as he breathed. Oozed sexual innuendo.

The only thing I oozed was mud after a long day in the gardens.

“Yes, well, this is the Scottish way.”

Owen hooked my arms and lifted me from the mattress as though I weighed nothing, steadying me on my feet. My cheeks burned.

“Face-first?” Owen asked.

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