Highland Fling (11 page)

There was a flurry of congratulations and conversation about Hailey’s pregnancy, distracting everyone from the topic that had been at hand.

After offering an encouraging response as well, Delonna leaned back and looked around the table. Aleck had gone quiet again, his brows drawn into a frown. His gaze slid to hers for a second and she saw a moment’s calculation that sent a shiver through her.

There was silence around the table, but it only lasted a moment.

“I’ll go to Edinburgh.”

Now all attention shifted to Aleck.

“You’ll go?” Kenzie repeated. “But the pub—”

“Will likely be shut down for several days anyway as the repairs are made and the police investigation is ongoing,” Aleck explained calmly. “And Kenzie, you’re quite able to run things when we do re-open. That is if you’re comfortable doing so?”

“I’ve done it before when you’ve gone on holiday.” She gave a brief nod. “I can handle it fine.”

Delonna’s heart had started a slow thud. Aleck was going to Scotland, and relatively soon it sounded like. Meaning she was going to be back in her own home, on her own. Without him.

It wasn’t so much the fear for her safety that bothered her, but the idea that he’d be an ocean away. Which was stupid. How selfish was she to be slightly disappointed by this news?

Her throat went tight, and she found herself nodding with everyone else.

“Delonna can stay with us, of course,” Colin said, glancing her way. “We’ll ensure her safety while you’re gone. What, a week or so?”

Dismay slid through Delonna. “Oh, there’s no need—”

“A week and a half at the most,” Aleck continued, ignoring her protest.

His gaze slid to hers, probing and again full of consideration. She couldn’t let him feel any guilt or hesitation at going to take care of his parents. She was not a selfish bitch. And she was not that attached to him that she couldn’t handle some time apart.

“And there’s no need to have Delonna stay with you, Colin,” Aleck said softly.

“She could stay here with us?” Sarah volunteered. “If she doesn’t mind a fussy newborn.”

“She’ll not be staying with any of you.” Aleck’s gaze never left hers. “She’s coming to Scotland with me.”

Chapter Twelve

Maybe he should’ve spoken to her about it first, Aleck acknowledged silently as they drove back to his place after dinner. Delonna sat fuming next to him, not having said a word since leaving Sarah and Ian’s house.

“I can’t actually force you to come, you realize,” he said reluctantly.

“No, you sure can’t.”

“But you’ve admitted you’d love to travel to Scotland.”

“Yes, at some point in my life, Aleck.” She gave a disbelieving laugh. “I didn’t mean next week. And what if I didn’t have a passport?”

“But you’ve already admitted you do.”

“Yes. But—”

“What’s holding you back?”

She opened her mouth, but hesitated, and so he jumped on it.

“Have I not said I’d cover your airfare with my airline miles? That we’ve a place to stay there?”

“I can’t take that much time off of work!”

“The pub will be closed for several days, anyway, Lana. And I’ll pay you for those days, as well as any other shifts that you would’ve worked.”

“Which is extremely generous of you,” she acknowledged. “But the hourly wage isn’t what pays my bills. It’s the tips.”

“Aye, and I realize that. You must look at the tradeoff, though,” he urged. “It’s a chance to travel to Scotland.”

When she was silent, he cast her another glance and saw the wistful expression on her face.

“You know you’d like to go, luv. And besides, if you’re with me, I can keep you safe.”

She gave a not-so-silent harrumph. “Your whole family has promised the same thing. All you McLaughlins seem to be sworn protectors.”

“It’s in our blood. Though, I’d prefer to be the one to do the protecting.” He paused and couldn’t resist a lopsided smile. “Besides, none of my family offers the bed-sharing benefit.”

That made her laugh and his smile grew.

“I see, so this boils down to sex?”

“No, but you can’t argue that it’s a perk.”

“You’ll miss me if I don’t go,” she murmured.

That stole any witty response from him. He settled for honesty. “Aye.”

He pulled into his driveway, parked the car and turned to face her.

“I know this seems crazy and it’s absolutely impulsive, but I’d love to know you were with me and safe.” He caught her hand and threaded his fingers through it. “You’ll love Scotland.”

She just stared at him and then bit her lip. She shook her head.

“Please. Just say yes, Lana.”

Again, no answer, but her fingers tightened around his.

“Just say yes…”

Delonna slept so soundly, looking lovely—even with a bit of drool in the corner of her mouth—that Aleck would’ve given anything for a few more minutes before having to wake her. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.

He touched her shoulder, leaned over and murmured, “Time to wake up, luv. We’ve landed and you’re in Scotland now.”

It took a moment before her lashes fluttered up and her unfocused gaze turned to face him. It had to be the melatonin she’d taken to help her sleep.

“But we can’t be,” she protested, still half out of it. “I just fell asleep.”

“Aye, six hours ago.” He reached past her to push open the shade. “Welcome to Edinburgh.”

