Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,7
we can carry them out when things on the island have…er…settled down.”
Holly frowned. What was up with Gleninnis?
Natasha nodded immediately. “I agree. We can honor Trevor’s wishes later. Let’s get to the rest of the will.”
The lawyer shook his head. “I’m afraid not. It says just here: ‘Once I am laid properly to rest in my homelands, the remainder of my estate can be addressed.’”
“Fine, then. Go scatter his ashes. Hurry.” Natasha shooed Holly toward the door.
The redhead at Lachlan’s side nodded sadly. “It is the right thing to do.”
Holly didn’t actually say, You bet your ass, it is, but she did step toward the urn in sheer determination. When she snatched it off the desk and did an about-face toward the door, ready to march out, no one stopped her.
Except Lachlan. He stepped into the doorway and straightened to his full height, looking every inch a dragon warrior.
“Too dangerous.” His voice was just as low and uncompromising as it had been the morning they’d parted.
Stay just a little longer, she’d pleaded.
It’s not that simple. I have to go.
Why? she’d begged. Begged, dammit, with tears in her eyes. What about love?
Love is foolish. Unnecessary.
His words had crushed her back then. But she was older, wiser, and stronger now.
She straightened her shoulders. Too dangerous, huh?
“Too bad,” she muttered, ready to shoulder past him.
“Wait!” Fergus called.
They both froze at his command.
“Miss Jennings, I admire your tenacity. And Penelope is right. We must respect Trevor’s wishes.” He held up a hand, halting Lachlan’s protest. “We move men and material to the island regularly. Surely, we can coordinate a quick visit for Miss Jennings to scatter Trevor’s ashes. An in-and-out operation, as you might say.”
Holly turned pink. Once upon a time, she’d been Lachlan’s in-and-out operation, hadn’t she? But clearly, he’d moved on.
Lachlan opened his mouth, but Fergus cut him off.
“Naturally, Miss Jennings will need protection. Which means you.”
Fergus pointed at Lachlan, and Holly paled.
Lachlan’s face flushed, which was strangely satisfying. Maybe he wasn’t entirely over her.
“But, sir—”
Holly shook her head quickly. “Not necessary.”
“I assure you, Miss Jennings, it is absolutely necessary. Just as I can assure you Lachlan is the best man for the job.”
She nearly snorted. The best man to break my heart a second time.
But that would be admitting how deeply he’d hurt her, and she wasn’t about to do that.
“Fine.” She tossed her hair, playing it casual.
Not fine, Lachlan’s low growl said.
“What was that?” Fergus demanded.
Lachlan forced his eyes to the floor. “Not a problem, sir.”
Fergus gave him a stern look, then turned to the others. “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have found a solution.”
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all,” a surly older man said.
Lachlan shook his head, clearly agreeing. “We’ll need time to plan. Transportation…logistics…backup plans…”
Fergus shook his head. “Three weeks ago, you drew up a dozen backup plans concerning the island. The logistics of just two people should prove more than manageable. And as for transportation… Well, you did just inherit a rather nice vehicle, my boy.” He grinned. “Now, then. Get moving.”
The lawyer jumped to his feet, holding up the package. “Wait, miss. You’ll need Trevor’s instructions.”
Holly cradled the urn in one elbow and took the package with her free hand, staring. Instructions? That was a goddamn box, not a brief list of where and how to scatter his ashes. What was Trevor up to?
She glanced around. “But…but…”
“Don’t worry, my dear.” Fergus patted her arm. “Lachlan will watch over you.”
Holly spun on her heel and headed out the door. Lachlan watching over her?
That was what she dreaded most.
Chapter Three
Holly hurried down the narrow, creaky stairs, clutching the urn and the package with Trevor’s instructions. Then she burst out the front door and onto Edinburgh’s main drag.
A blue-and-white flag swept over her head, and she ducked. “Whoa.”
“Pardon, dearie. It’s all in the name of Scotland,” a man in overalls apologized.
She did a double take. The street was crowded with people blowing whistles or waving banners. Some of the banners showed Saint Andrew’s Cross, while others featured Scotland’s coat of arms — two unicorns rearing over a bed of thistles.
Oops. She’d forgotten about the rally for Scottish independence. Much as the cause appealed, she really didn’t have time right now.
She hurried down the street, darting around demonstrators, the loyalists heckling them, and tourists snapping photos of the chaotic scene.
“Holly!”
She nearly whirled at Lachlan’s voice, but she stopped herself and trotted onward. Did she really want to talk to him now? Or ever, for that