Page 54 of Scotch & Dreams

“Mmm. This is beautiful," Violet said, letting the flavour roll on her tongue.

“Couldn’t agree more." The mystery woman smiled back.

“Have you had a chance to look at the auction items?” Violet asked, making conversation. “There are some amazing things.”

“I huv. What would ye huv if ye could choose something?” She gestured toward the auction table where people were milling about, checking their bids. The other woman’s smile was infectious. She was probably six inches shorter than Violet, with striking dark hair in an up-do. The woman was so familiar, and yet she couldn’t place her.

“Well, the helicopter ride and lunch on the mountain sounds decent.” Violet smirked, and the woman nodded and smiled back. “But to be honest, I actually marked down my name for that beautiful tartan blanket. It was probably the only thing on the table I could afford to bid on, to be honest.” She surprised herself confessing such a thing, but she sensed the woman before her was not going to judge her. “I genuinely love it. It would look so good on my navy wingback. Pretty sure it needs to come home with me.”

The lady in red grinned up at her. “Och, good choice! Aye, well, let's hope the luck is with ye then.”

"What about you? What would you choose?" Violet said, taking another sip of the amazing scotch the mystery lady had given her. She wondered where she'd gotten it from as she hadn't seen whisky on any of the trays the servers were going around with.

"Me? I would take the private ghost tour in the vaults.” There was a mischief in her blue eyes that made Violet want to be friends with her.

Just then, the lights dimmed. Violet turned back and saw Lachlan leading the beautiful woman he'd been talking to onto the dance floor. And it felt like watching a car accident where you know you should turn away for self-preservation, but you can’t help your morbid fascination. The butterflies that had turned to lead were now acid in her throat. She threw back the remainder of what was in her glass.

The woman beside her was gazing in the same direction. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

Violet silently nodded, unable to tear her eyes from the couple.

“She’s a donor. In fact, her family is the biggest donor to the sanctuary. They are one of the wealthiest in Scotland.”

Violet turned to look at the woman beside her, wondering how she knew so much, and also uncertain if she wanted to hear anymore.

Then she leaned in conspiratorially. “Anna MacDonald. She has too much money, and she thinks she can buy whatever she wants, including my brother's affections back.”

She didn’t know which part of that statement surprised her more.Back?Did that mean that at some point, this very wealthy, gorgeous woman, Anna, held Lachlan's affections? Had they been a couple?Ugh,whatever the case, the information only confirmed what she'd suspected: there was something between Lachlan and the woman. And then the other part of the statement hit her. She was talking to Lachlan's sister!

“I’m Orlagh Mackenzie.” She held out her hand as if confirming Violet's thought.

Violet reached out and shook her petite hand, surprised by the strength of her grip. “You’re Lachlan’s sister?” It made total sense now why she looked familiar.

“Aye, I suppose I am.”

“I’m Violet Munro. I work at Highland Haven,” she said, by way of explanation as to how she knew Lachlan.

“I ken,” Orlagh replied as if it were common knowledge.

“You do?”

Orlagh gave her a sly smile. “Aye. Lachlan talks about ye.”

“He does?” The breath suddenly left her body.

“Aye." There was a twinkle in her eye, making Violet want to prod her for every detail that Lachlan had ever spoken about her. Instead, she looked back at the wealthy MacDonald woman and Lachlan dancing, and Violet chose self-preservation. Why should she care what he'd said or thought about her?

And just when she'd tried to take the high road, Orlagh informed her very matter-of-factly, “He is not the least bit interested in her. He never truly was. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s wishing to God that he didnae huv to dance with her and play nice.” Orlagh spoke as if she was an authority on the matter.

Violet glanced back to where Lachlan was nodding with a smile as they danced. “They look pretty comfy if you ask me,” Violet said, unable to keep the skepticism from her voice.

Orlagh shrugged. “Trust me, his skin is likely crawlin' huvin' to dance with her. Lachlan is being Lachlan, ever the gentleman. I huv no doubt she wrote a big fat donation check, kennin' full well that Lachlan would be obliged to be civil, especially here at the Gala. Her ulterior motives sing louder than her ta ta's popping out over-the-top of her dress.”

Violet snorted, and Orlagh grinned back at her as if they were on the same team. She dared to wonder if it was true, and Lachlan was just playing the part tonight with that Anna woman.

"Anyway, never mind about her. Let's talk about Highland Haven. Do ye like working there?”

"I honestly can't imagine working anywhere better.” Violet had never felt so fulfilled in a job. Although she realized that she might need to do something about her massive crush on her boss.

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