Page 141 of Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye
Leia’s burst of laughter sailed away on the wind. “What style?” she teased, giving him a squeeze. “Look, I don’t care how good you are, just as long as you have fun.”
“Thank you! And I don’t mean to sound like a dick about the fiddle. I know Ava enjoys it, bless her. I just wish she’d save the impromptu gigs for when I don’t have a stompin’ hangover. That pub lock-in was wild as balls. I haven’t been that drunk in ages.”
“I knew you’d had a good time with your friends when Fiona said she found you in her kitchen at 3 A.M. cleaning up—nude!”
“Absolute lies! All the important dangly bits were covered by her apron.”
“If you say so.” She giggled. “I’m just glad you had fun. Ava and I did, too. I can’t remember the last time I bounced on a trampoline, 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.
