Chapter 10
The rest of her day passed by in a sun drenched dream. The sky was blue and dotted with white clouds. The loch was smooth and quiet, reflecting everything off its surface like the finest of mirrors. Trees hugged the waterline, competing for space with large boulders.
ReadingLady of the Lakeby Sir Walter Scot in Scotland, on a loch, in the highlands filled her with a deep sense of wistfulness and romanticism. Kate reclined in the boat, propped her feet on the top edge and tucked her hands behind her head to stare at the clouds above her. Her thoughts tried valiantly to steer clear of Devin, but he was in the forefront of her mind and, unfortunately, in her heart.
Why not let go? Why not take happiness where she could find it? She was in one of the most beautiful spots on Earth, in a place she loved to the very core of her being, and maybe she wasn't really living life to the fullest. Holden had done a number on her, but she wasn't washed up. She was young and healthy and, yes, a romantic at heart. And there was a broad-shouldered Scot who looked at her with hazel eyes filled with solemn strength, intelligence, and desire—the deep, dark, intense kind, the kind that had the same force as a comet blazing across the sky.
With a sigh, she sat up, and picked up the paddles, not wanting to break the mood by using the motor. The island was behind her, the sun would be going down soon, and her stomach clenched with hunger.
When she finally made it to the tiny pebbled beach, she used the paddles and dug deep into the floor of the loch to push the boat as close to the shore as possible. It wasn't close enough, so she took off her sneakers, threw them on shore and then jumped into the calf-deep water.
Yep. Still cold.
Hurrying, she grabbed Double H, the basket and blankets, and then made her way onto the beach to a cleared area that had obviously seen a lot of use over the years. The interior of the island was filled with tall pines and she could see an old fort and some crude looking benches just inside the tree line. Kate smiled. She could imagine the MacLaren boys playing there as children. What a rough and tumble bunch they must have been.
In the clearing where she stood there was a small pile of sticks and logs next to a fire pit. Too bad she hadn't thought to grab some matches. With one of the blankets spread next to the fire pit, she sat down and opened the basket, immediately impressed. Fran obviously erred on the you-can-never-have-enough side of food preparation. There was enough in the basket for at least three people. Along with two bottles of water and a bottle of white wine with two glasses. No wonder the thing was so heavy.
As Kate opened a container of pasta and dug in, a twig snapped in the forest. Chewing paused, she listened. Probably nothing. She was on a tiny island. Not an ideal habitat for large wildlife. She was fine. The island was gorgeous, there was a mountain of food to eat, a sexy book to read, and wine to wash it all down. Life couldn't get any better.
Until a huge pile of sticks dropped down next to her blanket. Kate screamed, fumbled the container of pasta and shot off the blanket as Terry raced around her legs.
Devin stood there, looking as aggravated as she was shocked.
"What the hell?" she demanded, breathless, heart racing.
"You're in my spot."
"Your spot!"
He frowned, lips drawing into a thin line. Otherwise, he looked pretty damn hot standing there in work boots, cargo pants, and a flannel shirt hanging open to reveal a white T-shirt underneath. He looked wild and outdoorsy, and utterly male.
As they stared at each other, the situation seemed to dawn on them simultaneous.
"Hamish," they both said in unison.
Devin swiped a hand through his hair and let out a fed up breath.
"How did you get here?" she asked.
"My boat's just around that rock. It's an easier place to moor." He eyed her small craft. "You paddled all the way?"
"Been on the water since lunch. Eventually made it here." She looked down at the blanket. The container was overturned and the pasta spilled onto the dirt. Fair game for the dogs. "This explains why Fran packed so much food."
Devin's head swung around. "Food?"
She stifled a laugh. "Yeah. Guess she was in on it too. Might as well help yourself."
Devin set to work setting up the sticks and logs in the shallow pit. Kate shooed the dogs off, rinsed the empty container in the water, and then returned to shake out the blanket. Double H went tumbling into the dirt, landing right next to Devin's boot as he knelt to light the fire. He glanced down. His brows lifted high as he turned his attention on her.
Kate wanted to die. Her fingers curled around the blanket and she stifled a mortified groan. His deep chuckle just made things worse. Figures. She should just realize and accept the fact that things would never be normal or easy or relaxing around him.
Whatever.
She spread the blanket as Devin tucked the paperback into the back waistband of his pants.
"Give it back."
He stopped blowing on the tiny flames and gave her an arched look. "Come and get it."
