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starting a family.”
    Harrison chewed the inside of his cheek. “I’ll put down roots eventually.” He didn’t like this discussion when his dad brought it up, and he didn’t like it any better now.
    Robert planted a hand on Harrison’s shoulder. “As long as ‘eventually’ doesn’t come when you’re old with only fading memories to show for your independent spirit and wanderlust. Consider it wisdom from one who’s walked in your shoes.” Robert started to walk away.
    “Pops, why won’t you tell me?” Harrison said, causing Robert to stop. Harrison stared at Robert’s back and hesitated before he continued. “Look, I know whatever—or whomever—it is in your past that hurt you is deeply personal, but we’ve shared a lot. Let me help you if I can. To listen and be your friend, if nothing else.”
    Robert turned around, facing him. Shifting the bag in his arms, his focus drifted back to Shelby. “She’s special, you know. Like her mama. Beautiful, intelligent, and strong. Trustworthy. You don’t have a woman like that walk into your life every day, Harrison. “
    “Understood, but I’m talking about you , not me.”
    “I know.” With his brows drawn together, Robert appeared deep in thought.
    “Was your Shelby worth the risk, Pops?”
    At first, Harrison thought he wasn’t going to answer.
    Finally, Robert nodded. “Yes, she was. Very much so.”
    This admission was enough for now, small but significant. If he inched his way along, he might find the key to unlock Robert’s seemingly deep-seated loneliness. When Harrison gestured to the bag, Robert handed it over. “I’ll meet up with you two again in a bit. I’m going to check out the seafood.”
    “Everything all right?” Shelby said from behind Harrison a few seconds later.
    Startled, he turned, every sense attuned to her. “I think so.”
    “Did Robert say anything about the envelope?” Her blue eyes, so trusting, touched him in the place only Tiffany ever had. But his ex-girlfriend had stomped on his heart and flattened him like a bug on the floor. Quite effectively, too, considering he hadn’t dated any other woman more than a handful of times.
    Harrison cleared his throat, not that it helped to dismiss the thoughts from his past. “No, but I’m sure he’ll tell us when he’s ready.”
    “If ever.” Shelby strolled to a fruit stand a few feet away, and he walked beside her. “Robert is a fascinating but complicated man.” She picked up a pear and rolled it between her palms. “My favorite fruit.” She pulled a few coins from her purse and gave them to the vendor. “What’s your favorite?” After polishing the pear on her blouse, she bit into it.
    “The always dependable apple,” he said. “I think I have an affinity for it because of its unfortunate and unfounded association with man’s fall from grace.”
    She gave him a wry grin. “You know something, Harry? You’re right. The apple really didget a bad rap in the whole Garden of Eden scenario.”
    “I’m surprised you’re still hungry.” He lowered the bag of fresh produce to the ground.
    “Fruit’s not all that filling, but it’s healthy.” She shrugged. “Maybe it’s something about being on vacation. I even had the full traditional breakfast in the hotel, something they call a ‘fry up’—fried egg, a ‘rasher’ with three slices of ham, beans, a fried tomato, and blood pudding. Very interesting names and foods they have here in Scotland.”
    Harrison quirked a brow, pleased she didn’t mind trying new things. “Did you try the kippers?”
    “Yippers.” She giggled as she chomped on another bite.
    Even with the small tear in her blouse and the slightly mussed hair, Shelby enchanted him. Never would he have expected an actual giggle. Against his better instincts, he was falling hard and fast for this natural, unaffected beauty. She’d seemed much more suspicious of his motives yesterday. Admittedly, his words might have been rather