Page 14 of Undercover Savior

“Will you be able to go back to sleep?”

“I think so,” I said, even though I doubted I would. Every time I shut my eyes, I saw the gunman holding me as if I were hovering above, looking down at us.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

His question threw me, more because he’d asked.

“No, but thanks.”

David stood and walked toward the hallway. “I’m right out there if you change your mind.”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I knew this man prior to him saving my life tonight. It made no sense, but I’d learned long ago to trust my instincts. It was what made me a better journalist. Maybe what I was experiencing was some kind of hero-savior complex. He’d saved my life, and that was why I felt so safe with him.

After he left, I tossed and turned, wishing I had a book to read. Tomorrow, I’d see if there were any in the cottage.

When I woke again,I got out of bed and opened the window curtains. It was close to dawn, and a morning mist shrouded the castle I remembered noticing last night. From here, it appeared a weathered, deep-silver-gray medieval fortress set on a rocky promontory above what I guessed was a loch. Its multiple towers pierced the low morning clouds.

I wondered if it, like so many of those in Scotland, was open for public tours. And if not, whether David would be permitted to give me a private viewing.

After using the loo, I went out to the main rooms. “Hello?” I said when I didn’t see David.

When there was no response, I peeked out a window to see if I could spot him. When I turned around, I noticed bags sitting on the floor. Taking a peek, I saw they were filled with women’s clothes, most of which appeared to be my size.

I carried them into the bedroom, and when I found knickers and bras near the bottom, my cheeks flushed. A silly reaction, given no one could see me. I pulled one of each out, along with a pair of trousers and a jumper, then carried them to the loo and took a shower.

When I returned to the main room and still didn’t hear or see David, I put on a pair of socks and Wellies I found in another bag and grabbed a jacket that, like everything else, fit me as if it had been custom tailored.

I stepped outside and saw two people, a man and a woman, walking down the hillside toward a body of water. My suspicion that it was a loch was confirmed by the spit of land I could see in the distance on the opposite side.

From here, I couldn’t tell if the man was David, so instead of following, I walked in the opposite direction, toward a bridge we must have driven over last night before he woke me. Once on the other side, I walked up a hill toward the castle.

“Good morning,” said a man who came out of a side door when I approached. “You must be Sullivan.”

“I am,” I responded, stepping closer.

“I’m Angus Drummond.” He bowed slightly at the waist. “May I help you with something?”

“I was looking for David, but when I couldn’t find him, I decided to take a walk. Am I permitted to be up here?”

He smiled. “As long as you don’t roam too far.” He looked toward the water. “Here he is now.”

“Good morning,” David said, approaching us. A woman walked a few paces behind him.

“Sullivan, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Drummond.”

The older woman bowed at the waist like the man who’d told me not to roam too far had. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss, and please call me Mairi.”

“Mrs. Drummond, err, Mairi takes care of the castle and other dwellings on the estate,” said David. “Should you need anything, she will work her usual magic to ensure you get it.”

The woman blushed and swatted David’s arm with a familiarity I found endearing.

“On the off chance you’re responsible for the clothing I found this morning, many thanks.”

She smiled. “I am not, but as, err, David said, if you’re in need of anything else, please let myself or Angus know.”

Something occurred to me. “Wait. Mrs. Drummond and Angus Drummond?”

“Angus is my son,” she responded, looking at him with obvious and endearing pride.

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