Page 51 of Priceless
Well, mostly empty…
Jessica, the singer, caught sight of Jacob and her face lit. She grabbed her husband by the hand—I assumed he was her husband—and dragged him all the way to our table. “J…Jacob! Vonnie said ye were on holiday!”
He shrugged. “Ye dinnae see me behind the taps, aye?”
She laughed in his face, like a sister would. “I supposed ye’re not the only man I ken who would spend his free time at the shop.” She stuck her hand out toward me. “I’m Jess. This is my husband, Banner. My da owns a butcher shop. His vacations are rare too.”
“Pleased to meet you.” I shook her hand, then Banner’s. “I’m Laira.”
“Laira,” she repeated. “Pretty name. And an American.” She lifted an eyebrow and waited for Jacob to speak.
“Aye, she’s from C… Denver, Colorado.”
I wondered if stuttering was a Scottish thing. Something to do with Gaelic speakers?
Jess pressed. “And?”
He reached over and took my hand again. “And she’s with me.”
“Withye?” Her wide eyes turned back to me. “Ye’re with Jacob?”
I didn’t look away. “Looks like it.”
Jacob squeezed my hand, and I knew this was what he’d been asking for, on that bridge. For my hand, for my kiss, and for this. To be his. For however long we had.
I sent him a quick wink. Then, from the corner of my eye, I watched his chest expand.
Banner had been watching closely and burst out laughing, then pounded Jacob on the back. “Another Highlander bit by an American woman. I shouldnae be surprised.”
His wife nudged him with her hip. “Just as long as I’m the only one bitin’ye, Banner Wallace, I dinnae care who ends up in Jacob’s lap.” She choked on her words and her eyes widened. “As long as it’s not the Widow Woodbrey.” She whispered the name.
I had to know. “Who is the Widow Woodbrey?”
Jess waved a hand. “Just his most adoring patron. She’d be on his lap in a trice if he’d only sit down long enough.”
Banner grinned. “Well, he’s sittin’ now. And I’m fair to certain I saw the widow come in at the end of yer song, love.” He turned and craned his neck toward the far end of the room.
Jacob shot to his feet. “She didnae!”
Banner dropped his smile. “Aye, laddie. She’s at the gov’ner’s table with Virgil and his lot.”
Jacob towered forward to look into my eyes. “I dinnae want her to lay eyes on ye, Laira. Jess, sit with her while I send the widow on her way.”
Jess bit her lips together, but nodded and took the seat next to me. “Go with him,” she told her husband. “Play interference. And dinnae torment the man!” She shouted the last part.
“I don’t understand what’s going on,” I said. “Is this woman that scary? Jacob looked terrified.”
“Auch, he is, no mistake. The widow’s been threatenin’ to have him for the past ten years. I believe he checks under his bed every evenin’ before he turns out the light.”
Vonnie arrived with two pints topped with suds. When she put them down, she frowned. “Jacob comin’ back?”
“Aye,” Jess said. “He’s gone to take out the rubbish—I mean the widow. But he’ll be back.” She lowered her voice then pointed at me. “Since Laira here iswithhim.”
“She’swithhim?”
They both looked at me like I was a new species of dog with feathers for fur.
Jess shrugged. “That’s what he said.She’s with me.”She added air quotes.
