Page 81 of Priceless
Thanks to a stiff breeze coming off the river, I was frozen to the bone by the time I reached the green door. The only thing on my mind at that point was getting to the fireplace before I broke out in tears.
“Please, let there be a fire!” I got inside and put my head down, headed for the far end of the room.Have to get warm. Have to get warm.
Our old table was empty. I waved at the young guy at the bar, pointed to the table, and waited for a nod before I slipped out of my coat and sat down, my back to the flames. I draped my coat around my legs and waited. The heat soon penetrated my sweater and started thawing my blood.
Unwelcomed tears filled my eyes just as a waitress came by. I thought her name was Mary. She looked concerned.
“Just that stupid wind,” I said, and dried my face with my gloves.
She recognized me and her eyes widened. “I’ll get Vonnie.”
I didn’t want Vonnie. I wanted Jacob, or Jocko, or whatever his name really was.
That shocking purple hair arrived at the table in no time. “Ye’re here,” she said, clearly shocked. “Ye’re here.”
“That’s been established I think.”
“If ye’re here, then…” She shook away whatever else she was going to say. “What can I do fer ye, Miss Harris?”
“I want to speak to him. Is he here?” I hadn’t seen his Land Rover, but I’d been too cold to look for it.
“Well, I dunno. Might be up at the house, cleanin’ again. He’s decided to sell it. I reckon he’s ready to let more than one thing go.” She bobbed her eyebrows to make her point.
“I deserve that. But will you tell him I’m here?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She turned and headed for the kitchen. Her hand shot out and she caught Mary’s arm and dragged her along with her.
I split my attention between the kitchen doorway and the bottom of the stairs that led up to his apartment. When he didn’t appear after five long minutes, I wondered if they’d had to call him. Maybe he was at his house. Or maybe he was with the Widow Woodbrey.
I had to stop wondering and just be patient. It didn’t look like anyone wanted to take my order, so I set my elbows on the table, put my gloves on my cold cheeks, and closed my eyes. Now that I was warm and that adrenaline spent, I wondered if I should leave. Maybe I was too tired to remember everything I wanted to say. Maybe I should come back tomorrow, with Whitney as backup.
If I put my coat over my toasty sweater, the heat would last me until I found a taxi. I wouldn’t have to walk all that way.
The two women came out of the kitchen carrying trays of food they served to different tables. Clearly, Jacob either wasn’t there or wasn’t in the mood for a confrontation, and they were just going to ignore me until I figured that out for myself. So I got up and pulled on my coat as I headed for the door.
“Dougie!” Vonnie shouted, and a big blond kid hurried to the door and stood in front of it. He looked really embarrassed for what he’d clearly been ordered to do.
“Please, lass. Dinnae go.”
My imagination was working overtime, bringing back the first time I’d tried to run.
“Please, Laira. Stay.”
Treacherous tears sprang from my eyes as I turned my head. Jacob stood just as he had back then, with his hand raised. Asking me to do more than just stay and order a meal. I couldn’t risk looking him in the eye.
My hand twitched. I forced it into my coat pocket…just as I noticed the woman standing behind him.
“Raina?”
My sister shrugged. “You wouldn’t believe who I found on our doorstep after I dropped you off at the airport.”
I couldn’t believe it. “He was in Colorado?”
She nodded. “We flew from Edinburgh to Inverness, trying to beat your train. Sorry if we’re a little late.” She’d pronounced Edinburgh correctly. They really had come together. My sister was on his side? It didn’t make sense, unless she knew something I didn’t.
Jacob’s hand dipped slightly. He was probably dead on his feet. It was mean to leave him hanging in front of all those people, but I couldn’t trust him. I wouldn’t trust him again. He’d made me doubt everything he’d said, but worse, he’d made me doubt everything I’d felt for him. Nothing was worse than not being able to trust myself. It left me with no hope at all.
That was the speech I’d intended to deliver and then leave.
