Page 9 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“Damn, damn, damn,” she muttered.
“Damn what?” Dylan had just walked into the kitchen to find Jenna, holding her head in hand, cursing soundly.
“Dylan, what were you thinking?”
“Huh?” Dylan cocked an eyebrow in her direction.
“Inviting Cormac to stay with us. I’m not sure how I feel about having a total stranger sleeping right next to my bedroom.”
“Afraid you’ll accidentally end up in his room? Or him in yours?” Dylan teased.
“You know what I mean. And stop that. No one’s going to end up in anyone else’s room. I don’t have time for that.”
“Jenna, of course you have time for that. It might be the best thing for you. Don’t let Jonathan mess up the rest of your life, just because he was a scam artist.”
“I’m not ready yet, Dylan. So, don’t push me,” she snarled.
“Okay, okay. You win,” Dylan conceded. “I told Cormac he could come with us to karaoke tonight.”
“I don’t know if I want to go.” Jenna continued cleaning, and avoided eye contact with her cousin.
“Why? You were fine with it earlier,” Dylan protested.
“I’m just not feeling very sociable.”
“Jenna, you can’t become a hermit. You’re going and I won’t take no for an answer. You need to lighten up and have some fun.”
Jenna wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out at her cousin. He was right. She really needed to get out of her own way and start living her life again. “Okay. I’ll go, but I’m not singing.”
“We’ll see about that,” Dylan chuckled.
Jenna ignored Dylan and continued her cleaning rampage through the kitchen. Not that it needed to be cleaned, but it kept her busy and it was somewhat therapeutic for her.
“You missed a spot,” Dylan was not about to leave the kitchen without making her laugh.
“Where?” she asked, seriously, eyeing the granite counter top from all angles.
“Jenna, hello… I’m kidding. Can I at least get a smile out of you?”
She forced a smile to her face. Dylan grabbed a wet towel and flicked it in her direction, spraying her with water. “Dylan… don’t! You’ll mess up the kitchen.”
“Then you’ll really have an excuse to clean,” he teased, as he ran past and poked a finger in her ribs.
“Dylan, stop!” Jenna shrieked with laughter and chased after him.
“Not until you promise me you’ll smile more often.”
Dylan grabbed her around the waist and tickled her.
“I will… I promise.”
Dylan let go and she swatted at him as he ran across the kitchen, laughing. He turned to head for the doorway, but was blocked by a large Highlander leaning against the doorframe.
Jenna’s laughter stopped abruptly as she took in all 6’4” of Cormac MacBayne, looking hotter than hot with a sexy half smile on his very handsome face.
“I’m sorry for interrupting yer fun. I was hoping to find something to drink.”
“Oh, I’m sorry… sure…” She was stumbling all over her words and worse yet, she could feel a blush creeping up her face. “What would you like? Beer? Water? Milk?”
