Page 20 of Priceless (Return to Culloden Moor #7)

CHAPTER TWENTY

J acob imagined those giant raindrops that were pounding on the roof of his car were trying to get through the metal so they could thump him on the head for being an eejit.

What had he been thinking? To just blurt out the truth, hop in his car, and ride away? She’d be angry, sure, but maybe by nine in the morning she would have worked it all out and would welcome him with open arms?

Not bloody likely!

“Just so ye know,” he said aloud, testing how it would have sounded, had he gone through with it. “Just so ye know, I’m also Jocko, the fella ye’ve been textin’ with, and if ye can forgive me by mornin’, we’ll have a grand day ahead of us!”

Thank God Himself that he hadn’t been able to find his tongue!

By the time he reached the pub, found parking and walked through the back door, he’d forgiven himself for that moment of temptation. After all, he’d come to his senses and gotten out of there before he could reconsider. No harm done.

Vonnie was in the back of house , explaining an order to Trenton, but she stopped mid-sentence. The rest of them turned to look at Jacob. No one spoke. They simply waited for him to explain himself.

He played innocent. “Everythin’ all right?”

Vonnie shrugged. “Ye tell us, Jacob .”

“Fine. Yeah. We talked about me taking some time away…”

“Right. Time away. And ye talked about bein’ in love. Then ye took it back.”

He headed for the doorway, hoping to escape up the stairs without too much more bother, but Vonnie was too quick and slid into his path.

“And here ye are, takin’ time away…with a woman ye just met?—”

“Anythin’ wrong with that?”

“It’s as if ye’d been expectin’ her . Expectin’ all of it, weeks ago.”

“Dinnae be daft?—”

“The pub’s been spit-shined. Ye’ve got new clothes. We’re prepared to get on without ye however long ye choose to go on holiday…and here comes the missing piece of the puzzle, an American, actin’ as if she’s never met ye before. Asking if ye dinnae speak? That was a nice tooch?—”

“Vonnie!” Jacob barked, then laughed. “What are ye suggestin’? That I’ve pulled some bit of wool over yer eyes?”

“Aye. But not just me. All of us.”

“What do ye care when I met her?—”

“We care because this is our home too. Is she plannin’ to buy the place then? Are ye sellin’ the children along with the hoose?”

He closed his eyes and prayed for patience. “For the last time, I am not sellin’ the pub?—”

“O’course ye will,” she said quietly. “Ye’ve no children to pass it to, no young Jocko. Eventually…” She shrugged and winced, as if the movement pained her.

“Vonnie, ye’re an eejit.”

A thunderstorm instantly began brewing on her face.

He sighed. “ Ye’re my wee Jocko. Ye’ve always been.” She was slow to understand, so he laid it out. “Jocko’s Public House will pass to ye, Vonnie Gill, when the time comes. But not until I’m old and crabbit.” He gave her a pointed look. “ Truly old and crabbit.”

Her gob fell open. “Ye’re taking the piss?—”

“If anythin’ happens to me, it all falls to ye—lock, stock, and every bloody barrel. It’s already legal.” He made a face. “I suppose I should have found a way to tell ye before now, but I hate it when ye fawn over me.”

She gasped. “Fawn over ye? Ye think a pathetic gift like that will make me fawn?” She gave him a dirty look from the side just before hurtling herself at him, landing on him with her arms around his neck and her feet dangling.

After landing a peck on his cheek, she let go and pushed away from him. “A burden’s more like?—”

“Then maybe Lars?—”

“Bite yer tongue. I’ll take it.”

Lars hissed at her. “He’s not in the ground just yet, glaikit !”

“Now, now, bairns,” Jacob chided, heading for the doorway again. Laira would be texting Jocko any minute, and he had to hurry. “Dinnae fight or ye’ll go to bed without yer supper.”

“Ye havenae explained about the American!” Vonnie bellowed after him.

“Nothin’ to explain. Never set eyes on her until today. And I’m not fool enough to question my luck.”

Finally, his phone rattled.

Jocko, are you there?

Aye, lass. Always.

At least he wished it could be always. But Jacob knew this couldn’t go on forever.

I’m sitting in a footed tub full of bubbles.

Careful then. Don’t drop yer phone.

I won’t. I have a funky little tray across the top.

You promised to give me a report on the food.

Nothing naff about it.

Naff? Have ye taken on a Scottish persona yerself?

Just picking up a little lingo. I also learned the proper way to pronounce Edinburgh, and that crabbit means grumpy.

Well done.

I had a lovely day in Inverness.

Meet any more handsome Scotsmen?

No. Just the one.

His heart began performing gymnastics, and he didn’t mean to stop it.

