Page 15 of A Scottish Lighthouse Escape (Scottish Escapes #9)

Bronte had always lain beside my chair whilst I was toiling over a book, acting as my sounding board when I was debating character names or convinced that my latest plot wasn’t working.

She’d lie there, her fluffy paws like furry trousers, lifting her head to look up at me with those curious eyes of hers while I ranted and raved about my latest draft being crap and that the plot had more holes than a tea bag.

Oh well. At least she wouldn’t need to do that anymore.

I yelled Bronte’s name into the sea air, as did Mitch. I snapped round to look at him.

‘I’m not leaving you here in this state, trying to find your dog on your own.’

I opened my mouth to protest, but Mitch was unrepentant. ‘Stop being so bloody-minded and accept help when it’s offered.’

My cheeks flamed with colour.

‘Look, I know you were close to Mr Hogan and that I have big boots to fill, but I’m only trying to do my job.’

I flashed him a chilly glance from under my curls.

God, he was annoying. But he was helping me.

Mitch shouted for Bronte again, but there was nothing. No answering barks. No sign of her flapping ears as she charged towards me. No waggling tail thrashing from side to side in greeting.

I craned my ears, hoping against hope that I’d detect her cheerful yaps or she’d come scampering out from somewhere, but all I could hear was the water and the odd screech from the gulls. ‘This is down to me,’ I gulped, picking up speed along the sand. ‘It’s my fault she’s lost.’

‘No, it isn’t.’

I rubbed at my face. ‘Yes. It is. Please stop trying to make me feel better. She was trying to protect me.’

‘Ms Winters. Stop beating yourself up over it. We’ll find her. Hey! Look at Kane.’

I turned around, shoving my hair out of my frantic eyes. Kane had gone from snuffling his big, black, sooty nose along the shoreline, to suddenly picking up his pace. His tail wagged.

With a glance back at Mitch, he took off across the top of the sand like a speeding gold and black bullet. His muscly back shifted as he moved, almost galloping on his sinewy legs like a racehorse.

He was flying, jumping over the odd rock in the sand and stippled clumps of grasses as though they weren’t there.

He stopped, raised his proud head and savoured the sea air. Then he bounded away again.

There was a bigger, broader set of rocks sandwiched together at the further end of the bay.

Kane paused and looked straight at them. Mitch shoved his black hair back from his face. ‘He’s found something.’

We started running towards the rocks, in hot pursuit of Kane.

My heart dared to lift, as Kane concentrated on the cluster of grey rocks at the far end of the beach.

The sea air lashed through our hair and against our faces as we raced across the wet sand. Kane scrambled over the top of the rocks, vanishing with one brush of his tail over the other side.

A series of excited barks and yelps shot into the air.

It felt like Kane had also been missing forever.

I let out gulps and frantic pants as the rocks drew closer and closer.

Please, God, I prayed silently in desperation.

Please let Kane find her. If he does, I promise I will try and not be so sarcastic to people ever again .

Time seemed to slow down to a treacle pace, before both Kane and Bronte’s heads popped up like meerkats from the other side of the bank of rocks.

‘Oh God!’ I broke into another delighted run across the sand. ‘Kane! Thank you! You found her! Clever boy!’

Bronte scrambled up and over the rocks and came tearing towards me, her ears streaming behind her.

I crouched down and she knocked me backwards onto the wet sand but I didn’t care.

I lay there, a series of odd laughs and sobs erupting out of me as she jumped on my chest and lashed my face and hands with wet, warm licks.

Sea water was seeping into the waistband of my jeans.

I struggled to my feet, my hair tumbling over my eyes, and scooped her up in my grateful, relieved arms. I buried my emotional face into her.

‘You naughty girl. Please don’t ever run off like that again.

’ I scrambled around inside my coat pocket, set her down on the sand beside me, located her lead and clipped it onto her collar.

Kane materialised beside me, his long, pink tongue lolling out of his mouth. He looked like he was smiling. I bent down and fussed over him. ‘Thank you, you big, handsome guy. I owe you one.’

‘Och, it was nothing,’ teased Mitch.

I glanced up. Mitch was watching me. His Mediterranean-coloured eyes danced. ‘I’m glad you finally appreciate me.’

I slid him an embarrassed but grateful look. ‘Thanks for your help.’

‘It wasn’t me who found her.’

Kane trotted over to be by his master’s side. The German Shepherd still looked rather pleased with himself.

‘Hold on.’ Mitch darted over to the rocks where Kane had found Bronte, peered over them and came trotting back. ‘Nope. No elderly miscreant prowlers lurking behind there.’

I clutched onto Bronte’s purple lead. ‘You still don’t believe me, do you? About the prowler, I mean?’

‘I do believe you saw someone, but as for an over-seventies prowler, I have my doubts.’ He hesitated. ‘Do you have any idea what he was doing, looking in your window?’

I tutted. ‘I wasn’t about to ask him in for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.’

The strip of sand we were standing on continued to be teased by the rush of the waves. Dinky fishing boats slicked with paint in candy pinks, electric blues and zinging greens creaked and bobbed. Their masts fired upwards, piercing the milky winter sky.

Mitch studied me from under his brows. He looked like he was trying to weigh me up. ‘Are you always this sarcastic?’

I bristled, feeling self-conscious under his intense gaze. ‘Not unless I get asked stupid questions.’

A corner of his mouth twitched, which infuriated me even more.

I glanced up at the sky. I’d just made a promise that I wouldn’t be this sarcastic if Bronte was alright. Bugger. I wasn’t doing very well.

We made our way back towards the cottage and the lighthouse. Kane skirted in and out of the frothing waves and Bronte paddled beside me on her lead, giving me imploring looks to let her run free. I decided not to for the time being.

‘Would you like me to give your cottage the once over when we get back? Just to reassure you that there’s no one about to jump out of your wardrobe?’

‘I thought you doubted what I’d seen.’

I spotted him flex a brow. ‘Och, not this again! Is that a yes or a no?’

‘No, thank you. I’ll be fine.’ If this character did reappear and try anything, he’d get bashed over the head with one of my grandma’s easels.

‘Okay. But you know where I am if you’re worried about anything, Ms Winters.’

‘I appreciate that. Thank you.’ Mitch’s kindness touched me. I hesitated. ‘And there’s no need for the Ms Winters. It’s Rosie.’

Mitch gave me a long look and whistled over his shoulder at Kane.

He was still preoccupied, leaping about and barking in the spray.

‘Okay, Rosie. Please call me Mitch.’ He bent over and gave Kane a solid pat on his flank.

‘I’m sure that guy just took a wrong turning.

I bet you won’t clap eyes on him again.’

I tightened my scarf around my neck. I really hoped I didn’t. There had been enough excitement for one day.