Page 77 of Love Bomb

“Mum is gossip central around here.” Kirsty grinned. “She used to pick up a lot when she was solely the leader of Knit or Die, but since she married Dougal and got access to the pub clientele, she knows even more. If Bain is sowing his wild oats all over the highlands, Mum will know. We should give her a ring.”

“Fine,” Rona grumbled. Being reasonable sucked. She would rather have stayed mad at Bain.

Kirsty took out her phone, dialed her mum, and placed it on the table in front of her.

“Kirsty, love.” Margaret’s warm voice came over the speaker. “What’re you up to?”

“Hey mum,” Kirsty said. “I’m just in the shop with Rona and we were wondering if you could tell us anything about the rumors swirling around Bain.”

“You mean the one about him getting hot and heavy with Rona behind the coat rack?”

Rona groaned and felt her cheeks burn.

“No,” Kirsty said with a grin. “I’m talking about all these stories people tell about his sexual exploits. Any idea if they’re true?”

“Well, I could give you my opinion, but I’d rather activate the phone tree first, and then get back to you,” Kirsty’s mum said.

“Phone tree?” Rona asked.

“Oh yes.” Margaret sounded excited. “We have Knit or Die members all over the place now. We even started a new chapter in Fort William. Let me gather some intel and I’ll call you back. Won’t be long. Bye now.” Margaret hung up.

“Gather intel?” Rona said with a shake of her head.

“Lake and his band of merry ex-soldiers have been rubbing off on her,” Kirsty said.

Which reminded Rona. “Speaking of your husband’s business. Some idiot called Grunt took a job guarding the folly.”

“The historical society hired Benson Security?” Kirsty’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s news to me.”

“Not the historical society,” Rona said. “My parents.”

“No!” Kirsty was genuinely horrified.

“Yes,” Rona said. “How am I supposed to blow it up with Benson Security standing outside?”

“Rona, I’m so sorry. I’d call Lake and get him to drop the job, but he’s out of contact this week on government business. I can try calling Grunt, but I’m not sure how much weight my request will carry. Grunt only takes orders from Lake.”

“This is a disaster,” Rona said, pacing again. “I come to town to blow up the folly, eventually get Bain to agree to do it for me, and then my parents hire an international security firm to protect it.” She stopped and frowned at Kirsty. “I really hope this Grunt idiot is overcharging them.”

“He won’t have given them local rates, that’s for sure,” Kirsty said.

It was small consolation.

“Assuming Bain will still help me,” Rona said. “We only have tonight and tomorrow to do the job before my parents petition the court. Then the judge will take it away from me.”

“You don’t know that for sure,” Kirsty said.

“They’re going to tell the court I’m incompetent.” Rona’s stomach clenched at the thought. “They’ve joined forces to do it too. No court is going to choose me over them, especially not if they’re working together.”

“Come on,” Kirsty said, her voice filled with sympathy. “Let’s go into the shop and pick out some nice new lingerie for you. Then we’ll head to the baker and pick up some lunch before checking in with mum. Hopefully, by then she’ll have some information for you.”

Rona patted her stomach. “I probably shouldn’t have any more cake,” she said woefully before casting Kirsty a hopeful glance. “Does Morag still make good pies?”

“The best in the highlands,” Kirsty said, linking her arm with Rona and leading her into the lingerie store.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Bain stood in front of his brothers and waited for feedback.