Page 10

Eight

H ow did she get herself into these situations? Sarah glanced to her right, sneaking a quick peek at the man driving the car in which she rode. Why did she keep saying yes to Ian?

Because he asked for her help like he really needed it and no one had ever done that before. Because he was honest with her.

Brad had certainly never asked for her help. Nor had he been honest with her. And once he’d had a taste of the uncomfortable abilities she’d lived with since childhood, even the promise of her coming trust fund wasn’t enough to keep him around.

Their split had been messy and painful for Sarah, but it was just as well it had happened so soon after their marriage. They’d been young then. As it was, each had moved on with their lives. Separately. The last she’d heard a few years ago, Brad had remarried, finally finding the wealthy wife he’d always wanted. For her part, she’d be happiest if she never saw the man again.

She should never have said yes to him.

And here she was, saying yes to a man all over again.

Why? Partly because it felt like she should, as if the persistent intuitive feelings that plagued her wanted her to say yes.

And, if she were completely honest with herself, she’d have to admit it was partly because she liked to see the hint of a dimple that showed up when Ian smiled. Because she wanted to spend more time with him, even though that was a really bad idea.

More time with him meant more opportunity for him to realize how different she was from everyone else. Worse yet, the more she was around him, the more she liked him. And that would make his ultimate rejection of her that much more painful.

What was she thinking? Ian was too young, too handsome, too normal to ever be interested in her as more than a friend. No, not normal, she reminded herself. The man was practically royalty. So far out of her league that her even thinking about him was sheer fantasy.

Sarah leaned her forehead against the window, watching the passing countryside to clear her thoughts.

The trip had been wonderful so far. Not having to concentrate on driving, she could devote herself to the scenery. Ian had even taken a detour, or diversion as they called it here, to show her a couple of castles, smiling mysteriously when she said she’d love to see one up close. He told her he was certain they’d get a close look at a castle before their trip was over. He also promised that on the way back they could take an extra hour or so to see Melrose Abbey, where Robert the Bruce’s heart was buried.

“I think we’d best pull over for some petrol up ahead.” Ian jarred her from her current musings. “Do you want anything? A fruit smash or some sweets?”

“No thanks.” She’d tried one of the fruit-flavored soft drinks at lunch and found it a bit tart for her taste.

Ian pulled into the service station and grabbed his wallet from the car visor. After removing a credit card, he tossed the wallet down on the console between the seats before heading into the little shop.

Sarah watched his reflection in the side mirror. She smiled, thinking that he certainly did justice to that pair of jeans, when she noticed a couple of young women stop to admire him as he entered the store. They elbowed one another and giggled. No wonder. He was quite an eyeful, and probably about their age. One of the women looked in her direction and Sarah quickly turned her head.

Glancing down, she caught sight of his wallet and a thought suddenly crossed her mind. His license would be in there. And his birth date would likely be on that license. She looked back at the mirror. Ian was still somewhere deep in the interior of the little shop, nowhere near the windows or the front counter.

It wasn’t hers. Going through it would be snooping. She didn’t snoop. Besides, she had no doubt that she could ask him his age and he’d tell her. And then he’d ask her age.

Another glance at the mirror and then down. The wallet, lying open no more than four inches from her hand, seemed to call out to her. Her fingers twitched, and then eased closer, almost of their own accord. Her eyes darted back to the mirror. Still no sign of him.

Her fingers brushed the wallet. The black leather was soft and warm from lying in the sun. Another check of the mirror. He was at the register, smiling at the girl who was ringing up his purchase.

Now or never.

Sarah turned the wallet around and stared at a small replica of Ian’s handsome face, feeling as if his eyes in the picture chastised her. Guilt washed over her and she turned the billfold back around as it had been. But not before checking the date. Barely twenty-eight. Ten years younger.

You knew as much.

She glanced back at the mirror as he exited the shop. One of the two young women who’d watched him, the tall redhead, approached him now, placing a hand on his arm as she spoke to him. He smiled at her as he listened, gifting her with his full attention.

Sarah snapped her eyes away from the mirror. Of course a man who looked like that was going to attract the attention of other women. What else could she expect? Besides, they were simply friends. It didn’t matter in the least if he stopped to chat with that redhead. It meant nothing to her.

