Page 23 of The Castle in the Bay

Monty stood up, brushing the sand off his trousers and watching as Iona jogged onto the beach, calling to Scamp. Theevening air was cooling, but it was still pleasant, and he was in no rush to get back. In fact, watching Iona running along the beach with Scamp seemed more than enough reason to stay a little longer.

The following day, Monty got up early and jogged the path he’d been the night before. By the time he got back to An Grianan, the burn in his legs was powerful. If Iona decided to take him up Heaval, he wanted to be ready. He slowed to a walk as he reached the gate, raking his fingers through his hair, as he spotted people.

Catriona, Iona, and a tall, muscular man he didn’t recognise were in the yard. The man had a broad grin on his face and longish dark hair that he kept pushing his fingers through. Iona laughed and rolled her eyes at something he said. Was this Ruaridh, Catriona’s ‘fitness mad’ brother? He certainly looked like he’d be good at sports.

Monty wanted to sneak by and make his way into the annex. He needed a shower and wasn’t in the mood for talking, but Catriona turned around and smiled. ‘Hey.’ She waved at him.

‘Morning.’ He wiped the sweat from his brow.

‘Those trainers look fine for hiking up Heaval.’ Iona glanced at his feet. ‘But if you need another pair, this is Ruaridh that I was telling you about.’

‘Nice to meet you.’ Monty extended his hand.

‘Likewise.’ Ruaridh shook Monty’s hand with a firm grip. ‘I’d go up Heaval with you. I love doing it.’

Monty held his breath as he smiled. ‘Great.’ He could see himself being abandoned very quickly if Ruaridh and Iona both came with him.

Iona nudged Ruaridh. ‘We could run up. Do you think you can beat me?’

‘Easy,’ Ruaridh said with a wink.

Iona rolled her eyes, but her smile said she didn’t mind his teasing. They had that easy way about them, like they’d known each other forever.

‘Where were you running today?’ Ruaridh asked.

‘Just along the beach.’

‘I’ll maybe join you tomorrow.’ Ruaridh pushed back his hair again. ‘I can show you some great runs on the island and down on Vatersay too.’

‘Um, yeah.’ While the idea of seeing more places was appealing, trying to keep up with Ruaridh was not.

‘And you’re thinking about paddleboard lessons too?’ Ruaridh grinned at Monty.

‘Well, possibly.’ Monty’s face twitched. If this guy was involved, Monty was going to look very small, very soon. Although their physical heights weren’t far off, Ruaridh was bulkier and oozed confidence.

A smile spread slowly over Iona’s face. ‘Well, remember I have time this week.’

Ruaridh turned to her. ‘I might join too. Think you can handle me?’

‘Depends on what you mean by that.’ Iona raised an eyebrow.

Catriona gave them a sharp look. ‘Enough nonsense. Iona, can you help me move the wardrobe in room one? Someone has got it far too close to the door. God knows why.’

‘Don’t you want He-Man to do that?’ She jabbed her thumb in Ruaridh’s direction.

A pang of something struck Monty in the chest – was it jealousy? Why should it be? He had no claim on Iona. She was just a fleeting acquaintance.

‘He needs to unpack.’ Catriona looked at Ruaridh, and her words sounded more of an instruction than a passing comment.

‘I sure do.’ Ruaridh saluted her.

Catriona and Iona made their way inside. Monty should move too. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be out here with Ruaridh alone in case he suggested several other painful ways they could work out.

‘She’s quite something, huh?’ Ruaridh eyed the two women as they walked in, but it was blatantly obvious which one had his attention.

‘Iona?’ Monty didn’t need to ask, but he didn’t know what else to say.

‘Yup.’ Ruaridh mussed up his hair. ‘She’s quite the lass.’ He winked. ‘Doesn’t give me a look in though. Anyway…’ He clapped his hands together like he hadn’t really meant anyone to hear his musings. ‘I better get on. Give me a shout if you want to do some training, though I’m back to work tomorrow so I might not have time.’

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