Page 72 of Scotch & Dreams

“Thanks, Lachlan,” she said, and she padded back to her bed as he slipped out her bedroom door.

Lachlan was somewhat relieved to make his exit from Violet’s. He was on the verge of being completely ungentlemanly. Seemed to be becoming a bit of an issue when he was around her. When she hopped out of bed in her skimpy bed clothes and pressed herself against him, it was all he could do to not peel away her clothes right there and then, sick or not. It didn’t help that he’d read that bloody book before falling asleep. It was a love story, but the sex scenes were like reading porn. He actually found that he didn’t want to put it down. It surprised him how much it drew him in. Certainly not his usual reading.

Driving back to his place, he stretched his neck trying to get a kink out. He didn’t sleep well in that chair, but there was no way he was going to leave Violet. He had awoken a few times and checked on her. It was awfully tempting to hop into the bed beside her, but he didn’t think it was right to assume he’d be welcome there.

He didn’t bring up anything about the other night. It didn’t seem like the right time to talk about it or about them. It did strike him as odd that he hadn’t noticed the flowers he’d gotten her, and the tartan had been in the back of her closet. At some point, when she was feeling better, they would have a chance to talk.

Sally greeted Lachlan as he walked through his back door, and he grabbed her leash to take her for a walk before heading to the distillery. When they got back to the house, his cell phone rang, and he pulled it from his pocket, hoping it was Violet. It wasn’t. And in the span of a few moments, his world was thrown into hell.

Chapter 42

Radio Silence…Again.

VioletreluctantlytookLachlan’sadvice and stayed home. She slept almost all day and through the following night. Her body must have needed it.

The following day she dragged her butt out of bed. She was not 100 percent, but definitely better. She showered, had a bite of breakfast, and headed to the sanctuary for her shift. She hoped she’d see Lachlan, but he wasn’t there. She hadn’t heard from him since he’d left the morning before, aside from a quick text response to one she’d sent him thanking him again.

The week went by, and she still hadn’t heard anything from Lachlan, nor had she seen him. She had texted him a couple of times but got nothing back. She didn’t want it to sting, but it did. She wondered if he had maybe gone on a business trip, but even so, why wouldn’t he just message her?

Violet headed home Friday from a styling appointment. She’d had an awesome day working on a new wardrobe for one of the few clients she’d kept on.

Once she was home, she decided scotch was in order for her Friday night. It wasn’t as good as the scotch Lachlan had given her at his house and the distillery, but it would suffice.

She went and sat in her quaint back yard. It was late on a mild summer’s night. A thousand stars pricked tiny holes in the clear, dark sky. She sipped her scotch and looked off into the distance at the rolling hills and seaside. God, it was heaven here. She wrapped her lovely new tartan blanket a little tighter around her shoulders. She was glad he’d brought it out for her the other night. She’d maybe been a bit hasty when she’d stashed it away.

Lachlan was on her mind, as per usual. He was a mystery to her. She struggled to know what he wanted with her, if anything at all. In some ways, she felt sure he must be into her and want to see her, but then at the same time, he always seemed careful and reserved. The one night he let loose and gave in to passion seemed like a lifetime ago, almost as if she’d imagined it. Perhaps it was just the excitement of the night, the scotch—the magic in the air.

As much as she was trying to guard her heart from him, he kept breaking down her walls, whether he was trying to or not. She tried to take everything at face value and not read into anything, tried to harden her heart. But he was in it, far more than she felt comfortable with.

She eyed the flowers he’d brought her. Were they meant to say,Thanks for the quickie sex—that was cut woefully short—now let’s just be friends?Oh, what a crazy, passionate night it had been. She had no intention of making out with him, but it was like she was under a spell that night. Who knew? Maybe it was just the magic of the night. She felt aroused just thinking about it. Curse him.

Then less than a week ago, he’d come to her rescue, bringing her medicine and freaking homemade broth and freshly squeezed juice. He’d even stayed the night. She’d felt so taken care of, so safe. He must care for her. But then he dropped off and went quiet, disappearing from her world.

Way too familiar of a scenario. Last time, he’d taken care of her too and then dropped off the face of the earth. Was the same thing happening again? The thought annoyed her. What was his deal? She felt so confused and fed up. But her heart wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

Chapter 43

Guilt and Blame

Nothingcouldhavepreparedhim for the phone call he received that morning. It was his mam. He barely recognized the quiet, agonized voice on the other end. There had been an accident, and Orlagh was in the hospital. His mom could barely speak. He knew it was bad. He was already back out to his car before hanging up with her.

Lachlan headed straight for the hospital. Fear gripped him like cold, hard steel. It was more than he could take. He couldn’t lose another sister. He wouldn’t lose her. It brought back memories and pain that he tried so hard to keep at bay.

When he arrived at the hospital, the first person he saw was Drew. Lachlan was taken aback. He didn’t expect to see his delinquent brother there. He stood with his back leaning against the pale green hospital wall, his arms crossed, arrogant and serious.

Lachlan was already reeling. He didn’t know how to face Drew on top of everything else. He couldn’t handle his brother’s anger, his judgment.

Drew noted Lachlan’s arrival. They eyed each other without saying a word. Alex stood beside Drew, a near carbon copy stance—leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. Although, unlike Drew, he was staring down at the floor as if he wished it would open up and take him away.

Their mam and da stood from waiting room chairs when they saw Lachlan. His mam ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him in a sob.

“Och, Lachlan,” she cried into his shirt.

He held her close, with his heart breaking. His da patted him on the back. His whole demeanour was racked with pain.

“What’s going on? What’s happening?” Lachlan’s voice was choked.

Drew’s voice was calm and even. “She’s in surgery right now.” He took a deep breath, avoiding Lachlan’s eyes. “She stepped off the curb, and a lorrie came charging around the bend.” His voice caught, and he looked up to the ceiling as if that would stop the tears from falling from his eyes.

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