Page 39 of Priceless
“Kenny told me,” he said, just as the idea came to him. “Just a wee while ago.”
“Kenny?”
“Bloke who runs Bluebell House.”
“Oh. I don’t remember a man.”
“He popped out just as ye were comin’ down the stairs.”
She made a face. “Oh, good. I thought maybe I was losing my grip.”
“Yer grip?”
“On my memory. On reality.”
“Nonsense.” He pulled a folded handkerchief from his pocket and brushed a bit of green moss off her sleeve.
“You carry a handkerchief?” she asked, duly distracted.
“My granddad insisted. Said a man should be useful.”
“That’s adorable.”
“Practical,” he said, trying to avoid eye contact. Surely, she’d see his guilt and panic if she looked closely.
Thankfully, a large group of tourists reached them, and they had to step aside so the others could venture deeper into the cairn. Their guide spoke in a hushed tone. A woman smiled at us like we’d been caught snogging. Laira noticed as well, and her cheeks flushed red.
“Come, now.” He took her hand and led her back toward the car park. “No kissing is allowed in the cairns.”
She choked in surprise. He pretended not to notice.
“Have you ever been banned for kissing?”
“For kissin’? Nay. But in my youth, I was chased out of here a time or two, with my friends. The grandson of a pub owner has a reputation to uphold, ye see.”
“Oh, yeah. I can see that.”
He stopped to open the gate, and when he turned back to her, they were toe to toe again. He wouldn’t have to lean far to kiss her, but he really shouldn’t. “Laira, love. Dinna get me banned the first day as a tour guide.”
She lowered her eyelids, licked her lips…then laughed and strode through the opening.
Jinks! How long had it been since a woman’s laughter had sounded like music?
Randombut heavy rain drops found their way through the leafy boughs above our heads, landing with a splat on our coats. The umbrella was still in the car, but we were in no hurry as we made our way to the parking lot.
When we reached the vehicle, Jacob caught my hand and swung me around so I had my back against the door, then hecame in close. His quick glance at my lips gave him away. Maybe he would kiss me after all!
Now that it might actually happen, I panicked. My thoughts bumped into each other like a crowd of people trying to get through a small doorway all at the same time.
Holy shit!
Did I want him to kiss me?
What in the hell would this aging body do if he did?
Could I trust myself to react like a normal person?
Would my heart explode like a water balloon hitting a wall?
