Five Days in Skye: A Novel (9 page)

“This is the exterior elevation, including the addition.” He pointed out the extension that jutted off the back and curved around the side. “The facade is going to have to be adjusted to match the original stone, but I’ve already found a stonemason who assures me it can be done.”

“Good.” Andrea nodded her approval. She turned a page and braced her hands against the table as she bent over to survey the next sheet of blueprints. “You’re putting showers in the en suite baths?”

“Small ones. I wanted to stick to the original footprint of the rooms, but Americans especially expect showers.”

“True, but if you can only have one, you should choose the bath. An old-fashioned claw-foot tub goes a long way to establishing ambience.” She carefully folded back the page and moved on.

In the back, past the floor plans and multi-view drawings, Andrea found the more detailed material takeoffs. She frowned as her eye landed on the dimensions for the beams in the main dining room. She tapped her finger against the drawing. “Double-check these dimensions. I don’t think this is going to be adequate for the span.”

“You really are quite surprising.”

Andrea glanced up at James, unsure from his tone whether he was teasing, but he regarded her with undisguised admiration.

“I’ve been in this business for a while. You tend to pick things up.”

“Tell me, then. What am I missing?”

She glanced back at the blueprints and considered. “A bar.”

“A bar?”

Andrea pulled out a chair and sat, crossing her legs and tugging her skirt down automatically. “You yourself said there’s nothing within walking distance, and the roads on Skye aren’t great in winter. You could always serve cocktails in the reception room, but I really think you’d be better off with an attached bar.” She flipped back to the exterior elevation drawings. “You already have this extension here being framed out. It wouldn’t be much more trouble to extend it on the other side, maybe with a breezeway to the new kitchen so you could serve food at the bar as well. Do you have some paper?”

James retrieved a pencil and pad of grid paper from the desk and set them down in front of her. She quickly sketched a small rendering of the hotel, adding on a matching extension in rough strokes.

“It wouldn’t be better to have a freestanding building?”

“This is more cost-effective, and it will take less to heat. Plus, it shouldn’t require separate permits. I think you’ll find the bar will help offset your lower winter occupancy rates. Sleat residents will be more likely to come here rather than Broadford or Armadale to socialize, especially if you have good, inexpensive food.”

James nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll send the drawings over to Ian and see what he thinks.”

“I can mention it today, if you like.”

“Maybe I should come along and discuss it with him myself.”

“I hardly think that’s a good idea after last night.” Andrea wondered if she was imagining the possessiveness in James’s tone. She wasn’t sure whether to be amused, pleased, or irritated. Maybe all three. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know what we discuss. I’ll take this with me.” Andrea tore the drawing off the pad and set it aside, then began to roll up the stacks of drawings, group by group.

The teakettle chose that moment to begin spewing steam. James flipped the switch to warm and pulled out two mugs. “One sugar or two?”

“Two, please. Should I put these back?”

“If you don’t mind. What do you think? Too early for biscuits?”

Andrea returned the drawings to the galvanized tub and tucked the pad and pencil back into the desk drawer. “It’s never too early for biscuits.”

“You’re my kind of woman.” He retrieved a package of cookies from the cupboard, placed a few on a plate, and set them on the table before her. He finished making up their tea and took the chair next to her. “What now?”

“I’d like to see your business and marketing plans, if you have them handy.”

“I don’t. Besides, I meant what do
we
do now? It’s only half past ten. You’re not supposed to meet Ian until one. I think hospitality demands I give you a tour of Sleat.”

“I should probably get started on my proposal.”

“You should, but you won’t.”

She took a sip of her tea, trying to hide her smile behind the cup. “Why won’t I?”

“Because you can’t resist the chance to spend a few hours with me seeing the sights. I assure you, I am an excellent guide.”

Two or three hours in the car with him, doing something strictly recreational? He might have behaved himself this morning, but she didn’t expect that to last long. Now that he knew which buttons to push, he wouldn’t hesitate to do it. Over and over.

The thought reminded her of his comment in the bar about her clothing. The attraction was not one-sided. She just had absolutely no intention of giving into it. He, on the other hand …

No, he wasn’t the kind of man to force the issue. She knew that much with certainty. This was all just some game, a battle of the sexes, and he wanted to make her break first. Which, of course, she wouldn’t do. If she kept refusing to be alone with him, he’d just keep pushing the issue.

“All right,” she said finally. “On one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You have to deliver me to the meeting with Ian on time. Not a minute late.”

