Page 39 of The Castle in the Bay

‘I think you disliked the idea on principle,’ Monty said. ‘Because I suggested it.’

Iona sipped her beer, but it looked like she was trying to stop a laugh. ‘Maybe.’ She sat next to him, and he caught the scent of a very Iona-ish perfume. Something with sweet high notes and the undertone of sea air. It was perfect for her and sent a charge through him. He held his breath.Do not let her affect you.Whydidshe affect him? What was it about her?

‘I just remembered,’ he said. ‘I was supposed to pay you for the trip to Kisimul Castle. But you never said how much.’

‘I’ll think about my price and let you know.’ She winked at him. ‘I’m sure a banker has money to toss around.’

He folded his arms. ‘I’m sure I don’t.’

‘You know what?’ Catriona said to Iona. ‘You should talk to Monty about business too. I’m sure he’d have good ideas for you.’

‘My business is just fine,’ Iona said.

‘You’re always moaning about it.’ Catriona closed the lid of her laptop.

‘Only because people keep cancelling on me last minute.’

‘Maybe you need a more robust cancellation plan,’ Monty suggested.

‘Maybe you need to keep your mouth shut until I ask for your help.’

Bristly Iona was back, and he wasn’t surprised. This was exactly how he’d expected her to react, and she had a point. None of it was his business. He held up his hands, but the way she was eyeing him looked more inquisitive than angry.

‘Iona, really!’ Catriona gave her a pointed look. ‘Remember that thing we talked about? Being nice to the guests and all that.’

‘I doubt that works for me,’ Monty said.

Iona watched him closely and his breath caught again. ‘You’re right. It doesn’t.’

Catriona stood up and put the laptop away in the bureau. ‘Well, at least try.’ She shut the bureau with a sharp click. ‘Thank you, Monty. I appreciated that.’

‘You’re welcome.’ He got to his feet, not looking at Iona. ‘I look forward to seeing how everything turns out. Maybe I’ll come back in a few years and stay in a glamping pod.’

‘Sounds right up Sophie’s alley.’ Iona sipped more beer, not meeting his eye.

‘Indeed. Well, goodnight.’ He shook Catriona’s hand, and she smiled at him.

‘Night. See you tomorrow.’

Before he left, he gave Iona a brief glance. She wasn’t looking at him, but staring fixedly ahead. Maybe just as well. Obviously, their kiss had done nothing except return her to her previously grumpy mood. What did it matter? It wasn’t like she was someone he was going to have anything to do with in just over a week’s time. But try as he might, he couldn’t get her out of his head. And no matter how often he reminded himself her opinion was of no consequence to him, he still felt a little nauseous. Thoughts that she was going about telling everyone what a terrible kisser he was swirled around his head so fast hefelt dizzy. After sleeping so well previously, it took a long time for him to nod off that night.

Chapter Fourteen

Iona

Iona trudged up the hill behind An Grianan, Scamp bounding ahead of her. When she’d set off twenty minutes ago, the sun was peeking through light clouds, and she’d dressed in a vest and shorts, figuring it would stay nice and she could put in a quick run before getting to the piles of admin she had waiting for her. The fact that admin was partially the reason she was up here and not back at the house on her laptop was by the by.Any excuse not to do it… though sadly it didn’t make the work go away. Dark clouds had gathered, and a few drops of rain splattered on her skin.

‘Scamp!’ she called, but the dog was already sniffing at something in the grass, oblivious to the impending downpour. She quickened her pace, hoping to make it back to the farm before the rain really set in, but it was too late. The sky opened up, and rain started battering her like someone had upended a bag of tiny pebbles over her head.

‘Bloody hell,’ she muttered, peeling her vest from her tummy, now plastered against her like a second, soggy skin. Scamp’s ears drooped as his head poked out of the bracken.

Iona scanned the hillside and spotted a large rocky area with an overhang a little further down. Breaking into a jog, she made for the rocks, Scamp following close behind. By the time she reached the shelter, she was soaked, water running in rivulets down her face and arms.

Under the overhang, she leaned against the cool stone, wiping water from her cheeks and forehead. Scamp shook himself vigorously, spraying her with more water. ‘Thanks, Scamp. Just what I needed.’

She squinted out at the rain, falling in a relentless curtain. The farm below was barely visible through the haze. ‘Typical island weather.’ It would probably be sunny again in ten minutes.

Scamp settled beside her, resting his head on his paws. Iona leaned down and rubbed his ears. The rain hammered against the overhang and dripped off the edge. She kept herself tight against the rock, but a sudden gust of wind sent the rain almost horizontal. Holding up her arms to shield her face, she shivered. This was horrible. Maybe she should just make a run for it. She was soaked anyway.

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