Page 68 of A Scottish Island Summer

Logan eyed me. ‘Wise words.’

‘My dad used to say that a lot.’ Feeling my chest constrict at the memory of my late parents, I admired the scenery around us, trying not to let the tears well.

Logan brushed his hair back from his face. ‘Iona hasn’t had an easy time of it, but I’m proud of her.’

I watched him as the sea air ruffled the fringes of the picnic blanket we were sitting on.

‘She’d never leave Skye. She’s always said it. I feel the same. It just takes you over, hypnotises you, but in the best way possible.’ Logan let out a laugh. ‘Like I said to you before, Robbie’s always had a crush on Iona, ever since we were teenagers, but he’s never done anything about it. In fact, he goes out of his way to avoid her, because he gets tongue-tied around her.’

I thought about Iona insisting Robbie never so much as gave her a second look. I smiled to myself. That explained a lot. ‘Aww that’s sweet! He should ask her out.’

Logan rolled his eyes and laughed. ‘You heard Robbie on the boat when he asked about her. I’ve known for a long time how he feels about my sister. I think most of Portree does as well!’ He sighed with frustration. ‘But as for him asking her out or telling her, forget it.’

The more I thought about Iona and Robbie, the more I came to the conclusion they both just needed a gentle nudge in the right direction. Even though romance wasn’t for me, that didn’t mean it shouldn’t happen for other people.

While I was turning over the idea of the two of them in my mind, my attention landed on a heart-shaped rock, sandwiched between two more incongruous ones. ‘That looks like a heart,’ I pointed out to Logan. ‘Over there. See it?’

Logan followed my outstretched finger. ‘So it does. I’ve never noticed that before. Underneath your sarcastic façade is a true romantic.’

‘Yeah. Right,’ I grunted, concentrating on the skyline again.

We ate more of the picnic in companionable silence, enjoying the rushing sound of the waves. Logan pulled out the flask of tea from the hamper and glugged the hot contents into two mugs. He then produced a small carton of milk.

‘You’ve thought of everything!’ I laughed.

He shot a glittering smile at me. ‘I wanted to make a good impression.’

The wedge of Hebridean blue cheese I was about to eat stilled in my fingers. I put it down and played with my napkin. My blood was fizzing in my veins. I felt like I didn’t know what I should say next, which wasn’t like me. ‘Oh?’

I cringed. Oh?! Is that the best you could come up with?

‘You bet I did.’ He swallowed a piece of salted cracker he’d been holding. ‘Look! The sun’s about to set.’

I turned my head to gaze out at the skyline.

It took a few moments for my eyes to process the stunning spectacle I was witnessing.

The sea had been transformed into the most romantic shade of lilac. As though out of nowhere, the rippling cliff faces had changed too: they were now encrusted with what looked like solid gold where they met the water.

The light was almost biblical, glowing and pushing through swathes of raspberry and tangerine. Even the lighthouse, perched on the lower cliffs, had been kissed by its beauty. Splinters of jewelled colours danced along and down its tower.

I continued to watch as the shades blended together, like an artist’s paint palette. I knew I had to capture these rainbow colours, before they evaporated, so I reached for my camera. It wasn’t there. ‘Where’s my camera?’ I gasped, spinning round on the rug. My hands fumbled around. ‘It was here a moment ago. Oh God!’

‘Hey, it’s fine Darcie. Don’t worry. Look.’

Logan peeled back a corner of the rug we were sitting on, which had blown over the top of it. I breathed an audible sigh of relief. ‘Thank you.’

He handed it to me and our fingertips brushed against each other. I swallowed.

‘That camera means so much to you, doesn’t it?’

I nodded, embarrassed. ‘Sorry about panicking there. You must think I’m a right idiot.’

Logan shook his head. ‘Quite the opposite.’

My cheeks lit up. ‘It’s just my aunt and uncle bought it for me last year. I take it everywhere. It’s the sentimental value, I guess.’

I was aware that Logan was smiling softly across at me. His gorgeous light eyes were framed with laughter lines that spoke of a life well lived. It was hard to turn away but I got my camera ready and made myself focus on the amazing sunset playing out in front of us.