Page 79 of Love Bomb

Bain was just about to slam it closed again when he glanced down and froze.

Because sitting on his front step was a baby carrier.

Complete with baby.

Once Rona and Kirsty had picked up their lunch, they walked down the snow-covered high street to the Scottie Dog Hotel on the edge of the loch. The scenery took Rona’s breath away. White hills, white painted houses, and a beautiful blue loch under the kind of bright blue sky you only saw in winter.

She sighed at the sight.

Edinburgh was special, there was no denying it. Something about walking past the castle every day made you feel like you were part of history. But there was nothing like Invertary.

Invertary was home.

They found Margaret in an armchair beside the huge restaurant fireplace, knitting in her lap.

“Don’t worry about bumping into your parents,” she said as soon as she spotted Rona. “They’ve gone to the spa for lunch.”

Grateful for the head’s up, Rona relaxed. She took off her purple coat, hung it over the chair facing Margaret, then sat down in it. After Kirsty hugged her mum, she took the chair beside Rona.

Margaret frowned at Rona. “Are you too big to give me a hug hello?” she demanded.

With a grin of delight, Rona got back up and hugged her too.

“So,” Margaret said once they’d settled. “I heard back from everyone, and I have an update for you.”

Before she could fill them in, Dougal came over with a tray of soft drinks. “I’m going to pretend that I don’t see you three eating Morag’s pies while you’re in my restaurant,” he said, handing out the drinks.

“And that’s why I love you,” Margaret said, making him blush.

With a shake of his head, he through the door joining the restaurant bar with the pub bar behind it.

“What’s the news then?” Rona said, when she turned back to Margaret.

“It’s going to shock the life out of you,” Margaret said. “I know it did me.” She took a dramatic breath. “I spoke to everyone I know, here and in Fort William, and not one could confirm that Bain has been sleeping around as much as we’ve been led to believe.”

Rona stopped eating. “I don’t understand,” she said.

Margaret put her knitting aside. A sure sign things were about to get serious. “We couldn’t dig up one woman who’s been to his bed in recent years. Not here, nor in Fort William. Now,” she said leaning forward, “that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had his fun in some of the bigger cities, but I called his mother⁠—”

“You did what?” Rona screeched, attracting attention from nearby tables.

“Don’t worry,” Margaret said. “I never mentioned you. I just told her I needed an idea of how often Bain has been away for work over the past couple of years.”

“Did you tell her why you wanted to know?” Rona asked.

“Aye, for the census.” Margaret grinned.

“What census?” Rona said.

“The one I invented.”

“And she bought that?” Rona said.

“Sure, I asked about all her sons. Told her I was filling in gaps for the council regarding travel for work, and that her boys were too busy to supply me with the information. She was happy to do it. She loves talking about her sons. And she keeps all their schedules on a family calendar. It was very detailed.”

Kirsty grinned at Rona. “You missed Invertary, didn’t you?”

Rona had to laugh. “We certainly have our own way of doing things in this town.”