She drummed her fingernails on the door handle. Enough. She needed chocolate. Now.

She climbed out of the car and headed toward the shop, raising her head in time to catch Ian’s quizzical look as she passed him.

“Changed my mind,” she mumbled, unwilling to stop and face the irritated gaze of the redhead whose hand still rested on Ian’s arm.

The “Sweets” counter held a wealth of unknown candy bars, but there were some familiar names. Sarah reached for a chocolate bar, barely restraining herself from tearing it open then and there. A bottled water would be just the thing to wash the candy down nicely.

She started for the coolers visible at the back of the store when something caught her eye. A rack of paperbacks, and, in the middle of them, a familiar cover.

“Oh my God.” She picked it up, running her hand over the face of the book. It was one thing to know your book was going to be released in another country. It was an entirely different matter to see it sitting on a shelf.

“I take it S. J. Douglas is you?”

She jumped at the sound of Ian’s voice so close to her ear, the book and her candy bar both hitting the floor.

“I thought you were outside already.” She placed a hand over her pounding heart. How had he managed to sneak up on her so quietly?

He straightened after retrieving her things from the floor, amusement clear on his face. Sarah snatched the chocolate from his hands and stalked to the cashier. She noticed on her way to the car that the redhead and her friend had disappeared. Ian joined her a short time later, and they pulled back onto the motorway.

After several minutes of silence, he cleared his throat in what sounded like a mixture of cough and chuckle. She glanced over. If he was laughing at her, she might have to seriously hurt the man. His eyes were straight ahead, not a sign of a smile to be found.

Sarah released a deep breath and relaxed back against the leather seat.

“That’s why I dinna recognize it, you see,” he said softly. “I believe they’re called romantic novels here, no women’s literature.”

She sneaked a sideways glance at him. His eyes were still on the road, but there was no mistaking the grin that covered his face.

Lifting a hand to her cheek, Sarah wondered at exactly what temperature spontaneous combustion actually occurred. Whatever it was, she had to be close to it right now.

***

Her skin was finally returning to a normal color.

He should have resisted the temptation to tease, but he found it had become rather enjoyable. Why she’d be embarrassed by what she wrote was beyond him, but he’d pursue that at another time. They’d be at Glaston House shortly.

“So this organization that your friend’s so anxious to become part of—what kind of charity work do they do?”

He fought the urge to grin again. She was trying so hard to recover.

“Feed people, mostly. EHN is…”

“End Hunger Now,” she interrupted. “That’s the board he wants to be on? Good grief. Those people are some pretty heavy hitters.”

“And Daniel wants to be in there hitting right alongside them.”

From the look on her face he assumed she was only now realizing what she might be in for this weekend.

“How many people are going to be there?”

“Three of the corporate executives, along with their wives, have been invited for the weekend. As far as I know, they’ve all accepted. And us, of course. And some of the local gentry will be joining us for a fund-raising dinner.” He grinned. “Danny likes to pull out the lords and ladies to impress his visiting Yanks.”

“How did your friend convince people like that to come spend four days with him?”

He shrugged. “Money. Lots of it. If the donation’s big enough, you can entice almost anyone. Meeting with these men is necessary for Danny to accomplish what he wants.”

That, at least, was true. It was the only way to determine which of them wasn’t exactly what he appeared to be. Someone at EHN was channeling funds to terrorists. Based on the information passed to Daniel by British intelligence, it had to be one of the men he’d invited here this weekend. Based on what Ian had been told by Dallyn, the one they sought was also a Nuadian.

“And why are we here?”

“Well, I’m here for local color and moral support, one of the lords Danny likes to parade about to impress the visiting Yanks.” And to locate their problem and solve it.

“And I’m here for…” She left the question dangling while she stared at him.

He gave her his best smile. “The most important thing of all. Yer here for my moral support.” Close to me. Where I can keep an eye on you. He pointed up ahead. “Glaston House awaits, milady.”

She followed the movement of his hand. Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect little circle as she sucked in her breath. He brought the car to a complete stop at the gates, leaning out to punch a button on the black security box.

“Ian McCullough and guest.”

