Read The Calum for Free Online

Now...” She turned Lovie’s hand over, studying it.
    Over her head, Duff
mouthed ‘I’m sorry’, pleading with his eyes for her to be patient.
Lovie was fine, though. She understood Ginny’s
curiosity.
    “ You’ve the loveliest skin. Like spring
whea’.”
    “ Like what?”
    “ Spring wheat,” Duff
replied, his eyes scanning her. “Golden brown.” His ears
reddened.
    “ And such adorable
freckles. Some African roots as well, aye? Or West Indian, perhaps.
Beautiful people.” Ginny released Lovie’s hand and stepped back,
smiling. “You’re just lovely, dear. Just lovely. Isn’t
she?”
    “ Aye, ” Duff answered quietly. “She
is.”
    Wait, he thought she was
lovely? Lovie met his gaze again, and the unmistakable heat there
shocked her. God, his eyes were so…blue. Or green. No, blue.
    She blinked to clear her
head and turned back to Ginny, who was grinning at them
both.
    “ So, Lovie.” Duff cleared
his throat. “What have you been up to all day?”
    “ Oh, I was just doing some
sightseeing.”
    “ All on yer own, dear?”
Ginny tsk-ed and took Lovie by the arm. Despite her age, her grip
was firm. “We canna have that, now, can we? Ye’ll walk along with
us.” Duff shrugged at Lovie’s arched eyebrow and fell in step
behind them.
    They stopped at a booth
filled with local watercolors. One by one, Ginny explained each
piece in soft, melodic tones.
    “ And this here is Cawdor
Castle.” She ran a crooked finger over the delicate brush strokes.
“It’s beautiful.”
    “ Yes, I was there this
morning.”
    “ Though, ye ought to go to
Golspie and see Dunrobin Castle.” Ginny pointed to another
rendering. “It’s my favorite. And C.J. can take ye! Couldn’t you
dear?” She beamed at him, obviously doting.
    “ Well, gran, I’m sure that
Lovie has other-”
    “ O’course ye can.” She
smiled, patting his cheek once more. Lovie was certain she’d seen
him blush that time. Grandma’s boy. It was curious for a guy in a
leather biker jacket who carried himself as if he were apart from
the world, but it somehow made sense. She liked his
grandmother.
    “ For now, we should have
supper.” Ginny took Lovie’s hand. “Will ye join us fer tea, dear?
My home’s no so far, o’er in Westhill.”
    “ Um-”
    “ O’course you will. Ye
need a good, home-cooked meal to warm ye.”
    Apparently, Ginny wasn’t
accustomed to hearing the word no.
     
    ****
     
    Duff’s stomach ached from
too much food and more laughter than he’d had in ages. In addition
to whipping up a spread that could’ve fed an army, his gran had
also supplied the mealtime entertainment, providing embarrassing
tales of his youth. Lovie had eaten it all up with a glow in her
cheeks.
    There was something
enchanting about her. The way she moved, the way she spoke, it
demanded his attention. He found it hard to take his eyes off of
her, something that hadn’t gone unnoticed.
    Gran’s knowing smiles had
him squirming.
    Lovie Grant. The girl with
the guarded, beautiful brown eyes and the careful smile. She was
inquisitive. Insightful. And destined to be a little lonely on this
trip, what with her friend tied up in whatever Hamish was up
to.
    She had asked him, flat
out, was there something she should know about Hamish and Duff had
lied right to her face. What else was he supposed to do, tell her
the truth? He supposed he really should, but then it was none of
his business. And he had promised Hamish he wouldn’t
interfere. Just a bit of holiday
companionship , he’d said. No romance .
Right.
    What if he wanted a bit of
romance? Lovie was smart, funny and bloody gorgeous. There he was,
sharing a meal and a laugh, leaving Hamish to do God knows what
with her best friend. What did that make him? A MacDuff.
    Gran pinched his cheek,
dropping him back into the middle of the conversation.
    “ An’ this wee one was
covered in flooeer-”
    “ In what?” Lovie glanced
at him for help.
    “ Flour,” he said and she
smiled, warm