Page 28 of Wild Scottish Fortune

“The organization has raised enough money to buy the land around it, which will give the otters more protection from any future development, but they’ll need ongoing funds for the maintenance and whatnot. Plus they want to educate people. Turn it into a nature center of sorts. Even have a Zen Garden, I’m told, for people to relax and have a spot of tea.”

“It’s a beautiful building,” I admitted. “What organization is this?”

“An Irish couple, actually. Brogan and Kira. They have a center over in Grace’s Cove on the West Coast of Ireland. Now that they’ve seen success with their first nature center, they’re expanding their reach across Ireland, and now Scotland, looking for otter habitats that can be protected.”

“Isn’t that something?” The paths people took in life always interested me. Particularly when so few opportunities had been offered to me. Rescuing otters hadn’t been high on the list of profitable ways to keep a roof over my head. But it cheered me to know that people like that existed in the world and did something to help.

“They do good work, I’m told.” Derrick sat back on his heels and glanced at me.

“Och, sure, I’ll give it a look.” This was the closest I’d ever gotten to acknowledging what Derrick had seen that day. Derrick gave a sharp nod.

“The wife has a particular liking for the otters.”

Ah, that made more sense now. Derrick had a deeply entrenched sweet spot for his wife, and I admired his quiet devotion to her. I wanted that someday, for myself.

At least I thought that I did.

“I also like otters,” a voice interrupted us, and I turned to see Finlay standing in the doorway.

“Just gotta grab my toolbox,” Derrick said, standing and exiting the room, giving Finlay a quick nod as he passed.

“Are you bidding to work on the Auld Mill project?” Finlay stepped farther into the room, and my attention narrowed to a pinhole, all focus on him and his deeply handsome face. It was like he’d sucked the air from the room, and all I could hear was my heart thundering in my ears as he drew closer.

We hadn’t spoken much since he’d asked, er,paidfor me to go to the gala. This was the first time we’d been alone since, and nerves kicked low in my gut as I tried to steady my breathing. There was just something about Finlay that put me on my back foot, whether I was ready to fight or flee, I wasn’t entirely sure, but his presence certainly threw me off kilter.

“Nae chance.” I shook my head. “I’ve got more on my slate than I can handle at the moment.”

“Then why are you going to take a look?”

So he’d heard more than I’d thought he’d had.

I shrugged, looking away and focusing on the window across the room.

“It’s for a good cause. In case they want a second opinion, I can offer it.”

“Maybe it’s best if you stay away from there.”

“Excuse me?” I whipped my head around, glaring at Finlay. The man had paid for one date.One. He certainly didn’t get to tell me what to do.

“I just think, given the rumor that it’s haunted, that it’s best if you stayed away from the building.”

I raised an eyebrow at him and put my hands on my hips.

“Surely you aren’t presuming to come in here and tell me what I can and can’t do with my time? Particularly when it would be after hours and off the clock. Or are you thinking you’re the boss of me in all aspects of my life now?” I left the rest unspoken—the part where he’d paid me for a date—and Finlay stepped closer. He stopped just short of invading my space, yet his presence had invaded it since the moment he’d walked into the room. His nearness was palpable, and when his gaze drifted over me, goosebumps shivered down my skin as though his hands followed where his eyes went. I wondered what he saw when he looked at me.

Not that I should care, but now that I was going to a gala with him, I kind of, actually, really did care.

Did he think I was pretty?

Annoyed at myself, and my response to him, I waited, my hand resting at the hammer slung in my tool belt. Itcomforted me, though I likely looked like I was holding onto a holster.

A wolfish look slipped across Finlay’s face, and heat bloomed low inside me.

“Of course, I’m not the boss of you…in some aspects of your life, that is…” Finlay let the words linger, and my mouth went dry at what was left unspoken.

But I could be, in other areas, if you let me.

I knew what he was leaving unsaid, mybodyknew it as well, based on the desire that rippled through me, but my mind refused to accept that a man like Finlay would be interested in a woman like me. Even though he strapped on his fancy work boots and showed up at the site every day, we were still worlds apart, him and me.

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