Free Some Like it Scottish by Patience Griffin Page B

and faced both of them. “It’s no secret my father was an alcoholic. Because of his recklessness with his personal life and with the business, he nearly bankrupted the distillery and our family. I took over when I was just seventeen.”
    She knew this, feeling stupid for asking. She recovered quickly. “From what I’ve read, you’ve built back your family’s empire and then some.”
    Davey seemed to approve of her comment and studied her closely. “It’s taken thirteen years, but I think I can finally do something for myself.” He put his hand on the small of her back again and started walking them toward the house. “It’s past time I found a partner with whom to share my life.”
    Ramsay caught up to them again and shot her an eyeroll. “This is some property ye have here. How goes the fishing and the hunting?”
    Davey stopped and looked wistfully off to the nearest mountain. “I have a ghillie who acts as gamekeeper. He’s the one who has the pleasure.”
    â€œYou can’t mean to tell me that you have access to this bountiful land and yet ye don’t enjoy it!”
    â€œWhisky making is a twenty-four/seven endeavor.” Davey said it as if it pained him.
    Ramsay clamped a hand on his shoulder. “What say we keep the distillery talk to a minimum and ye show me what your trout look like over at yonder loch?”
    Excitement lit up Davey’s eyes. But then he glanced at his buildings, looking worried to leave his operation even for a few hours.
    â€œYou only live once,” Ramsay said. “Seize the day, man.”
    â€œRight.” Davey pointed off to a small cottage. “Let’s get some gear.” The two men headed off.
    Kit stood there, forgotten, confused, and irritated.
    Only a minute ago, Davey had given her too much attention. Now, it was as if Kit had faded away, and there she was, left holding her damned wellies.
    She ran after them. Maybe she could use this outing to her advantage, as she’d done in Alaska. She’d, gone fly-fishing, taken a harrowing flight on a bush plane during a storm, and even gone moose hunting in the name of getting bachelors to sign up. Besides, how bad could it be to spend a few hours with a couple of good-looking men who were trying to conquer the beasts of the land and water?
    â€œWait up.” She followed them to the ghillie’s cottage. Once there, she changed into her wellies while the men gathered what they needed for fishing. As they headed tothe loch in the jeep, she tried to come up with an opening or at least an angle to use on Davey to get him to sign on as one of her clients. At the top of the steep hill, the view was breathtaking, with miles of water glistening below.
    As the Scots unloaded their gear, Kit trekked down the near-perpendicular hill to get a closer look. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it very far before one of her boots lodged in a hole and she lost her balance. With breakneck speed, she rolled and tumbled, shrieking all the way, until she hit the loch with a splash. Frigid water went up her nose. The cold took her breath away.
    Her feet found the bottom but she was shaking too hard to stand. Strong arms fished her out and held her close.
    Ramsay moved her hair out of her face. “I’ve got ye.” Gently he laid her head on his shoulder. “I’ve never seen a more graceful fall. Are ye all right?”
    â€œG-grand,” she said, clinging to his neck and shivering.
    As he long-stepped it back up the hill, he rubbed his chin on her hair. “Though entertaining, the Highlands are too cold for a wet T-shirt contest.”
    She looked down and groaned. Sure enough, her shirt was plastered to her breasts and her nipples were drawn tight as a tack. She slapped a hand over her chest.
    Davey came up beside them. “She’s got to get out of those clothes right away.”
    â€œYou drive,” Ramsay said.
    Surely,