Free In Search of the Past (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #2) by Rikki Dyson Page B

wonderful and exciting, but she felt sure it was just another one night stand for him. To part here and go their separate ways was probably best for both of them.  That way there would be no embarrassing explanations and goodbyes.
    Shane had come downstairs early and joined his dad having coffee.  Shane told him about the conversation with Lord Wakefield and his offer to go to Scotland with Stacey. Though now he was having second thoughts. Shane didn’t want to tell his dad that he had just left Stacey’s bed and that was why he was having second thoughts.
    “Do what you think is best son,” his dad said, “you know two heads are always better than one.” Andrew had noticed the body language between his son and Stacey at the table this morning. He was almost certain something had gone on between them. He hoped so anyway, he really did like and admire this young woman. Shane stood up and said, “I’m going. I’ll go get my case.”
    “I can never repay ya’ll for the wonderful hospitality you’ve shown me,” Stacey said. “If you ever come to Texas you’ll be treated like royalty, that I can promise you. My great Aunt Lora Flemming would love to tell her neighbors, “I have the English visiting.” 
    My whole tribe is a mixed breed.  You might say, ‘we’re leather and feather people,’ but Aunt Lora thinks she’s all English, we just let her think it, even though she was born in Texas.”
    Stacey gave hugs to everyone.  Shane’s mother gave her a jar of blackberry jam. “This is for Mr. Chen,” she said. 
    Stacey thanked her and headed for the door. Uncle John and Andrew were putting the cases in the car. “You have the keys, so you can drive,” Stacey said.
    As Andrew closed Stacey’s car door, he told her, “I think you’re an extraordinary young woman.  It has been a pleasure to meet you.”
    “Thank you sir, that means a lot to me,”  Stacey said.
    He came around to Shane’s side and said, “Drive carefully son.  If you happen to see your grandmother, tell her we’ll be home next weekend.”

Chapter 11
    Windingham
    A s they left the driveway and turned right on Maxwell road, Shane asked. “What’s in your lap?” He saw his mother give her something but didn’t know what is was. He was surprised at the charming impression she made on everyone.
    “Your mother gave me a jar of blackberry jam, for Mr. Chen,” she said. “Wasn’t that nice of her?”  Stacey could tell by the sound of his voice he wasn’t pleased by his families reaction to her. For the life of her she didn’t understand why he objected.
    “Jolly good,” he said. “it seems you have the lot eating from the palm of your hand.”
    Shane knew his attitude was wrong and with soul searching he still couldn’t figure out why he resented his family liking Stacey. She was a beautiful, likeable, young woman and he should be pleased that they all liked her. The sharp edge, Stacey heard in Shane’s voice put her on guard. She narrowed her eyes as she looked at him and said, “All but you, huh?”
    “I think you know where you have me,” Shane replied. The words were no sooner out of his mouth that he regretted saying them. He was having mixed feelings about the whole situation.
    “No I don’t,” Stacey said, “but I have other things on my mind right now, so that can wait.” 
    Stacey unbuckled her seatbelt, turned around and put the jar of jam in a shopping bag of things she’d picked up yesterday. “Where do you want to go first?” Shane asked.
    “To the library in Chatington; I wanna’ print out maps of medieval England, Scotland and one each of modern times.”
    “We could’ve done that on Uncle John’s computer,” Shane said, rather gruffly.
    “Yes, I suppose I could’ve, but I had other things on my mind.”
    Shane make no reply, but Stacey didn’t like his surly attitude and said, “Shane, I realize we don’t know each other very well, however, if you have a problem with me tell me