Page 103 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

‘Are you saying that you’re thinking of giving up ceramics?’

‘Maybe. I don’t know. To be honest, I can’t think straight at the minute.’

He was gazing intently at her, his eyes searching hers, and she wished she knew what he was looking for.

‘I’ve got a proposition for you,’ he said, his voice low, his tone urgent. ‘Don’t say anything until you’ve heard me out. Promise?’

‘OK, I won’t say anything,’ she promised.

But when he said, ‘Angus, Graham and the others are a good bunch,’ she nearly changed her mind. Where was he going with this?

Mack gave her a warning look, and she subsided.

‘They took another excursion out on their own yesterday,’ he continued. ‘That’s the fifth one this week – and you’re wondering why I’m telling you this.’

Mindful of her promise, she merely nodded.

‘I wanted to make sure the guys could manage without me most of the time.’ He gave a wry chuckle. ‘To be honest, they can manage without meallof the time, which is rather disappointing, because I thought I was indispensable.’

Freya couldn’t resist. ‘Why would you want them to manage without you?’

His eyes darkened, the blue turning to navy as he blurted, ‘You’vegotto go to New York, Freya. If you don’t, you’ll be forever wondering what it might have led to. I’ll look after your dad. That’s what I’m trying to say. This isyourtime, Freya. I won’t be putting my life on hold. I’ll be doing much the same as I always do, just a bit less of it, that’s all. I’ve been reading up on Parkinson’s: it could be years before he needs full-time care. When his hip has healed, he probably won’t be as mobile as he was before, and he mightn’t be able to do all the things he once did, but that’s where I’d come in. I’ll do his shopping – actually, I’lltakehim shopping, because I expect he’d like to choose his own groceries. I’ll do the things around the house he can’t; I’ll drive him to his doctor and hospital appointments; I’ll—’

‘Stop! Please, just stop. You can’t.’ She drew in a shaky breath, feeling like she’d been punched in the solar plexus. There wasn’t enough air, despite the stiff breeze blowing across her face.

The whole thing was surreal. She must be hallucinating or dreaming.

But Mack didn’t stop. ‘I’m not suggesting you stay there forever. At some point, Vinnie will need more care than I’ll be able to give him, but right now, he’ll be fine. New York is only a flight away. You can come home for a couple of days whenever you want. Hell, I’ll even bring him over to visit you.’

She shook her head. ‘No, you can’t. It’s not right. Your boat, your…’ She stopped, bewildered. ‘You’re offering to putyourlife on hold to care formyfather, while I bugger off to the States?’

Mack hung his head and dropped his gaze. ‘Yes.’

‘I… I don’t know what to say.’ Whatcouldshe say? The idea was preposterous. It was unthinkable. Her father washerresponsibility, not Mack’s.

He thought he’d got it all worked out and maybe he had, because he’d certainly done his research, but she couldn’t possibly agree to it.

‘No,’ she said.

His head shot up. ‘Please, you must.’

‘Mack, if I were to go to the States, I’d want to give it my best shot. There’d be no half measures.’

‘I understand.’

‘It wouldn’t be a short-term thing. I would be gone years, not months.’

‘I expect nothing less.’

‘You can’t look after my father for that length of time. You’re being ridiculous! What if you meet someone and fall in love?’

‘I won’t.’

‘You can’t possibly know that.’

‘Believe me, Freya, I do. I’m in love withyou. You’re the only woman for me. If I can’t have you, I don’t want anyone else.’

Freya froze, her heart thudding. ‘Youloveme?’

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