Once she recovered, she snapped a picture of him, knowing immediately it was a picture she'd treasure.Him grinning like the devil, the castle and loch in the background.
Ian held out his hand expectantly.Lucy handed over her camera slowly, curious to see what he'd do.Look at the picture?Delete it?But he turned the lens on her and clicked.Oh, great.She rolled her eyes and gave him a frank face, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips."Okay, fun's over."
Ian leaned back and looked at the viewing screen.She expected him to finish and give it back, but then he continued clicking through her pictures.He seemed engrossed.And suddenly she felt very bare, and very much like his opinion mattered.She had to bite her tongue and not ask him what he thought.
He finished."Why aren't you doing this for a living?You could sell these.They're incredible."
She held out her hand and he returned the camera.Her heart was pounding.She didn't want to hear his opinion after all.
"Yet you work for your cousin grooming dogs."
"So?"she said defensively.
"Just trying to figure you out."
"Nothing to figure out.Everyone has to work.Everyone has bills."Lucy began gathering the food and putting the leftovers back into their containers.
"Your photographs are world class, Lucy.World class."
She knew what he was really saying.Why wasn't she working as a photographer?Why was she clipping doggie toenails and brushing canine teeth instead?Kate had a deep, deep love for animals.They were her life.She'd turned something she loved into her own business.And the question was, why didn't Lucy have the courage to do the same?That was what he was really asking.
Ian didn't push, and she was grateful for that.It was none of his business anyway.
They cleaned up in silence and before Ian could return from stowing the basket on the boat, Lucy followed him out, not caring about getting wet.He said nothing, just lifted her onto the boat and climbed in behind her.
When Lucy spied the castle in the distance and realized they weren't heading toward it, she gave Ian a questioning look.
"Whisky tasting remember?"The boat slowed."You still up for it?"
Oh yeah, she was up for a drink.Several, in fact.
She was irritated, mad that he made her think about one of her greatest failures.Trying.That was her failure.She never eventried.Fear of failure.Fear of everything."Absolutely.How fast can this bucket move?"
"Fast as you want it to, lass."
"And you know what?Stop calling me that."She didn't want him to be so perfect, so nice, and accommodating.She didn't want to hear the subtle Scottish accent or words that set butterflies dancing in her belly.She didn't want any of it.
As they came upon the village, Lucy had to admit it, too, was picture perfect, lining a pretty curve of land that hugged the loch.
Ian moored the boat and they walked up the dock, past several fishing and leisure craft to the Lazy Lion Pub across the street.He'd been quiet after her outburst, and she couldn't tell whether he was hurt or pissed or simply didn't care.
It didn't take long for Lucy to get drunk.
"It's meant to be sipped," Ian told her for the third time.
Lucy downed her glass."It's a whisky tasting.I'm tasting.It's all good, MacLaren.Don't worry about it."
He let out a snort, took a sip of the amber liquid, and then fiddled with the crystal glass, wondering what the hell to do next.Lucy was well on her way to getting wasted.Not exactly the way he'd envisioned the day going.He'd ticked her off, asking about her photography, and by doing so, making her face some things she obviously preferred not to face.
She hiccuped.
If she kept up her current pace, he'd have to carry her back to the boat.
Grant, the bartender, eyed him when Lucy asked for another drink.Ian gave a slight nod.One more.Because maybe she needed this.From what he did know about her, she didn't take risks.Her entire trip was probably the biggest risk she'd ever taken.In a lot of ways, Lucy Walker was finally spreading her wings, learning who she was.In a weird way, he felt proud of her.And humbled that he was able to go along for the ride.
He shook his head.
What did he care?He needed a great review.He needed to make sure Lucy left Scotland with happy memories, ones she'd never forget.
