CHAPTER EIGHT
Three days later, Kate climbed the circular staircase in the castle tower to survey the countryside. It was quite a climb, but the view from the battlements was magnificent. It was a clear day, and the sea pounded against the rocks of the island on three sides. On the fourth side was the causeway to the village.
Mallochbirn Village was a quiet place, even on market days. She had learned that only about 400 people lived there, and even fewer populated the cottages and farms on the rest of the Mallochbirn estate. According to Mrs. Dumfries, many young people of the village left for a few years to pursue their educations and careers in other parts of the country, but some of them eventually returned. "No one loves you like your family and friends," she explained. "Besides, life is good here. Calm. Pleasant. Not stressful the way it is everywhere else in this cruel world."
Kate was inclined to agree. She had felt unusually tranquil. The library was full of fascinating books and documents, and she had already discovered a great deal about her ancestors, the Buchanans and the Grahams. The Mallochbirn library possessed far more interesting documents than the parish record room.
Genealogical records revealed that she was distantly related to several of the other families in the area. She was making a list of the families in the village whom she wanted to visit, in order to compare notes on their histories.
She hadn't actually made any visits, though. Perhaps she should do so today? She recalled that Hamish had told her that her car was parked over at the inn. She ought to go there and start it. She'd rented the car for a week, but she'd only used it for a couple of days, driving up into the Highlands.
She realized that she hadn't left Mallochbirn Isle for three days. That was odd. But why leave? The castle still had some unexplored areas, and besides, the hot Scot was here. She really didn't have the slightest inclination to go anywhere.
Maybe if Ross had to go out on another emergency veterinary call, she would ask if she could accompany him. Daisy the pig had been safely coaxed through her labor. She'd given birth to several fine piglets. Yesterday, when Ross had held his clinic in his office in what had originally been the castle stables, Kate had stopped by to watch. He quickly noted that she was a calming presence around the animals—mostly pets coming in for their shots—so he allowed her to help out. Ross was gentle with the animals, and she could see that they responded well to him. Animals were good judges of people. They all seemed to adore Ross.
In between patients, she and he had chatted amiably. He was easy to talk to—friendly and open. An affable guy, and sexy as hell. He hadn't made any moves on her, but she had pretty much decided that if he did, she was going to say yes. And if he didn't, she would just have to make the first move herself.
Kate was walking down the wide staircase to the ground floor when she met Jamie Dumfries coming up. She and he had only encountered each other at dinner so far, and he was shy around her. She had chatted in her usual friendly manner to him, but he seemed to struggle for words when he tried to reply. On a couple of occasions, he had started to say something to her, and then stopped, looking stricken. Jamie was a handsome guy, with brawny shoulders and the general appearance of someone who could take on the world if he had to. But his diffident manner was at odds with his tall, good looks.
They both reached the broad landing where the staircase swung around at a ninety-degree angle. Kate grinned at him and said, "Hey, Jamie, what's up, dude?"
"Hey," he mumbled, blushing. Kate figured he would flee with his usual haste, but he surprised her by stopping. She stopped too. He cleared his throat and then spoke: "I wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
"For, uh, for helping Effie the other night. You're the only one who did."
Kate's memory of what had happened the other night still hadn't returned to her. She remembered Effie's struggles as she was bound to the rock, and the way her laughter had changed to fear and hysteria. She remembered a strange hissing sound, and a vague sensation of feeling cold and maybe wet. In her dreams, which had continued to be bizarre and erotic, she saw fleeting visions of a fierce sea creature who taught her how to breathe underwater and spoke to her in a man's voice, but the details always faded when she woke up. It was maddening. Every time she seized the memory and tried to wrestle it into consciousness, it melted away.
"I honestly don't remember much of what happened the other night," she told Jamie. "I guess I drank too much of your delicious Scots whiskey."
"So did I. My head wouldn't stop aching for two days afterward. But—" he hesitated "—you're all right? I mean, you didn't, you weren't..." His voice trailed away as once again he began to color. With his red hair and his fair complexion, the blush was all the more obvious.
"I'm fine," she assured him. His embarrassment was catching, and she felt her own face getting hot. She wasn't even sure why. "Are you and Effie seeing each other?"
He looked relieved at the change of subject. "Well, we weren't, you know. I mean, I've had a thing for her forever, but she never even noticed me. But after what happened on Midsummer's Eve, she seems a wee bit more interested." He grinned, looking cheerful. "So thanks for that. We're going to hang out tonight at the pub. So we'll see, won't we?"
"Great news!" She punched him playfully in the arm. His triceps were massive. "You're a sexy guy, Jamie. Don't let her give you any shit. If you want her, let her know she's gotta have some respect for you. At least, that's my advice."
"Ta," he said. "Truth is, I never know what to say to women."
"Ask her about herself. Her interests. Her hopes and dreams. Treat her gently, but don't be afraid to make a move. Most women like a confident man. And just remember, if she won't have you, there're plenty of other girls who will."
"I don't know about that," he laughed. "I can hope, I guess."
As they continued on their separate ways, Kate noticed that Jamie seemed to tread more confidently. Good. She doubted it would turn the lamb into a lion, but maybe there was hope for the lad.