Page 11 of The Castle in the Bay

‘Do you enjoy watching people changing on the beach?’

‘What? I… I didn’t mean to watch. Sorry. I just need to fix this bike. If I looked… Well, my apologies.’

She cocked her head. ‘Just as well the Dryrobe hides my modesty.’ Her gaze dropped to the bike. ‘Need some help with that?’

Monty glanced at the bike, then back at Iona. ‘Actually, I haven’t a clue what I’m doing.’

‘I can tell.’ She shook her head. ‘Here, give that to me.’

He passed her the kit, his damp hand brushing against hers, and her skin was cool. She gave him a sharp look, like his touch had annoyed her. She knelt beside the bike. ‘You look like you could use a lesson or two in bike repair.’

‘No doubt.’ Monty scratched the back of his neck. ‘I didn’t exactly grow up fixing bikes.’

‘No kidding.’ She set to work patching the tire. Monty watched, his insides rolling like the waves not far off. What was it about this woman that made his pulse rate speed up and his temperature rise? Possibly fear.

‘There,’ she said after a few minutes, standing up and brushing her hands on her Dryrobe. ‘Good as new. Well, good enough to get you back, at least.’

‘Thanks.’ He ran his fingers through his hair. ‘I owe you one.’

She shrugged. ‘Just try not to run into me again, and we’ll call it even.’

Monty gave her a small smile. ‘I’ll do my best.’

Iona nodded, her lips quirking at one corner. ‘By the way, you’ve got a bit of oil or dirt or something on your face.’

‘Oh, right.’ Monty rubbed at his chin.

‘Not there. Here.’ She reached out and ran her thumb gently across his cheek. His heart stopped, and his stomach clenched as a tremor ran through him, hitting him low and deep. Her skin was so soft and delicate. More than he’d expected from someone as abrasive as her.

‘Thanks.’ He touched the spot she’d wiped as she moved back.

‘No worries.’ She narrowed her eyes a little and rolled her thumb around her fingers, perhaps rubbing away whatever she’d removed from his cheek or perhaps wondering why she’d done it. ‘You should go straight back. That repair won’t work on rough terrain and I’m not sure how long it’ll last.’

‘I’ll do that.’

‘Good. I need to go back and get my board and my clothes. I only came up here to see what you were up to.’ She waved and headed back to the beach with a brief raise of her hand.

Monty watched her go, not entirely sure what had just happened. Had she just been nice to him?

He pedalled back to the B&B, grateful that the patch held. After he parked the bike, he headed inside, shaking off the rain like a wet dog. He wasn’t sure where he’d find Catriona, but he should look around for her and tell her about the bike. Inside the breakfast room was a door marked private. Maybe he should knock. It was worth a try. He took off his shoes and made his way through the now empty room and rapped on the door.

‘Come in,’ Catriona’s voice said.

Monty opened the door and peered around. At the kitchen table was Catriona, sitting with a laptop open in front of her.

‘Is everything ok?’ She smiled at him.

‘Yeah.’ He leaned against the doorframe. ‘It’s just that the bike got a flat tyre. It probably needs replaced. I should pay for it.’

‘Don’t worry about it.’ Catriona waved away his words. ‘It happens all the time around here. I’ll get a new one sorted. Did you manage to fix it enough to get back, or have you walked?’

‘I met Iona. She helped me fix it.’

‘Did she?’ Catriona raised her eyebrows. ‘That was lucky; she doesn’t always have the patience for that kind of thing.’

‘Yeah, she was… very helpful. I saw her surfing. She’s really good.’

‘Aye, she is. There’s a water sports festival next week. She’s very involved in it. You should go and watch.’

---