Page 98 of Wild Scottish Rose

“I know you don’t want me to tell you how sorry I am for shutting you out. I do want to share my magick with you. I’m…it’s incredible. I’m still learning, but I hope you’ll learn along with me.”

“I’m here, Shona. For whatever you want. Every step of the way.”

Owen leaned over and plucked the rose from Eugene’s paws and held it in the air.

“Do you know what I love about the rose?”

“What’s that?” I whispered, my heart hammering in my chest.

“They’re alluring flowers, aren’t they? The softness of their petals hides the strength of their stems. Their thorns remind you to treat them with care, that the beauty they choose to give you comes at a price and must be protected.” I cried as Owen repeated my words back to me from our first date. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. I was careless with your heart. I won’t be again if you give me a chance.”

“I love you, Owen Williams. Thorns and all.”

And then his lips were on mine, and my heart exploded in joy, the world fading away.

Until a gagging sound tore us apart.

“Gross,” Gnorman grumbled, covering Eugene’s eyes.

“You weren’t saying that last night, sugar.” Gnora winked at Gnorman and waggled her fingers at him from the side of the garden. Seeing hercome hitherlook, he dropped his hands from Eugene and raced after her, laughing as he chased her through the gardens.

“Do you ever get used to having them around?” Owen wondered, wrapping his arm around me, and pulling me in for a hug.

“I don’t know. They’re new to me too. I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

“Here. Together,” Owen agreed, making my heart sing that he planned to stay.

I grinned, unable to help myself.

“There’s no place like gnome.”

EPILOGUE

Owen

“Hey, man. Great to hear from you.” I looked out the window to where Shona was crouched, having what looked to be a very serious conversation with Eugene. I checked the time. It was late in the morning for the lad to be awake. He should be tucked into his nest in the greenhouse around now. Confirming my suspicions that Shona was scolding him for being awake, she scooped him up and carried him toward the greenhouse. “How’s the new movie been?”

“You know what? I kind of dig shooting a romcom. It’s actually a lot of fun.”

“As it should be. I bet the blooper reels will be legendary.”

“Oh man, so many good ones.One of our actresses squirted water through her nose she was laughing so hard the other day.”

I chuckled. “Epic, man.”

“The shoot is staying on schedule, and not over budget, so honestly, no complaints.”

I felt a subtle tug in my chest, that I always felt when speaking about new projects. I loved the excitement of creating the next enticing project, but I was beginning to realize that some of my relentless drive that had fueled me over the years had also been me running from my own loneliness. Now, being in Loren Brae with Shona, setting down roots so to speak, didn’t make me miss the mad scramble of the industry so much. I’d always make films, but I planned to be much more particular in choosing my projects moving forward. Especially if they took me away from Shona for too long.

“Even better.”

“How about you? You’ve been quiet for a while. How’s the documentary coming along?”

“Mmm, honestly, Ryan?” I steeled myself, for I was about to do the one thing that I really hated. Well, not entirely, but close. “I’ve kind of pivoted to something else. Turns out this town really needs help. I’m going to help MacAlpine Castle with a tourism campaign they’re working on, and in the meantime, I’ve also started writing an original screenplay.”

“No kidding? You haven’t really delved into writing your own screenplays before. That’s awesome, man. What’s it about?”

“Some Scottish myths. The Kelpies to be exact.”

---