Page 75 of A Scottish Highland Hideaway

I looked at him from under my tear-pricked eyelashes.

“It’s hard to start over somewhere new when you want people to see you for who you have become and not for what you did in the past. I should know,” Ezra said with a sympathetic smile. “But if I’ve learnt anything from hiding away up here, it’s that you can never really escape your past. And nor should you wish to. After all, we are who we are because of it. I’m proud of you, Bailey, and I hope I have the same courage when the time comes for me to face my own past.”

I felt the tears start to trickle down my face.

As Ezra turned to depart through the fire door at the back of the shop, he squeezed my hand. “Have an early night, dear, and we can talk again in the morning and get arrangements moving with regard my Hogmanay party. That’s if your parents are all right with it being held at their home.”

“Are you joking?” I tried to laugh through the tumult of emotions. “My mother will be beside herself with joy.”

“Well, as long as you’re sure.”

I nodded.

Ezra flicked me a look. “I’m sorry about what happened between us.” He pulled a face. “I was terrified by the threat of the scandal hanging over me. I thought no one would believe me. I thought it would overshadow everything else I’ve done in my career.”

“I know what you mean. And I’m sorry too.”

Ezra hesitated at the fire door and smiled. “I know it isn’t much notice, Bailey, but if you have the time and the resources, I would very much like to reinstate you as my florist. The regular service for my home?”

I blinked at him through damp lashes. “Seriously?”

“Of course. If it’s not too much to ask?” He smiled. “And if we can make it work, I’d like you to do the flowers for New Year’s Eve, too. If your parents won’t mind that?”

“I… I’m sure they’ll be delighted,” I said. “Ezra, I don’t know what to say. Thank you. We can handle it. I’ll have to get Rowan and Amber to help me. It’ll mean all hands on deck.”

“Well, I shall leave it in your capable hands.” Ezra patted me on the shoulder in an avuncular fashion. “If that young man has a problem with who you are – or who you were – then it’s up to him to address it and deal with it.” He indulged me with one of his famous, lopsided smiles. “And if he’s unable or unwilling to do that, then it’s his loss.” He plonked his hat back on his head. “I’m grateful to you for contacting me, Bailey. I wouldn’t blame you for not having anything more to do with this grouchy old sod.”

I laughed, despite how wretched I was feeling.

I knew Ezra had been married three times, but he told me again anyway. “I’ve always been a selfish old bugger, used to getting my own way.” A glimpse of regret crossed his face. “I’ve never been father material. I guess as you get older, you become better able to accept your limitations.”

He was trying to justify to himself, and to me, why he’d decided not to get involved with Caroline and Laura.

“Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’d make a wonderful dad.”

“You have a very kind heart, young lady.”

He turned his dashing face up to the night sky and savoured the tossed array of stars. “I took out my frustration and fear about those girls being my daughters on you and I’m sorry. I hope you can accept this old goat’s apology.”

“Of course,” I croaked. Now, it was my turn to apologise. “I shouldn’t have interfered. I thought I was doing the best for you, and for them.”

“Sometimes, you just have to do what you think is right at the time.”

I took his hand and gave it a squeeze, and then watched him vanish into the night with a gallant tip of his trilby.

Once he’d gone, I pressed my back against the door.

What an evening!

I was so glad to have sorted things out with Ezra, but the ball of injustice regarding Zach rolled around inside of me. Why was he acting like I’d purposely tried to humiliate him, hurt him? What would he have done if I’d told him who I was right away? He’d have gone immediately to print with some salacious story about me in Stargazer.

Sure, I’d had opportunity to tell him more recently. But the time had never felt quite right. And besides, I still didn’t know Zach that well … it was him who was putting a barrier up, not me. I didn’t know much about him at all. At least nothing that really mattered.

Except his smouldering eyes, his tall, muscular body, and the kindness that had been showing itself lately.

But Zach still hadn’t explained why he was working for Stargazer magazine, when he had a CV bursting with previous employment at some of the biggest and most auspicious newspapers.

Being born into my family wasn’t a criminal offence! It wasn’t like I’d asked for it to be bestowed upon me. It was an accident of birth.