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“Nothing quite so satisfying. A few dolphins swam with our kayaks.”
“What?” I took hold of his upper arm to dramatize my shock and his warm bicep was all firm goodness beneath my fingers.Wow. “I missed kayaking with dolphins?”
“I’m sorry to say so. How was the hill walk?”
“Hilly.” I let go of him and tried not to pout. I was a grown woman after all, but how many opportunities in my life would I have to kayak with dolphins? “The countryside was really beautiful. We could see the local castle at one point, and then we climbed this little hilltop for views of the firth.”
I laughed at my description.Local castle.I’d already become spoiled from being surrounded by scenic ancient ruins.
I tipped the bag of cookies toward him in silent offering, and he took one. We strolled down the lane and looked in shop windows, our shoulders jostling as though pressed in by the minimal crowds. Every little touch sent fluttering wings sailing around in my chest. An absurd reaction…but I didn’t put any distance between us, either.
“Between the crags and the Cairngorms and your swim in Loch Ness, how are you enjoying Scotland?” he asked.
I didn’t even pause to consider. “I love it. I don’t think I’ve seen a single thing I wouldn’t call beautiful. The people are amazingly kind, and the weather is perfect.”
He laughed at my enthusiasm. “I can’t fault the beautiful views, but amazingly kind locals and perfect weather aren’t two of the more common conclusions about Scotland.”
“Everyone we’ve met has been very kind to us.”
He nodded. “As we’re paying them to do.”
“Still. And I do love the weather. I can’t handle too much heat.”
“Ah, you’re a fair Scottish rose who withers in the sun.”
“I thought it was an English rose.”
He nudged me with his shoulder. “We have roses, too.”
“Then maybe I am. Overcast, drizzly days are perfect for staying in all day, snuggling into a blanket, and reading a good book.”
“Mmm. Or staying in bed all day with a good companion.”
I couldn’t get enough of that mischievous glint in his eyes. Whatever he might have seemed at first glance, Duncan had a playfulness about him that made it all too easy to drop my defenses.
“That, too.” I thought about beds, blankets, and companions until the silence between us grew tangible. “Are you enjoying the trip?”
“It’s fantastic. I’ve seen parts of the country I’d never visited before, and you can’t beat bagging munros and kayaking the firth.” He gave me another arch look. “And then there are the people in our group.”
“Oh, yes? What do you think of them?”
His half smile made my stomach flip. “I’m quite taken by them.”
I made a little noise as if to say “fascinating.” He wasn’t so bad, himself.
“So this is helping you get back to your roots?” I asked before my thoughts could stray back to the bed and blankets.
“It is. There’s nothing like standing atop Ben Macdui to make one’s blood run blue for Scotland. I’d made a list of things I wanted to do before I turn fifty in December, and climbing Macdui was one.”
Forty-nine. Finally.
“You’re doing very well for your advanced age.” I flashed him a grin.
He scowled back. “You’re this close to being tossed into the firth.”
“You have to admit, at first glance you do look a bit older than forty-nine.”
He scoffed. “Your flirting is atrocious.”
