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“So I’m learning.”
He waved me on ahead of him, looking far too satisfied.
I couldn’t bear to indulge in all the meat offered in the Scottish Fry again and stuck with muesli. The big breakfasts carried me well past lunch, but also left me bloated and just a little bit disgusted with myself. The deep-fried Mars bar days ago had only added to the disgust. Delectable, but with lasting effects.
“The rest of you have really been missing out.” Bea heaped sugar onto her porridge. “Our evening hill walks have proven to be some of the loveliest stretches we’ve seen on the whole tour. You might want to join us tonight.”
“We saw a golden eagle last night,” Rupert added.
Bea frowned. “It was a grouse.”
“I think not, my dear.”
Bea straightened, turning away from her husband. “The grouse-viewing is first rate, and the views of the sound make for some lovely photo opportunities.”
She glanced meaningfully my way, no doubt thinking to tempt me.
“Maybe.” My first choice of temptation would be spending the evening tucked away with Duncan at a secluded table at the pub. Well, maybe that was second choice. Third. It was somewhere on the list. Either way, my ideal evening on Skye wasn’t grouse-watching with Bea and Rupert. “Spencer, how have your hill walks gone? Seen any wildlife?”
“The walking’s good. The midges, not so much.”
We’d spent every day on Skye slathered in assorted bug repellants and oils. I had horrible itchy spots in several locations, but only Bea had come out totally unscathed. She reported each evening that she still had yet to receive a single bite. I had to conclude that her blood was so awful even the midges knew to avoid her.
“Our activity for the morning should keep us pretty well protected,” Lewis said. “You’ll still want to use the sprays on your face and hands, though.”
We were slated to kayak on the Sound of Raasay today. Missing out on kayaking with dolphins at Cromarty Firth for no good reason stung like a sliver under my skin. Hopefully, a nice kayak on the sound would soothe that.
“Rupert and I have no interest in kayaking.” Bea spoke to Lewis as though she were scolding one of her children. “I’d hate to think we have to sit around the lodge until we leave for Dunvegan Castle in the afternoon.”
“Of course not,” Lewis soothed. “You’re free to choose an alternate activity. If you’re tired of the hill walks, there are boat tours that leave from the harbor. We should be able to get you last-minute tickets.”
She seemed to consider as she ate.
“You get a good view of the islands and usually some wildlife like otters, seals, and golden eagles,” Arnav said. “Maybe even grouse.”
Bea looked to Rupert. “We might like that. What do you think, dear?”
“I’ll do anything you like, my love, anything you like. As long as I’m not in a rickety little skiff that’s about to topple over, I don’t have a care in the world.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin, eyes shining at me. “But Molly knows all about getting toppled over, don’t you Molly?”
Was I happy or disappointed he’d overcome his skittishness around me? “It is one of my specialties.”
“The rest of us will head down to the harbor,” Arnav said. “As long as the weather holds, we should spend a few good hours on the loch, maybe even reach the Isle of Raasay before we turn back. We should set off as quick as we can, though. I’ll be waiting out front as soon as you’re ready.”
We went our separate ways to make our last preparations for the morning’s activities. Knowing how the wind whipping over the water would chill me in a kayak, I’d meant to go to my room for another layer when Duncan pulled me aside.
“What do you say to taking a seaplane ride with me this afternoon? My treat.”
Seaplane? His invitation sank through me like a double-edged sword, all flattery and horror. I couldn’t even find my voice for a minute, his offer freaked me out so much. “That…wasn’t on the itinerary, was it?”
“No, but a sight-seeing tour over Skye can’t be missed. I’d like to have you join me.”
Excitement whirled through me at the idea Duncan was asking me out on a date. Was it a date? It sure sounded like a date.
On a plane. Becauseof coursehe would invite me onto a plane.
“I don’t know. I’m not the world’s best flier.” World’s worst would have been closer to the truth, but I wasn’t ready to tell him so and completely spoil the invitation. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather tour the castle? In the spirit of reclaiming your roots?”
“I feel my roots have been duly reclaimed. I’d just as soon spend the afternoon with you, flying over the Black Cuillins.”
