Free Highland Fling by Emily Harvale

asked her to take the booking. “One of them works with me,” he’d said. But none of them had mentioned they knew her husband. Why was that?
    It couldn’t be Jack. He’d asked who Max was when Max had called last night, so who was it and did he know about that woman ? Was that why he hadn’t acknowledged the connection? A sudden thought flashed across her mind. Had Max asked him to “keep an eye on her”?
    No. Why would he? It wouldn’t even occur to Max that Lizzie might be interested in someone other than him. Max had made it abundantly clear he was certain Lizzie would go back to him – it was just a matter of time. And Max seemed happy to give her time.
    She wondered, as she fed the animals, if Max was seeing other women and she almost laughed out loud. She could be such a fool sometimes. Of course he was seeing other women. This was Max. Why hadn’t she let herself think about this before?
    Alastair came bounding towards her from behind a hedge. She had just left the small barn, where the chickens were deciding whether or not to venture out into the snow, and he nearly knocked her over as he raced up to be stroked.
    She bent down and tickled him behind his ear and he barked appreciatively.
    ‘Good morning,’ a voice said from behind her, making her jump and she turned so abruptly that she lost her balance and tumbled from her bending position on to her side.
    Jack was next to her in an instant and was helping her to her feet.
    ‘Are you okay?’
    ‘Why must you keep making me jump?’
    ‘Ah. Um. Sorry. Should I cough loudly in future or whistle or something so you’ll know I’m approaching?’
    ‘That might help.’ Lizzie brushed the icy snow from her coat. ‘I’m fine thanks. You can let go of me now.’ That sounded far sharper than she’d intended it to.
    Jack hadn’t realised he was still holding her arm and quickly dropped his hand from her. ‘Sorry,’ he said.
    Silence hung between them and Lizzie wrapped her scarf tighter, just so that she was doing something.
    Alastair leapt up at Jack in a friendly greeting. ‘Good morning boy,’ Jack said. ‘Are you always this lively in the morning? I wish I had your energy today.’ He rubbed Alastair’s fur playfully and Alastair wriggled contentedly.
    ‘He wasn’t drinking nearly all day yesterday,’ Lizzie said trying to sound light-hearted.
    ‘Um. Yeah. About yesterday ... ’
    Lizzie held her breath and waited.
    ‘Did I ... well, I had a hell of a lot to drink and it’s all a bit hazy. I ... I hope I didn’t do anything I shouldn’t have.’
    Lizzie was taken by surprise. So, that was how this was going to go. Either he really couldn’t remember or he was going to pretend he couldn’t. None of it. Not the being naked and her ogling him, not all the meaningful looks. Not that kiss. Fine.
    ‘Like what?’ Lizzie gave him her most innocent look.
    Jack’s cheeks reddened – but that could have been from cold, she reasoned.
    ‘Um ... like ... like ... just anything.’
    She smiled at him but he was trying to avoid eye contact.
    ‘Not as far as I’m aware but perhaps you’d better check with Jane. I’d better get back and start breakfast. Are the others up?’ She started walking towards the house. She had to get away from him; tears were pricking at her eyes. So that was the end of that, she thought, irritated that she cared so much.
    Jack fell in step beside her. ‘Lizzie I –’
    ‘Alastair! Come on boy. Sorry Jack. I must dash. I’ve just remembered my husband said he’d call again this morning.’
    She quickened her step but she needn’t have bothered. Jack had stopped in his tracks.
     
     

 
    Chapter Five
    ‘Morning!’ Jane danced into the kitchen.
    ‘Well. You’re certainly in a good mood. What’s brought this on?’
    Lizzie was baking again. She started as soon as she got back after talking to Jack. She needed to take her mind off that particular subject and baking helped. It always had. Whenever she’d