Page 34 of Sailing Free at Loch Tunnagan (Loch Tunnagan #1)

S he found Cal leaning against the vending machine in the foyer.

“You ok?” he asked, straightening up as she approached.

All she could manage was a weak nod. The emotions of the day had taken their toll and exhaustion engulfed her body. She gratefully accepted the cup of coffee that Cal handed her and marvelled at the restorative powers of caffeine as the first sip eased its way through her body.

“How’s Ryan?” asked Cal.

“He’s doing well. He looks a whole lot more comfortable now.”

“That’s good,” nodded Cal.

“His family is coming. I messaged Steph too, so do you mind if we get going. I don’t want to be here when she arrives.”

“Of course,” replied Cal. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

She leaned into him, inhaling deeply. The tension in her body left her and she started to question whether it was the caffeine that had helped restore her or whether it was actually Cal’s presence.

They headed out to the carpark and were about to get into Cal’s truck when Jess heard her name being called. She froze. It was Steph.

“Jess, wait!” Steph called again as she ran towards the truck. “Please!”

Jess held the handle of the truck door. She had about 5 seconds to decide whether to climb in and drive away or wait and hear Steph out.

Too late, Steph had covered the ground between them quickly. She panted, trying to catch her breath, “Can we talk? Just for a minute,” she pleaded.

Jess could barely look at her, she simply nodded towards a nearby bench.

They sat down and Steph began, “I’m glad I caught you.

” Her breathing was returning to normal now, “Jess, I am genuinely sorry for everything that happened. I fully admit that I screwed up big time but please don’t let it affect the business.

You need to put all this silly personal stuff to the side and keep on track. ”

Jess gawked at her in disbelief, “Do you know Steph, it’s unbelievable that I’ve known you for so long and have only just come to see how self-centred you are. I hope you work on those qualities before the baby comes along.”

“Urg” was all Steph could manage before Jess stood up and walked away.

She climbed into the passenger seat and leaned her head back on the head rest.

“How’d that go?” asked Cal.

“Good,” a smile slowly spread its way across her face.

She marvelled at how cathartic it had been to face Steph. She felt a million times lighter in the knowledge that she was freed from the so-called ‘friendship’.

She must have drifted off at some point on the journey home because she woke to Cal gently calling her name,

“Jess, that's us back at the boats now.”

She looked through sleep weary eyes and let herself bathe in the kindness that radiated from the deep brown ones staring down at her.

“Let’s get you onto the boat.” Cal helped her down from the truck and they made their way onto ‘The Sauncy Lass’.

A mug of tea and a slice of toast awaited her on the kitchen table. She glanced up at Cal in confusion.

“I tried to wake you before but you were really out of it so I let you sleep a bit longer. I nipped onto the boat to make you something to eat for when you woke up.”

She suddenly realised it had been hours since she had last eaten. She was starving.

“Thank you.” The warm toast smothered in salty butter was heavenly, “You’ve aced the butter to toast ratio!”

“I’m glad you approve.” Cal stood at the entrance to the galley, his large frame taking up most of the doorway.

“Are you not having any?” she asked.

He shook his head, “I’ve got to get back up to the hotel to get MacTavish. Angus is watching him for me.”

“I can’t thank you enough for driving. I’m so sorry that I fell asleep and you had to do the whole journey back in complete silence.”

The corner of Cal’s lips twitched, “It wasn’t complete silence.”

“What do you mean?” asked Jess.

“There was a lot of snoring coming from the passenger seat.”

Jess punched him lightly on the arm. Nobody could sleep with their head at that angle and not snore.”

Cal chuckled as he turned to head out the door, “I’d better get going.”

“Thanks again Cal,” she said sincerely, “I honestly don’t know how I'd have coped without you.”

He looked at her in earnest, then spoke softly, “You would have coped. You’re stronger than you think Jess.”

With that he was gone and Jess was left alone to digest the events of the day and to prepare for the next …… her last day at Loch Tunnagan.

After finishing the toast that Cal had made her, she brushed her teeth then settled into bed, but sleep evaded her. Memories of her conversation with Ryan flooded her brain and thoughts of what the future would bring took hold.

She gave up on her battle with insomnia and reached for her laptop. The sale of the business would provide her with funds to study again and ‘Events Management’ was at the forefront of her thoughts. It was like a light bulb had gone on inside her head and illuminated the path that she should take.

