Page 51 of Surprises on the Scottish Isle

His mum said, ‘I take it Tara doesn’t know?’

‘No.’

‘Tell her.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Does she still care for you?’

He blew out a breath. ‘I don’t know. I hope so.’

‘Has she forgiven you?’

‘Probably not.’

‘Do you think she will if you tell her the real reason you ended it?’

‘Maybe.’

‘Then you must tell her.’

‘Will Dad mind?’

‘If it means you have a second chance at love, then no, he won’t mind. Anyway, ten years is a long time and people’s attitude towards mental health has moved on.’

Cal let out a sigh, releasing some of the tension he’d been carrying. ‘Thanks, Mum.’

‘I’m sorry. If I’d known, I never—’ Her voice broke, but she managed to say one last thing before ending the call. ‘I hope she makes your heart sing.’

Chapter 15

Tara’s keys were in her hand and she was about to unlock the studio door when she heard her name being called. Jinny was hurrying towards her, clutching her hood to keep it on her head as the wind whipped around the side of the building.

Tara held the door open for her and Jinny dashed inside, brushing the raindrops from her fringe. ‘Welcome to Skye,’ she laughed. ‘You’ve been spoilt with all the lovely weather we’ve been having. This is more typical.’

Flicking the lights on, Tara said, ‘I did hear a rumour that it rains a lot.’

‘Aye, that’s what gives it its character.’ Jinny gave her a sideways look. ‘You had good weather for your boat trip yesterday.’

Tara didn’t bother to ask how Jinny knew. She was quickly beginning to realise that everyone knew everyone else’s business in Duncoorie, especially in the castle.

Jinny told her anyway. ‘Mack is my brother-in-law. He’s thirty-five, single, solvent and sober – most of the time. He does like a dram or two.’

‘That’s, um, good to know.’

‘He’s bonnie, too.’

Tara had noticed. Mack was an attractive bloke. Tall, well-built, muscular – probably from hauling all those ropes and leaping in and out of his boat. She’d also noticed the speculative and appraising look he’d given her. She’d got the impression he’d liked what he’d seen. Had he asked about her, she wondered. He’d chatted to Cal briefly after they’d got off the boat. It could have been about anything, but as Mack had been talking, he’d cast a glance in her direction. Call it female intuition, but she thought he might be interested in her.

The possibility made her pause. She wasn’t ready to start dating again, even though her feelings for Dougie had withered and died a long time ago, but at some point she would be, and Mack was a good-looking guy. She intended to make a new life for herself on Skye, and that included romance.

Unbidden, Cal’s face popped into her mind, and she shook her head to rid herself of it.

‘Don’t you think so?’ Jinny asked, and Tara realised that her friend had assumed she was replying to her comment about Mack being attractive.

‘Sorry, I was thinking about something else. Yes, Mack is good looking.’

‘But you don’t fancy him?’

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