Page 94 of Surprises on the Scottish Isle

‘What if Bonnie changes her mind?’ she asked, the words catching in her throat.

‘I don’t think she will, but if she does, it won’t alter anything between us. I love you. I always have, and I always will. Please give me another chance – giveusanother chance.’

She thought he might be close to tears, but he wasn’t the only one.

It took everything Tara had not to fall into Cal’s arms. She desperately wanted to forgive him but was terrified of being even more hurt than she was already, and she didn’t think she could. She was numb. Exhausted. Frightened he would break her heart again. Once had been bad enough. Twice was unforgivable. And although she understood his reasons, she hated herself for resenting them.

Cal’s father hadn’t been able to help being unwell, but Cal should have told her. She would have waited, however long it took. As for Bonnie – what mother would use such a flimsy excuse to prevent a father from seeing his child?

Tara was fairly certain she knew why that was. Yvaine was still in love with Cal. Her reaction when she’d confronted Tara in her studio proved it. Yvaine had made it her mission to ensure Cal broke up with her. She’d succeeded, and it had nearly cost Tara her life.

Wearily, her heart aching more than her body ever could, Tara shook her head. ‘I love you, Cal, but I can’t do this.’

He paled and the anguish in his eyes almost made her change her mind. But she had to remain strong.

‘I’m going to get dressed, then I’m leaving,’ she announced, surprised how calm she sounded. The car was packed. The outfit she intended to travel in was the only thing left in the wardrobe. She could be out of here in a matter of minutes.

‘Tara—’

‘Stop,’ she hissed, keeping her voice low, not wanting to wake Bonnie. ‘I’m leaving, and there’s nothing you can say to make me change my mind. We’re over, Cal. We’ve been over for a decade. Getting back together was…’ She didn’t know what it was. But she did know she wished she’d never set foot on Skye.

Calan turned away, to stare through the picture window. Yesterday’s storm had blown itself out and the loch was calm once more. She would miss it. Heck, she’d miss the little boathouse, her studio, the castle and the friends she’d made. Most of all, she would miss Cal, and she knew she would love him for as long as she lived.

Quietly she retrieved her clothes from the bedroom and retreated to the bathroom to dress. With a splash of water on her face and a quick brush of her teeth, she was ready.

Cal hadn’t moved.

‘I’ve left a note for Mhairi,’ she told him. ‘Please see that she gets it.’

‘I will.’ He still had his back to her, and she was thankful she couldn’t see his face.

She said, ‘Thank you for saving my life when you could so easily have lost yours.’ Not waiting for a response, she whirled on her heel, snatched up her bag and her keys, and ran for her car before she crumbled.

Tara had crossed the bridge between Skye and the mainland before she managed to stem her tears. But no amount of distance could repair the damage to her heart.

‘Daddy, are you crying?’

Cal jumped, and hastily swiped at his eyes with his arm. ‘Hay fever,’ he fibbed.

‘Where’s Tara?’

‘She’s gone.’ He was struggling to believe she’d walked out of his life, and he’d never see her again.

As he’d heard her car start up, he’d considered chasing after her. There was only one road off the island, and if he put his foot down he might catch up with her. But he had Bonnie to consider, and by the time he found someone to look after her, Tara would have had too great a head start. After she crossed Skye Bridge, she could go anywhere: back to Edinburgh perhaps, or Glasgow where she had grown up, or to the other side of the world.

The pain of her loss stole his breath. His heart was as raw as an open wound, and he felt utterly sick with grief.

Bonnie said, ‘I’m hungry. Will she mind if you make me breakfast? Could you make pancakes, and we can take some to the studio for her.’

Cal pressed his lips together as he struggled to compose himself. ‘She’s not at the studio. Bon-Bon. She’s left Duncoorie for good.’

‘Why?’

‘Because.’ What could he say that would make sense to a nine-year-old?

‘That’s a silly answer. Didn’t she want to be your girlfriend?’

‘No.’

---