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“I…” I glance at Rhona, who might as well be Fort Knox, with what she’s giving me. I clear my throat. “I’m not sure. I don’t want to be in the way.”

“Nonsense,” Grandpa scoffs, wiping his eyes. “You’ll stay as long as you want. It’s so good to have you, isn’t that right, Rhonnie?”

Rhona seems to realize she’s expected to answer this time, pausing her knitting to give a clipped nod. “Of course.”

Yeah, right, I think.

“Can’t show you much of the place in this weather,” Finn sighs, “but I can show you around the house, aye?”

“That would be great,” I tell him. “But…Sorry. Is there any wayI could call the shop Hamish took my car to? Do you have the number? I was hoping to try and find a store where I could grab a few things that I forgot.” Heat creeps into my cheeks. “I sort of left in a hurry.”

“Leo doesn’t have a phone,” Grandpa says. “Thinks someone could track him with it. Maybe Brodie could take you by?”

“Lachlan went to check on it,” Rhona tells him.

“Ah, well,” Grandpa answers with a clap of his hands. “That’s settled, then, isn’t it? Oh, but you needed a shop, aye?”

“I can take her,” Brodie says. “We can check in on the car too.”

I fidget. “Are you sure?”

“Oh, aye,” Brodie says with a laugh. “We’re family, after all.”

Grandpa makes a disgruntled noise. “But what about supper? Rhonnie makes a mean shepherd’s pie.”

I glance at the woman in question, noticing that she doesn’t even look up from her knitting. There might as well be frost hanging off her needles, with the icy demeanor emanating from her.

“That’s okay,” I tell him. I pat my belly. “My stomach is still a little upset from the long plane ride.”

Maybe that’s not quite the truth, but I can sense Rhona is going to need a bit more time to get used to the idea of me being here.

“Do you need something for it? We’ve got medicines around here somewhere—oh! Maybe we could get you a warm water bottle. When I was a lad, that always—”

“Leave her be, Finlay,” Rhona tuts. “Don’t bombard the poor girl with too much at once. She’s just arrived.”

Finlay looks from Rhona to me, his expression sheepish. “Sorry, hen. Got a wee bit excited is all.”

“No, no,” I assure him. “It’s fine. Really. I’d love a rain check, maybe? Breakfast tomorrow?”

His entire face lights up, and I can see a bit of my dad in his features. It makes my chest feel tight. “Aye, breakfast. That we can do.” He reaches to squeeze my shoulder. “Your granny and I turn in pretty early,” Grandpa tells me, “so if we’re asleep when you get home, I’ll expect you for the tour right after breakfast in the morning, aye?”

“That sounds great,” I tell him, still feeling slightly overwhelmed.

“Good lass,” he says with a grin. He pats my shoulder, squeezing it again for a long moment. “It really is so good to have you, love.”

I force a smile. “Thank you.”

He wipes his eyes again as he turns to cross the room to where Rhona is sitting, leaning into her space to murmur in her ear. I feel Brodie’s hand on my elbow then, turning to give him my attention. He’s about my height and just as stocky as Finn, his smile friendly and his eyes a soft hazel that makes him appear kind.

“Come on, then, cousin,” he chuckles. “We’ll get your things, and maybe we’ll stop at the pub, aye? I expect after today, you’ll be needing a pint or two.”

I blow out a breath, flashing Brodie a more authentic smile as the tension in my shoulders bleeds out. “Or two.”

“I’ve got just the place,” he tells me, patting my arm before turning toward the door.

Rhona is still eyeing me warily as I follow after him, but I tell myself not to be too bothered by it. She’ll warm up to me eventually. Probably.

I could definitely use that drink.