Her gaze swung to glance out the window and she made a soft noise of surprise. The plane was still taxiing toward their gate.

“Ohmygod. It’s beautiful. I can tell from here.”

He laughed. The most she might be able to see was some green hills off in the distance.

“It’s weird. I’ve never been out of the country before except for Canada, but that doesn’t really count.”

“Of course not,” he murmured.

It had never failed to amuse him that many folks from in and around the Seattle area barely considered Canada international, because they were so close to the border.

Delonna turned back to face him. “Thank you for talking me into coming. I can’t even tell you how excited I am to—” she broke off to yawn, “—be here.”

He touched her cheek and winked. “Maybe even a bit more when you’re fully awake, aye?”

“Aye.” She smiled. “I’m going to pick up a bunch of Scottish mannerisms, I bet.”

“Undoubtedly.”

It really hadn’t taken much to talk her into it. A couple days of leaving printed images of Scotland around the house. Having bagpipe music playing from his computer. Walking around in his kilt and nothing else—though that had led straight to the bedroom.

And finally she’d given in and agreed to make the trip with him. He’d watched her excitement grow with every moment ’til the plane had taken off. Seeing her eyes alight now, he knew he’d made the right choice. She’d be safe with him. And that was his main reason for bringing her, or so he told himself.

Within an hour they’d gotten off the plane and passed through customs. As they made their way to baggage, he thought to prepare her again.

“My mother will be picking us up.”

“I remember.” She nodded. “It’s really nice of her. I rarely do airport pickups for people, unless I owe them big time.”

He grimaced “Right. Well, I meant that more as a warning. My ma is quite—”

“Aleck, my darling boy!” His mother’s voice rang through the baggage claim area. “You’ve come home.”

The rushing feet behind him had him and Delonna turning around.

She was an older version of Kenzie, beautiful and full of energy, and about to fling herself into his arms. He dropped his carry-on just in time to welcome her.

His heart expanded with love, his chest with a ragged breath as he wrapped his arms around the petite woman.

“I’ve missed ya, Ma.” He squeezed her, kissing the top of her head.

“Me too, son.”

She squeezed him back, with a strength that was a bit shocking for such a small woman. Her grip relaxed some and she finally stepped away, peeking around him.

“And you’ve brought your girlfriend after all, aye?”

He winced as she pushed past him.

“Give us a kiss, Delonna.”

He tried to meet Delonna’s gaze and give her a silent apology, but Delonna was all smiles as his mother gave her a huge hug and kiss on the cheek.

“Lovely to see you in person this time, my dear.”

“Nice to see you too, Mrs. McLaughlin.” Delonna hugged her back.

“Please, just call me Brenda.”

Delonna looked confused for a moment, but then nodded. “All right. I’m sorry to hear your husband is having such a hard time.”

“Och, he’s a bloody bear with this recovery.” His mother pulled away and grimaced. “I’m glad you ignored my protests and came to help anyway. I tell you, the first thing I’m going to do is go have meself a pint and leave you with your da.”

Aleck laughed. “And I’ll not blame you one bit. You deserve a break.”

“Don’t I ever.” She glanced at him and Delonna. “Well now, let’s find your luggage and be on our way.”

On the drive from the airport, Delonna was vaguely aware of the chatter between mother and son, but her attention was more focused on the scenery outside her window.

She was in Scotland.
Scotland
. It seemed surreal and completely overwhelming, but in a wonderful way. Even though she’d slept a good amount on the plane ride over, she was still pretty exhausted.

Her mind screamed that it was morning here, but her body was in denial, figuring it was still the middle of the night.

“Now we’ll get you two settled into your flat,” Brenda said, “then you can come have dinner with us.”

“Our own flat?” Delonna shot Aleck a questioning look. She’d been under the impression they were staying with his parents.

“Oh aye,” the mom continued. “You’ll not want to stay with us, our place is quite messy right now. The flat you both will stay in belonged to Aleck’s grandparents. Before they passed away six years ago, my father-in-law made it clear the flat was to be left to the grandchildren so they would have a place to stay anytime they visited.”

Delonna stared at Aleck, seeing the faint smile and fondness in his eyes.

“How very generous of them.”

“Very much so. They loved their grandchildren. And we love that there’s a set place to stay when our children visit.”

Delonna recalled the story of how Aleck’s parents had met. Very sweet, really. His mom, who was an American, had been backpacking through Europe and had met Rodrick McLaughlin. They’d fallen in love, eventually married, and she’d moved to Scotland. At some point they’d moved to America with their children, opening McLaughlin’s Pub on Whidbey, but then eventually the aging couple had moved back to Scotland. All the kids had stayed in the States, and Aleck had taken over the pub. It was just as successful now as it had been when it opened.

