Page 53 of A Scottish Highland Hideaway

Zach came back on the phone, apologetic, but breezy, as he cut through my pain. “Sorry about that.”

It’s for the best, I reminded myself. The guy’s a journalist for pity’s sake! It would be like a diver going into a shark tank with a lump of fresh meat tied around their neck.

“No problem,” I struggled, feigning indifference.

Zach switched the subject, oblivious. “Anyway, as I know it’s piqued your interest, I just rang to say that I’ve another idea in order to try and locate our missing aristo.”

“Oh?” I managed nonchalantly, as though my interest in the subject was minimal. “And what might that be?”

“Ex-boyfriends, hangers-on… I’m sure the lure of a few quid will make them talk,” said Zach. “I’ll mention it to Adam. We can put an appeal in the magazine for information leading to the discovery of the Bollinger Babe. As for Ezra’s daughters, I’ve got a couple of solid contacts looking into that.”

I was fighting to calm the swirling worry in my chest. “Good for you… Look, I’d better go. You sound rather busy.”

I didn’t give him a chance to answer before I ended the call.

I’d got it wrong about Zach being attracted to me, but what did it matter anyway. If anything were to happen between us, it wouldn’t be long before he knew who I was. I sighed. Would I ever be able to move on and create new and fulfilling memories like I’d imagined when I’d planned my new life here in Heather Moore?

As it was, my attempt at a reboot seemed like it was beginning to take me down a different path. Where that path was headed, I had no idea…

Chapter Twelve

Marcus set off for home the following morning, after prolonged, fierce hugs from me and requests from him that I take care and not do anything risky.

It was as if he thought I was going to parade up and down Heather Moore with a placard around my neck, proclaiming, “I’m the Bollinger Babe”.

“I promise I’ll be careful,” I told him, with an eyeroll. “Now, go, and I’m always here if you need me.”

* * *

Saturday was my favourite day of the week in Flower Power because of the more relaxed atmosphere it brought with it. There were no trains to catch, no buses to flag down, and no congested roads to negotiate, so customers were free to spend quality time in my shop, savouring the delights of the flowers, browsing our arrangements, and losing themselves in the warm scents.

Amber and Rowan were both in a buoyant mood.

Rowan was gushing about my brother’s ideas for publicising her little side-hustle – a dog-walking business – which she’d discussed with him during his stay. “Marcus suggested giving new clients a ten per cent discount on their first two walks and offering a small range – at least to begin with – of A Walk in The Bark merchandise,” she explained, buzzing. “He thinks I should start off small with some mugs and keyrings featuring the image of my clients’ dogs. If it goes well, I could expand on it.” She clapped her hands together. “He’s so brilliant!”

I smiled at her, thinking it was typical of Marcus to deal with heartache by throwing himself into work – his and other people’s. He’d never been one to mope or sit around waiting for things to happen. Hell, he was even planning to enrol in an evening class, for heaven’s sake!

A flash of my own aggravating predicament appeared in my head, with Zach sneaking his way back into my thoughts. I’d been out of my mind to harbour attraction for some sleazy tabloid hack, though admittedly a very hot one, who could be on the verge of destroying the new life I was building for myself.

I felt a chill in my veins at the sensationalist news stories that would no doubt be splashed across the tabloids if my location was revealed. And I hoped that Caroline and Laura could continue to avoid Zach for a little longer, before he tracked them down.

I picked up my phone and navigated to my mother’s number. I was returning to Bannock House tomorrow to talk to her about Marcus and Jacob and wondered if I should let her know I was coming. Then again, turning up unannounced meant she would be thrown by my sudden arrival, and off-guard, with no prepared answers to my questions. She’d be more likely to be honest. I hoped.

As much as I wasn’t relishing the prospect of stepping back inside Bannock House again, it had to be done. I couldn’t hide from the ghost of Declan forever. I refused to let him win.

“Hi, Bailey.”

I jumped at the sound of Zach’s voice as he walked through the door and up to the counter. Of course, he looked amazing, in his thick navy polo neck, winter jacket, and dark jeans. My insides pirouetted, not just because he was undeniably gorgeous, but because every time I saw him, I expected those immortal words – Aha! I knew Declan’s former It-girl aristo was you all along!

I drank in his burning brown eyes, before recovering myself.

“Hi there. How are things?”

“Oh, ok thanks. On a late lunch break at the moment. Been busy asking around doing some important research.”

“Uh-huh,” I said. I was damned if I was going to ask what about. Like I didn’t know. Instead, I plumped for something polite but vague. “Any luck?”

“Things are moving in the right direction. The good news is that I was called today by a guy who claims he does actually know who the Bollinger Babe is.”