Page 68 of Wild Scottish Beauty

“That’s not the point.”

“Ramsay.” My father’s voice was soft, and I tore my eyes from my brother’s face, where his expression bordered on a smirk.

“What? I’m not wrong, am I?”

“Let’s just have our tea as a family,” Mum urged, and I turned, catching the pleading look in her eyes.

My father hadn’t been able to handle big emotions since his stroke, preferring calm environments with low stress. He didn’t drive anymore, much to his frustration, but day by day he was growing stronger, and his faculties were returning to him. As much as I wanted to drag my brother from the house and toss him in the yard, locking the door behind me, I needed to respect my parents’ wishes.

“I’m watching you.” I pointed a finger in Andrew’s face, and he rolled his eyes.

“Enough with this shite. There’s bigger stuff in life to worry about, isn’t there?” Andrew stood, his head only coming just above my shoulder, and I resisted the urge to shoulder check him.

But just barely.

“There now, that’s lovely. My two boys home for tea. Come on then, I’ve baked your favorite cookies, Ramsay.”

“You always were her favorite,” Andrew mumbled at my side.

“Likely because I’m not a thieving bastard.”

Andrew sighed and Mum, sensing danger, hooked an arm through mine and pulled me toward the kitchen. Iglanced over my shoulder, catching my brother handing my father a folder, and my eyes narrowed.

“What does he want?”

“Nothing, Ramsay. He’s just here for a wee visit.”

“I doubt it. He wants something. What did he ask for?”

My mother sighed and opened the fridge, pouring herself a glass of white wine. Holding up the bottle she raised an eyebrow at me.

“Can’t. Drove over.”

“Och, right.” Mum shook her head, waving a hand in the air, clearly distracted. “Don’t be so hard on him, Ramsay. He never had what you had.”

“Good character?”

“Your smarts. Your drive. Your heart.” Mum smiled gently at me, and I went to her, pulling her in for a hug. She’d always been my biggest champion, and it had infuriated me when she’d cried over what Andrew had done with their savings.

“He wasn’t always bad. Something changed.”

“He’s blinded by money, Mum. It’s all that matters to him.”

“He needs to find his way is all.”

“At the expense of others?” I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of sparkling water. Pouring a glass, I lounged at the table as Mum went to the stove. “Need any help?”

“No, thanks. Just reheating a curry I made earlier this week.”

“I don’t trust that he’s here. Is he staying with you?”

Mum shot me a guilty look over her shoulder.

“Oh, come on.”

“He’s my son, Ramsay. I’ve always said you’d both have a place in our home.”

“How long is he here for?” Worry kicked up. Andrew could do a lot of damage in a short time, and I didn’t like that he’d be here unsupervised. He was up to something, I could feel it in my bones.

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