“If you insist.”

“Good. Let’s go then.” Andrea stood and straightened her skirt. “I’ll get my bag.”

James beat her to the door with his long-legged stride and opened it for her, deliberately crowding her so they stood face-to-face, only inches apart.

“Thank you.” She met his gaze levelly, even though her heartbeat was already accelerating. She lowered her eyes and moved quickly past him.

No two ways about it. This was a very bad idea.

Chapter Eleven

The woman was a complete mystery.

One minute, she’d give as good as she got with that sharp tongue and equally sharp mind. The next, she’d withdraw behind a shell of cold professionalism. It was like seeing two different people, and James was never sure which one would surface.

Then there was the Andrea who would sit on the floor with Emmy or improvise on the piano with such a joyous expression it made his heart flip. Why was she so determined to hide that part of herself?

James cursed himself for a fool. For a short moment, he’d thought he and Andrea had been building some sort of rapport, then he had to ruin it by pushing matters too far. Now, fifteen minutes into their drive down the Sleat peninsula, she still hadn’t said a word. She just sat stiffly in the seat, hands folded in her lap, staring into the distance. He’d wager she wasn’t seeing a bit of the glorious scenery flying by the window.

Why do you even care?

He didn’t. Or, he hadn’t, until he saw the look on her face as she watched the sunrise, as if years of worries had fallen from her shoulders. If he hadn’t witnessed the wistfulness in her expression as she talked about the restoration, he would have written it off to his imagination. But he knew that feeling well. It was too easy to let the demands of life suffocate him and drown out God’s still, small voice, until the days became just an endless list. Something inside him recognized she needed a breath as much as he did.

He left her to her musings as he took the two-lane road through a forested section of Sleat and followed the River Ord until it emptied out near the shore. When they reached an overlook where Ord Bay and Loch Eishort met, he pulled off onto the side of the road.

“Why are we stopping?”

“Because it’s worth a moment to appreciate. Come.”

Andrea climbed out of the car, and James circled to meet her on the other side. Immediately, she pulled out her mobile phone and began to snap pictures of the view.

“Beautiful,” she said. “These will definitely help creative when they formulate their marketing plan.”

James gently pried her phone from her fingers and dropped it into the front pocket of his shirt. “I’m going to hold onto this for you.”

Andrea stared at him. “Give me my phone back.”

“It’s mine for now. You can have it back for your meeting.”

“How dare you!” Anger flashed in those gorgeous eyes, a sign she was going to launch into a tirade on his ungentlemanly behavior. Before she could try, he gripped her shoulders and turned her to face the view again. She went still, muscles tensed beneath his fingers.

“Relax,” he murmured into her ear. “Breathe. When you view it on a screen, you can’t really see.”

She threw a puzzled look over her shoulder, for a moment bringing her face close to his. If he just shifted forward a degree, he could capture her mouth with his own. She must have read the thought in his expression, because alarm flashed over her face. He quickly straightened and gave a little nod toward the scenery.

What was he thinking?

He took a deep breath and looked out at the loch, settling his own tumultuous thoughts. Rocks jutted from the choppy water, a stark brown contrast against the deep blue. Long shore grasses waved in the stiff sea wind, edging the sweep of sand in the distance. Just at the limits of their sight, boxy white cottages nestled in spring-green hills. He breathed in the salt air, listening to the soft lap of waves and the distant calls of seabirds. Beside him, Andrea closed her eyes, breathing deeply while the wind ruffled her hair, a slight smile stretching her lips.

She was beautiful. He couldn’t pry his eyes away from her. When was the last time a woman had pulled him this strongly?

Dangerous thoughts. He shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned back against the car, forcing his gaze away from her. It was one thing to flirt and tease, to steal a kiss. The sudden squeeze in his chest was quite another. He recognized that feeling. It meant nothing good.

When she finally opened her eyes, he had his thoughts mostly under control.

“You’re right,” she murmured. “It’s amazing. Sort of desolate and yet … peaceful.”

He said nothing, but when she turned to him, he held out her phone.

“Keep it,” she said. “For now.”

He smiled. Maybe he was getting through to her after all. “On to our next stop then?”

James stayed quiet in the car, not wanting to jar her from her peaceful frame of mind. She took in the landscape with a new light in her eye, smiling when he pointed out patches of wildflowers on the hillside or laughing at the spring lambs frolicking in the meadows. He didn’t question why it was so important she see his home through his eyes. She needed a few minutes away from her life as much as he did from his own.

