Page 21 of Some Like It Scot
Or ever.
She practically breathed “wandering heart.” And crazy. Add social media to the equation and I was beginning to regret ever stepping foot in the village this morn.
“Aye.” I tipped my head to her and then cleared my throat, dragging my attention back to Mum. “But nothin’ proper since I’m there to do work and—”
“Well, she’s a travel writer, a podcaster, and a blogger. She’s even been ontelevision.”
Perfect. I ground my teeth and realized, yet again, how Mum didn’t make the same connections in her brain as I did in mine. Being on television was one of the things that pulled Allison away from me and gave me another reason to refuse to turn on the telly for anything other than the local station of an evening, lest she pop up on the screen.
“But only documentaries, so keep those expectations duly measured, Mr. MacKerrow.” Katie raised a palm as if to calm the rising praise. “I’m more of a behind-the-words type of gal.”
“She collects stories, Graeme,” Blair MacKay added, her eyes bright. “And wouldn’t it be grand to share all the stories we know from—”
“I’m afraid the other guests have arrived at the house.” I sent a weighted look to Katie, testing out her own nonverbal communication comprehension.
Those large eyes of hers widened with awareness, her bottom lip dropping a little, and the knot in my chest twined a wee bit tighter.
I looked back to Mum but then realized every set of eyes in the granny book club stared at me with various shades of amusement on their faces. Heat made a steady climb up my neck, so I rubbed at the spot and took a step back toward the door. “I thought you might want to know, Miss...”
“Campbell,” Katie offered, reaching down to grab her jacket.
My lips tightened around my growing frown. Campbell? Och! Of course she was a Campbell!
“I’d better get back up to Craighill since Mrs. Lennox wants to meet with all the guests once everyone arrives.” Her smile widened as she swept the room with an appreciative glance and tucked her hair behind her ear, only to have it slip right back in place against her cheek.
I rolled my eyes. Why would I even notice something like that? Eejit, indeed.
“Thanks so much for letting me spend time with you today.” She held up the books in one hand. “And for the books.” And raised a fishing rod. “And this.” Then gestured toward her feet. “And the wellies.” Her laugh bubbled out. “I’d say I’ve made a sufficient dent in your sales for today, Mrs. MacKerrow.”
“Mirren,” Mum corrected with a touch to the woman’s shoulder. “And you’re welcome anytime, Katie-girl.”
Oh no! Mum already gave her a nickname, which meant the next statement would be—
“And you should come to my cottage for tea while you’re on Mull,” Mum continued, walking over to the counter. “I’ll give you my address here, but Graeme can point out the path from the top of the hill as he walks you back to the house.”
I raised my head to alert. Walk her back?
I looked over to find Mum’s knowing gaze burrowing into mine with a warning that brooked no refusal. “Since you’re sure to do more work there this afternoon?”
“I don’t want you to go to any trouble.” Katie looked from Mum to me as she picked up her pace to the door, tugging her rucksack on her back. At least the one thing I and the American had in common was the need for a quick escape from my mum. “I’m sure I’ll be fine on my own.”
“None of that, hen,” Mum cooed as she placed a paper in Katie’s hand. “And which days work in your schedule for tea?”
Katie’s mouth opened in surprise, highlighting those pink lips of hers again, and I had the sudden urge to take out my eyeballs and toss them into Loch na Keal. Perhaps the local pixies were at work with their mischief, because I hadn’t experienced this much difficulty ignoring a pretty woman in a while.
It must be the hair.
Because itcertainlywasn’t the accent.
Katie shifted her attention from Mum to me, as if I had an answer for my mother’s behavior.
I never had an answer for Mum’s behavior. She found new friends on an hourly basis.
“How... how very kind of you.” The woman looked genuinely flummoxed by the admiration and attention. I suppose my opinion of the celebrity type was stained a little after Allison’s promotion to lead fashion designer for some top brand in Edinburgh led to her departure.
And right after my sister had been diagnosed with cancer too.
As if my fiancé took the opportunity to run away from my family’s grief, this simple life of Mull, and our future all at the same time.
