Page 69 of A Scottish Highland Hideaway

It was only when Zach appeared around lunchtime that I was able to distract myself for a little while.

“You look … tired,” he said with concern.

“Thanks,” I said ruefully. I so wanted to unburden myself to him, but I knew I couldn’t. Too much was at stake. I blinked up at him, touched by his concern. “I just didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Zach smiled. “Right. Well, I’m here if there’s anything on your mind you want to offload.” He then let out a frustrated sigh. “I feel terrible but I’m actually here to ask a favour of you.”

I fiddled with some change in the till and shot him a cross look. “Is that why you’re being so nice to me? Because you want a favour?”

“No, it bloody well isn’t! Gee. Great to know you think so much of me.”

I twisted my mouth up at one corner. “Is this you fishing for compliments?”

Zach grinned, exposing his white, even teeth with just a sliver of a sexy gap between the front two. “Is it working?”

I let out a laugh, trying not to register the sudden rippling sensation in my stomach. “No, but God loves a trier.” I stopped what I was doing with the till. “Ok, Zach, out with it. What’s the problem?”

He looked contrite. “It’s not good news on the Ezra King front, I’m afraid. He’s refusing to speak to me. I’ve tried his manager, his publisher, everyone I can think of. It’s the usual excuse: he’s had bad experiences with journalists in the past and now brackets every reporter alongside Satan.”

Zach rubbed his jaw and moved closer to me. I got a delicious waft of his woodsy, English oak cologne.

I narrowed my eyes. “Can you blame him?”

“I suppose not. But what I’m looking into isn’t your run-of-the-mill gossip, Bailey. This rumour that’s circulating…”

“Yes, you keep mentioning that. What rumour exactly?”

Zach frowned. “I can’t say, not yet. Just trust me on this one, ok? I need to speak to him to get his side… It’s very important.”

I studied him. “To get his side on record, you mean?”

“Something like that.” Zach sighed, an adorable air of little-boy helplessness about him.

I fiddled with my necklace. “Ok, I’ll try. But don’t get your hopes up. I’ve already told you I’m not one of his favourite people right now.”

Chapter Fifteen

Amber had finished for the day but Rowan was still working so I excused myself for a few moments and secreted myself in my office with my mobile.

I tried to contact Ezra first, but his phone rang out and he didn’t pick up. Either he was busy or he could see it was me calling him and was avoiding me. Undeterred, I then rang his manager, but Denise Gold’s voicemail was activated and despite leaving several messages, she didn’t return my calls.

I then decided to ring Corrie, Denise Gold’s assistant. She’d been so kind and sympathetic when Ezra had decided to cancel my floristry services.

After exchanging pleasantries, she apologised again for Ezra’s decision not to use Flower Power. “I’m so sorry. I felt awful having to tell you. In fact, I was rather dreading it.”

“Honestly, Corrie, please don’t feel bad about it. Ezra had already said he’d changed his mind about using me.” I hoped she’d be able to hear the urgency in my voice. “And I can assure you this call isn’t an attempt by me to try to persuade Ezra to change his mind. But I really do need to speak with him about something else. It’s urgent.”

Corrie made an understanding murmur.

“I know Ezra hates journalists,” I went on. “But this is something where … Ezra’s involvement will benefit him.” I hesitated. I didn’t know that for sure, but I trusted Zach to have Ezra’s best interests at heart. “Can you tell Ezra that I’ll be here at the shop this evening and if he can come by around 6pm, I’ll be waiting with Zach Stern?” I took a breath. “Ezra will know who Zach is. It’s very important.” My chest gave a little heave. “Please emphasise to Ezra that I trust Zach and he should, too.”

Corrie sighed and I heard her scribbling down a note. “Ok. I’ll pass on your message, but I can’t promise he’ll get back to you, let alone show up.” There was a smile wrapped around her words. “You know what a cantankerous old bugger he can be.”

Once I’d hung up, I rang Zach on his mobile and kept him in the loop.

Zach was pleased. “Good work, Bailey. I’ll make sure I finish up this staff exploitation story I’m working on, so I can be with you about five forty-five. Do you think he’ll come?”

I sighed. “I’m not going to get too optimistic. I just hope curiosity gets the better of him.” I took a breath. “I emphasised when I called that I trusted you and that Ezra should too.”