A Highland Home A Contemporary Highland Romance Book Two (7 page)

“So, what am I to do? I told her I’d help her.” Angus’s head was spinning and his heart was heavy. He knew what finding her father meant to Rowan, and didn’t know if he could stand in her way.

“Above all else, ye need to keep her safe, Angus. For Iona’s sake. Her mother was like my sister, aye? Ye do what ye must to keep her from finding him-to keep her from harm. Even if she’ll hate ye for it. I’m sorry, son. I really am. I know ye like the lass and want to help her, but it’s for her own good.” With sadness in her eyes, she patted his arm and got to her feet.

“Ma… I don’t know if I can do that. Ye know I’m not any good at lying, and doesn’t she have a right to know?” Though he could normally lie without anyone ever knowing, it usually didn’t take long before he confessed it all, unable to deal with the burden of his lies.

She gave him a worried smile. “Aye. I know this will be hard on ye. Ye always had too guilty a conscience.” Her smile then faded to concern. “But it’s for her own good, Angus, and ye’ll need to do all ye can to make sure she doesn’t find him or start asking too many questions. Make sure she doesn’t go looking for him. Find a way to distract her or keep her busy. And if she does go looking, make sure she doesn’t find anything, aye? It might be the only way to keep her safe.”

He groaned, his heart and head filled with dread. “Aye, Ma. I’ll try my best.”

She nodded, worry lining her face. “Let her know she’s invited to dinner. Tomorrow, if it’s convenient for her. If ye could pass on the invitation, I’d appreciate it.”

“Aye, Ma. I’ll let her know, though I can tell ye now, she’ll ask about her father.” What a bloody mess. He finished his tea and put his cup in the sink, before kissing his mother on the cheek. “Tell Da I stopped by.”

He’d need to see Rowan to tell her about dinner with his parents, though what he’d do about helping her search for her father, he hadn’t a clue. This was the last thing he needed, especially the way he felt about her. Already his heart beat faster to know he’d soon be with her again-and the guilt had his stomach in knots.

The friendship they’d developed via email and the attraction he felt for her was only solidified when she closed the distance between them with her move. He knew he shouldn’t grow so attached to her, yet he couldn’t help himself. She was even more tempting in person with those fiery locks, green eyes, and luscious curves.

And now? He’d be putting everything at risk to try and keep her safe. By the gods, she’d hate him if she ever found out he was keeping her from finding her father.

Driving by the port, he caught sight of his little yellow mini-not many of those around. That meant Rowan was in town.  He parked, and with a quick look up and down the road, spotted her stepping out of a shop a few blocks up.

Heading down the road towards him, a smile sprung to her lips-and by the gods, he was a goner. The fact that
he
could make her smile like that, the fact that the smile dancing on her lips and the light in her eyes were because she’d seen him… it only reinforced how he felt about her, how she made him feel.

She closed the distance between them, giving him a quick hug, and in European fashion, a peck on the cheek, his pulse tripping to have her so close. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“The yellow Mini’s hard to miss, and since it’s the only one in the area, I figured ye couldn’t be far behind.” He leaned back on his old ride, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “I spoke to my Ma-she’d like to have ye over for dinner if ye’re available tomorrow.”

“I’d love to…” When she bit her lip and her brow furrowed, Angus knew what would be coming next. “Did you ask her? About my father?”

That put a damper on his enthusiasm. How the hell was he going to deter her when it was the only thing on her mind? It’d be impossible to keep her from looking for her father. “Aye, lass. I asked, and she’d love to help, but unfortunately, she doesn’t really have a whole lot of information for ye. I’m sorry, aye? Yer ma didn’t give her any details.”

She nodded and reached out to give his hand a squeeze. “Still. Maybe she’ll recall something once we start talking. And one way or another, it’ll be a start, even if it’s to cross her off my list of people I’ve spoken to.”