Some of the sights outside her car window began to look familiar from the pictures she’d seen online. From the stunning, stone medieval-looking buildings and narrow streets, to what appeared to be Edinburgh Castle at the top of a large, rocky area.

It took her breath away and her pulse pounded a little faster. She was in Scotland. The thought couldn’t stop resonating in her head. If someone had told her last week that she’d be here today, she would’ve laughed her ass off.

“And here we are,” Aleck’s mom announced.

A few minutes later they were climbing up the stairs of an older building. Brenda paused outside the door to the second level.

“You’ve got your keys to the flat, Aleck?”

“Aye, Ma.”

“Get yourself settled and come down and see us soon, all right?”

“Will do.” He kissed his mother on the cheek and then began ascending the stairs again, carrying both his and Delonna’s suitcases.

“Which floor are we on?” she asked. “And here, let me carry my own case, Aleck.”

“I’ve got it. And we’re just the next one.” He paused on the next landing and she opened the door for them to the hallway.

They shuffled inside and moved in the dimness to the end of the hall. He unlocked the door and gestured for her to go inside.

She stepped in and caught her breath as she glanced around what seemed to be the living room. The hardwood floors were shiny and sanded, the walls a soft eggshell white, and the cushiony couch and oversized chairs were a rich brown. Though it was clearly a smaller home, the layout made it appear spacious, clean and inviting.

“Bedroom is off to the right. I’ll drop our cases in there.”

She was tempted to follow him to see the room, but the view from the living room window had her veering that way instead. At the window she pressed her fingers against the cool, dated glass and stared outside.

It was completely different from the trees and water sights of living on an island back home. It was a different kind of beauty. Older buildings, weathered and almost magical in a gothic way. The city seemed to shimmer with a sense of secrets and history.

As she lifted her gaze to the end of all the buildings, she again found herself staring at Edinburgh Castle. So different than any castle she’d imagined, almost like a little cluster of buildings perched dangerously on a rocky hillside.

“I’ll take you there sometime this week.” Aleck’s words caressed her ear as he approached from behind her. His hands went to her hips, pulling her back against him.

“I hope so.” She leaned against him, still drowsy from the time change, and kept her gaze on the beauty outside the window. “This city is incredibly beautiful.”

“It’s not Whidbey Island, but it has its own sort of historic beauty.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.”

“Mmm. Great minds and all that business.”

He kissed the side of her neck and she sighed. “If you start that, then we’ll never get down to see your parents.”

“Mmm. They’ll just assume we’re settling in.” He slid his hands up to cup her breasts and she moaned softly. “But there’s something else I’d like to settle into right now.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at his cheeseball line, even as she was so tempted to just press herself back into him and surrender to the arousal rising inside her.

“I want to,” she murmured, “you know I do. But I don’t want to keep your parents waiting after we flew across the globe to help them out.”

He nibbled on her ear and then sighed. “You’re a good lass.”

She turned in his arms and cupped his face. “Oh I’m no lass, I’m all woman.” She kissed him slowly. “And later, tonight, I’ll remind you.”

He groaned, tightening his arms around her waist. “Shite, but you drive me a bit mad, luv.”

“Well then we’re even.” She slipped out of his arms. “Hey, so your mom’s name is Brenda?”

“Aye.”

“Isn’t that the same name as that girl Colin—”

“Was once engaged to? Aye. Probably another reason it didn’t really work out.” Aleck grinned. “Can’t quite imagine how that went, calling your mother’s name out in bed.”

“Okay, that’s just gross. I didn’t go there.”

“No need, I did it for you,” he said cheerfully.

“You’re so weird.” She laughed and went to find the bathroom. “Let me freshen up a bit and we can head down.”

Dining with Aleck’s parents was very much like having a meal with the rest of the McLaughlin siblings. The realization sank in through dinner as they ate and chatted away. Conversation was always fast and entertaining.

“So how is your new hip, Da?” Aleck asked.

“Ah, it’s not so bad, son. Can’t complain.”

Brenda snorted, rolling her eyes at her husband. “Can’t complain, can ye? All you’ve done is complain.”

“Maybe if you wouldn’t be pecking around so much like a mother hen—”

“I’ll peck all I want, I’m your wife.”

Delonna bit her lip to keep from laughing and exchanged an amused glance with Aleck.

Aleck cleared his throat. “Are you up and walking much?”

“Aye. Doctor’s orders, of course. Hurts like bloody hell, some moments, but gettin’ stronger every day.” His dad paused. “You needn’t have come, but I’m glad you did, son.”

“I wanted to come,” Aleck said quietly. “You’d have done the same. And it was actually a blood match in deciding which of your offspring would make the journey.”

“And clearly you won that match, and look, you’ve even brought a girl.” His dad beamed at Delonna.

Awkward. She felt like she was about sixteen years old and getting judged by her prom date’s parents.