Page 42 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

‘We’re going to head back to my dad’s car, and then I’m taking you home to The Ramblings. You need to rest your ankle.’ He nodded down at it. ‘Is it broken?’

‘I don’t think so. I can waggle it.’ I gave it another wiggle and winced. It was still tender but not raging with pain like it had been ten minutes ago.

‘Right. Let’s go. Just keep holding onto me, and don’t let go.’

Our eyes sought out each other.

I jerked my head away and trained my attention on the trees ahead. How come he could be so charming and attentive towards me one minute and almost stand-offish the next?

I took gentle steps, the solidity of Evan a reassuring and intoxicating presence, as he guided me along. ‘What about Dane?’

Evan assisted me back along the path. ‘What about him?’

‘Don’t you think we should tell him what’s happened? I couldn’t get a signal on my phone just now, though.’

Evan clicked his tongue at the mention of his brother as we carried on walking; well, me hobbling and Evan supporting me. Evan’s muscles glanced against the side of my body every so often. I took a deep breath and tried to focus. Think about Sacha. She called him. There’s history there, and what looks like unfinished business if she’s ringing him as soon as he gets back to Forrest Bank.

Evan’s voice made me concentrate again. ‘He should’ve thought about you instead of taking off like some long-haired Bear Grylls.’ He sighed. ‘Ok. Let’s get back to the car and I’ll see if I can call him or text him from there and tell him I’ve got you.’

There was that lingering, dark look again. A wisp of breath caught at the base of my throat. ‘Thank you,’ I managed.

After another five minutes or so of dogged determination on both our parts, the picnic area appeared. I’d never thought a car park could look so beautiful.

We stopped while Evan fished one hand in his jeans for his car keys. He assisted me round to the passenger side and unlocked the door.

Evan braced himself. ‘The door’s open. Here.’

Ever so gently, he stooped over and helped me into the passenger seat. I got a cloud of his tangy, citrus shampoo.

I tugged at the neck of my T-shirt for something to do. My car door was still open, and I was glad. My cheeks were on fire. Maybe the woodland air would take the sting out of them. ‘I’ll try to call Dane now,’ said Evan, gazing down at me as I arranged myself in the passenger seat. His expression was soft; thoughtful.

Then he seemed to check himself and reached for his phone from his back pocket.

‘Thank you,’ I blurted. ‘For coming to my rescue.’

Evan halted his fingers on his phone screen and nodded. He returned his attention to his phone. ‘He’s not picking up, so I’ll send him a text.’ I watched Evan’s fingers flash over his phone screen. ‘There. Done.’

He stalked round to the driver’s side, and I closed my door. ‘Now, let’s get you back. You need to rest that ankle for a bit. Something cold on it, and maybe some arnica cream.’

I nodded. ‘That sounds like a good idea, seeing as I’m going out tonight.’

Evan switched on his car’s ignition. ‘Oh?’

‘Dane invited me to go and see him and his band play at a local pub.’

His expression tightened. ‘Did he?’

I nodded.

Evan steered the car out of the picnic area and indicated to turn right and back out onto the main road. ‘I’ll see you there then.’

An odd, flickering feeling like an escaped bird took off in my chest. ‘You’re going?’

Evan shrugged. ‘I might as well. Even though Dane does act like a prick a lot of the time, he’s still my brother.’

There was a loaded silence in the car.

‘Right, peg leg,’ he teased, negotiating us back down the country lanes. ’We need to get you sorted, otherwise Cinderella won’t be going to the ball.’