Page 37 of Priceless (Return to Culloden Moor #7)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

J acob hoped he had the right address. The home was nice enough to belong to a man who owned a successful business.

A wreath on the front door mirrored the turning leaves of the maple tree.

The landscaping was lovely but simple. Neat, but not obsessively so.

Two cars in the open garage. One would be the sister’s.

She’s home.

With his chest burning and his stomach churning, he parked in the driveway, blocking both cars, in case she tried to run away without hearing him out. Getting out of the rental was more difficult than he expected, but after a mere five minutes, he found his courage.

The doorbell was loud. Quick footsteps, then the door rattled and he stopped breathing.

The woman smiling up at him wasn’t Laira. “Well, aren’t you a tall drink of…something. What can I do for you?”

“Would this be the Harris residence?”

Her smile disappeared. She looked him over again, then smirked. “Well, hello, Jocko .”

He winced, but stood his ground. “Ye’ll be Raina, then.”

“All day, every day.”

“Happy to meet ye. May I speak with her?”

“Nope.” She made sure the p popped.

“Surely, she can give me five minutes. Then I’ll go without a fuss.”

“She can’t give you five minutes. She’s not here.”

He cocked his head. “Ye left yer garage open. I’ve seen both cars.”

“That’s because I dropped her off, smartass.”

“Must I get on my knees?”

“Oh, don’t do that. I’m not strong enough to help you up again.”

He waved her teasing aside. “Please. Where did ye take her?”

“To the airport.”

He couldn’t hide his disappointment. “And where has she gone?”

“Back to Scotland, to confront an asshole.”

He rallied. “This arsehole?” He pointed at himself, at his pounding heart.

“She didn’t mention any others. So yeah.”

“Ye sent her alone?”

“No. Her friend Whitney went with her.”

He couldn’t help grinning. If she bothered with the time and expense to return to Scotland, she’d surely give him more than five minutes to say his piece, to hopefully win her back.

“Lookin’ for blood, is she?”

“Looking for something. But I don’t think she’s going to find it.”

That sobered him. “Why not?”

“Because it’s here, standing on her doorstep.”

His joy returned. “Tell me what to do.”

“Why should I?”

“Because I love her more than my own life. I’ll give up everything to have her.”

The woman puckered her lips and shook her head. “It would never work.”

“Why?”

“Because she’d insist on moving to Scotland so you didn’t have to give up anything. And that means I’d have to come along.”

He made a face. “I see what ye mean.”

Her mouth gaped. “Hey! You don’t even know me yet.”

He grinned. “Ye said yet. ”

“Well, I figure you’ll get the chance, since we’ll be flying together and all. Or are you too worn out?”

“I think this time, I might be able to sleep on the aircraft.”

“Good. I can be packed in ten minutes.”

“That long?”

“I always have a go bag, honey. And relax. I’ll drive.”

Whitney was worn out and still in a daze from the train ride. She’d sucked in the passing scenery like a woman dying of thirst, but by the time we checked in at Bluebell House, she was done. It was easy to convince her to go to bed, that the Highlands would still be there in the morning.

I was then free to head to Jocko’s Pub alone.

It was cold and already dark, but I walked, needing time to brace myself without Whitney rambling in my ear.

I couldn’t just walk in without a speech prepared, or I’d crumble as soon as I laid eyes on him.

I had to remember that I was there for closure, not to start something new.

I had to tell him to his face that I knew everything.

Though, since I hadn’t answered his calls, he probably assumed that his cat was out of the bag.

It was important that he didn’t touch me and that we not be alone together. And if he happened to be wearing a kilt, like Wallace did regularly, he’d just have to change before I would agree to talk to him.

Thanks to a stiff breeze coming off the river, I was frozen to the bone by the time I reached the green door. The only thing on my mind at that point was getting to the fireplace before I broke out in tears.

“Please, let there be a fire!” I got inside and put my head down, headed for the far end of the room. Have to get warm. Have to get warm.

Our old table was empty. I waved at the young guy at the bar, pointed to the table, and waited for a nod before I slipped out of my coat and sat down, my back to the flames. I draped my coat around my legs and waited. The heat soon penetrated my sweater and started thawing my blood.

Unwelcomed tears filled my eyes just as a waitress came by. I thought her name was Mary. She looked concerned.

“Just that stupid wind,” I said, and dried my face with my gloves.

She recognized me and her eyes widened. “I’ll get Vonnie.”

I didn’t want Vonnie. I wanted Jacob, or Jocko, or whatever his name really was.

That shocking purple hair arrived at the table in no time. “Ye’re here,” she said, clearly shocked. “Ye’re here.”

“That’s been established I think.”

“If ye’re here, then…” She shook away whatever else she was going to say. “What can I do fer ye, Miss Harris?”

“I want to speak to him. Is he here?” I hadn’t seen his Land Rover, but I’d been too cold to look for it.

“Well, I dunno. Might be up at the house, cleanin’ again. He’s decided to sell it. I reckon he’s ready to let more than one thing go.” She bobbed her eyebrows to make her point.

“I deserve that. But will you tell him I’m here?”

“Yes, ma’am.” She turned and headed for the kitchen. Her hand shot out and she caught Mary’s arm and dragged her along with her.

