Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,29

though his soul cried inside.

She made light of it, but her hands were balled into fists. “Oh, you know. Broken heart and all that.”

Despite the tough exterior, her tone implied present tense, not past, catching him off guard. It was one thing for him to bear the pain of leaving her for so many years, but why should she? Even if destiny had tried convincing them they were fated mates, he’d been sure time would show her that was a mistake. That she was better off with someone with the freedom to throw caution to the wind the same way she did. Hadn’t she met someone who could light up her world in a way he never could?

She turned away, taking in the rain-soaked scenery. “Anyway, it’s all good now.”

A lie, and he knew it. But what could he say?

“I’m sorry.” Deeply, truly sorry, in a way no words could communicate.

She waved a hand and went back to studying the blurry view. “Like I said, all good now.”

Not good, his dragon growled. Not good at all.

Chapter Eight

As heavy as Holly’s heart felt through the next portion of the drive, it leaped when Lachlan turned off the motorway.

“Look, Mungo. It’s the distillery.” She hugged the dog, more for her sake than his.

Mungo swung his head from side to side, bumping Lachlan, who studied the road like a hawk — along with keeping an eye on the sky.

Who would want to hurt us?

Hurt you, you mean.

She bit her lip. Could it really be true?

“When were you last here?” he asked quietly.

She managed a casual shrug. “It always feels too long.”

Much as she loved Wyoming, something drew her to Scotland again and again. And, lucky her — two things had made that easy. Trevor’s standing invitation to visit whenever she wished and Lachlan’s absence.

Which meant… Damn. Neither of those conditions existed any more. Trevor’s passing marked the end of an era for the Guardians of Scotland — and for her. What if this was her last trip to Scotland ever?

Her heart ached as she swiveled around, catching glimpses of the distillery between other buildings. It was at least fifty times the size of her parents’ modest setup, with scores more employees. She’d spent several summers working there, getting to know the business, the people, and the area.

Good times, her dragon murmured wistfully.

Just when the complex was about to disappear from view, Lachlan slowed and turned.

“A wee detour,” he murmured, driving directly up to the distillery gate, then idling there.

She blinked. Wait. Was he making a stop for her sake?

See? He cares, her dragon whispered.

Of course, Lachlan also checked the sky again — twice. But he spent almost as much time quietly contemplating the distillery as she did.

She did her best not to blurt, You, Mr. McKenney, continually confuse me.

She looked over the building, letting memories take her through each wing of the sprawling complex. Eventually, she sighed and petted Mungo.

“Ready to go?” Lachlan murmured.

She nodded slowly. “Yes. Thank you.”

Lachlan reversed, merged back onto the main road through town, and then headed into the countryside in the direction of Creag Aerden.

“You worked there too, didn’t you?” She motioned back to the distillery.

“Aye. My father said it would build my character.”

“Did it?”

Lachlan took forever answering, and when he did, he kept his eyes on the road. “I’m not sure.”

Her comment had been a joke, but Lachlan was dead serious.

She opened her mouth, then closed it. All her life, she’d had two loving parents and many kind relatives — plus Trevor. All of them had encouraged her to try new things without forcing her. Like her dad, who’d taught her to ride bareback. Or her mom, who’d cheered her all the way through her first big hike in the Rockies. Trevor, too, who’d encouraged her to apply for a semester abroad and funded the whole thing.

I’m helping you now so you can help others later, he’d said to convince her to accept. And dammit, she’d done her best to pay her luck forward ever since.

Then she glanced over at Lachlan. She’d had all that support. Who had he had?

Her dragon sighed sadly. A grumpy old dad and faint memories of his mother.

Lachlan’s eyes were on the rearview mirror, taking in the distillery one last time. Then he snapped his gaze forward, and his face went grim again.

Holly kept talking, because that helped keep her fears at bay. Maybe it would help him too. “I wonder what will happen to the distillery. Trevor’s been running it at