Page 81 of Edinburgh Escape
God, he wanted to love her. Could he let her in? Would the risk to her life be too great? He could never live with himself if he hurt her.
Though they hadn’t known each other long, he knew deep in his heart that he could love her. Yes, he could live without her, but he’d be the miserable, lonely shell of a man he’d been since losing his team. He wanted the chance to love and be loved.
He wanted Maggie.
Now, she was gone.
Callum frowned. How far could she have gone? To get to Montana, she had to catch a flight. Surely, she’d have to wait to catch that flight at the airport. If he hurried, he might catch her before she left Scotland. Even if she had left Scotland, he could follow her all the way back to Montana. And he would because she was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he couldn’t let her leave without a fight. He’d get the therapy he needed, work through the trauma and bad dreams with the ultimate goal of spending the rest of his life with a woman so warm, caring and beautiful inside and out as Maggie.
Spurred by determination, he ran from the room and descended the stairs two at a time. She would have had to get a ride into Edinburgh. Alastair, the chauffeur, would have taken her.
Callum ran down the hallway toward the back of the manor.
Before he reached the back door, Cook stepped out of the kitchen and blocked his exit. “She left less than twenty minutes ago. If you hurry, you can catch her.”
Callum grabbed Cook and pulled her into a quick hug. “Bless you.”
“No need for that,” Cook murmured, her face flushing a ruddy red as she smoothed her hands over her apron.
With a bark of laughter, Callum grinned and spun. As he ran for the back door, he called out over his shoulder, “Let Ace Hammerson know where I’m headed. Hopefully, I’ll be back soon with Maggie.”
He sprinted for the garage, arriving within seconds. The overhead door where the big black car was usually parked was rolled up. The space was empty.
Callum opened the door behind which his rental car was parked, jumped in, started the engine and raced out of the garage. He skidded sideways on loose gravel as he turned onto the driveway and floored the accelerator.
A twenty-minute head start wasn’t insurmountable if the roads were dry and traffic didn’t get in the way. He could be at the airport before she had a chance to check in with the airline.
Feeling hopeful, he floored the accelerator on the straight stretches and slowed on the curves. When the road straightened, following along a slow-moving river, Callum pressed his foot all the way to the floor. The rental car picked up speed. With no other vehicles on the road, he flew.
Suddenly, a man with soaking wet clothing scrambled up the bank bordering the river and stumbled into the road.
Callum slammed on the brakes and turned slightly to avoid hitting the man. He didn’t have time to stop until after he passed the man. Several yards further, he was able to pull the car to the side of the road. As much as he wanted to get to Maggie, the drenched man appeared to be in trouble, and there was something familiar about him.
Callum shifted into park, jumped out of the car and ran back to the man who was heading his way.
As he neared, Callum recognized the man as Alastair Boyd, the chauffeur and the man transporting Maggie to the airport.
Alastair staggered toward him. “I don’t know what happened... Everything was fine, and then the car veered off the road. I couldn’t stop it and was barely able to get out.”
Callum gripped the man’s arms. “Where’s Maggie?”
“I couldn’t open the door. I couldn’t get her out. It’s too late.” Alastair fell against Callum.
No. It couldn’t be too late. Alastair was just coming up from the river. He pushed Alastair to arm’s length and shook him. “How long ago did the car go under?”
“Too long. She’s gone, I tell you. It’s too late.”
“It’s not too late. She’s not going to die if I can help it,” Callum said through gritted teeth. He tried to push Alastair away.
The big man wrapped his arms around Callum and wouldn’t let go. “It’s too late. She’s gone. You’ll only put your own life at risk.”
“Let go. She might have found an air pocket. I have to try.”
Alastair tightened his hold around Callum. “I can’t let you do that.”
A rush of rage boiled up inside Callum. “The hell you can’t.” What the hell was wrong with the man? Why was he holding him back from saving Maggie? Desperate to get to her, Callum slammed his heel onto Alastair’s instep.
Alastair grunted in pain and loosened his hold just enough that Callum was able to bring his hands up between them and knock the other man’s arms away. Once free of Alastair, Callum started for the river.
