“Uhm…” Keeva fidgeted in place like a child caught in a lie. “He’s one of those who belongs to everyone yet no one. Ye know the sort.”
Where Calia came from, that sort was the friendly neighborhood stray until someone got irritated and called animal control, but she decided not to mention that. “Well, hopefully, he and Otto can make friends.”
“Ach, I’m sure ye can.” Keeva waved away any doubts, but somehow, her demeanor came off as strained.
What are you hiding? Calia had learned long ago to listen to her instincts when it came to people. Well, most of the time she listened. Unfortunately, her ex-husband had been the exception to the rule. She’d really screwed that one up. “So, I guess all I need are the keys and directions?” she asked to end the uncomfortable stretch of silence.
Keeva jumped as though hit with an electrical jolt. “Aye, forgive me. I dinna ken where my head is lately. We had storms last night that kept me up till the wee hours. Come along now, and I’ll get ye sorted.”
Maybe I’m just tired. Deciding to grant the girl the same grace she herself often needed, Calia gave Keeva a genuine smile and fell in step alongside her. “You should treat yourself to a nap later. There’s nothing worse than trying to function on too little sleep.”
“Aren’t ye the kind one, then?” Keeva brightened and returned to her bouncy ways while pointing out several of the local establishments. “The Fearless Scottie, there is the finest pub ye’ll ever find. Lilia and her brother Lyal make the best stew when ye’re looking to coorie in on a dreich night.”
“Coorie in?” Calia knew dreich meant wet and dreary, but she’d not come across coorie just yet.
Keeva laughed. “Get nice and cozy. Cuddle up by a warm fire with a fine hot meal.”
“I like that term.”
“Aye, most do.” Keeva pointed farther down the street. “And there’s Nonie’s bookshop and Innis’s treat shop and bakery. Boyd’s there is the best place for getting yer necessities without having to drive all the way back to Inverness.”
“Since the cottage came furnished, and you said you over-stocked my pantry just as I requested, I’m hoping to keep to myself for a while after this long trip.” If Calia had her way about it, she would rarely come down from the hills that Keeva had promised kept the cottage and the bit of land surrounding it pretty much isolated from everything. “Did the satellite internet service installers show up and get everything all set?” While the settlement from the divorce and the sale of everything she owned had left her with an ample survival fund, she still needed to maintain her influencer channel to supplement her income. As long as she was frugal, she should have no trouble living a simple life in the Highlands of Scotland.
Simple.
That one little word promised to be her salvation after so many years of chaos. She needed simple more than she needed air to breathe.
“Everything is all set,” Keeva said, but she frowned and shook her head at something to Calia’s right.
Otto growled just as Calia turned. The large black stray had silently drawn closer, close enough that Calia locked eyes with the majestic beast. Reining in Otto, she crouched and held out her hand to the inquisitive stray. “You are amazing,” she told the beast, finding herself mesmerized by something inexplicable in the animal’s icy blue eyes.
Otto rumbled with a louder growl, pulling her free of the spell. She hugged him close while still smiling at the gorgeous dog. “It’s all right, Otto. I don’t think he means us any harm.”
The stray tilted his head ever so slightly and flicked an ear.
“Madadh-allaidh, be on yer way,” said a voice from the doorway. “On wi’ ye now.”
The ebony-coated canine bared its teeth but didn’t growl before turning and loping away.
Calia rose from her crouch and turned to the older woman standing in the doorway. With hair that shone as silvery white as polished platinum and eyes that sparkled with self-assurance, the beautiful matron commanded respect without saying a word. There was something ancient and wise about her. So much so that a chill rippled through Calia and tingled across the short hairs on the back of her neck.
“I am Mairwen.” The enigmatic woman smiled and offered a graceful nod. “Forgive Wolf. He sometimes forgets his manners.”
“Wolf?” Calia felt as though she was trapped in some sort of weird carnival ride that spun you until you stuck to the wall with the centrifugal force. Time slowed, and her heartbeat softly thumped in her ears.
“Madadh-allaidh is the Gaelic for ‘wolf’. Wolfhound, actually, but wolf just the same.” Mairwen held the door and waved them inside. “Welcome. I have the keys and a token I thought ye might find helpful. Keeva has told me all about ye.”
“Has she?” Calia kept Otto tucked close to her side even though he heeled with an obedience he had never possessed before. “I’m afraid she didn’t tell me anything about you.” She aimed a sharp look at the real estate agent, who offered an apologetic shrug.
“Ah, well, that would be my fault. I prefer to make my own introductions.” Mairwen led the way to a long table in the center of the room. It looked like a heavy, ancient piece of handcrafted furniture straight out of an epic fantasy movie. With legs crafted to resemble tree trunks, it seemed to have sprouted up from the gray slate flooring.
“After all, it is my cottage and land that ye purchased.” Mairwen offered another graceful nod. “I’d not allow her to sell it to just anyone.”
“I see.” Apparently, Mairwen was just as eccentric as Calia planned to become. She forced herself to relax and give the kindly woman a chance. “I’m glad I measured up.”
“I am too, lass.” The older woman resettled her vibrant, rust-colored shawl, with its splashes of rich blues and golds, more comfortably around her narrow shoulders. She arched a perfectly groomed brow at Keeva. “Fetch us some tea, aye? I am sure Ms. Wiles wouldn’t mind a bit of refreshment before she goes home to settle in.” Then she smiled down at Otto. “He’ll be fine in here without his lead, lass. Release him and let him do a bit of exploring. I dinna mind, and none of the other council members will either.”
As soon as Calia released him, the dog charged over to one of the tall arched windows, jumped, and placed his front paws on the sill, his warning growl echoing through the high-ceilinged room.
