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“Sorry we’re late!” David announces. “Bit of a last-minute dash, but we got here as fast as we could.”

Heads whip towards the doorway, where David stands grinning, Johnny smiling shyly behind him. Judging by the stunned expressions around the table, I’m not the only one who wasn’t expecting these two to crash dinner.

“Johnny?” I blurt. “David?”

I push my chair back, but before I can stand up properly, Johnny strides over and pulls me into a hug so tight it nearly knocks me off balance.

“Robbie! I’ve been so worried about you. I hated not being able to speak to you.”

I pat his back awkwardly, acutely aware of everyone watching us. Ally, in particular, is surprised by this display of affection between Johnny and me. I suppose he’s never seen this side of me before—the protective older brother rather than the troublemaker.

“I missed you too,” I tell Johnny, keeping my voice low. “It’s good to see you, but is it okay that you’re here?”

“Aye.” Johnny releases me. “Da said it’s fine now the police have completed their investigation. I can’t believe they charged you. I’m so sorry.”

David, who’s already given his sister a squeeze, now scoops Callie up. “And here she is, the princess of Bannock!” Callie squeals with delight as he spins her around.

“So, er . . .” Jamie gestures between Johnny and David with his fork. “Great to see you guys, but what’s going on here? Do we need two more chairs?”

“I can explain.” All eyes turn to Cat, who smiles sheepishly. “I thought it’d be a nice surprise for Robbie to have his wee brother here, and David’s practically part of the family anyway. So . . . I fired off a quick text to David before Robbie and I got here. Hope it’s all right that I invited them, and aye, we’re going to need a couple more chairs.” She turns hopeful eyes to Elspeth. “You were able to rustle up an extra plate for Robbie . . . any chance of two more?”

CHAPTER THIRTY

ROBBIE

As Cat drives us back to my cottage, the setting sun paints the sky in streaks of orange and pink.

I can’t stop looking at her. The delicate curve of her chin, the slight upturn of her nose with that wee stud that glints in the fading light, the way her lips curl into a smile when she catches me staring.

“What?” she asks, her eyes returning to the road.

“Nothing. Just . . . that unexpected dinner turned out not too bad in the end.”

She laughs, the sound light and musical.

Before long, we come to the dirt track that leads to my cottage, and she turns onto it, the trees casting long shadows. After everything that’s happened recently, I should probably be focused on clearing my name, on figuring out how to prove my innocence. But right now, all I can think about is Cat.

She parks and kills the engine. For a wee while, we just sit there, the quiet settling around us like a blanket.

“Thank you,” I say finally. “For . . . getting me out of my own head today. And for standing up for me.”

She turns to me, her expression soft. “Anytime, MacDonald.”

We head inside, and I shrug off my jacket. Cat sits on the wee bench by the door to slip off her trainers, then she peels off her jacket and hangs it neatly on a peg beside my leather one. It’s such a small, ordinary thing, but watching her make herself at home in my space hits me hard. Something shifts deep inside me.

I slip one hand around her waist and draw her in. With the other, I tip her chin up, cradling it between my thumb and forefinger. Her skin is soft and warm, and her eyes lift to meet mine. Wide, searching, expectant.

I lower my mouth to hers—not gentle, but hungry, like I’ve been starving for the taste of her. She lets out a quiet, surprised sound against my lips, but then she’s pressing closer, her hands fisting in my shirt.

Eventually—because we do actually need to breathe—I draw back, but I don’t let go of her, just brush my thumb along her jaw. “You called me your boyfriend.”

Her cheeks are already flushed from the kiss, but now the blush blooms even brighter. “Aye. I did.”

“Did you mean it?”

“Yes.” No games. No teasing. Just honesty.

My heart thudding, I press my forehead to hers. “You’re mine now.”