Page 20 of Dreaming Under An Island Skye
‘I’m so sorry, Evin… about Chewie…’ Her chin trembled and she couldn’t finish the sentence, dreading the response. Guilt niggled at her, not only for being unable to save the poor creature, but her for her initial reaction to the dog. He wasn’t a bad animal, just lively. She should’ve given him more of a chance. But the opportunity was gone now. She tried to sit up, but the movement sent the room into a spin, so she gave up.
A look of confusion crumpled Evin’s brow. ‘Sorry? But why? He’s grand. He’s loving all the cuddles and being wrapped in a blanket.’ He grinned briefly. ‘I… I can’t say thank you enough,’ the boy said with a trembling chin. ‘I was so useless. I tried to get him out, but I wasn’t strong enough. Butyouwere like a superhero. Even though you don’t like dogs, you jumped in to save him. He’s my best friend in the whole world and I don’t know what I would’ve done if…’ He closed his eyes and tears escaped, cascading down his flushed cheeks.
Relief flooded Juliette and she reached out, took his hand and said softly, ‘Hey, it’s fine. He’s okay now. He clearly adores you.’
‘I’m teaching him all sorts of tricks. He’s really clever but a bit daft at the same time. He didn’t mean to knock me into the water. He was just playing. Dad was so angry. He was on his way to the village to tell me off for being out in the rain when he saw all the commotion. It was awful. I was so scared. I’ve never known the waves there to be so high. If you hadn’t jumped in…’
Juliette reached out and squeezed his arm. ‘Try to put it out of your mind now. Get back to teaching him those tricks, eh?’
‘Thank you. Thank you so much.’ He launched himself at her and sobbed into her shoulder.
She stroked his hair and tried her best to soothe him.
‘Hey, Evin, you’re going to suffocate our guest,’ a gruff voice said from over by the doorway.
As Evin got up, he revealed the owner of the voice. ‘Sorry, Dad. I was just saying thank you.’ He sniffed.
Reid MacKinnon stepped forward, a steaming mug in his hands and shaggy strands of auburn hair falling towards his eyes, which were shielded by his glasses. He had a look of Ryan Reynolds when he wasn’t scowling. ‘It’s okay, son. Now go and cuddle that dog of yours. He’s whining down there because I won’t let him come up to bother Juliette.’ He turned his attention to her. ‘I brought you a cup of tea. I wasn’t sure how you took it, but I figured all the drama meant you deserved a sweet one.’ He smiled sheepishly and placed the mug on the bedside table. Evin hugged her again and left the room. Reid took his place on the edge of the bed. ‘How are you feeling?’ His manner was completely different to their first encounter and she realised he had a very handsome smile and kind eyes.
She inhaled deeply and replied, ‘I think I’m okay.’ She suddenly realised her clothes were dry and quickly glanced under the duvet to find herself dressed in things she’d never seen before.
Reid cringed. ‘Oh… erm… I hope it’s okay, but Caitlin from the bakery got you out of the wet clothes when you were out cold. She brought you some of her things to borrow.’ He held up his hands, his eyes suddenly wide. ‘I… I left the room when she changed you.’
Relief flooded her. ‘Thank you. And thank you for looking after me.’
He shook his head, his cheeks colouring with a flush of pink. ‘It’s the least I could do. What you did out there… I honestly think you saved my boy’s life.’ Juliette opened her mouth to argue, but he held up his hand. ‘I mean it. If you hadn’t jumped in to save Chewie, Evin would’ve gone in after him again, I just know it. But he’s not a strong swimmer, so I’m pretty sure I would’ve lost him.’ His voice broke and he closed his eyes briefly. ‘And I can’t lose him, too.’ He opened his eyes and shook his head. ‘And you, a stranger, and, by all accounts,nota dog person, you just jumped into that icy water, in the storm without a thought for yourself. You could’ve died,’ he whispered.
She shrugged. ‘But I didn’t. And I’d do it again if it was necessary.’
Reid cleared his throat and surreptitiously swiped moisture from his eyes before laughing lightly and shaking his head again. ‘Bloody hell. Are you some kind of superwoman?’
Juliette widened her eyes. ‘Definitelynot. And, in spite of my protestations, I think I could be quite fond of that slobbering pooch, given half a chance.’
‘Well, I can safely say that he’s your number one fan. When we brought you back here, we laid you on the sofa and that dog wouldnotleave your side. He watched the doctor like a hawk and then he kept licking you and whining as if he was trying to wake you up to thank you. The dog, I mean, not Doctor MacT.’ He chuckled. ‘Honestly, it was like something off a TV movie,Lassieor something.’
Juliette laughed as tears prickled at her eyes, the emotion of what had happened finally taking a hold. ‘Bless him. That’s really sweet.’
‘Evin told me about the first time he met you and how Chewie decided you and he were going to be best friends. I couldn’t believe it when I realised it wasyouin the water saving his life. Especially after… Look, I owe you so many apologies, I don’t even know where to start.’
Juliette managed to sit upright. ‘Oh no, it’s fine, honestly.’ After what he’d just been through with his son, she felt her anger over the museum paled into insignificance.
Reid closed his eyes and paused a moment with his lips between his teeth. ‘No,’ he said eventually. ‘No, it’s really not fine. I’ve been having a rough time lately and I took it out on you. I hate that I becamethatkind of person. Ihatethat kind of person.’
Juliette reached for her tea, desperate to break the intense eye contact that was taking place between them. ‘Well, I suppose that explains your attitude over me applying for the museum job.’ She sipped the tea and tried her best not to wince at the sweetness as she felt her teeth zinging.
His eyes widened and the colour drained from his face. ‘Oh God. It’s you. You’re the woman from the Cotswolds, aren’t you?’
She cringed as guilt niggled at her. The poor man was already feeling bad. ‘Erm… yes.’
He rubbed his hands over his face. ‘Could I look any more like a total prat? I’m so sorry. I hadn’t realised it—’
Juliette waved a dismissive hand, unwilling and too exhausted to add to his feelings of guilt. ‘Oh no, please don’t worry. I kind of understand your trepidation. And I’m guessing you must have someone lined up so…’
‘Sadly, no.’ He held up his hands as if to defend himself. ‘Again, I had no idea it was you. I wondered what Morag meant when she said I had judged you too harshly and that your mum came from here. I had no idea of the relevance. She was very cross with me and kept saying I should’ve given you a chance. And I think maybe she was right.’
She shook her head and sipped more of the treacle-sweet drink. ‘Oh, no, no, it’s fine. You don’t owe me anything.’ The last thing she wanted was to be given a job out of guilt.
‘It’s not a matter of payback, Juliette. No, I have to admit when I’m wrong, or what kind of example would I be setting for Evin? After all, he’s nicknamed youSparkly Jewels.’ He grinned and his cheeks flushed again. ‘He’s quite taken with you. After what you did for him and Chewie, you’re his new hero. I’ve been thoroughly ousted from my pedestal.’