I split my attention between the kitchen doorway and the bottom of the stairs that led up to his apartment. When he didn’t appear after five long minutes, I wondered if they’d had to call him. Maybe he was at his house. Or maybe he was with the Widow Woodbrey.

I had to stop wondering and just be patient.

It didn’t look like anyone wanted to take my order, so I set my elbows on the table, put my gloves on my cold cheeks, and closed my eyes.

Now that I was warm and that adrenaline spent, I wondered if I should leave.

Maybe I was too tired to remember everything I wanted to say.

Maybe I should come back tomorrow, with Whitney as backup.

If I put my coat over my toasty sweater, the heat would last me until I found a taxi. I wouldn’t have to walk all that way.

The two women came out of the kitchen carrying trays of food they served to different tables.

Clearly, Jacob either wasn’t there or wasn’t in the mood for a confrontation, and they were just going to ignore me until I figured that out for myself.

So I got up and pulled on my coat as I headed for the door.

“Dougie!” Vonnie shouted, and a big blond kid hurried to the door and stood in front of it. He looked really embarrassed for what he’d clearly been ordered to do.

“Please, lass. Dinnae go.”

My imagination was working overtime, bringing back the first time I’d tried to run.

“Please, Laira. Stay.”

Treacherous tears sprang from my eyes as I turned my head. Jacob stood just as he had back then, with his hand raised. Asking me to do more than just stay and order a meal. I couldn’t risk looking him in the eye.

My hand twitched. I forced it into my coat pocket…just as I noticed the woman standing behind him.

“Raina?”

My sister shrugged. “You wouldn’t believe who I found on our doorstep after I dropped you off at the airport.”

I couldn’t believe it. “He was in Colorado?”

She nodded. “We flew from Edinburgh to Inverness, trying to beat your train. Sorry if we’re a little late.” She’d pronounced Edinburgh correctly. They really had come together. My sister was on his side? It didn’t make sense, unless she knew something I didn’t.

Jacob’s hand dipped slightly. He was probably dead on his feet.

It was mean to leave him hanging in front of all those people, but I couldn’t trust him.

I wouldn’t trust him again. He’d made me doubt everything he’d said, but worse, he’d made me doubt everything I’d felt for him.

Nothing was worse than not being able to trust myself. It left me with no hope at all.

That was the speech I’d intended to deliver and then leave.

I glanced at his face and gave my head a tiny shake.

Those big shoulders fell, and he lowered his arm.

“Yer sister said ye never saw my messages. Never saw my apology or my explanation. So I’ll tell ye here and now—it was never a set up.

Never a joke. It was an accident. A misunderstanding I should have corrected at the start.

But I was already smitten, Laira, and I worried the truth would embarrass ye.

That’s the heart of it. And if ye cannae forgive me, at least I’ve given ye the truth. ”

It ripped me apart to see that he was suffering as much as I was. But could I trust my eyes? I’d trusted so easily before.

I looked in his eyes again and felt a monster-sized sob coming. My body wanted me to believe him. My mind was sitting this one out.

I turned away. Time to run again. “I shouldn’t have come.”

“Oh, no ye don’t.” Vonnie pushed her way between Jacob and I.

“Raina and I spent a lot of time workin’ on the pair of ye, tryin’ to get one of ye to swallow yer pride and make the first move.

The fact that both of ye have says everything that needs sayin’.

The rest of us, the people who care about ye?

We’re done sufferin’. Ye’ll kiss and make up, or we’ll all stand here until ye do. ”

“Vonnie.” Jacob shook his head. “It isnae so simple.”

“But it is.” Raina chirped. “We all know about Jocko.”

Vonnie nodded.

My sister went on. “And I was wrong, Laira. I accessed your messages. I read everything Jocko sent, everything Jacob wrote. And I listened to the voicemails. It seems to me, you are deeply and completely loved by two men. And lucky you, you can have them both! What else could possibly matter?”

“Aye.” Vonnie raised her hands. “And on behalf of every one of us who cannae find one true love, I say…kiss him, ye bloody eejit!”

“Here, here!” Every person in the bar shouted.

Jacob watched me closely, hoping for a second chance, waiting for the slightest hop that I might reconsider.

I tried to be tough. I knew what I came to say, but I was having a hard time remembering why I needed to say it.

Now, I needed to believe that everything that had happened, each carefully bubble-wrapped moment had been as honest and as priceless as I’d believed they were. But what I needed most of all…was him.

Raina was right—what else could possibly matter?

His wet eyes crinkled, followed by a tentative, hopeful smile, and he held out his hand again.

I wasn’t an idiot. I took it. I trusted my sister, trusted Jacob, and gave myself permission to grab happiness and hold on tight.

Jacob pulled me to him, spun me around, then caught me and kissed me while everyone cheered. Then he put his head against mine to speak in my ear. “Hello, Laira. We’ve not been introduced. I’m Jocko, the tall and handsome but scarred, kilted and witty Highlander.”

When he dared check my reaction, I decided to kiss Jocko with everything I had, to drive him wild…and make Jacob wonder. When the alarm registered on his face, I laughed and pulled myself closer and whispered back, “It serves you both right.”

He sighed loudly. “I do love ye, woman.”

“Sorry? Who loves me?”

He stared deep into my eyes. “Both of us, lass. Both of us.”