Ye mean Jocko?

His name is Jacob.

So he’s not me anymore?

A close second.

I trust he treated ye well, then?

He did.

She went on to detail lunch and how daring she was to ask another human being to take her sightseeing.

Brave indeed. More than just a baby step, then.

Yes. It all happened so fast. But it just kind of unfolded that way.

He had to think for a minute. He didn’t want to discourage her, but he didn’t want to play puppet master either. One day, she would look back and know that he was a person on the other end of the line. He wouldn’t want her to feel worse for listening to his advice.

It sounds like ye feel guilty for having a good time. But remember, the only one ye need answer to is yerself. Trust yerself. Do what makes ye happy.

Thank you.

It’s early yet, in Inverness. Have ye made a plan for tomorrow? I can suggest some guided tours if ye like.

Actually, Jacob will pick me up in the morning. He’s going to surprise me.

Smart. Cost effective. And ye’ll not be on a bus all day with strangers.

Right?

The temptation to push was just too great.

Ye trust his intentions?

I do. He could have kissed me a couple of times, but he didn’t. And he didn’t suggest coming up to my room, so there’s that.

Did ye want him to?

Gah!

Kiss ye, I meant to say.

I was terrified.

But yes. Pretty badly in fact. Talk about guilty.

Guilt is for actions one takes that are wrong, to spur one to do better. Does that qualify?

I guess not. Kissing him wouldn’t be cheating on anyone.

Right, ye are.

I just feel like…like maybe Paul is looking down, watching me, judging me.

He wished Paul was still alive so he could push his teeth through the back of his head. How dare he make his own wife constantly second guess herself! He didn’t deserve her!

Whoa. He had to be careful here…

No one is watchin’, lass. And life is too precious by half. My advice? Dance, kiss, be happy.

You are just telling me what I want to hear. But it sounds good. I think I’ll be able to sleep now.

He didn’t want to let her go.

Ye’re enjoying Scotland, then?

Probably a little too much. I’ve only got eleven days left before I catch my return flight, and there is still much to see. I expect to get a bunch of things crossed off my list tomorrow. We saw the Clava Cairns this afternoon. Got rained on.

Inverness is a jewel, just like you said.

His fingers didn’t hesitate.

Perhaps you would like to extend your stay.

Not a chance. I promised myself not to lose my head. Baby steps, remember? I’m sure the excitement of this trip will last me for a good long time.

Exciting, is it?

Let’s just say my heart hasn’t had this kind of workout for decades.

Jacob tried not to be flattered, but it was hard not to, knowing that her husband had not yet been gone eight months.

One cannot wish for more than a happy heart. Has my doppelganger got anything to do with it?

She gave him a brief rundown of the day, including the near kisses.

But he said he wouldn’t kiss me until I asked him to. I don’t know if I can do that.

He said until, not unless, so that’s encouraging.

That’s exactly what I thought!

Expecting him to kiss me tomorrow. I just hope I remember how.

It is said kissing is like riding a bike. A muscle memory.

I sure hope so. I don’t want him to leave me standing on the side of a mountain somewhere for being terrible at it.

Jacob flexed his fingers, fighting temptation…all the way up until he gave in.

Sounds like I should be jealous.

Don’t be silly. Consider him your proxy. It’s as close to kissing you as I can get.

A sudden thought stole his breath and made it difficult to type out his response. Was it possible Laira had figured it all out? Was she teasing him?

He shook his head in denial. She couldn’t know. She’d be furious and wouldn’t be able to hide it. He couldn’t leave her hanging…

Right ye are. In that case, kiss away.

The little dots lay still for a long time. Had she been testing him? Had he failed the test? Gah! Paranoia didn’t suit him!

Now he worried she’d finished her bath and had gone to bed. But the dots came back to life before his brains could completely unspool.

Jocko?

I’m here, lass.

I’m so scared.

Scared of that kiss?

I’m scared I don’t recognize myself. I’m usually so sensible.

So boring.

I doubt that. A boring woman wouldn’t have made it all the way from Colorado to Scotland on her own. A boring woman would have found an excuse to stay home. A boring woman definitely would have stopped texting me.

Never. But what if I get back home and become boring again?

Impossible. Once you have Scotland in yer veins, ye’ll never be able to stomach dullness.

I hope you’re right and not just getting paid by the tourism board.

Never. Might I suggest ye finish yer bath and get a good night’s sleep, so ye’re well rested for the next Scottish adventure. Be sure to have a proper Scottish fry-up in the morning.

That’s what he said. Night.

Then the dots disappeared.

He just wished he knew if that heart emoji was meant for him…

Or for the other him.