Page 38 of Sailing Free at Loch Tunnagan (Loch Tunnagan #1)

“I asked you how you could have done that to us and you said that you were 'so sorry?'”

Jack replied, “I was sorry that I’d supported Lainey instead of stopping her. She suspected that hen harriers were being killed illegally and so we took matters into our own hands. The gamekeeper caught us and we ran.”

His eyes filled with pain as he recounted the last moments of Lainey’s life. “We were trying to get back to the hotel when the car hit us.”

He shook his head, “I can’t believe you thought we were having an affair. Olivia you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved; I would never do that to you. Although apparently that's a one-sided thing,” he shot a look over at Clark.

Clark stood awkwardly in the centre of the lobby, “I’m going to give you all a minute. Olivia, I’ll be in the hall if you need me.”

Jack then directed his words at Cal, “Lainey would never have done that to you. We kept where we were going a secret because we knew what we were doing wasn’t exactly legal.

We didn’t want to get you involved too. She …

..” His eyes flicked up to Cal’s as if trying to figure out whether to continue speaking, “she called for you.”

He took a deep breath and continued, “After the car hit us, we were lying on the road. I was fading in and out of consciousness but I heard her call your name.” Tears brimmed at his eyes as he spoke, “before she went quiet.”

Everything was still for a moment, nobody spoke, nobody moved. The silence was broken when a sob escaped from Olivia’s mouth.Jess moved towards her friend to comfort her but Clark had reappeared and got there first.

“Let me take you down the road,” he said softly. “I’ll drop you at the flat.” Olivia nodded and let Clark lead her out.

Jack’s face was grey as he watched them go. He stood for a moment and then silently seemed to come to the decision that it was time for him to leave too.

Cal blew out a shaky breath, crouching down he leaned his head back against the wall. Jess was by his side in seconds, “Are you ok?”

Cal rubbed at his jaw but nodded numbly.

One of the band members came into the lobby and hovered awkwardly, clearly sensing she was interrupting something, “Jess, can I see you for a second.”

“Sorry, I can’t talk right now. If you find Dawn she might be able to help.”

“It was Dawn that sent me to find you,” replied the lady.

“It’s ok, go Jess,” said Cal.

Jess was about to say that she would find someone else to deal with whatever problem the band were having when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“I’ve got this. I’ll watch over him.” There was a kindness in the man’s voice and Jess was surprised when she turned to see Lainey’s dad, Edward standing behind her. She had no idea how long he’d been in the lobby or how much of the earlier interaction with Jack he’d witnessed.

She looked at Cal for reassurance and he gave a subtle nod.

“Come outside with me Callum,” instructed Edward calmly. The two men stepped out into the cool night air and Jess turned to face whatever issues were going on inside the hall.

Jess had been pulled from one person to another all evening. They either wanted to congratulate her for a wonderful event or ask her to help solve some minor problem. It meant that she hadn’t been able to return to Cal to see if he was ok and it was killing her inside.

Suddenly the music stopped and the band announced that they would be taking a break while the buffet was being served out in the lobby.

Lorna stepped up on stage and was handed the mic, “If everyone can please wait a few minutes before they head to the buffet. We’ll draw the raffle and see who the lucky winners are.

Stick around, we have some fantastic prizes! ”

Jess let out a sigh of relief. This was one part of the evening that she didn’t need to be involved in.

She quickly made her way out to the lobby before anyone else could grab her for a chat.

Being the first one out meant that there was no line for the buffet. She grabbed two plates and filled them.

“Jess, wait!” her shoulders slumped at the sound of her name. Dawn ran out of the hall holding an envelope, “Are you heading out to see Callum?”

Jess nodded, “I’m bringing him out some food.”

“Fab, can you give him this? He won it in the raffle.”

Jess looked down at her two hands, there was an overflowing plate in each one, “Shove the envelope in my mouth.”

Dawn laughed as she held the prize up and let Jess take it in her teeth.

‘This was a mistake,’ she thought, the minute she stepped out into the cold night air.

The off-shoulder straps of her dress and the long slit that ran up her leg did little to protect her against the drop in temperature.

Her teeth started chattering causing the envelope to wobble erratically as she walked over to the small garden that glowed with hundreds of flickering lanterns.

Cal had his back to her. His elbows rested on the posts of the fence and he leaned forward looking out at the dark fields. He must have been deep in thought as he didn’t hear her approach.

“Tis iz or oo,” the words came out as gobbilty gook.

He turned to her and a smile twitched at his lips. Without asking he removed his suit jacket and drooped it over her shivering shoulders then plucked the envelope from her mouth.

“That’s for you,” she said, slightly out of breath.

“I gathered that. I’m hoping the drool hasn’t soaked through and ruined whatever's inside.”

His teasing tone lightened her mood. It was good to see him back to his usual self.

“This is also for you,” she handed him his plate.

“Thanks,” he replied. "Sorry I haven’t been much help tonight.”

“We’ve all been fine. It’s gone well,” she said. “How’re you feeling?”

“Strangely good,” smiled Cal. There was a lightness to his features that she hadn’t seen before.

“You were out here with Edward for quite a while,” she remarked. "How was that?”

Cal inhaled deeply, “Good. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

“I told him that I hadn’t been totally honest about the night that Lainey died. I explained everything."

“How did he take it?”

“He thanked me but then told me that he was pissed off with me. Not because I hadn’t told him the truth about Lainey but because he knew how upset she would be if she could see the way I was living my life.”

Cal held her gaze, “He said it was time I learned to live again.” He paused, “He actually mentioned you, Jess.”

“He did?” questioned Jess.

Cal nodded, “He said that you help me open up.” He breathed in deeply, “He’s right, you know.”

Cal looked out over the fields again, “You’re amazing Jess. You make me want to experience things again. You make life fun and interesting and worth living.”

A shy smile crept over his face, “He said I should ask you to dance.”

Jess laughed, “I would love to dance with you. But on one condition.”

Cal turned to look at her properly, “Oh yeah, what's that?”

“You need to open that envelope and tell me what you won in the raffle. I'm desperate to know.”

Cal let out a dramatic sigh, “Has anyone ever told you that you can be kind of demanding.”

“Just open it,” she laughed.

He tore open the envelope and looked at the vouchers inside. Cal chuckled as he read out the prize, “A two-night stay on ‘The Sauncy Lass’.”

Jess laughed, “Really? Paul must have donated that.”

“Now do I get my dance?” asked Cal.

He took Jess’ hand in his and wrapped his other arm around her waist. The warmth of his body acted as a barrier to the chilly night air and Jess felt herself relax. His head dipped down so that his mouth hovered over hers.

“I like your dress, you look beautiful.”

Jess smiled up at him, “Thank you.”

Cal was quiet for a moment then his eyes met hers, “You always look beautiful.”

Music drifted out to the garden from the hotel. He pulled her in close as they swayed slowly together, surrounded by the soft glow of the lanterns that hung all around them. Jess didn’t think the moment could get any better, until Cal bent down and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

THE END