Page 42 of Wild Scottish Fortune

“Let me give you a tour. I can show you where we’re building out and you can meet some of the residents.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’re busy.” Based on the cacophony of barking in the back room, her presence was desperately needed.

“Not too busy for our hero here.”

I hesitated as I held my card up, looking around the small front room. If one thousand pounds could be life-changing for this shelter, maybe I should add more just in case they ran into any problems in the construction or needed more food for the dogs. If this donation was enough to bring tears, surely, they were in need of more? I thought of my well-padded savings account, just in case of a rainy day, and looked down at the threadbare sofa in the waiting room. Though I regularly gave to charities, it was usually from afar, not in the lobby of the organization that I was donating to. Now, seeing her excitement, I was helpless to not want to give more. Leaning forward, I dropped my voice, having heard other people in the back.

“Can you double that?”

“Excuse me?” The woman gaped at me.

“I’d like to double that if you promise to keep it a secret.”

“I-I…but of course. If you’re certain?” The woman’s mouth worked, her eyes alight with excitement.

“Yes, I’m certain. Will that be enough for your immediate needs or is there more?”

“Let me…let me just check.” The woman put the card reader down and walked over to a small desk. Opening a drawer, she pulled out a binder and flipped through the pages, walking back over to me. “If you’re speaking specifically about the extension, this is the quoted budget for labor, materials, and how long it would take to get done. That doesn’t include the ongoing food or vet care needed for the additional animals that will fill the space of course. But we do regular fundraisers and have volunteers, so I’m sure we’ll make do.”

I scanned the budget, seeing how Orla had donated all of her time for free, and guilt made my stomach clench. Here she was already working herself to the bone for us and she was still donating her free time to helping this shelter?

Yeah, I could do more. I also noted the budget was extremely lean, which meant Orla was likely also shouldering some of the costs of this build. Not only was she talented, but she was generous. She…fit Loren Brae so well.She’s making a difference.

Now it wasn’t only guilt that sat beneath my breastbone, it was shame.I could be doing more with my life than simply building a nest egg.And this could be my first step.

“Here’s what I’d like to do,” I said, slidingthe binder back to her. “I’d like to cover this budget and then also set up a recurring monthly donation that will help with food for the dogs. Is that something you can arrange for?”

“I…I, yes, I mean yes, of course we can. That’s…thank you, sir. Thank you,” the woman gushed, jotting down the numbers I mentioned before patting her hands on her cheeks to dash her tears. “I need to get the paperwork set up for the recurring donation if you can just wait?—”

“Finlay? What’s going on?” Orla’s voice behind had me turning. She’d come in from the back room, and her look sharpened at the tears on the older woman’s face. “Barbara, what’s wrong? What did you do, Fin?”

It was the first time she’d shortened my name, and the brush of familiarity made my insides warm.

“Och, Orla, he’s a hero this one. I’m telling you, an absolute gem. He’s paid off the extension, so he has.”

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat. Barbara had instantly violated my terms of not telling anyone about my donation. Her eyes widened and her face looked stricken.

“Och, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t say a thing to anyone else. It’s just…she’s the builder, the one who provided us with this budget. Surely, it’s okay for her to know the budget’s been met and we can proceed with construction?” Barbara pleaded with me, clearly upset that she’d broken her promise to me. Orla rounded the counter and looked down at the woman’s notes before raising surprised eyes to me.

“This is much more than discussed. And a recurring donation?”

“It was needed.” I shrugged a shoulder, uncomfortable now.

“Please don’t be upset with me, I promise I won’t say a word of it to anyone else. It’s just Orla will be the one ordering the materials and…” Barbara wrung her hands.

“I’m not upset,” I promised her. “That’s just fine that Orla knows. She’s excellent at her job, you couldn’t have hired better.”

Both women beamed at me, twin rays of sunshine, and I shifted, feeling uneasy under their adoration.

“I need to get this paperwork set up,” Barbara said.

“Why don’t I show you around and you can see where we’re going to build while Barbara finishes up?” Orla said, moving out from behind the counter.

“Sure, that’ll be grand.” I didn’t want to be this close to Orla, not when I’d had such a deliciously naughty dream about her the night before. Here she was in faded denim and a worn jumper that did nothing for her shape. And yet all I could think about was running my hands beneath that loose jumper and feeling her skin heat under my touch.

Damn it. I needed to keep it professional.

Orla’s hair was plaited back again, a few tendrils loose around her face, and she looked at ease here in a way that she didn’t on-site. Maybe it was because she was off duty and this was a space she could relax in, but she walked more slowly and her face was relaxed, serene almost.

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