played with stuffies, or flew a kite. I taught her how to make s’mores, too.”
“I have to tell you, Leia…it made my day yesterday, hearing about you mucking in like that.”
“Ah, it was no biggie.” Leia met his grin with her own. “I love kids.” And I’m so glad you do, too. Maybe one day we could have our own? I so want that.
“You and me both, Ginger.” Tarquin’s gaze glowed with happiness like he could read her mind. They were on the same page, wanting the same things, the same future.
But what if I can’t get pregnant?
A breath caught in Leia’s chest. She blinked and cleared her throat, glancing away so Tarquin wouldn’t spot any concern on her face. “These winds, eh? I’m glad they weren’t like this when we were walking along the cliffs at Yesnaby.”
“In the summer, Scottish primroses grow around there.”
“So it’s even more picturesque—wow. And that sea stack, Yesnaby Castle? But hearing about you climbing it…”
“I didn’t slip!”
“That’s not what Nick said!”
Tarquin bit back a laugh. “So, how’d you like stooping ninety degrees to enter Maeshowe?”
“Nice change of subject, Balfour.” She swung his hand. “Yeah, I was relieved to reach the end of that tunnel without banging my head.”
“You were pretty hunched over.”
“My knee was thrilled when we stood up again inside the chambered tomb.”
Concern tightened Tarquin’s embrace. “You should’ve said. How’s it now?”
“It’s fine. The Viking graffiti inside was worth a little pain.”
“I’ll tell you a secret: I leave a little graffiti in every build and reno I do,” said Tarquin. “Under a sink, behind a closet door. ‘I was here.’”
“You don’t include your name?”
“No. I’d rather be mysterious. Keep ’em wondering, Who is this joker? Kinda like Banksy.”
“Right, so you’re the new Banksy now, are you?!” Leia laughed, cuddling into him. “Well, I’ve loved everything we’ve done this week, but my favorite was seeing you with your family and friends, and hearing their stories. They love you here, Tarquin. Orcadians have GREAT taste.” Leia swore a blush deepened the pinkish hue of his chilled cheeks.
“True, they do.” He grinned above his wooly scarf. “Because they think the world of you. I couldn’t love you more, Leia Scott.”
Now who’s blushing? Leia’s shivers dissipated in the warm, fuzzy feelings hugging her heart.
“You know, I was going to call you…after my fashion show. See if you’d give me another chance.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Leia tucked a skyward strand of hair behind an ear, but another gust flirted it free. “Things were so hectic in the run up to the day, I had to keep my focus. But then you appeared and…”
“The rest is history, right?” He kissed her cheek.
They crossed the ditch circling the ancient stones and joined the main pathway leading to the small parking lot. The fading purple heather growing wild around the ancient site waved goodbye as the wind sighed through the bowing grass.
Leia’s eyes swept the horizon, taking in the Loch of Stenness on one side of the stones and the Loch of Harray on the other. “It’s so beautiful here.” She gasped, her gaze locked on the breathtaking sunset, its warm oranges and dusty blues descending in the distance behind the hills on the island of Hoy.
“If we’re lucky, we might see the northern lights after dinner,” said Tarquin. “Orcadians call them the Merry Dancers.”
“Love it.” And him. I already feel lucky. Everything that’s happened here has made me love him even more. Butterflies flittered in her stomach. Why wait? She glanced up at him, his hair playfully tossed by the wind. “So, at risk of sounding premature, I don’t want to go home.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, Orkney has a way of casting its spell.”
“No offence to Orkney, but that’s not what I mean.” She stopped on the path and pulled him close, their warm breaths mingling. “I want to stay in London…permanently. I mean, I want to be with you.”
Tarquin’s mouth gaped, his eyes blinking in disbelief. “Oh. My. God! Leia, I’d love nothing more! But what about Fashion Week and your pop-up shop in Brooklyn?”
“I’ll fly back for both. The pop-up runs for all of April, so maybe you could join me for a bit? Help me pack up my apartment?”
“I’m so there! But are you sure? You know I want us to be together, but I’d never pressure you to up sticks and move. You did enough of that for Tyler.”
“I know, but you’re not him. Tarquin, you are the kindest, most supportive man I’ve ever known.” She pulled him closer. “I