Glasgow Grace (13 page)

Taking care, she removed the shiny red wrapping.

Callum retrieved the remote from the coffee table and dimmed the lights.

“Luxury handmade chocolates. You do know the way to my heart, Dr. McGuire.” She removed one from the box, leaned over and popped it into Callum’s mouth. She did the same for herself. “Hmm, tastes so good.”

Callum’s rhapsody blended with hers. “Don’t they just?”

She placed the open box on the floor beside her chair. Lifting the second box from the table, she smoothed her hands over the gold covering. “So what’s inside this one?”

“Open it.”

A little less careful with the wrapping, she soon had the box of truffles open. Together they oohed and aahed again as the smooth chocolate titillated their taste buds.

“Callum McGuire, are you trying to fatten me, or sweeten me?”

Both. Lord knew what lay ahead would leave Skye wasting away. She’d need all the fattening she could get. But he’d not tell her that yet. “Sweeten.”

“Why? I already agreed to the surgery.”

“I know. But I have another proposal to make.”

She tilted her head. “Really?” She slid another truffle into her mouth. Taking one more, she closed the box and set it down on the floor beside the first. Chocolate truffle leading the way, she stretched across to Callum.

He shook his head. “You have it.”

“All right.” She set the chocolate down on the armrest, savoring the one in her mouth.

With a smile on his face that he couldn’t erase, Callum patiently waited. He’d waited so many years for this moment, a few more minutes couldn’t hurt, although they seemed the most unbearable.

“A proposal? Sounds interesting,” she said at last.

“It is. There are still five days remaining before your surgery. I’ve arranged for the pre-op tests to be done tomorrow morning.”

“You have been busy this afternoon.”

“Aye, I was.” He picked up the truffle from the armrest and moved closer to Skye. She opened her mouth and he placed it between her lips. She bit down into the chocolate. Callum held the remainder, popping it into her mouth once she’d swallowed the first bite.

“The next few days will literally drag by for you, thinking about the surgery, waiting for it.”

“I know. I do not relish the thought.”

“That’s why I’ve just the thing to cheer you up during that time.”

Her eyes, though puffy from crying, lit up. “You do.”

“Aye, I do.” He traced a finger along her jawline. “A honeymoon.”

Her reaction was hard to read, but he had to press on. He’d nothing to lose. “Skye Hunter, will you marry me? I’ve waited my entire life for you. Let’s not wait any longer. God has brought you back to me, and I don’t want to ever let you go.”

“Callum…you don’t have to do this. You’re not obligated to look after me because I’m termi— because I’m ill.”

“This has nothing to do with obligation, or your illness. I want to do this because I would’ve done it years ago, if I’d only known where to find you. And by the time I did find you in cyberspace, well, too many years had gone by. You’d made a new life for yourself.” He swallowed hard, struggling to contain his excitement and the emotion of the moment. “Say yes. Let’s go shopping for a wedding dress tomorrow afternoon. Your wedding dress. Thursday morning, we can drive down to Gretna Green—be married at the Old Blacksmith’s Shop in the afternoon.”

Her eyes widened. “You mean like elope, as they did in the olden days? What about your parents? And Tavish? Wouldn’t they be angry if you excluded them from your big day?”

He chuckled. So much drama in her blood, but he loved it. She would keep him laughing and loving for the rest of his days. “I’d hardly call two consenting adults tying the knot, eloping, Skye. But if we were to elope, it’s something we’d do on our own, too. So I guess you’re right. This isn’t much different.”

He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “Family and our love life don’t seem to go well together and cost us sixteen long years. I won’t take that chance again. As much as my family loves you, I know they’ll have objections. ‘It’s too soon.’ ‘Too fast.’ Too whatever reason they’ll find to deter us. I’ll not risk anyone coming between us again. Ever.”

Callum slid to his knee in front of Skye and dug in his suit pocket. He pulled out a small white box and flipped open the lid. From its velvety bed, the diamond glistened as light reflected from its facets. He lifted Skye’s left hand and held the ring at the tip of her finger. “Skye Hunter, would you at last become my wife?”

More tears came with her answer. “Yes, Callum. Oh, yes.”

