Page 49 of Surprises on the Scottish Isle

‘I don’t like coffee either, or tea, but—’

Whatever Bonnie was going to say was lost as a cry went up and passengers leapt to their feet as the boat came about. Whales had been spotted off the starboard bow, and Bonnie who was in an ideal position, turned towards the water.

‘Look, Tara. Whales!’

There were at least three, Cal counted, as they expelled puffs of air out of their blowholes. Their bodies were sleek and black, breaking the surface before sinking below again.

‘Minke,’ Cal said, just as Mack announced it. ‘Quite common in these waters.’ Then he shut up to allow Tara to listen to Mack’s commentary.

He also wanted to be free to gaze at her face, which was alight with wonder, her eyes shining as he stepped back a pace to allow her to move in front of him for a better view. The sight of her stole his breath, as a memory of seeing that very same expression when she’d opened his Christmas present to her flashed into his head. They’d made love on the floor, to the soft strains of ‘Away in a Manger’ and the crinkle of wrapping paper. He wondered whether she still had the pendant.

The boat kept pace with the whales whilst maintaining a respectful distance, then after the magnificent creatures had sunk below the waves for a final time, Mack turned the boat around and they headed back to shore.

Mother Nature hadn’t finished with them yet, though. She had another treat in store by way of a pod of bottlenose dolphins which surrounded the boat, to the delight of everyone aboard. Leaping from the water or riding the bow wave, they produced squeals of excitement from the younger passengers, and Bonnie had difficulty containing herself.

Tara didn’t say a word. She didn’t need to. Her face said everything. She was transfixed, and when the playful creatures had enough and darted away, she dropped back onto the seat, her face glowing.

‘That was one of the best experiences of my life,’ she said. ‘Thank you so much for persuading me to come.’

‘I knew you’d like it!’ Bonnie cried. ‘Uncle Mack is the best! He always knows where to find them, doesn’t he, Dad? If you ask him, he might show you a basking shark. They’re awesome.’

Cal muttered an unintelligible reply. It might be selfish, but he didn’t want Tara asking Mack for anything.

Mack’s interest in Duncoorie’s newest resident became apparent after the boat docked and Cal thanked him for taking them out. Mack’s gaze lingered on Tara for far too long, and when he caught hold of Cal’s arm and drew him briefly aside, Cal bristled at being asked whether anything was going on between them.

‘She’s an old friend,’ Cal said, reluctantly. ‘From uni.’ And then he added, because Mack would undoubtedly find out, ‘We used to date.’

Mack studied him intently, then held up his hands. ‘Message received.’

‘What message?’ He glanced around to see that Bonnie and Tara had reached the car and were waiting for him to unlock it.

‘You still fancy her.’

‘I don’t.’

‘Yeah, right.’ Mack followed his gaze. ‘Bonnie likes her.’

‘She does.’

‘And Tara fancies the pants off you.’

Cal shook his head. ‘I told you, she’s an old friend. It’s not like that.’

Mack clapped him on the back. ‘You keep telling yourself that. I think you’ll find I’m right.’

Mack might have given Cal food for thought, but it was fish and chips that Bonnie was interested in. ‘Dad!’ she yelled. ‘I’m hungry. Hurry up!’

Cal hurried, despite his appetite having deserted him. It soon reappeared when he was unwrapping the steaming bundles in the kitchen back at the cottage, as Bonnie got the plates out and Tara poured the drinks.

The three of them sat at the table to eat their supper, and as he devoured his, Cal put his rediscovered appetite down to the hope that he and Tara had proved they could put the past behind them and be friends and colleagues going forward.

It had absolutely nothing to do with Mack’s ridiculous comment.

What Mack had said about Tara fancying the pants off him continued toprey on Cal’s mind well into the evening. If only Mack knew the trueextent of what had passed between them. Cal and Tara had beeninseparable. The hot, intense love they’d shared had gone way beyondfancying each other.

And deep down he knew they weren’t done. He sensed they had unfinished business. That he still loved her was a given, but did she still have feelings for him?

Mack seemed to think so.

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