Page 63 of A Scottish Highland Hideaway

I clamped my mouth shut.

Zach studied me. “If you could just stop talking for a moment and let me explain please.”

I glowered at him, as the sparkly late November stars danced across the sky behind him through the open door.

Zach shook his head in frustration. “You have my word that I’m not here to needlessly invade Ezra’s privacy, or his two daughters.” His voice was deep and earnest. “If someone does that, it certainly won’t be me.”

I blinked up at Zach. “Are you serious?”

He nodded. “You have my word.”

“But then … what?” I stumbled. “Why are you approaching Ezra King’s management?”

Zach jerked up the collar of his coat. “There’s been a development… Something genuinely of public interest. You know I’m interested in the truth, that’s all.” His attention drifted from my eyes to my mouth again, making my legs turn to jelly and my stomach churn at the word “truth”.

We stood there, staring at one another, unaware of the brisk cold.

I gazed at a small scar on his chin hidden amongst his shadowy stubble.

“I can’t tell you what’s going on yet, but I will.” He hesitated. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance you could speak to Ezra King on my behalf and persuade him to talk to me?”

I sighed. “I highly doubt it. He was absolutely furious when I talked to him about Caroline and Laura. I’d be surprised if he ever speaks to me again.”

Zach reached out one hand and squeezed my shoulder. The sensation of his fingertips skimming against my skin made me bite back a gasp.

He stood over me, a kaleidoscope of emotions travelling across his face. “Bailey…” Then he blinked and snatched his hand away. It was like touching me had scorched him. “You were trying to help. It’s a shame he couldn’t see that.”

I was silent for a moment. Zach was right. I had only been trying to help. But Ezra hadn’t seemed too interested in finding out the truth. Like his denial was more important than connecting with his own flesh and blood.

“Why do you need to speak to him if you’re not doing an article on him?” I asked then.

Zach cocked his head at me. “Trust me, Bailey. Please.”

I felt like I was in free-fall whenever I looked at him. I nodded after a few more seconds. “Ok, I will.”

Zach gave a brief smile. “If Adam finds out about me dicking around and hesitating over writing up about Ezra’s daughters, my P45 will be in the post.” He started to move away and then turned around again. “I’ll let you know how I get on.”

I began to close the door.

“Bailey.” His eyes glinted back at me.

“What?”

“Trust me. Please.”

Chapter Fourteen

Sunday morning’s drive to Bannock House was actually very pleasant. There was a wintry breeze, signalling the definite arrival of December, but the coquettish sun persisted in flirting in and out of the stippled shreds of icy clouds.

Still, the secret I was keeping from Zach was very much on my mind. How long could I carry on like this? I didn’t want to lie to him or deceive him. It made me feel shabby. But, despite telling him I trusted him, how could I when it was his job to expose the truth?

I was even taking a risk driving back home. What if Zach was tailing me? It didn’t seem that likely, not after what had happened between us last night, but it wasn’t impossible. I checked my rear-view mirror but the coast was clear. It looked like I was the only car on the road.

I relaxed a little, though I was still struggling with a combination of guilt and longing. I wanted to be the person Zach thought I was. Despite my protestations that I’d never allow myself to fall for another man again, let alone trust one, here I was, doing it anyway.

When I stopped at some traffic lights, I studied my eyes in the little mirror on the back of the visor that I’d pulled down to protect against the bright flashes of occasional sunlight. My eyes were preoccupied and pale grey, like an unsettled loch on a winter’s day. Squirming nerves, like a basket of eels, slithered in my stomach.

As I left behind the main roads, the familiar scenery of the countryside emerged. In the distance, there was the faint, craggy hillside. the thrusting peaks of the roofs and the higgledy-piggledy shops. Everything looked festive, as though it had been sprinkled with glitter.