Five Days in Skye: A Novel Page 9

  James retrieved a pencil and pad of grid paper from the desk and set them down in front of her. She quickly sketched a small rendering of the hotel, adding on a matching extension in rough strokes.

  “It wouldn’t be better to have a freestanding building?”

  “This is more cost-effective, and it will take less to heat. Plus, it shouldn’t require separate permits. I think you’ll find the bar will help offset your lower winter occupancy rates. Sleat residents will be more likely to come here rather than Broadford or Armadale to socialize, especially if you have good, inexpensive food.”

  James nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll send the drawings over to Ian and see what he thinks.”

  “I can mention it today, if you like.”

  “Maybe I should come along and discuss it with him myself.”

  “I hardly think that’s a good idea after last night.” Andrea wondered if she was imagining the possessiveness in James’s tone. She wasn’t sure whether to be amused, pleased, or irritated. Maybe all three. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know what we discuss. I’ll take this with me.” Andrea tore the drawing off the pad and set it aside, then began to roll up the stacks of drawings, group by group.

  The teakettle chose that moment to begin spewing steam. James flipped the switch to warm and pulled out two mugs. “One sugar or two?”

  “Two, please. Should I put these back?”

  “If you don’t mind. What do you think? Too early for biscuits?”

  Andrea returned the drawings to the galvanized tub and tucked the pad and pencil back into the desk drawer. “It’s never too early for biscuits.”

  “You’re my kind of woman.” He retrieved a package of cookies from the cupboard, placed a few on a plate, and set them on the table before her. He finished making up their tea and took the chair next to her. “What now?”

  “I’d like to see your business and marketing plans, if you have them handy.”

  “I don’t. Besides, I meant what do we do now? It’s only half past ten. You’re not supposed to meet Ian until one. I think hospitality demands I give you a tour of Sleat.”

  “I should probably get started on my proposal.”

  “You should, but you won’t.”

  She took a sip of her tea, trying to hide her smile behind the cup. “Why won’t I?”

  “Because you can’t resist the chance to spend a few hours with me seeing the sights. I assure you, I am an excellent guide.”

  Two or three hours in the car with him, doing something strictly recreational? He might have behaved himself this morning, but she didn’t expect that to last long. Now that he knew which buttons to push, he wouldn’t hesitate to do it. Over and over.

  The thought reminded her of his comment in the bar about her clothing. The attraction was not one-sided. She just had absolutely no intention of giving into it. He, on the other hand …

  No, he wasn’t the kind of man to force the issue. She knew that much with certainty. This was all just some game, a battle of the sexes, and he wanted to make her break first. Which, of course, she wouldn’t do. If she kept refusing to be alone with him, he’d just keep pushing the issue.

  “All right,” she said finally. “On one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You have to deliver me to the meeting with Ian on time. Not a minute late.”

  “If you insist.”

  “Good. Let’s go then.” Andrea stood and straightened her skirt. “I’ll get my bag.”

  James beat her to the door with his long-legged stride and opened it for her, deliberately crowding her so they stood face-to-face, only inches apart.

  “Thank you.” She met his gaze levelly, even though her heartbeat was already accelerating. She lowered her eyes and moved quickly past him.

  No two ways about it. This was a very bad idea.

  Chapter Eleven

  The woman was a complete mystery.

  One minute, she’d give as good as she got with that sharp tongue and equally sharp mind. The next, she’d withdraw behind a shell of cold professionalism. It was like seeing two different people, and James was never sure which one would surface.

  Then there was the Andrea who would sit on the floor with Emmy or improvise on the piano with such a joyous expression it made his heart flip. Why was she so determined to hide that part of herself?

  James cursed himself for a fool. For a short moment, he’d thought he and Andrea had been building some sort of rapport, then he had to ruin it by pushing matters too far. Now, fifteen minutes into their drive down the Sleat peninsula, she still hadn’t said a word. She just sat stiffly in the seat, hands folded in her lap, staring into the distance. He’d wager she wasn’t seeing a bit of the glorious scenery flying by the window.

  Why do you even care?

  He didn’t. Or, he hadn’t, until he saw the look on her face as she watched the sunrise, as if years of worries had fallen from her shoulders. If he hadn’t witnessed the wistfulness in her expression as she talked about the restoration, he would have written it off to his imagination. But he knew that feeling well. It was too easy to let the demands of life suffocate him and drown out God’s still, small voice, until the days became just an endless list. Something inside him recognized she needed a breath as much as he did.

  He left her to her musings as he took the two-lane road through a forested section of Sleat and followed the River Ord until it emptied out near the shore. When they reached an overlook where Ord Bay and Loch Eishort met, he pulled off onto the side of the road.

  “Why are we stopping?”

  “Because it’s worth a moment to appreciate. Come.”

  Andrea climbed out of the car, and James circled to meet her on the other side. Immediately, she pulled out her mobile phone and began to snap pictures of the view.

  “Beautiful,” she said. “These will definitely help creative when they formulate their marketing plan.”

