Scandalous Scotsman - M.J. Fields Page 0,60
go there tomorrow fucking night.”
“With your permission, I’d like to call Tonya and ask her advice.”
“Elizabeth, ye don’t ever need permission to do what’s right for our Kai.” When she smiles, I realize what I said, and if I ever doubted if she could see herself as a mother to Kai, that doubt is now gone. “But one thing before ye make that call?”
She nods.
“Ye ever carry a ladder across the street, prop it up, and climb two stories again, I’m going to redden yer ass for real.”
“Then Christmastime is going to be amazing. I would suggest that you stock up on topical ointment, vitamins K and C, and … What was the other thing for bruising?” She grins.
I run my hands down her back and give her ass a very firm squeeze.
Three days later
The next day, after talking to my lawyer, knowing what a clusterfuck the legal process is and how long it takes to get anywhere without a six-week process, I called Beyza’s mother, Aynur, for lunch. She was hesitant, but I insisted it was urgent and was pertaining to Kai’s health.
We met near her husband’s real estate office at a coffee shop. Tonya and Ludwig, my lawyer, sat at a table off to the side so that Tonya could talk to her. Ludwig was there as mediator, if need be.
When I confronted her, she immediately denied the accusation. When I showed her the video, courtesy of Elizabeth, she broke down.
That’s when Tonya stepped in, and although she was there for Kai, she was extremely helpful in explaining even Aynur’s feelings to her. She even insisted that she call her husband and talk to him, as well.
Baris didn’t thank me, but Aynur did. My initial reaction was to tell them both to fuck off, but for Kai, and with great restraint, I held it in.
That night, through video conference with Tonya, Aynur explained to Kai that she had kind of a head sickness, and that she was sorry. Kai’s first reaction was tears, and I knew she thought her grandmother was physically ill. That’s where Tonya explained confusion, grief, and mental health issues to Kai in kid terms and assured her that her grandmother’s health in no way was a reflection of Kai’s choices. Tonya also made it abundantly clear that I had nothing to do with her mother’s death. That the accident was just that—an accident—and she made damn sure Aynur validated that truth.
Today, I received Kai’s passport the Kaplans had renewed, without my consent, that I had requested months ago.
“Are ye in the bath?” I ask.
“I am.”
“Could ye come over here, Kai? I would like to ask ye something.”
“Um, sure.” I hear water splashing as she gets out of the tub. “Give me ten?”
I chuckle. “I’ve got ten to give.”
As soon as I set the phone down, Kai looks up from the giant poster board that she is drawing and coloring on.
“You have eight minutes to finish that up.”
“You said ten,” Kai argues.
“Do you know Elizabeth well?”
She grins. “Yep, and she’s my best friend.”
When the doorbell rings exactly eight minutes later, Kai jumps down from her chair, grabs the poster board, and runs to the door with it flying behind her.
“You gonna open it, or do you want me to so you can hold your sign for her to see when she walks in the door?”
“Um, good point. But you need to step back so she doesn’t see you first. She gets all goo-goo-eyed when she looks at you.”
Chuckling, I open the door, and Kai holds up the sign, yelling, “Will you go to Scotland with us?”
“Are you kidding me?” Elizabeth runs to her and scoops her up. “Is this for real?”
Kai laughs. “Yep. So, will ya?”
“I’d love to.”
Scotland
Lizzie
Jet lag must be the mistress to Satan himself.
Get up! You’re in Scotland!
I grumble when I roll over and feel cold sheets beside me. Then I jump up and look around for Kai and see a note beside me.
Elizabeth,
Come meet us in the garden. We have tea.
Your best friend,
Kai
P.S. Please wake up soon.
P.S.S. Like real soon.
My feet hit the hardwood, and a chill immediately runs up my spine. I look around for my luggage but don’t see it, so I walk to the closet of Ethan’s master bedroom and open it. Inside, I grab a green cable knit sweater and a pair of what appear to be a cream color of long underwear.
No wonder Jamie and Claire fucked nonstop. It wasn’t just lust and passion; it’s seriously cold