You Can't Run From Love (2 page)

“That would be great, thanks. I don’t fancy the walk back now. How does my face look?”

He made a point of looking intently and then screwed up his nose. “Ugly as ever.”

Mark was forty-six, five years older than Jess, and although they had spent time in each other’s company when they were young, they hadn’t seen themselves as friends, until he was in his late twenties, when age didn’t matter so much. Mark had gone into farming as soon as he’d turned sixteen and still worked the same farm. He was now a well-respected manager for his elderly employer.

The tractor pulled up outside the store and Jess jumped down. “Thanks, I’ll see you later.”

***

The store sat in the center of the village serving the local community with fresh produce, emergency dry goods, newspapers, a small selection of liquor, and the all-important post office. The connecting building was the doctor’s surgery with its own dispensary. The rest of the village, which nestled close to the edge of the river and at the foot of one of the many glens in the area, consisted of around thirty houses scattered along one main road, a public house and a small cemetery. It was a picturesque place with its old stone buildings. Every space was filled with trees or shrubs and in the summer, gardens were a welcoming mass of blooming colors, enjoyed by both the locals and tourists alike.

Jess chuckled as the bell above the door tinkled to announce her presence. It wasn’t long ago that Julie, the owner of the store and her best friend, since their ages were in single figures, had temporarily dispensed with the bell. Last summer a couple of visiting youths had stopped it from ringing as they entered and were caught only by chance, pilfering goods. Julie had then installed a buzzer that couldn’t be tampered with. The noise of it every time they entered drove the locals mad and if Julie was honest, herself as well. After reasoning that it was only the one time she’d had any trouble and they hadn’t got away with anything, she had reinstated the bell, much to everyone’s delight. “Hi Julie, it’s only me.”

“Hi Jess,” came a reply from behind one of the small well-stocked shelves. “How are you?” Julie rounded the end of the aisle with her arms open for a hug. Jess stepped forward only to have the arms in front of her drop suddenly and her friend step back. “Oh no, you don’t. What on earth happened to you? You’re soaked and filthy.”

Jess shook her head. “Don’t forget to add cold. And no, I didn’t fall before you ask.”

“Come on. Get those clothes off, before you freeze.” Julie beckoned to Jess impatiently.

Jess followed. “Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse. Did you have something in mind to warm me up? I’d be more than happy to provide you with a few pointers.”

Julie turned around, walked seductively toward her friend and uttered in a low and sultry voice, “Who said I would need any pointers. I’m sure I could teach you a thing or two.” Her eyebrows rose up and down, before they both burst into laughter.

Julie grabbed an arm. “Come on, I’ll find you something dry to change into. Just put every wet thing by the fire and they might dry a little before you have to go.”

Jess did as instructed. She loved this little room behind the shop counter—nothing matched. It contained a sofa and armchair that were draped in tartan blankets and huddled close to a small open fire. On the floor were numerous rugs, covering a loud green carpet of swirling patterns. The rest of the room provided functional furniture and equipment for use when the shop was open.

“Here we are,” Julie cried, flapping a pair of joggers about her head.

Jess looked suspiciously at her. “Whose are those?” Julie was a good three inches smaller than she, and Tom, her husband, was about four inches taller and much broader.

“They’re yours, believe it or not. I’d forgotten I had them.”

Jess frowned. “I don’t remember those. Oh, wait a minute, I lent you those when…” She smirked.

“Yes, it was the day I was attempting to help you unblock that sewage drain.” Julie threw them at Jess. “Change woman, before your legs freeze.” Jess laughed and peeled off her long johns.

Tom walked in, placing a package on a nearby desk. “Well this is a greeting, any more coming off?”

His wife punched him playfully in the arm. “Behave.”

Jess had a glint in her eye. “I’m not usually caught with my pants down by someone’s other half.”

“Jess Brewster!” Julie raised an eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest.

She quickly pulled on the joggers while Tom wrapped his arms around Julie’s waist, chuckling. “Those legs look far too cold to get close to. You’re a much warmer bet.”