His enjoyment dwindled as the time edged toward one o’clock, since he knew he would shortly hand her over to Ian. He put on the canned enthusiasm of a tour guide and said, “And that’s the end of our guided tour today. We should head back to Broadford. I did promise to deliver you on time.”

She nodded. He sensed her struggling for words, but in the end, she only said, “Thank you.”

Her husky tone did things to his gut he didn’t particularly appreciate. “For getting you there on time?”

“No, for this. For making me really see.”

It couldn’t be an easy admission for her. He barely kept himself from reaching for her hand, instead forcing his attention onto the road. “You’re welcome.”

The drive back to Broadford passed too quickly, even in companionable silence. He pulled into the hotel’s car park, noting Ian’s car in front of the tan stucco building with its dormered, shingled roof.

“How should I contact you when I’m finished?” Andrea asked, reaching for her bag, the professional once again in place.

James drew her mobile phone out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. “I programmed my number in. Just call me when you’re finished. I have to go to market and pick up some things for dinner.”

Annoyance flashed across her face. “You could have asked.”

“I didn’t think you’d mind.” Actually, he’d known it would probably irritate her, but he hadn’t been able to resist. He rather liked the way she looked angry. And she was far easier to deal with irritated than when she looked at him with that searching, vulnerable expression.

Coward.

“Fine. I’ll call you when I’m done.” Andrea tucked the phone into her bag and slid out of the car without saying good-bye.

He watched her disappear into the front doors of the hotel and then dropped his head onto the steering wheel, banging it a few times for good measure. Idiot. Annoy her, then send her to lunch with his good-looking, personable brother. Brilliant planning.

He jerked the gearstick into reverse and backed out of the parking space, then pulled onto Broadford’s main road. It shouldn’t matter to him what she did or what she thought. He and Ian would sign the contract, and she would be on her way back to New York. Maybe she’d check in with him by phone once a month to make sure he was happy with the progress on the hotel, but other than that, he’d have no further contact with the beautiful American consultant.

But when he drove straight past the co-op grocery, he was forced to admit that whatever feelings she brought out, he wasn’t ready for it to be over.

Chapter Twelve

Only a few tables in the hotel restaurant were filled, and Andrea immediately spotted Ian at one near the window. She put on a warm smile and made her way toward him.

He rose as she approached. Whatever business he’d had this morning, on the water or otherwise, his beautifully tailored navy suit and maroon tie gave no hint of it now. Seeing Ian look so proper and professional in his business clothing made her realize James wore his own with a sense of irony.

“Andrea.”

“Ian.” Andrea gave him a polite nod. “Thank you for meeting me.”

“Please, join me.” He held out his hand to the chair opposite his, and Andrea took a seat. “Shall we order first?”

Andrea took a quick glance at the menu. The server, a lovely young woman with a bright smile and a long brown ponytail, appeared a few moments later, and Andrea ordered the seafood linguine and a sparkling water. Ian made his own selection and handed their menus to the woman before folding his hands on the table.

“I feel I should apologize for yesterday. I certainly didn’t know you would be with James or I wouldn’t have surprised him.”

Very reserved. Very British.
It continually threw her to hear the London-accented voice from a man who so strongly resembled James. “There’s no need to apologize. I understand it must be difficult to do business with family at times.”

He bowed his head. “You are quite gracious. So tell me, Andrea, what do you think about the hotel?”

“It has great potential.” She retrieved the folder from her bag and pushed it across the table to Ian. “I’ve put together some details on our company and our capabilities. You can look it over at your leisure. I had been under the impression you were interested in a turnkey consultancy package, but I think you would be fine if we just looked at the marketing side.”

Ian flipped the folder open, but she could tell he wasn’t really seeing the contents. “To be frank, Andrea, I didn’t know exactly what we needed. Jamie has not been forthcoming with details on the progress of the hotel.”

Understanding dawned. “You wanted an outsider to assess it.”

He gave a single nod. “Things have been … strained … between Jamie and me. It’s not that I distrust my brother, but it’s hard to know if he’s passing on all the details. I’m sorry. I really don’t mean to air family issues to a stranger.”

“You need my professional opinion to know whether he’s being truthful. I understand.” She did understand, though it unsettled her to be talking about James behind his back. He was her client after all. He owned the majority share in the property, even if he wasn’t willing to sign off on anything without Ian’s approval.