The gates slowly opened and he drove through, stopping again just inside so he could enjoy watching her reaction to the sight in front of them.

“This is where your friend lives?”

“Impressive, is it no?” Although called Glaston House, it was actually a fully renovated castle. “I told you we’d see at least one castle up close. We’ll be spending the next four days at one.”

Putting the car in gear, Ian drove them forward across an ornate bridge. It spanned a slow-moving stream that circled the perimeter of the property, snaking into the surrounding woods. Once beyond the trees, the castle sat in the center of an enormous green rolling lawn, flanked by some of the most intricate gardens in this part of England. Nessa was quite proud of her green thumb.

Ian pulled the car to a stop at the edge of the drive, got out and walked around the vehicle to open Sarah’s door. After assisting her out, he hadn’t taken three steps before a small screaming body slammed into him, attaching itself to his leg.

“Up, Uncle Ian, up!” The little boy threw his arms around Ian’s neck as soon as he was lifted high enough.

“Wills, lad, you’ve grown like a weed.” He gave the boy a tight hug before setting him on the ground. He pointed at Sarah. “This is my special friend, Miss Sarah Douglas. Can you help me make her feel welcome here?” He ruffled his hand through the boy’s fair hair.

Huge blue eyes studied Sarah intently before the child walked over to her and extended his hand. “My name is William Daniel Martin Stroud.” He grinned at her. “You’re Ian’s friend, so you can call me Will.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, Will.” Sarah took his little hand into her own. Her eyes widened and a small gasp escaped, so quiet it might have gone almost unnoticed.

Except that Ian noticed.

Will looked back at him. “Ooooo, Uncle Ian. I like her.”

Ian grinned at the little boy. “As do I, lad.” He walked over and put an arm around Sarah’s shoulders as the child’s parents arrived.

He’d warned Daniel about Sarah’s discomfort with touching people. He watched his friend reach out and take his wife’s hand as they approached. Danny had always been good at remembering the important details.

“You’re here at last.” Daniel smiled at them both.

“These are my friends, Daniel and Nessa Stroud.” Ian tightened his arm around Sarah and looked down at her. “And this is Sarah.”

“Welcome to Glaston House. We’re so pleased to have you here. Ian’s told us so much about you.” Nessa smiled at her and then at the little boy still holding Sarah’s hand. “I see you’ve already met Will.”

“Yes, I have, thank you. I appreciate your invitation.” Sarah smiled in return, but her gaze kept slipping to the child staring adoringly up at her.

“Are we the first?”

Danny nodded in reply to Ian’s question. “Although a couple of the officers along with their wives should have landed by now. Anderson is picking them up, so they’ll be here in an hour or so, depending on traffic. The others will be coming in throughout the day tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry to be such a rotten hostess, but I need to get back to the kitchen.” Nessa smiled apologetically, shaking her head. “Our cook is new and I want to make sure everything is on schedule for this evening’s reception. Ian, you’re in the Caretaker’s Cottage, as usual. I take it you can see to getting Sarah settled in?”

Ian winked and flashed a thumbs-up signal. Nessa started back to the house, turning only to call her son to come with her.

Will reluctantly let go of Sarah and ran to his mother, taking her hand and laughing at some quiet remark from her as they crossed the drive.

“Your son is adorable. How old is he?” Sarah watched the two of them climb the stairs to the castle.

“Turned six last month,” Daniel answered, pride evident in his voice.

“I’m surprised Will’s here. I’d thought he might be with Nessa’s parents.” Ian didn’t like the idea of exposing the boy to this. He’d feel much safer having the child away from here this weekend.

“They aren’t back from holiday yet.” Daniel rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Believe me, Ian, that would have been my preference, but we have a nanny in, one from the…uh…agency that we’ve used before.”

“Good.” With someone in to protect Will, one worry was lessened.

Sarah was still tucked under his arm, quietly observing the discussion.

Ian smiled down at her. “We need to get you settled in so Nessa disna lose all faith in my ability to be useful.”

He walked her back to the car. They’d drive around to the cottage to unload their bags.

What he really needed right now was to spend some time alone with Daniel. They had a multitude of details to go over before these people began arriving.

Not the least of which concerned the car that had followed his all the way from Scotland.