He pushed the ring onto her finger, stood, and bending over, wrapped his arms around her neck, his lips hungry for hers. Salty tears flavored their kisses. Now this…this was heaven. Hands still buried in her tresses, he forced himself from her lips. “Let’s celebrate. I know it’s quite late, but we did have a dinner date tonight. Remember?” He pressed his mouth close to her ear and whispered. “I love you, soon-to-be Mrs. McGuire.”

She turned her face and sought his lips again, before gazing deep into his eyes. “I love you, too, Dr. McGuire.”

“I never stopped loving you.” His whisper was silenced by Skye’s mouth. She seemed intent on making up for lost time. Or was she using time she thought she might not have? He pulled away from her with reluctance. “So, are you hungry?”

“Starving. But, Callum, it’s so cold outside. Why don’t we order room service instead?”

“Sounds good. If they’re still serving at this hour.”

She cleared her throat, but the action seemed to offer her no relief as she spiraled into a coughing fit.

“You OK? Need some water?”

She nodded, and Callum hurried to the bar fridge, returning with a bottled water he’d opened. She gulped down half the contents. “I’m OK. Let’s just get some f-o-o-d. It’s not that late.”

He checked his wristwatch. “Almost nine.” Holding out his hand, Callum drew Skye from the chair and wrapped her in his embrace. He brushed her lips with another kiss. “But if they aren’t serving, we can get something delivered. It is probably best you stay indoors.”

A knock at the door drew their attention. Now what?

“I’ll get it,” Skye said.

Callum released her, running his hand down her arm as she eased past him. He grasped her fingers. The diamond beneath his touch felt surreal. This was finally happening. He smiled. “Don’t be long.”

“I won’t. Sit. I’ll be back now. Maybe it’s room service and we can place an order.” She held her hand out in front of her as she walked away, admiring the engagement ring. She glanced back over her shoulder and paused. “It’s so beautiful. When did you get this?”

With a chuckle he sat down. “After work.”

The knock sounded at the door once more.

“I’m coming.” Skye raised her voice.

The door clicked as she opened it.

“Skye, darling…”

An avalanche tumbled from Callum’s mind, through his heart, coming to a stop in the pit of his stomach, sweeping away the lovesick feelings, and leaving only nausea in its wake. He knew that voice.

“Mother?”

~*~

Oh, why had she opened the door? In an instant, Skye’s dream turned to a nightmare. “W-what are you doing here? Why aren’t you home with Ted?”

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Rita Robinson squeezed past Skye, dragging her suitcase behind her. Not a lot of luggage. This was definitely a spur of the moment decision.

“Uncle Peter and Aunt Sophie came to visit for Christmas and aren’t leaving until early in the New Year. After I put the phone down on you this morning, last night for you, I was so worried. This entire Callum business got me so upset—insolent boy—that I went online and booked the first flight out to Glasgow, which by the way was within three hours.” She let out a ha-ha-ha. “I’ve never packed so fast in all my life.”

Oh, yes, you have. When you hightailed it out of Scotland with me after Da died.

“Mother, what about Ted?”

“I woke Aunt Sophie and told her I’d be back in a couple of days. That you needed me. She told me not to worry, to go—she’d watch Ted.”

“You shouldn’t have come.”

“Nonsense.” Rita led the way into Skye’s room and propped her suitcase up against the wall. “Why is it so dark in here? Barely a light on?”

Spotting the light switch on the wall above where she’d placed her suitcase, Rita’s fingers reached out. She never missed a thing. Brightness flooded the room. She turned to Skye. “Come, give me a hug, and then tell me you haven’t gone and done anything stupid with that boy.”

Skye placed her arms around her mother, turning the ring around on her finger. The diamond dug into her palm as she closed her hand in a fist. She looked up over her mother’s shoulder at Callum.

“What is she doing here?” he mouthed.

Instinctively, Skye raised her shoulders and her brows. “No idea,” she mouthed in return.

Rita eased Skye backward. “Let me take a good look at you now that I can see you.”

Skye turned her face away but her mother pinched Skye’s chin between her fingers, forcing Skye to look at her.

“Have you been crying? What has that no good McGuire done to you this time?”

“Nothing, Rita.” Callum’s voice held a terse edge to it.

Oh no.
Skye glanced past her mother.

Callum rose from his chair.

Releasing Skye, Rita whipped around.

He strode toward them. “Not this time. And not the last time, either, when you subjected your daughter to months of tears.”