He heard the emotion in her voice and saw the sparkle of unshed tears in her eyes, unable to imagine what an emotional journey it must be for her. It must be so difficult to try and stay positive and keep looking.

His mother said Iona seemed scared before leaving for the States. The question was why? His Ma might be wrong, of course, but could he take that risk? And did that mean Rowan might be stirring things up when they should be left alone? Or was the threat long gone?

“Aye, love. It’ll all work out for the best.” He managed a smile and was happy to see her eyes clear up, though he already felt horrible that he wasn’t being completely honest with her.

“I’ve got good news.” She bit her lip again. “I bought the shop, so I can open a gallery and studio.”

“Bought it? I thought it was for lease?” Bloody hell, the lass worked fast. It’d be impossible to keep her out of trouble.

She cocked her head and a smile tugged at her full, kissable lips. “It was, but when I asked if I could purchase it instead, the owner was happy to sell-and for a good price too. I wanted to make a statement. I want people to know that I’m going to make this my home, and I won’t be driven away by their whispers and cold shoulders.”

“Have people been giving ye a hard time?” His brow furrowed at the thought, and he now found himself worrying about how the locals would respond to her buying the shop. If things escalated, he’d not be happy.

“I can deal with the locals, Angus. Let them talk all they want.”

“Rowan, I wish ye had waited a bit. Ye probably haven’t even recovered from jetlag and ye’ve already bought a place.” He wanted to be supportive, but she had him worried, damn it. Did she not think things through?

“And?” Her tone held an edge to it.

“Listen, lass. The decision’s yers to make, and no one else’s. I’m not saying it was a good move or bad, I just think ye’re moving a bit quick, is all.”

“Well, you’re right-it is my decision, and I’ve made it.”

When she crossed her arms in front of her chest, he knew she was annoyed with him. “So ye have. How about ye let me buy ye a pint and some dinner to congratulate ye on yer recent purchase and make it up to ye for speaking out of turn.”

He could see her debating whether or not to be angry with him. She then gave him a sideways grin, her red hair catching in the wind coming off the sea. “You’re just lucky you’re cute, and I know no one else in town.”

“Aye, a good thing indeed.” He tried to lighten the mood. “And a good thing I’m the one buying ye dinner. People might start to talk if you’re always the one paying my way.”

“And what exactly would they be saying?” She narrowed her eyes in question, a smile quirking at her lips.

“Nothing much at all-except that ye might have yerself a handsome and dashing boy toy.” He could barely keep a straight face, and it felt good to push his worries aside, even if it was just for a moment.

The tension melted between them as she barked out a laugh. “You’re lucky I have a sense of humor and I don’t tend to hold onto my anger. Not that you don’t have a right to your opinion… it’s just that I want you to be happy for me.”

“Och, love. I am.” He shifted himself off the car and stood, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets to keep from reaching out to take her hand. “So, where would ye like to go?”

“The pub’s fine.” She slipped her hand around his arm and beamed a smile up at him as they wandered down the road. “I can tell you all about my plans for the gallery.”

“I’d love to hear them.” He looked down at her, his heart racing to have her at his side, despite his mother’s warning niggling at the back of his thoughts, keeping him from fully enjoying his time with her.

They grabbed a booth by a window, the pub nowhere near as busy as it had been the last time they were there. It was too late for lunch and too early for dinner. The only ones there were those nursing a pint and the ones who never left except at closing.

Lara came to take their order. “Back so soon? Must be my lucky day.”

Angus ignored her sarcastic glare. “How someone hasn’t snapped ye up for his own astonishes me on a daily basis, my dear.”

“Ye’ve always been cheeky.” Lara playfully slapped his arm and then turned to Rowan. “So ye really are staying?
Here
of all places? Why is beyond me.”

“As a matter of fact, I just bought the shop a few doors down.” Rowan beamed at her.

“Lovely. My day just keeps getting better.” She tilted her head towards the menus. “Do ye know what ye want then?”

