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“Although your father has wasted my valuable time on a healthy, intelligent young woman who’s left home two months before the age of legal independence and has the resources to do it with a degree of comfort, I’m going to charge the agreed fee.”

She stared at him for a few seconds, brow wrinkled, then gave him her sweetest smile. “You’re going to be the bridge between Sophie and him.”

“I want Sophie to be the bridge between them, but I’ll hold myself in reserve.”

“You’re standing me down?”

“You’re due time off for good behaviour.” He was furious at Sophie, angry at the whole Vella family.

“You’re a good man.” She almost made him believe he was a good man.

“Given your experience of men, I won’t let myself get too big-headed over that compliment,” he teased because he sure as hell wanted to believe. He also ached to tell her she was one of the strongest women he’d ever met. He’d protect her with his life.Hell, MacGregor, this case is almost over.

“You shouldn’t listen to Sophie.” She leaned against his arm. “There are enough men, enough people and experiences in my life, for me to know what makes a good man.”

“To be brutal, the only danger Sophie’s in is becoming convinced that she can always have what she wants and treat other people with disrespect.”

“See, a good man. I wondered if you’d heard?”

“Enough to want to set her straight on a few things.”

“How very fatherly of you.”

He winced. “Why did you say there was nothing to forgive? Why do you accept what Sophie classifies as unreasonable?”

“I’m not a cipher,” she insisted. “I’m responsible for my own actions.”

“It’s human to blame, to accuse and, we both know your father hasn’t always made your life easy.”

“If you can’t live with your own decisions, you wither and die inside. Mama used to say if you agree to do something, do it graciously. If you can’t do that, walk away.”

She weighed actions and reactions in a way that confounded him, and could only have come from a strong sense of self.

Hamish searched her face. “You look happier than when I first sat down.”

“That’s on you.”

Her compliments drew him like a bee to honey. She’d landed in his life unannounced, challenging the conclusions he’d reached after Olivia’s murder. She was brave, honest, loyal and loving—an irresistible mix to a man starved of true intimacy for too long.

He tugged on her hand until she fell against his chest. Wrapping both arms around her, he rested his chin on her crown. When she shifted to look at him, he stroked a hand down one side of her face to cup her jaw.

“Kiss me, Hamish.”

“My pleasure.” Dusting her face with soft kisses, he brushed one to her forehead, gave a nuzzle behind one ear, before settling on her mouth. The rush of heat beneath the contentment hit with a sucker punch. Hamish moved his lips over hers, building pressure until she opened her mouth and welcomed his intimate attention. He let his hands roam over her, urgent to possess. Her moans, her pleas encouraged him to demand more with his mouth and hands.

Hamish drew back, staring into her eyes. “You’re gorgeous.” Somehow, she’d climbed into his lap, and he’d tucked her into him. Seemingly oblivious to their surroundings, she burrowed her hands under his jumper, searching for bare flesh, tracing his ribs, the concave of his belly, possessing him.

“Someone’s coming,” he said urgently, aware of the thumping of his heart above the off-key whistling.

Her eyes lost their dreamy look. She finger-combed her hair into order, and Hamish cursed the young man strolling towards them. Peter was making a noise to announce his arrival.

“Have you met Peter?” she stammered, sliding off his lap.

“Briefly.”

“I suspect Sophie sent him as peacemaker.”

“She expects to be forgiven.” Hamish let his exasperation show.