Page 15 of Katie's Highlander (Highland Protector 3)
He almost cringed at the thoughts—his wishes.Damn ye, Dwyn.Ramsay stared at Katie and the certainty hit him hard.Stay, lass. Stay.He wanted t’get t’know this intriguing woman—even though ’twas against his better judgement.
“I don’t want a rental or a fucking bus ticket!” Katie’s voice had reached the earsplitting pitch of a keening hawk about to attack its prey. “I’m headed back to Princeton after my visit at Carolina Beach. How the hell would I get my car? I hadn’t planned on coming back here.” Her fair skin had flushed to an alarming shade of red and a sheen of sweat added to the fiery glow. “I’m returning to Princeton after the beach,” she repeated in a dangerously frustrated tone. “Logistically speaking, this is now an official pain in my ass, and a damn rental car or a bus ticket is not the option I want.”
A glimmer of hope and an even stronger surge of anticipation flickered deep in Ramsay’s soul and grew stronger by the minute. Life now held a great deal more interest than it had in quite the while. Wasn’t it amazing how, in the promising light of possibilities, the meddlin’ of the goddesses and Dwyn didna seem quite so irritating—or important anymore? For surely, that’s what this was. A wondrous possibility. The opportunity of a beguiling woman trapped here for a month or so.
Katie whipped her cellphone out of her pocket and thumped the screen with an impatient tap of a finger. Intent on the call she was making, she shifted a few feet away, staring down at the ground and hugging one arm tight around her waist as she walked.
What the hell is she doin’?Ramsay strained to eavesdrop on her conversation.
“Adam, it’s me. Why can you never answer your damn phone? When you get this message, call me. I wrecked my car and I need a ride—now!” She shaded her eyes as she looked up at the sky and scowled at the clouds. “And yes, I know,I’ll owe you.Just call me. Thanks.” She tapped the phone’s screen and shoved it back in her pocket as she rejoined Ramsay, Gordon, and James beside her car. “I won’t need a ride to Wilmington for a rental. Adam will come get me.”
A newly discovered possessiveness surged through Ramsay’s veins. He struggled to keep his tone civil and calm. “Who is this Adam person?” His words sounded a bit harsh even to him. He stood taller. Good. ‘Twould no’ hurt Katie t’know that even in a short time, he’d come t’be concerned for her well-being.
Katie gave him awhat the hell is your problemlook. He recognized the scowl easily enough. ’Twas the same look Esme andMáthairalways gave him when he butted into their business.
“A friend,” she snapped in a tone that dared him to ask another stupid question.
Turning to the Abernathys, she nodded at her poor car. “I’ll have the insurance stuff to you as soon as possible. Go ahead and start searching out the parts.” She blew out a frustrated huff of disgust and shook her head. “Even with my friend coming to get me, I’ll still probably be stuck in this godforsaken place for a few days. You’ve got my number and I guess I’ll be over at Brady’s Bed and Breakfast if for any unforeseen reason you need to reach me other than by phone. Okay?”
Like hell ye will.As soon as he was out of earshot, he’d make damn certain that no rooms were available to rent for Katie nor her supposedfriendAdam. Ramsay stepped forward, a sense of urgency fueling his newfound determination. “Ye can stay at the keep. There’s no need for ye t’rent a room at Mistress Martha’s.”
“And what about Adam?” Katie asked with a look that dared him to challenge her. It was clear she’d reached the end of her patience with the current situation. “He can’t drive here all the way from Carolina Beach and be expected to immediately turn around and drive us back. He’ll need a place to stay at least for a night. Maybe two. You gonna put him up too?”
So she is capable of a foul mood.Of course, he couldna blame her. After all, her plans had been dashed t’pieces by the news about her car repairs. Ramsay squared his shoulders.I’ll show her just how benevolent a MacDara can be.“Aye. Yerfriendis welcome to stay in thewestwing of the keep.”
“I’m in the east wing—remember?” By now, Katie had fisted her hands at her sides and fixed him with a murderous glare. “There’s plenty of room there and Adam will want to be near me,” she said through clenched teeth.
Fire suits ye, lass. Suits ye well, indeed.He had to admit he was rather enjoying this less than sunshiny side to the lass. Ramsay gave Katie his most beguiling smile. “Aye, lass. I remember quite well in which wing ye stayed. We enjoyed several drinks together there—remember? And the west wing—the suite of rooms on the other side of the keep from yours is the wing where yer friend will stay.”
Katie’s eyes narrowed and by the stern set of her jaw, she was either about to strangle him or kick him in the balls.
“Keep your damn wings,” she spit out the words. With a determined tilt of her head, she pointed at a two-story Victorian home several blocks down the street. “I’ll get a couple of rooms right now.” Then she aimed her pointing finger at the wide-eyed Abernathys. “Start ordering parts—got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Both men obediently nodded as Katie turned and took off down the sidewalk in a stomping march headed toward the bed-and-breakfast.
“I suppose you’ll be wanting to use our phone?” Gordon looked at Ramsay and jabbed a thumb toward the office.
“What’s he need the phone for?” asked James.
“Never you mind,” Gordon advised his son with a disbelieving shake of his head. He pointed at the wrecked car then thumped his finger against James’s clipboard. “Start tallying, boy. We’ve got parts to order.” He turned back and winked at Ramsay. “Your daddy’ll be tickled if you hook that one and land her. She’ll give you strong sons that’ll do your family proud.”
Gordon Abernathy’s words gave him pause.Is that what I want? Dare I start this battle?
Ramsay slowly picked up the old-fashioned dial phone’s receiver and placed it to his ear. He turned and watched Katie stomping her way down the street toward the bed-and-breakfast and his heart lightened immeasurably. The hope for what might be strengthened his resolve as he dialed Mistress Martha’s private cellphone number.
Aye, this is what I want. Let the battle begin.
Chapter 7
I am such a shit.
She couldn’t believe she’d allowed her frustration to evolve into a rare fit of bitchiness in front of Ramsay and two perfectly innocent bystanders. How had this trip spiraled out of control? She couldn’t even rent a couple of rooms at the damn bed-and-breakfast. Some sort of convention, Miss Martha had said. A convention? Really? Here in Tiny Town, USA?
And to add insult to injury, Ramsay, who had already saved her sorry ass once…well…apparently more than once, since he had oh-so nicely tucked his kilt around her drunk ass last night and not taken advantage of her. Which was great, but it kind of hurt her feelings too.
Had he even tried anything? Was he even interested?I mean…damn. A girl wants to be wanted—especially by a guy like him.Anyway—the man had not only re-offered rooms at the keep for her and Adam, he’d also been gallant enough to escort her to the town’s only café for a calming cup of coffee and something to eat.
Katie cupped her hands around the white ceramic mug and scowled down at her reflection rippling across the black depths. She blew out a heavy sigh.Unbelievable. I am my own worst enemy.