Her search for courses came up with lots of online learning options but the idea of being able to chat in person to her lecturer and to other people on her course seemed a lot more appealing.

A three-month diploma at a college in Edinburgh caught her eye.

She quickly filled out an online form to register her interest then closed the laptop as sleep finally took over.

Heaviness tugged at her chest when she woke the next day. Swinging her legs out of bed took effort as she knew that as soon as her feet hit the floor, she would be starting her final day at the Loch.

The first item on her agenda was to meet with the photographer from the local newspaper at the Water Sports centre.

She quickly got ready and drove along the winding road that stretched the length of the loch.

Cal’s truck was already in the car park when she pulled in.

He was standing next to Lorna and Olivia and Jess couldn’t help but laugh.

They were each dressed in a poncho like outfit that had spikes protruding down the back.

“What are you wearing?” she asked.

Lorna flipped her hood up to reveal a 3D hedgehog face that sat on top of her head.

“We’re hedgehogs!” she exclaimed.

“Oh, my goodness,” cried Jess. “They’re perfect!”

“Edith and June made them,” smiled Olivia. “They thought it would help advertise the fact that the Boat Race will raise funds for the Hedgehog sanctuary and also to let competitors know to dress up.”

“That’s genius,” replied Jess.

Sam approached them carrying four life jackets, “I’m afraid these might squash a few of your spikes.”

“That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world,” muttered Cal out the corner of his mouth.

“Nobody mentioned that I’d be dressed as a hedgehog,” he complained, pulling at his poncho.

“That's because we knew you wouldn’t come,” stated Lorna matter of factly as she reached up and flicked the disgruntled Cal’s hood up.

Jess tried to suppress a laugh which turned into a snort.

Cal glanced sideways at her with a grumpy look in his eye but the image of his large rugged frame softened by the terry towelling fabric and an innocent looking hedgehog on top of his head did nothing to maintain his stern look and she doubled over with laughter.

It was infectious and Lorna, Olivia and Sam were all trying to catch their breath when the photographer showed up.

“Apologies for this lot.” Cal stretched his hand out to introduce himself.

“The outfits are great,” she grinned. “Shall we get you all onto the boat and I’ll capture a few shots of you on the water.”

“Fab, where should we all sit?” asked Jess.

“Two people sit on the middle bench and each take an oar, then one at the bow and one at the stern,” replied Sam.

He held the boat steady and allowed Olivia and Jess to climb in. Olivia made her way to the bow and Jess sat on the middle bench, and with a feeling of trepidation took hold of an oar.

Next, Cal attempted to manoeuvre his way to the middle seat but the added weight caused the boat to lurch to the side.

Jess let out a squeal, praying they wouldn’t end up in the water.

“Don’t worry, these boats are sturdy. You’re not likely to capsize,” called Sam.

Cal squeezed himself onto the seat next to her and took hold of the other oar. Their bodies were pressed up against each other and Jess suddenly became very aware of her every movement.

Finally, Lorna nimbly leapt onto the boat, her light frame barely making an impact as she sat down at the stern.

Sam gave them a big push out into the loch and instructed Cal and Jess to start rowing. The wooden oar felt rough in her hands and she made a mental note to advise competitors to wear gloves on the day. She focussed on sweeping the oar back over the water and then pulled with all her might.

Her concentration was broken by Lorna and Olivia’s laughter. Jess looked at them in confusion, “What?”

“We’re going round in circles,” replied Olivia.

Jess took note of her surroundings and realised that the boat had turned to face the opposite direction but hadn’t actually made any headway out into the water.

“I think you and Cal are maybe a bit unbalanced in terms of strength,” smiled Lorna.

“Here, give me your oar,” suggested Cal, “I’ll straighten us up.”

The muscles in his arms rippled as he guided them through the water and Jess was momentarily transfixed by the ease at which he pulled the boat around.

“Do you want to try again?” he asked, offering her the oar back.

“Nah, it’s ok, you can do it,” she replied.

He shot her a deadpan look, “Thank you, that's very kind of you.”

Cal rowed for a bit and Jess leaned back enjoying the light breeze that swept over her face and hair.

“That’s great, I’ve got some good shots. You can come back in now,” called the photographer.