Page 90 of Grace on the Rocks

“You’re not familiar with the currents, nor the tides.Thewater is unforgiving, even in the bay.”Hespoke toWesley, but he never took his eyes offGrace.

“Then you and your cousin should come with us,”Wespressed him, determined to be perky to the last.

This time he didn’t answer, though he continued his staring contest withGrace, like he was asking for permission.

“They’re busy,” she told her friend. “Lookat the state of things,” she added because it was starting to seem like there was more destruction than renovation happening, and she felt partially responsible, like her rejection ofBryanhad turned him into a tempest.

He nodded grimly, but the encounter at the ceilidh last night had clearly taken the wind out of his sails.Hedidn’t look fired up to work—he looked like he could lie down and sleep for days.

“Lùc will be here at nine.We’vegot to get the windows in before the gale blows through.”

“MaybeEòghanncould go with us,”Gracesuggested, since he was the cousinWeshad been referring to.Shewas willing to go toe-to-toe with her friend in the matchmaker department.Wesleydeserved to have nice things even ifGracedidn’t.

“He won’t,”Bryangrowled.

“Why not let him speak for himself?” she demanded.Wasthis the end of everything then?Sherejected him a second time and now he couldn’t even be cordial forWesley’ssake?

It made her want to goad him more than ever before.

“He’softhe island, you said.Heshould know all about the water.”

“Aye, he’ll know to keep well clear of it ahead of a storm.”

Grace huffed. “Whatstorm?There’snot a cloud in the sky.”

“Walk over to the bay.Fromthe ferry dock you’ll get a fine view.OrcallElspeth.She’lldrive you to the docks.”

“There’s a ferry to the castle?”Graceasked.

“Not today,” he said, and left it at that.

“Of course not.”

“Go for a nice walk.There’llbe folk around with b-binoculars.”Hedidn’t seem to like the lookGraceandWesleyshared, but he glanced at his watch. “P—Willyou promise me you won’t hire a… boat?” he demanded.

They exchanged another look.

“Rios,” he growled, and what was it about her surname when uttered with that angryScottishburr?Itkindled a fire in her belly against her will. “Rios?”Thistime he was begging.

“Fine!” she snapped. “We’llgo for a walk.”

* * *

As they strolled downthe beach under a cloudless cerulean sky,Gracegrew more and more angry, as well as disappointed onWesley’sbehalf.She’dfelt badly about possibly hurtingBryan’sfeelings, but his anger just pissed her off.Whatright did he have to be so angry?Theyhad kissed, that’s all, and if he expected more—well, life was full of disappointment!

“Eòghann did say he had some work to do around the church.Maybetomorrow they’ll go with us,”Wessuggested glumly.

“I don’t want to go withhimanyway,”Gracesnapped, and they both knew she meantMr.Bee.

“Well…Isuppose we only promised we wouldn’thirea boat,”Wessaid, mischief glinting in her eyes. “AuntieEilidhoffered to lend us one.”

“Did she?That’sinteresting,”Graceagreed, though she doubtedBryanwould see it that way, but what right did he really have to tell them what to do anyway?

And it wasn’t as though she’d said the words,Ipromise not to get in a boat today.Shehad said they’d go for a walk, and they did.

They walked right down the beach toAuntieEilidh’shouse and asked to borrow her inflatable dinghy.

It was a beautiful day.Itwasn’t going to rain.Hewas just trying to ruin her fun because she ruined his last night when she ran off to her bedroom.

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