Page 12 of Scotch & Dreams

“You should go.” She eyed him thoughtfully. “I grew up in cottage country, north of Toronto.”

“That sounds rather idyllic.”

“It is very beautiful. It reminds me a bit of here.” She nodded toward the window, looking out. “Lots of vast greenery. And lakes. But you also have the ocean right there, and I think you have more sheep.” She grinned. Her best friend, Sierra, had told her that there were more sheep in Scotland than stars in the sky, and now, after the thirty-minute drive to Craggy's, Violet thought she might be right.

“Aye.” Lachlan’s lips lifted into his crooked smile.

Her heart stuttered.

“So what brought ye to Scotland? I assume it wasnae our sheep population.”

Violet chuckled and looked up at the ceiling before blowing out a breath. Here she was, in Scotland, and even now, her parent’s disapproval nagged at her. Everyone in her life seemed to have an opinion on her dreams. And what she should and shouldn’t be doing with her life. The only person who supported her unconditionally was Sierra, who was currently traveling the world. Violet hesitated to talk about it.

“That’s also a long story.”

Lachlan’s eyes were fixed upon her. “And now ye huv me even more intrigued.”

Violet sat back, assessing the handsome man before her. She didn’t know much about him, but she knew he was kind-hearted. Something told her that he wouldn’t judge her as harshly as everyone else did.

She shrugged. “I think the movieBraveheartdid it.”

Lachlan’s eyes lit with humour. “NotOutlander?”

“Oh, yeah, of course. That too.” She laughed. “Scotland just always seemed like this mythical, magical place. And my favourite drink is scotch, so I figured I should come to the source.”

He threw her a raised brow, “Aye, we are known for our mythical legends, but even more for our whisky. But why move here, why not just visit?”

“Right, that.” Violet felt a familiar trickle of nerves at explaining her actions. "The truth is, I wanted to prove it to myself that I could do it—that I could move to another country and start a new life. Not that I’m off to the best start.” She sighed, imagining what her cynical mother would have to say about it.

He studied her thoughtfully, and her heart fluttered at an unsteady pace. It was the way he seemed to peer into her very soul. She shifted on the seat, worried he'd take the same perspective as her family and think she was impetuous. “I think that is verra admirable,” he said finally.

Relief seeped through her.

“A concussion and a hospital stay may no' be an ideal way to start, but do ye ever think…” He stopped, his gaze impossibly intense on her.

“Do I think what?” she was dying to know what he was going to say.

“I, well—”

Unless she was mistaken, strong, confident Lachlan was uncomfortable.

“What?” she nudged.

“Just that things happen for a reason.”

“You mean like us meeting?” She smiled, her pulse ticking up a notch.

His lips tugged sideways. “Aye, I suppose, but also ye ken, the expression, 'that which doesnae kill us, makes us stronger?' I mean ye survived probably the worst that Scotland will throw at ye, so the rest should be easy now, no?”

“Oh right, yes, I guess so.” Violet sobered, realizing he wasn't referring to their kismet meeting and the connection that buzzed excitedly through her veins—apparently, he was buzz-free. Maybe it was leftover meds in her system, making her pulse kick up like a woodpecker drumming for a mate in spring? She scoffed inwardly, knowing better.

Violet smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I originally intended to move to London. I’m planning to start a personal styling business, helping people with their wardrobes, and I thought London would be the spot. But somehow, Scotland kept calling. I wanted to be by the sea, and although London is a huge mecca, it just didn’t feel quite right. It was almost too busy. I wanted somewhere where I could find my own niche, you know?”

Lachlan could relate to that sentiment. He liked London and the larger cities in Scotland, but he much preferred the pace in the Highlands of Scotland. "Aye, that makes sense. Ye could probably have a monopoly on the styling market all the way out here.”

“Exactly.” She lit up, excited that he understood.

“I also love being outdoors, hiking, and that sort of thing. I'm not really a big city type girl,” she pulled her long blond hair absently over one shoulder. “Scotland feels like to be the right fit.

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