Page 19 of Scotch on the Rocks

Mal: A little more info might be helpful.

Callum: A leak of some kind.

Mal: Shit. I’ll head over in an hour.

Callum: Take April.

Juniper was like a bloodhound. She’d eat Malcolm alive the moment she realised I’d sent him.

Knocking softly, Kelly popped her head through the door. “Jill Mortimer is here with Biscuit.”

“Again? She was in last week.” Pulling on my white jacket, I coiled the stethoscope around my neck. “Is her leg still bothering her?”

“Nope.” Kelly shook her head, fighting a smirk. “Stomach issues, apparently.”Damn it, I scrubbed a hand over my jaw, scratching at the too long bristles. Jill Mortimer couldn’t take a hint. And she had more hands than a freaking octopus. “You look tired, I can try and rearrange—”

“I’m fine. Send her through.”

4

Juniper

Fiona: We’ve docked in Lisbon for the day.

Fiona: Everything okay at home?

TWO MISSED CALLS FROM FIONA

Juniper: Why wouldn’t it be okay?

Fiona: Hank sounded weird on the phone.

Juniper: He’s always weird.

Juniper: And stop calling Hank. You’re supposed to be having fun, remember? A conversation with Hank sits somewhere between anal waxing and hugging a rabid badger on the fun scale.

Fiona: Don’t sayanal, Juniper. It’s uncouth.

“Shit.” Mal kicked at the soaked area of rug with the toe of his boot while April scowled like an angry kitten from our spot in the hall. I couldn’t be sure how they’d gotten wind of the situation, though I had a good idea from whom. I didn’t have time to focus on that right now.

In the few hours since floodgate, I’d launched into fullfix-itmode. Moving the few guests as far away from the damage aspossible, comping rooms where needed, all the while ignoring Hank’s stream of lectures and threats to call my mother.

“Three days, Juniper Ross. Your mother has been gone for three bloody days and the place is falling down around our ears. Are you targeting my kitchen next?”

Yes, yes, I’d fucked up. I didn’t need to be reminded in quite so explicit terms. And Fiona was the least of my worries right now.

“Shit is right,” I agreed.

Straightening, Mal flushed as though he’d forgotten I was in the room. “I mean—”

I waved him off. “We managed to shut the water off before it caused too much damage, but this room and the one above are just about fucked.”

Moving to my side, April curled her arm around my back in that comforting way that came so easily to her. “I’m so sorry. I know how much time you put into this.” Luckily, I wasn’t the wallowing type, or I might have barricaded myself inside my cottage.

April dared a step further inside. Mal held out a staying hand. “Wait until we know the ceiling is secure, princess.”

“You’rein there,” she said.

Mal’s eyes flicked to me and he swallowed twice. I smirked at this little show of his protective streak. Six months ago, I wouldn’t have suspected he had it in him. Then again, six months ago I knew next to nothing about the shy whisky distiller who had almost been my brother-in-law. Then April had returned to Skye, full of love and life and in need of her own escape. Exactly what he needed. It was clear to anyone with eyes that he was head over heels for her. He would remain on my good list so long as that smile graced her lips.

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