Jordan refused to hold the Highlander’s hand as they headed up the rise toward the fish and chips place. She was grateful they stayed on the river side of the street because she could feel dozens of eyes on them as they passed. It would have been excruciating to actually see everyone watching them—or worse, hearing them cheer when they saw she’d caught the guy she’d gone running after.

“Well done, you!”

She didn’t look to see who had yelled, and she was relieved when Kerry didn’t look either. It was odd that a man who dressed and looked like that didn’t seem to realize that all eyes were on him, no matter where he went. And though she’d promised herself she wouldn’t be swapping heart to hearts with the guy, her curiosity needed a little bit of information or it would never settle down.

“I have to ask. I don’t mean to pry, but...are you the lord of a castle or something?”

He gave her a funny look. “Nay. Why would ye ask such a thing? Haven’t I said I am a blacksmith? Same as my father?”

“Yes. I remember. I just... Look, I’m sorry to be so rude, but I can’t help wondering why you wouldn’t want the money. It makes me think you, you know, don’t need it.”

He laughed. “Because I have so much of my own, ye mean?”

“Exactly.”

He was silent for a long time and Jordan was sure she’d crossed the line. If she didn’t keep her mouth shut, she was going to ruin it after all.

“Look here,” he said. “Ye say ye dinna wish to be rude, ye dinna wish to become attached to me—though yer chances of failing are impressive—and ye dinna wish to get too personal. So, without getting personal, I will admit that I do not need the money, though I will need a meal or two in the coming days. And no, I do not have the wherewithal to procure anything more than what grows freely.”

Jordan knew she was being rebuked, so she knew better than to comment. She could only wait until he was done.

“Yer face is easily read, Miss Lennox. Ye’re as curious as a cat and ye want the details. But at the same time, ye wish to know nothing that might make ye…care for me. So I will tell ye something that will appease yer curiosity without telling ye much at all.”

“Really?”

“Auch, now. Watch yerself, Jordan Lennox. Ye’re too easily teased by half. Be patient for a moment, while I think.”

It might have been on purpose, or it might have been a natural reflex when he grabbed her hand and wrapped it around his forearm, to take her through the tunnel. When they came out the other end, he removed her hand from his arm, then deposited it into his hand without even glancing at her. His brow was still furrowed, ostensibly, from thinking hard.

And once again, she caved, letting him hold onto it as long as he wanted, just because his hand was warm and the circulation from their quick hike still hadn’t reached her cold fingers.

The town square was only a couple of blocks away. Whatever he was cooking up under that angled bonnet, he had to start sharing or she’d have to wait until morning to hear about it.

He would tell her something about him but nothing at all. Something but nothing? This was going to be interesting.

“Um…”

“Wheesht, lass.” He kept his eyes on the path. “Another minute or two, I beg ye.”

“All right,” she said. “But it had better be good…”

He wasn’t listening, but he did pay attention to their footing. He moved onto the grass to give her more room to walk around a broken slab of concrete. A few minutes later, he stopped and looked for cars before crossing the street, still holding her hand. At last, they stopped at the upper end of the square. The statue was barely visible at the bottom.

Kerry glanced around. “Where to?”

Jordan pointed to the road that ran down the upper side of an old church. Before she had the chance to speak, they were off again. She would have complained had he been dragging her along, but his large strides were careful and slow, keeping pace with her instead of setting it.

They reached a small slope of grass with a path of round stepping stones leading to the side of an old house divided into four apartments. Her unit took up the back of the main floor.

The guy finally released her hand when she started up the steps. He stopped on the last stone and put his hands behind his back. “Start ye a fire right away,” he said, nodding toward the door. “I willnae have ye dying on me when there are more than a hundred minutes ye owe me.”

She shook her head and tried to look serious. “That’s charging interest on the interest, buddy.”

“Fine. Ye owe me one hour, then. And no more interest until morning. Shall we meet in the square? Say, seven o’clock?”

She grimaced. “My body’s still on Eastern Time. How about ten?”

He nodded. “I shall endeavor not to starve until ten.” His wink told her he wasn’t too worried, then he inclined his head, waved his fingers, and started back across the stepping stones.

“Wait.” She really should have kept her mouth shut, but she couldn’t stand watching him walk away. Not when they still had things to talk about. It was dark, and they were strangers, and it was the stupidest thing she’d ever done, but she couldn’t resist. “I’ve been patient. You still need to tell me that something that won’t really be anything, remember?” She gestured toward the house. “Do you want to come inside?”

He stood still and silent, biting his lower lip and teetering on a single stone while they frowned at each other in the dying light. It made her suspicious.

“Where are you staying?”

He gestured vaguely toward the road. “No’ far.”

She would have bet money he was lying. “Where, exactly?”

“Believe me, lass. There is shelter a plenty to be had in Brechin.”

“So you have nowhere to stay.”

“As I said, a surfeit of options. Worry not for me, Jordan. I will be in the park at ten o’clock.” He gestured toward the road again, asking permission to leave, but she didn’t give it.

Obviously, my good judgement didn’t make the flight. “I have a kitchen. It will be easiest to feed you breakfast here.”

He squared his shoulders and cocked his head. “A traditional Scottish breakfast?”

“Yes.”

“Ye’ll need beans.”

“Got beans.”

“Blood sausage?”

“Ew. But yeah, it might be in there.”

“Tomatoes? Mushrooms?”

“Yeah, yeah. Eggs, toast.”

“American coffee?”

She gave him a narrow look. “For a traditional Scottish breakfast?”

“Scots are traditionally a picky lot.”

“Fine. Yes.”

“Then I shall be here at ten o’clock on the morrow.” He swirled his hand around and gave her a fancy bow, then turned away again.

“Kerry?”

He sighed and faced her.

“I won’t call you a liar…”

He snorted. “Generous of ye.”

“I’ll just point out that you promised to tell me about yourself, and I don’t intend to let you leave until you do. Besides, it will be easier for you to be on time in the morning…if you never leave.”

She dropped her shoulder and swung her bag around, fished out the keys and unlocked the door. When she went inside, she left it open—hoping he’d come after her. It was a trick she’d learned from him.