Page 49 of Charlie

"I'm in the middle of something," I say, gesturing to the papers spread over the kitchen table. I've been organizing my notes for the last three days, and I finally have a good idea of the vignettes that will bring out the personality of Arty's ancestry.

"You've been in the middle of something for days. Time for a break."

I sigh. "I don't even know the last time I showered, Isla."

"Perfect timing then! We leave in an hour." She grins at me, her eyes sparkling.

"Fine," I grumble, closing my laptop and shoving back from the table.

"Bring your bathing suit!" she yells as she slams the door.

Seriously? I know she did that on purpose. If she had told me that from the beginning, I never would have agreed to go.

An hour later, I'm walking up the hill to the house in loose linen pants and a white t-shirt, my barely-there swimsuit hidden underneath. I have a towel and a change of clothes in the bag over my shoulder. Isla is already in the coupe's backseat, and Lach is leaning against the passenger door, waiting on me. He's in swim trunks and flip-flops, a beach towel draped over his shoulders, leaving his arms and abs on full display. The sun gilds the light dusting of golden hair over his chest, and I barely restrain myself from running my fingers through it.

"Ready, Carebear?" His smile is brighter than the sun itself. I nod and grin back at him as flashes from the other day race through my mind, tightening my nipples and flushing my cheeks. I hug my bag to my chest as I get in the car, mortified that I can't go be around him for ten seconds without wanting to jump him.

"Whose car is that?" I ask as we pull up to Jack's, pointing to the expensive-looking sedan parked in the drive.

"Lorna's," Lachlan says, slamming his door, then coming around to open mine.

Who the hell is Lorna?

I follow them around the back, my steps faltering when my gaze lands on Jack. He's hugging a woman, pressing a long kiss to her cheek. He steps around her and drops to his knees, his face cracking into the biggest smile I have ever seen. Two little kids tumble into his arms, shrieking as he hauls them up and swings them around.

"Lorna!" Isla calls, waving her over.

She's beautiful. Long wavy hair, hazel eyes, and a smattering of freckles over pink cheeks.

"Lorna, this is?—"

"Charlie, I've heard so much about you." She smiles wide and pulls me into a hug.

Isla laughs. "Charlie, this Lorna, Jack's sister."

I let out the breath I've been holding. "Nice to meet you, Lorna," I smile, "These are your kids?"

"Yes! Daniel, Lorelei, come meet Charlie!"

They're around three years old, their hair so blonde it's almost white. They're dirty, sticky, and absolutely adorable.

I drop to my knees and hold out my hands to them. "I'm Charlie, it's nice to meet you both," I say, shaking their hands.

They giggle and take off running.

"Drink?" Lorna asks, moving toward a table set up near the stairs leading up to a terrace.

"Yes, please," the three of us answer simultaneously.

Lorna and I sit on a blanket, sipping on glasses of chilled white wine while Jack tumbles with the kids. Lach is halfway to dreamland on a lounger, and Isla is dipping her toes in the loch.

"Tell me about yourself, Charlie," Lorna says, her expression open and curious.

"There's honestly not much to tell. I'm from the U.S. and here on a job for three months."

"Isla told me a little about your work – something about a family tree?"

"Yes, it's the family tree for an old friend. I'm here researching his ancestors, and then I'll draw up a tree for him that can be framed and handed down to his grandkids."

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