Page 80 of Priceless
“To the airport.”
He couldn’t hide his disappointment. “And where has she gone?”
“Back to Scotland, to confront an asshole.”
He rallied. “This arsehole?” He pointed at himself, at his pounding heart.
“She didn’t mention any others. So yeah.”
“Ye sent her alone?”
“No. Her friend Whitney went with her.”
He couldn’t help grinning. If she bothered with the time and expense to return to Scotland, she’d surely give him more than five minutes to say his piece, to hopefully win her back.
“Lookin’ for blood, is she?”
“Looking for something. But I don’t think she’s going to find it.”
That sobered him. “Why not?”
“Because it’s here, standing on her doorstep.”
His joy returned. “Tell me what to do.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I love her more than my own life. I’ll give up everything to have her.”
The woman puckered her lips and shook her head. “It would never work.”
“Why?”
“Because she’d insist on moving to Scotland so you didn’t have to give up anything. And that means I’d have to come along.”
He made a face. “I see what ye mean.”
Her mouth gaped. “Hey! You don’t even know me yet.”
He grinned. “Ye saidyet.”
“Well, I figure you’ll get the chance, since we’ll be flying together and all. Or are you too worn out?”
“I think this time, I might be able to sleep on the aircraft.”
“Good. I can be packed in ten minutes.”
“That long?”
“I always have a go bag, honey. And relax. I’ll drive.”
Whitney was wornout and still in a daze from the train ride. She’d sucked in the passing scenery like a woman dying of thirst, but by the time we checked in at Bluebell House, she was done. It was easy to convince her to go to bed, that the Highlands would still be there in the morning.
I was then free to head to Jocko’s Pub alone.
It was cold and already dark, but I walked, needing time to brace myself without Whitney rambling in my ear. I couldn’t just walk in without a speech prepared, or I’d crumble as soon as I laid eyes on him. I had to remember that I was there for closure, not to start something new. I had to tell him to his face that Iknew everything. Though, since I hadn’t answered his calls, he probably assumed that his cat was out of the bag.
It was important that he didn’t touch me and that we not be alone together. And if he happened to be wearing a kilt, like Wallace did regularly, he’d just have to change before I would agree to talk to him.
