Free Sally’s Wedding: Book 3 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series by A. J. Temple Page B

what she had witnessed, only later though she realising that she had not mentioned the limp .
    When she had finished, Robert looked disturbed to say the least.
    “Sally, I must ask you not to go these early morning walks for a while; at least not on your own.”
    “What! I’m not going to let these characters ruin my walks Robert!”
    “Sally please listen to me. The fact is that we have been after these men for some time now – and they are known to be dangerous.”
    “What do you mean, dangerous?” Asked Sally, a little alarmed at Roberts sombre tone.
    “Well late last year, we almost caught them red-handed but they escaped us by beating one of our workers senseless; then escaping through the trees to a waiting boat on the loch.
    “Oh that’s terrible Robert – is he all right?”
    “Yes he is now, but he was a few days in hospital with is injuries .”
    Sally and Agnes looked equally horrified.
    “But you never told me any of this Robert?” Agnes looked questioningly at her son.
    “No mum. I didn’t want to worry you – I still don’t! The fact is that they are only interested in the poaching of deer and salmon on the estate; and should offer you no trouble – unless you accidently bump into them while they are about their illegal business!”
    “I see.” Sally spoke out. “So what now then?”
    “Well now I will get back to the Estate office, and tell them this latest news. I’ll let you know more when I get home after work.”
    “So do you think it’s safe to go outside at all? Agnes asked him nervously.
    “Mum, please don’t worry. If they wanted to anything about us here, they would have done it before now! Right, I’d better be going – just remember to stay away from that track Sally – Ok?”
    Sally kissed him farewell , as he headed out the door to report on the latest happenings on the Loch An Eilein Estate. Suddenly remembering, she ran out to catch him as he got into the Range Rover. “Oh, just one more thing Robert – one of the men had a bad limp; he seemed to drag his foot a little in fact.”
    “Ok, thanks Sally. I’ll be sure and tell Tom.”
    Robert headed out at some speed, to meet with his friend Tom and discuss just what the next step was in the hunt for the poachers.
     
    ******
     

Chapter 2
     
    It was turning into a fine day, as Sally and Agnes took the short trip into Aviemore. She had bought a two year old Jeep Cherokee, since arriving at her new home. It was not the well-favoured 4 x 4 Land Rover, but Robert declared it was nevertheless a good substitute as it was a ‘real 4 x 4 , ’ unlike the other ‘pedestrian options’ as he called them.
    The plans for the wedding had still to be finalised, but the basic details were well covered. The wedding itself would be a relatively small affair, and Sally hoped to get the quaint little church she had loved at first sight – on the outskirts of Aviemore at the village off Coyl umbridge . The wedding reception was to be held at the Coylumbridge Hotel, which was just a short drive away, and was able to cater for wedding parties .
    Right now however, they had decided to go into town to collect some much needed groceries, and to have coffee and cake at an excellent café above a shop that sold outdoor clothing and hiking gear. Sal l y had found out on previous trips that the carrot cake was ‘to die for , ’ and it was now a part of their shopping routine.
    As for the incident with the poachers earlier that morning, they had both decided to put it from their mind until they seen Robert after work.
    They soon arrived at the supermarket and stocked up on the essentials. It was a short stroll to the coffee shop from there.
    “So what exactly are you going to do for work my dear, once all your paperwork is sorted out I mean?” Agnes asked as they entered the shop and climbed the stairs to the café above.
    “Well Agnes, that is the one thing – thanks to my father – that I will not have to worry about for some