Tom was the senior partner in a practice of two doctors that cared for the local community and its visitors. He kissed Julie tenderly then turned to Jess, nodding toward her legs. “What have you been up to anyway? Legs really shouldn’t be that color.”

She moved to stand in front of the fire. “A passing motorist.” He waited for more.

Jess grinned. “I’m only telling it once and someone will want a lot more detail than you.”

They both looked at Julie. “You’re right. Best of luck, I’ll hear it later.”

Julie glared, first at her husband and then at Jess. “I won’t ask now.”

Tom winked at Jess and then patted the package he had brought in with him. “Marcus saw you arrive. This is Jack’s medicine. Sorry I didn’t have it organized for you on Saturday.”

“Please don’t worry, he hasn’t run out. You know how cautious I am.”

“I know, but you have more than enough to do without having to make another trip here so soon.”

Jess wandered over to him and linked her arm through his. “It’s fine, I enjoyed the walk, despite my wee bit of bother, and I have a list for Julie anyway.” She smiled. “Thanks for bringing it through. I’m just going to go and wash up.”

When she returned a few minutes later, Tom had gone back through to the practice next door, and Julie was busy in the shop filling her backpack.

Julie looked up. “I take it that list in your trouser pocket, were the items you needed?”

“Yes, thanks. I’ll go make us a cup of tea if you have that under control.”

Just as the tea was poured, Julie entered the little room and looked at her friend of thirty years and more. The usual, unruly mop of red, curly hair had been flattened by her hat. She couldn’t resist putting her fingers through it, in an attempt to make it bounce back up. “I’ll never understand why you insist on hiking down here, when you have a perfectly good truck and Range Rover.”

Jess chuckled. “I only do it when I’m picking up relatively few items. I just don’t see the point in traveling almost ten miles when you can do it in just over two?” That was the distance from the gate on the lane to Woodland Lodges via the footpath. The road took a long loop up. Jess could easily beat a car coming down, but going back up the hillside was a little hit-and-miss.

“Okay.” Julie started tugging at a wet trouser leg hanging just beside her. “So what exactly happened?”

Jess gave her the full story and as usual nothing could be left out. Julie couldn’t help but laugh. “I can’t believe you commented on her nipples. You were lucky she didn’t slap you.”

Jess blushed. “I didn’t mention her nipples.”

“Well you might just as well have, it’s not good getting caught taking a peek.” Julie chuckled, raising her eyebrows. “After a gaffe like that, you should have just gone all the way and asked her where she was staying, especially if she was that attractive. Do you think you might have missed your chance, do you think she was a lesbian?”

Jess rolled her eyes. “How on earth would I know that?”

“Your gaydar.” Julie laughed.

Jess stuck her tongue out. “What gaydar? Mine only works if I’m in a gay bar and a woman starts talking sex with me.”

“You found her attractive, doesn’t that count for something?”

Jess shook her head. “Yes, but
durr
, some good-looking women are straight you know.”

“Very funny. You really are hopeless. You could have been that woman’s holiday romance.” She winked at Jess and they both laughed.

An image suddenly sprang into Jess’s mind of sliding a hand through that gorgeous mane of thick brown hair, while her other hand gently took a breast and teased one of those very inviting nipples. She sighed, feeling a sudden throb of heat between her thighs. She looked at Julie. “Now that I could handle, and I’m sure it would be most enjoyable.”

Julie nodded. “She was that attractive then?”

Jess instantly felt uncomfortable. She usually wasn’t so obvious in her desire of another. “Anything would appear attractive to me at the moment, it’s been a while. After today’s reaction, I think I should get out more.”

Chapter Two

Rachel heaved a contented sigh as she sank into the large comfortable sofa and gazed out the glass doors of the lounge and beyond the balcony. The view never bored her, even after six years. Trees and shrubs had matured but the birds flittering around the feeders and the squirrels jumping from branch to branch were unchanged. The difference this year, though, was that she could see more. Usually, it would only be the five peaks along the undulating ridge that were visible behind the trees. Their dark craggy edges and deep ravines, making them look forbidding. The snow changed that completely. They looked soft and rounded, very much like the rolling, lower-lying hills in summer that, Rachel mused, looked like giant green sponges. Usually she would only see glimpses of the hills from here, through branches full of leaves and needles. But this time she could see whole mountain and hill faces, making it easier to imagine the varying shades of purple that showed when the heather bloomed in late summer. Something she would miss this year.

