Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84901 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84901 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“Nothing,” I muttered, dropping the subject.
“What is it?”
“Brody. Being broody,” Lachlan tried.
Jordyn’s eyes narrowed. “Lachlan MacKenzie, I already threatened to break your legs if you hurt Cutie Pie. Add to the list—I break legs when people lie.”
“No lie,” Jamie cut in, voice steady, as if he didn’t realize the potential pun. He stood off to the side, dressed in jean cutoffs that fell below his knees and a flannel shirt rolled to his elbows. The water lapped his ankles, but he seemed unbothered by the cold.
I tried to redirect, nodding toward the lake. “Why does everyone jump in fully clothed?”
“Tradition.” Jordyn tapped manicured stilettoed nails, arms folded. “Usually upon arrival. But everyone needed sleep.” Her eyes flicked back, sharp as knives. “Now spill.”
Lachlan rubbed the back of his neck. “Brody’s sore spot is … he has no sons.”
The words landed like a stone thrown into the loch. Jordyn’s expression froze, then hardened. The trickle effect stiffened her shoulders. She stormed toward the castle walls, wet footprints darkening the pale flagstones.
I started after her, guilt twisting my gut.
“Allow me,” Jamie murmured, already moving, his steady presence shadowing hers.
“No.” Something in my chest told me the newlyweds didn’t need another storm. Not today.
“Okay.” His fingers bounced against his long legs. So nervous. You’d think I’d asked him to leave his soulmate stranded on an island.
Figuring I had a few minutes before Jamie took over, I jogged up the path and into one of the many entrances, slamming into Rory. “Hey,” he picked up his phone and turned off the Live. “Did you speak with your cousin, Simona? We were all worried when we, uh, told her we’d meet her at the hospital. My dad is angry about that. Mom and her decisions without updating us.”
“Simona didn’t mention it.” I shrugged. “Can’t be too angry. Sima agreed to warm up Pop and Uncle Simeon. Now, which room belongs to the newlyweds? And which is your parents? I’d like to … apologize about the other night.”
Rory gestured with his chin, and we strolled through a vast corridor, lined with stone pillars. “Don’t apologize, Natasha.”
“For my family? Yes, I must. But you can let me borrow your sweatshirt?” Before I freeze to death.
“Keep it. I’ve already done a couple of sponsored videos for the brand. Good money, but it ain’t my style.” He unknotted the bright red hoodie with Los Angeles in a spray-painted graffiti font from around his waist. “You wanna find my parents? The have their own tradition. They sneak off to a dock farther down the loch. Beautiful place.” His mouth twisted. “Never mind. Just apologize the next time you see them.”
“It’s beautiful? Like photography beautiful.”
“Among other things …” His throat cleared.
“Oh.” I got it. The MacKenzie genitors had their own way of letting off steam in the cold. I thanked him for pointing me toward Jordyn and Jamie’s room. After a few minutes of knocking with no answer, I turned the carved iron knob and pushed open the heavy oak door. Empty, except for a bedazzled phone.
Back in the corridor, I caught sight of Jamie. He wasn’t storming exactly, but with his six-foot-seven frame and lean, muscled build, the ground quaked.
“Natasha.” His brogue thickened. A tremor flickered through his hand as he ran it through his long hair. “Wot did she say?”
“She’s not in the room, Jamie. Sorry. Her phone’s on a chaise lounge. Let’s find her?”
He gave a stiff nod, jaw ticking. “Lach shouldn’t have said that!”
“I’m sorry.”
He shook his head, as though blaming wouldn’t help. “I’d give her anything, Natasha. A hunner bairns. My soldiers are marching. Trust me—she made us check.”
“And her eggs?” I frowned. Lord, give her a baby, please.
“The doctor has a few more tests. We’re on a wait list.”
“Let’s find her,” I said, “and tell her she’s moved up the waitlist. My pop—”
“Wants to murder my clan.” A rough laugh barked from his lips as we strolled down another corridor, glancing into stonewalled rooms.
“I’ll figure something out.”
He stopped mid-hall, runner rug stretching endlessly beyond him. “You’ve been a sister to her. Thank you.”
A long while later, rolling green fields surrounded Lachlan and me. A farmhouse sat in the distance, and we passed a hobbit-like door tucked into a hill, searching for Jordyn. Eventually, we climbed a cliff overlooking Loch Ness. The water gleamed like a mirror, catching every blade of grass and patch of sky.
Lachlan’s phone rang. After a brief call, he hung up. “Jamie found his bride. She’s with Ava.”
“Who?” I frowned.
“Kieran’s wife. The only Irishman my father tolerates. Rumor is Ava can’t have kids, after—we believe she had a kid in the past. Anyway, anyone who asks risks a Glasgow smile. If they’re together, Jordyn won’t feel alone.” Lachlan scrubbed a hand over his face. “Hopefully, Ava helps. I saw fear in Jamie’s eyes. Haven’t seen it in years. Mam won’t survive if …”