Chapter Eighteen
Quinn satin the front passenger seat next to Angus. She no longer felt right sitting in the back, no matter how much Angus protested. Mavis and he weren’t servants in the castle. They were Collin’s family. “How’s Mavis?”
“As bossy as ever,” he answered with a twinkle in his eye. He reached over to the glove box, opened it and pulled out the replica emerald-encrusted dagger. “She wanted you to have hers.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.” Quinn pushed his hand back.
“I’m no’ telling her that. You can tell her, lass. I did my duty. She willnae beyelling at me. She can yell at you,” he said, laying the dagger in her lap.
“Chicken,” Quinn teased.
“No’ chicken, smart.” He tapped his head to point to his brain. “Where to first?”
“The hospital to check on Johnny.”
Angus started the engine and glanced in Quinn’s direction. “You still plan to leave?”
She nodded, remembering the bomb she’d dropped on Collin. “The sooner, the better.”
“But, lass…”
“It’s for the best.” Quinn smiled, contradicting the ache in her chest. “I don’t belong here, and he doesn’t belong in Florida. There’s no way to make it work.”
“Forgive me for saying so, Quinn, but you’re making a mistake.”
A huge, colossal mistake, but then again, she never did anything small. She’d told him how she felt, which was more than she would have done a week ago. Like their attraction, she didn’t fight it, and she didn’t fight her newfound feelings, but acknowledging her feelings, and living the rest of her life in Scotland, were two very different things, and there was no way he’d ever be happy living anywhere else.
Johnny was dressed,sitting in a chair, with a newspaper in his hands when Quinn walked into the room. She’d expected him to be covered in mountainous red bumps like a hormonal teenager, and yet, the few he had were covered in cream.
“They told me you weren’t contagious anymore and you’re healing in rapid time,” she said, glancing around at his accommodations. It wasn’t a five-star hotel, but it was better than the hotel where they’d been staying that first night.
“I’m glad you didn’t come down with it.”
“You and me both.” Quinn walked over to the window and glanced down at the cobbled streets below. “When are they cutting you loose?”
“Tomorrow.” Johnny folded the newspaper and rose. “I hope you’re done with your business. I’d really like to go home and see my family. They’ve been worried sick.”
Quinn clasped her fingers together instead of patting his arm. One couldn’t be too careful. “I’ve finished my business, and I’m ready to leave when you are.”
“Great.” A smile stretched across his lips. “I’ll call your cell when I get to the plane.”
“Uh… My cell died a slow, painful death, and I don’t have Collin’s number at the castle. I’ll call you when I head to the airport, and if you’re not there yet, then I’ll just wait.”
A blush spread across Johnny’s cheeks. “I’m sorry I delayed your return trip home.”
“I’m not.” Quinn did the unthinkable and squeezed his arm. “Well, I am sorry you got sick, but I’m not sorry I was stuck here longer than expected.”
“Noon it is.” He nodded. “If I have to sneak out of this place. I’ll be there on time.”
Quinn left Johnny’s room and rubbed at her aching heart. She’d meant what she told Angus. She didn’t belong in Scotland, but that didn’t make it any easier. She’d miss this place. She’d miss Collin, Mavis, and Angus. Hell, she might even miss fighting with Ian. Nah. Who was she kidding?
Angus was waiting by the hospital entrance for her. The smile on his lips fell into a frown as she approached. “What is it, lassie? Did he take a turn for the worse?”
“No.” Quinn linked her arm through his and led him outside. “Everything’s fine. We’re leaving tomorrow.”
He patted her hand and opened the passenger door. “Everything will all work out. Have faith.”
Faith. She had faith that she’d be leaving. She had faith that her sisters would give her an earful, and she had faith that there would always be ghosts and people who needed her help.
