“Well, whatever possessed you to comeherein the first place?” the younger-looking of the women pressed, sneering at their surroundings. “You must have known heading into this wilderness was an idiotic move.”
“Let’s not worry about that now,” the older woman instructed as she stepped forward and extended her hand. “Thank you, Mr. McColl, for caring for my niece and guiding her back to us. We are indebted to you, for your kindness.”
Reginald dipped his head. “ ’Twas my pleasure.”
The shorter of the two men whispered something to the other and stifled a smarmy grin.
Though Lauren’s lips tightened, she pretended not to notice the man’s disrespectful attitude.
“Reggie, this is my Aunt Phoebe MacKinnon, my elder sister Julia, and my younger sister, Deidre. I told you about them.”
“Aye,” Reggie acknowledged them with a short bow. “An honor tae meet ye.”
The insolent man actually sniggered, and Lauren turned to him, her lips in a tight line. “And thesegentlemen, I’ve not met.”
Deidre rushed forward, visibly bursting with excitement, and took the arm of the offensive one; the shorter, stouter of the two. “This is Phillip Stansbury. And this,” she gestured to his companion, “is Drew Morhill. Philip is from Connecticut. He’s here visiting Drew. They were classmates at Cambridge.”
Though clearly not a child, Reginald noticed she bounced on her toes, as if she were.
“Drew’s family are acquaintances of Aunt Phoebe’s,” she continued, “so she invited them to come visit while we’re here.”
Clearly Mr. Stansbury’s lack of manners hadn’t bothered Deidre in the least. She was busy producing what Reginald guessed was a perfectly practiced pout.
“We’d just finished a lovely brunch and were about to sit down to a game of cards when poor Aunt Phoebe became so distressed about your tardiness, we all justhadto come looking for you.”
Though she quite literally hung on the smaller man’s arm, she smiled prettily as she indicated the taller man. “So, Drew contacted the rental car company, who was able to track you by GPS.” She raised her hands, palms up. “And here we are. Just in time.”
“Yes,” Lauren replied. “Just in time.” She turned to Drew. “Thank you, Mr. Morhill, I’m very grateful for your assistance.”
“Just Drew, please.” With a pleasant smile, Drew stepped forward, separating himself from Lauren’s sister, and his haughty American companion. “I’m truly relieved by your safe return. We all are,” he shrugged self-consciously, indicating the group. “With your permission, I’d be happy to see to the details regarding the recovery of your car. You needn’t worry about such details. And whenever you’re ready, I’d be honored to escort you and your family, back to your aunt Phoebe’s.” He nodded toward the car waiting behind the tow-truck.
“That’s very kind.” Lauren returned his smile. “I’m—”
A shrill screech followed by a loud bang startled them all. The man with the beam and hook had successfully gotten Lauren’s car off the rock and was inching it toward his trailer.
“Goodness!” Aunt Phoebe pressed a hand to her chest and released a shuddering breath. “Well then, I see no reason to dawdle.” She fluttered her hands as if gathering her chicks around her. “Come now, let’s all return home. Lauren will want to recover from her ordeal. I’m sure it’s been quite an experience.”
Stepping closer, she laid a hand on Reggie’s arm. “You, as well, Mr. McColl. Please allow us to thank you properly for Lauren’s safe return. Perhaps a meal and a place to rest?” She looked behind them to the forest they’d just come through. “After that, if you’ve no transportation of your own, we’d be honored to take you wherever you’d like to go.”
“Of course he will,” Lauren tightened her grip on his arm. “Thank you, Aunt Phoebe. We’re both starving, and as you can see, a bit bedraggled.”
“Lauren, I dinnae ken I—”
“Nonsense,” her aunt replied sharply. “Surely, a short delay for a bit of food and rest, can’t hurt, can it? Afterward, you can resume your journey whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank ye, Mistress MacKinnon, but I—”
“Oh dear, no.” Lauren’s aunt, admonished with a stern shake of her head. “That won’t do at all. It’s just Phoebe.” She patted his arm and smiled softly. “Indulge a willful lady with that requestandthe opportunity to show my gratitude for your care of my niece.”
’Twas no’ what he’d planned. He’d spent last night and today preparing himself to see Lauren go. Postponing that moment was both desirable and distressing. The longer he was with her, the harder it would be to walk away.
“Please, Reggie?” Lauren whispered as the others moved toward the second car. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’d really like you to come. It would mean a lot to me.” She added a teasing smile and a gentle tug as enticement. “Aunt Phoebe will be offended if you turn her down. And youarehungry, right? You must be. I’m ravenous. Please, say you don’t mind?”
’Twas no’ her words, but her pleading eyes, almost edging on panic, that was his undoing. “No’ if it will please ye, lass.”
“It’s settled, then.” Her relief was evident as she smiled up at him and her bonny eyes took on a wee sparkle. “You never know when I might need another rescue.”
Chapter Seven
