“I was.I am.I’m still tired, but I guess I’ve gotten used to my big mate beside me.”
He grinned and kissed the back of her head.“I don’t suppose you’d like to come back with me?”
“I...”She fell silent for a moment, then said, “I can’t.”
His heart stuttered.“I figured.”
She placed her hand on top of the one encircling her waist.“My obligation to Keegan is the same as yours to your enterprise, despite it being a mere coffee shop.”
“I didn’t mean to put down Keegan’s business.I only ...I’m gonna miss you,” he said, and there wasn’t any way to disguise the vulnerability he was experiencing.
There was a pause.
“I shall miss you, too,” she whispered, and then yawned.
Her admission filled his heart.“Get some rest.I’ll text you when I arrive in Scotland.”
“All right.”
Once again, she patted his hand.He waited until her breathing evened out, and then rose to dress.He gathered his belongings, kissed her once more on the top of her head, and then left.Leaving her was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.
****
“Back to the land ofthe living, I see,” Keegan teased when Mairi showed up.
“I’ve been working,” Mairi defended.
“I’m teasing.”
Mairi sighed.“I know.Sorry.”
Keegan tilted her head.“What’s wrong?”
Did she tell Keegan everything, including how she and Tavish connected?That they had been practically living together during her cycle week?That they declared love for each other?Did he want the world to know?
A few insecurities crept into her mind.Like the devil on her shoulder whispering all the tiny doubts that still lingered.Maybe he went back to Scotland because he was disappointed with her.Maybe he had been using her until he’d scratched that itch.What if he never came back?What if he—
“Stop,” Keegan said, taking her hand.“Whatever you’re thinking, let it rest.”
Mairi nodded, but it took a Herculean effort to do that.It helped when Mrs.Smyth barreled in with her demanding self.When a few more people entered, wanting the special of the day, she was finally able to relax her thoughts.The morning stayed unusually busy, probably because they just introduced the fall flavors with a heavy emphasis on caramel apple, and of course, pumpkin spice.
Late morning, Rhodes walked into the shop with an easy grin and Mairi gave an internal groan.There had never been anything romantic between them, at least not on her part.She really hoped he wasn’t there to ask her on another date.
“Morning, ladies,” he greeted.
“Hello, Rhodes,” Keegan said with a little wave.“What can I get you?”
“Small coffee, two sugars, and cream, please.Thank you.”
While she turned to make his order, he glanced over to Mairi, his silver eyes assessing.Probing.Whatever he saw, maybe it was the truth or maybe just a realization, made a ruefully twisted grin lift a corner of his mouth.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.”
“You doing okay?”
“Yeah.You?”
