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‘Ah, yes, Arran’s coming home that week so he can go.’
‘I’m bridesmaid along with Frank. Well, he’s her best man.’
‘I remember him, he was always good for a laugh. I take it she’s still friends with Will Laird?’
‘She’s always been good mates with Will.’
‘I met him the other day and he took me to a possible-dig site at Kilnarkie. It looks so interesting and it would be something I could do while I was here. I’d love to do it.’
‘Then go for it. It sounds ideal.’
‘There’s no way I can, unfortunately.’
‘Why?’
‘Because of who owns the land.’ Rhona swirled the bubbles.
‘Who’s that?’
‘Calum Matheson.’
‘Oh, him.’ Kirsten scrunched up her nose. ‘He’s got quite a reputation.’
‘Don’t I know it.’
‘Beth gets on ok with him, but I guess the history with your family makes it awkward.’
‘That’s an understatement. My parents would kill me if I got involved.’
‘Do you have to tell them?’
Rhona pouted and cogs in her brain leapt into action. ‘I suppose not.’ It was her life; she could decide for herself. Couldn’t she? ‘But you know what this island is like. It’s not exactly easy to keep secrets.’ Her mind chased possibilities and outcomes until she started to overheat. ‘I need to get out. I’m too hot now.’
‘We should get ready for the hot stones anyway.’
After they were dry, they made their way into the private treatment room. A masseuse welcomed them and Rhona took her position face down on the wonderfully warm pillow. The stones had an instant calming effect and Rhona made up her mind. She wanted to do the dig. That site had a special place in her heart. She’d hung out there as a kid, camped nearby and pretended she was living the life of an Iron Age girl. Part of her soul was still there. If someone else got the contract, how could she sit back and watch them make the finds and take the credit? Like Annike had done. Nope, she couldn’t allow it.
Just as she made up her mind, the whole scenario crashed around her, like the poles of her flimsy bivvy had done one time she was camping at Kilnarkie. She and her friends had laughed and propped it back up. But there was no propping up this idea. It wasn’t just her parents preventing her. She’d have to approach Calum and volunteer. How could she? He was a man with a vicious temper. And she was determined to exercise more caution in her relationships. Getting involved with a Matheson wasn’t a smart play.
She closed her eyes, allowing the warmth to soothe her again.
Once they were fully pampered, they ate lunch and Rhona downed a lot of wine. She hadn’t had a day out for months. The last time she’d drank with friends was the beach party in Crete when they’d celebrated finding the shell.
‘I think I might approach Calum Matheson about that dig.’ She recognised the wine talking but also her heart. ‘If I arranged permission over the phone or by email, I wouldn’t have to meet him. I could do the dig alone. He wouldn’t need to be there.’
‘Wouldn’t he?’
‘Not all the time. Of course, if the excavators turned over something interesting, he’d want to see. And I guess there’s a good possibility I might find something.’
‘Won’t he go crazy if you do? I mean, he probably doesn’t want you to find anything, because won’t that be expensive?’
‘Hmm, maybe.’ She took another swig of wine. ‘I’m just so curious about what might be there.’
‘Then do it. Give a fake name or something and don’t tell your parents. Pretend you’re helping me with tours or something if they ask where you’re going.’
‘I expect he’ll say no. He hates my family and I don’t want to make things any worse.’
‘But you’ll always regret it if you don’t even give yourself a chance.’
