Focus, Keira. It’s just a man lifting wood.
A very attractive man.
A very unfairly attractive man.
He sets it down and motions me over. I glance around for help—none is coming.
“Alright,” he says, stepping behind me, “first, hand placement.”
His arms circle mine, guiding me—and I feel the heat of him at my back. Every nerve in my body lights up.
“Feel that?” he murmurs near my ear. “It’s about balance.”
Oh, I feel it. I feel everything. The rough bark under my hands. His body pressed against mine. The slight tremor in my fingers.
“Now, the swing,” he continues.
His hands land on my hips—and I nearly drop the log. Every point of contact burns.
“Focus, Keira!” Callum calls.
If only you knew.
“Sorry—it’s heavier than I expected,” I mutter.
Alistair’s grip tightens slightly.
“Relax,” he whispers, so only I can hear. “It’s just a game.”
A game.
Of course it is.
“Go!” Duncan shouts.
We move together—perfectly in sync. The log lifts, spins, lands exactly right.
Cheers erupt.
“Beautiful!” Maggie beams. “Perfect harmony!”
“Some people are just meant to move together,” Isobel adds knowingly.
Mary nods. “Just like Archibald and Elspeth. They were an incredible team.”
Alistair and I exchange a look.
“They competed together?” he asks.
“Oh yes,” Mary says. “Won everything.”
“They moved like magic,” Isobel adds.
“What happened to them?” I ask.
The two women exchange a look.
“Sometimes,” my mother says slowly, “what’s obvious to everyone else… escapes the people involved.”
