“She was pretty sad when she got here, you know.” Sara didn’t think she cared for Dougall. After all, Helene was her friend. She needed to protect her, unlike Dougall who left her to fend for herself with his father. She was beginning to question her decision to take him to her. “She said you were marrying someone else and had forgotten all about her.”
“That’s nae true. I could never forget Helene,” he fumed.
Sara could tell she was pushing his buttons. Maybe she should stop before he used that sword on her or her brother, but she was having too much fun prodding him. He’d hurt Helene. He deserved it. “What about this other chick?”
“Chick?” Dougall furrowed his brow, obviously perplexed.
“Lass, I guess you call them.” Sara was going to have to remember they weren’t familiar with American slang.
“Greer Matheson is her name. I didnae wish to marry her and I told me father so. I believe I am no longer welcome in his home.”
“Wow! That’s harsh.” She snuck a peek at Logan who was sneaking a peek at her. “Well, you may have to do a little work to get back in her good graces. She might not be too happy to see you.”
“Why? I ken I let her down, but I love her. She means the world to me. She kens I do.” Dougall averted his eyes.
“I beg to differ. You left her alone with your father and he threw her in a dungeon. That doesn’t sound like the actions of a man in love. You should have told your father right off the bat that you were leaving and taking Helene back to Breaghacraig,” Sara scolded.
“I’m ashamed of me actions, but I love Helene more than anyone in this world. I would never intentionally hurt her.”
Sara knew she was doing the wrong thing, but she thought maybe making Dougall a little jealous would hammer home the fact that he shouldn’t have done what he did. “I don’t know. I think she may have feelings for Zeke. They’ve been spending a lot of time together.”
Dougall’s reaction was swift and extreme. Jumping up from his seat, he grabbed for his sword. “We’ll go now.”
“You should really put that away. It’s not legal to brandish a sword in public like that. You have to keep it sheathed.” Sara’s pulse was racing. That one was definitely over the line.
Logan put a steadying hand on Dougall, which seemed to calm him down immediately. He put the sword away. An uncomfortable silence followed as he stood staring at her. His eyes were like lasers burning holes through her soul. She’d started this and she could tell him she was only joking, but shehadnoticed Zeke and Helene getting closer every time she saw them together. She didn’t believe she was too far off the mark and he should probably be prepared for some competition, although she hoped he wasn’t going to challenge Zeke to a duel or anything. He seemed like a go-with-your-gut kind of guy and it would only be a matter of time before he noticed it himself. She’d only sped up the process. She took the last sip of her coffee and finished her croissant, breaking off a piece of it for Logan, who was practically drooling as he watched her. He gratefully accepted it and it disappeared into his mouth immediately.
Sara rose from her seat and the two men followed. She was feeling a little warm, so she removed her sweater and much to her delight, Logan’s finger began tracing the ivy tattoo which wrapped around her upper arm.
“Do you like it?” she asked.
He nodded, removing his finger and then placing the whole of his hand at the small of her back, guiding her away from the coffee shop. She could definitely get used to this.
Chapter 14
Zeke and Helenewere enjoying a leisurely breakfast. The studio was closed today and Zeke had planned to take Helene on a little sightseeing tour of San Francisco. He had the whole day planned out, down to the romantic dinner spot he’d chosen. If things went well today, he planned on making his move tonight. He thought Helene might possibly feel the same way he felt, but she was shy and reserved, never saying anything that might give herself away. It was one of the many things about her that Zeke found attractive.
“Where are we going today?” Helene asked.
“It’s a surprise. You’ll see. I’ve got lots of special things planned.”
Helene spooned some eggs onto her plate and took another piece of toast. “Thank ye fer being so kind to me, Zeke.”
“You’re easy to be kind to,” he said, taking a sip of his coffee. “You’re also easy to be around.”
“As are ye,” she replied, giving him hope.
Zeke reached out to take her hand. The small connection he was making felt better than he would have imagined. He’d touched her before, but never with the intention of wooing her. He’d always been careful to keep their relationship friendly, not wanting to push things too far too fast.
A knock at the door took them both by surprise.
“I’ll get it,” Zeke said. “I wonder who it could be this early in the morning.”
“Mayhap ’tis Sara,” Helene said.
“Sara would use her key. I’ll go see.”
He strode to the door and upon opening it, he found a sword at his throat. Instinctively he froze, moving his head back just enough to be out of contact with the blade.
