Page 42 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

Over the next few days, Rosie and Luke were inseparable as they rekindled the passion from their earlier days together.

When they weren’t in bed, Luke was furiously typing away on his laptop, while Rosie read drafts of his manuscript and made suggestions for changes.

Coisty had also settled quite happily into his new routine and didn’t seem to mind that there was a new man on the scene who was taking up a lot of Rosie’s attention.

Luke had been vague about when exactly he would need to go back to London and so Rosie stopped asking, deciding it was better to make the most of their time together while they could.

She had suggested showing him a bit more of the island while he was there and they had managed to do an early morning hike up to CoireFhionnLochan, a mountain loch with a white gravel beach.

But today, she was taking him round to Blackwaterfoot for a walk and to watch the sun set.

She had packed a picnic and told him to bring his swimming stuff, just in case.

‘The only problem is that I don’t have any swimmers with me. I could skinny dip?’ he said suggestively as he dipped his head to kiss her on the nape of her neck.

‘You could, but if you do that, I will ditch you and pretend I don’t know who the weird naked man in the sea is.

I’ve got my reputation to protect,’ she said half-jokingly.

Rosie was actually quite glad she hadn’t bumped into many of her students this summer.

They must have all left the island and gone elsewhere for the summer break.

Or perhaps she had just been lucky. But she knew she was glowing and she wouldn’t be able to hide her feelings if she did happen to bump into anyone she knew while Luke was with her.

‘I’ll go and see if Ben has an old pair of shorts you can wear. ’

‘Not Speedos then?’ he said in mock disappointment.

Rosie had given him a withering look and disappeared to find Ben’s old board shorts.

When she pulled into the small car park near Shiskine golf club, it was fairly quiet which she felt pleased about. Most tourists and walkers would be on their way back home now or to their rented accommodation.

‘We can either walk along to King’s Caves first of all? Or swim?’ The King’s Caves were a series of seafront caves which were formed during an ice age and had views out to sea across the Kilbrannan Sound.

‘Walk and then swim?’ he suggested.

‘Sounds good to me.’ She had pointed to the trail ahead and they followed it with Coisty leading the way.

‘I bet that’s a nice golf course to play,’ said Luke, glancing over at the nearby clubhouse.

‘Yes, my parents used to play here. They loved it. It was one of their favourite courses.’

‘Did you ever try it?’

Rosie nodded. ‘Yes. I used to play quite a lot when I was younger; I was actually quite good,’ she said shyly.

‘And then sometimes when I came over to visit them, I would hit a few balls. But it takes a long time to play a round and I never seemed to have enough time. I was always rushing about trying to be a mum and work and be there for Dermot.’

‘And now? Would you take it up again now you have more time?’ said Luke.

Rosie shrugged. ‘Perhaps,’ she said eventually. ’I guess I’ve never thought about it until now. I do have a set of clubs but it’s been yonks since I used them. How about you? That’s why you ended up in Scotland in the first place, to play golf. Do you miss it?’

He laughed. ‘I know, imagine that! And I have my clubs with me and I haven’t touched them since I arrived.

Mind you I have been otherwise engaged. But you have some lovely courses here.

Maybe one of these days I will play them.

You know it kind of saved me when my marriage broke down.

I would take myself off to the golf course and play for hours. It gave me some time to think.’

Rosie glanced sideways at him. ‘It must have been hard anyway without the other man being your brother.’

He nodded. ‘It was a massive shock and felt like the ultimate betrayal. Cindy and I had our problems for a while and neither of us were particularly happy. I just didn’t expect her to get together with my brother.’

‘Have you been able to forgive him?’

He grimaced. ‘I haven’t had a proper conversation with him since I found out.

He has been so contrite over it and has left voicemails and texts apologising.

I know that neither of them set out to hurt me deliberately.

But it did. Hugely. And I haven’t been able to speak to him since then as I was afraid I might punch him.

I know that says more about my male ego. ’

‘And now?’ she said gently. ‘How do you feel about it now?’

‘They are seemingly happy together. And life is too short to hold grudges. Writing the book has definitely helped as it has made me realise if I want to move on with my life, I will need to forgive them both.’

There was no need to say anything and instead she squeezed his hand.

They walked along the trail which led down to the beach and didn’t pass another soul. ‘It’s so quiet,’ said Luke. ‘Not that I’m complaining. But where has everyone gone?’

Rosie stopped and stretched her hands out in front of her. ‘I made them all go home. Especially for you,’ she said jokingly. ‘I know you celebs like to have the VIP treatment.’

Luke laughed at her and grabbed her round the waist, planting a kiss on her lips. ‘Well, I certainly feel like a very important person these days and that’s all down to you.’

* * *

Two hours later, Rosie and Luke had stripped off and were swimming in the clear water marvelling at what a beautiful evening it was. With the stretch of golden sand, and the lapping water it did feel as though they were in their own exotic paradise.

‘I will never forget this place,’ said Luke. ‘Thanks for this, Rosie. It’s been such a special day.’ He dried himself off with a towel and then sat down on the sand next to Rosie.

She reached for his hand. ‘Thank you for reminding me how to smile again,’ she said. ‘And how to . . .’ her voice trailed off as she realised that she was about to say love. Gawd, that was the last thing she needed to do and would truly spoil the moment.

‘And?’ he said inquisitively.

Fortunately, Coisty chose that moment to start digging and Luke was soon covered in sand.

‘I’ll just go and get the food from the car,’ she said, jumping up and dusting herself down. She was getting a bit cold now that the sun was starting to dip and she pulled on her shorts and a warm hoodie.

‘Okay, thanks,’ said Luke. ‘I’ll keep an eye on Coisty and make sure he doesn’t disappear down under.’

After collecting the picnic hamper from the car, she walked back to their spot on the beach and saw Luke on his phone.

As she got closer, she realised his face looked serious.

Rosie felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as he looked up at her and frowned.

This did not bode well. When he finally ended the call, he looked at her with despair in his eyes. ‘I’m so sorry, Rosie.’

‘What,’ she said, dropping the picnic bag onto the sand and feeling anxiety start to mount. ‘What’s happened?’

‘It’s my agent, Linda. She’s been taken into hospital. I need to go and see her as soon as possible.’

Rosie opened her mouth. ‘Oh,’ was all she could stutter.

‘I need to go back to London.’

Rosie didn’t need to look at her watch to tell him that he couldn’t leave the island tonight as the last ferry had left.

Selfishly that meant she had one more night with him before their romantic time together came to an end.

Then she felt guilty for even thinking that when his agent was clearly unwell.

He reached out and touched her face tenderly. ‘Don’t worry, I know I can’t go anywhere right now,’ he said. ‘Let’s just make the most of tonight.’

Rosie forced a smile, reminding herself that she had the past amazing week to remember and hold onto. She needed to be grateful for that. But inside she felt as though she was crumbling. She bit back the tears and leant against Luke and let him hold her.