Page 85 of The Castle in the Bay

‘Did she?’ Ruaridh frowned. ‘Dunno why she didn’t ask me. I was around to walk Scamp anyway.’

‘No idea, but I better head. See you later.’

‘Yeah, see you.’ He gave her a little wave, whistled to Scamp and ran off. When he did meet the right person, it’d hopefully be someone who loved sport and fitness as much as him.

Iona collected the car from the farmhouse and headed to Castlebay when the ferry was due. She watched it ease into the bay and go through the docking sequence. People who arrived this way had enjoyed – or endured – a four-and-a-half-hour sail from Oban. While the flight was dramatic, Iona preferred the sail. Well, she was a boat lover, after all. She’d not done it often since coming to live on the island, because she didn’t have much desire to leave, though she’d occasionally left to visit her parents. They, of course, never visited her. Barra was the edge of theworld as far as they were concerned. Sometimes it felt like that, but Iona only saw joy in that fact.

She waited by the ferry terminal, scanning the crowd for anyone who resembled the description Catriona had given her. People bustled off the boat, greeting loved ones or hurrying off hauling cases or carrying backpacks. She tapped her foot, glancing at the castle in the bay. The sea glittered around it, making it look quite magical. What beautiful times she’d spent there with Monty. If only that sparkle was magic dust, and she could use its power to summon him. Perhaps he would rise from the sea like Neptune and wade forward, casting off his foam mantle to head straight for her arms. She almost laughed at the thought. Since when had she been into romantasy? Like never!

The crowd thinned, and still no sign of the guests. Seriously where were they? Surely if they’d missed the boat, they’d have contacted Catriona before now. Iona sighed and pulled out her phone.

The call connected to Catriona almost immediately. ‘I don’t see anyone who fits the description. Are you sure they’re on this ferry?’

‘Oh, um, they just called,’ Catriona said. ‘They’re waiting near the seat on the path. Can you head that way?’

Iona frowned. Why would they go there? ‘Ok, I’ll find them.’

She hung up and made her way along the path, wondering what had possessed them to wander off and how she’d missed them. As she walked, she took in the view of the castle again, and a pang of longing stabbed at her chest like a very pointy trident. What was with these bloody sea gods? If they existed, they should be delivering miracles, not sending her on a wild goose chase, and tormenting her with memories.

Scanning the area for any sign of the guests, she approached the seat. A memory surfaced like a message in a bottle bobbing on top of the waves. This was where she first met Monty and he’dstumbled, knocking her off her bike. She rubbed her shoulder absentmindedly. That had been bloody sore. What a dafty. She’d been so cross with him, thinking he was a crazy, clueless tourist, knowing nothing about the ashes, of course. She winced. How awful would it have been if he’d accidentally dropped the urn? His clothes had looked far too posh for a place like this, and he’d made her drop her chips. She quite fancied some of them right now… Though she’d much prefer him.

Even from here, she could see no one was at the seat. She frowned. Had she misunderstood Catriona’s directions? Or had Catriona misunderstood the guests? Maybe they were at a different seat. She scanned around. Was there another one close by? As her eyes drifted over the village towards the bay, they settled on a man walking towards her. For a second, her heart stilled. He looked just like Monty… But no way could it be him. Like really couldn’t. Because he couldn’t have got here. A plane hadn’t arrived. Unless he’d been on the boat. But Monty didn’t do boats. The man continued to walk towards her, and her heart leapt into action like it had been shocked. It was Monty alright, and he was heading straight for her.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Monty

Monty made his way up the grassy path, his pulse beating in his ear like a drum.

And there she was. Iona. Beautiful as ever, her long hair dancing in the wind as she stood near the bench, Kisimul Castle in the background. Her eyes were wide, and she gaped at him as if she couldn’t believe he was real. He could hardly believe it himself. Or at least the fact that he was here.

He stopped a little distance away, unsure how to approach this. ‘Hi.’ That was the best his mind could do for now.

She continued to stare, her mouth slightly open, her eyes searching his face. So many questions flashed in those dark blue orbs.

He smiled gently. ‘Are you ok? I see you don’t have your bike or chips this time, so am I safe to come nearer?’

A smile broke on her face, and she closed the distance between them, throwing herself into his arms. He caught her, holding her tightly and rocking with her as he enjoyed the full force of the hug. Her warmth, her scent, everything about her was exactly as he remembered, and his heart was fit to burst.

‘Oh my god.’ She pulled back and stared at him. ‘I have a million questions.’

He stroked her hair off her face with both his hands and clutched it, taking a moment just to reacquaint himself with her.

‘What are you doing here?’ Her eyes darted around. ‘Though maybe you should hang fire on that. I’m supposed to be on the lookout for two guests who I think have wandered off.’

He let out a little laugh. ‘There are no wandering guests.’

‘Wait… What?’

‘It’s just me. I asked Catriona to send you to meet me, but not to say it was me. I wanted to surprise you.’

‘Seriously? She’s in on this?’

‘She certainly is.’

Iona shook her head and clenched a fist. ‘Duh. I didn’t even question her, even though I thought it was a bit odd that she didn’t ask Alex or Ruaridh. I can’t believe I fell for it.’

‘Me neither.’ He grinned. ‘You’re slipping.’

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