“I can assure you,” she said, “James has matters well in hand. I’ve looked over the blueprints, and while there are a few items I think should be checked with a structural engineer, they look sound. He looks to have accounted for the wiring and plumbing for the upgrades. The house is being modernized to offer all the conveniences a contemporary traveler would expect, but it keeps to the traditional footprint. I can assure you, in a property of this age, it’s a smart move.”

“That’s a relief,” Ian said. “Thank you.”

“The one thing I have recommended is that you add a bar.” She retrieved her sketch and handed it to him. “This is one idea of what it might look like.” She quickly outlined her reasoning as she had to James, and Ian nodded thoughtfully.

“I like the idea. It makes sense.” He set the drawing down. “I’ll discuss it with Jamie. At least I’ll attempt to.” A flicker of pain crossed his face. Obviously, the falling out bothered Ian far more than it did James, or maybe James was just more practiced at hiding it.

“One thing we might be able to assist with is project management. If communication is a problem, it could help to have someone neutral manage the flow of information for you.”

“Like a construction counselor?” Ian said with a hint of a smile.

“Something like that, yes.” Andrea smiled back. “It might help, considering neither of you are on site for more than, what, a week a month?”

“This is the first time I’ve been back in over a year,” Ian admitted.

So there was some truth to James’s accusation that it took a wake to get Ian to Scotland. No wonder he had seemed so shocked to see his brother standing in their aunt’s living room.

Andrea hesitated, wondering how to best approach the topic. The last thing she wanted was to get in the middle of a sibling dispute, at least more than she already had. “If I may … I don’t think you need to worry about how your brother is managing the hotel construction. I really don’t know him, but he seems to respect your opinion too much to do anything you’d find objectionable.”

“Oh, I know that.” Ian sighed. “He’d never purposely do anything to harm family, speaking terms or not. That’s not what I’m concerned about. He’s just been so erratic the last couple of years.”

Unease stirred in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t want to know any more, but she couldn’t help herself. “How so?”

“I really shouldn’t burden you with this. It’s just … this is not the Jamie I remember.”

“Why do you say that?” Her heart beat a little too fast now, and she hoped she didn’t seem too interested in the answer.

“First, our father died. He took it hard. Jamie was far closer to him than I was. Not long afterwards, Jamie broke off his engagement.”

Andrea sat very still, shocked by the words. “Oh.”

His eyebrows drew together in a frown. “You didn’t know?”

“About your father?”

“No, about his fiancée.”

Andrea shook her head. “No. I don’t keep up with celebrity gossip.”

“You do know he was engaged to Cassandra Sinclair?”

“The actress?”

Ian nodded solemnly. “They were supposed to be married two years ago this June, but all of a sudden, he broke it off. He hasn’t been the same since.”

This was territory definitely not meant to be covered with a business colleague, but Ian seemed to need to talk about it as much as she wanted to know. “Why do you say that?”

“We were in the middle of negotiating space for a restaurant in Inverness. Then he just changed his mind. Said it wasn’t what he was meant to do right now. Next thing I know, he’s talking about renovating the hotel, opening a dining room. I guess it was something he and Dad had talked about years ago, but they hadn’t gotten around to the details yet.”

“That’s understandable. I’m sure he feels the need to reconnect with your father after losing him that way.”

“Right.” Ian nodded, then leaned forward. “Just be careful. My brother is charming. Flirtatious. He tends to lead women on.”

Andrea couldn’t repress her disbelieving laugh. “You’re warning me off from getting involved with James?”

“I know. It’s cliché of me.” Ian shifted uncomfortably. “You seem like a nice woman, and I know you’re very professional. You probably deal with this sort of thing all the time.”

“More than you’d think,” Andrea said. “You don’t have to be concerned. I’m here to finish this proposal, and then I’m on my way back to New York. I’ll be handling the project from there, coordinating with our team in London. Believe me, I’ve dealt with men much more insistent than your brother.”

But not nearly as appealing.

Ian wasn’t telling her anything she hadn’t thought on her own. Yet the warning still annoyed her. She remembered how James had made her stand and take in the landscape, free from distractions, as if it were important to him that she slow down long enough to truly experience his home. He had been trying to share something with her. That didn’t match the cavalier picture Ian painted of him. It didn’t even match the image he projected himself.

“I’ve offended you,” Ian said quickly. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to imply you couldn’t handle yourself.”

“No, I’m not offended. I appreciate your concern.” The server returned with their sparkling water, and she nodded her thanks as the woman poured. She took a long drink, then asked, “Would it be out of line to ask how you fit into James’s business? He introduced you as his COO.”

