Page 15 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

He watched the woman lift her phone and put it to her ear and then he noticed her brow furrow as she listened.

Then she thumped it down on the table, sighed angrily and drained the rest of her glass.

Abruptly, she stood up and stomped past. He didn’t even attempt to catch her eye.

She didn’t look the friendly type at all .

Taking another sip of his pint he wondered if James was actually coming or whether he’d forgotten.

Shrugging to himself, he thought about the silver lining of already having his next drink lined up if James didn’t manage to make it.

‘Hey, hey, hey,’ said James, reaching for Logan’s hand to shake it and then plonking himself opposite. ‘Sorry I’m late,’ he said, taking the pint Logan handed to him. ‘Thanks, mate. Boy, do I need this.’

Logan raised an eyebrow. ‘Has it been that kind of day? It’s lucky you arrived when you did, I was just about to tear into your pint too.’

James laughed. ‘Cheers.’ He clinked his glass against Logan’s and took a gulp.

‘Not in a bad way, it’s just been so busy at work.

Everyone seems to want to hold their wedding or party at the distillery.

I seem to have spent most of the day answering calls and emails and dealing with suppliers. Life on the edge, eh?’

Logan shook his head. ‘Sounds like my worst nightmare.’

‘Och, I don’t mind.’ James shrugged. ‘At least the end is in sight, and I can clock off at night and go home to my bed.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘I couldn’t do your job and have to be with people twenty-four seven.’

‘Which is why we are all different,’ said Logan. ‘We all bring our own talents to the table.’

‘Indeed,’ said James. ‘Anyway, how’s tricks? Have you got everything you need in the flat?’

‘Yes, I do, thanks. A bed and a sink and a kettle are all I require. You know I’m fairly low-maintenance. I have to say it’s much tidier than it usually is. It doesn’t appear to have been lived in for a while.’ He leaned forward. ‘So, do tell. How are things with you?’

James cocked his head, feigning confusion.

‘Don’t give me that. You know exactly what I mean. How is the big romance?’

A huge grin spread across James’s face as he cupped his hands around his glass. ‘What can I say? It’s brilliant. She’s wonderful.’

Logan chuckled. ‘Who would have thought it?’

‘I know, right?’ said James. ‘It’s the last thing I was looking for, but then it just kind of happened.’

James and Amy had been sweethearts in their final year of high school.

Then she had broken it off, leaving him devastated, and they had gone their separate ways.

That had been more than seventeen years ago.

Then last summer they randomly both met again on the island.

Amy was back from Vancouver for her sister’s wedding, and James had just started his new role at the distillery.

Since then, Amy had left Canada and moved home permanently.

‘And it’s clearly meant to be. I mean, talk about fate. Who would have thought you’d have reconnected after all these years?’

‘I know.’ James shook his head. ‘It’s a funny old world, isn’t it?’

‘Indeed.’

James finished the rest of his pint and stood up, reaching for Logan’s empty glass. ‘Same again?’ he asked.

‘Perfect, thanks, buddy.’

While he waited for James to return with the drinks, Logan looked over at the table the angry woman had abandoned and noticed she had left her bag on the chair. He stood up, planning to hand it in at the bar. Just as he reached for it, he felt someone touch his shoulder.

‘Thanks, but I’ll have that,’ said a woman with an American accent, snatching it from him.

‘Oh,’ said Logan, startled when he realised it was the woman from earlier. ‘I was just going to hand it into the bar.’

‘Sure you were,’ she said, sarcastically.

He felt his hackles rise. Who did she think she was? ‘Actually I was. That’s what we do here. We look out for each other.’ He threw her a look of disdain and walked back to his table. How rude! By the time he sat down she had vanished.

‘There you go.’ James walked towards him with two fresh pints.

‘Cheers.’ Logan scowled.

‘What’s up? Did I miss something?’

Logan shook his head. ‘No, I was just trying to be the community hero and was about to hand in a bag that a customer had left behind, but she thought I was nicking it. Clearly, I’ve lost my touch.’

James clinked his glass against Logan’s.

‘And that’s why I don’t get involved with women. They’re far more bother than they’re worth.’ When he realised James was smiling dreamily, Logan shook his head in exasperation. ‘Oh man, this is frightening. Amy must be something very special.’

‘Oh, she is . . . and she has two sisters, though I’m afraid both are taken, which is a bit of a shame.’

‘I’m not interested in meeting anyone , thanks,’ protested Logan.

‘Famous last words, my friend, famous last words.’

Logan pulled a face. ‘No way. I’ll be an eternal bachelor. It’s far easier that way.’

‘Well, watch this space,’ said James. ‘I’m sure there will come a day when I remind you of this conversation.’