Dougal sniggers."Ye've got such passion, lass.Too bad you save it all for the stuntman with a weebigealais."He moves closer, and I feel Kirk's entire body stiffen and his fists coil."I wonder if you'll keep that fire burning inside you once ye understand how things truly work in Scotland."
"Never threaten her, MacWraith,never."Kirk's voice has dropped to a dangerous register I've rarely heard before."Because mark my words, we will find a way to verify your crimes and put you in prison for the rest of your life."
Dougal laughs, but the sound is menacing rather than humorous."Is that a threat?We both know I'll never go to prison, Balfour.Never."His gaze veers to me again."The American way isn't the Scottish way."
The two constables stride closer, creating a subtle barrier between us and MacWraith.
"Ye've made yer point by showing up here," Fergus points out."And now I would recommend you enjoy the Games in another village and leave Loch Fairbairn alone."
"As you wish, Constable."Dougal holds up his hands in mock surrender, but his gaze never wavers from Kirk's face."I wouldnae want to cause any strife."He takes a step back."Oh, and Balfour?Congratulations again on your engagement.May your future together be...eventful."
The way he said "eventful" gives me a chill.I swear the temperature around us drops ten degrees as Dougal turns and walks away, his shoulders relaxed as if he hasn't just threatened us in front of dozens of witnesses.
I don't tremble in fear, despite the creepy circumstances.No, I'm beyond cowering now.
Kirk slides an arm around my waist, reassuring me with his steady manner and bodily warmth.
"Easy, lass," he murmurs against my hair."Thebod ceannis trying to rattle us."
"Well, mission accomplished.I'm thoroughly rattled."
Fergus and Sorley exchange glances before Fergus says, "We'll keep an eye MacWraith as best we can.Kirk, I recommend you and your lass stay with family or friends until the Dougal situation has been resolved for good."
"We'll do that," Kirk confirms."I think my parents' house is the best option.My brothers and my Da can protect the lasses there."
Sorley nods."That's a sound plan, Kirk."
With the Balfour clan at my side, I know I'll be safe.And as we leave the Highland Games behind us, heading toward our cars, I realize how much I've come to love and respect the Balfours.They invited me into their home the moment they met me, and I can't imagine ever going back to Tennessee.I tell my parents that during the drive back from Dùndubhan, and they agree this is where I belong.
My parents want to go home to Gatlinburg once all this drama is over, but they also want to visit me and Kirk in Scotland as often as possible.I've gone from being an only child to having an entire clan of relatives and friends.It's amazing.
For the next few days, I insist that we behave normally.I also insist that Kirk must go back to work, especially since he had several stunt jobs lined up before Dougal's return threw us both for a loop.
I nudge him with my finger."Come on, Kirk.I know you've been antsy, just waiting for a chance to get back in the groove of stunt work."
"Maybe I am."He nuzzles my hair."But I dinnae think you should be there."
"Tough luck.I'm going with you as your assistant."
"Gretchen---"
"Nope, you won't talk me out of this.I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."I cross my arms over my chest."Besides, there's safety in numbers."
Kirk thrusts a hand into his hair, shaking his head as he sighs."You, Gretchen Carver, are the stubbornest woman I've ever met."
"Soon to be Gretchen Balfour," I remind him with a grin."And stubborn is the only way to deal with alpha males like you."
He chuckles, pulling me close."Aye, that's fair enough.But ye'll stay in my sight all the time, understand?And if I tell ye to run, ye run.No questions asked."
"Deal."I hold out my hand to him."Let's shake on it."
We both know I'm not the type to flee while Kirk faces danger.But I'll let him believe I'm agreeing for now.
Chapter Fifty-One
Kirk
The next morning, Gretchen and I head to the film set where I'm scheduled to perform a complicated stunt for an action movie.My fiancée has been worried about it for three days.The stunt involves a side-by-side car chase between me and another stunt driver on the twisting, turning roads just outside Loch Fairbairn.After that, the action will move to another location.The production has taken over an abandoned quarry outside the village, transforming it into a dramatic landscape of rocky cliffs and steep drops.A ramp the crew has constructed at the edge of a thirty-foot drop will become the denouement of this stunt.
