Page 20 of A Scottish Island Summer

Chapter Five

Logan exposed his canines again as he smiled. ‘Hi there. Good to meet you. Again. I hope you weren’t too cold in your tin foil yesterday.’

I frowned at him. Smart arse. Was this some sort of joke? This man was my guide for the next three weeks? Could this get any worse?

‘I was fine, thanks. I’m made of stern stuff.’

‘I’m sure you are.’

I could feel Logan’s mirror-like eyes glinting at me as I focused all my attention back on Iona. This perma cheerful individual was Iona’s brother? Of course he was. Fate was having a great time, sodding me around.

As though reading my thoughts, her bright-eyed enthusiasm dimmed a little. ‘My surname’s Carrington because I’m married. Well, I was.’

‘Oh. Right.’

I folded my arms for something to do. Logan was still looking at me, a flash of bemusement rearing up in his gaze.

Before I knew it, Iona was spilling all to her older brother about what the publishers were asking of me. Shit! Why couldn’t they have just asked me to locate Nessie while they were at it? ‘So, they obviously needed someone with local knowledge of the island and you’ve expertise of outdoor pursuits.’ She grinned up at him. ‘You fit the bill.’

Logan nodded and laughed. ‘It seems so. I just got a call a short while ago from your publishers, telling me all about it and asking me if I was available. They offered me a very generous fee, so why not?’

I took in his tall, broad frame.

Oh no. No. Absolutely not. This wasn’t a good idea. I wasn’t exactly sure why, but I just knew it wasn’t. ‘Oh, don’t worry about it.’ I flapped a hand, as though physically dismissing the idea. ‘We’ll get someone else. Thanks, Iona, but let’s leave your brother to his digging. He’s obviously busy.’

‘Like who?’ asked Logan arching a brow.

‘Sorry?’

‘I mean, who else are you going to ask to step in?’

My mouth opened and closed a few times and I gave a little shudder against the sharp needles of rain.

I turned to Iona, mentally willing her to throw out a few names. Even one would have done. I would’ve jumped at Kermit the Frog, one of the Power Rangers or Scooby Doo at this point. Instead, she shook her head, her plait flying out behind her on the windy hillside. ‘I’m not just saying this because he’s my brother, but Logan here is the best man for the job. Not only does he have a first-class degree in geology, but he was also a scout leader for a long time and knows the terrain better than anyone.’

I shot him a suspicious look. Of course, he was. ‘I assume you saved the planet, rescued a kitten stuck up a tree and found time to solve global warming in your lunchbreak?’

‘Did-dib-dib.’ He grinned then had the audacity to wink at me.

I felt myself blush. God, he was irritating as hell.

‘He knows Skye inside out and back to front,’ carried on Iona with enthusiasm. ‘And he’s marginally better-looking than some of the old timers round here.’

‘Gee, thanks for that.’ Logan pretended to flick some raindrops off his waterproof sleeve at his younger sister.

I braced myself against the biting wind. It had settled into a mild downpour now, rather than torrential and ripping your face off. ‘So, Mr Burns,’ I began, noticing a brown and gold bird of prey gliding over the hills.

‘Oh, please stop with the Mr Burns,’ insisted Logan. ‘You’re making me think of Mr Burns in The Simpsons.’ Logan appraised me. ‘Please, call me Logan. Have you ever been camping before?’

‘Good God, no!’ I gasped, appalled.

‘I thought as much.’

I felt my skin prickle. ‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’

Logan’s full mouth twitched behind his dark brown stubble. ‘Just that I had a hunch.’

His silver eyes challenged my hazel ones. ‘So, your publishers want you camping, dolphin watching, seeking out wild birds…’ I noticed his mouth carry a flicker of amusement. ‘That’s no problem. I can throw in some flame throwing, walking across hot coals and bungee jumping as well, if you like.’