Free To Scotland With Love by Patience Griffin Page A

and up the stairs. Moments later, Cait heard the initial sob. Deydie hustled down and out the back door.
    â€œI have to go to her.” Cait grabbed her coat.
    Graham reached out and clutched her arm. “Your gran wouldn’t want it.”
    â€œI don’t care.” Cait tore out the door and down the path.
    When she caught up with Deydie, she tried to put her hand on her shoulder. “Gran, wait.”
    Deydie hurriedly swiped at her eyes before turning to Cait. “Get away from me. I don’t need ye. Why don’t ye go back to where you belong?”
    She might as well have slapped Cait in the face. Her grandmother propelled herself down the path, her large hips bouncing from side to side.
    Cait wiped her tears. Gandiegow had promised to be her haven, not her hell. What would she do now?
    Graham caught up to Cait. “Your gran didn’t mean it. It’s the grief talking. Give her time, but not too much. Then go to her, and be with her, whether she wants you to or not.”
    * * *
    Graham came back from Duncan’s house feeling restless and uneasy. Duncan had taken the news of Precious well enough, but something wasn’t right. He was off. He seemed so tired these days. Graham knew that raising a boy on his own wasn’t easy, but he worried it was something more.
    Everyone in Gandiegow helped with Mattie, babysitting while Duncan made a living on his boat, fishing. If only he could find a wife for Duncan. But few women wanted to live in a secluded village on the northeastcoast of Scotland. Mattie’s mother had only stayed long enough to drop him off. Graham paced the parlor. He would have to step up his efforts to find Duncan a wife. A fisherman needed help—backup—couldn’t be a single da and all alone.
    Caitie Macleod came to mind. She loved Gandiegow. She’d shown what a good heart she had by the way she’d handled Precious. Caitie had a nice smile.
An even nicer body
. She smelled like the ocean and spring all at the same time. Being nestled up beside her all night had soothed Graham—she’d been a balm for his grieving soul
.
She had a lot of good attributes and would make a fine wife.
    For Duncan
, Graham reminded himself. As soon as he uncovered the secret Caitie was hiding, he would see about bringing them together.
    So why couldn’t he imagine Caitie with his son, or with anyone else for that matter?
    Graham had to put his mind on something else. He grabbed his phone and called his agent.
    â€œSid, it’s Graham.”
    He held the phone away from his ear while Sid shouted obscenities— Where had he been? Why hadn’t he told him he was disappearing again?
    After a minute, Graham interrupted Sid’s tirade. “I haven’t missed any contractual dates. Do you still want me to do the RSPCA public-service announcement or not?” It would be a nice way to honor Precious’s life.
    Sid gave him an exasperated “Yes.”
    â€œI’ll be in London by tonight. Keep it low-key,” Graham ordered. “No press this time. No stunts.” He hung up.
    He was too restless to stay in the house, and it was too early to go to the pub. Unless it was to see Caitie. But she was probably napping after their long night.
    Graham decided to go back to Duncan’s and put up the Christmas tree with Mattie.
Just Grandda and grandson.
Let Duncan rest; give him a breather.
    Graham pulled his collar closer around his neck and stared out at the sea. Yeah, he’d be helping Duncan, but he wasn’t kidding himself. Right now, he needed them more than they needed him.

Chapter Six
    T wo hours later, Cait stomped back to the pub.
Things just keep getting better and better.
The meeting with Mr. Sinclair about her cottage hadn’t gone as expected. Sure, demolition could take place right away, but most of the rebuilding wouldn’t start until spring. Something about concrete not setting up when it’s cold, wood