Page 3 of Scotch & Dreams

She let out a sigh of relief. “Does that mean I can go home then?” She looked at him hopefully, knotting her fingers in the starchy bedsheet.

“Aye, I think ye are well enough to leave. However, I would like someone to stay with you for the next twenty-four hours. Ye shouldnae be alone.”

Not the news Violet wanted to hear. She’d only just arrived in Scotland and didn’t know anyone. Who could she get to stay with her? She bit her lip worriedly. “Why do I need someone with me? My memories are coming back, and I feel way better.”

“Aye, and that’s excellent." Dr. Campbell slid his pen into his chest pocket. "However, with a concussion, complications can sometimes arise a day or two later. It is best if someone is with ye to keep an eye out.”

“Well, if something happens, I can just come back here.”

He seemed resolute, but Violet wasn't going to give up so easily.

Dr. Campbell smiled kindly at her, his jowls lifting, “It's important, Violet. It is rare, but seizures can occur after a bang to the head like yers. Usually, if they are going to occur, it happens at night. Ye were fine last night, but either ye stay here another night or ye promise me to have someone stay the night to watch ye,” he said, with a finality that she couldn’t argue with.

With Violet’s promise, Dr. Campbell signed her release papers and told her she was free to go but that she should take it easy over the next day or two.

After such an ordeal, Violet couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital and into the fresh highland air. She felt weak, and her head ached. But she also felt almost a new lease on life, kind of feel. It certainly fortified her belief to live every moment to the fullest.

Now the only problem was who was she going to get to stay with her. The lady she was renting the Airbnb from was offsite, and they hadn’t even met in person. She considered texting her, though. In their interactions to date, she seemed nice and easygoing. Violet crossed her arms over her chest, realizing that she didn’t feel comfortable asking her Airbnb lady to come babysit her. Maybe she could find an all-night café or something. She bit her lip. Oh, this was maddening.

When she wasn’t racking her brain trying to think of who she could get to stay with her, Violet’s memories were still flooding her mind. She walked over to the wardrobe in her room and opened the door. Her black stretch running capris and bright peach tank hung neatly on wire hangers. Her black underwear was draped carefully over a third hanger, and her black sports bra hung on a fourth. Slowly, she recalled the nurse telling her the night before,Lassie, I’ve hung your clothes up in the airing cupboard. They’re a wee bit damp.

Violet reached up and touched her bra. Dry. She pulled it down and got dressed, silently thanking the thoughtful nurse. She was so happy she was okay and getting out of the hospital that she didn’t even care that she had to put her dried-up, sweaty jogging clothes back on. Getting dressed knocked the stuffing right out of her.

As she pulled her hair up into a messy bun and plonked herself back on the bed, she closed her eyes and took some deep breaths. She needed a few minutes to recover. The knock at the door made her jump, and when she opened her eyes, there he was.

Chapter 4

The Other Woman

Whatacrazyevening.Lachlan sat on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, fist in fist under his chin, and he just stared blankly with the events of the past couple of hours replaying in his mind. He wondered if he could have done more to help the lass. It all happened so quickly. What could he have done to prevent it? He couldn’t have known it would happen, but it still felt like he should’ve been able to do more. It was not the first time in his life that the what-ifs had haunted him. He ran his hand through his hair, tension still filled him. It was all too similar to a life-changing event of his past. Those memories felt eerily fresh.

When the ambulance arrived tonight, Lachlan told the two medics all he knew, which wasn’t much. The pair, one younger woman with tattoos and a lanky middle-aged man, took charge with practiced efficiency. As relieved as Lachlan felt knowing they were taking good care of the lass, he didn’t like how quickly he felt as useless as the grass she sat upon. And then, before he knew it, the male medic told him they were taking her, and Lachlan realized that was apparently his cue that he could leave now, too. The ambulance crew had taken over, and he was no longer needed. As they whisked her off to the hospital, Lachlan had stood there for a time, wondering if he should follow them. Everything felt very undone.

Lachlan thought about the way Violet Munro had looked at him. Her deep moss-green eyes were so confused and lost. She looked into his eyes as if he were her only lifeline. It made him think, even now, that he should go to the hospital, be there for her. He felt inexplicably connected to her.

His phone dinged. He glanced down at it and raked his hand through his hair, blowing out a breath before opening the text.

Anna: Still hate France. It is nice to see Liz happy, though. Not so keen on her friends from New York, but I suppose I’ll have to suffer through. Only a couple of days, thank God. How was your meeting? Did you land another client?

Lachlan stared blankly at his phone for what seemed like an eternity. He didn’t feel like talking with Anna right now, but he supposed he should message her back.

Lachlan:Maybe it’ll get better. Glad Liz is happy. Meeting went well. Client landed. Night x

Lachlan hit send, feeling exhausted. A moment later, his phone dinged again.

Anna: When I get back, we should go out and celebrate! You should book a reservation at Skye’s. We can get dressed up and go all out, champagne, all the courses! Ooh maybe you could rent a limo too, really top off the night.

The last thing Lachlan wanted to think about right now was making arrangements for a limo and a Michelin-starred restaurant. It was not that he was opposed to taking his girlfriend out for a special evening, but his mind was completely preoccupied with things much more important than a night on the town.

Lachlan: We’ll sort something out when you’re back. Have a lovely time, say hi to Liz. I’m off to bed. Early morning for me x

Lachlan dropped his phone on the bed and strode into the bathroom to wash up. When he came back, his phone was lit up with messages from Anna.

Anna: I think we need that night out. Definitely look into getting it booked for us.

Anna: Skye’s has long wait lists, so you need to reserve ASAP.

Anna: A spa day would be great too!

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