Free The Highlander's Hope - A Contemporary Highland Romance by Cali MacKay Page A

her to his brother, Malcolm.  “It’s a pleasure.”
    There were definite similarities in the men’s l ooks.  Both were tall and good-looking, with dark wavy hair, and those intelligent blue eyes.  Yet Malcolm seemed to have a completely different air about him, as if he didn’t have a care in the world when in the presence of anyone female.
    “The pleasure’s mine.”  He shook her hand with a curious smile and a glint in his eyes, his touch lingering a second longer than one would expect.  “Iain’s girlfriend?  I hadn’t realized.”
    Even though Malcolm lived in Edinburgh, t hey’d decided it’d be best to keep up the charade of being in a relationship, in case Malcolm spoke with anyone from town.  Even if James figured out they weren’t truly a couple, it’d still be best to keep up appearances, so others wouldn’t start to suspect their true motivations.
    “It’s been a bit of a long- distance thing.”  Iain wrapped an arm around her shoulder, his eyes lingering on hers to reinforce their lie.  “We’ll not stay long, but I appreciate ye taking Da on such short notice.”
    Malcolm gave his father a smile and put a hand on the old man’s shoulder.  “Anytime .  The two of us will find plenty to keep us entertained and busy.  Won’t get into too much trouble, will we, Da?”
    Iain ’s smile turned stiff, though it was only for a second.  “Can I speak to ye a moment?”
    Without waiting for an answer Iain walked into another room, waited for Malcolm to join him, and then shut the door.
    “ Dinnae fash yerself, girl.”  Callum patted her arm, before taking a seat.  “They’ve ne’er quite seen eye to eye, and Iain, being the oldest, has always taken it upon himself to care for everything and everyone.”
    She’ d noticed.  Cat still thought Iain was being a bit paranoid about James, especially going to the extent of having his father stay with his brother.  Still, better safe than sorry.  He was right about people going to extreme measures when there was fame and fortune to gain.
    “Well, I hope I’ll get to see you again before I leave Dunmuir.  I’ve yet to hear any of your stories.”
    “Och well, Iain probably knows them better than I do at this point.”  He laughed, his blue eyes kind and keen.  “And don’t let his gruff exterior get to ye—he’s a lamb underneath it all.  But I think ye already knew that.  He’s used to getting his way, so don’t go letting him push ye around.  Put him in his place if ye see fit.”
    Before she could say anything, the door opened and the brothers joined them.  The air in the room suddenly felt charged with tension.  Iain turned to his father.  “Like we discussed.  And if you need anything at all, ye have my number.”
    “Aye, son.  Take care.”
    “Will do, Da.”  Iain then turned a harsh gaze on his brother.  “I’ll be in touch.”
    They headed out the door and down the stairs, his walk brisk and his stride long. 
    She picked up her pace to keep up with him. “I don’t suppose you want to tell me what that was about?” 
    “Ye supposed right.   This isn’t a real relationship, Cat.”
    “Luckily!”
    They climbed into Iain’s car, and before she’d even buckled up, he’d pulled out.  “Bloody hell, Iain.”
    He pounded the steering wheel in frustration, gritting his teeth and taking a long breath.  “Sorry.”
    “Look, I don’t mean to be n osy, but if we’re going to be stuck together for the foreseeable future, then maybe…”
    “Maybe what?  Maybe we can do each other’s hair and confess all our secret crushes like a bunch of school girls?  It’s not happening, love.”  He flicked her a glance through narrowed eyes, his jaw tight and his entire body bristling with tension.
    “Then I refuse to be on the receiving end of your wrath.  I get being angry.  But if you’re not going to talk to me about whatever dragged your beautiful sunshiny mood out to play, then you need to