Page 32 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

‘Yeah. On a good day.’

Evan gave me a wink that made my stomach do a weird flip-flop thing.

I gritted my teeth. Was he doing this deliberately? Probably his usual charm offensive, I reminded myself.

‘Something tells me you’re easy to tease.’

I could feel my neck turning blotchy, but I stuck my chin out. ‘That’s where you’re wrong.’

I began to follow Evan through a side door that looked like it would lead into the hall, when I remembered something. ‘Oh. Sorry. Hold on a second. I’ve left my handbag on the backseat. I’ll just go and get it.’

I darted out of the back door and headed towards Marlene. I fished my car key from my jeans pocket and aimed the fob at my car. I tugged open one of the rear passenger doors, bent forwards and reached along the back seat to collect my bag.

I was still bent forwards, my bottom up in the air as I dragged my bag towards me, when a male voice startled me. ‘Need any help over there?’

I closed the car door, locked it with the fob and turned around. ‘No. I’m fine, thanks.’

A tall man with long, flowing, dark blond hair like a Viking warrior was standing there. He was sporting a tight, olive green, sleeveless vest top, dark jeans and heavy walking boots. He had a smattering of blond stubble.

‘You ok there, Daisy? Oh.’

Evan had reappeared and was frowning from me to the Viking warrior and back again.

‘Yes, thanks Evan. I’m fine. This kind gentleman was just asking if I needed any help.’

Evan’s expression twisted. ‘I bet he did.’

Was it my imagination, or was there some tension swirling around all of a sudden? Nope, not my imagination.

I noticed that a green garden trowel was dangling from the Viking’s grasp. I also picked up on his light, sky blue eyes appraising me. Who was this man with the rock star looks and the swagger to match? Whoever he was, Evan was in no rush to introduce him.

The silence continued.

Well, this wasn’t awkward – much.

I clapped both my hands together for something to do, to fill the void and then wished I hadn’t. I must’ve looked like a performing seal. Around us, there was the fizzing of blackbirds singing in the trees.

‘So,’ I said brightly to the Viking, pointing at the trowel in his hands, ‘are you the only gardener who tends to the grounds here? You must be kept busy if you are.’

Viking threw his head back, making his hair stream out behind him and laughed.

Had I said something funny?

‘Gardener? Seriously?’ He looked over at Evan. ‘Didn’t this one tell you he has a handsome baby brother?’

Evan pushed both his hands into the pockets of his jeans. His body tensed. ‘Haven’t had time yet. We only just arrived.’ He slid a sarcastic smile over at his younger brother. ‘Still, I don’t have to introduce you to Daisy now. You’ve just done it.’ There was an odd, alien inflection in his voice.

Something was telling me I’d really put my foot in it, whatever ‘it’ was.

I felt like a prize idiot. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. Evan didn’t tell me he had a brother.’

Viking’s mouth carried the ghost of a smirk. ‘I gathered that.’

‘And I just saw you holding the trowel, and I put two and two together and made five.’ I extended a hand. ‘I’m Daisy. Daisy Madden.’

Viking reached for my hand and shook it. His ornate dress rings sparkled on his fingers. ‘I’m Dane. Dane Lord.’ He held my eyes for a few moments. ‘Very nice to meet you, Daisy.’ His attention lingered on me for a few more seconds.

‘What with all the hoo-ha at the airports and flights cancelled, I gave your brother a lift back up to Scotland.’