Ian seemed relieved at the change of subject. “It’s not out of line at all. I was a solicitor for six years. When Jamie incorporated the business, he asked me if I would act as general counsel. As the company grew, it made sense for me to take a more active role. You can probably tell Jamie is more of an ideas man than the detail type.”

Andrea had thought James coordinated the details of his business rather well, but she just nodded. “So you’ve been involved from the beginning? Since the Hart and the Hound opened?”

“Yes. After that became such a success, he wrote his first cookbook. Then the other restaurants in London, the television program … It wasn’t long before it was a full-time job. I left my law firm and came to work for Jamie’s company.”

“That must be difficult, working for your younger brother.”

Ian sipped his own water and studied her with an amused expression disconcertingly like his brother’s. “Are you probing my psyche now, Andrea?”

She cleared her throat, caught. “I’m just trying to understand the situation with you two. You have to admit, most men would have parted ways when things got … complicated.”

“Complicated. You could say that.” Ian folded his hands on the table and looked her directly in the eye. “I can assure you the situation with Jamie and me will not affect the success of this venture.”

Andrea nodded, understanding what Ian would not say aloud. Their family issues were none of her business, and his tone said in no uncertain terms the topic was closed.

Ian was too polite to allow Andrea to wait alone for James after lunch, so they drank coffee on one of the leather sofas in the hotel’s common area, carefully keeping to inconsequential topics. She managed to tease out a little of his history, enough to learn Ian possessed an MBA from Judge Business School at Cambridge, and he had given up an impressive competitive rowing career to pursue his law degree. Any family should be proud to have such an accomplished son. Yet she got the distinct impression James’s gregarious nature and public acclaim outshone the accomplishments of his reserved older brother.

It was a situation ripe for conflict, but it didn’t explain the reason behind their falling out, especially when James seemed to be the one holding the grudge.

Ian rose with Andrea when the ugly green wagon pulled into the parking lot. He shook her hand firmly. “I appreciate you meeting with me. Jamie and I will review your proposal as soon as you can have it to us.”

“I should be finished tonight. Should I email it?”

“I’d appreciate it. I’ll look it over this evening.”

“Good. Thank you again, Ian.”

Andrea strode toward the front entrance, releasing her breath in a quiet whoosh. She was past her biggest hurdle now. Ian seemed pleased with her capabilities, and assuming the price was right, there should be no reason she couldn’t close this deal by the time she left for the airport tomorrow. She just needed to get through one more evening with the charming and insistent younger brother without doing anything stupid.

“How did it go?” James asked brightly as she approached. He opened the car door for her as usual.

She waited until he climbed into the driver’s seat before answering. “Very well. He liked the idea of the bar. I told him I’d have the proposal done this evening for you two to look at.”

“So I take it more sightseeing is out of the question?”

“Unfortunately.” She had to keep things professional from here on out, and more time alone with him would make that difficult. “It will take me all afternoon to put together my recommendations. And I did promise Emmy a duet tonight, so I should get started.”

“Fair enough. Back to the hotel we go, then.”

James backed out of the parking lot and turned onto the main road. “What time did you say your flight was tomorrow?”

“Eleven. What time should we be there?”

“Half past nine will be fine. We should leave about six.”

Andrea nodded uncomfortably. Something had changed in the last two hours, but she was hard-pressed to say what. For someone who was always completely at ease, James was suddenly acting awkward with her.

It’s for the best. Maybe he realizes he crossed a line. Maybe he realizes it’s pointless to pursue me when I’m leaving tomorrow.

Since when was he pursuing her? So far he had flirted, but he hadn’t made any effort to push it further than that. She should be pleased. So why did the thought bring on a pang of disappointment?

James said little on the drive back to the hotel. When they got out of the car to go their separate directions, he simply said, “I have to head up to the house later to start supper. Shall I come get you when I go?”

“Please.” She smiled uncertainly, hesitated, then headed for her cottage, crunching unsteadily through the gravel lot.

She intended to buckle down as soon as they returned, but instead she wandered through her cottage, straightening the duvet on the bed, pushing in the kitchen chair, buttoning the placket of her gray suit where it hung in the wardrobe.

“Stop procrastinating.” She forced herself to sit in front of her computer, but that only earned her several long minutes staring at the blank screen. “Just finish it already. Then you can leave and stop worrying about all this nonsense.”