Page 54 of The Castle in the Bay

‘I missed you too.’

She pulled back, closing her eyes and resting her forehead on his.

The guy muttered something under his breath.

‘Come on.’ His friend gave him a push, and they stalked away.

Monty kept his arm around Iona, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease. ‘You ok?’

‘Sure, but I appreciate that. He was getting impossible to shake.’

Monty gave her a little squeeze. ‘He looked like a dick, but then he’s probably saying the same thing about me.’

Iona laughed and prodded him in the chest. ‘Well, you’re a lot nicer than him. I wanted to knee him in the balls, but I didn’t think that would go down well with the other organisers.’

‘I could tell, but part of me wished you’d done it. I’d like to hope the other organisers care more about you than one twat who can’t keep it in his pants.’

She let out a little snigger. ‘When you put it like that, I wish I’d done it too. Where did he go?’

Monty raised his gaze, not seeing the two guys anywhere, but his focus zoomed in on Ruaridh, who was standing a little way off, sipping a beer and watching them. ‘I’m not sure, but probably best to let him go, now that he’s disappeared.’ Monty let go of Iona and stepped back, running a hand through his hair.If Ruaridh had his eye on Iona, Monty couldn’t compete with him and nor did he want to. His time here would be short, and Ruaridh lived here.

‘Yeah. I suppose so.’ Iona waved to Ruaridh, who tipped his bottle in her direction.

Monty took another step back, and his insides roared in protest at the thought of Iona with anyone else, ever.

What on earth was wrong with him?

Chapter Eighteen

Iona

Monty ran a hand through his hair, and Iona watched him take another step back. Any further and he’d trip backwards over some people who were setting up a picnic. After his record with the urn the day they met, she wouldn’t put it past him.

‘Look behind you.’ She nodded her head towards the people, and Monty turned.

‘Oh, right. Thanks.’

What was he doing anyway? He seemed to be trying to get away from her all of a sudden, which was bizarre, as he’d just helped her get rid of the persistent surfer.

‘I, um, I’ll leave you to get on.’

‘What?’ She frowned. ‘I’m just chatting to people and helping them out if I can. You’re welcome to stick around.’

‘I’ll find somewhere to sit. So I don’t get in the way.’ He headed off to a spot near some tufty grass at the edge of the beach. Iona kept her eye on him. Maybe it was her imagination, but he didn’t look quite as weedy as she’d thought him when they first met. But as that was only a week ago, it wasn’t possible that he’d beefed out in such a short time. The clothes he was wearing just accentuated him better… Or maybe she was just looking a little closer.

While she was following his progress, a movement caught the corner of her eye, and she spotted Catriona with Eilidh. The wee girl was giggling as she ran circles around her mum, and Catriona was smiling and laughing too. She took Eilidh’s hands, and they did a funny little twirl together. Iona smiled. They were so cute, and when Catriona let go like that, she looked so young. She’d been forced to grow up fast and Iona sometimes felt like the younger one when she was with her. How nice to see her having fun and able to let go of some of her responsibilities.

‘Iona!’ Eilidh screamed and ran towards Iona. Catriona let go of her daughter’s hand as Eilidh legged it across the beach.

Iona met her and swung her up. Eilidh giggled and squealed. ‘Hey! Are you ready to watch some tricks? I’m on again soon, then I’m done for the day.’

‘I can’t wait to see this,’ Catriona said, catching up with them. ‘We’ve brought snacks and drinks so we can have a picnic after.’

‘That’s amazing, thank you, so much.’ Iona checked the time. ‘It’s later than I thought. I should probably go and get myself ready. I’ll catch you two later.’

Iona waved them goodbye and went to collect her kite surfing equipment. Once she had it all, she headed for the water’s edge. The two guys who’d been pestering her earlier were still hanging about, but she ignored them. If they came near her again, she’d be giving them that kick. Someone whistled and catcalled. Probably one of them, but so what? Once she was out on the water, she’d be invincible.

She adjusted her harness, feeling the tug as she clipped her lines to the kite. A crowd had gathered along the shore. She smiled to herself through a buzzing in her veins. As she walked into the water, the cool waves lapped at her legs.

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