Understanding softens her expression. She doesn’t push, doesn’t ask for details I’m not ready to give. She just nods.
“You could come with me and Finn. Only if you’d like to, that is.”
She bites her lip, and for a moment I think she’s going to say no. That it’s too much, too personal, too complicated.
But then her hesitancy eases into a small, tender smile. “Of course I’ll come with you.”
A weight I hadn’t realised I was carrying shifts off my shoulders. “Thanks, lass. How about this Saturday?” I clear my throat. “And on the Sunday we can take in the summer festival.” If she’s willing to come to Corraig, I can bloody well face a few crowds.
She smiles again. “That sounds good.”
“Then after Corraig, we’ll figure things out. Aye?”
“Yes,” she says softly, and there’s something in her voice—trust, maybe, or hope—that squeezes my chest.
I cup her cheek, my thumb brushing over her warm skin, then lean down to kiss her. Her lips part without hesitation. And when I break the kiss to press my mouth to the curve of her neck, she sighs and melts against me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
BLAIR
The wind whips my hair across my face as I stand at the ferry’s railing, watching Ardmara shrink behind us. Even from this distance, I can see rows of little flags strung between streetlights along the waterfront, bright splashes of colour for the summer festival. It’s already in full swing. Ellie assured me she’s performing both days, so I’ll get to hear her on her fiddle tomorrow.
Out here on the water, all that bustle feels far away. It’s just sea, sky, and the steady hum of the engines under my feet.
“Look!” Finn shouts, jabbing a finger toward the bow. Beside him, Gus noses the railing, tail wagging, eager to see whatever Finn has spotted.
Sleek grey shapes arc through the water, surfacing and vanishing in quick, playful rhythms as they pace the ferry. Dolphins. Finn’s grin goes incandescent, pure giddy delight.
“Amazing!” I lean over for a better look. “They’re probably racing us.”
Finn nods and giggles, his cheeks flushed pink from the salt air and excitement. He’s been bouncing on his toes since we boarded, thrilled to finally be a passenger on his father’s ferry instead of just watching it from shore.
I turn my attention to Lachlan, standing a few feet away with one hand braced against the railing. He catches my eye and manages a smile, but I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw is set just a little too tight. He’s putting on a brave face but this can’t be easy for him. Riding the ferry to Corraig without being at the helm. Knowing that this time he’ll actually have to set foot on the island.
“Careful,” I say, nodding at his white-knuckled grip on the rail. “You’ll strangle that thing.”
His mouth quirks up at the corner. “Keeps my hands busy.”
“If you need a better anchor, I’m right here.”
Something flickers across his face. Gratitude, maybe, or just relief that I get how hard this is for him. He glances at Finn, who’s still scanning the waves, though the dolphins are gone now.
“Fancy seeing the bridge?” he asks his son.
Finn’s eyes go wide. “Really? Can we?”
“Aye, of course.”
So we follow Lachlan through the passenger areas toward the front of the ferry, Gus’s tail swishing at the prospect of adventure. Lachlan gives the bridge door a quick rap before pushing it open and stepping inside.
The bridge is smaller than I expected but impressive in its efficiency, all clean lines and gleaming instruments, windows offering a panoramic view of the water ahead. At the wheel stands a man with weathered features and grey hair. When he sees Lachlan, his face splits into a big grin, the crow’s feet at his eyes crinkling even deeper. “Well, well. Look what the tide washed in.”
“Innes.” Lachlan gives a short nod but there’s warmth behind it. “Meet Blair and Finn. Blair, Finn, this is Innes MacLeod. He covers the sailings I don’t do.”
“Hi!” Finn chirps.
“Nice to meet you.” I extend my hand and Innes shakes it with a firm grip.