They placed their order. Once Lara was gone, he leaned forward. “She’s really not that bad once ye get used to her.”

“I’m sure that’d be the case if I weren’t here with you. But she’s seen us together twice, and though we’re nothing more than friends, she doesn’t see it that way because you’re her ex.” She shrugged her shoulders, a knowing smile on her lips. “It’s just how women work.”

He ignored how much it bothered him that she still didn’t think of him as anything more than a friend. “So tell me about the shop. Ye said it was just a few doors down from here? The internet café?”

“That’s the one.” Her smile had him forgetting about his worries. “Don’t suppose you know of any good contractors?”

“Och, I can probably help ye with most of yer projects. What did ye have in mind?” It’d be a good way to keep an eye on her. Between the locals taking their sweet time to warm up to her, Rowan’s impulsive side, and trying to keep her from finding her father, it’d be a miracle if they managed to avoid trouble.

“Angus… I don’t mind hiring someone. You’re busy with your own stuff and besides, I know you aren’t too happy about my purchase.”

“Listen, love… I’m happy to help, and truth is, I’m glad ye bought the place. It just caught me off guard is all.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. He knew that by making such a purchase, she’d be less likely to pack her bags and leave-and for that he was grateful.

“Are you sure that’s it?”

“Aye, love. As for hiring someone, I have time, and I’d be happy to do it. Most days, I’m done with work by mid-afternoon, and it’d keep me busy while I figure out what to do with my remaining projects.” They paused their conversation for a moment as Lara slid their food onto the table. “So what needs doing? Tell me yer plans, love.”

“I’ll do even better-let’s eat and then we’ll head over and I’ll show you.”

Chapter Seven

“Given the size of the check I wrote out, the owners were happy to give me the keys despite the papers still waiting for the final steps in processing.” Rowan hadn’t really touched the money in her secret bank account until now, and though it was a relatively large purchase, she thought it would be a good investment.

She unlocked the door with a jiggle of the key, and then pushed it open, excitement bubbling within her. The space was wide and open, with good light and plenty of windows. A fresh coat of cream paint-or taupe-would keep the walls neutral so as not to compete with the artwork. 

There was a long wooden bar running parallel to the far wall, and though she had every intention of making use of the professional espresso machine, she’d likely get rid of the bar-or better yet, convert it to a display for small items, by adding glass to the front and shelving within. Track and spot lighting would have to be added to help showcase the works, and then maybe the back area could be converted to a studio.

“So… what do you think?” She looked over at Angus, hoping he’d like it as much as she did. It had been a rather impulsive buy, but it felt right and it was a lifelong dream.

“With a bit of work, I think it’ll be grand.” He stepped away from her side, wandering about while taking it in. She could see the ideas churning in his head. “Some lights along the ceiling.”

“And some spot lights strategically placed from below.”

“Aye. Something plain on the walls.”

“So it won’t compete with the artwork.” She smiled. He was having the same thoughts she was.

“A desk in the corner so you can work when it gets slow.”

“And a studio out the back. Maybe hold classes in the evenings. A ‘bring a friend, a bit of wine and learn to paint’ sort of thing. Might even get a few potter’s wheels and a kiln.”

He looked at her, surprise registering on her face. “Do ye also do pottery then?”

“Actually, it’s my first love, though I’ve experimented with just about every medium. Started working on the wheel when I was in high school and continued it in college, though it was impossible to keep up once I started travelling. Photography became a good alternative since it’s far more portable. But now? Why not? I’ve got the space in the back and I could also give lessons, not to mention it’d be one more thing to sell in the gallery.”

“Well, ye have yer first student then. I’ve always wanted to learn. It could be our little barter-I’ll help ye with everything but the electrical, and in turn, ye can teach me how to make pottery.”

He gave her a genuine smile, but she had to wonder… “It’s not because you saw the movie
Ghost
, is it?”