“I don’t think she’d want me to.”
“Cammie, I just looked into the grief-stricken eyes of a woman who probably needs all the support she can get right now.”
My new friend halted in her steps, biting her lower lip as she considered this. “You’re right. I’ll … I’ll make an approach. Let her know I’m here if she needs me.”
“Good. And I know I’m new here and all, but I would like to be helpful. And I … unfortunately know what it’s like to lose a parent.”
“You more than anyone will be able to offer her comfort. You don’t have the baggage we all do. And you get it. I’m sorry that you get it. But you do.”
“I’ll check in with her,” I promised.
Cammie smiled. “I’m so glad you chose our wee island to start over on.”
Grateful she’d offered her friendship so easily, I returned her smile. “Me too.”
The B and B was bustling, organized chaos as the demolition crew tore down walls and pulled out the old kitchen and bathrooms under Quinn’s direction.
He greeted us at the door. “We’re making this quick,” he said stone-faced. “Too easy for accidents to happen in this midden.”
“We need to talk after this,” Cammie replied, her tone pointed.
Sorrow flickered over Quinn’s expression. “If it’s about Isla, no need. I heard.”
“Did you know Taran is back and working at Pages & Perks?”
His chin jerked back, nostrils flaring. “What? No.”
“Wanted to give you a heads-up.”
Quinn’s gaze darted to me and apparently that was the end of the discussion. He handed us hard hats, insisting we put them on. As we moved through the dust-clouded building, I tried not to get anxious at the wreckage as Quinn shouted over the noise, explaining everything that was going on.
That’s when I saw him again.
Ramsay McRae was in the old kitchen, ripping out the cabinets, muscles straining against his tight, sweat-soaked T-shirt.
He might as well have been in a porn movie for the impact the sight of him had on my body. I felt a deep pull low in my belly and an answering wet tingle between my thighs.
What the ever-loving fuck?
“McRae!” Quinn shouted.
Feeling heat on my face, I turned to find Cammie staring at me, lips straining with laughter, eyes wide with knowing.
That’s when I realized my mouth was hanging open like a panting dog.
I snapped it shut.
Cammie leaned in and spoke in my ear, “Apparently,wealso need to talk.”
My cheeks heated. “What? I don’t …” I laughed lamely and then whirled around, giving the men my back. “Am I that obvious?”
“Eh, only a wee bit.”
“Oh God.” I grimaced. “Okay.” I wiped my expression clean. “Better?”
“Aye. But you and I are going to talk when we’re alone,” she murmured before she stepped toward her brother and Ramsay.
The men were frowning at us and Quinn practically barked, “Problem?”
