Then her face got red, and she took her well-shod feet.
I looked over my shoulder at the door to see Chassie in her pretty pink sundress.
And with her was a brute of a man, probably six two, built like a pro wrestler, with a mess of very dark-red hair and an equal mess of a big russet beard. He had sky-blue eyes that practically shone out of his face. And I was glad I was sitting, or I would have swooned again.
Battle stood.
I chanced it and stood too.
I sensed Prue standing with us.
I saw Chassie’s fingers fiddling with the skirt on her dress and she was also carrying a massive bouquet of flowers in her other arm.
“Hamish, mate,” Battle broke the silence, and he did it tentatively. “This is a surprise.”
Hamish?
The Hamish?
This handsome bear of a man was Tempie’s boyfriend?
Oh, God.
I loved this.
“I asked a friend in London who we both know,” Chassie said to Tempie on a rush. “She got me Hamish’s phone number, and I called to see if he would be up to surprise you at The Downs.” An excruciatingly awkward pause and then a lame, “Surprise!”
“That was not your call to make Chastity Louisa Talyn,” Tempie snapped.
Hamish’s face closed down.
Then it got ticked.
No!
I shot Battle a Do something! look.
Before he could do something, Hamish spoke.
“If I’m not wanted,” he said (or I think he said—yeah, the burr was strong).
“Hamish—” Battle started.
“It’s me who should invite you to my home first,” Tempie snapped.
“Aye, love, and I’m hearing your message loud and clear,” Hamish fired back (I think).
Tempie tried to look cool, but I could sense her panic.
“I’ll just go,” Hamish declared. He looked down at Chassie. “Appreciate the effort, lass. Enjoy your flowers.”
Battle shot me a look I sadly couldn’t read then walked around the chairs, saying to Hamish, “Let’s go talk in my study while the women chat.”
“Thanks, Battle, but a man knows when he’s not wanted and that’s been communicated clearly. I just didn’t want to hear it,” Hamish replied.
My attention shot to Tempie.
“Tempie—” I started.