  James gently pried her phone from her fingers and dropped it into the front pocket of his shirt. “I’m going to hold onto this for you.”

  Andrea stared at him. “Give me my phone back.”

  “It’s mine for now. You can have it back for your meeting.”

  “How dare you!” Anger flashed in those gorgeous eyes, a sign she was going to launch into a tirade on his ungentlemanly behavior. Before she could try, he gripped her shoulders and turned her to face the view again. She went still, muscles tensed beneath his fingers.

  “Relax,” he murmured into her ear. “Breathe. When you view it on a screen, you can’t really see.”

  She threw a puzzled look over her shoulder, for a moment bringing her face close to his. If he just shifted forward a degree, he could capture her mouth with his own. She must have read the thought in his expression, because alarm flashed over her face. He quickly straightened and gave a little nod toward the scenery.

  What was he thinking?

  He took a deep breath and looked out at the loch, settling his own tumultuous thoughts. Rocks jutted from the choppy water, a stark brown contrast against the deep blue. Long shore grasses waved in the stiff sea wind, edging the sweep of sand in the distance. Just at the limits of their sight, boxy white cottages nestled in spring-green hills. He breathed in the salt air, listening to the soft lap of waves and the distant calls of seabirds. Beside him, Andrea closed her eyes, breathing deeply while the wind ruffled her hair, a slight smile stretching her lips.

  She was beautiful. He couldn’t pry his eyes away from her. When was the last time a woman had pulled him this strongly?

  Dangerous thoughts. He shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned back against the car, forcing his gaze away from her. It was one thing to flirt and tease, to steal a kiss. The sudden squeeze in his chest was quite another. He recognized that feeling. It meant nothing good.

  When she fin
ally opened her eyes, he had his thoughts mostly under control.

  “You’re right,” she murmured. “It’s amazing. Sort of desolate and yet … peaceful.”

  He said nothing, but when she turned to him, he held out her phone.

  “Keep it,” she said. “For now.”

  He smiled. Maybe he was getting through to her after all. “On to our next stop then?”

  James stayed quiet in the car, not wanting to jar her from her peaceful frame of mind. She took in the landscape with a new light in her eye, smiling when he pointed out patches of wildflowers on the hillside or laughing at the spring lambs frolicking in the meadows. He didn’t question why it was so important she see his home through his eyes. She needed a few minutes away from her life as much as he did from his own.

  His enjoyment dwindled as the time edged toward one o’clock, since he knew he would shortly hand her over to Ian. He put on the canned enthusiasm of a tour guide and said, “And that’s the end of our guided tour today. We should head back to Broadford. I did promise to deliver you on time.”

  She nodded. He sensed her struggling for words, but in the end, she only said, “Thank you.”

  Her husky tone did things to his gut he didn’t particularly appreciate. “For getting you there on time?”

  “No, for this. For making me really see.”

  It couldn’t be an easy admission for her. He barely kept himself from reaching for her hand, instead forcing his attention onto the road. “You’re welcome.”

  The drive back to Broadford passed too quickly, even in companionable silence. He pulled into the hotel’s car park, noting Ian’s car in front of the tan stucco building with its dormered, shingled roof.

  “How should I contact you when I’m finished?” Andrea asked, reaching for her bag, the professional once again in place.

  James drew her mobile phone out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. “I programmed my number in. Just call me when you’re finished. I have to go to market and pick up some things for dinner.”

  Annoyance flashed across her face. “You could have asked.”

  “I didn’t think you’d mind.” Actually, he’d known it would probably irritate her, but he hadn’t been able to resist. He rather liked the way she looked angry. And she was far easier to deal with irritated than when she looked at him with that searching, vulnerable expression.

  Coward.

  “Fine. I’ll call you when I’m done.” Andrea tucked the phone into her bag and slid out of the car without saying good-bye.

  He watched her disappear into the front doors of the hotel and then dropped his head onto the steering wheel, banging it a few times for good measure. Idiot. Annoy her, then send her to lunch with his good-looking, personable brother. Brilliant planning.

  He jerked the gearstick into reverse and backed out of the parking space, then pulled onto Broadford’s main road. It shouldn’t matter to him what she did or what she thought. He and Ian would sign the contract, and she would be on her way back to New York. Maybe she’d check in with him by phone once a month to make sure he was happy with the progress on the hotel, but other than that, he’d have no further contact with the beautiful American consultant.

  But when he drove straight past the co-op grocery, he was forced to admit that whatever feelings she brought out, he wasn’t ready for it to be over.

  Chapter Twelve

  Only a few tables in the hotel restaurant were filled, and Andrea immediately spotted Ian at one near the window. She put on a warm smile and made her way toward him.

  He rose as she approached. Whatever business he’d had this morning, on the water or otherwise, his beautifully tailored navy suit and maroon tie gave no hint of it now. Seeing Ian look so proper and professional in his business clothing made her realize James wore his own with a sense of irony.

  “Andrea.”

  “Ian.” Andrea gave him a polite nod. “Thank you for meeting me.”

