Page 100 of Wild Scottish Beauty

“Oh, I’d better learn them then.”

“Gentlemen, line up on one side. Ladies on the other. This is called Strip the Willow,” the singer called, and we followed instructions. I had to laugh at the name of the song when Ramsay winked at me.

“This dress is fabulous,” Sophie said from my side. She looked amazing in a silky wrap dress in soft pink, and Lachlan had barely taken his eyes from her.

“Look at them,” Lia said, leaning in from the other side. She wore a fitted simple black dress that showed every curve. Agnes appeared in a delicate sheath dress the color of the sky at dawn. Shona joined us, in a pretty floral flowy dress, and we all examined the men across from us.

Lachlan, Munroe, Owen, Graham, and Ramsay stood across from us, all different, and yet equally as magnificent. I hadn’t met Owen yet, but I’d seen him dancing with Shona already, so I figured that was him. The men looked at us, each with equally hungry looks in their eyes, and we gave a collective sigh.

“It should be illegal to be that hot,” Sophie said.

“Seriously,” I breathed. The combined punch of these men standing together, all kilted up and knowing exactly what they were about, was enough to make any woman swoon. If swooning was still in style, that is.

“Starting from the top, couple number one…gentleman, swing your lady.”

“And we’re off,” Sophie exclaimed, grabbing my hand. Ramsay winked at me from across the room, and I tossed my hair and winked back, feeling wanted in a way that Inever had before. No matter what came next, I’d always have this memory, dancing in a centuries-old castle with a handsome man who only had eyes for me.

As life choices went, I was pretty pleased with where I’d landed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Willow

“I’m going to sneak away for a whisky and cigar with the lads. Alright by you?” Ramsay asked during the band’s break. We were all glistening with sweat, and none of us gave a damn. I was officially a convert. I loved cèilidhs.

“Go, enjoy. I’ll go help Lia in the kitchen.”

Ramsay brushed his lips over mine, and I smiled into his kiss, happy that he had no problem showing affection in public. Whether we were official or not, he wasn’t hiding anything from the people of Loren Brae. Humming, I made my way through the crowd to find Sophie and Agnes helping Lia in the kitchen.

“What did you think?” Agnes asked, offering me a small crust of bread with chutney on top.

“Too much fun. I’m going to sweat right through this dress, but I don’t even care.”

“That’s a cèilidh for you.” Agnes grinned.

A vision flashed in my mind, and I froze, gripping Agnes’s arm.

“Willow? What’s wrong?”

It wasn’t a psychic vision. It was Calvin. He was trying to get my attention.

“The shop,” I gasped. “It’s burning. We have to go.”

“What?” Sophie exclaimed. “It’s on fire?”

“Now, now, now,” I shouted, and Lia ran to where keys hung on a hook by the door.

“Brice,” Lia shouted. “Go find the men and tell them there’s trouble. Let’s go, I’ll drive.”

“I’ll call the fire house.” Agnes, Sophie, Lia, and I raced out the door and piled into a truck parked near the back door.

“Go, go, go,” I shouted, and Lia floored it, racing toward Ramsay’s shop.

“How do you know?” Agnes asked.

“Calvin. He can communicate with me. Somehow, he’s gotten out, and he’s down at the shop.”

“Is he in the fire?” Sophie gasped.

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