Page 43 of Scotch & Dreams

"As in the list of books you want to read," Violet added, noting Andy's confused, slightly ruffled brow. “Anyway, I was just so glad someone decided to talk to me.” She reflected on how lonely she’d actually been feeling—until Fiona popped into her life.

“Oh, I’m certain I wasn’t the first.”

"Fair. But you were the first to ask the fun questions. I never expected to find a lifelong friend in such a short amount of time.” Violet reached over and gave Fiona's hand a squeeze.

“Hey, what about me then? I suppose I'm just the soggy peas on the side that nobody cares about,” Andy said, wallowing in self-pity.

Violet giggled. “And you, Andy! I’m thankful we met, too. I feel like the two of you took me under your wing—thank God. I’m no longer a loner in Scotland, cheers!”

With a laugh, they clanked their glasses. “To no' being a loner!” Fiona concurred and took a healthy sip.

As the sun set, Violet sat in her lovely new cottage, enjoying champagne and the company of her new friends. She felt like she was living her dream life. It was one of the best evenings Violet had had since arriving in Scotland. Only one other could beat it, but she pushed that memory aside.

“So now you have a business client, a job, a place to live, friends, how about a man? Any prospects?” Fiona flashed a sly grin, swept her long dark hair forward over her shoulder, and batted her lashes in a flirty gesture.

Violet guffawed, throwing back the contents of her mug. The champagne made her head spin.

“Nothing?” She looked aghast.

Meanwhile, Andy was kicked back on the couch, intoxicated and laser-focused on balancing his mug atop his rounded belly.

Violet poured herself some more champagne and leaned over to top up Andy's mug and then Fiona's, emptying the contents of the bottle.

"I don't have time for men. What about you, Fiona? Have you met any hunky amazingness as of late?”

“Really, lassies, ye ken I’m still here, aye?” Andy remarked, tuning back into the conversation.

“Ya, ya, Andy.” Fiona swatted at his leg, causing his mug to falter, and he jostled with it before saving his champagne from spilling. "Ye may wanna close yer ears." She teased him and then drew her attention back to Violet. “Have ye seen the owner of the sanctuary, Vi?" Her dark brow raised in a playful arch. "He was there yesterday and och.”

“I wasn’t in yesterday. He’s hot?” she asked, intrigued at this turn of events.

“Oh, girl, ye dinnae ken the half of it.” Fiona fanned herself like a 1950s actress who was allhot and bothered.

“Do tell. I always assumed it was some old rich dude who owned it.” Violet leaned against the cushions of the couch, cradling her champagne eagerly anticipating the details. It was good for her to remember there were other men in Scotland, not just Lachlan.

“Hardly! Mmm, mmm, mmm.” Fiona drawled. “Definitely easy on the eyes.”

“Really. How old is he?” Violet tried to imagine this easy-on-the-eyes enigma.

“Not that old. I would say late twenties to early thirties.”

“The owner’s son, maybe?” He'd have to have either a lot of money or some solid investors to own a sanctuary like Highland Haven.

“No, we were told he was it, the master behind the plan.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh my God, and he was so nice,” she droned exaggeratedly. “He was talking about his vision for the sanctuary and how grateful he was for all our help and how he wanted it to be a place we could also feel good about.” She took a gulp of her champagne as if it were milk, washing down cookies. “Seriously, good-looking, cares about kids, and rich? My ovaries are dancing a fuckin’ jig!

Violet laughed, almost spilling her champagne. “That good, eh?”

“Aye, Miss Canada, eh?” Fiona teased. “That good. I think he’d be right up yer alley.”

“My alley? What about your alley? I thought your ovaries were jigging?” Violet slogged the last of her champagne and looked around as though disappointed more was not awaiting her. She was more concerned with champagne than her supposedly hot, rich, children-lovin’ boss. It was good to know there were other fish in the sea— maybe even other Knights in shining armour. But Violet found herself reluctant to jump into the dating scene in Scotland. After… whatever the heck that was with Lachlan, she realized the last thing she needed was a distraction— especially when what she really wanted was to find her footing here in this country.

“Oh, well, they jigged but more on yer behalf. I think I prefer the bad boys—gruff and rough, that kind of thing. This one is too nice for that.” Fiona yawned, stretching her arms up before settling in a cozied-up ball. “Yep, ye should do the boss. Let us all live vicariously,” she said sleepily.

“I dinnae wanna live vicariously in that scenario. Thank ye verra much,” Andy suddenly piped up.

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