Page 94 of Lochlan

“Stop describing me as a pervert with a paintbrush,” he quips back at Geordie, without taking his sight away from me. “I thought you were Kenzie McGregor. I'm the artist who turned Lochlan's photographs into the painting that Catriona is using as their brand. That photo session produced some brilliant images. I would like to talk to you about...”

Geordie clears his throat, cutting off any further conversation. “We're not here for that, man.” He pulls two papers from his inside jacket pocket, then produces a pen from the same source, clicks the end, and motions Logan to join him at the counter.

Logan gives me aplease forgive meshrug and reaches out for the pen when he arrives at the long stretch of gray marble countertop. With flair, he signs the documents.

“Do you have company?” Geordie asks, scooping up one sheet, then placing it back in his pocket. Logan tries to hand the pen back to him. Geordie grins. “I'll leave the MacTavish pen with my compliments.”

“Yeah, in the nature room, would you like to join us?”

“In a minute. I'd like to talk to Kenzie first.”

Logan swipes the bottles off the counter. “I think we're going to need this. Take off your coats and come to the nature room when you're ready. Just follow Geordie; he knows the way.”

Geordie slips off his coat, placing it on the back of the chair. I park myself against the counter and wait. Geordie joins me, but says nothing about my refusing to relinquish my raincoat. “I thought we'd stay here for a bit before our dinner. What do you think?”

“I think you set me up.”

“What makes you think that?” He’s trying to look the soul of innocence.

“Come on, Geordie, you tracked me down a few days ago asking me to talk to Lochlan. When I refuse, we just happen to be in the artist's home who painted my portrait from Lochlan's photographs. How dense do you think I am?”

“I admit I was not completely honest, but I see two people I care about who look miserable, and I just want to help.”

“Does Lochlan know I'm here?”

“Ah, no. There would be no way I could get that idiot up here if he knew you were here too. He's given up on talking to you.”

“Then why would you think this was a good idea?”

“I don't want to debate the issue. I'm sorry about the subterfuge. Lochlan is here without Fiona. This is your chance to speak with him.”

I nudge away from the counter and pace. “If I agree to this conversation with Lochlan, how long do I stay?”

“Logan and I will be at the main house up the road. If you want to leave, call me and I'll take you away. By now, Lochlan knows I'm here. We can walk into the nature room together. I'll be by your side until you want me to leave.”

“What will prevent him from leaving?”

He shrugs. “No one is going to stay against their will. Everyone is free to go at any time.”

I pull off my jacket and place it on the back of a chair, finger-comb my hair, and adjust my dress. Just because the wind blew me in doesn't mean I have to look like a tumbleweed. I'm ready to hear what the sullen Lochlan MacTavish has to say.

I find Geordie's big arm for the support I need. He pats my hand soothingly as we exit the kitchen. The studio reminds me of an art gallery with its white walls and that section of tall windows. If this had been a day of sunshine, the rays would have flooded the studio with natural light. The current scene is a brooding landscape of a meadow garden and trees bending to the windy rain.

Lochlan's back is to us, looking like a part of nature, his attention to the elements. Logan's frame is sprawled in a chair, giving us a grin that says he expects a drama-filled scene, all while tipping his glass to us in greeting. “Lochlan, guests have arrived,” Logan announces.

There's dark deluge with a clap of thunder raging behind Lochlan as if the weather is telegraphing his mood. He turns as I drop my arm from Geordie and step away, and my hands fall to my sides as if defenseless. “Hello, Lochlan,” I say to his expressionless face.

Logan and Geordie watch while we wait for a response, but he says nothing.

“Come on, Geordie,” Logan says. “I think that's our cue to leave.”

The glance Lochlan throws at Geordie contains dark anger.

Geordie steps in front of me to face his cousin, and his body seems to grow like a peacock to protect me.

“This is all my doing; Kenzie didn't know we were coming here.”

“And why would you and Kenzie be driving around in torrential rains? Are you together now? Do you want my permission, or are you just gloating?”

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