Rachel looked upon the lodge as her second home. It was a place far removed from city life, a perfect balance to that busy, demanding lifestyle.

After arriving midafternoon she had been greeted by Marie, who was the live-in housekeeper and overseer for the cleaning of the lodges, and a very good friend to the inhabitants of the house. She had gained the position not long after Jack had become the sole guardian to Jess Brewster, after an accident had claimed their family. Marie had also been widowed and there were not many positions that welcomed a woman who had a young daughter. It had worked out well for them both. Rachel was amused to hear she was now engaged to Bill, the landlord of the village pub. The pair had been courting for as long as Rachel had been coming here and she felt this development was way overdue.

The shock on her arrival had been Jack. He was a shadow of his former self, so much thinner and shrunken in stature. He had been a biggish man before his illness, with a strong presence. She smiled. He still had that twinkle of mischief in his eye and that wonderful enthusiasm for life that she always found uplifting. It was miraculous, considering what he’d obviously been through.

She had been invited to dinner as usual on her day of arrival. It had turned into a ritual they had grown accustomed to and enjoyed. This time would be different though; it would be her first meeting with Jack’s niece and she was a little apprehensive. Usually Jess spent her summers as a walking guide for a holiday company, so their paths had never crossed. Jack loved his niece and was looking forward to the two of them finally meeting.

Don, an old friend of Jack’s, and the hired help in the summer, had assisted with unloading her bags. She had unpacked most of her belongings then showered, and was now just waiting to wander down to the house for dinner. Lomond Lodge was the farthest up the hillside of the lodges that were privately scattered around the forested estate of indigenous trees and pines.
I’ll just wait another ten minutes.

***

The meal was under control and Jess was deciding what to wear. She couldn’t understand why she was nervous about meeting Rachel Cummings. Was it because she was a well-known children’s illustrator and artist, or the fact she was American? Every American she had met had been confident and a little overpowering. Jess tutted at her prejudice. She hadn’t met that many. It wasn’t that. It was the fact that Uncle Jack had always spoken so highly of her and was obviously very fond of her. She didn’t want to disappoint him by not liking this woman.

***

“Evening Rachel, come in, let me take your coat.” Jack stepped aside to let her pass.

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“Go on through to the lounge. Don, Jean and Marie are already in there.”

Jean was Don’s wife, whom Rachel knew well. The women fell easily into conversation, while Don tended to the drinks.

Jack popped his head around the kitchen door. Jess was busy with her preparations for dinner. When it was more than the three of them Jess tended to make the meals. Marie found dinners a chore and Jess loved the chance to cook. “Rachel’s arrived. Could you spare a few minutes to say hello?”

She turned around, happy to see her uncle buzzing about. “Yes, that’s fine, everything’s ready here.”

She followed her uncle into the lounge as he interrupted the group huddled around the fireplace. “Sorry to disturb you all. I’d just like to make some introductions. Rachel, this is Jess. Jess, this is Rachel.”

Jess froze, her mouth agape.
Of all the people.
Then to her dismay, Rachel uncontrollably uttered, “Great.”

Quickly regaining her composure Jess walked toward the diminutive, dark-haired woman. Smiling ruefully, she extended her hand in greeting. “I’m really very sorry, Rachel, that was more than rude. Believe me, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” She winked. “Properly.”

Rachel relaxed, returning the smile and took Jess’s hand. “Are you sure?”

There were a number of puzzled looks exchanged around the room. Rachel looked at them. “Did Jess tell you what happened to her this afternoon?”

There was a momentary silence before Marie chuckled and piped up. “She didn’t have to say anything. It was all over her.”

The room broke into laughter and Rachel looked back at Jess. “I am sorry.”

“Forget it. It’ll keep them entertained for weeks.” She gave a mischievous grin. “Mind you, if you hadn’t stopped, I certainly wouldn’t be telling you to forget it.”