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Lachlan laughed. “I hate to admit it, but Robert’s making me work for it instead of you, Grant.”

As the oldest triplet and the pack leader, Grant always had to prove he was the most powerful of the brothers.

When Grant called a break, they all went to get drinks. Grant got a cup of water and walked over to see Colleen. “How are you doing?”

“I’m great. You’re doing fine as usual,” Colleen said, squeezing his hand.

Veronica smiled at Robert. “I told Maisie I would frame her animal photos when she has them done for you.”

“That’s wonderful,” Robert said. “You do a superb job.”

“I bet,” Maisie said. Watching the two interact, she suspected that Veronica’s speaking with her earlier was the reason for Robert’s distraction. Had Veronica dated Robert? Women’s and wolf’s intuition made Maisie suspect so and that’s why Veronica had said that getting stuck on Eilean Tioram with Robert was romantic.

Now Maisie wondered if Veronica was still interested in Robert or if it had been a short-lived thing.

“How’s your ankle, Maisie?” Robert asked.

“It’s fine, really, Robert.”

“Good.” He turned to Colleen then. “And how are you feeling?”

Colleen smiled. “Ready to deliver these babies. But otherwise, I’m good.”

“I bet,” Maisie said. “At least you’re not having triplets like Lachlan and his brothers’ mother had.”

“That’s for sure,” Colleen said. “I know Heather feels the same way as me about it. She has three brothers, so she was worried she might end up with quadruplets even because of our wolf heritage.”

“Oh no,” Maisie said. “I can just imagine. Oh, Colleen, I meant to ask if you have anyone who works here who might want to work part-time at the inn. Sometimes my sister and I need some additional coverage, like when we go to Robert’s open house or like with me injuring my ankle.”

“I can put out the word,” Colleen said.

“Perfect. Thanks.”

After another hour of sparring and another beverage break, Robert took Maisie to the kennels to see Conan. He was so excited to see her, but Robert immediately made him sit before he knocked her over.

“I truly need to do the transitional training with him.” She sat down on a bench, and he came over to greet her. “I miss you so much.” She hugged her dog, and he wagged his tail like crazy. She was glad he hadn’t forgotten her in the two and a half weeks he’d been here for training. She couldn’t wait for him to come home with her.

After that, Lachlan had to take him back to training.

“Would you like to have dinner with me?” Robert asked. “Or do you need to help at the inn?”

“Let me call my sister and see if she needs me. Otherwise, I would love to.” They got into his car, and Maisie called Anne. “Hey, Robert invited me for dinner. Are you going to be alright, or do you need my help?”

Anne laughed. “You know I can’t say you’re needed here when you have an all-important date with Robert. So how did it go?”

“Robert was amazing. He could teach us a thing or two about how to sword fight. Tomorrow, I need to sort through the marine life photos and then send them to the magazine. But if you need me to do anything at all, I’ll do it.”

“You can take care of online reservations if you want. Otherwise, we’re covered. You can’t do a whole lot with your bum ankle. We’re good.”

“Okay, thanks, Anne.” Maisie felt a little guilty that she was eating out with Robert and Anne was on her own, but she knew if the roles had been reversed, she would have been just as happy for Anne.

Chapter 9

That evening, Robert took Maisie to his place to have dinner, and she looked refreshed and happy as he set her up on the couch and smiled when his tuxedo kitten came out to greet her.

“Oh, she’s so adorable.” Maisie picked her up and cuddled with her.

“That’s Mittens, and she is the sweetest little cat.” He smiled to see Maisie rub her cheek against Mittens in a friendly nuzzle and Mittens began to purr. The moment was precious. “Would you like a cocktail, glass of wine, or glass of water before I make dinner?”