“Duncan MacLeod?” Her hands come up to her chest, and if she was wearing any, she’d be clutching her pearls.
“I am indeed. And who might you be?”
Mary holds out a trembling hand. “Mary Pierce. So wonderful to meet you. I’m a huge fan. I have several of your paintings.”
“Well, I expect we’ll be seeing more of each other since we share a grandbaby.” Da has no idea of the things Mary said to me earlier; otherwise, she’d be getting his Laird of the Manor’s voice and a very cold shoulder.
“Grandbaby?” she chokes out, all the colour leaving the cheeks that had been flushed only seconds ago. Her glower swings towards me.
“Yes. You’ve met my daughter, Lulu, I take it?”
Mary’s expression is priceless as she sinks into a nearby chair. I can feel Nick’s body shaking with silent laughter beside me.
“That’ll teach her,” he whispers for my ears only before adding, “Oh, I wouldn’t count on seeing too much of my mother, Duncan. She’s on her way back to Sydney as soon as she can refuel her broom. Aren’t you, Mum?”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Nick
Thedoctorsendsmehome in the early afternoon with a clean bill of health and instructions to take it easy for a week or two.
The plan is for me to recuperate at Duncan’s, and frankly, I’m in no hurry to return to Sydney. Partly because I don’t want Lulu flying in her condition. But also because we need this time together to get back to where we were before Meddling Mary interfered in our relationship. And before Lulu let her fears get the better of her. It also gives me the circuit breaker I need to decide what I want in life. Other than Lulu. Because, let’s face it, everything else is nothing more than background noise now. And what better place to do it than in a spectacular castle in the middle of nowhere?
Lulu fusses as she gets me settled in Duncan’s Range Rover for the drive to the farm. She sits in the back with me while Duncan drives and chats about the weather—a common topic of conversation in Scotland—and the goings on at the farm. The heated seats relax me, and it’s nice to rest my head on Lulu’s shoulder. Being here beside her is enough to make me feel better, despite the aching ribs and head.
We laugh as we recount to Duncan the story of what happened when we pass the spot where a Highland cow almost got the better of me.
We arrive at Duncan’s and are met by a beaming Morag and some very happy dogs. In no time at all I’m bundled into a huge bed with a scorching electric blanket, and hot soup.
“You’re looking very pale, lad. But I’ll have you set to rights in no time,” says Morag, who treats me like a long-lost grandson after having met me once for all of two minutes before the accident. But it’s so good to be fussed over and feel loved.
The soup is delicious, and I wolf it down. When I’m finished I sink into the pillows. Lulu has been hovering the whole time I ate. I hold my hand out to her.
“Come here, Lu.”
She approaches, looking a little nervous and I pull back the covers inviting her in. “I’m afraid I’m not up for any action right now, but could you spare the time for a cuddle?”
Seeing her smile is like looking directly into the sun. She doesn’t hesitate. Whipping off her jeans and bulky jumper until she’s down to a thermal t-shirt and knickers, she climbs in next to me.
The simple joy of being here with her, alone, is all I need in the world. Feeling her bare legs pressed against mine as I spoon her, smelling her crazy hair, I can finally completely relax. I can’t help but nuzzle the tender spot on the nape of her neck. There’s no way I’m up to making love to her. I know I won’t be able to resist for long, but it’s amazing how much comfort this simple contact can bring.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you too,” she says as we drift off into an exhausted but peaceful sleep, and neither of us stirs until morning.
Now that I’m out of hospital and on a lower dose of the pain meds, it doesn’t take long for my brain fog to clear. But there’s one thing that’s bothering me.
It’s crystal clear in my mind that I bought a ring. An engagement ring. There’s no sign of it in my belongings, but I have a vague recollection of dropping it on the table in the kitchen. Lulu hasn’t mentioned it, so I have no idea where it might be. Whatever happened, I know I want to marry Lulu, and I have every intention of asking Duncan for her hand as soon as possible. It might be old-fashioned, but I get the feeling he would get a kick out of it, and getting in good with the big man seems like a plan. Especially after the vile things my mother said in the hospital which, of course, he eventually heard about.
Christmas Eve dawns cold and clear. This seems like as good a time as any to talk to Duncan, so while Lulu is busy helping Morag with the food preparations for our Christmas Day feast, I hunt him down in the stable. Fortunately, it’s a short walk. I’m still not used to the biting cold or the ache in my ribs.
“Och, there ye are, lad. You’re looking much stronger already and with colour in your cheeks.” Duncan peers at me over the top of glasses covered in paint as he measures out pellets to feed the horses.
“I’d like to talk to you, Duncan, if you have time.” I’m a little nervous. I know Duncan likes me, but after everything my mother put Lulu through, I wouldn’t blame him for being wary.
He huffs out a laugh. “I was wondering how long it would take you to get around to this.” He leans against the wooden divider in the horse stalls, crosses his arms and looks at me with his eyebrows raised. Not intimidating at all.
“I realise, Duncan, that the last couple of months have been somewhat of a train wreck, and what my mother has put Lulu through is unconscionable. But over and above all that, what I know right down to the centre of my being is that I love your daughter, and nothing and no-one will ever change that. So, what I would like to ask you is, do I have your blessing to ask her to marry me?”
