Page 77 of A Scottish Island Summer

‘You can put on a pair of Peter’s pyjamas,’ added Kathleen, lifting the laden tea tray to return it to the kitchen.

‘Oh, how is Peter doing?’ asked Campbell.

Kathleen stilled. ‘I lost him sixteen years ago.’

Campbell closed his eyes for a few seconds. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. Me and my big mouth. I had no idea.’

‘How could you?’ replied Kathleen, forcing a smile. ‘You haven’t been back here.’

Campbell observed Kathleen leave the lounge with the tray of dirty crockery. ‘I keep forgetting how long I’ve been away from Skye. In some ways, it feels like I never left.’

Another jab of guilt struck me that I had an ulterior motive for trying to help, but I pushed my creeping doubts about why I was doing this to one side.

‘Do you think Logan will agree to get involved?’

I forced my attention back to Campbell. ‘I’ve no doubt that he will.’ I eyed him. ‘Now, I don’t know about you, but I need some sleep. After breakfast, we’ll go and talk to Logan together.’

Campbell’s mouth dropped. ‘Does that mean you’re on board too?’

‘Yes. I am.’

Images of Logan lodged themselves in front of me, while Campbell gave me his enthused thanks.

I’d made up my mind. I couldn’t allow myself to get involved with Logan. It’d be too complicated and messy.

But despite my inner promises and protestations, the thought of Logan kissing me, imagining those generous lips grinding against mine, shot out of nowhere. A torrent of sadness washed over me. OK. Enough. I was overtired.

Getting romantically tangled up with Logan could not happen—would not happen. I wouldn’t allow it. I had no room in my life for someone that way.

Still, the assertion couldn’t stop more pictures of the wounded glint in Logan’s eyes when I left from rattling around my head.

Well, at least I could make sure he came face-to-face with his childhood hero. And if the Skye Lovers’ Cross was real and Campbell did manage to locate it, it could benefit not only Campbell, but me too.

You’ll look back and realise you did the right thing about Logan, reassured a voice in my head.

I just wished my heart was telling me the same thing.