“A blogger?” Alec repeats.
“Yes, I have a blog, and I, um, post pictures of myself and stuff.” Nottechnicallya lie.
“That’s a job?” Cameron says, his face scrunching.
“Well, it’s more of a hobby thing really, but I’m trying to build my business,” I babble. Alec’s pale eyes cut into me, his mouth turning down in silent disapproval. He obviously doesn’t believe me. I’ve always been a bad liar. “But anyway, I just need to use your Wi-Fi to arrange transport home, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
Alec nods slowly. “Fair enough. Give her the password, Fraser.”
Fraser holds his hand out for my phone. I hesitate. Who knows what messages I’ve been sent overnight? “Er. Can you just tell it to me?”
“Probably quicker if I type it in, lass.”
Reluctantly, I unlock my phone and pass it over. He admires my glittery phone case, then taps in the Wi-Fi password with his big thumbs. I wait with bated breath. After a few long seconds, my phone connects, and notifications immediately start flicking across the screen. I catch a brief glimpse of one—girl,wtf happened at Bryce’s party???—and snatch the phone off Fraser. My chair squeals across the tiles as I jump to my feet.
“Thank you!” I say too loudly. “Um. Is there, er, somewhere I can go that’s a bit more private?”
All three men look at me oddly. Probably because I am acting highly suspicious.
“The kitchen garden,” Alec says after a moment, pointing to a door at the back of the kitchen.
“Great. Perfect. Thank you!” Clutching my phone to my chest, I trip towards the back door.
FIVE
ALEC
We all watch Summer flit out of the kitchen, her skin-tight leggings clinging to the soft curves of her behind.
“Well, she seems sweet,” Fraser says brightly.
“Seems like a spoiled city kid who’s never worked a day in her life,” Cameron mutters.
Fraser throws a chunk of scone at him. “You barely know her. You’re such a grumpy git, my God.”
I turn to the pile of today’s post as Fraser and Cameron keep bickering, slicing open the first envelope. It’s a receipt for our latest sheep feed purchase. I set it aside.
“She came to the Highlands wearing a pair of heels and a miniskirt,” Cameron points out flatly. “I had to carry her into the cabin yesterday, because she couldn’t walk in them.”
Fraser snorts. “You’re just in a bad mood because she’s so bonny.”
“She’s fine,” Cameron mutters.
“She’s gorgeous. Sweet too. Right wee ray of sunshine.”
I rub my gritty eyes, stacking up three more bills and an order form from an equipment supplier.
Fraser’s right. When I stumbled into the kitchen, Summer had been perfectly positioned in the sunlight, her long blonde hair all lit up gold. I haven’t slept more than three hours a night for weeks, and for a second, I thought an angel was sitting at my dining table.
I shove down the thought and open another letter. How she looks is irrelevant. We have work to do. “You shouldn’t have brought her here,” I tell Fraser. “She’s a distraction.”
He huffs. “She needed help. Since when do we not let hikers use the Wi-Fi?”
“She’s not a hiker,” Cameron mutters. “She’s a damn liar. She writes atravel blog?”
Fraser laughs loudly. “Aye, well, I agree with you there. A travel blogger would probably pack some trainers. But I reckon it’s okay to lie to a bunch of strange men you’re stranded with, don’t you? She’s probably scared.” He loops an arm around Cameron’s shoulders. “I lie to you all the time, and we’ve been best mates forever.”
Cameron shoves him off.