“You? What are you doing here, again? I was right to drop everything and come.”

“Mother, don’t.” Skye pushed past her and rushed to Callum. She placed her hand on his arm and whispered. “Let me handle this. Just go. I’ll see you in the morning, early. This changes none of our plans. None. Fetch me here at six-thirty?”

Callum nodded. “All right.” He wrapped his arms around Skye and kissed her before grabbing his briefcase and coat and making his way out of the room without another word.

“I can’t believe the nerve…”

Skye’s gaze narrowed, she was unable to hide the disdain in the look directed at her mother, or the tremor in her voice. “This is the last time you interfere in my life, Mother. I will not tolerate it. Not again. I’m not sixteen anymore and I’m quite capable of making my own decisions. Good ones.”

“Not from what I can see.” Rita’s glare challenged Skye.

With a huff, Skye stomped to the desk and lifted the telephone receiver.

“What are you doing? Who are you calling? That McGuire boy?”

“Ugh, you are too much, do you know that? Callum’s no longer a boy, he’s a man. A highly successful one with the most beautiful soul. You should be happy that he’s still in love with me.”

“Successful? I’ll bet he’s still working and singing in that pub. How can you call that successful? Really, Skye. Don’t lower your standards so.”

Skye shook her head. “You know nothing. Sixteen years can change many things.”

“Like what?”

She opened her mouth and then shut it. Much as she wanted, Skye couldn’t tell her that Callum was an oncologist. Mother may just put that fact together with Skye’s tears, her hoarse throat, and Da’s own cancer that he was her oncologist. The woman was way too perceptive.

Instead, she jutted out her chin, just a touch. “The best thing about Callum is that he loves me, unconditionally. Always has.” She pointed a finger at her mother. “You should know and understand about such a love—you had it with Da. But then again, you never did quite appreciate or realize the value of his love, did you?”

Rita pointed back. “You’re out of line, Skye. Behave yourself.”

“No. You’re out of line. You’re the one who needs to learn to behave.”

Skye pressed the button on the keypad for reception. They answered immediately. “Good evening. Please can you check if you have a vacant room for this evening? It’s for a Mrs. Rita Robinson.”

“Skye. What are you doing?”

“You’re going to your own room. And tomorrow you’re getting on a plane and flying back home to Sydney.”

“You can’t make me do that.”

“Oh, yes, I can. Watch me.”

“I won’t go.”

“Suit yourself, Mother. But you’re not staying in my suite that’s paid for by my employer. Just make sure you make the right decision. I know how much you hate Glasgow.”

11

Callum closed the door to his office. The next time he returned two significant events would have occurred in his life: he’d be a married man, and he would have just operated on his wife.

Skye looked up at him from the other side of Linda’s desk and ended her conversation with Callum’s receptionist. Love filled her eyes as she blew him a kiss.

“Skye. I didn’t know you were here already. Why didn’t you call me?”

“Linda and I were chatting. Besides, I know you had a lot to do this morning.” She wiggled her eyebrows, twirling the diamond ring around her finger.

Maybe they should tell Linda what was going on. He could see Skye was dying to. No. She’d have to find out next week.

It was bad enough he’d had to tell Tavish, but it was the only way he could get his car back. There wasn’t a chance he’d trust the Beetle to get them to Gretna Green. Besides, he wouldn’t want to take his bride in that old faunty.

Thankfully Tavish was so excited he let Callum off the hook for the balance of their arrangement—as long as Callum covered his petrol for the month. Callum suspected deep down his brother felt guilty for not telling Skye the truth about his relationship with Katie. He could’ve saved them two days of sleep-deprived nights and worry.

After he dropped Skye at Belles & Beaus, he’d fetch his BMW. Temptation begged him to join Skye as she shopped for a wedding gown. Doubts joined forces with temptation. Had he made the right choice for his own wedding attire? He shook off the negativity. Of course he had. “How did all the tests go this morning?”

“All right. It was a little disconcerting being fitted for the mask, but Linda was kind enough to come in with me, hold my hand, and explain what they were doing and why.”

Callum turned to Linda. “Thank you for taking Skye.”

“No bother. ‘Twas good to get to know your childhood sweetheart.” She gave the tiniest wink with her smile that made Callum wonder how much she’d already guessed. Why were women so perceptive?