Page 103 of Some Like It Scot
If home could include frequent-flyer miles.
“You’ve traveled all over the world,” she continued, moving to pin the other side. “Do you think you would be satisfied living in a confined place like this?”
“Living somewhere doesn’t mean you’re trapped there, does it?” I stared down at her bent head. “Coming home to one of those little cottages with a handsome Scot to welcome me sounds pretty appealing on every level.”
Her gaze came to mine, and her smile crooked. “Ah, have you found someone to share a cottage with, then?”
My face flushed hot. “Not necessarily.” Though the memory of being in Graeme’s arms came to mind, causing my insides to conveniently melt. “But the idea is nice.”
“I see the way of it. Youdofancy someone.” She stood and stared up at me, her smile firming into a line. “Then let me give you fair warning about the men of Mull.”
I raised my chin to brace myself.
“Their hearts are bound to this place, and they’re not too keen on the ones they love having a wanderlust.”
Graeme’s lack of desire to leave Mull to feature his art came to mind. “You seem to know from experience.”
“Aye.” She nodded. “I was engaged to a good man here on Mull. Great family. But my dreams were elsewhere, and he wouldn’t support those dreams, not if it meant leaving Mull.”
The thought pinched against my newfound giddiness. “People change,” I offered in defense of her fellow, but also to protect my hopes. “If you cared about each other enough to become engaged,then maybe time has helped soften his heart to the idea. I mean, if he’s such a good guy.”
“He is.” She studied me a moment, and then her expression softened. “And perhaps I can take the opportunity to find out how much he’s changed while I’m here.”
I never made claims to being a matchmaker, but offering encouragement for two formerly connected hearts to find their way back to each other certainly sounded like a good idea. Especially if the guy she left was anything like Graeme.
“Well, I think I’ve gotten everything on the gown ready for adjustments. You can change if you like.”
My gaze fell on my rust-and-cream walking dress lying across my bed, and my plans for today came to mind. “Since historical dress is your specialty, would you mind if I asked you a question?”
“Of course.”
I gestured toward the walking dress. “A few of my readers keep asking me questions about these types of dresses holding up for the long walks that we see Jane Austen or Brontë’s characters make in the Regency era. Do you think this would make a good comparison?”
She ran a finger over the skirt of the dress. “It’s made of sturdy cotton, which would have been similar to some of the day dresses of the time, so a fair comparison. Why?”
“I was thinking of going on a walk in costume this morning before our activities begin and documenting it for my followers.”
She chuckled. “Well then, don’t forget a hat and sturdy shoes, because it looks like rain.”
Chapter 18
Katie
It seemed to rain about 80 percent of the time on Mull, or at least while I’d been there.
But I liked the rain. And the morning mist failed to stop me from making the walk to find the puffins and search for the sea caves Lachlan had mentioned.
The fresh air cleared my head.
Praying along the way helped too. Of course everywhere I looked inspired some sort of awe at creation, so turning my thoughts in a heavenly direction came fairly easily. And boy, did I need some heavenly thoughts with all the chaos going on inside my head and heart.
I wanted what I experienced yesterday at the MacKerrow house. I wanted the safety of Graeme’s arms. I wanted that sense of belonging.
But what I didn’t want was to give up my job or give away my heart, only to have it smattered across the glens. Or royally mess up a relationship with Graeme and smatterhisheart across the glens... and hurt Lachlan and Mirren in the process.
Why was I even considering any sort of romantic-something with Graeme when so many things were at stake?
What am I supposed to do, Lord?
