“I have to think about what’s best for the town,” Dad said. “I’ve seen how Weston’s wind farm has benefited Braeburn, already generating revenue, making it a cornerstone of sustainable energy in Scotland. That’s really made me think about what the community needs to thrive. The factory jobs would be good for it.”
Oh shite. “Dad, if you would just reconsider?—”
“I’ve gotta run, love,” he said suddenly. “I’m taking some new potential distributors to dinner. We’ll talk later and work out when you’re coming down.”
He hung up before I’d even muttered goodbye. I dropped my phone on the table harder than I should have, startling Ranger. He knocked his head on the wood as he darted out from under the table.
“Sorry, buddy,” I said, giving him a rub between the ears. He looked up at me with those giant brown eyes. “Men suck.”
He woofed.
I dropped my hand to my belly and sighed. “But at least I’ve got you.”
6
LOCKE
Istared up at the distillery, frustration pulsing in my temples.
A week had passed since I’d done the initial walkthrough of the property—and since I’d learned I was going to be a father—and everything was falling apart, brick by brick.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, finding a text from Weston.
Where are you?
Surveying the distillery property, I replied.
Ah, mate. Maybe you need to let that one go. After what happened with Dougal, I’m not sure there’s anything you can do.
I started typing, then stopped, struggling to find the words. I wasn’t a man who easily admitted defeat, but when it came to the MacRaes, both father and daughter, I’d definitely met my match. I’d crashed and burned at convincing Isla I wanted to take responsibility for my child, and I’d also seriously screwed things up with her father. I was usually great at closing a deal, but whenwe’d met up, all I could do was put my foot in my mouth. By the time Dougal showed me to the door, he was sputtering like a steam engine.
Hurry up and get back to Lochbrae, Weston wrote.Aisling wants to hang out with her favorite uncle.
Don’t tell Alistair I’m the favorite. He’ll be jealous.
A smirking-face emoji popped up.Aisling said it’s our secret.
That got a small smile out of me, but Weston’s advice lingered on my mind, only adding to my frustration.Let that one go.
That’s not what Fraser Developments did. That’s not whatIdid. When I wanted something,reallywanted something, I made it happen. I sighed, the breath rattling between my teeth as I surveyed the semi-derelict building before me.
The setting was so beautiful. Turning this space into a luxury hotel and spa was the perfect way to make sure the natural elements could be preserved while giving it a new purpose that would bring in value for the community. I envisioned gardens and walking paths, a mix of cultivation with a touch of wildness to keep the whole atmosphere fresh and natural. We’d sell it as a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of regular life, marketing the hell out of all the natural beauty this area of Braeburn had to offer.
An inky splotch of black smoke crawled across that image, polluting my plans. It really would be a shame to lose the rich beauty of the area to some factory that would bulldoze the space and lay down some multi-story parking lot. But how did I make Dougal understand that when the man was refusing to take another meeting with me?
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and walked around the side of the building, envisioning the large glass doors that would lead to an enclosed balcony overlooking the woods. The burbling of the stream and the wind through the trees was the only ambiance we’d need.
Rustle. Rustle.
I turned at the sound, my eyes widening as a large gray shape shot out of the overgrown grass. I stumbled out of reach of two muddy paws as the dog launched himself in my direction.
“Ranger!” a voice cried.
I caught sight of Isla hurrying down the path toward us.
“So sorry!” she hurried to say, breathless. “He doesn’t normally take off like—” She stopped short. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Can’t you control this thing?” I said as Ranger took another leap at me. His wiry coat was flecked with mud.
