"Bloody hell, woman.You're a tyrant.I can walk on my own outdoors."
"Okay, fine."She wipes her hands on a dish towel."But I'm coming with you."
"That is not necessary."I grab my jacket from the hook by the door."I'll just be down by the loch."
"Oh-ho no, I insist."Her smile is sweet but her eyes are sharp as daggers."I could use some fresh air too."
I know when I'm beaten.Three weeks of her hovering has taught me that Gretchen Carver is as stubborn as any Scot I've ever met.Maybe more so.
"You win," I sigh, holding the door for her."But you'll need a jacket.It's nippy out there."
Gretchen snatches up her coat, and we head outside into the crisp Highland air for what feels like the first time in weeks.The fresh air smells so bloody good that it clears my head like nothing else could.
"See?"Gretchen says, slipping her hand into mine."Fresh air without jumping off anything.Novel concept, isn't it?"
I grunt in response, yet cannae find myself smiling at the way she teases me.As we wander down the path toward the loch, my body already feels more alive with every step.The confinement of the past weeks has been worse than the pain, if I'm honest.A man like me wasn't made for sitting still.
"Ahh, I feel reinvigorated already, just getting out and stretching my legs," I tell her, hoping she'll relax her vigilance."My shoulder's healing fine.See?"
I roll it carefully, demonstrating the improved range of motion.
Gretchen watches me with a critical eye."I'm not saying you haven't improved.I'm saying you need to follow doctor's orders to be sure you don't re-injure yourself."
We reach the edge of the loch, where the water laps gently against the rocky shore.The mountains reflect off its surface like a blurry painting, and for a moment, we both stand in silence to take in the view.It's moments like these that remind me why I've never left Scotland despite opportunities abroad.I only go overseas for lucrative special projects, and I always come home after.
Gretchen leans against my good side."It's beautiful here.I could imagine living in Scotland forever."
"The Highlands have seduced you, aye?"I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close, and feel the tension in my body begin to unwind.
"I know you're going stir-crazy.And I know I've been, um, hovering."
"Hovering?"I chuckle."Lass, you've been like a helicopter with separation anxiety."
She elbows me gently in my good side."I'm serious, Kirk.I was terrified watching you on that mountain.I've never felt that kind of fear before."
Her confession catches me off guard.I turn to face her, cupping her cheek with my hand.Her skin is cool from the Highland air, but her eyes are warm.
"I'm sorry I frightened you.But this is who I am, Gretchen.I cannae change that any more than I can change the tides."
She sighs."I know.I wouldn't want you to change.But I do with you could be more careful."
"Careful is a relative term in my line of work."I tilt her chin up so I can look into her eyes."But I promise to be more mindful of the risks.For you."
The wind picks up, roiling the loch's surface.Gretchen shivers slightly against me, and I pull her closer, sharing my warmth.In over the past weeks, something has shifted between us.What started as a holiday fling has deepened into something neither of us expected.
"Let's head back," she suggests after a moment."Your twenty minutes are nearly up, and I don't want your dinner to burn."
I open my mouth to object, but Gretchen's already turning back toward the village, tugging my hand.The lass has no idea how maddening this is---being treated like a bairn when I've spent my life defying death for sport and profit.Still, there's something endearing about her concern.
"I'm thinking of a new stunt," I tell her casually as we walk, testing the waters.
Gretchen stops so abruptly I nearly crash into her."Excuse me?You're what now?"
"This is who I am, lass.Take it or leave it."
Her eyes narrow to slits."And when exactly were you planning to tell me this?"
"I'm telling you now, aren't I?"
