She smiled for the first time since she’d entered the hotel. ‘You’re giving me ideas.’
‘Do what you will. Say what you like. I’m only here for as long as it takes to conclude my business.’
‘This, strangely, has not much to do with business. The invitation is from my mother.’
That surprised him more than anything. ‘Your mother? Kate MacLeod?’
‘I see you’ve heard of her.’
‘It would be hard not to. I haven’t come across one person who doesn’t mention her when we’re talking about the village and its founding fathers.’
‘Or founding mothers,’ Lucy corrected.
He inclined his head. ‘Of course. Both.’
‘Women have featured more significantly in the MacLeod family history. I come from a long line of strong women.’
‘Hm. Well, I think you’ve outdone them. I’m sure they’d be proud of you.’
‘They are,’ she smiled again. ‘Anyway, the current MacLeod matriarch — my mother Kate — has invited you to a family barbecue on Sunday.’
He simply stared at her.
‘Hello?’ she prompted. ‘I realise actual nice people inviting you to informal events may be a new experience. And, to be honest, left to myself, I’m not sure I would have. But my mother is nicer than me, and she has.’
‘A family barbecue?’ he repeated, thinking he’d missed something.
‘That’s right. You know, where brothers, sisters, friends and kids gather to eat, chat, amuse and annoy each other.’
‘Sure,’ he said, knowing he was going to accept despite all the logical arguments to the contrary. ‘That would be, er, lovely.’
‘You might want to revise your opinion later. But that’s fine. You’ll have to try a bit of MacLeod hospitality before deciding whether you like it or not. It could be said it has a strong taste.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Like Vegemite.’
She was beginning to worry him now. ‘How do you mean?’
‘Nothing weird. We just talk a lot, and are fairly outspoken. Actually you’ll probably find us at our most tame. My sister has recently returned home after a traumatic time with her husband in England.’
‘They’re separated?’
‘Yes. You could say that. He’s dead.’
‘Ah, that’s fairly final.’
‘Exactly. But unfortunately the legacy of that relationship is still alive and well, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk about anything in too heated a fashion. Anger triggers her.’
‘I have nothing to be angry about.’
‘Now, that makes me angry.’
He could feel his lips tweak as he tried not to smile. Whatever you felt about Lucy MacLeod, she was always entertaining.
‘And why is that?’
‘Because you should be angry that you’ve wasted your time and energy, not to mention money, on a project which you will see — sooner or later — won’t be finished. You’ll have to walk away. You’ll lose. And I imagine that would make you very angry.’
‘It would if I lose, but I won’t.’
She took a few steps closer to him, enough to distract him for a moment. He could smell her perfume now she stood closer, could see her lively green eyes, bright and glorious. ‘You’re so sure, aren’t you? It must be nice to always be so sure.’
