I’m about to leave to tend to the chickens when movement out the window catches my eye. Miles is out there in running shorts and along-sleeved fitted shirt that hugs his muscles in a way that is almost indecent this early in the morning. But he’s not alone. Next to him is Ava, her dark hair pulled back in a high ponytail. She’s in sleek black leggings and a pink sports bra. Not one ounce of fat jiggles as she runs—well, except in the bra. I look away and try to ignore the sting of jealousy that hits me like a slap to the face. They’re just running together. What is wrong with me? It must be hangover brain.
At the door, I slip into my wellies and throw on my coat. Off I tromp, around the castle toward the chicken coop. They’re always my first stop. Get the worst out of the way. As I’m rounding the corner to the coop, Miles and Ava come running toward me. Ava is laughing at something, her pearly white teeth gleaming in the morning light like some villainess in a Disney flick, or maybe I’m projecting.
They slow down, and I tuck my hair behind my ears. I should’ve put on makeup or at least run a brush through my hair. Ava and Miles are sweaty from their run, but they glisten more than anything. Miles looks particularly attractive this morning, his eyes bright and focused directly on me. It feels like he can see into my soul. Heat floods my cheeks.
“Good morning, Skye.” He smiles. The morning suddenly feels warmer.
“Madainn mhath,” I say with a small smile.
Ava grabs both of my arms. I’m so surprised, I immediately jump back. “Will you say that again? Does that mean good morning?”
Her voice is so high with excitement that it pierces right to the core of my hangover. I resist the urge to grab my head. “Aye.Madainn mhath.”
Ava repeats it a few times under her breath. “You know, Skye, I’d love to pick your brain about…well, about being Scottish. Are you busy right now?”
“I have to feed the chickens and tend to the cows. As well as some other odds and ends to take care of.”
“Oh, okay. What about later? We have some stuff to do this morning, but I’m free this afternoon.”
I look to Miles. We have plans, but maybe he doesn’t want Ava to know about it. Examining his square jaw, it comes back to me in a flood of memories that bring a burning sensation to my cheeks. My arms around Miles’s neck. I tried to seduce him in my room last night—Miles, with that twinkle of mischief in his eyes. I clearly remember now, he wouldn’t kiss me because I’d been drinking. My heart warms at the thought. I’ve never hung out with anyone so…thoughtful in that way.
Guys I’ve been with in the past are more likely to offer to help yank off your pants than suggest you should slow down. Turns out respect is incredibly hot. Honestly, it makes me want to try again, stone cold sober, and see what Miles says. I’m replaying the feeling of his hands on my waist when Ava jars me out of my thoughts.
“Will this afternoon work?”
Miles shakes his head. “No. Skye and I have a research trip this afternoon.”
“What kind of research? Maybe I can tag along.”
Miles and I both say, “No,” at the same time.
Miles puts a hand on Ava’s shoulder, and I feel a swift kick to the gut. I’m usually not this jealous of a person, but Ava is so perfect. “It’s really specific to my character. I’ll explain. Let’s go in and let Skye get to her duties.”
Miles leads Ava inside and throws me a wink over his shoulder. I float back to the chickens.
The restof the day takes eons. I write some more, the words easily flying from my fingers. I could write an entire novel just on the warm feeling I get from Miles Casey winking at me in his tight, sweaty shirt and running shorts that hit him at the muscular part of his thigh. When the afternoon arrives, I pick out a cute black top with buttons up the front and a pair of tight gray jeans.
We meet out front by the Jeep, but I have a thought. “Let’s ride bikes instead.”
Miles gives me a hesitant smile. “Bikes? Okay.”
I get out my yellow beauty and then pull out my dad’s bike for Miles. They’re around the same height, so it fits perfectly.
Miles winces a bit at the first few pedals.
“It’s a bit of a ride, but nothing too strenuous,” I assure him. “You okay with that?”
He nods. “Yep. I’m good. I’m getting into running again, so I’m just a little sore. Or aweebit sore.”
I laugh, but his accent is getting better.
“As soon as I warm up, I’ll be fine. This is great.”
We ride into the gray and golden afternoon, the wild wind in my hair and the most handsome man at my side. It’s like a dream.
After a while, I pull onto the side of the road near Loch Ness and get off my bike. Miles follows suit.
“It’s better to walk the bikes from here so we don’t ride into a tree or run into a root.”
