Page 36 of A Summer of New Beginnings
‘Right, you’re all done.’ Lachlan’s voice snatched her back from her daydream and she spun round, feeling guilty for snooping.
‘Oh, sorry, I was just… erm—’
‘Being nosey? Aye, I figured. Look, I know you’re not one to accept help, you being a strong, independent woman and all, but I’ve repaired your puncture. Don’t go shouting at me, okay?’
She sighed and smiled. ‘Ugh,I’ve not made a very good first impression, have I? I’m sorry. I’m not usually quite so loud and neurotic.’ Lachlan didn’t speak; he just stood there, his piercing eyes fixed on her. She blushed under the weight of his gaze. ‘Okay, I think I’ve maybe outstayed my welcome. I should go.’
As if he snapped out of a trance, Lachlan began to speak again. ‘Lachy. My friends call me Lachy. And there’sno rush. I thought you might appreciate a freshen up. You can use the bathroom at the top of the stairs if you’d like a shower. I have an en-suite one so I don’t use it really. There are clean towels set out and some fancy shower stuff.’
‘Ooh, ready for guests at all times, are we?’ Zara had no idea why she made that question sound so sleazy. In fact, she really was questioning her mental stateafter the last day or so.
‘Something like that. Anyway, I’ll make some fresh coffee and you can have a cup when you’re done, if you like. Unless you’re desperate to get back on the road?’
She snorted. ‘Oh, believe me, the only thing I’mdesperatefor is my own bed and clothing that doesn’t rustle when I walk.’
Lachy laughed and his face changed completely. He really was incredibly handsome…if you liked farmers. But she reminded herself that her male embargo was still in place so noticing a handsome man was a waste of her precious time.
She stood and made her way to the stairs and as she reached the bottom step she glanced back over her shoulder. She hadn’t told him her name, had she? She’d been so hung up on being pissed off that it had slipped her mind.
‘Erm, Lachy… my name isZara. I forgot to mention it before, you know, when I was…’
He grinned. ‘Ranting like a lunatic? Aye. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Zara. I’ll get the coffee on.’
She made her way upstairs to use the bathroom, making sure to lock the door just in case. After all, she didn’t know him from Adam and appearances could be so deceptive. She’d learned that the hard way.
She had to admit that afterthe previous day’s shenanigans the shower and porridge had been incredibly welcome, and she almost felt human again. Once dried and dressed, she combed through her knotted locks and made her way back down to the kitchen. As promised, Lachy had made fresh coffee.
He rubbed the back of his neck and looked everywhere but directly at her. He pointed to a pile of aluminium foil on the table. ‘Look,I… erm dried out your map on the range. It’s a wee bit crumpled but you should still be able to use it. And I made you a sandwich to take with you. That way you can just eat and not worry about looking for somewhere. It’s home-made bread so I apologise if it’s a little overdone. I put you an apple and a chunk of tablet in there too. The sugar will give you a boost.’
A little overwhelmed by theman’s kindness, Zara was unsure what to say and stood silently for a moment searching for something that wouldn’t sound trite, like calling him a domestic goddess or something equally condescending. ‘Tablet? Like headache tablets?’
Lachy smiled that same gloriously handsome smile from earlier. ‘No, it’s a wee bit like fudge. Only better.’ He raised his eyebrows as he spoke and Zara’s heart skippeda little.
Good grief, I need to get a bloody grip, I do.
‘You didn’t have to go to so much trouble, you know. Iwasillegally camping on your land, after all. I don’t exactly feel as in trouble as I should.’ She smiled warmly, hoping that his first impressions of her had been forgotten somewhat.
‘Aye, I know but… Well, you’re doing a brave thing, cycling that route all by yourself. And I don’tmean that to sound patronising. It’s a fact. And a wee bit of kindness never goes amiss, does it?’
Yep. She had totally underestimated this man in her angry state. He was a decent bloke. Not an oafish shit-shoveller. She cringed at her earlier assumptions. ‘I guess not. And I really do appreciate it.’
They shared a smile but then an awkward silence descended again and something a little likesadness washed over Zara.
‘So anyway, whyareyou out here if you don’t want to be?’
Zara sighed. ‘It’s a long and boring story involving me being guilted into writing an article on the NC500 for the magazine I work for. Let’s just say I usually write about luxury hotels in far-flung places, so this is a little different for me.’
‘And you’re really hating it?’ He looked disappointed.
‘Notas much as I expected, to be honest. Yes, yesterday was hell. Or certainly felt like it. Silver Dickhead getting a puncture really didn’t help.’
‘Silver…?’
She cringed. ‘Yes, I named the bike Silver Dickhead… SD for short. We have a love-hate relationship. It loves making me uncomfortable and Ihateit. But there have been some lovely highlights.’ She smiled and dropped her gaze for a briefmoment. ‘I think this has been one of them.’ Another moment passed between them and she wondered if he might laugh at her comment. But he didn’t. Instead he smiled and nodded.
Lachy cleared his throat. ‘Look, I know you don’t really want to stray from your route too much, but if you get a craving for hot chocolate you really should head to Balnakeil. There’s a chocolate shop there called CocoaMountain. Seriously thebesthot chocolate I’veevertasted and I happen to be quite the connoisseur.’ He grinned before taking a drink of his coffee.
‘Balnakeil. Cocoa Mountain. Duly noted. I happen to adore hot chocolate too.’
‘Aye, well, you’ve not tasted anything like it. Believe me. Better than se— erm anything.’ His cheeks coloured bright red and he stood from the table. Bess dutifullyrose and skipped around. ‘Ah, you’ll be wanting to help me check on the sheep, eh, Bess?’
Zara pulled her lips between her teeth in a bid to stifle the giggle at his almost slip-up.Hot chocolate that’s better than sex? Might just be worth the detour.
