Page 90 of Wild Scottish Rose

A shadow loomed, and I looked up to see the three Kelpies, veering a sharp turn around the island, and setting their course straight for us once again. They were starkly and terrifyingly beautiful, and if I wasn’t in their direct path of destruction, I’d stay to admire their beauty. Instead, I turned, tugging Shona along with me, as I tried to swim toward shore.

“As first Knight of the Order of Caledonia, I command you to stand down!”

I sputtered, taking in a mouthful of water, as another Zodiac raced directly toward the Kelpies, Lachlan driving, and Sophie at the bow, a sword in hand.

What the hell?

Just before the Kelpies were upon us, they dissolved infront of Sophie, like a crystal glass shattering into a thousand pieces, and dropped back into the water. Lachlan turned, dropping speed as he neared us, and then cut the engine as they bobbed close.

“Is she okay?” Sophie screeched, and Lachlan pushed her out of the way. Leaning over, he grabbed Shona by her life preserver and dragged her into the boat. I treaded water, the burn from the cold water beginning to shift to numbness, and darted looks over my shoulder at the new hedge wall that lined the narrow beach of the island.

The only access point to the island.

Shonahaddone that.

But how?

“Come on, mate.” Lachlan reached out a hand and hauled me into the boat. I landed on the floor, sputtering and shaking, and crawled to where Shona was propped in a sitting position.

“Did she wake up yet?”

“No.” Sophie held a towel to the cut on Shona’s head as Lachlan raced toward shore.

“Shona, baby, wake up. Please.”

Suddenly, her eyes were open, bottomless blue orbs, staring into my soul, and the tension released so suddenly that I could have cried.

Instead, I got mad.

“What the hell was that?” I asked and Sophie glared at me.

“There’s plenty of time to get mad later,” Sophie hissed at me. “Though I most certainly will be having a few words with you, Shona.”

“I had to stop him from going to the island.” Shona’s words were shaky, but at least the color was starting to return to her face.

“Stop me? You had to stop me by going yourself? That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard,” I began, and Sophie smacked my arm.

“Knock it off.”

The boat bumped against the dock, and then everyone was everywhere at once. Shona was lifted, blankets were brought, hot water bottles were shoved down my back. It was like an aggressive hug from the townspeople as people kept showing up to make sure that we were okay. By the time I’d warmed up and waded my way through the sea of people, a hot toddy clutched in my hand, I found Shona swaddled in blankets with a bandage on her forehead, sitting on a bench, bookended by Sophie and Agnes. I could have lost her.I could have lost the woman I love with all my heart.Instead of pain, there was fury. Absolutely irrational rage.

“What the hell was that, Shona?” I threw my hand out. Shona’s eyebrows drew together.

“I could be asking you the same question, Owen. If you’d just stayed at home, none of this would have happened.”

I noticed she said home, and not on the land, and realized her deeper meaning.

“Now, kids, maybe there’s a better time to discuss this,” Agnes began. “You’ve both had?—”

“Oh, now you want to be quiet about it? When you’ve been fighting for him to stop making his moviesince day one? Well, I tried, okay? And he won’t stop. He’s relentless.”

I drew back, hurt seeping through me. While I’d known that Shona wasn’t keen on the movie, I hadn’t thought it went this deep.

Agnes pressed her lips together and fell silent.

“And you’re a hypocrite,” I said, anger fueling me.

Sophie gasped, while Shona’s eyes narrowed.

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