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“What is it?”
“This one,” he tapped a brown envelope, “is a trust fund for Matthew. You returned the money I paid you, Miss Sommer. If you’re too proud to take it for yourself, then take it for your brother.”
She looked at the white plastic one. “This one?”
“It’s a ticket to Scotland.” He smiled. “One way.”
She froze. She could only stare at him in disbelief.
“With the fear of sounding arrogant, I have to admit I do most things right,” he said. “Finding you wasn’t just for Juan.”
There was a knowing look in his brown eyes. In that moment, she had a feeling that Cain could see right through her, into her soul, and into her future. Before she could analyze the notion, Cain got to his feet.
“It was a pleasure, Miss Sommer.” He tilted his head. “I hope we’ll meet again.”
Turning on his heel, he left her in the abandoned bar.
The ice had melted. The spring day was warm for the Highlands. Sean stood in front of Maddy’s grave. There wasn’t a body in the ground, but the cross was symbolic. It gave him something solid, something tangible for his grief. He’d chosen the spot himself. It looked out over the lake and the castle in the middle of the water. From here, she’d always have a view of her beloved mountain, or maybe she had a view from above. He glanced at the clear blue sky.
Ben and his dad’s new sheepdog, Ruby, gave a few sharp barks, indicating visitors other than Alan.
Sean turned sideways and paused in the action. A young woman got out of a taxi and paid the driver. Her dark blond curls caught the sunlight. A too bright, too painful memory flashed through his mind. She was wearing a blue sundress and silver sandals. When she straightened from the cab window, their gazes locked over the distance. As she made her way across the grass, her hips swayed gently from side to side. Her step wasn’t as enthusiastic as the first time he’d heard her soles pound the pavement. It was calmer. Balanced. A good place in between.
Happy.
She walked right up to him with that swing in her gait. It hurt too much to look at her, to be reminded of what he couldn’t have, so he turned back to the headstone and steeled himself.
The dogs gave a happy yelp.
“Hello, Sean.”
At the sound of her voice, he pinched his eyes shut before stealing another glance in her direction. She clutched her handbag against her chest. Her nails were painted blue and decorated with tiny daisies. She didn’t look lost or a mess any longer. She looked like someone he didn’t deserve. He could think of only one reason why she’d be here.
He faced her slowly. “Are you pregnant, lass?”
She shook her head, making her curls bounce around her face.
Disappointment surged through him.
“You almost look disappointed,” she said.
Clever kitten. She read him too well. He took in her eyes, her lips, and the arch of her neck. The wound had healed nicely. Only a faint round mark was left next to her armpit. “A selfish part of me is.”
She tilted her head. “Why?”
“It would’ve bound you to me in an unfair way.”
Her gaze turned to the grave. “Cain told me everything.”
“Cain?” Anger spurred by worry erupted in his veins. “What did Cain want with you?”
“Not here.” She motioned at the cross. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”
He nodded. Not looking back to see if she was following, he cut across the grass to the path. Her steps fell softly on the paving behind him. The dogs ran ahead, alerting his old man that he wasn’t alone. As soon as they entered the yard, Alan appeared on the terrace.
“Mr. Rivers.” Asia held out her hand. “You must be Sean’s dad. I’m a friend of Sean’s. My name is Asia.”
“I know who you are.”
Asia appeared surprised, but Alan only smiled.
“You’re welcome here for as long as you want to stay. I’m sorry you had to show my son how it’s done by having to run after his ass.”
She flushed bright red at that.
“Dad,” Sean said, giving him a reprimanding look. “You’re embarrassing the lass.”
Anyway, since when was his old man such a romantic? Asia had probably come to deal with her demons, to say her goodbyes, and to never look back.
Alan cleared his throat. “I have to go check on the vegetables out back. It’s far from the house.” He looked pointedly at Asia. “Very far. Completely out of earshot. Not that it matters, since I’m half deaf.”
If Asia turned any redder, she was going to catch fire.
Sean lifted an eyebrow and cocked his head in the direction of the garden. “Dad.”
Alan whistled and took the path around the house. The dogs followed in his wake.
“I like him,” Asia said when he was gone.