  “Please, join me.” He held out his hand to the chair opposite his, and Andrea took a seat. “Shall we order first?”

  Andrea took a quick glance at the menu. The server, a lovely young woman with a bright smile and a long brown ponytail, appeared a few moments later, and Andrea ordered the seafood linguine and a sparkling water. Ian made his own selection and handed their menus to the woman before folding his hands on the table.

  “I feel I should apologize for yesterday. I certainly didn’t know you would be with James or I wouldn’t have surprised him.”

  Very reserved. Very British. It continually threw her to hear the London-accented voice from a man who so strongly resembled James. “There’s no need to apologize. I understand it must be difficult to do business with family at times.”

  He bowed his head. “You are quite gracious. So tell me, Andrea, what do you think about the hotel?”

  “It has great potential.” She retrieved the folder from her bag and pushed it across the table to Ian. “I’ve put together some details on our company and our capabilities. You can look it over at your leisure. I had been under the impression you were interested in a turnkey consultancy package, but I think you would be fine if we just looked at the marketing side.”

  Ian flipped the folder open, but she could tell he wasn’t really seeing the contents. “To be frank, Andrea, I didn’t know exactly what we needed. Jamie has not been forthcoming with details on the progress of the hotel.”

  Understanding dawned. “You wanted an outsider to assess it.”

  He gave a single nod. “Things have been … strained … between Jamie and me. It’s not that I distrust my brother, but it’s hard to know if he’s passing on all the details. I’m sorry. I really don’t mean to air family issues to a stranger.”

  “You need my professional opinion to know whether he’s being truthful. I understand.” She did understand, though it unsettled her to be talking about James behind his back. He was her client after all. He owned the majority share in the property, even if he wasn’t willing to sign off on anything without Ian’s approval.

  “I can assure you,” she said, “James has matters well in hand. I’ve looked over the blueprints, and while there are a few items I think should be checked with a structural engineer, they look sound. He looks to have accounted for the wiring and plumbing for the upgrades. The house is being modernized to offer all the conveniences a contemporary traveler would expect, but it keeps to the traditional footprint. I can assure you, in a property of this age, it’s a smart move.”

  “That’s a relief,” Ian said. “Thank you.”

  “The one thing I have recommended is that you add a bar.” She retrieved her sketch and handed it to him. “This is one idea of what it might look like.” She quickly outlined her reasoning as she had to James, and Ian nodded thoughtfully.

  “I like the idea. It makes sense.” He set the drawing down. “I’ll discuss it with Jamie. At least I’ll attempt to.” A flicker of pain crossed his face. Obviously, the falling out bothered Ian far more than it did James, or maybe James was just more practiced at hiding it.

  “One thing we might be able to assist with is project management. If communication is a problem, it could help to have someone neutral manage the flow of information for you.”

  “Like a construction counselor?” Ian said with a hint of a smile.

  “Something like that, yes.” Andrea smiled back. “It might help, considering neither of you are on site for more than, what, a week a month?”

  “This is the first time I’ve been back in over a year,” Ian admitted.

  So there was some truth to James’s accusation that it took a wake to get Ian to Scotland. No wonder he had seemed so shocked to see his brother standing in their aunt’s living room.

  Andrea hesitated, wondering how to best approach the topic. The last thing she wanted was to get in the middle of a sibling dispute, a
t least more than she already had. “If I may … I don’t think you need to worry about how your brother is managing the hotel construction. I really don’t know him, but he seems to respect your opinion too much to do anything you’d find objectionable.”

  “Oh, I know that.” Ian sighed. “He’d never purposely do anything to harm family, speaking terms or not. That’s not what I’m concerned about. He’s just been so erratic the last couple of years.”

  Unease stirred in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t want to know any more, but she couldn’t help herself. “How so?”

  “I really shouldn’t burden you with this. It’s just … this is not the Jamie I remember.”

  “Why do you say that?” Her heart beat a little too fast now, and she hoped she didn’t seem too interested in the answer.

  “First, our father died. He took it hard. Jamie was far closer to him than I was. Not long afterwards, Jamie broke off his engagement.”

  Andrea sat very still, shocked by the words. “Oh.”

  His eyebrows drew together in a frown. “You didn’t know?”

  “About your father?”

  “No, about his fiancée.”

  Andrea shook her head. “No. I don’t keep up with celebrity gossip.”

  “You do know he was engaged to Cassandra Sinclair?”

  “The actress?”

  Ian nodded solemnly. “They were supposed to be married two years ago this June, but all of a sudden, he broke it off. He hasn’t been the same since.”

  This was territory definitely not meant to be covered with a business colleague, but Ian seemed to need to talk about it as much as she wanted to know. “Why do you say that?”

  “We were in the middle of negotiating space for a restaurant in Inverness. Then he just changed his mind. Said it wasn’t what he was meant to do right now. Next thing I know, he’s talking about renovating the hotel, opening a dining room. I guess it was something he and Dad had talked about years ago, but they hadn’t gotten around to the details yet.”